Star Trek: Deep Space Nine — 1x03 — Past Prologue

Aired 1993-01-10

SpaceOpera.com rating:6

Average reader rating:4.31

Synopsis

A reunion with a member of the Bajoran underground forces Kira to choose between her people and her duty as a Federation officer.

Filler rating: not filler

This episode shouldn't be skipped because it's Garak's introductory episode.

Remarkable scenes

Garak imposing himself on Bashir.
Garak to Bashir: "What a thoughtful young man. How nice that we've met!"
Garak: "Ah, an open mind. The essence of intellect!"
Bashir's reaction to having met Garak, then talking to the senior staff like an excited child.
Sisko to O'Brien: "When Gul Dunar docks, it'd be nice if there were a few docking regulations to keep him outside a while."
Sisko and Kira chewing each other out.
Kira going over Sisko's head, discussing his actions with an admiral.
O'Brien hinting at the Cardassian torture techniques to Sisko... additionally hinting that he wouldn't turn over anyone to the Cardassians, no matter what the crimes.
Dunar complaining about the manufactured docking procedures.
Tahna complaining about the Federation presence in Bajor.
The Duras sisters showing up on the station.
Odo: "We have specific regulations. You can leave your weapons or leave the station. Your choice. Please make it now." B'Etor: "Who are you?" Odo: "I'm the one giving you the choice."
Odo trying to convince Sisko to let him lock up the Duras sisters summarily.
Garak: "Join me doctor. Enhance my evening!"
Garak trying to give Bashir subtle hints regarding the Duras' sisters malicious intents.
Odo spying on the Duras' sisters using his shape shifting abilities.
Sisko to Kira: "Go over my head again and I'll have yours on a platter."
Garak negotiating with the Duras' sisters.
Garak trying to give Bashir more subtle hints.
Bashir to Garak: "I'm a doctor--" then he gets interrupted. Bashir was probably going to say something like, "I'm a doctor, not a spy!" A tribute to McCoy's many famous "I'm a doctor, not a (something)!" lines.
Bashir seeking advice from Sisko regarding Garak.
Bashir eavesdropping on Garak's conversation with the Duras sisters.
Bashir realizing Garak's purpose for the "new suit."
Tahna hitting Kira. Ouch! That looks like it hurt!
Morn appearances; 1. Passes by Kira and Sisko while they argue; 2. Can be seen on the upper level of the Promenade when Odo confronts the Duras Sisters; 3. Quark's bar while the Duras sisters are there "just sitting."

Review

An episode where no one knows who to trust. Kira, Tahna, Sisko, the Duras sisters, Garak, and Bashir all trying to push their own agenda. This makes for an interesting political episode, especially with regards to its placement directly after DS9: Emissary, which hints to this kind of political unrest is inevitable. Garak, however, stole the show. Cardassian spy? Probably, but we don't know. One thing's for sure though. He's highly entertaining!

6 reader comments

This episode contains elements we'll see throughout the series. Kira's past causes her to make tough decisions, Garak is scheming, and runabouts are used for the climax.
Garak and Odo are great in this episode, but I gave it a 4 because it still seems to have that "pilot feeling."
by Orion Pimpdaddy | 08/27/2006 at 2:16 am

I don't remember ever liking this episode, but viewing it now I can see that it is a fairly strong episode. Character development is the order of the day and this has it in spades, even for guest characters (the wonderful Garak in his first appearance).
Bajoran politics are continuing to be featured and that usually makes for decent episodes. I gave it a 6.
by Bernard | 11/15/2009 at 10:54 pm

This episode along with "Progress" in this season, and numerous episodes of other seasons of DS9 exposes one of the annoying aspects to Kira's character: She "goes stupid" whenever she is around a former "hero" of the Bajoran resistance, any Bajoran religious leader, anyone bucking the establishment order or the like.
Admittedly, Nana Visitor is not the greatest actress to start with. (Witness her terrible overacting in "Progress" after Mullibok gets shot.) Whenever Kira gets that starry eyed look, one begins to cringe: You know something embarrassingly lame is coming.
It's like this girl has no common sense whenever she is confronted by one of these guys. She simply cannot accept that they are human beings. Over and over she expects them to behave in a manner which accords with her delusions. And she is constantly and consistently disappointed. Yet she stubbornly refuses to admit defeat: The next time one of these guys comes along: Wham! There she goes again, all strarry eyed and deluded.
The plot device is way, way overused, and it does no credit to Kira's character. It just makes her look stupid.
by Jeff Browning | 10/14/2011 at 4:12 pm

And Jeff has put in a nutshell while talking about Kira exactly why I prefer characterisation in DS9 to that in TNG.
Yes she is stupid. Yes she is stupid often. That is exactly how the character is! She is consistant, although as the seven years go on she does eventually mature somewhat. I prefer watching an imperfect character like this over the perfect people we had in TNG. As for Nana Visitor as an actress I have to disagree with Jeff as I find her to be spot on almost all of the time during the shows run.
But hey, that's the great thing about opinions!
by Bernard | 10/15/2011 at 9:22 pm

Bernard:
I love the dialog! Thanks so much for your response to my post. My issue with Kira is not just that she is stupid: She is stubbornly and aggressively stupid. After a while folks tend to learn. Kira does not seem to do so that much (although I will keep watching and see what she does in later seasons).
But I also agree with you. DS9 characters rock compared to TNG characters whio become cloying and sickeningly sweet at times. (The funeral schene for Tasha Yarr being one glaring example) DS9 characters seem more real, and for that reason more appealing. Bashir is such a blatant man whore (in a way Riker never was). Dax is so much more edgy and ambiguous than Troi. And as I have said in other posts, I absolutely adore the relationship between Quark and Odo.
I still maintain though that Nana Visitor overacts blatantly at times, though. ("Progress" is a good example.)
by Jeff Browning | 10/18/2011 at 8:01 pm

I agree with Bernard. Nana Visitor does a fine job playing Kira. Unfortunately, Kira, as a character, is stubborn, willfully ignorant, and pretty much one-dimensional. It's not entirely her fault though.
In order to like Kira -- to sympathize with her whining about the Cardassians and appreciate her as a loyal Bajoran, you actually have to like the Bajorans. This is nearly impossible, as most Bajorans are depicted as helpless sheep who are WAY too religious, and generally weak. If this was TNG, Picard would find himself disgusted with their blind faith and rigid dogmas. Frankly, I do too.
I admire and respect that Kira is tough, but that's the only thing about her I like at all. Other than that I find her shrill, ignorant, and generally annoying.
by John DC | 03/20/2012 at 4:51 am