Sun, 4 October 2009 The Gamma Quadrant discusses our favorite episode of the first season: Duet. The episode has everything we love: twists and turns, great acting, character development and Cardassian soliloquies.
Comments[6] |
Could't agree with you more on this episode. I even said out loud when it was over, "Man, that was really good" It's refreshing to be suprised by a TV show. This one had me the whole time, the few time's I thought I had some of the plot figured out was only when the writer/actors wanted me to have it figured out. Very impressive
Duet was the perfect bottle show!
Another series favourite was "The Wire". Again this just used existing sets, props and costumes. Featuring mostly the characters of Garak and Bashir, it again had layers - hooking the viewer in wanting to get to the truth or kernal of what the story was about. An "onion" show if you will. It left the audience trying to peel the layers from Garak's back story portrayed through veils of lies and truth - but not knowing much the wiser by the end of the show.
Maybe this is the perfect formula for a bottle show - to keep the audience guessing and at the end of each act or scene, to keep enough mystery as bait for the viewers.
A handy link for a list of bottle shows for all the Trek series is on the Trek wikipedia:-
http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Bottle_show
Hopefully this Tosk won't have been on line enough for the hunters to catch up with me.
Looking forward to the next podcast - keep up the good work you three.
Yours in haste,
Tosk.
Another series favourite was "The Wire". Again this just used existing sets, props and costumes. Featuring mostly the characters of Garak and Bashir, it again had layers - hooking the viewer in wanting to get to the truth or kernal of what the story was about. An "onion" show if you will. It left the audience trying to peel the layers from Garak's back story portrayed through veils of lies and truth - but not knowing much the wiser by the end of the show.
Maybe this is the perfect formula for a bottle show - to keep the audience guessing and at the end of each act or scene, to keep enough mystery as bait for the viewers.
A handy link for a list of bottle shows for all the Trek series is on the Trek wikipedia:-
http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Bottle_show
Hopefully this Tosk won't have been on line enough for the hunters to catch up with me.
Looking forward to the next podcast - keep up the good work you three.
Yours in haste,
Tosk.
posted by: Tosk on Tue, 10/6 03:37 PM EDT
Agreements all around! I uttered the same words, Butch, at the conclusion of the episode! Yes, Tosk, a perfect bottle show. And yes, VSR, certainly among the best episodes of DS9 and (IMHO) of all the Star Trek series.
Episode as primer...priceless! Kira still wrestling with her hate of Cardassians, her previous "freedom fighter" deeds, and her new responsibilities. Odo/Dukat and Sisko/Dukat conversational chess matches. Cardassian elitism and infatuation with their own voices. Fantastic!
Kira too easily manipulated? Sure...as, for all her outward certainty and posturing, she's not sure where she really stands on her past and future. Marritza/Darhe'el played her brilliantly...as he had boldly and brilliantly planned. He had to "unpeel the onion" with/by someone who would react instinctively...emotionally...vengefully. Kira was perfect for that role...and she played it well. With the help of her colleagues though, she played the role too well...and uncovered the onion core...much more than Marritza/Darhe'el had intended. The uncovering gave him a measure of personal redemption...though foiled his broader plan.
I'm glad you discussed the issue of patriotism...and the difficult distinction between freedom fighter and terrorist. Not to go too deeply...the "killing of civilians" exchange between Kira and Marritza/Darhe'el affected me deeply. Just as the issues brought forth in the PROGRESS episode forces us to reflect...DUET does the same for "doing bad things for good reasons" and "seeing the world in black and white." Another DS9 primer...vicerally preparing viewers for the DS9 universe of "principles and actions as shades of gray" and the conflict that universe produces. Marritza/Darhe'el, I believe, came to view his universe in shades of gray...and received a knife in the back from someone who does not. Dramatic? Yes. Inevitable? For the greater good...perhaps. Haunting? Should be.
VSR...I appreciate and whole-heartedly agree with all your views on the production aspects of, and fine acting in, this episode. Harris Yulin (again IMHO) should be placed among the finest of all guest actors ever to grace a Star Trek episode.
Episode as primer...priceless! Kira still wrestling with her hate of Cardassians, her previous "freedom fighter" deeds, and her new responsibilities. Odo/Dukat and Sisko/Dukat conversational chess matches. Cardassian elitism and infatuation with their own voices. Fantastic!
Kira too easily manipulated? Sure...as, for all her outward certainty and posturing, she's not sure where she really stands on her past and future. Marritza/Darhe'el played her brilliantly...as he had boldly and brilliantly planned. He had to "unpeel the onion" with/by someone who would react instinctively...emotionally...vengefully. Kira was perfect for that role...and she played it well. With the help of her colleagues though, she played the role too well...and uncovered the onion core...much more than Marritza/Darhe'el had intended. The uncovering gave him a measure of personal redemption...though foiled his broader plan.
I'm glad you discussed the issue of patriotism...and the difficult distinction between freedom fighter and terrorist. Not to go too deeply...the "killing of civilians" exchange between Kira and Marritza/Darhe'el affected me deeply. Just as the issues brought forth in the PROGRESS episode forces us to reflect...DUET does the same for "doing bad things for good reasons" and "seeing the world in black and white." Another DS9 primer...vicerally preparing viewers for the DS9 universe of "principles and actions as shades of gray" and the conflict that universe produces. Marritza/Darhe'el, I believe, came to view his universe in shades of gray...and received a knife in the back from someone who does not. Dramatic? Yes. Inevitable? For the greater good...perhaps. Haunting? Should be.
VSR...I appreciate and whole-heartedly agree with all your views on the production aspects of, and fine acting in, this episode. Harris Yulin (again IMHO) should be placed among the finest of all guest actors ever to grace a Star Trek episode.
I LOVE this episode. Not only is it my favorite first season episode, but it (along with the Visitor, In the Pale Moonlight, Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang, and Far Beyond the Stars) is one of my favorite episodes of the entire series!
posted by: Krazy Joe on Tue, 10/13 02:47 PM EDT
This episode is defiantly a 5. You guys hit it right on the nose. This goes along with the dark subject matter the series portrays.
posted by: Treklife on Fri, 10/16 12:25 PM EDT
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