“Captive Pursuit” is a mildly entertaining episode thanks, primarily, to the friendship Chief O’Brien develops with the first alien visitor from the Gamma Quadrant. But otherwise, the episode stumbles with plausibility, pacing and an initial mystery that is insufficient to really generate a whole lot of momentum. The result is an episode that is just barely above average.

In the episode’s opening scenes, an alien ship appears through the wormhole. In distress, it’s brought to DS9 where O’Brien is dispatched for repair work – and to make First Contact. O’Brien’s amiable nature is on full display and, in truth, it’s quite compelling. Is easy manner, sense of humor and general empathy for the alien known as Tosk are all quite believable and effectively portrayed. Indeed, this is one of the high points of the episode.

The plausibility of the developing friendship between O’Brien and Tosk is reciprocated by Tosk’s performance which, despite a limited vocabulary, capitalizes on acting by way of some efftive body language and eye movements. The result is to thoroughly “humanize” Tosk – despite is decidedly alien appearance and mysterious presence.

Indeed, it is the mystery surrounding Tosk which takes up much of the episode’s opening scenes and, had it not been for the on-screen camaraderie between O’Brien and Tosk, the sequences would have been utterly pedestrian. Tosk won’t reveal anything other than his name. O’Brien is suspicious at first and then changes his perspective – completely ignoring the fact that Tosk has been less than forthcoming. It’s a decided irrational reaction from a Starfleet officer – one who should know better.

But O’Brien’s emotional reactions are just getting started.

It is soon revealed that Tosk is part of a ritualistic hunt – similar to “The Most Dangerous Game” – and he is the prey. Because he has been captured by Odo, his Hunters are thoroughly disappointed at the abrupt end to their hunt. Sisko is reviled by the whole thing, but refuses to intervene. And when O’Brien offers Tosk asylum, Tosk merely dismisses it. He’d prefer the humiliation of being taken alive than the humiliation of being exiled.

And then the episode gets a bit silly.

O’Brien decides, on the spur of the moment, to sabotage the security systems and free Tosk from prison – so that the hunt can begin anew, so that Tosk can eventually die with honor. I think O’Brien’s sentiments (and solution) are admirable. But for him to actually act on it? Without regard to his career or his family? It seems a bit implausible because even though the two had formed a bond, O’Brien’s attachment to Tosk isn’t anything even remotely close to being something that’d be worth throwing away his Starfleet career.

And to make matters worse, Sisko and Odo figure out the plot and choose not to stop – even though Sisko will later give O’Brien a severe tongue lashing for disregarding Federation procedures and so forth. All in all, it’s a clumsy ending.

“Captive Pursuits” is a decent episode thanks to O’Brien and Tosk – their interactions are well-worth watching. It’s a bit of a shame, then, that the episode wasn’t able to make more out of this asset.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine