Duet

It's hard for me to recall how I felt the first time I saw this episode, as I have now seen it so many times, but at first glance, it appears to be analogous to the Nazi concentration camp atrocities, and in many ways it is, but instead of the seething you expect to see from Kira when Marritza arrives at the station, we are slowly introduced to a whole other story. Without going into too much detail on the episode, it pleasantly and emotionally subverts expectations in the right way.

Harris Yulin absolutely steals the show. His performance is award-worthy, and Nana Visitor's performance is a great companion to Yulin's. But I cannot overstate how good Harris Yulin was in this episode, it is the best performance by an actor in a Star Trek episode in my opinion.

There will be plenty of reviews in detail about the story, I just want to say that this episode is why DS9 is so special. This took a unique look at the Star Trek universe in a way that I never saw again. It helped peel back layers of Kira's character, as well as foster her coming to terms with her past. Between the acting, characters, and performances it is a must-watch and arguably one of the best episodes of television of all time.

It is difficult to discuss the meaning of this episode of DS9 without revealing important plot twists. However, I can say, as an avid fan of all the Star Trek series, this episode stuck with me more than any other.

The Cardassian occupation of Bajor was in many ways comparable to the Nazi extermination of the Jews. When it appears a Cardassian war criminal, who was responsible for countless murders of innocent Bajorans, might have been discovered on DS9, it looks, at first, like this episode will be some melodrama about the powerful victimizing the weak, or perhaps the evils of militaristic societies.

But this episode holds some surprises. I'll refrain from giving any more details about this episode other than to say this was one of the rare times that any TV show has inspired such an emotional response in me.

It is a shame that science fiction on television is not held in higher regard because this episode was worthy of an Emmy Award.

The Star Trek franchise has often been thought of as television light. At times that's been a fair criticism, with exceptions such as TNG's "The Inner Light" and "City on the Edge of Forever" from the original. With "Duet," Deep Space Nine makes its case to be taken seriously.

I feel no compulsion to run down the plot points of "Duet," DS9's second to last first season episode. "Duet" transcends Star Trek, or science fiction, for that matter. It is simply one of the finest hours of television you'll likely ever see. Harris Yulin's stunning performance is Emmy-worthy. And Nana Visitor holds her own in her self-described favorite episode.

Rarely do you find such a sublime example of writing, acting and theme on the small screen. "Duet" is TV as high art, something that's become far too rare.

I won't discuss in detail the plot of this episode - others have done so better than I can - but I agree that this episode is one of the best pieces of television I have ever seen.

Deep Space Nine always was/is the best of the Treks, as it did not always have a happy ending, but often made you think so that the "ending" depended on your outlook.

I remember seeing this episode when it was first run in Australia and being totally wowed by it. It is an episode that takes you down one direction, then swings you 180 degrees, and ends by making you rethink all you know about guilt and redemption. It truly was the best of the best.

A life changing episode for a thinking audience.

While I think calling this episode the best of all Star Trek, or even just of DS9, is very exaggerated, it is a fine example of good science fiction. The parallels that can be drawn between the plot and history are perhaps a little too obvious, but this is the point: to make you think about something by talking about something else.

There are three elements that make the episode work so well. First, Harris Yulin puts on an excellent guest performance as Aamin Marritza / Gul Darhe'el, being charming and maniacal at equal measures. Secondly, the twists, although more than a few, are believable - there is a logic in the layers of deception, it isn't an effort to fool the audience. And lastly, the ending is fitting not only dramatically, but also as a final lesson.