1×07 — Dax — This is a good episode simply because up to this point there wasn’t a very good explanation of all the rights and legal implications of the Trill. The trill was originally conceived in a Next Generation episode called “The Host” and watching that episode you get the early ideas of what they were thinking with Dax. But in this episode they really flush out a lot of what is going on. Dax is a fantastic character and this episode sets up some wonderful things for the future.
This episode also features some great guest stars, Gregory Itzin plays Ilon Tandro the man who is accusing Curzon Dax of murder, Curzon being Dax’s host before Jadzia. You may remembers Gregory Itzin from season 5 of 24 where he plays President Logan, my favorite character in the 24 franchise. Fionnula Flanagan is also in this episode, you may know her from her time as Eloise Hawking on LOST.
This is one of the better episodes of this season mainly because in these first couple episodes almost everyone is insufferable. At this point O’Brien and Dax are the best characters and O’Brien isn’t in this episode or the next two.
Rating: C
1×08 — The Passenger — Siddig El Fadil plays Dr. Bashir, and just like his character in this first season his acting is very green. In this episode a dead man comes abroad and even though he’s dead the things he did while alive are still happening. The crew end up figuring out that he likely put some sort of bug into the system of someone and is controlling them without their knowledge. It becomes pretty apparent that this person is Dr. Bashir and then the rest of the episode Fadil plays a mad scientist. The only trouble is Fadil at this point is such a bad actor that his mad scientist comes off more as bad gas. I give him a lot of crap in this first season but he really does learn how to become a better actor and in the later seasons he’s really a fantastic character. Right now however, it’s just hard to watch him.
Some trivia: This is the first episode in which Odo gives his resignation but it won’t be the last.
The one good thing about this episode is they are still toying around with the relationship between Dax and Quark. Quark flirts with her a decent amount in this episode and she replies with smiles and giggles.
Rating: D+