"Star Trek: Deep Space 9 - Season 3"

Title: "Star Trek: Deep Space 9 - Season 3 - Episode #4 - "Equilibrium"
Director: Cliff Bole
Producer:
Editing:
Composer:
Starring:
- Avery Brooks as Commander Sisko
- Rene Auberjonois as Odo
- Siddig El Fadil as Doctor Bashir
- Terry Farrell as Lieutenant Dax

Today and tomorrow's reviews will both be on episodes from "Star Trek: Deep Space 9". Today i'll review an episode from Season 3 and tomorrow an episode from Season 4. While neither are films (obviously) I have profoundly enjoyed the moral and ethical statements made by the many adventures into the Star Trek universe. Some would call that an "outright falsehood!" and take away all my credibility. If you feel that way, read the plot review and give the "Reel Revelation" some serious consideration. I believe you'll find, as I have so often found, that even in curious places gems of grace and wisdom can still be found. I do apologize, however, if you're not familiar with the Star Trek universe, or with the "DS9" series in particular. If you feel so inclined you can go here to get an overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Deep_Space_Nine

Plot and Critical Review: Jadzia Dax begins experiencing unsettling mental problems. She suddenly remembers a melody and can even play it on a keyboard despite never having done so before. She snaps at her friends and is disturbed by the anger she feels for no apparent reason. After she is overcome by a hallucination in which she is cornered by a masked, robed figure she pays a visit to Dr. Bashir for help.

He detects critically low levels of the neurotransmitter isoboramine, the substance that allows the Dax symbiont to live within Jadzia, its current host. Bashir and Commander Sisko rush Dax back to Trill on the Defiant in the hopes that the medical staff at the Symbiosis Commission can help her. One of the experts on the physiology of the joining of symbiont to host, Dr. Renhol, administers some medication that may stabilize Dax's condition.

While she waits for her neurotransmitters to return to normal levels, Dax visits the Caves of Mak'ala, a place on Trill where symbionts swim in pools carefully and lovingly tended by unjoined Trills called Guardians. As soon as she meets the Guardian Timor, he can tell what's wrong with her. He tells her that her hallucinations are actually memories of a previous host. This is confusing to her because she has access to all of the memories of all of her hosts, and these scary flashes are not from any host Dax ever had, to her knowledge.

The Defiant's computer has meanwhile identified the melody that was haunting her earlier. It brings up a biography of its composer, a Trill man named Joran. When Jadzia sees a picture of his face she experiences a strong hallucination, has a seizure, and collapses. When Dr. Renhol examines her, she says that if there is no improvement soon, Dax will have to be removed from Jadzia, which will kill her. Trills value the symbiont's life over that of the host.

Sisko and Bashir begin an investigation. The Guardian, Timor, seems to be less than open with them, and computer files regarding the musician Joran have been deleted. They finally track down Joran's brother, who admits that Joran murdered a physician and was then killed. Joran had been joined to the Dax symbiont by mistake after he had been deemed unsuitable to serve as a host. After the incident, all records in regards to this joining were deleted and the affair was covered up. Dax received a memory block so that the hosts would not remember anything about Joran. The memory block was beginning to deteriorate in Jadzia, causing her symptoms.

When Sisko and Bashir notify the Symbiosis Commission that they have discovered the coverup, Jadzia is released to them instead of having her symbiont removed. They are now aware of a great secret underlying Trill society. Most believe that only a very small percentage of Trills are physically capable of joining to a symbiont, when in truth, roughly half of them are potential hosts and it is the Symbiosis Commission that selects the ones who will receive the limited number of symbionts.

Dax pays one last visit to the underground symbiont pools. She enters a pool and the symbionts help her assimilate Joran into her mind with all of her previous hosts.

My Rating: 7.5/10 (A reflection of the episode alone, not of the series on the whole.)

The "Reel Revelation": "Songs of Remembrance"

Music plays an undeniably important role in the human experience. We all have songs or melodies (even single notes or chords) that remind us of particular moments, experiences, and emotions. You have those musical reminders in your life, yes? I'll never forget the first time I heard "Hotel California" by the Eagles, or the emotional transport I experience when I hear Biebl's "Ave Maria." Music has a very particular way of taking us to places of time and emotion where we relive things that have long since passed. We are also made to remember things that may have otherwise been forgotten. Music is powerful, but there are far greater powers which call us to remember even greater things.

In the Old Testament, God made a series of promises to his children, especially to the people of Israel. To reinforce those promises God gave reminders to his people. Do you remember some of the things that happened? After the Flood, God set the rainbow in the sky to serve as a reminder that he would never destroy the Earth in that manner again. Just after their escape from Egypt, Moses commanded Israel (on God's behalf) to eat only unleavened bread for seven days. This act, along with the consecration of the firstborn of Israel would serve as a reminder that God had brought them out of their bondage. And during the course of their wandering through the desert Moses set up altars of remembrance whenever God performed great works and miracles to provide for Israel. All of these things were set in place to turn the attention of the faithful to the great things God had done for them.

What reminds you of God's action and activity in your life? We've already established that certain things such as music can remind us of special times and emotions, but what reminds you of what God has done? What reminds you of the most important thing of all; Jesus giving his life for you and rescuing you from death? While there could be many good and altogether acceptable answers to that question I believe it is right to lift up two primary sources of remembrance; the Bible and the Cross.

Have you ever heard the Bible described as a "love letter from God"? Many people use that phrase to remind that the Bible is indeed an intimate and flowing expression of love "written" by God and sent to us. Think of receiving a letter from someone you're deeply in love with. What would you do with that letter? You would most likely keep it somewhere very safe and re-read it often as to remember and believe in the love that person has for you. It is the very same with the Bible! In the words of this text we discover the fullness of God's love and devotion. We read of the promises made by God long ago and are given freedom to ponder what God's promises God has for us today. We read the old old stories of God's provision for people in need, his kindness to those who cried out for help. And most importantly we come face-to-face with God's immense love for us as we read about Jesus, the Son of God, who died on the cross that we may share in the eternal glory of Heaven. That leads us to what I recommend ought to be our second great "reminder"; the Cross of Christ.

Have you ever been to a church that didn't display a cross in a place of importance? Maybe you've been to a church where instead of a cross there is an enormous crucifix that seemed to cast a shadow on every other piece of "church furniture" available. There is much theology behind how churches "decorate" their worship spaces but one thing is for sure, wherever and whenever you see the cross it ought to remind you of what Jesus did for you and for all of mankind. For this reason many people (including myself) place crosses or crucifixes in their homes, to keep them intentionally aware of Jesus' sacrifice. Even when they become "part of the furniture" it is curious how a random glance that falls on a cross can suddenly bring our hearts before the body of Jesus. While songs written about the cross and books written on the subject of the cross and even pieces of art depicting the cross will turn our attention to that most sacred and holy moment, it is the cross itself that must be before the "eyes of our hearts" at all times.

May your heart remain open to receive the many reminders God has placed in your life; things to remind you of the great love he has for you. And may every divine reminder bring you before the cross of Jesus where, as you call upon the name of God, you may receive anew the grace to live in peace.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

P.S. - Today's review is dedicated to fellow Trekkie, Sean Lacy, who, in spite of his deep dislike for the "DS9" series has long embraced Roddenberry's immortal ideal and vision for the Star Trek universe.