Despite a few missteps, “The Ship” is a riveting, intense, and meaningful episode. It’s been awhile since Deep Space Nine has had an outing that was as explicit in its overall message. What’s interesting is that it occurs alongside genuine action and suspense. The result is a surprisingly well-balanced installment. If you could set aside a handful of melodramatic moments, this would have been a truly exceptional episode.

While on a mineral survey mission in the Gamma Quadrant, Sisko, Dax, O’Brien, Worf (and a few “redshirts”) and crew observe the crash-landing of a Jem’Hadar warship. The initial scenes, where the crew cautiously approach, then board the ship, searching for survivors (potential adversaries) get high marks for suspense and tension, thanks to effective lighting and pacing. Put simply, the episode completely sells the idea that anything could happen. Flickering lights, ineffectual lamps, and an upside-down wreck all add to an almost surreal experience. Good stuff.

In short order, they realize that all hands were killed (even before the wreck). A fabulous prize presents itself to Sisko: if he can somehow salvage the wreck, the secrets the Federation could unlock from unlimited access to a Jem’Hadar warship might lead to a distinct advantage should conflict with the Dominion ever arise. Of course, the Dominion isn’t about to just let a ship fall into Federation hands and, soon enough, a Dominion rescue party arrives, blowing Sisko’s shuttle out of the sky, killing several redshirts and severely wounding another — a man by the name of Muñiz.

The firefight makes for some decent action. But the key here is the effect it has on characters. Prior to the discovery of the Jem’Hadar ship, the episode wisely invested some time in building a very natural and plausible camaraderie between Muñiz and O’Brien. As a result, his injury makes a bit of an impact on the viewer — and, more importantly, it has a profound impact on O’Brien. Inexplicably, though, the Jem’Hadar cease their attack once the Sisko & co. seek cover inside the ship. And that’s where the episode takes yet another turn in its approach.

Trapped inside the warship, Sisko is contacted by a female Vorta, by the name of Kilana, who wants to parlay. From here, the story focuses on the inherent distrust between Kilana and Sisko. Sisko wants the ship. Kilana wants something valuable on board the ship. But because they do not trust one another, they are completely unable to reconcile their differences long enough to come to some kind of agreement. It’s a fascinating exploration of how enemies will inherent see the worst in one another … leading to tragic consequences.

In the meantime, in an attempt to maintain suspense, we get the episode’s most problematic moments. With the Jem’Hadar firing concussion rounds at the ship (to rattle its occupants without damaging the ship), tensions begin to mount — to the point where we see Worf acting completely out of character. He completely disregards O’Brien’s emotional attachment to Muñiz and, even worse, taunts O’Brien about being weak. I’d have expected such a reaction, perhaps, back in season one of TNG … but considering how much Worf has evolved, as a character, since then, the moment just doesn’t work.

More important for the episode, though, is the the way time slowly unfolds while Sisko and Kilana continue their standoff. After a misguided attempt to get the Jem’Hadar ship working, O’Brien discovers that Muñiz has passed away from his injuries. Shortly afterward, Sisko and Dax finally learn why the Jem’Hadar were so reluctant to attack and destroy the ship: On board was a dying changeling. And, like Muñiz, the changeling soon dies (which causes the Jem’Hadar to kill themselves in a ritual suicide — offscreen).

Sisko is crestfallen as he realizes the what caused these deaths, more than anything, was distrust. His subsequent scene with Dax is the episode’s second major misstep, though. Why hasn’t Sisko reacted this strongly to deaths of crew members before? I suppose one could argue that it was the circumstances that sets these apart from others … but even so, the scene about what it means to be “in Starfleet” feels a bit too self-serving from Sisko. Though, it is nicely offset by a reconciliation of sorts between Worf and O’Brien as they keep vigil together over Muñiz’ coffin.

On the whole, “The Ship” is a solid, well-executed episode. It nicely balances a worthy theme with action, suspense and character. Definitely a classic.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine