Star Trek 333: The Jem'Hadar

333. The Jem'Hadar

FORMULA: The Neutral Zone + Final Mission

WHY WE LIKE IT: Whoo! The Dominion!

WHY WE DON'T: Ferengi comedy. Telekinetic Vorta.

REVIEW: The season finale starts unassumingly with a field trip to the Gamma Quadrant for Sisko, Jake, Nog and Quark. And while I always enjoy the Siskos' relationship, I have to ask if this was the right place for so many Ferengi hi-jinks. Not withstanding Quark's take on Human/Ferengi relations (which are valuable), his whining gets rather trying after a while, and jars with the rest of the episode which is meant to be a shocking introduction to the Dominion.

We have yet to meet the Founders, but they are mentioned here as gods by the Jem'Hadar, and a myth by Eris (whose motivation for saying anything is highly suspect). Eris is a Vorta, though the word isn't used here, but since she plays something she is not, it's hard to gauge the race on her alone. Indeed, the Vorta will most change between now and their next appearances. The telekinetic powers will be scrapped (thankfully, I say), and the role of devious spy will really go to the Founders themselves. The Founders' ploy may be misdirection, using a Vorta for this kind of work to take away from the fact they are doing it themselves much more efficiently, but you'll have to try for a No-Prize if you want to explain away her powers.

The Dominion is hiding just how devious it really is, but not skimping on the show of force. The Jem'Hadar (great name) are impressive looking, with their rhino-inspired make-up and ability to turn invisible à la Predator. They are arrogant in a way even Klingons are not, but apparently just as good at fighting. Their scarab-like ships are a nice design, especially from underneath, and their kamikaze tactics appropriately shocking. I say kamikaze, but their zealotry is probably less kamikaze and more suicide bomber. The shot of a Jem'Hadar attack ship ramming a Galaxy-class starship probably resonates more today than it did back in '94. At the time, the sequence was a symbol. TNG was ending, and it was quite a statement to say "this is how long the TNG crew would have lasted against these new enemies we've devised".

Like the Vorta, there are differences between the Jem'Hadar as presented here, such as no visible ketracel-white tubes. We also won't see that long-range transport Eris uses again. It all helps make them seem unstoppable though, and summer hiatus was obviously used to flesh out the Dominion better. The cast is mostly reacting, with few character moments for those not on the field trip (Bashir thinking fighting the Maquis is worth mentioning, Dax's rivalry with Captain Keogh, Morn not being given the chance to talk, etc.).

LESSON: TNG's done and DS9 is here to stay. Live with it.

REWATCHABILITY - Medium: Our introduction to the Jem'Hadar is strong, but the shocking spectacle at the end doesn't fit very well in the comedy episode that surrounds it. Throw in some inconsistencies and you're almost better off getting the info from next season's recaps.