115. A Simple Investigation

Summary

In guest quarters, an Idanian is murdered by two mysterious men, leaving scorch marks on the floor. Meanwhile, Julian has a new holoprogram that Dax, Miles and Odo are supposed to take part in but Odo, uneasy, begs off. On his way out of Quark's he meets a woman sitting by the door, obviously waiting for someone. She thinks he's coming on to her and when she realizes he's not she apologizes, blaming it on his "bedroom eyes." Flustered, he leaves. The next morning he finds the same woman, Arissa, in his office, detained by a deputy...she tried to break into the station's computer. She tells him she was supposed to meet Tauvid Rem, who was helping her find her daughter. They determine that Tauvid was the murdered man in guest quarters and Odo lets her go, but follows her. When she breaks into Tauvid's storage locker and finds a crystal, Odo gets her to admit that she really works for the Orion syndicate and is trying to break away...information on the crystal could help her but her employer, Draim, will try to get to it first. Odo places her under protective custody...it's becoming clear that they're attracted to each other. Odo asks Bashir for advice and is told to pursue it or chance regretting it later. He returns to his quarters (where Arissa is staying) and one thing leads to another...or rather, leads to the bedroom. The next day (after some gossip in Ops about his nighttime activities) Odo is contacted by another Idanian who informs him that Arissa is a deep-cover Idanian agent who had her memories erased and a new identity implanted. Her real identity is on the crystal. After a struggle with Draim's two men, Arissa gets her identity back and bids a sad farewell to Odo...she has a husband and must leave, but she admits that some part of her will always love Odo.

Analysis

Well, it had to happen. Every cast member is required to have a one-episode romance with the Alien du Jour, apparently Odo lost the draw this week. I gotta say, as one-episode romances go, this one isn't so bad...and is a great deal better than, say, Second Sight or Meridian. At least it has a semi-interesting plot to frame the romance, with elements that engage the viewer...I thought the secretive Idanians and their novel ideas about undercover work were fascinating, for example...even if the romance might be contrived. I have a hard time believing that Odo would be so quick to fall into this relationship, but I guess it does happen and I don't really begrudge him...high time the guy got some action, after all. And I love that he wasn't shy with his nature around her, and it's a mark in her favor that she took it all completely in stride. It probably did wonders for his self-esteem. Still, the whole thing is a bit...sickening? I dunno if that's the right word. I guess it's just hard to like one-episode romance episodes because they're such a cliche in Trek and more often than not degrade the character in the romance. I'll also say that this episode also shows off Odo's skill as an investigator, something that's not usually focused on in his episodes. Guest star Dey Young as Arissa redefined the term "wooden" but fortunately the part wasn't too demanding...and Rene's like a good dancing partner, he elevates everyone around him. All in all I enjoy watching this episode but I wouldn't call it terrific.

Rating: 6.5

Memorable Quote:

"I tend to look a little different every day." --Odo

Classic Scene:

DS9 characters have had their share of romances and affairs, but this was really the only time they'd ever shown such an extended bedroom scene...not that I mind! It's interesting that Odo got the honors of baring all between the sheets...someone must have a Rene fetish on the DS9 writing staff because this was the second time Odo appeared in the altogether (the first being Broken Link). Still, it's a nice scene. I always knew Odo had it in him.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"You know Odo, he likes to be thorough." --Kira...oh, you'll find out later, Kira...

The O/K Status Report

Kira's reactions to Odo's little affair de coeur are interesting. When she catches him examining his reflection she questions him...he tells her he's seeing if he does have "bedroom eyes." She wants to know about the woman who told him that and asks if he's going to see her again. He says "I have no idea, why?" to which she replies "Well, she's obviously very perceptive." When he wants to know what she means, she gets sort of flustered and shy and just says that he should see her again, then walks off with one glance back. Later, in Ops, when Dax is gleefully reporting that Arissa spent the night in Odo's quarters, Kira attempts to offer any other explanation for her presence than the obvious one. When Sisko asks about Odo and Dax tells him that he spent the night with a woman, Sisko says "That's nice" (I love that line of Sisko's) but on seeing Kira's face, quickly amends, "Isn't it?" It's clear that Kira was, to some degree, jealous...especially since the writers have since admitted that was their intention.

Special Alerts

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