Empok Nor

An eerie episode with just one purpose – to find spare parts – to break up the run of action-packed and character-driven storylines that have filled this fifth season. This was a cleverly scripted episode using the existing sets with very dark lighting choices to amplify the mood, and yes, I did jump a couple of times while watching this in a well lit room…

In the end, I think O’Brien developed an appreciation for Garak, the man who has lost everything by being exiled… who has had to supress his species natural xenophobic tendancies and live amongst humans and Bajorans for more than five years. I don’t think O’Brien forgives the tailor for what he did, but he can accept that a drug made him do the things he did and that Garak, personally, can’t be help accountable. This is a long way from the Chief O’Brien in TNG’s fourth season when we irst met the Cardassians.