144. His Way

Summary

During a visit to the holosuite the crew meets Julian's new holographic mentor, Vic Fontaine, a 1960's Vegas lounge singer (who, in an interesting twist, knows he's a hologram) who displays uncanny perceptiveness about their various interpersonal relationships. Upon learning that Kira is going to Bajor to see Shakaar Odo decides to avail himself of Vic's tutelage. He spends a number of nights playing piano in Vic's combo and "practicing" on holographic women until Vic arranges a date with what he tells Odo is a fully accurate hologram of Kira...but, unbeknownst to Odo, it's the real Kira, back from Bajor. They meet in the holosuite and slow-dance while Vic sings...it's clear that something is changing here, that is, until they both realize they've been duped. Odo flees the holosuite in horror when he learns he's been making time with the real Kira. The next morning Kira, after telling Dax she'd just experienced a moment of pure clarity and clearly unwilling to let the matter fade away, confronts Odo and all but dares him to make his move...which he does, kissing her in the middle of the Promenade. After a few seconds, she kisses back.

Analysis

When I first saw this episode I couldn't decide if I loved it or hated it. I finally came to the conclusion that I loved it. Setting aside my personal prejudices to like the episode (which, if you can't figure out what those prejudices are by the content of my page, then you haven't been paying attention!) I was charmed by its lighthearted approach to such a momentous development. The Odo/Kira relationship has been so fraught with seriousness, angst, near-death experiences, sacrifice and tension that to have it finally resolved with such humor and levity was a welcome change....especially since they're sure to have more angst coming their way in the future. Of all the scenarios various fanfic writers have devised to get these two together (and believe me, there have been a lot of them) I seriously doubt anyone ever thought of *this.* Originality is something we've come to appreciate in DS9 as something not always present in other Trek incarnations. And how about that kiss? If that didn't make your heart at least do a bit of a flipflop then you must not have one. The dinner scene is at once charming and cringe-inducing and I wish we'd gotten a bit more of Kira's POV, but you can't have everything.

Rating: 8.5

Memorable Quote:

"Who needs dinner? Why don't I just get it over with and kiss you right now?" --Odo

Classic Scene:

Oh give me a break. The penultimate scene...as Tracy Hemenover has called it, " the big humungous smooch in the middle of the Promenade in front of the Prophets and everybody"...has to be the winner here. Definitely the most passionate kiss in Trek history.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"Oh, don't stop on my account." --Sisko

The O/K Status Report

Gee...hmm...I wonder...what to say. They're finally together. I think I'll just leave it at that.

Special Alerts

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