3.14 — “Heart of Stone”

3.14 — “Heart of Stone”

Plot: Odo and Kira are trapped on a moon in the Badlands when Kira becomes imprisoned in a crystal. Meanwhile, Nog comes to Sisko with an unexpected request: sponsor my application to Starfleet.

Thoughts: I find this to be a mostly clumsy hour of television, that nonetheless still facilitates spending time with our favorite characters and shows off their strengths. There was a lot of eyerolling on our couch as the premise of the main story becomes clear. Kira’s entrapment and advancing jeopardy in the Cave of Interference to Scanners, Transporters, and Communication Technology is just an excuse to force her and Odo to declare their love to each other. Nana Visitor, who is claustrophobic, reportedly didn’t think much of the premise either, or the execution of the rock monster prop. It’s impervious to phasers (which doesn’t make sense, given the reveal at the end), so… maybe try a chisel? At least consider amputation?

However unhappy Visitor was, you wouldn’t know it, because she brings her usual big acting guns. All I can say is it’s a good thing for the future of this nation that its security will never depend on me saying no to her about anything.

As far as the love plot goes, isn’t it moving too fast? We’ve got seven seasons, people.

I’m not sure I completely buy Odo’s devotion to Kira. As recently as DS9 2.8, “Necessary Evil,” Odo is suspicious of her, unable to trust, and feels betrayed because of her participation in an assassination during the Cardassian Occupation. I think that would have been a more interesting thread to pursue than to just brush away. Odo, of all people, lovesick? You can come around to that, maybe, but I’d like to see it done more slowly over a longer time period.

I like seeing Odo’s mother again, even though I’m not sure her appearance is enough to tie up all the loose plot strands.

The show is stolen, again, by the B story involving Nog. Nothing but praise for this aspect. My behind the scenes reading spoiled the surprise of his interest in Starfleet; too bad. Sisko’s acceptance of Nog is the values of Starfleet in action, and it tips the scales up to:

3 out of 5 Maquis ships.

http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Heart_of_Stone