I've argued before that Jake and Ben Sisko's relationship is very realistic and nice, but these two episodes….whoof. If you wanted to argue that Jake shouldn't have been a character at all, having these two back to back makes a good case for removing him. I don't think it makes a strong enough one to actually justify…

There are definitely times when the A and B plots complement each other well, including future episodes. But even the best B plot would have hampered these two, in my opinion.

Both of these episodes are also good because they get all the room they need to develop. Neither one has a substantial subplot going on, like "Jake's girlfriend is getting clingy!" or "Jadzia develops a weird rash she doesn't want to talk about."

Watching Cake singing about how sexy she is and making her butt wiggle was…..weird. Like "I'm not sure I want to see this" weird. And we don't have any kids here to make it uncomfortable.

I like Fionna and Cake, but I kind of hope they don't become 'real,' just because it would probably be so much sadder than Ice King expects it to be.

Call Dirk Gently? Is there an albatross reference missing from Akorem's poem?

I always liked that Dukat decided the best course of action was to become a guerrilla raider. It's such an outsized idea of how important he is. He might as well have stuck a banner on the Bird of Prey saying "The Only Real Cardassian In The Alpha Quadrant."

The truth is that there is no Gravity Falls. Anyone you attempt to describe the show to will look at you with confusion and pity. They say that if you go to Oregon you may find a faded animation cell that bears an uncanny resemblance to this fictional show…but the animator died 20 years ago THAT DAY.

I think the Visitor deserves its own space because it's basically a culmination of the fine father-son relationship that DS9 has been doing all series long with Jake and Ben Sisko. It's probably the highest point, even though it's not the last one.

I think the Visitor deserves its own space because it's basically a culmination of the fine father-son relationship that DS9 has been doing all series long with Jake and Ben Sisko. It's probably the highest point, even though it's not the last one.

"Were you aware that smuggling pipeweed is illegal, Mr. Baggins? Or should I call you by your alias, Mr. Underhill?"

"Were you aware that smuggling pipeweed is illegal, Mr. Baggins? Or should I call you by your alias, Mr. Underhill?"

That's a good point in general, but I'm not sure it works with Shakaar. Or at least, I think we got enough time with the "Shakaar and Kira are on the run" part of the episode. Kai Winn becoming PM and then having to resign could have used a little more time, but it's certainly not enough to justify a two parter.

That's a good point in general, but I'm not sure it works with Shakaar. Or at least, I think we got enough time with the "Shakaar and Kira are on the run" part of the episode. Kai Winn becoming PM and then having to resign could have used a little more time, but it's certainly not enough to justify a two parter.

I see Winn losing power so fast as the writers stepping back from the brink of "super villain Kai Winn." Yes, it's a bit of a reset, but Winn works better as an adversary with a great deal of power that still has limitations. Keeping her in the prime minister's seat, even with blackmail material hanging over her head…

I see Winn losing power so fast as the writers stepping back from the brink of "super villain Kai Winn." Yes, it's a bit of a reset, but Winn works better as an adversary with a great deal of power that still has limitations. Keeping her in the prime minister's seat, even with blackmail material hanging over her head…

You are correct, sir. And if it had come near the beginning (or with less audible anguish), I would have assumed that was the case here, too.

You are correct, sir. And if it had come near the beginning (or with less audible anguish), I would have assumed that was the case here, too.

Blame it on the faux-militaryness of Starfleet. They all talk about ranks and orders, but they don't back it up because they're not (at this time) a primarily military organization in goals and objectives. That doesn't make Sisko's blatant defiance excusable, but it makes the admiral's reaction…well, also not really…

Blame it on the faux-militaryness of Starfleet. They all talk about ranks and orders, but they don't back it up because they're not (at this time) a primarily military organization in goals and objectives. That doesn't make Sisko's blatant defiance excusable, but it makes the admiral's reaction…well, also not really…