1.8 — “Dax”
Plot: Interlopers enter the station to kidnap Jazdia Dax after she finishes dinner with Bashir. They turn out the have a warrant for her extradition, based on charges of treason and murder against Curzon Dax, the former bonding pair of the Dax Trill. An extradition hearing is called to determine whether Jazdia Dax can be made to answer for Curzon Dax’s crimes.
Thoughts: Welcome back to Star Trek, Dorothy Fontana, for your last writing credit in the Star Trek franchise (so far). A smart science fiction plot providing a frame for a character study like this is right up your alley.
There are some great lines in this episode. Perhaps especially for the lawyers in the audience? I’m going to run through my favorites:
KIRA: You Klaestrons are allies of the Cardassians. Your knowledge of this station confirms that. They must have given you the layout, which not only compromises Bajoran security, but also… annoys us.
This is good writing, but Nana Visitor’s delivery totally makes the line. Something about the way she carries herself in this role is ineffably charming. And just funny, although I can’t describe why. She doesn’t hit classic comedy beats like Alexander Siddig’s Bashir, or mine the comedy duo dynamic like Odo and Quark. It’s nice to see her working together with Sisko here.
SISKO: Doctor . . . . I want you to find all the medical evidence you can to support the theory that Jadzia Dax and Curzon Dax are two entirely separate people.
BASHIR: Excuse me, sir. I don’t know that there is any medical evidence on that.
SISKO: Assume there is, then find it.
If this scene were on TNG, this dialogue would be replaced by a lecture about how the crew might not like Starfleet regulations, but they are nevertheless bound to follow them. The counter-example is “The Measure of a Man,” a better episode than “Dax,” but to make that episode work, they had to push Cmdr. Maddox obviously into the wrong. Even then you had Riker arguing Maddox’s side, against his own inclinations, because you have to be scrupulous and fair. Sisko’s approach is more fun. I sense these characters coming together over tasks like these, and they are bonding with me as well.
RENORA: You must stop speaking! I have the magic coconut!
This is not an actual line, but the clear subtext as the Inquisitor banged that great gavel prop.
One thing I would have liked is to see a more active role for Jazdia herself in this episode. I understand the justification for her remaining mostly silent, but she could have actively remonstrated against Sisko’s actions instead of remaining mute and established more of a presence. I don’t always sense the perspective of 300 years peeking through Terry Ferrell’s performance, although that is a tall order.
I felt like the question of whether Jazdia can be held to account for Curzon was answered with a fairly definitive “no,” which undercuts the drama. Rather than depict the other side as underhanded, I think they could have fleshed out an earnest case that justice for the victims demands that Dax be held to account. It’s true, for example, that we allow insane persons to escape criminal punishment by arguing that the person who committed the crime is a different person than the person they currently are. it is also true that this defense is controversial, and deeply unsatisfactory to many people.
The solution to the murder mystery is not terribly complicated, but at least it added up (grrr, “Aquiel”). This, plus new information about Trills, plus the point about legends overtaking reality, plus continued character development equals 4 out of 5 magic coconuts.
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