Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 56: Fascination [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 56: Fascination [VHS] Review

A rare, outright comedy from the Trek gang, "Fascination" is set during the annual Bajoran Gratitude Festival, in which spirits are always high aboard DS9--though not as high as they get here. The arrival of Betazoid ambassador Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett), her ever-amorous eye set on seducing Odo (Rene Auberjonois) this time, throws a twist in the proceedings when a telepathic virus she's carrying spreads to the rest of the space station's crew. Soon, small or subconscious attractions between individuals are greatly amplified, causing some unusual pairings: young Jake Sisko (Chiroc Lofton) is chasing Kira (Nana Visitor) around while Kira's steady beau, Vedek Bareil (Philip Anglim), moons after Dax (Terry Farrell). An annoyed Dax, in turn, is making passes at Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks), who turns to Dr. Bashir (Alexander Singer) for sage counsel until the good doctor himself is found swapping spit with Kira.

In contrast to this apparent orgy-in-the-making, Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) and his wife Keiko (Rosalind Chao) are fighting like a real couple trying to endure logistical hardships: schedules, commuting, etc. Lots of wish fulfillment here for Star Trek fans pining for more romance in the shows, especially between beloved, familiar characters. Lots of laughs, too, as the cast has to look a little ridiculous and not mind doing it, though it's Brooks (whose Sisko seems unaffected by Troi's illness) who proves to be the most valuable player as everybody's straight man. --Tom Keogh