Dax

I ended up enjoying this episode more than I thought I would. It explores a very unique legal question about who is at fault when two beings are merged into a union. One could compare it to a type of legal marriage. Is one held responsible for the past crimes of a new spouse upon marriage?

Aside from that TNG episode, there wasn't much explanation of the Trill, so this episode gives us a deeper look that helps further our understanding of the race. It also serves as a good connection episode between TNG, DS9, and Discovery, which is great for those new to Star Trek who are looking to understand the connections within the Star Trek universe.

How you gonna have the same actress play a different character in the Star Trek Universe? The same woman who plays the widow of the murdered man in this episode plays Dr. What's-Her-Name (Data's "mom") in Next Gen. I'm guessing this is not the only time this happens in the franchise, but on principle I'm not cool with it. Entertaining episode though!

I am not really rating this episode, but I simply want to point out the very interesting coincidence that the main underlying plot for it, i.e., an extradition hearing (here for Lieutenant Dax), is the same as that of Episode 10 of the fourth season of Northern Exposure (entitled "Crime and Punishment") that aired exactly two months earlier (12/14/92) and centered around an extradition hearing for "Chris in the morning". In both cases the somewhat improvised defense was successfully made on the grounds that the person being sought for extradition was no longer the same as the one who had committed the alleged crime (murder for Lt. Dax, parole violation for Chris) as a result of an extensive change of their personality (changing host body for Lt. Dax, becoming a radio show host for Chris). The "icing on the cake" is that for both episodes the hearing judge is played by the SAME actress, Anne Haney.

I like this episode generally, I think it's well written, and I like the episodes where they compare "our" culture with those of other planets. There is one really big plot hole in this episode that always bugs me when I watch it.

There has got to be millennia of Trill jurisprudence regarding this very issue. However, the idea that this question has come up *ever* before is completely ignored, even - particularly - by the Trill Govt. Minister. Of course, the discussion of legal precedent would have eviscerated the premise of the episode. 🤔😉😊

In the episode, Dax is pursued and captured by three agents. She/He is to be extradited to a planet where a war occurred. Dax is accused of treason and murder. But Dax refuses to tell anything about the events, choosing rather to go to her death than reveal details. These events are on board the station and soon a hearing ensues. But Sisco is getting no cooperation from his friend and client. Meanwhile, Odo goes to another planet and digs up valuable information. It's kind of the eternal triangle.