A Lack Of "Paradise" In The Rejection Of Technology

The Good: Acting, Overriding themes
The Bad: Plot, Characters
The Basics: A disappointing morality play about the benefits of technology and enlightenment, "Paradise" finds an overly reactionary character sinking this Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode.


There's a fairly good reason why the episode "Paradise" doesn't appear on any Trek Top Ten Lists; it's not a terribly good episode. It's weak, backwards, predictable, and obvious. Still, it's not the worst episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, so it's not all bad and it's still better than most television out there.

This particular episode follows Sisko and O'Brien on a mission to a nearby planet where they are surprised to find a human colony. Unfortunately, the colony's leader Alixus, isn't terribly thrilled to see outsiders and Sisko and O'Brien feel very out of place. The colony is an agricultural colony and it lacks technology of any kind. Sisko and O'Brien offer to provide them with some, they refuse. So, the pair prepares to leave.

Unfortunately for our heroes, there's no way to get back to their Runabout. None of their technology works and there is no way to call for help. Forced thus to integrate, they are conscripted to help out with the colony. Unfortunately, the little community is run like a cult with an anti-technological bent. The colonists follow Alixus with great devotion and, frankly, she's messed up.

Her insistence that technology is evil and that the human condition may only be expanded through hard work is put to the test as she forces Sisko and O'Brien to work. That's not such a big deal, save that they don't want to be there. Whenever they attempt to leave the colony, they are thwarted and punished. Moreover, her insistence that technology is evil leads to the death of one colonist from a disease that could have been treated.

The episode is extraordinarily heavy-handed. The characters all seem to fit profiles: Alixus is dictatorial and dogmatic, Sisko is defiant and correct and most of the other colonists are simply sheep. There's, of course, a weak link in the colonists and O'Brien exploits him to try to save the day. The characters fit fairly formulaic roles.

The thing is, the actors all rise to the occasion more than adequately filling the flat roles. Avery Brooks is surprisingly good in his obstinate determination to resist Alixus. Alixus is masterfully played by Gail Strickland. Not only are her angular features perfect for the character, but she matches them with a firm voice, strict demeanor and, in short, a precise affect that she utilizes perfectly in the role. It's very easy to buy her character by the way she is presented.

Overall, "Paradise" isn't. It's too formulaic, it's too predictable. Our heroes win in the end, of course, not a single expectation of ours was disappointed or even challenged. If you're not a fan of the series, this episode doesn't have anything to recommend it outside an acting class.

[Knowing that VHS is essentially a dead medium, it's worth looking into Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete Second Season on DVD, which is also a better economical choice than buying the VHS. Read my review of the sophomore season by clicking here!
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4.5/10

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© 2011, 2007, 2001 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.

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