“Dax” is an interesting episode primarily because of the backstory we get from Dax – both in terms of her character and the singularly unique nature of her symbiont species. But even though the story exists primarily as a vehicle for these explorations, it’s unfortunate that its premise and execution are so completely pedestrian. It’s not that there are any critical issues, but rather the whole production is unremarkable – which has the effect of undermining the episode just enough to keep it from becoming truly exceptional.

The story begins with another one of Dr. Bashir’s humorously futile attempts to woo Dax. He gives it his best shot, but she’s so consumed by repair work (O’Brien is off on a holiday) that she simply doesn’t notice. Fortunately for her, though, Bashir decides to give it one more shot after she heads off to her quarters. His efforts disrupt a kidnapping attempt long enough to inform Sisko and Kira. The result is an action-driven sequence which ends, surprisingly, with the abductors being thwarted (usually these guys get away).

From here, the episode becomes a question about why Dax would be the subject of such a nefarious plot. And we quickly learn that the whole thing was actually an attempt to extradite her to an alien world to stand trial for treason and the murder of a war hero – crimes committed nearly 30 years before when Dax occupied a different host, called Curzon. Sisko is adamant about not letting Dax be sent to her death, so he creatively contrives a Bajoran extradition hearing – because DS9 is considered Bajoran territory (the aliens happen to have an extradition treaty with the Federation).

What unfolds is the typical Trek courtroom drama with different sides being presented to determine whether or not Jadzia Dax should (or even could) stand trial for any possible crimes committed by Curzon Dax. Adding some important and enjoyable layers are the history between Sisko and Curzon as well as Odo’s little fact-finding trip to the alien planet (Odo has yet another hilarious scene with Quark before he leaves DS9).

The Odo subplot reveals that Curzon had once had an affair with the wife of the murdered war hero – a fact that could provide a strong motive for murder. Instead, the widow realizes that she must confront her own past to save Curzon’s new incarnation so she heads off to DS9 to tell everyone that Curzon did indeed have an alibi – the pair were in bed together when the crime was committed.

The courtroom scenes themselves provide for a fascinating exposition of the symbiotic nature of the relationship between a trill and a host. And, as episodes go, it’s not a bad idea to convey the information by way of a courtroom drama. But it also isn’t exactly an inspired idea, either. Indeed, the courtroom scenes, though competently written and performed, come across as little more than a lecture. We know that Dax will survive the episode, so any “life or death drama” from the courtroom is nullified. And the last-second arrival of the widow simply reinforces the scene as a cliché, rather than a top-flight character exploration.

And one final criticism. In an episode devoted to the exploration of Dax as a character, what’s with the decision to have her remain silent for almost its entire length? The decision makes sense within the framework of the episode’s story, but it terms of the bigger picture, it doesn’t make sense at all. The best way to explore and demonstrate a person’s character is through their words and actions – and yet, not only is Dax silent, she’s barely emotive. True, the silence does say *something* about her character. But it’s still an uneconomical writing decision.

Because of its thorough and competent exploration of character and the trill species, “Dax” is a classic episode. Unfortunately

Filed under: Deep Space Nine