User reviews

'Doctor Bashir, I Presume?'

Season five, episode sixteen

As the issues raised in this episode are a very real possibility in real life, this is a nice episode exploring the ethics of it in a manner that isn't too 'preachy'. The episode sees Bashir being selected by Lewis Zimmerman (the creator of the Doctor in 'Star Trek: Voyager') to be a model for the Mach II version of the Emergency Medical Hologram. Bashir is initially flattered only for his pride to turn to horror when he realises Zimmerman intends to interview everyone close to him, including his estranged parents. It soon becomes clear that Bashir has ever reason to fear this intrusion as he and his family are hiding a rather dark secret.

It is fascinating to learn more of Bashir's background and see the character interact with his parents, especially his father who is so different from the staunch Starfleet doctor, as well as O'Brien. It was also a interesting to see secrets come spilling out on subject that is quite relevant in today's society (I won't say why in deference to those who haven't seen the episode yet). The acting in this episode from Alexander Siddig (who plays Bashir) and his supporting co-stars was top-notch and the story came together well. Definitely up there among DS9's best episodes.

I found it odd that Bashir never seems to have been given a choice of whether he wanted to be copied as a computer program to be used and manipulated far longer than decades.

Zimmerman arrives and tells him and the captain what is going to happen and that seems to be the end of it. (Odd the captain is first learning of this when Zimmerman waltzes in). It's not like Zimmerman was a charming salesman. He was off-putting from the first and became worse as the episode progressed.

Are Federation personnel obligated to forever give their skills, personality, and likeness to the Federation? It started with TNG and became clearer in DS9 that the Federation is not a benevolent organization. As was said by the guy who defected to the Maquis, the Federation can be as bad as the Borg.

Dr. Bashir begins with the great privilege of being the model for a line of holographic medical personnel. He is approached by Dr. Zimmerman, who ends up the creator of the Doc on "Voyager." Unfortunately, Bashir has a really signficant secret which finally reveals to us why he wants nothing to do with his parents. It is gut wrenching for him but he knows what he must do. Meanwhile, in a subplot, that gorgeous Dabo girl has fallen in love with Rom (go figure). He acts like an idiot when he tries to talk to her. I think every red blooded male watching this would trade places. Doctor Zimmerman gets into the act, wooing her away from Rom for most of the episode. This episode touches on the history of genetic engineering and its possible consequences.

Not a great episode but a good one, especially for Voyager viewers. Picardo is excellent of course -- maybe even better than on Voyager. And it would take a pretty cold-blooded viewer to be bored with the Nog/Leeta subplot; Chase Masterson really earns the right be a recurring character, and Max Grodenchik really plumbs the depths of our sympathy for Nog. Can we really believe in their romance? In my opinion, no -- but it makes for fun viewing, and I confess a weakness for seeing whether Picardo or Siddig is the more annoying doctor.*

*answer: neither; it's Beverly Crusher

Considering we've seen Rom develop so much over the course of this series, it's pretty ridiculous to see him absolutely paralyzed over this girl where he can't utter a single word. He's Rom alright but considering we've seen his hard work and his promotion and standing up against his brother and moving out, its very stupid to have the writer's revert him to some helpless snivelling Ferengi who can't do anything. I know its romance but seriously Leeta is the last person anyone would be afraid of talking to.

The A Plot with Bashir is very good, but I just wanted to point out this inconsistency with Rom's character that really undermines a lot of his development.

The Doctor from Voyager is absolutely unbearable, i don't know how they managed to make him charming in the Voyager considering how arrogant he is here, but I guess thats part of his character.

When this episode began, I was worried. After all, Dr. Bashir was about to go back into the holosuite for another one of his James Bond- like adventures....and I HATED this an other holo-bound episodes. Fortunately, this foray is interrupted with the arrival of Dr. Zimmerman (Robert Picardo). Zimmerman is working on creating an emergency holographic doctor (something you'll see the same actor portray throughout "Star Trek: Voyager") and he plans on modeling it after Dr. Bashir. While this should be an honor, Bashir is oddly unmotivated. What gives? What secret does the good Doctor hide?

Despite the initial misstep, this is a pretty decent episode. Also, it's nice to see some continuity as Bashir's secret is alluded to several more times throughout the series.

Poorly written script, the dialogue felt so stiff and forced

Dr Zimmerman arrives on DS9 to design a new medical hologram.

This is an important episode to watch for continuity and has some strong moments.

The writers do a reasonably good job with the main plot, as they manage to make the big reveal fit in with certain established aspects of Bashir's personality. However, the decision to add it to the character's backstory never felt quite right when I saw the show first time round and it still does not. Alexander Siddig is fantastic in this episode though. Some of the exchanges between the Bashir family feel like soap opera material, but he enhances it all with a passionate delivery.

Rom and Leeta's romance consists of a concept that does not work very well repeated in several scenes. It becomes increasingly annoying every time they do it.

Thankfully the presence of Robert Picardo is a big positive that elevates the episode as a whole. He has great opportunities to display his usual comic timing and his character links the A-B plots nicely.