Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 10: Move Along Home [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 10: Move Along Home [VHS] Review

The Wadi are an interesting people. They obviously don't give a hoot about Federation First Contact formalities. In fact, when greeted by an uptight Captain Sisko and his officers decked out in full dress uniform, Master Surchid Falow (Joel Brooks) demands to be taken to Quark's Bar. To play games. Now. Not one to argue in the face of warped logic, Sisko wisely obliges. The Wadi may come from the Gamma Quadrant, but they prefer to reside in Wacky Land. Although it owes its existence to the famous "Checkmate" episode of British TV's The Prisoner, "Move Along Home" is also a tight, well-crafted piece of science fiction writing. The story is deceptively simple. The Wadi turn out to be excellent game players. They win a lot. Ferengi Quark goes gonzo and resorts to cheating in order to salvage his profit margin. The Wadi, who are no fools, catch him and decide he must be punished. They "invite" Quark to play one of their games. So much for Sisko's precious First Contact folderol.

Joel Brooks is maniacally perfect as Falow. Not to be outdone, gifted Armin Shimmerman manages to imbue Quark with poignant smarm. Watch for truly great Ferengi groveling. Listen for the best upper-level-management line of the entire series ("I'm a Bajoran administrator. This is not what I signed up for!") and cool role-playing game in-jokes. "Move Along Home" may be simple, but it's also a whole lot of surreal fun. --Kayla Rigney