“Heart of Stone” is an awkward, uneven affair that stumbles its way toward a rather important and well-conceived ending. Conceptually, the episode works fairly well as a vehicle for character exploration and development. But the execution of the ideas leaves much to be desired, resulting in the episode’s subplot being substantially better than its primary conflict. In the end, viewers may be able to look past the faults and accept the story on its merits but, objectively, the miscues doom the episode to mediocrity.

[[Show as slideshow]]

This is the story of how Kira and Odo become trapped on an unstable moon while chasing down a Maquis raider. It is also the tale of how Jake’s friend, Nog, stops being simply “Jake’s friend” and takes a step on his own path by declaring his desire to join Starfleet. The intent for both stories is clear: We’re to get a rather extensive look at the characters’ thoughts, feelings, hopes, fears and so forth. Unfortunately, those explorations are muddied through an overly convoluted plot which, yet again, gives us a main character … who isn’t really the main character.

When Odo and Kira track the Maquis bandit onto the moon, Kira’s foot becomes encased in a kind of crystal that slowly grows and eventually threatens to completely consume her. The production here leaves quite a bit to be desired. The slowly-growing crystal looks ridiculous and, even worse, Kira’s performance is downright horrendous. There’s a reason for this as Kira really isn’t Kira (hint: she’s the leader of the changelings, sent to test Odo’s loyalties). But the revelation doesn’t atone for the awkward and often cringe-inducing parade of bizarre facial expressions and off-kilter delivery of dialogue.

This dynamic reaches its peak when Odo refuses to leave a nearly-encased Kira, exclaiming, “I love you” – to which Kira replies, “I love you, too.” Odo’s feelings toward Kira have been hinted at before but, considering the cornball approach to the rest of the scenes between these two characters, it’s difficult to discern whether or not she really is serious. It is important that Odo would make such a declaration to begin with, but considering the fact the Kira isn’t really Kira, the whole scene has little value beyond Odo explicitly stating what viewers already knew to be true about his feelings.

More interesting is the aftermath of Odo’s discovery and his conversation with the leader of the Founders. She needles Odo about his unrequited love and Odo handles the criticism with aplomb. It nicely demonstrates an all-too-common occurrence: when we have strong emotions from someone is either unable or unwilling to return them. In that sense, the episode works very well at not only delving a bit further into Odo’s inner grief about the matter (his measured acceptance of the status quo notwithstanding), but it’s unfortunate that the episode had to go so far out of its way before getting to the point.

The subplot involving Nog’s quest to become part of Starfleet is a more solid. Having had enough of watching his Quark belittle his father, and having just ascended into Ferengi adulthood, he petitions Sisko for help in becoming a Starfleet officer. Sisko’s reactions are entirely plausible and amusing. But to his credit, he doesn’t reject Nog out of hand and, instead, allows the Ferengi to prove his sincerity. What sells these scenes, however, is Nog who is far, far removed from the annoying little prankster of the first season. The new focus on his aspirations – and the revelations about his father – are like a breath of fresh air for his character.

“Heart of Stone” gets credit for the level of character work it does. But with such an uneven, unrefined approach, it simply doesn’t manage to become a classic. Perhaps the episode’s most truly indelible moment is the one in which Odo relates the story of how he got his name (which means, literally, “nothing” in Cardassian). But once again, because this wasn’t told to the real Kira, the moment is diminished, resulting in a scene which does little more than provide exposition – and it fairly wastes a solid performance from Odo.

Filed under: Dauntlessmedia

Related Articles:

• 3.06 – The Abandoned – DS9 Review
• 2.06 – Melora – DS9 Review
• 2.07 – Rules of Acquisition – DS9 Review
• 3.07 – Civil Defense – DS9 Review
• 2.08 – Necessary Evil – DS9 Review
• 3.09 – Defiant – DS9 Review
• 3.05 – Second Skin – DS9 Review
• 2.20 – The Maquis, Part I – DS9 Review
• 3.08 – Meridian – DS9 Review
• 2.16 ? Shadowplay ? DS9 Review