For the first time, Sisko orders Kira as The Emissary, not as a Captain.

“Rapture” is just a bit too melodramatic for its own good. The story is solid. The implications are profound and emotionally affecting. But it’s an episode that take itself just a tad bit too seriously. And, too, the production doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights to which it aspires. There’s nothing wrong, of course, in producing an episode which which is meant to transform the series both in terms of character and narrative. But for what it’s worth, this episode misses the mark of being exceptional. Instead, it has to settle for merely “very good.”

After the Cardassians return a rare artifact to the Bajorans, Captain Sisko undergoes a kind of transcendent experience. While examining the artifact in one of Quark’s holosuites, Sisko is zapped by some random energy surge that proves to be a catalyst for some truly remarkable visions. It;s definitely interesting to see Sisko full embrace his role as Emissary, leading Bajorans to find their mystical city of B’Hala (a name curiously similar to Valhalla). But that’s not the end of Sisko’s visions, nor his embrace of his role as Emissary.

Indeed, much of the episode centers around the fact that not only does Sisko accept his role, but the Bajorans, from Kira to Kai Winn, accept his proclamations as matters of faith. The result is to thoroughly humanize Winn while, at the same time, reinforce the fact that Sisko, despite whatever reluctance he might have had, is indeed the Bajoran Emissary.

This acceptance of fate, of recognizing his own inherent potential, is a wonderfully transcendent story idea. How many of us have been confronted with our destinies, only to turn away from them because, at the time, they seem threatening or contrary to our world views? In that sense, Sisko’s acceptance of the visions serves to be a very compelling lesson: It’s importance to accept the role that fate has to play in the course of our lives.

But the episode quite intelligently encompasses much more than Sisko’s personal journey. His son, Jake, is brought into the conflict as is the Federation’s vested interests in seeing Bajor become a member of the Federation. That Sisko acts against both — warning against Bajor membership into the Federation, and separating himself from his son, both become very important developments in the story.

Still, all of this plays out a bit too melodramatically and obscurely to make the episode something truly transcendent. I like the inclusion of both Jake and Kassidy Yates as “voices of reason” as far as Sisko’s health is concerned. And I think th Federation Admiral’s perspective is an important one to portray. But the manner with which these elements are depicted onscreen detracts from the overall story about Sisko’s acceptance of his role as Emissary.

“Rapture” is a good, solid character drama.  But it’s too rough around the edges to become something truly special.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine