The premise here is a sci fi metaphor. It's based on an idea in the book and film "Sometimes a Great Notion", where a character gets his foot caught under a log in a river with the water on the rise. Another variation of the same idea is somebody getting his foot trapped in a railway track, with a train whistle sounding off in the distance. In each instance, the idea works on a basic dramatic level because it puts life and death on the line with a countdown to doom. The thing is, it's one of those cases where the natural ideas are better than science fiction adaptations because we can better identify and empathize with the earth-bound situations, watching them with a vicarious horror. For this budget saving episode of Deep Space Nine, however, the story had to be shot in a studio, and so an expanding man-eating crystal formation is used, because it can fit inside the cave set. It looks hokey and doesn't get the point across nearly as well as a rising body of water.
Whatever the case, the story (like an elevator episode) opens the door for rich character interplay, and that's the whole point here: it's an Odo episode designed to get his feelings out in the open before the story earns its Shakespearean inspired title with its unexpected climax.
Surprisingly, the episode is just as noteworthy for its B story, which begins like comedic filler but turns into something more. In a turning point for the character, Nog develops an interest in Starfleet. Aron Eisenberg, clearly excited about Nog's new ambition, throws himself into the part and his enthusiasm makes it hard not to root for the character. With Avery Brooks's help, he turns what could have been a forgettable subplot into something more substantial for the writers to build on.
The episode serves as a sequel of sorts to the third season's two part opener "The Search", and viewers will need to have seen that to understand the ending of this.moreless
Stardate: 48521.5
While chasing a lone Maquis member to a deserted moon, Kira becomes trapped by a crystalline formation that rapidly grows over time, threatening her life. However, something is amiss during the entire situation. Back on DS9, Nog surprises everybody when he says he wants to join Starfleet...moreless
While chasing a lone Maquis member to a deserted moon, Kira becomes trapped by a crystalline formation that rapidly grows over time, threatening her life. However, something is amiss during the entire situation. Back on DS9, Nog surprises everybody when he says he wants to join Starfleet...moreless
Watch Full Episode
 Armin Shimerman |
Quark |
Terry Farrell |
Lt./Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax (Season 1-6) |
 Rene Auberjonois |
Constable Odo |
 Nana Visitor |
Major/Colonel/Commander Kira Nerys |
Avery Brooks |
Commander/Captain Benjamin Sisko |
 Alexander Siddig |
Dr. Julian Bashir |
Max Grodenchik |
Rom |
Recurring Role |
Aron Eisenberg |
Nog |
Recurring Role |
Salome Jens |
Female Shapeshifter |
Recurring Role |
Watch Online
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (7)
ADD TRIVIA-
Rule Of Acquisition #18: A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all.
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Odo's full name is Odo Ital. It literally meant "nothing" in Cardassian, but was used to mean "unknown sample" by the Bajorans.
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After having completed Ferengi Attainment Ceremony, Nog is now considered an adult in Ferengi society.
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We discover in this episode that any non-Federation citizen wishing to join Starfleet Academy must have a letter of recommendation from a command level officer.
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In the scenes near the very end, when Kira is almost completely engulfed by the crystal, you can see the formation moving in nearly every shot.
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When Sisko is talking to Bashir about the Ensign's pregnancy, he is walking along the top level of the promenade. Then they both walk towards Quark's where Bashir leaves him and Sisko walks back towards where he started walking with Bashir. All in all, he walked around in one big circle!
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After Nog expresses an interest in joining Starfleet, Sisko immediately assumes he wants to join as an officer and mentions that he would need a letter of recommendation to join the Academy. Sisko does not offer the enlisted option to Nog. That way he would not have to go through the Academy.
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QUOTES (6)
ADD QUOTES-
Nog: I choose you.
Sisko: You want to be my apprentice?
Nog: That's right. I want to be the first Ferengi in Starfleet. Now. Who do I see about getting a uniform? -
Odo: (referring to Kira) Tell me where she is.
Female Shapeshifter: And if I don't, then what? You'll shoot me? No changeling has ever harmed another.
Odo: (raising weapon) There's always a first time. -
Nog: (defending his father to Quark) He tried to tell you, Uncle Quark. You should have listened to him.
Rom: No, it's my fault. I should have explained it better.
Quark: Of course it's your fault. Everything that goes wrong here is your fault! It says so in your contract. -
Nog: (to Sisko) My father is a mechanical genius. He could've been the chief engineer of a starship if he'd had the opportunity. But he went into business like a good Ferengi. The only thing is, he's not a good Ferengi... not when it comes to acquiring profit. So now all he has to live for is the slim chance that someday, somehow, he might be able to take over my uncle's bar. Well I'm not going to make the same mistake. I want to do something with my life... something worthwhile.
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Kira: So your name is "Unknown Sample"?
Odo: No. "Odo'ital" literally means the word "Nothing." Even after it became clear that I was sentient, the Bajoran scientists kept calling me that. As a joke, they split it into two words, like a Bajoran name: "Odo Ital." Which eventually got shortened...
Kira: To Odo. -
Quark: I tell you, I won't stand for it! No nephew of mine is going to disgrace our family name by joining Starfleet.
Nog: But Uncle Quark...
Quark: My mind is made up. I forbid it.
Rom: No, you don't.
Quark: Rom, stay out of this.
Rom: I will not. When it comes to the bar, you may be in charge, but when it comes to my son, I make the decisions.
Quark: Fine! You tell him he can't go.
Rom: Nog, good luck. I would be proud to have a son in Starfleet.
Quark: You're both insane.
Nog: Like father, like son.
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NOTES (1)
ADD NOTES-
Nana Visitor is very claustrophobic. She said that even though she could get out any time she wanted, the scenes where she was trapped in the crystal were very difficult to film, and her emotions were genuine.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
ADD ALLUSIONS-
Odo: O'Brien sings 'ancient sea chanties' while kayakking. His favorite is Louie, Louie.
Louie, Louie was a hit 1960's record, by Richard Berry.
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Its On Hulu Plus
02/18/131
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Human casual clothing in the future is just terrible.
12/24/1211
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Avery Brooks Question
09/30/123
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Season 4 DVD (Question about episode order)
07/08/122
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Ezri Dax
05/20/1247
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What You Leave Behind (2)
S 7 : Ep 26
Aired 6/2/99
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What You Leave Behind (1)
S 7 : Ep 25
Aired 6/2/99 (1:32:00)
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The Dogs of War (8)
S 7 : Ep 24
Aired 5/26/99 (46:00)
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Extreme Measures (7)
S 7 : Ep 23
Aired 5/19/99 (46:00)
Season 3 Episodes
See AllEp 26
The Adversary
Ep 25
Facets
Ep 24
Shakaar
Ep 23
Family Business
Ep 22
Explorers
Ep 21
The Die Is Cast (2)
Ep 20
Improbable Cause (1)
Ep 19
Through The Looking Glass
Ep 18
Distant Voices
Ep 17
Visionary
Ep 16
Prophet Motive
Ep 15
Destiny
Ep 14
Heart of Stone
Ep 13
Life Support
Ep 12
Past Tense (2)
Ep 11
Past Tense (1)
Ep 10
Fascination
Ep 9
Defiant
Ep 8
Meridian
Ep 7
Civil Defense
Ep 6
The Abandoned
Ep 5
Second Skin
Ep 4
Equilibrium
Ep 3
The House of Quark
Ep 2
The Search (2)
Ep 1
The Search (1)
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