155. Chrysalis

Summary

Julian, after trying and failing to socialize with Miles (he's on his way home to his family) and Kira and Odo (they're on their way to a date and want to be alone), is feeling lonely and left-out with nothing to keep him company except a mutating virus. He is called to sickbay in the middle of the night by Nog, who says that Admiral Patrick is demanding to see him. When he arrives he finds Jack, Patrick and Lauren (the genetically enhanced eccentrics from Statistical Probabilities) standing there in Starfleet uniforms. They have escaped the institute to bring the catatonic Serena to DS9 so Julian can attempt to treat her condition. After a few struggles with Sisko and with his medical equipment, Julian attempts an experimental procedure on Serena's brain. She shows no improvement for five days, then suddenly he and Ezri find her wandering the Promenade, looking at "everything." She soon blossoms, speaking normally and helping Julian with his troublesome mutating virus...and, perhaps inevitably, the doctor finds himself drawn to her. As he explains to Miles, he'd always dreamed of finding someone else who was genetically enhanced that he didn't have to explain himself to and that he could share himself with. He thinks Serena is the one. The other three don't take the news that Serena isn't going back to the Institute well...but when Serena doesn't show for a romantic dinner with Julian and he finds her catatonic in her quarters, that seems premature. He cannot find a medical reason for her relapse and begs Jack and the others to try and reach her. Then soon tell him that she's *not* catatonic, she just doesn't wish to speak. Julian finally gets her to admit that she was afraid to talk to him because she wasn't sure of her feelings while he was planning trips to Risa. Julian, realizing he'd been imposing his own dreams onto her, gets her a position at a Federation think tank and she leaves, with perhaps some regrets.

Analysis

I've decided that one-episode romance cheapens any concept it is attached to. Happened to the mirror universe (see Resurrection), to the tribulations of low-gravity species (see Melora)...the one exception is probably A Simple Investigation which managed to showcase Odo's investigational skills and maintain an interesting plotline despite its cheesy romance. "Chrysalis" is just the latest victim, though it is better than many. The episode is really rather dull. Upon second viewing I found myself reaching for the fast-forward button...never a good sign. I do like the man that Julian has become, and there is good character continuity here. We *have* gotten the sense of his isolation before, and his utter lack of success in the relationship department is ironic seeing as he's supposed to be the show's stud. The presence of the so-called Jack Pack also helps the episode...imagine how much worse it would have been if Serena had been some random patient we'd never seen before. I also enjoyed Serena herself, she was an interesting character and well-played. Rumors are flying that she may come back as a recurring guest star, which I'd be all for, though with only 21 episodes left in the series how recurring can she possibly be? Then again Vic Fontaine is scheduled for six appearances this year, so I shouldn't throw stones. The episode also crys wolf once too often. Twice we are presented with Serena sitting in her "catatonic" pose and we're supposed to wonder if she's had a relapse. By the second time we're not holding our breath. I was, however, relieved that they didn't go for the old "Awakenings" plot...comatose patient awakens, experiences existence with gusto, changes the life of his/her doctor, then relapses back to comatose state. The fact that Serena's medical change seemed permanent was a welcome surprise. The writers also combatted the hack nature of the "sleeper awakens" plotline with some interesting scenes. I loved the singing scene, where the Jack Pack help Serena with her diction by launching into improvisational song. Very original and creative, and good singing too!

All in all this episode has things to recommend it, but I can't say I thought it was great or particularly inspired. I do hope to see Serena again. One question: As she and Odo head to Vic's, Kira is wearing the red gown that Lola Crystal wore to sing "Fever" (in His Way). Is Odo sharing his holosuite fantasies with her now? Also, this episode gets an automatic 0.5 ratings point bonus for being a Worf-Free Episode (tm).

Rating: 6.0

Memorable Quote:

"That's a stupid question!" --"Admiral" Patrick

"She's the woman I've been waiting my whole life for." --Julian

"I can't break the laws of physics!" --Miles...channeling past engineers there, Miles?

Classic Scene:

If people remember nothing else from this episode, they'll always remember the improv singing scene. I thought it was a stroke of originality and life in an otherwise uninspired episode.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"We're genetically enhanced, we can move as fast as we want." --Julian. Come on, they're asking for it.

The O/K Status Report

Ok, we're 5 for 5 now in episodes with at least one O/K scene. The aforementioned "heading to Vic's" scene in the teaser (not much more to it than that), and another at Quark's. Julian brings Serena to dinner with Miles, Ezri, Kira and Odo. When Ezri comments that men have trouble expressing their feelings, Serena glances at Odo (who is sitting holding Kira's hand) and says "*You* don't." Kira is incredulous, she says that Odo never talks about his feelings, earning herself a surprised look from the man in question. Serena says "He took your hand...he's *showing* you his feelings." Odo smiles and thanks her for pointing that out. They just look so cute together, tee hee.

Special Alerts

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