Episode #20: In the Hands of the Prophets
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Episode #20: In the Hands of the Prophets
IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS (prod.#420; first season)
written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe; Director:David Livingston
This one presents several heavy-duty ideas and themes in a well-crafted episode which also has elements of suspense & mystery. The episode begins with a confrontation involving the age-old conflict between faith and science, introducing us to Vedek Winn (Louise Fletcher), who argues on the side of faith. Keiko (Rosalind Chao), who began a school for kids in the early episode, A MAN ALONE, is the teacher of science. My first impression was that the story would concentrate on the struggle between these two representatives, but it adds in additional plot turns before it's all ended. Winn, btw, would turn up in a dozen or so more episodes in the next few seasons, becoming Kai Winn, the successor to Kai Opaka (see the pilot EMISSARY and BATTLE LINES). Or, so I read somewhere.
RIGHT>Sisko meets Vedek Bareil>
This episode also introduces Winn's rival, Vedek Bareil (Philip Anglim), who is more tolerant in his approach towards "godless" Federation members. In the 2nd half of the story, the focus changes unexpectedly from a philosophical argument (faith vs. science) to more pragmatic matters of political expediency. Sisko finds out that 24th century priests (or Vedeks) are, like their 21st century counterparts, more political creatures than actual spiritual guides. It may be a cynical tone, yes, but it just acknowledges what we all know and don't like to admit: spiritual leaders are human just like the rest of us. For me, it ended with Winn becoming the worst kind of villain in this and (I suspect) the forthcoming seasons. As I mentioned, she's just creepy; and, worse, she gets away with it.
Sisko gives a speech in the last half, mostly directed at Winn but also a general statement of the situation, sort of summing up the past year (season) and where it's going. It was a rare few moments in this 1st season which gave actor Brooks a chance to hold the floor for a bit and demonstrate a similar knack for holding our attention as Shatner and Stewart had done before ("You just made your first mistake," he begins, surely channeling Kirk & Picard). There's also a subplot involving O'Brien, his assistant, a missing tool and a missing technician, but it all ties in to the main storyline. These are the best kinds of episodes, when it all ties together in the end - a fine way to end the first season. BoG's Score: 7 out of 10
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