“Defiant” is an example of a series indulging in more than a little bit of self-gratification. Sure it’s a lot of fun, with plenty of action and intrigue. But the episode’s plot is almost entirely implausible and, despite its obvious connection to TNG, it is simply unable to generate anything remotely close to legitimate drama. The result is an episode that can easily become a fan favorite, but is, simply, “out of character” for a series that so often pays very close attention to nuance and subtlety with respect to character and plot. Because, let’s face it, there’s nothing subtle about this episode.

The sudden appearance of Will Riker on board DS9 is certainly a cause for celebration – or, at the very least, a cause for being much more attentive to the story. Riker quickly ingratiates himself with both Sisko and Kira, but fumbles his remembrance of Dax and, even more strangely, jumps down O’Brien’s throat by saying, “I have nothing to say to you, O’Brien. I think you know why.” Of course, not even avid TNG fans would know why Riker would say something like that. And, soon enough, Riker reveals himself to be Tom Riker, the duplicate Riker discovered in the TNG episode, “Second Chances.”

It certainly is commendable that DS9 would return to this character who was thoroughly ignored after his introduction in TNG. But the manner in which Tom Riker makes his return is pure fabricated contrivance. The motivation, that he is trying to distinguish himself from his more prominent “twin” just isn’t enough to justify his role as a Maquis, nor his intention to steal the Defiant and use it to invade (invade?!) Cardassia. Oh, sure, we can suspend our disbelief long enough to enjoy the trumped up suspense and action (which, without question, are entertaining). But this is the kind of silly, nonsensical plot from which DS9 so often strove to separate itself.

On the plus side, the theft of the Defiant allows for some interesting scenes between Sisko and Gul Dukat. Indeed, this is where the episode manages its most successful moment: Dukat’s lamentation that the events have caused him to miss his son’s eleventh birthday and, more importantly, that his son will look back on the day and feel anger toward the Federation for causing the absence of his father – a prospect that is regrettable to Dukat. It’s a fantastic commentary on the nature of “enemies” and how prejudice can color how we interpret events.

Aside from that, though, there’s little substance to the story. Instead, we’re filled with plenty of procedural scenes on how Sisko helps Dukat and the Cardassians hunt down the Defiant and how the Obsidian Order desperately tries to keep a secret hidden. It makes for some fun moments on screen, especially the brief exchange of fire between the Defiant and the Cardassian warships and, of course, viewers will have every right to enjoy the experience.

But that doesn’t make this a particular good episode, either. Part of the problem is that, we know, all along, that the Defiant will be returned to DS9 without being captured. And, too, Riker’s posturing never really connects because his motivations are so questionably flimsy to begin with. To top it all off, Sisko simply bargains away Riker’s life, allowing Dukat to cart the lesser-Riker away to a prison camp in exchange for the Defiant and a few Maquis outlaws.

So much for loyalty.

“Defiant” is certainly an episode which will find many loyal viewers. But its popularity should not be mistaken for quality – particularly in terms of depth of story and character development. On those levels, this episode is below DS9’s standards.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine