Crossfire

"Crossfire" is a relatively quiet episode, as it's based entirely on the space station and has little in the way of action. Still, it's a super-important episode because it does a lot in the way of character development and is definitely worth seeing for fans.

When the show begins, First Minister Shakaar is visiting DS9. However, there are rumors that someone will be making an attempt on this new Bajoran leader's life--and so it's up to Odo and Worf to protect the guy. There are BIG complications, however, as Odo is extremely distracted. Instead of his steady and efficient demeanor, he is silently pining for Major Kira--and the only one who seems to realize this is Quark. Much of this distraction is because apparently Kira is a Bajoran hottie. First Vedek Bareil wants her and now Skakaar is smitten by her--and he confides in Odo about his desire to become more than just friends with her.

Believe it or not, this is an episode that might necessitate a Kleenex or two. Well worth seeing.

Another love affair story about Kira and it is annoying and boring again. All the scenes with Vedek Bareil were bad already. Luckily this dude is no more. But here we have another fellow resistance fighter and Kira falls in love yet again. And this new dude asks Odo, a complete stranger - about advice on how to approach Kira, because he is into her as well. I mean what the heck actually, who would do that? And I don't know: Major Kira just isn't the character I'd like to know more about her love life.

The only saving grace in this episode is Quark. He reads Odo like a book and immediately figures out that he has a crush on Kira but she is more interested in Mr. Cool while Odo behaves like a teenager. Quark in PJs talking to Odo when he destroyed his own room (which is above Quark's) preventing him from sleep is the only interesting and fun part in this episode.

I suggest to not watch this episode in bed. Otherwise you might fall asleep unlike Quark.

Odo struggles to witness Kira starting a relationship.

This is a reasonably good episode with some decent character development for Odo.

It depends on how much you care for the Odo/Kira arc for how much interest you can take in this story. Rene Auberjonois does a great job of portraying a character tortured by his feelings for someone.

Another good aspect is how Quark's enemy/best mate relationship with Odo plays into the problem and it further develops the bond between the two characters.

Where it slightly falls down for me (as usual in the writing Star Trek episodes) is the romance between Kira and Shakaar. He was portrayed as quite an interesting character in the previous appearance in the episode 'Shakaar', but unfortunately this time he is reduced being a simple love interest. Duncan Regehr is a great actor but he cannot save the bland characterisation and lack of effort made by the writers to make it a plausible coupling.

Personally I think it would have been better to have sent the three characters on a cool mission somewhere and let the love between Shakaar and Kira develop from that, with Odo observing. Crossfire depicts a typical Trek romance where characters are in love because they just are.

Overall though there are more positives than negatives, particularly the performances and continuity of on going character arcs.

For me it's a 6.5/10 but I round upwards.

Quark really has some affection for Odo. They are both loners, caught up in their own worlds. But Odo is carrying a torch for Kira and this almost destroys him. This episode involves his Rostand-like fixation on her as he watches her become more and more involved with another man. It is good to see the "human" side of this guy and how dangerous he could be, given the right circumstances.

This episode made me feel so sad for Odo, based on Rene's acting. This is a top ds9 episode. I think there is a time when everyone has felt this way. And the way that it's represented to us so human. Normally it's not the type of reaction you might expect from a tv show. But it's... Just so real... It reminds me of years ago in my youth.