I dunno. “His Way” is probably a bad episode. It’s certainly soapy and mushy and runs for far too long. But I like it. It’s probably the Sinatra-style lounge music and setting and dialogue. Maybe it’s the story of being true to yourself. Whatever it is, the episode can be a thoroughly fun, distracting hour.

This episode introduces the holographic character of Vic Fontaine — a lounge singer who borders on sentience. It also addresses the long percolating romance between Kira and Odo. Frustrated at his own inaction, Odo turns to Fontaine for advice on how to woo Kira. So Odo dresses in a tux, pretends to play piano and learns to lighten up, enjoy himself and, more importantly, let his emotions show through enough to let people see who he really is — beyond the overly stoic constable with whom everyone interacts.

In many respects, the episode is reminiscent of Data’s exploration of humor in “The Outrageous Okona.” But here’s the lessons are more meaningful. Plus, it’s fun to watch. Vic, who is a love-him or hate-him character, ultimately teaches Odo to relax and be himself — to have confidence in who he is as a person. And really, that’s where this episode has its most value.

And, I suppose if you’re going to explore the relationships between main characters, it’s worth doing so in the context of a musical-comedic-romantic installment. In a way, it’s a bit like the series showing the viewer that it’s not taking itself seriously. Indeed, I think the Kira-Odo coupling could have been a lot worse had this episode been built around a tense, melodramatic romance. The lighthearted approach accomplishes the same goal, while also providing a bit of overall balance to the series.

And unlike the Ferengi episodes (which do have their value in terms of providing needed comic relief), this one isn’t steeped in an endless parade of annoying Ferengi voices and mannerisms. It’s got way-cool music, daddy-o.

But there are legitimate reasons (stylistic choices aside) that people may not like the episode. The songs are fun … but there are an awful lot of them. Odo’s lessons go on for what feels like a week (it is a week within the timeframe of the episode, but it shouldn’t feel that way to the audience). And the story is hopelessly soapy. All of which is enough to turn viewers off to what is, otherwise, an amusing bit of fluff.

On the whole, I think “His Way” is an above-average outing. It certainly has its flaws. And its choice of style (along with the character of Vic Fontaine) is sure to be a detriment to many viewers. But the style and character of Fontaine are both likable enough. And the episode’s central message, of being true to oneself, is a worthy one. I think this is one of those cases where the end result is greater than the sum of its parts.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine