Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 4: Past Prologue [VHS]
by Rene Auberjonois, Michael Dorn, Alexander Siddig, Corey Allen, Reza Badiyi

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VHS Movie Reviews of Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 4: Past Prologue [VHS]

Movie Review: [3.5] Still one of the better season one episodes
Summary: 3 Stars

Movie Review: Just plain, simple PAST PROLOGUE
Summary: 3 Stars

When a known Bajoran terrorist seeks asylum on the Deep Space Nine station, Sisko finds himself negotiating between the Cardassians and the Bajorans, as well as navigating the tricky political situation that now exists on Bajor. Some former terrorists currently make up key members of the Bajoran government (including one Major Kira Nerys). Others have remained killers, opposed to the provisional government of Bajor and the presence of the Federation, whom they view as distasteful as the Cardassians. Sisko must decide what the terrorist's real intentions are: whether he has truly reformed or is just twisting his story as cover for further illegal and murderous activities.

It's an interesting little story. While it's at times predictable, real-world comparisons are unavoidable. We know that loyalties will be tested among the regular characters, and although we can probably guess what the resolutions will be, it's exciting to see exactly how they will get to that conclusion.

This episode also introduces Garak, and reintroduces the Klingon sisters from one of the Next Generation movies that I found to be utterly unmemorable. The scenes of those Klingon sisters rather bored me, and I was glad that they didn't take up too much screen-time. Apparently, they were considered popular on The Next Generation, but I just found them to be distracting and out of place. Fortunately, they aren't enough to sabotage this particular episode, which is a good, solid story. Star Trek has always been known for taking a real-life ethical decision, putting it into a science-fiction allegory, and then trying to tell as good a story as is possible within the confines of one hour of television. PAST PROLOGUE adequately continues this tradition.

Movie Review: Superior follow-up to the series opener
Summary: 4 Stars

The DS9 command center detects a Cardassian warship chasing a Bajoran scout ship. The lone passenger of the Bajoran craft is beamed aboard when his ship begins to break up; he turns out to be a Bajoran named Tahna, a former comrade in arms of Major Kira and he immediately requests asylum. When questioned he proclaims he is no longer a member of a notorious Bajoran terrorist faction Kohn-Ma and that the Cardassians have no right to pursue him. Sisko agrees to temporarily postpone a decision on the matter until he can gather more information. In the meantime...tension between Sisko and Kira reaches a critical point; two more Kohn-Ma members seek asylum at the station; Bashir meets the only Cardassian still a permanent resident on DS9; and two Klingon renegades stop by the station for a 'visit'. All these events will seamlessly intersect in the finale with Kira facing a tough decision choosing her loyalties.

Rarely does a new series achieve back-to-back hits right from the beginning, but ST: DS9 manages it with panache. Featuring a strong storyline 'Past Prologue' is notable for introducing the Cardassian, Garak, who makes an unlikely living as a tailor with a shop on the Promenade and played brilliantly by Andrew Robinson. Also the popular Klingon sisters Lursa and B'Etor from ST: TNG episodes (and one movie) make an appearance here as well. This trio of aliens is incorporated into the script perfectly; both separate parties figure into the story prominently and are used effectively. We also get to see that Odo and Kira have a close relationship; when she wrestles with the burdens of her new duties and her desires to help out her former comrade, she turns to Odo for friendly advice. In direct contrast to this is the tone of the conversations between Kira and Sisko who are beginning their assignment on separate sides of the fence; this tension between the two would be returned to several more times in future first season episodes.

A final note: the Starfleet admiral that Kira speaks to on a desktop monitor is played by Susan Bay, wife of Leonard Nimoy - someone who needs no introduction to any Trekkie. She would return to play the same role (Admiral Rollman) in the second season show 'Whispers'.

Movie Review: Had Tahna bit the bullet, it would have been no Los for me..
Summary: 3 Stars

I can sum up the episode in one word, if I must. Cranky. This is a cranky little episode, surrounding the actions of an annoying Bajoran character, Tahna Los.

Here's the plot. Kira meets up with one of her old terrorist friends, Tahna Los, who is seeking political asylum on DS9. The Cardassians chasing him for crimes against Cardassia want him back. Sisko refuses. Cardassian gets cranky. Kira thinks Sisko is not supporting Bajoran causes by hesitating to give assylum. Kira gets cranky. Kira goes over Sisko's head to Starfleet Command, and pulls an Admiral out of a staff meeting. Admiral gets cranky. Admiral complains to Sisko. Sisko gets cranky. Meanwhile, Tahna Los tells Kira she's sold out to the Federation. Kira gets cranky. Klingon chicks show up armed on the promenade. Odo gets cranky. Klingon chicks try to do business with Tahna. Garak gets suspicious... but not cranky. Tahna tries to blow up a big bomb. Everyone gets cranky.

Just for laughs and giggles, I sat through the whole episode. I got cranky...

In all honesty, I did give this episode 3 stars. But that's mainly because of the wonderful introduction of our favorite Cardassian character, the "plain and simple" tailor, Mr. Garak. "No, not Mr. Garak... just plain, simple Garak..." And it was worth the 40 minutes of painful acting and drawn out plot line just to see the looks on Julian Bashir's face as his new Cardassian playmate breaks the good doctor into the spy game.

I was also happy to see Lursa and B'Etor, the Klingon sisters from the House of Duras, show their pretty faces in the Trek universe once again. *They're just SOOO delicate and feminine...!* But, I hate to say it... they seemed to be there not on their own merit, but as a way to give the Trek series legitimacy in its early days.

For anyone interested in learning about Garak, this is unfortunately an important episode to see. History is important, after all, and it does set up the whole Garak/Bashir/Lunch at the Replimat theme that shows its wonderful head throughout the run of the show. And it does have a few great moments... like where Garak tries to sell lingerie to B'Etor and Lursa. *SILKY!* Or where garak is sitting alone at Quark's, secretly watching the klingon chicks... *hubba hubba, Elim!* Or watching Garak's first attempts to seduce the innocent Dr Bashir into establishing their 7 year long lunchtime friendship... This is classic Garak. Who wouldn't love it?

It is also funny to look back at one of the first episodes of DS9. The acting seemed blase, and the story line was predictable at best, boring at worst. DS9 turned out to be an excellent show... but after viewing this episode, I was amazed how the show ever made it past the first season.

Had Gul Danar -- the Cardassian chasing Tahna Los in the first 10 minutes -- been a better shot, the whole episode would have been much less painful. Maybe not for Tahna Los.. but certainly for me...

Movie Review: Damn Klingon's!
Summary: 3 Stars

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• Genres > Horror
• Science Fiction & Fantasy > Series & Sequels > Star Trek > General
• Space Adventure
• Television > TV Series > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine