Whose Side ARE You On?

Jim’s Take on Episode 17: “Dramatis Personae”

I guess I’m supposed to write something about this episode of Deep Space Nine here. Hmmm. I dunno. I mean, I could do that…but I’ve got other things to do. Wait, do you even like this show? Whose side are you on, anyway? Have you been reading Star Wars fan sites instead of this one? Or do you prefer Captain Janeway? Or maybe you like someone else’s reviews more than mine? There are going to be some big changes around here, and you better pick a side before a side picks you. You know what I mean! I’m just going to go open this window and then I’ll deal with you… Umm. That’s weird. What was that cloud of purple static that just flew out of here? 

Anyway…everything feels a little hazy. Maybe I should go lie down. I guess I’ll say what I can about “Dramatis Personae” before I do. Weird.

The first thing that everyone can probably agree on is that nothing good ever starts with an exploding Klingon ship. When an unexpectedly early Klingon vessel arrives at the station and promptly blows up, it’s a bad enough sign. When the sole survivor is beamed aboard the station and only lives long enough to proclaim “Victory!”, it’s clear that there’s going to be trouble. Sisko and company are concerned as they investigate what happened, but clearly not quite concerned enough.

The signs that something is wrong are subtle at first. Dax is a bit spacey and giggly. Bashir ominously alludes to the “uneasy alliance” on the station. Kira is a little more prickly with Sisko than usual and Sisko seems uninterested in anything that’s going on around him. The situation quickly deteriorates with the command crew plotting against each other, leaving Odo and Quark to wonder why everyone is being even more weird than usual!

All of the leads put in great performances as their altered selves, but Nana Visitor is the standout. She is clearly having a blast playing the scheming, manipulative Kira who slinks around the station alternately seducing or threatening everyone around her. She is both sexy and violent, as Quark discovers when he overhears, with those powerful Ferengi ears, her plan to remove Sisko once and for all. For those who have seen the show before, there are definite hints of a certain Mirror Universe Kira we will come to know and fear one day…

Avery Brooks is right behind her with his distracted, manic Sisko who really only cares about his clock. He becomes positively Shakespearean towards the end as he twitches and frets while making big speeches about his own importance and greatness. The telepathic “virus” that influences all of them seems to not only replicate the schemes of the Saltah’nan people who created it, but also brings out some less obvious aspects of their personalities. This is the first time that we see Sisko’s interest in designing and building things, but it won’t be the last. Crazy Sisko also kicks butt when pushed into a corner. I hope he apologized to that poor Bajoran who was on the receiving end of a pretty intense beat-down. Though he was trying to assassinate him at the time…

Speaking of beatdowns, I have a lot of love for Miles O’Brien, and watching him become Sisko’s mob enforcer is lots of fun, but it is utterly unacceptable when he dares to backhand my beloved Jadzia Dax. Unacceptable! I know they were all under the influence and not in their right minds, but this is just a step too far. Assassinations and mutiny are one thing, but, seriously, how dare he?! Sisko may be willing to let Kira’s mutiny pass “this time”, but O’Brien needs to work a little harder for my forgiveness. 

Odo also shows a much more nuanced understanding of psychology than he gives himself credit for when he manipulates the altered Doctor Bashir to not only figure out what happened to everyone, but also concoct a solution. It’s nice to know that Julian is a genius, even when he’s been dragged into a crazy conspiracy world!

Hey! That purple stuff came back…and I feel like you’re looking at me funny. I don’t need you, you know! I have plenty of support out there. You can’t get rid of me that easily. I’ll take you all out with me! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do elsewhere. You won’t ask any questions, if you know what’s good for you!

Continue to Rhonda’s Take: “Odo most revealed as he dissembles”

Skip to Ray’s Take: “Telepathic field ramps up characters”

Skip to Matt’s Take: “Mirror, Mirror?”

Return to Episode Logs or Episode 17 Guide