S01.E06: Captive Pursuit

[BizBuzz]

Stardate: Unknown - O'Brien befriends an alien who belongs to a race of beings that are bred to be hunted by another species.  (Description via TheTVDB.com)

[Meushell]

"I am Tosk."

Poor Tosk, and such a crappy situation, but he cannot explain what is going on. Even captured, he never tried to hurt anyone. You could see his shame when he thought O'Brien was escorting him off the station. It was great to see O'Brien help him.

Also like Sisko and Odo's actions here. Loved Odo, rushed to stop O'Brien, but he suddenly tooooooook his tiiiiiiime when Sisko said he did not need to rush.

[ShadowDenizen]

I know this episode has it's detractors, but I still quite enjoyed it for reason. (I even have a Tosk action figure, I'm [a little] embarassed to say!!)

 

I love his ridiculous "Freeze-In-Place" posture with claws outstretched. Always make me giggle.

 

And I remain convinced that the Tosk are the precursors of the Jem-Hadar....

Edited May 5, 2014 by ShadowDenizen

[Pippin]

And I remain convinced that the Tosk are the precursors of the Jem-Hadar....

Shadow Denizen, what an interesting idea!  The thought had never occurred to me, but it makes sense, especially when you consider the story Weyoun tells about how his people originated.  I think it would appeal to you-know-who (in the Gamma quadrant's) sense of ironic justice.  (Trying very hard to be non-spoilerific). 

[BizBuzz]

Not as on the edge of your seat as the last episode, but still enjoyed it.

The Vastra look alike, Tosk (ha!), I couldn't figure him out ... what a great twist on him being a race of prey, and considering it an honor to die.

Help me out, what accent is O'Brien using?

What I really caught in this episode was a feeling that the writers were getting comfortable writing for the characters. Much more insight into them. Very cool to see Sisko have a angry but soft side.

O'Brien: You know the old saying. A man who's always looking over his shoulder is waiting for trouble to find him.

Totally digging the whole space station staying still and the wormhole being the vehicle to bring in new life forms. I mean, that is pretty genius!

[Pippin]

Totally digging the whole space station staying still and the wormhole being the vehicle to bring in new life forms. I mean, that is pretty genius!

 

BizzBuzz:  It is and was, but at the time a lot of fans complained that DS9 wasn't "real" Trek because they weren't "boldly going" anywhere.

 

Such is the conservatism of some fans (could teach the Tories a thing or two, IMO).  I personally never had a problem with it but then I try to not get my knickers in the proverbial knot about such things.

[ShadowDenizen]

BizzBuzz:  It is and was, but at the time a lot of fans complained that DS9 wasn't "real" Trek because they weren't "boldly going" anywhere.

 

 

Part of the joy of DS9 is knowing that people's actions will have consequences; they CAN'T just fly off and never see "Race X" again.  The folks at DS9 will HAVe to see the Cardassians again. And the Ferengi. Etc, Etc.

[Chip]

The part with Odo taking his time was pretty funny. Odo and O'Brien are both beginning to realize that Sisko is on their side and is speaking through his actions or in-actions while still officially being Starfleet.

[Linderhill]

 

And I remain convinced that the Tosk are the precursors of the Jem-Hadar....

I'm convinced.  As an interesting side note, the actor that played Tosk, Scott MacDonald, also played a Jem-Hadar in a later episode.  (MacDonald also played a Romulan in an episode of Next Gen., a human crewman in Voyager, and one of the alien commanders in Enterprise.)

[ShadowDenizen]

Thanks for chiming in, Linderhill; ANOTHER cool tidbit I was not aware of!

[Linderhill]

You're welcome, ShadowDenizen.  Its been years since I watched DS9 but I loved the show.  It was so different than the other Treks.  MacDonald is a friend of my ex (best man at our wedding) so he always made sure that we knew when his episodes were coming.  

[ShadowDenizen]

OK, that is pretty awesome!

[legaleagle53]

This episode and Enterprise's "The Cogenitor' are both excellent studies in why the Prime Directive exists, as draconian a law as it is at times.  As tempting as it is to side with O'Brien (who's Irish, by the way, BizBuzz), it was obvious that he was wrong to interfere in a culture that he knew nothing about, based upon his misinterpretation of the Tosk's situation.  The Tosk wasn't asking for a way to escape his use as prey by the other species -- he was asking that he be allowed to fulfill the express purpose of his existence in a dignified and honorable manner.  It's like a deer looking at the hunter who's about to shoot it; it's not pleading to have its life spared, it's simply asking the hunter to give it a quick and relatively painless death.

[Meushell]

This episode and Enterprise's "The Cogenitor' are both excellent studies in why the Prime Directive exists, as draconian a law as it is at times. As tempting as it is to side with O'Brien (who's Irish, by the way, BizBuzz), it was obvious that he was wrong to interfere in a culture that he knew nothing about, based upon his misinterpretation of the Tosk's situation. The Tosk wasn't asking for a way to escape his use as prey by the other species -- he was asking that he be allowed to fulfill the express purpose of his existence in a dignified and honorable manner. It's like a deer looking at the hunter who's about to shoot it; it's not pleading to have its life spared, it's simply asking the hunter to give it a quick and relatively painless death.

I get what you are saying, but I don't agree in the case with Tosk. He got caught because of DS9. He might have been caught anyway because his ship was damaged. Don't know. Either way, it is not right to get involved halfway, screw someone over, then suddenly claim non-involvement.