The Good: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! Acting, Plot concept
The Bad: ? Nothing major comes to mind, though the witty ending keeps it from replaying as well.
The Basics: "The Wire" is an engaging character study of Deep Space Nine's most mysterious character.
Keeping in the tradition of the episodes that have followed "Profit And Loss," we arrive at "The Wire," a faster-paced, character-driven story that is easily accessible to those who have not been watching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. And if, by this point, you haven't been watching the episodes in order, "The Wire" has a lot in it that makes one want to go back and see the episodes that build up to this one, especially the ones that feature Garak ("Past Prologue," "Cardassians," and "Profit And Loss.").
"The Wire" is a Garak story. Finally, we begin to learn some concrete facts about the Cardassian tailor. How? For the first time, we have external sources. Garak, it turns out, has a device in his head and it's causing him excruciating amounts of pain. When he rejects Dr. Bashir's treatments and goes to Quark with the hopes of procuring another device, Bashir becomes suspicious. Odo becomes suspicious when Quark's Cardassian informant reveals that the device Garak seeks is restricted technology of the Obsidian Order. With Garak dying, Bashir must try to understand what the device is and how to get another.
"The Wire" is a surprisingly tight story about addiction and withdrawal. As Garak undergoes physiological changes from the failure of the device in his head, he experiences all of the phases of withdrawal and they are wonderfully illustrated for us. Throughout, Bashir attempts to understand both the device and Garak. It's a surprisingly engaging episode and accessible to anyone who likes excellent television.
"The Wire" marks the first mention of the dreaded Obsidian Order. The Obsidian Order is the Cardassian spy network, a group of secret police who monitor everyone on Cardassia with brutal efficiency. They are the new gold standard for ruthless investigations. From this episode, we understand that the true check on the Cardassian Civilian Government is not the Cardassian Military (which appears to be its tool), but the Obsidian Order.
The acting in this episode is wonderful, especially for an episode that uses only five real characters and actors. Dr. Bashir is played with his usual naivete and curiosity by Siddig El Fadil, Quark is played with his usual avarice and cowardice by Armin Shimerman and Rene Auberjonois plays the always vigilant and suspicious Odo. The episode, however, is stolen by the performances and character development (and introduction) of Andrew Robinson as Garak and Paul Dooley as the mysterious former leader of the Obsidian Order, Enabren Tain. Robinson plays Garak as a confused mix of powerlessness and control and he acts the addictions quite well. Tain is played by Dooley with subtle humor and the overbearing sense of a deep rift between Tain and Garak. They're both wonderful.
It's strange to think that an episode on addiction and the true meaning of duty and friendship could be so engaging, but the truth is, it's well paced and doesn't get bogged down with extraneous characters or situations. It is dark and wonderful; everything we can hope for from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Part of the essential Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
[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!
Thanks!]
9.5/10
Check out how "The Wire" stacks up against other Star Trek episodes, movies and DVD sets (and read those episode reviews!) by visiting the index page that ranks the Star Trek franchise in order from best to worst by clicking here!
© 2011, 2007, 2002 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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