I always forget that almost all of DS9 overlapped with first TNG and then VOY, but episodes like this really bring it to the forefront. In this case the arrival of Dr. Zimmerman rather than the holographic version with such a critical role on Voyager is actually a really nice little crossover. And as much as the EMH version is intended to capture his personality it is obvious that he softened some of the edges for his program that he hasn't softened in himself. But the main event in this episode is the arrival of Bashir's parents and the inevitable slip that he has been genetically enhanced which threatens to end his career. And then since it doesn't have enough going on already this is the episode where Rom finally tells Leeta that he loves her just before she leaves the station forever to go live with Dr. Zimmerman.
We begin the B story with Rom and Quark discussing how today is the day Rom is finally going to ask Leeta on a date but of course when the time comes he wimps out again. Cut to Bashir and O'Brien playing darts and discussing parenting when they are interrupted by Dr. Zimmerman, he has chosen Bashir to be the template for the new Longterm Medical Holographic Program. The thing about this is that Zimmerman will have to interview all of Julian's friends and family, and it is the family that is the sticking point. After getting started on the basic program Zimmerman asks Julian about who to interview and Julian says anybody, except his parents. Which of course means that they are the first people Zimmerman contacts.
While walking on the promenade Zimmerman notices Leeta and talks to Bashir about how they used to date and she gets put on the list to interview. Cut to the intercut interview segments which are fun and end with Zimmerman asking Leeta on a date. That night Rom watches the two stewing from his table. He walks up at one point and demands her attention, but wimps out again and only asks about repairing her replicator or something. Julian's parents show up unannounced at Ops and he is horrified. We are led to believe it is just normal embarrassment at having over the top parents, but there seems to be something else going on as well. That night the three of them have dinner and start fighting about taking things seriously and eventually the secret they share.
The next day Zimmerman shows up with flowers at Leeta's quarters. She loves the flowers and while she changes he tells her there is a position running a cafe available on the starbase he works on and she is so excited she walks out naked. The same day Bashir's father walks into the lab to apologize to Julian for not taking seriously the secret that he was genetically modified and before Julian can say anything he walks out. But we quickly learn it wasn't Bashir, it was the hologram and O'Brien and Zimmerman heard the whole thing. Bashir is outraged, but mostly upset that he will lose his ability to practice medicine and will be thrown out of Starfleet. As Zimmerman and Leeta prepare to leave they hear a roar in the distance which turns out to be Rom running to stop them. He professes his love to Leeta and the two embrace. Bashir gets called to Sisko's office, his father has told Sisko everything and agreed to a prison sentence in exchange for Julian being allowed to stay a doctor in Starfleet.
Review: Even as the Dominion War heats up DS9 still has to keep it's characters moving forward and this pays off a lot of hinting over the last season or so that there was something different about the good doctor. Robert Picardo is great as a guest star and makes this already significant episode even more memorable.
8 out of 10
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