#DS91sttime: Season 4, Episode 17, “Accession”

May 25, 2014 in #DS91sttime, General Topics

Deep Space Nine, "Accession"

Juxtaposition in progress. DS9, Season Four, Ep. 17, “Accession”

Since this Bajoran-related episode is in large part based on their religion, I think it’s appropriate to begin with a confession. I’m writing this review at 10:51 PM on a Sunday night leading into Memorial Day, but I’m profoundly distracted because I am both tired and we’re expecting my second child in just a few short days. I have other things on my mind, and as such, I’m going to skip assigning this episode my usual star rating. It just wouldn’t be fair.

Sometimes the arrival of an unexpected event–or even an expected event whose ramifications one hadn’t time to fully consider–can derail the order and structure of our carefully arranged lives, and leave us to consider how we’ll react to our newfound role. “Accession” is razor-focused on this theme, but it deftly avoids being ham-fisted about it. Read the rest of this entry →

Nearing the end of the Beacon Saga with Beacon – Part VII!

May 16, 2014 in General Topics, Slideshow Topic

Read Beacon – Part VII today!

Beacon - Part VIIIt’s the last short-length installment before the conclusion of the Beacon Saga. I’m proud to release Beacon – Part VII, available for purchase now. It’s just over seventeen thousand words.

Releasing this installment gets to the subject of concluding this long odyssey, which I’ll get to in a moment. But here’s the obligatory links first:

You can go to Part VII’s page to find it on your choice of ereader platforms. If you’ve never started the series, give it a shot with Part I, for FREE (where available).

Here’s the blurb:


Alliances collapse. War rages. But a child’s secret could overshadow it all. Part VII of the Beacon Saga.

Mally, Tersias and Nastron take a ship helmed by a dangerous pilot to a secret meeting in the heart of Beacon’s deadliest layer. Thrat suspects a growing plot against Baelick, and finds himself having to make hard choices. An incredible theory comes to light. This, and more, in the last installment before the Beacon Saga’s conclusion.

A serial installment of seventeen thousand words.


Read the rest of this entry →

#DS91sttime: Season 4, Episode 16, “Bar Association”

May 4, 2014 in #DS91sttime, General Topics

Deep Space Nine, Season 4, Episode 16, "Bar Association"

Workers of the bar, unite. Season Four, Ep. 16: “Bar Association”

One aspect of Deep Space Nine that makes it different from the other Treks is its vast ensemble cast of characters. The fact that this isn’t the adventures of the station’s main officers every week is both its strength and a point of contention many have with it. Personally, I find that uniqueness gives the show a special place in Trek canon.

The show’s fourth season has been one of relationship-mending, of resolving loose ends (or, in some cases, making some), arranging the characters for what’s going to be the main Dominion War dish that will be served later on. It’s interesting that as part of this, we’re given two back-to-back episodes that examine brotherhood, allegiances to societal systems, and the tough decisions one sibling must make when pushed by both his people and his family. Worf and Kurn parted ways (regrettably) in “Sons of Mogh”. It’s ironic that “Bar Association”–even with its almost-campy premise–does a better job with its family-centered conflict. Read the rest of this entry →

#DS91sttime: Season 4, Episode 15, “Sons of Mogh”

April 7, 2014 in #DS91sttime, General Topics

Kurn from Deep Space Nine: "Sons of Mogh"

Family problems. Kurn from DS9, Season Four, Ep 15: “Sons of Mogh”

By the very nature of all the writing that I do, and how busy I stay, I usually only get the chance to post one of these episode reviews weeks after I’ve seen the subject. That’s usually a good thing, because I have time for any initial emotional reaction to settle and can be more objective about what I did or did not like about the latest installment.

This time, when I came back to write another review, I realized that I’d forgotten I’d watched “Sons of Mogh”. If you think that means I wasn’t engaged with this entry in the series; that I might have seen significant problems with it–well, you’re right. Read the rest of this entry →

#DS91sttime: Season 4, Episode 14, “Return to Grace”

March 19, 2014 in #DS91sttime, General Topics

A man on multiple missions. Season 4, Ep 14, "Return to Grace"

A man on multiple missions. Season 4, Ep 14, “Return to Grace”

You know what I find myself saying often when I watch Deep Space Nine? That it’s time for Mark Alaimo to come back for another great performance. Seriously, in any talk of this show’s finest actors, Alaimo just has to be in consideration. Gul Dukat is perhaps the most nuanced of the Trek villains, even more multidimensional than the legendary Khan.

So we can forgive yet another premise that sees Kira thrust into a mission with the wayward Cardassian commander. This happens all the time, sure, but taking issue with it would be a bit like complaining about another helping of fudge in your ice cream. Alaimo raises the bar for everyone else on the show when he’s present, Nana Visitor plays off his character fantastically, and…well, isn’t that all that matters? Read the rest of this entry →