From Newsgroup: rec.arts.startrek.misc

AI/LLM Reviews of Star Trek - Deep Space Nine - The Passenger

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The crew of Deep Space Nine discovers a damaged cargo ship and rescues its sole survivor, a gravely injured alien named Vantika, a notorious criminal from the planet Mizar. While Dr. Bashir is attempting a desperate procedure to save him, Vantika's consciousnessrCoa non-corporeal, parasitic entityrColeaps out and possesses Bashir's body, killing the original alien host.

With Vantika now masquerading as Dr. Bashir, the imposter attempts to steal supplies and escape the station. Major Kira, whose deep distrust of the rescued survivor's story is the episode's central thread, is the first to suspect something is amiss, especially after Vantika-as-Bashir makes several uncharacteristic, aggressive, and inappropriate advances toward her.

Vantika, needing a more robust and permanent body, eventually transfers his consciousness from Bashir into Jadzia Dax. Sisko and Kira race to identify the consciousness transfer method and the weakness of the entity before Vantika can escape the station permanently. They ultimately devise a trap, forcing the entity to reveal itself and allowing Bashir to be successfully returned to his own body.

Strengths
KirarCOs Intuition: This episode serves as an excellent showcase for Major Kira Nerys's instincts. Her immediate, unwavering suspicion of the survivorrCodriven by her Bajoran experience with deceptionrComakes her the de facto lead investigator and the only character not fooled by Vantika's act.

Bashir Playing the Villain: Actor Siddig El Fadil (Alexander Siddig) has a blast playing the sinister, unhinged Vantika, offering a rare glimpse of the normally cheerful Bashir as a menacing presence. The subtle change in body language and delivery effectively sells the possession.

Thematically Appropriate Suspense: The episode creates genuine suspense, particularly in the early stages, as Kira pieces together the evidence of Vantika's presence. The transfer to Dax also raises the stakes and forces the crew to fight against their own colleague.

Weaknesses
Reliance on a Trope: The "body-hopping villain" is one of the oldest science fiction tropes, making the basic plot mechanics and the identity of the threat fairly predictable from the start.

Early Season Characterization: Early Season 1 Bashir is still somewhat immature. The choice of him as the primary victim lessens the dramatic impact compared to if a more emotionally reserved character had been possessed.

Technical Resolution: The final resolution is highly technical, relying on a conveniently designed medical device and a quick trick to force the entity out of Dax, which feels slightly rushed and tidy.

Overall Impression
"The Passenger" is a competent and entertaining early DS9 episode that effectively uses the enclosed environment of the station to heighten the tension of having a dangerous criminal loose and possessing a main character. While the core premise is familiar, it provides great character work for Kira and allows the actors to stretch their range. It's a solid, if unspectacular, hour of Star Trek.

Rating: 7.6/10

That was a great piece of early DS9 suspense!

ChatGPT

HererCOs a detailed review of ***Star Trek: Deep Space Nine rCo rCLThe PassengerrCY***, based on the transcript at [chakoteya.net/DS9/409.htm](http://www.chakoteya.net/DS9/409.htm).

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## Efo! Summary

In rCL**The Passenger**,rCY Major Kira and Dr. Bashir rescue a Kobliad security officer, Ty Kajada, and her dangerous prisoner, Rao Vantika, from a burning freighter. Despite VantikarCOs apparent death, Kajada insists herCOs not truly gone rCo claiming that he has a way of preserving his consciousness beyond death.

Soon after, mysterious events occur aboard **Deep Space Nine**: computer systems are tampered with, KajadarCOs security files are erased, and a shipment of **deuridium** (a rare substance crucial to the KobliadsrCO survival) is targeted. The crew suspects that VantikarCOs mind may have transferred into another bodyrCa and all signs eventually point toward **Dr. Bashir**.

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## Efo- What Works

### 1. **Classic Sci-Fi Premise**

The concept of consciousness transfer and rCLmind survivalrCY is vintage *Star Trek* rCo recalling episodes like *TOS*rCOs rCLReturn to TomorrowrCY or *TNG*rCOs rCLThe Schizoid Man.rCY ItrCOs a cerebral hook: what happens when identity becomes a digital or biological virus?

### 2. **A Touch of Noir**

The storyrCOs tone evokes a **sci-fi mystery thriller**, with a dead criminal haunting the station like a ghost in the machine. The dim corridors, hidden motives, and eerie tension between Kajada and the crew give it a low-key film noir atmosphere that fits DS9rCOs darker setting.

### 3. **KajadarCOs Obsession**

Caitlin Brown (best known later as NarCOToth on *Babylon 5*) gives a strong performance as Kajada rCo a woman consumed by duty and vengeance. Her conviction that Vantika is still alive provides the episoderCOs emotional core, even when the plot strains believability.

### 4. **Good Conceptual World-Building**

The Kobliad species rCo dependent on deuridium to survive rCo is an intriguing addition to TrekrCOs alien lore, adding a biological and social tension that could have been explored further.

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## rUaN+A What DoesnrCOt Work

### 1. **Predictable Plot**

From the first act, itrCOs painfully obvious that VantikarCOs mind will end up possessing someone rCo and the mystery of rCLwhorCY isnrCOt that mysterious. The script practically telegraphs that **Bashir** is the host, leaving little suspense for the audience.

### 2. **Overacted Villain Turn**

When Vantika finally takes over BashirrCOs body, Siddig El Fadil (Alexander Siddig) adopts an exaggerated, gravelly voice and mannerisms that border on parody. The performance distracts from the tension, reducing what should have been chilling into something unintentionally comical.

### 3. **Thin Character Work**

Aside from KirarCOs early heroics and KajadarCOs determination, the rest of the cast are mostly procedural rCo technobabbling their way through the mystery. OdorCOs investigation is too brief, and Sisko feels like a background observer rather than a driving force.

### 4. **Unrealized Themes**

The script flirts with questions of **identity, mortality, and ethical resurrection**, but never develops them. It becomes a procedural chase to catch rCLBashir-Vantika,rCY rather than an exploration of what it means for consciousness to survive at the cost of self.

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## EfAi Standout Moments

* **The opening shuttle fire:** A rare moment of visual tension early in DS9rCOs run.
* **Odo vs. Kajada:** Their ideological clash rCo security vs. obsession rCo adds brief moral texture.
* **BashirrCOs final confrontation:** Though melodramatic, it does highlight SiddigrCOs range and DS9rCOs willingness to take risks with character possession stories.

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## Efoa Themes

* **Identity vs. Survival:** If onerCOs consciousness can persist beyond the body, what remains of the original person?
* **Justice vs. Obsession:** KajadarCOs relentless pursuit of Vantika raises the question of whether vengeance can outlive reason.
* **Technology and Immortality:** The idea of using science to cheat death rCo a recurring *Star Trek* moral quandary rCo is here handled in a more horror-like way.

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## r!E Final Rating: **5.5 / 10**

**Verdict:**
rCLThe PassengerrCY is a **competent but uninspired** early DS9 entry rCo conceptually solid but hampered by weak execution and an over-the-top villain performance. Its mystery lacks real suspense, and its philosophical ideas remain underdeveloped. Still, itrCOs a decent slice of early-station atmosphere and an interesting curiosity in Dr. BashirrCOs uneven early characterization.

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**In short:**
Efo4 *Good premise, weak payoff.*
Efoa *Light sci-fi ideas, little depth.*
Efuu *Watchable but forgettable.*

**Rating:** r!E **5.5 / 10**
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