Vortex

A real rogue, Croden (Cliff De Young) arrives on the station from the Gamma Quadrant. Unlike most visitors, he's not particularly interested in meeting with Federation or Bajoran dignitaries...but he IS interested in hangout out with the lower elements of the station. However, in the process, Croden kills someone and Sisko has to decide what to do with him. However, Croden throws an interesting monkey wrench into all this---he tells Odo that he's seen OTHER changelings and he offers to tell him where...if he lets him free. Naturally, there is more to this and the denouement is quite interesting. Worth seeing, especially as Croden isn't quite as he seems and it does give some insight into Odo's origins.

I have to say that the complex character of Odo is really of interest to me. Here, we get to know him better. He meets another alien who gives him hope of finding others like him. He is in perpetual fear of prejudice. His job on the ship is made more effective by his harsh demeanor. In this, he finds another character who has feelings like his own, having been driven from his planet because he is different. There are many difficulties in this episode and some harsh realities. One of my favorites.

A really great episode from the first season of Deep Space Nine. It acts as both a good charactor building story of Odo and adds some interesting background in relation to Odo's Changeling history. We're also given some hints regarding Odo's race that will feature more prominently in later episodes. The other aspects to 'Vortex' which really establish DS9 as a show which likes to draw upon 'grey areas' is the charactor of Croden, where one dismisses him at first but develops an affection towards him as the story unfolds. Previous episodes of the first season try to build on the good/bad nature of various individuals, but this is the first one which I think works exceptionally well.

One species from the gamma quadrant kills another on DS9 and Odo gets involved.

This is a strong character episode for Odo and it makes his origin quite intriguing.

The highlight for me is when story asks questions about the Changeling species and makes me want to find out more. Rene Auberjonois carries the episode very well with a grouchy, reluctant hero performance.

In the second half, when the action moves off DS9, it gets quite compelling and there are a number of cool moments with quite plausible danger and characters doing the right thing in difficult circumstances. There are some convenient plot turns, but it doesn't spoil anything. Also the visual effects are done to a pretty good standard considering that it's Star Trek.

All performances are very good, particularly Auberjonois, Armin Shimerman, Cliff DeYoung and Randy Oglesby.

It's a 7.5/10 for me but I round upwards.

Woah woah woah! We have our first properly good ep of ds9!

Rene absolutely carries it, but it's got actual intrigue and substance. Quark gets used for story and not just bad comic relief, Sisko has to toe the line between starfleet ideals and underbelly reality and the guest star can act. Firing on all cylinders.

Some really, really good space shots for the time, too.

Odo was maybe a little too quick to break the rules for a stuffy security officer, but his motivation to do so is sound and well explored in the episode.

This presents some exciting questions for the series to continue to answer.

Great episode.