‘RESURRECTION’ (DS9)
Please feel free to comment on my review.
It was interesting to discover that ‘Resurrection’ is not well-liked by ‘Star Trek: DS9’ fans. In fact, ‘Resurrection’ is generally ranked as ‘the worst Mirror Universe episode’ featured in ‘Star Trek’ itself.
I can see what people are getting at. Unlike previous ‘DS9’ Mirror Universe episodes like ‘Crossover’, ‘Through The Looking Glass’ and ‘Shattered Mirror’, we don’t get to go to the Mirror Universe itself.
Instead we have the Mirror Universe version of Vedek Bareil appearing in our universe as well as the Intendant later on. It’s not clearly established how they were able to jump into our universe here. 😐
We don’t even get to see what’s become of the resistance group fighting against the Alliance in the Mirror Universe. So yeah, ‘Resurrection’ isn’t as exciting as previous Mirror Universe ‘DS9’ episodes.
With that said, I don’t think it’s as bad as people make it out to be. Don’t get me wrong. It can’t top on that previous six-episode Dominion War arc during Season 6 as well as ‘You Are Cordially Invited’.
But the episode does have some reasonably good character interaction, especially between Major Kira and the Mirror Universe Vedek Bareil. This also showcases Kira overcoming her feelings of grief.
Incidentally, the episode is directed by LeVar Burton. He’s directed quite a number of ‘DS9’ episodes in the past well as playing Geordi in ‘TNG’. I do like it when he does direct an episode now and again.
Philip Anglim returns to play Bariel in this episode…or as he’s known fully, Bariel Antos. The last time we saw Bariel, he died in DS9’s infirmary during ‘Life Support’. It was intriguing to see his Mirror self.
Mirror Bareil is selfish and more roguish compared to Vedek Bareil. He doesn’t have the strong belief in the Prophets of Bajor like Vedek Bareil had and doesn’t have the spiritual beliefs of the Bajorans.
Yet somehow, Kira is able to connect with this Bareil and fall in love with him like she did with the former Bareil. It almost seems ideal that Kira and the Mirror Bareil could be mated for life after this.
But it’s not as straightforward as it seems. In the episode, Mirror Bareil claims to be fleeing from the Alliance. But his real reason is to steal the Bajoran Orb of Prophecy and Change for the Intendant. 😐
The Mirror Universe version of Kira meets up with Mirror Bareil in his quarters aboard DS9. How she got there isn’t explained. Why she’s even there to see Bareil fulfil his mission is not explained either.
The Intendant however does plan to use the Orb to unite her Bajor against the Alliance in her universe. The Intendant is pretty selfish when she’s making Mirror Bareil do her dirty work for her. 😐
During the course of this episode however, Bareil gains a sense of conscience. This is from her interaction with Kira, who gradually realises what he’s doing as she stops him from stealing the Orb.
The episode does have the Intendant Kira dress up as Major Kira in her red Bajoran uniform. Intendant Kira manages to distract a Bajoran security guard once she tries getting into a cargo bay. 😐
The two Kira do meet each other when in the Bajoran Temple on DS9 with Bareil. Mirror Bareil stuns the Intendant with a phaser, admitting to Kira he might be at risk returning to the Mirror Universe. 😐
Bareil takes the Intendant, but not the Orb, back to the Mirror Universe. I’m not sure if Kira’s overcome her feelings of grief with meeting Mirror Bareil, but it was interesting to see her reactions.
I wish this episode had a scene between Kira and Odo and how he responds to the fact there’s a Mirror Bareil in the prime universe. Maybe Kira and Odo aren’t exactly on good talking terms in this.
I did enjoy the scene where Kira brings Bareil to meet Jadzia and Worf during dinner in their quarters. Worf is unconvinced by the tale Bareil tells of stealing a Klingon mek’leth in his universe. 😀
Bareil of course steals Worf’s mek’leth without him realising it. 😀 I liked the scene Kira has with Quark in the cargo bay where he shares his suspicions about Mirror Bareil being not what he seems.
‘Resurrection’ isn’t exactly a great ‘DS9’ episode in the series, but it’s far from terrible. I appreciate it not being good as previous Mirror Universe stories, but I enjoyed the character interaction featured.
‘Resurrection’ (DS9) rating – 7/10
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