The Search, Part II

Quick Review:

You are going to like this second part of the season 3 premiere!

A LOT of story lines are brought to fulfillment.

A LOT of spoilers if I even attempt a review.

You WILL meet the Founders.

You WILL get entirely frustrated with the way the Federation is handling "peace talks" back at DS9 while the heroes of the series are in the Gamma Quadrant fighting the Dominion and holding on for their dear lives.

Kira and Odo????

Odo's description to Kira of being a bird, changing into one to see what it feels like to be a bird - is way out there man.

You need to hang on this episode to the very end.

Intensity of emotions.

One of the best episodes of the series to date.

This is the second in a two-part episode. At the end of part-two, Odo and Kira escape the foundering Defiant in an escape pod. After discovering an odd planet, Odo finds that he has found his home--and lots of other changelings like himself. For most of the episode, he hangs out here and learns to hone his changeling skills while Kira has very little to do other than to try to figure out how to contact Starfleet.

At the same time, the Dominion inexplicably has called off the war-- just when they were winning. Now folks who claim to be the Founders (they aren't) say that they love the Federation and propose a treaty with all the important Alpha Quadrant forces except for the Romulans. Things seem both too peachy and the 'Founders' are obviously not being completely honest about their intentions. After a while, Commander Sisko is furious and cannot see why the Federation is willing to work with the Dominion considering that they get nothing out of the relationship other than a chance to live, they'll unnecessarily antagonize the Romulans and they'll sacrifice everything they hold dear--such as their honor and commitment to Bajor. What gives?!

Of all the episodes of the series, this one represents the most change and flux. The changes are only beginning and what exactly is coming next is something that will slowly unfold through the course of the next few seasons. A terrific two-parter--well worth seeing.

Things are collapsing around our heroes. They ares seeing the reality of the alliance and its dangers. If they were going to rebel, now was the time. Meanwhile Odo is experiencing joy for the first time in his life. But the beauty of this episode is that it has a series of twists and turns and unexpected developments. We are finally introduced to the real controllers of the universe. I'm intrigued to see where this goes next.

Odo and Kira make some interesting discoveries on shapeshifter home planet.

This is an enjoyable episode with strong character development for Odo.

It is impossible to discuss much of the plot without spoiling certain aspects of it. The scenes involving Odo and Kira are superb. Rene Auberjonois and Nana Visitor are both on top form and have great material to work with.

There is another plot thread that is more of a mixed bag. Personally I think it's okay. However, it is easy to predict that something is out of place, so how it ends did not come as a surprise to me. Some may feel cheated by the creative choices made by the writers.

The production values are very good. The set design and effects on the planet are good, plus the action sequences on DS9 are reasonably well put together.

All actors give strong performances. In addition to who I mentioned above the standouts for me are Andrew Robinson, Avery Brooks, and Natalia Nogulich.

It's a 7.5/10 for me but I round upwards.

Wow, the writing on the episode relative to everything i've seen in this series prior really caught my attention. No spoilers, if you are in the first and second season of DS9 and feeling indifferent I urge you to stick it out until at least this episode.