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Allamaraine!

This episode has one huge plus: these aliens acted in a somewhat alien manner and seemingly without the station crew even understanding it. Most Trek aliens behave like humans usually with some exaggerated trait and it's known and loudly trumpeted. Proud Warriors, Space Romans, etc.

Here, it's true they appear to have the exaggerated trait of gamers, but ultimately nobody really knows. Maybe this IS how these aliens do first contact. But at the end of the day, they sweep in and sweep out and you never really know.

This sort of thing should have happened all the time in first contact situations.

Another plus is this one is VERY memorable.

The main downside to me is that this episode was too early. It's a bit like TNG's "Naked Now" in that respect, though not as severe.

Another problem is I can't even fathom how Quark figured out the missing staff was somehow inside the game.

Years ago in the British series called "The Prisoner," Patrick McGoohan was thrust into a world where there were obstacles around every corner, in a kind of "Through the Looking Glass" motif. He never knew who is friends or enemies were or where he was heading. Here, a new alien race shows up and demand that they find "games." Of course, Quark runs a gambling establishment and a kind of holographic house of ill repute. He embraces them and sets off a series of events that are incredibly bizarre. That said, it serves absolutely no purpose other than to force the main characters participate in a fantastic game. Anyway, it struck me as something a writer came up with with for no other reason to play out a scenario.

I'm not sure why it's rated so low. I found it fun and suspenseful. Sure there's some cheesy acting but I notice this a lot in the first season of DS9. I'd give it slightly above a 7.

Seriously the look on Siskos face when he has to do hopscotch is hilarious, it's like he wants to strangle whoever wrote the episode lol. Also the new aliens look terrible, as someone else has stated they clearly cheaped out on the costumes for this one. Fairly forgettable but not as bad as some people say.

I liked several of the scenes in this episode. For example the conversation between Sisko and Benjamin, the aliens when arriving at the station immediately asking about games, Bashir screaming thinking he is having a nightmare, Quark freaking out begging the game to stop and more. I don't agree with those who find the game concept unbelievable or unrealistic. This culture of aliens have taken the art of playing games to a completely new level because they are totally obsessed with games. Makes perfect sense and also makes sense that they would put the four highest ranking officers on the space station in the game to make it more serious.