Episode Report Card Keckler: C | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Night of the Living Dread
By Keckler | Season 1 | Episode 20 | Aired on 04.02.2002
Then Odo explains that they were on their way home, but they ran into an ion storm, which overloaded their plasma conduits. "I was the Chief Engineer -- it was my responsibility to start repairs but it was worse than I thought. Leaking plasma burned through the hull. We were losing atmosphere so Captain Kuulan set a course for this planet," Odo says. Quantum says it sounds like he did all he could to save his ship. "They're all dead," Odo says. "Apparently, I didn't do enough." Bug-Eyed steps forward and says, "They died because of me." Odo contradicts her, saying it was his decision. "She was in our quarters on the lowest deck, I knew she'd never survive a crash landing down there. So I went to get her," Odo rasps. Bug-Eyed looks limpidly at her father. "Any father would have done the same thing," Quantum says, rather confused by all the self-flagellation. "I left my station! The plasma leak grew, there was an explosion. Half the crew died instantly, including my wife. A few made it to the escape pods, but…" Odo trails off. Quantum gets his teacher's hat on and says, "I can't imagine what making that decision must have been like but it was a long time ago -- you need to consider your daughter now." Odo gasps his indignation and says, "Why do you think I did this? To retreat into some fantasy? Pretend it never happened? For two years I tried to repair our ship and I watched my daughter grow up alone. So I decided to bring them back. Her mother first, then Captain Kuulan and the others. I did everything I could to make it like it was for her."
Trip decides he needs to get in on the judgment-passing instead of letting Quantum have all the fun: "She deserves more." Would you be included in that "more," Trip? Odo tells him angrily that he's given her everything she needs. "And when you're gone?" Trip asks. Bug-Eyed tries to get Trip to shut up, but he's not listening to anyone. "Are you going to let her bury you out in the hills? And live the rest of her life with these people you created? What if the relays burn out again? Then she'll really be alone," Trip says. Odo tells him, "She's my daughter, it's not your concern." Trip keeps picking at the wound and asks what will happen if ol' Bug-Eyed gets hurt. "What'll you do then? Program a holographic doctor?" Trip asks. Will no one rid me of this troublesome anvil? Actually, considering how advanced Odo's holographic technology appears to be, I don't think it would be such a stretch for him to program up Robert Picardo to do the honors. Odo tells Trip that they've gotten on pretty well for a long time now. "Maybe you have. Ask Liana how she feels. Ask her if just surviving is enough," Trip says. Odo looks at his daughter, who bug-eyes at Trip. T'Pol and Mayweather walk in, and Quantum asks the Vulcan if she's all right. T'Pol nods and looks at Odo. Quantum tells Odo they'll finish working on their holographic systems. "If that's what you want. But you should be sure that's all the help you need from us. It may be a long time before anyone comes by here again," Quantum says -- more severely than necessary, in my estimation.