Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Star Trek DS9 Episode 160 - It's Only a Paper Moon

"Nog struggles with PTSD and begins living with Vic Fontaine."

And here it is. The shittiest Vic Fontaine episode ever. Which is a shame because the subject matter had potential and actually Aron Eisenberg was fantastic in it. I would almost suggest watching it just to see his performance, almost. It's just that Vic Fontaine is just so fucking intolerable.

Nog is losing his shit over losing his leg. ...that was almost clever. He "moves in" with Vic. Which I don't understand how that even works on so many levels. First of all, when the holosuite is off it appears to be the size of an average living room. So, how does it suddenly turn into Vic's gigantic casino plus Vic's apartment? Also (Captain Naps brought this point up), Vic is a hologram so obviously he doesn't need to go to the bathroom...but Nog is humanoid. Nog has evidently been living in the holosuite for weeks. I assume he is crapping in a hologram toilet, so once the program is shut off wouldn't there just be shit and piss like all over the floor???

There is a ridiculous montage of Nog and Vic having fun together; eating popcorn, watching movies, reading the newspaper together. In one scene they are at the zoo, Vic lifts up one leg pretending to be a flamingo, Nog falls over a fence and Mr. Furley mimics a lion! Ok, that one didn't happen.

160 down and 16 to go

6 comments:

capt.naps said...

this episode...man...this episode.

Not a bad idea..but i just don't like Vic

Unknown said...

I love this episode. I am unashamed and unrepentant and unapologetic.

All of the above is true, except for maybe the part about being unashamed.

Holodeck episodes are inherently stupid. It's an impossible to believe and understand technology, and it always leaves you wondering: Why the fuck would anybody NOT just live on the Holodeck? I love that this episode finally attempts to answer that. And it's just fun. Vic is a dumb character for sure, but I love James Darren's performance so he somehow manages to sell it.

I honestly think this episode's story is as profound and powerful a look at loss and sadness as anything I've ever seen on television. It's also really weird and silly, but it had to be, or otherwise it would be so depressing you'd want to kill yourself.

How much did I love this episode? God help me I actually bought a James Darren album. He's no Sinatra.

Unknown said...

https://youtu.be/eBtv0EJUmA8

Everybody should post that video on their Facebook walls, without any comment or explanation. Out of context (or even IN context), it's the weirdest music video ever.

Mugato said...

I can't believe you loved this episode and bought a James Darren album. Not only is he no Sinatra, he is no Sinbad. ...that was not even a good joke, Christ I guess I'm no Sinbad.

Like I said Aron Eisenberg really sold this episode, but man, Vic.. I just can't enjoy him. That montage however, is awesome. If a James Darren fan(?)searches for him on Youtube and finds that video, they would be like "what the fuck???"

Unknown said...

Say what you will about DS9 as a series, they were willing to take risks. An entire episode about Vic and Nog that takes place in 1960s Las Vegas?

That's the kind of episode that either clicks or it doesn't. For me it clicks. But to be honest... I haven't watched it in maybe ten years. And I don't think I want to, because it's probably bad.

Mugato said...

I agree 100%. All of those Sisko episodes in which he goes back in time to Earth, that baseball episode, the Vic stuff. Some of it I hate, no doubt, but credit is due to DS9 for taking risks.