The Visitor

Like so many of the previous reviewers, I find this episode to be among the best of any in the entire Trek franchise ... and more, simply one of the best episodes of any TV show, any genre, over time. And I'm frankly bewildered by the couple of negative reviewers who seem unable to empathize with the quiet power & beauty of this deeply moving father-son story.

If you're reading these reviews, you already know the basic plot: young Jake Sisko loses his father in a bizarre accident that strands Benjamin Sisko in a timeless limbo, from which he emerges for a brief moment every so often over Jake's lifetime. The plot mechanics of this are unimportant -- what matters is the human story of a son losing his father, yearning for his presence, never quite whole because of that loss, and struggling to cope with it & set it right.

I just watched it again last night, which makes it at least a dozen times since it first aired. My father was alive then; he died a few years later. So the wrenching emotional punch of this story has only grown over time for me ... and, I suspect, for the vast majority of those who have also watched it. Were there tears streaming down my face by the end, this time around? Oh, yes. Anyone who loved & lost their father understands.

Next Generation justly takes pride in "The Inner Light" -- but "The Visitor" is easily its equal, and in many ways even more meaningful & rich. I'll definitely be watching it many more times to come in the future.

It has all been said already. I'm just hoping that my rating can raise it above the 9.1 that it is at at the time of this review. As good as Duet, as good as Inner Light, as good as the The City on the Edge of Forever. Tissues required, woman or man.

I loved this episode and got tears as well. I have a great relationship with my father and yet it still hit me as hard as those with father issues.

I'm usually a hater of the "human interest" Star Trek episodes because they usually are just treading water until the producers can get enough budget for a good episode. THIS IS AN EXCEPTION.

I bought the season four DVD just so I could have this episode and share it with my own son.

Also, this would be a great episode to get your lady friend interested in the Star Trek franchise.

In my endeavor to re-watch the entirety of all three Start Trek series (TNG, DS9 and VGR), this one episode stands out in its refinement, sensitivity, emotional delivery, and substance. Philosophically it is up there with "Tapestry" from TNG, but stylistically flows a lot better. The storytelling, mood, and delivery are in the realm of art. I was amazed this was television. Flawless and exceptional performances.

The story explores a parental bond that stands the tests of time; genuine and resonant. Brooks', Todd's, and Lofton's performance is so authentic and personable; it generates a lake of emotion that by induction we find our own inner world sway and careen in synchronicity with uncanny levels of fidelity. Rarely a story can deliver its message more accurately. It is probably what a Vulcan mind melt must feel like.

A heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, performance driven episode that will not easily fade away from anyone's heart... Father-son relationship... It's just so good. I can explain the story and how it unfolds, but it's just not the same as viewing it. This episode is so wonderfully written and has such poignant, moving details that it soars to new heights of storytelling. Through this, we see many new things about Sisko and Jake--about their lives and their relationship. Above all, this episode stresses the bond between a father and a son, and contains family issues that many people can relate to.

Michael Taylor has delivered one of the series' best stories, and David Livingston's direction is stunning, stellar execution. As I said before, the flashback elements are wonderfully done and the performances are about as perfect as they could be. The editing and music is all in place, causing scenes to flow terrifically together. Even if you're grabbing the tissues by the end of this episode (I was) there is no way you can call this story maudlin or melodramatic. It's completely absorbing from the first frame to the last; definitely one of DS9's finest moments. There is true magic working here.