Daveportivo's Cultural Evaluation Facility

The Sword Of Kahless

Plot Summary: Wharf Dax and a legendary Klingon of Warrior search for the lost legendary Sword Of Kahless the artifact that could reunite the Klingon empire and bring them to the true path, however the things don't go smoothly.
Review: This is a really strong episode, it starts really well with Wharf and Kor becoming friends as they are both unruley outcasts of the Klingon Empire. Wharf finally feels he's fitting in and we get a nice to see him feeling proud about his Klingon hertitage. The plot developes nicely as the Sword makes Wharf and Kor turn on each other and argue over the fate of the empire and nearlly kill each other. It is a really good story telling device about how devisive religious artifacts can be, like the city of Jerusalem for example. The idea that something designed to bring people together can actually force them appart. However like many epic Trek episodes it falls down when you have to endure half and hour of running around in caves, and it gets a bit preachy at times but its well written and strong none the less, and Dax is very good in her role. (***3/4)

Our Man Bashir

Plot Summary: Julien is playing with his favorite holosuite programme, a James Bond game. Garak crashes his party but it soon turns out that the defient has a transporter malfunction leaving Sisko, Dax, Keira and O'Brien stuck in the simulation but should anyoff them die, they die in real life.
Review: Just a silly little side story, but it was quite fun, the relationship between Julien and Garak was well played, and the clashing ideals of fantasy human espionage and Garak's real life expertise are interesting. It is also an interesting insight into Garak's true moral code. (**3/4)

The Homefront & Paradise Lost

Plot Summary: Two part episode, Sisko is brought to Earth as a military advisor and he must advise the president how to deal with the shape shifter threat. After a shocking display he convinces the Earth president to bring in blood screening and scans of Star Fleet facilities. However as we go to the second part a mysterious power cut forces the Presidents hand into declaring Marshall Law. Sisko has a big confrontation with his father where all his beliefs and views are scrambled, after the shocking encounter he sets about investigating the power outage which doesn't appear to have anything to do with Shapeshifters but more to do with a Rogue Star Fleet commander. Federation ships to face to face in battle with one another.
Review: This is a really strong episode again the idea of Terrorism forcing the people to scarfice human rights in the name of security and giving up all that they worked to achieve is very good. The first part is incredibly strong working with this theme. The second part is strong in places and the confrontation between the two federation ships is dramatic but it can't overide a rushed and hammy conclusion, and some bad acting from Sisko, all in all though great episode. (****)