"Shadows and Symbols" in a nutshell: Spectacular. The "false vision" with Damar/Wykoff was an interesting spin on Benny Russell's character. I was actually fooled for a while there. (The paint brush versus shovel thing was well played out too.) And I think that I'm pretty much used to Ezri by now; she's the Dax we know and love! Even better, almost. The "space sick" scene in the runabout was quite funny, as was the "two words" scene on the Rotarron. Aside from the constant references to Kiss Me Deadly, the Kira part to the episode was entertaining. (It was great to find out who was the one to end the showdown!) Dialogue was at a premium in this episode, especially when Ezri entered into the picture. And, while I'm sure many people are going to disagree with me, the visual effects in this episode were the best I've seen in a while. I mean, the solar shockwave smashing into the shipyards was almost breathtaking. The Sarah stuff with the Prophets was sort of wierd, but hopefully it will get smoothed out in the near future. Another confusing episode with many story twists, "Shadows and Symbols" gets a hard-earned 9.5 out of 10.

As far as settling as new character into the show goes, the story was good, if not a bit old. I mean, how many Starfleet officers really consider resigning their commissions for other fields of endeavor? Apparently quite a few. Ezri was as fun as last time, but in a more serious and solemn way this time. I could really feel bad for her when Worf told her he wanted nothing to do with her; I also felt her victory in the final moments of the show. It's nice how she got her promotion at the end. The scenes with Sisko and Ezri were fun -- especially the predictable "I didn't send it" one. The Garak side to the story was -- dare I say it? -- boring. We all know he's claustrophobic and there's really not much to explore with it in my opinion... But if it keeps Ezri there! Again back to Ezri, her moments with Quark and Bashir were great, letting us into Jadzia's mind and all. It's nice to know Jadzia won't be forgotten to everyone, although some people are accepting the new Dax a little easier than others. The direction by Les Landau (Isn't he perfect for personal shows?) and the musical score fit this episode as well as any other. You could almost feel the episode! Well, the good in this episode it far outweighed some minor flaws, so "Afterimage" gets a 9.5 out of 10.

Easier said than done, Worf. You didn't destroy them. But it was fun anyway! Going through the batting line-up of best performances, we first come to... Nog haphazardly going through the line trying to tag the runner who didn't touch home was outright hilarious, as was Rom hitting Nog in! ("What's a bunt?") This was a fun episode -- a comedy episode with some drama between Sisko and the Vulcan captain made it appeal to the audience a little more, in my opinion. I absolutely loved it when the crew made Solok mad! I really felt bad for Rom -- but I felt equally happy when he got the sole RBI. Kira walking by and seeing Odo practicing his umpire lingo was sort of neat, but my favorite Odo moment this episode is most definitely when he threw Solok out for making contact with the umpire. That look on Odo's face was satisfying! The acting, music, plot and script were nearly perfectly laid out for this one. There's really not much I can say besides the fact you have to see it to really appreciate it for its comedy and plain sense of fun. 9 out of 10!

From what I can tell, DS9 is going to go out with a bang and "Chrysalis" won't be an exception as far as I'm concerned. This is probably the Trek romance episode I've been the most impressed with in years. Now, up front I have to say "Statistical Probabilities" was an exceptional episode, particularly the last few minutes, so I'm going to be prejudiced in favor of a sequel. On some side notes, Patrick (Michael Keenan) was as adorable as before. His desire for everything to be precisely as it was the last time and his constant repetition of "That's a stupid question," was great. Lauren (Hilary Shepard Turner) seemed so much like herself making comments about Nog, while not even knowing his name to begin with. Jack (Tim Ransom) was his usual cynical self. The group from the Institute wanting to halt the universe from expanding (with such lines like "We're running out of time!") made for a comical scene or two. Seeing the trio masquerading as Starfleet officers (and Nog's reactions!) was a good idea. Now, onto the real plot. Sarina's sudden emergence into real life was just done perfectly. Kudos must duely go to writer Rene Echevarria and director Jonathan West on that take. It was so easy to draw inspiration and hope from the scenes where Sarina is looking all around her and is just taken aback. That's really emotional stuff. And so is the scene where Lauren, Patrick and Jack are teaching Sarina how to sing. I was quite impressed by that one particular scene and how it seemed to reflect much of the rest of the episode in it. I got worried when Sarina looked like she needed some further treatment. I kept wondering what was happening -- and hoping that the Trek time piece wouldn't be reset; it would be such a waste to see Sarina revert back to the catatonic state she was in since she's such a great character. The references of what a genetically-engineered girl should do once she wakes up brought "Chrysalis" to a full circle, in my opinion. I mean, she's a person now -- with feelings and choices and personality! What more could you ask for? Sarina's interaction with everyone was fun, even moving at times. I couldn't help but feel badly for her when Jack put her down or when she was trying to explain to Bashir what the problem was. Faith C. Salie is the perfect actress for the part. (Her smile seems to fit for Sarina's character, too.) And yet I still couldn't help feeling so terrible for the others when Sarina decided it was best for her to leave. To sum this one up in a nutshell (a little too late for that, isn't it!), I loved this episode. It had memorable comedy (the universe problem was merely one example), fun characters, a good plot, great direction (was it just me, or were the camera angles of Sarina whenever she was showing emotion hit just on the right spot?) and superb acting! (Gotta love those mutants!) Finally, it seems quite likely that this will be the last genetically-engineered crew episode and that makes me feel kind of sad; I'm really going to miss Sarina, Patrick, Jack and Lauren. This has always been a favorite plot thread of mine (more so than the mirror universe) and I'm not at all happy about watching it end. I certainly hope this is not the end of this plot; there are so many more directions to go in with this one... One last episode is all I ask. While I've figured out by now that I'm being really light on my reviews this year, I feel that "Chrysalis" deserves a 10 out of 10 despite what anyone will try to do to convince me otherwise.

A fine episode, I'll admit, but there was a problem or so with this one:

Why back to the B plotlines? DS9 was working out so well these past few weeks with only one story to follow. The ideas were much better developed that way. I personally think that "Treachery, Faith and the Great River" only fell short with that small detail.

Something else I noticed was that it was possible that Gul Rusol, Odo's informant, was the Cardassian man we saw in "Improbable Cause". That's what I thought, anyway.

Now, I think that "Treachery, Faith and the Great River" has got to be one of the most appropriate titles to a Star Trek episode lately. I mean, treachery can refer to both of the plots, as well as faith. (Kira even threw in a bit about her faith.) And the Great River goes well with the Nog/O'Brien storyline.

Acting in this episode was great. Bravo, Jeffrey Combs! You've done it again. (He's now played Brunt and several distinct Weyouns oustandingly! And seeing Weyoun eating pizza just added to Comb's performance!) Rene Auberjonois (Odo) was also quite enjoyable, as was Nana Visitor (Kira) in her brief scenes.

Nog's scenes (as confusing as they were) were well done. The desks part (DeSoto, Sisko and Picard -- quite a collection there, friend!) The Great Material Continuum was funny on some weird level.

Again, the visual effects were breath-taking. Every battle was perfect, every roll. It just looked real. I don't thik there have been effects that good yet this season. Even what was seen from inside the runabout looked life-like, in my opinion.

The bonding between Odo and Weyoun (both of them!) was just great. So many great things: Odo's eventual acceptance of his being regarded as a god by the Vorta; the story -- however true -- Weyoun shared with his idol, Odo; how Odo looked at that very story and what it told us about how he'll always feel about his people; the chemistry between the two actors; and the last few moments (which you have to see to really understand why this episode is so good!).

I firmly believe that this is a major turning point for Odo. He'll never get to know his people unless something changes. And he's right: No matter who wins, he's going to lose in some way -- his friends' freedom, or his own people. I don't know which could hurt more...

Generally speaking, "Treachery" was well-rounded and evened-out. Philip Kim's story ideas keep getting better and better, as do Weddle & Thompson's scripts.

Gracing along, "Treachery, Faith and the Great River" gets a 10 out of 10.

Certainly not what I've come to expect from writer Ronald D. Moore and director Allan Kroeker. Sure, this is a good episode. It's just not the quality I want to get from those two. There were some good Ezri moments again in this episode. Her minor involvement in the plot concerning Kor was quite welcome. She can't be just like Jadzia and Curzon after all! That would make the show a little too mundane, now wouldn't it? I still think that the plot wasn't the best, wasn't deserving enouigh of the great Dahar Master, Kor. Then again, I've always had higher-than-normal expectations for Klingon episodes, so that may be why. Plus the fact that this is most indefinitely the last we'll ever see of Kor. Not a worthy ending, in my opinion.

Ow. This one stings. What a message, what an episode. It's that particular kind of sting...

Starting off, was the single Rom scene really necessary? He gets mentioned in the guest stars list for singing one song (That was funny, though!) and having a few funny lines? Come on! I like Rom too, but that scene could have waited!

It's quite reassuring to know that Chin'toka hasn't been entirely forgotten by the producers of DS9. Having AR-558 (it sounded to me as if it was in the Chin'toka system...?) the physical and emotional battleground for this fight was something that would provide a better scope for what was happening. Having Nog be so severely injured -- it's better than having the no-names die. One reason why I say all this: it hits so much closer to home.

Ezri got some very good moments that were so distinctly Ezri -- again! Her scenes with actor Bill Mumy (Kellin -- what a valiant and dashing soul) were outstanding. Her comments about war ethics were among the most important points in this show. And then there were the usual "was-it-Tobin-or-Jadzia-or-Ezri?" mix-ups. Tell me she didn't grow this episode. I could almost picture how her eyes could change with the rest of her after such an event (the battle).

The people behind the camera... Writers Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler were their typical selves: brilliant, while not too outwardly so, creative, while not confusingly so. Director Winrich Kolbe put together another emotional bomb with "AR-558" -- basically, he was himself with that one.

Paul Baillargeon's (I think that was it) musical score was top-notch. His composition for the ground battle was amazing, down-right amazing. It was moving and, well, it hit home -- just like the rest of the show. How he brought unity to an otherwise empty scene. (Sure, the faces told the story, but that's not what I mean.)

While I wasn't originally fond of Bashir's idea to turn on a song by Vic, it sort of grew on me since it lead into the battle so well.

Personally, I believe this episode should have aired last week: A Remembrance Day (or Veterans' Day) week showing could only have strengthened "The Siege of AR-558".

An overall good theme-centered episode that got into the gritty aspects of war, "AR-558" was fulfilling down to the last detail -- particularly the final scene with Kira and Sisko. This one's worthy of a 10 out of 10.

This is one of those do-I-like-it-or-not episodes. I really don't know what to think. It was okay, but not good.

First of all, I wasn't particularly looking forward to this episode. It seemed so pointless in the beginning, but I'm now seeing a deeper meaning to "Covenant". Not too deep though. I can see how writer Rene Echevarria sort of beat around the bush on the topic of faith. That's fine, but it's been done much better before. (Star Trek: Voyager's "Mortal Coil" comes to mind.)

And Dukat: Ugh. What a turnaround. He's so useless now. The only reason I see worth keeping him around for is the fact that he's so fallen for Kira.

While the episode started off its first half as a good mystery, the latter half dropped that direction and went for a more direct route: Dukat was wrong. I don't like that. The mystery would have been preferrable to the hole the producers dug for Dukat's character. There's virtually no way out of that one.

And, to put it nicely, the most interesting scene in the whole episode took place in Quark's with Barshir, Ezri, Quark, Kira, and Odo. It was just another fun way to introduce the episode.

Then, the fact that the crew didn't even notice that unscheduled transporter activity had taken place (let alone let it happen!) leaves me to question Federation security -- during war time at that!

Frankly, this one was not impressive, but not a total flop either. Director John Kretchmer just worked with what he got; and that wasn't too much.

I'd have to say that "Covenant" merely deserves an embarassing 7 out of 10.