133. Statistical Probabilities

Summary

On the eve of an address by Legate Damar, a group of unusual visitors comes to the station. The four of them were genetically enhanced, like Bashir, but unlike him they all suffered behavioral side effects...the hyperactive, stammering Jack, the lascivisious Lauren, the mute Serena and the childlike Patrick. Their doctor hopes that they'll form a connection to Bashir as a genetically enhanced individual who's living a normal life. At first resistant and hostile, they are soon fascinated by Damar's address, deducing from his tone of voice and expression the entire history of his rise to power. Soon they are devouring all information on the Dominion and the Federation's conflict with them. When they see through Weyoun's peace overtures to the Dominion's real goal, the acquisition of a new source for ketracel white, Starfleet allows them access to classified information about the war. Based on this, the group of super-geniuses use statistical equations to reach the conclusion that the war is completely hopeless, and that 900 billion will die before the Federation is defeated. Bashir takes this grim analysis to Sisko and recommends surrender, but his suggestion is rejected. When he informs the group of this, Jack is outraged and plans to give the Dominion vital Starfleet battle strategies, enabling the enemy to win quickly and avoid a lot of bloodshed. When Julian refuses to go along, Jack knocks him out and ties him up. Julian persuades Serena to release him and averts the information exchange, gaining a new respect for history's fundamental unpredictability in the process. The group leaves the station and although the projections haven't changed, Julian feels better about the Federation's chances against the Dominion.

Analysis

I love this episode. Funny, engaging, and creative, it acknowledges the war without focusing on it...something that's not so easy...and introduces some truly eccentric characters into a world where one doesn't often see people who might be described as "unbalanced." Some people didn't like the revelation about Julian's enhanced nature, but I found it an interesting twist on his character, and this is a different direction in which to take it. I admit that it becomes far too easy to write characters like this as all-knowing human computers (a trap Julian's fallen into more than once) and there is a touch of that here, yet their shortcomings in other more basic areas, like impulse control, somehow makes it easier to excuse. The group's ability to deduce so much based on so little is very clever...a bit too clever, in fact, but after so many years of admirals and captains hemming and hawing and debating and tearing at their hair, there's something refreshing about people who are so certain of their conclusions and so committed to their decisions, once made. Julian's role is all of this is rather illuminating. Like the so-called "Jack pack" he has supreme confidence in his own abilities and the conclusions he uses them to draw, yet his desire to find a way for the group to be useful clouds his judgment.

Rating: 8.0

Memorable Quote:

"There are rules! Don't talk with your mouth full. Don't open an airlock when someone's inside it. And don't lie about your genetic status!" --Jack

"Well, why don't you fix it, dear fellow, dear fellow, well why don't you fix it before I go mad!" --Jack

"Yes, I know...I honor you with my presence." --Odo, to Weyoun

Classic Scene:

Julian's first meeting with the Jack Pack is like something out of a Tom Stoppard play, with verbal non sequiturs and random acts of eccentricity.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"You want me to play with you, do you Chief?" --Julian

The O/K Status Report

Nothing to report.

Special Alerts

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