1.17 — “The Forsaken”
Plot: Lwaxana Troi’s visit to Deep Space Nine in the company of other ambassadors is the occasion for a multitude of station malfunctions. Ambassador Troi believes she has found a kindred spirit in Odo, much to his discomfort, as Odo finds himself on the receiving end of her aggressive attentions.
Thoughts: The first half of this episode is tiresome. I can’t get into the station malfunction subplot at all (the station is possessed by an non-corporeal alien puppy!) and it doesn’t initially seem as if they plan to do anything interesting with Lwaxana, on par with her stunning Fourth Season TNG appearance in “Half a Life” (TNG 4.22). Instead, we get a routine wig-and-frock show that would have been at home in TNG’s First or Second Season. Sisko’s treatment of Odo’s complaint about the unwanted flirtations of Lwaxana comes perliously close to making a joke out of sexual harrassment. Get it? Lwaxana is acting like a man. Ha ha. Suck it up, Odo.
Then we get to the part after Lwaxana and Odo have been trapped in the elevator where Majel Barrett-Roddenberry is finally allowed to play Lwaxana’s sensitive side, and display all the dignity and class of the First Lady of Star Trek (and her considerable acting chops). Boom, I’m thinking about the living connection Majel brings to the Original Series, and all the history she embodies. Majel was 61 when this episode aired. It was her second appearance as Lwaxana after Gene Roddenberry’s death. She could still bring it.
René Auberjonois thinks this episode was a big step forward for Odo’s character, allowing him to show a vulnerable, sympathetic side. I like getting the further detailsa about Odo’s backstory.
The plot was pretty slight, however. I give “The Forsaken” a generous, sentimental 3 of 5 lacy dresses.
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