Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: “Trials and Tribble-ations” Episode Review
According to Memory Alpha, “when Temporal Investigations arrives on Deep Space 9, Sisko recounts how he and the crew of the Defianttraveled back in time to the 23rd century to prevent the assassination of Captain James T. Kirk during the original Enterprise‘s mission to Space Station K-7.”
Despite an initially slow beginning, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine began producing an array of both wonderful and entertaining episodes, and “Trials and Tribble-ations” (Season 5, Episode 6) is definitely one of them. In fact, I would actually go as far as to say that “Trials and Tribble-ations” is one of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s most iconic episodes in its seven season run. However, when analysing this episode, one cannot analyse it the same way they would the others. This is because the series takes a different approach. In addition to the difference in narration (a flashback), the show pushes aside the usual political and social elements in favour of creating a more nostalgic feeling for viewers throughout the entire episode.
In this episode, we not only get to experience a team that we have grown to love, but we actually get to experience them amongst the team of Starfleet officers that produced our love for the franchise to begin with.
Providing an abundance of scenes that perfectly pay tribute to Gene Roddenberry’s original series, “Trials and Tribble-ations” is entertaining, gripping and nostalgic for long-time viewers of the franchise. The incorporation of Deep Space Nine‘s crew into the crew of the original Enterprise was extremely well done and believable. It honestly feels as though Captain Sisko and his team are on the Enterprise, amongst a team of Starfleet officers who we hold dear to our hearts, and this continually held my interest. One of my favourite scenes, for example, was the scene where James T. Kirk asks “Who threw the first punch?”. However, this time amongst the Starfleet officers who stand in line before him is Miles O’Brien and Julian Bashir, and this leads to O’Brien lying to Kirk by not telling him that it was Scotty.
What I love so much about this sequence is the fact that it is so convincing. Viewers are left in awe as the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine production crew have successfully made it seem as though O’Brien and Bashir are part of the original footage. This was also achieved when Sisko and Jadzia Dax watch Kirk and Spock from afar, or when Sisko is finally able to converse with his ultimate idol (Kirk) at the end of the episode. These scenes are wonderfully done and produced, especially in conjunction with the reconstruction of the old Star Trek environment. From the painstakingly ‘cheesy’ sets and the way it was filmed, to the costumes and the sixties hairstyles, watching “Trials and Tribble-ations” feels as though you are watching an old episode of the original series.
“Trials and Tribble-ations” is without a doubt an incredible episode. With entertaining scenes and strange predicaments, such as Julian Bashir questioning whether or not he was destined to meet his grandmother in order to impregnate her and become his own grandfather (something that was additionally explored in other shows such as Futurama), this episode is perfect for all viewers, even if they haven’t watched the original series. At the end of the day, despite not being a conventional episode by presenting any of the social and political issues that are showcased throughout the seven seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, it is a classic and one that I will watch again and again.
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