Comments on: Retro Review: The Forsaken

By: DS9 Forever

DS9 Forever — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:48:00 +0000

“Pup” was later used by the crew in the 1995 novel “Valhalla”.

By: Seventhbeacon

Seventhbeacon — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:16:00 +0000

I remember this was the episode that made me reconsider my opinion of Lwaxana Troi as a character and plot device. I used to be incredibly annoyed by her but I agree that this episode shows a rare glimpse of her true character in a way that’s far more identifiable than her confessions in previous TNG episodes. In retrospect her character is now one of my favorites in the entire franchise, and it’s entirely through the lens of this episode that makes that possible.

Thanks for another great review; I enjoy reading all of them!

By: Lost in the computer

Lost in the computer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:09:00 +0000

I somewhat remember this episode, though it’s been a long time. Was the “entity in the computer” ever mentioned again, or is it still a dangling possibility to be brought forward in a book? (Maybe it could hook up with Moriarty!)

By: TB2

TB2 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:51:00 +0000

I agree the two plot lines of the story seem disjointed, but in this case (this is IS season 1 of DS9 after all) it works well.
It is not necessary for two plot lines to have to connect overall, and in this case we can see the Ambassadors are more an excuse for Lwaxanna’s first DS9 appearance.
The scenes between Mrs Barrett-Roddenberry and Rene Oberjonious are wonderfully executed. We know Lwaxanna is outgoing and exuberant – here we see the sensitive and caring woman who has a heart of gold under the smiles and bravado. Its a touching moment, and Odo has found someone he realises he can let his guard down with in private, a close friend. – Its one of those two character sequences that DS9 excels at out of all of Trek.
The Bashir sub plot is trite by comparison, but it has fun moments, and although the alien probe is a little underwhelming in itself, it makes a sharp contrast to what WILL be coming through the Wormhole in the future.

The Forsaken was the one TNG connected episode that made keep watching DS9 in those early days when I did not get it, because it was not TNG. It was narratively slower, no ship (at this point) and seemed to not know where it was going as a concept. Seeing Mrs Troi with Odo made me relaisde what DS9 did have to offer. – Which was some of the best long term character development in televised Sci Fi.