Storytime with Bashir and O’Brien

Matt’s Take on Episode 13: “The Storyteller”

FINALLY

I have been waiting for Bashir and O’Brien to team up since this rewatch began! I honestly couldn’t remember how it happened, and while “The Storyteller” isn’t an episode that blows me away, I love watching the beginning of this beautiful relationship.

Call me Julian

The scene with O’Brien and Julian in the runabout is a great bit of comedy. O’Brien clearly doesn’t have time for Bashir and actually seems to be quite disdainful and dismissive initially. I could see how O’Brien could be peeved that the young doctor is his superior officer, or maybe even jealous of his dashing good looks. O’Brien, of course, has been saddled with a loveless marriage by the writers for whatever reason, and he’s also the most overworked person on the station. For all of these reasons, I will give him a pass. However, O’Brien will soon come to appreciate Julian, and I imagine that this episode was a turning point for some Bashir bashers when the show originally aired.

I Think it’s Definitely Storytime

O’Brien’s discomfort and bewilderment at being anointed as the new Sirah is comedy gold. Bashir also isn’t terribly helpful throughout, and seems to be getting some amusement from O’Brien’s predicament. That being said, Julian helps to give some backbone to Hovath to take over as the storyteller in order to keep the Dal’Rok at bay. I don’t have much else to comment regarding the plot, but I love O’Brien’s doomed attempt to tell the story at the end. He even starts out by saying, “Once upon a Time,” which is probably what I would do in that situation.

Varis Sul

This little story with Jake, Nog, and Varis Sul is rather delightful. It’s fun to watch how Jake and Nog react to this girl in completely different ways. Jake is clearly much more slick and confident, whereas Nog just completely can’t hold himself together around her. The oatmeal prank was pretty fun though. It’s pretty clear that Odo is amused by their antics even though he maintains his tough exterior around the children. 

OH, and I love the part when Varis Sul throws the drink in Quark’s face:

Varis Sul: “I’m not a little lady!”

Quark: “I’m still charging her for that drink.”

Summary

We get to see the beginning of the legendary friendship between Bashir and O’Brien. The storyteller plot isn’t my favorite, and I think it’s amusing how Hovath half-heartedly attempts to stab O’Brien, only to be immediately forgiven for this attempted murder. We already have seen Jake and Nog together quite a bit at this point, but it was interesting to see how they would react when a girl was thrown into the mix. Overall, this episode is a lot of fun.

Return to Jim’s Take: “The Power of Story”

Return to Rhonda’s Take: “Meaney showcased while O’Brien and Bashir banter”

Return to Ray’s Take: “Foreign saviors and kids being kids”

Continue to Becca’s Take: “Sir Doctor Sir”

Return to Episode Logs or Episode 13 Guide