This is the only season one DS9 episode that really stuck out in my head when I watched it originally. Not to say that the rest of the season wasn't great, but this was the first story that had what the fanboys call "classic trek elements." What I mean by that is up to this point other than Odo pretty much all the characters are from previously established races and generally know how to get along around one another. But in this episode two races of aliens show up through the wormhole everybody has to figure out how to deal with them. I love how much more of a central role O'Brien has in this series, he was always good but underutilized in TNG.
The episode opens with one of Quark's dabo girls complaining to Sisko about being sexually harassed by Quark and that it is part of her contract. They are interrupted by a damaged ship of unknown type coming through the wormhole unannounced. The ship is damaged but the occupant refuses to be beamed off so O'Brien brings him in gently with the tractor beam. After docking the vessel Sisko sends O'Brien down to greet their guest. At first there doesn't seem to be anybody there but after starting work in the engine Tosk suddenly appears behind Miles startling him. Tosk is only concerned with getting his ship underway but O'Brien tells him they need to let the reactor cool first. They go on a tour of the promenade with a stop at Quarks but Tosk is uninterested in entertainment. When O'Brien leaves him in his quarters Tosk immediately starts using the computer to figure out where the weapons are stored. In Ops O'Brien briefs Sisko and Kira about Tosk and tells them while it is clear he is running from something he doesn't seem like a criminal.
Tosk and O'Brien keep working to repair his ship and become friends along the way. Sisko still doesn't trust Tosk and tells Odo to keep an eye on him which proves to be a good idea because Tosk tries to break into the weapon storage locker. When Odo confronts him he become invisible but Odo traps him in a forcefield and takes him to the brig. Sisko demands to know what is going on but Tosk will only say that he is Tosk. Another alien ship appears through the wormhole and blasts their shields. Three armed hunters beam onto the promenade and refuse to disarm, but also don't shoot back when fired upon. They blast their way into the brig where their leader takes off his helmet and expresses disappointment that Tosk has been captured. Sisko shows up and learns that this whole thing is a form of bloodsport and that now Tosk will be taken home in shame to be displayed for his failure.
Now Sisko has to decide what to do, should he release Tosk to be turned over to his hunters or give him asylum. He tells O'Brien he will grant asylum if asked, but Tosk refuses. O'Brien then takes matters into his own hands and sets a trap for the hunter. After knocking him down with a fist to the chin Miles and Tosk flee to Tosk's ship. Along the way they have to fight off several more hunters but Tosk always insists on attacking them himself. They get into the crawlspace and Sisko figures out what has happened. Odo goes to turn on the forcefields and stop them but Sisko tells him not to rush. Tosk escapes and the hunters couldn't be happier despite losing several men to Tosk.
Review: Finally a story with some action this episode is still my favorite of what we have seen so far. Until they get the Defiant and start poking around the gamma quadrant themselves it will be mostly character stories on the station until then. Fortunately for me there are some good ones to come, but not much action like this for a few more seasons.
8 out of 10
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