“Afterimage” is a surprisingly enjoyable installment, despite the fact that it doesn’t take too many chances in terms of story or character. In the grand scheme of things, this is an important episode, a necessary introduction and exploration of character. To that end, the story is successful. But the predictable, by-the-numbers approach means that, while the episode is competently produced, the result is hardly exceptional.

Put simply, this is the story of how Ezri Dax acclimates herself to life on board DS9. It isn’t easy and, in fact, for much of the episode, she isn’t sure that she really wants to stay at all. There are simply too many memories — and the awkwardness between her and Worf is a constant and bitter reminder that while many things are the same, too many of them are different to truly feel at ease on the station.

In some respects, this is the biggest missed opportunity of the episode. There are plenty of times in life in which people learn that they “can’t go back home again” because, when they do, they find that they are very different from when they left. This is, in essence, Ezri’s problem. She’s trying to go back home, but the juxtaposition of the familiar and unfamiliar make the circumstances very difficult to navigate.

But the episode spends almost no time at all on this aspect of the story. Instead, it focuses on her resolution with Worf and on her own insecurities as a recently joined Trill. Both are certainly plausible, but both play out in ways that are unremarkable.

For starters, as a counselor-in-training, Sisko asks Ezri to help Garak overcome his sudden affliction with debilitating claustrophobia. This is a nice bit of continuity, but Ezri’s efforts are thoroughly predictable, At first, she tries empathizing with Garak. This seems to help … until Garak relapses far worse than before, including using some very harsh words toward Ezri.

Also, her lack of confidence leads her to resign from Starfleet, bringing on a very transparent scene where Sisko dresses her down for her hesitation. Of course, Sisko’s scene is pretty much all an act, designed to use some “tough love” to get through to Ezri (they shared some very amusing and enjoyable scenes earlier in the episode). And when Ezri does indeed get through to Garak, it doesn’t take long for just about everything to resolve itself to the point where she will stay on the station.

In fact, the only thing preventing her from doing so is the strained relationship she now has with Worf who, initially, wants absolutely nothing to do with her. Indeed, his actions alienate her to the point where she truly doesn’t feel welcome on the station, despite her success with Garak, and despite the support from Sisko.

But after Worf stomps around and acts horribly to just about everyone, he too receives some “tough love” from O’Brien, which forces him to see how his actions have been dishonoring Jadzia’s memory. To that end, Worf heads off to reconcile with Ezri, paving the way for her to remain on the station as a councilor.

All of this is solidly presented. But because the episode misses a good opportunity at a solid story, and because its own tale is so straightforward, it hardly makes much of an impression. Certainly, Ezri’s personality is interesting and entertaining — as are the reactions of some of those around here (Quark and Bashir come to mind). Ezri’s early scenes with Sisko are truly fun to watch. But they just aren’t enough to elevate the episode.

“Afterimage” is a decent, if somewhat unremarkable installment. It’s a good introduction to Ezri’s character. And it provides some opportunities for character development from the rest of the crew. But it never really distinguishes itself.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine