Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 34: Whispers [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 34: Whispers [VHS] Review

Star Trek fans know that the character Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney), the Irish-born engineer with a very small role on The Next Generation, grew into a major figure on Deep Space Nine, befitting Meaney's rising prominence in film (The Snapper). The episode called "Whispers" places the actor at the center of an unnerving, Twilight Zone-like story in which O'Brien returns to the station following an assignment in the Paradas system, only to find that everyone is treating him distantly. Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) assigns him to meaningless work and denies the chief his usual security clearance on important matters. Meanwhile, the engineering crew lies to him, Odo (Rene Auberjonois) talks to him as if were a suspect, and O'Brien's closest friend, Dr. Bashir (Siddig El Fadil), and his own wife (Rosalind Chao) regard him mechanically.

Suspecting a conspiracy afoot, O'Brien finds ample evidence that a kind of Invasion of the Body Snatchers scenario may be underway, and he bolts from the station in a Runabout under a hail of fire. Searching for answers, the good chief runs smack into a cruel discovery about the nature of destiny and identity. A fine mystery from beginning to end, "Whispers" draws upon a favorite Star Trek theme, that of questionable realities and fear of madness. --Tom Keogh

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 67: The Die Is Cast [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 67: The Die Is Cast [VHS] Review

Case and VHS are like new, very clear picture and sound

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 77: Indiscretion [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 77: Indiscretion [VHS] Review

Case and VHS are in very good condition, very clear picture and sound

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 59: Life Support [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 59: Life Support [VHS] Review

Always intent on tackling big themes in unique ways, the various Star Trek series have covered the subject of death, from suicide to terminal illness to euthanasia, a number of times over the years. "Life Support" continues that bold tradition with a challenging story about dying and medical ethics. A radiation accident brings Vedek Bareil (Philip Anglim), Bajoran leader and lover of Major Kira (Nana Visitor), to the brink of death on the eve of important negotiations with the Cardassians. Aware of his condition but determined to see a historic treaty struck, Bareil pleads with Dr. Bashir (Alexander Singer) to keep him alive and conscious so he can coach the less diplomatic Kai Winn (Louise Fletcher) through the difficult talks. Bashir, who would rather place Bareil in indefinite stasis while seeking a cure, reluctantly yields but then protests as Kai Winn and Kira plead for greater and grimmer interventions to stave off the inevitable.

The strong but flawed script by Ronald D. Moore tries to lighten things up with a trivial, secondary story line about a conflict between Jake Sisko (Chiroc Lofton) and Nog (Aron Eisenberg), as if the main action is nothing but a turn-off. In fact, Bareil's tragedy is presented with painful honesty about the wisdom and morality of sustaining a life that might reasonably be called something less than human. The crossfire of altruistic and selfish interest between sundry characters makes for compelling drama, and the final scene of parting between the living and dying is quite moving. --Tom Keogh

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 47: The Search, Part 1 [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 47: The Search, Part 1 [VHS] Review

This is the first of a two-part episode that opened DS9's third season, coming after a second-season-ending cliffhanger involving a villain potentially as devastating as the Borg. The Dominion controls Gamma Quadrant on the other end of the wormhole and is threatening to attack DS9 and the Federation, using the war-happy Jem'Hadar as its conquering force. Sisko, Odo, and the rest head off in a warship of their own to make contact with the Founders, the secretive leaders of the Dominion, to explain the Federation's peaceful intent. But when they are ambushed by the Jem'Hadar, Odo and Kira escape to follow Odo's sudden instinct that draws him to the Omarion Nebula--and his home planet. It's a well-written blend of action and sci-fi fantasy, mixing a complex set of plot lines and finding a way to bring them full circle in the second episode. Particularly solid is the use of the character of Odo, who is played touchingly by Rene Auberjonois. --Marshall Fine

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 48: The Search, Part 2 [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 48: The Search, Part 2 [VHS] Review

This episode concluded what amounted to a three-part story arc that began with episode 46, "The Jem'Hadar," a cliffhanger episode that ended DS9's second season and continued in episode 47, "The Search, Part I," the first installment of year three. Back on DS9 after a harrowing encounter with the Jem'Hadar, vicious warriors of the Dominion, Sisko and Dax find themselves blind-sided by the Federation's willingness to cave in to the Dominion and the Jem'Hadar on a treaty. Meanwhile, Kira tries to contact Sisko from Odo's home planet, while Odo receives his first exposure to his own people and their concept of the "great link" that connects all shapeshifters. This story provides a solid conclusion to the tale and sets up much of what comes in the next season, as the entire region becomes destabilized. It also offers real insight into Odo's life story, which is told for the first time. The DS9 part of the plot is particularly tricky, and the ending plays mind games with the viewer in ways that the average show would never dare. Still, the Dominion turns out to be a lot less forbidding than the Borg, the scariest Star Trek villain of all time. --Marshall Fine