4.3 — “The Visitor”
Plot: We encounter Jake Sisko in old age, living as a recluse in a house in Louisiana. We learn that in the years since our expected timeline he earned acclaim as a published author for his novel Anslem and Collected Stories, which won the Betar prize. He gave up writing, however, at 40. At the prompting of Melanie, a young fan who comes to his door, Jake explains that the reason for this relates to the death of his father, and tells her the story of Captain Sisko’s death and the ensuing decades.
Thoughts: There are moments when I wonder if watching 373 episodes of Star Trek has left me jaded. I am not quite in love with this episode, which I understand IS VERY POPULAR from reading the Internet. It was nominated for a Hugo, and reportedly makes a prominent showing on a number of critics’ “Best Of” lists for DS9 and the Star Trek franchise as a whole. The most moving testimonial comes from Avery Brooks, who is quoted in the Star Trek Deep Space Nine Companion (and Memory Alpha) as relating Sisko’s relationship with Jake to the experience of “brown families” in America.
I basically like it, but a few things put me off.
First, the age makeup is distracting, particularly on Bashir and Dax. I didn’t find their impression of oldsters to be convincing. Bashir, who has practice from that earlier episode, appears to equate advanced age to a disability causing chronic pain.
Second, I was put off by the relationship between old Jake and the young ingenue/fan. Does it have to be a pretty girl? Before long there are caresses and a kiss on the cheek that leave me thinking “ewww.” Her appearance in the script is so convenient that it’s too bad I didn’t believe any of her stilted dialogue, as she comes on absurdly strong. I think Jake would find her creepy.
Lastly, the threadbare scientific premise is unsatisfying. This is essentially a ghost story in which Jake is haunted by his father, who shows up for no rhyme or reason at times and for durations that are merely convenient for the plot, but not meaningfully explained.
At some point in time, TV Guide readers apparently voted this the best Star Trek episode ever created. Ever. I thought it was too reminiscent of “Inner Light” and “All Good Things,” but not as good as either. Jake is apparently to literature what Wesley once was to physics, yet only to wipe out just as spectacularly as Wesley did when he hit the Academy.
I would be concerned that I have become unable to enjoy Star Trek if I hadn’t really liked “Projections” last week (on VOY). Maybe the problem with “The Visitor” is that it doesn’t have enough humor.
I admire “The Visitor” for Tony Todd’s performance as Adult Jake Sisko, for being willing to explore an elaborate, ambitious premise, and, grudgingly, for its bittersweet, morose sense of sentimentality. My relationship with my own father bears no resemblance to what is depicted here.
3 out of 5 flashy light suicide machines.
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