Summary for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
The Emperor's New Cloak
Season 7, Episode 12 Title: "The Emperor's New Cloak"
In memory of Jerome Bixby
Guest Stars:
Andrew J. Robinson as "Garak"
Jeffrey Combs as "Brunt"
Max Grodenchik as "Rom"
J. G. Hertzler as "Martok"
Tiny Ron as "Maihar'du"
Chase Masterson as "Leeta"
Special Guest Star:
Wallace Shawn as "Zek"
Cameo:
James Darren as "Vic Fontaine"
Written by: Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler
Directed by: Levar Burton ("Lt. Cmdr. Geordi LaForge" from TNG)
A short note: Due to the fact there are two sets of some characters I am going to prefix "MM" to the name of any character from the alternate universe ("MM" stands for "Mirror, Mirror", the name of the TOS episode where the alternate universe was first described).
Events:
The episode starts in Quark's, where Quark is trying to convince Odo to arrest Julian for "obscene behaviour". Odo isn't at all convinced that this is the case, since Julian is sitting with Ezri and they are enjoying their conversation. Quark grumbles about how Julian doesn't know Ezri loves Quark, and Odo admits he doesn't think Ezri knows this either.
Their conversation is interrupted by Rom. Rom has just talked to Moogie, who claims the Grand Nagus Zek went off on a business 'safari' to drum up new business. He was expected back in five days but no one has seen or heard from him in 12.
Rom is quite upset, but Quark takes it in stride, assuming that Zek stopped in at Risa for some rest and relaxation.
Having reassured himself, and to some degree Rom, that the Nagus is okay Quark dismisses Rom. Looking over at the table occupied by Ezri and Julian, Quark discovers they're gone and asks Odo what happened. Odo claims they left through the back door and adds that he thinks they were holding hands (hard to tell with Odo but I think that was a joke to torment Quark ;-).
The scene cuts to Quark's quarters where he is kneeling before his religious shrine to the "Blessed Exchequer". The shrine is a latinum box with the shoulders and head of a latinum Ferengi on top. There is a slot in the left ear of the Ferengi image for depositing slips of latinum which are offered as bribes in exchange for favours.
Quark makes several bribes. He wishes for a never-ending line of thirsty customers whose pockets are lined with latinum and whose skills at Dabo "are shaky at best". Then he wishes for Julian to be removed from the station for a couple of months. Quark makes clear that he doesn't want anything bad to happen to Julian, just his absence from Ezri's life for awhile. Then Quark wishes for some help in "closing the deal" with Ezri.
His prayers are interrupted (answered?) when his doorbell is buzzed and he finds Ezri at the door. However, Ezri is wearing black leathers and eye makeup and suffering from a bad hair day and an attitude that would do a Klingon proud. She grips Quark's arm and twists it behind him, shoving him back into his quarters where she put a knife to his throat. Quark is trying to figure out what's going on and eventually figures out that Ezri is role-playing a scene out of "Vulcan Love Slave Volume III", only to discover he's very confused and doesn't know what's going on at all.
Ezri mentions Zek, and slides a data crystal into Quark's communications device, and we see an image of Zek on the screen.
Turns out the Grand Nagus decided to try and do business with the alternate universe. However, he is now a hostage and his life depends upon Quark getting a cloaking device to the alternate universe (where such devices don't exist).
Zek is obviously peeved. Quark figures out that this Ezri (to be referred to henceforth as "MMEzri" comes from the alternate universe and isn't his Ezri.
The message ends with the Nagus asking Quark to tell his mother that the Nagus loves her (nice touch, that).
Quark points out that such devices aren't easily obtained. MMEzri points out that Zek has only three days to live.
The scene cuts to opening credits and commercials.
When the show resumes we are looking at a Klingon Bird of Prey docked to one of the air locks of the docking ring. From inside the airlock we find Quark poking his head out and looking both ways down the hall. Seeing that the coast is clear, he and Rom come out of the airlock carrying something about four feet long, obviously heavy, and invisible.
A surge of energy ripples across the something and in its wake we can see a green and yellow device akin to a back pack. However the image fades to invisibility quickly.
Turns out this is a Klingon Cloaking Device (for a comparison, consider the first view of a Cloaking Device in TOS' "The Enterprise Incident"). Quark and Rom have stolen it to free Zek. Apparently the Cloaking Device can cloak itself alone while disconnected from the ship.
They clumsily walk down the halls, the Ferengi version of Laurel and Hardy doing Mime ;-)
When they reach a junction they stop to rest, and Quark hears someone coming (Ferengi hearing, as we don't hear anything). They manage to put it down at the side of the hall, crushing Quark's toes in the process ;-). Quark manages to grunt "Act normal" just before they are passed by Martok and Sisko, who are discussing a problem in the Collandra sector (they need to break out of the sector, or a series of storms will allow the Jem'Hadar to flank them).
About fifteen feet after passing the Ferengi, Sisko and Martok stop, look up, look at each other, and then return to Quark and Rom. Sisko asks them what they are doing. Quark explains that Rom is thinking of painting his quarters in that colour. Sisko reminds him that his whole room is in that colour. Quark clips Rom on the head and says "I told you."
The baffled Sisko and impatient Martok leave, each promising the other to contact their superiors (Admiral Ross and Chancellor Gowron).
As soon as they're gone Quark and Rom get on the floor to find the cloaked cloaking device. Quark finds it by touching his hand to the exposed induction coils and getting a nasty shock. Rom is delighted they found it and they proceed to pick it up and continue on their way to Cargo Bay 16 where MMEzri awaits them.
In the cargo bay Rom deactivates the cloak, and the cloaking device reappears. It is already situated on the transporter pad.
Quark asks what happens next, and MMEzri tells him she'll deliver the cloak to the "Regent" who will then release Zek.
MMEzri gets upset at Rom for staring, who claims she's a lot taller than Ezri (Rom is crouching). Quark argues, claiming she's identical to our Ezri. She mounts the transporter pad and impatiently orders Rom off. Rom points out the personalities are different.
Rom demands to know what assurances they have that the Regent will keep his word. MMEzri admits they have none. Rom demands to come along, and Quark agrees. MMEzri suggests they won't like it on the other side.
But the angry voice of Martok promising to hang them by their ears propels them into the alternate universe ;-)
We cut to an exterior shot of Terok Nor orbiting Bajor. We are in the alternate universe where the station was never moved and the wormhole and the prophets seem non-existent.
Rom at first thinks nothing happened, not noticing any differences. Quark points out that perhaps in any universe a cargo bay is just a cargo bay. But he also reminds Rom of something Sisko once said, that this universe's Rom and Quark are both dead.
Rom is disappointed, having wished to have met himself.
MMEzri explains she has a ship waiting for them. When asked why, she explains that Terok Nor is a rebel base and that they are working for the Alliance (the combined forces of the Klingons, Cardassians, and Bajorans).
They are interrupted by a Buck Rogerish MMVic Fontaine. MMVic is amazed that Rom and Quark are alive. Rom decides to tell him they're actually dead and hops about from foot to foot for some mad reason.
Behind MMVic pour through several Rebel soldiers, including MMJulian. MMJulian shoots wide of the mark and MMVic doesn't flinch from the shot but fires his own long barreled phasers (nice to see a ray gun that looks like a ray gun ;-).
MMJulian gives MMVic a chance to surrender but MMVic gives a good Clint Eastwood rendition of "I'll see you in hell first". In the exchange of weapons fire MMVic takes it in the chest, leaving the Ferengi scratching their heads realizing just how much of an alternate universe this really is.
The show cuts to commercials.
When we return, MMJulian calls out MMEzri and the Ferengi, who step past the still smoking corpse of MMVic. MMJulian is surprised to see MMEzri, calling her a "worthless piece of space trash" and pistol whipping her. Quark jumps to her rescue, only to be rendered unconscious with the butt of a phaser rifle.
Best lines of the scene:
Rom: "Hey! You're supposed to be the good guys."
MMJulian and his band of cut-throats point their weapons at Rom with murder in their eyes
Rom: "My mistake."
The scene cuts to the brig of Terok Nor where MMMiles (also known as "Smiley") explains that the cloak is now the property of the rebellion. MMJulian wants them to be punished but Smiley tells him to "give it a rest". Rom explains they need the cloak to free the Nagus and that he likes our Julian better. Smiley explains that MMJulian lost a close friend, MMJadzia, to the Alliance in a skirmish recently.
MMJulian says he just doesn't like traitors, looking purposefully at MMEzri. Smiley points out you have to believe in something before you can betray it, hinting MMEzri isn't a traitor to a cause she didn't share. MMEzri points out they still owe her for the last job she did for them and Smiley points out they are fighting for their freedom and their lives.
Smiley decides they'll send Rom and Quark back to our universe, figuring our Sisko won't be very pleased. Quark insists they cannot go back without Zek, so Smiley offers them a deal. They can either be returned or they can go into Alliance territory to free Zek without the cloak. They have till the morning to make their decision.
And MMJulian points out that either way, MMEzri will be staying captive on Terok Nor.
MMJulian and Smiley leave the brig, and Rom approaches MMEzri to offer some comfort. MMEzri isn't apparently bothered by this turn of events, but she points out that it's suicide to enter Alliance territory without the cloak. Quark asks her if she's suggesting they go home.
MMEzri: "It's the smart move"
Quark: "Do we look smart to you?"
The scene cuts to the exterior of a MMKlingon dreadnought (first seen in "Shattered Mirror"). Inside, Zek's ear lobe is being stimulated by MMKira, who only wants to help him with the tediousness of his captivity.
Apparently MMKira is also a prisoner.
When Zek expresses a moment of doubt about Quark and Rom's ability to deliver the cloaking device MMKira gets furious, gripping Zek's earlobe painfully, and when Zek's personal attendant makes a move MMKira turns on him and disables him with a quick grab to some delicate anatomy.
Zek reassures her that all will be well and MMKira turns her charm back on, returning to stroke Zek's earlobe once again.
Meanwhile, back in the brig, Rom is trying to sleep while Quark explains to MMEzri that he is motivated out of loyalty to the Nagus. She figures out the Nagus is rich ("They don't come any richer" says Quark). But when she wants to know what Quark will get out of this, Quark admits he'll get nothing but empty promises.
He declares this is what he's supposed to do, even though he feels a bit like an idiot for doing it.
There's the sound of phaser fire and then MMBrunt runs into the room. Quark and Rom quickly realize this isn't our Brunt. After trying the code without success and explaining to MMEzri that he's stolen the cloaking device back, MMBrunt shoots off the locking mechanism, bringing down the brig's forcefield.
He and MMEzri embrace and then MMBrunt offers Quark and Rom food and drink on his ship.
Rom: "He's so nice."
Quark: "Scary, isn't it?"
The scene cuts to commercials.
When we return we're on board what looks like a large Ferengi shuttle. Inside we see MMEzri, Rom and Quark. Rom is trying to unravel the mysteries of the alternate universe. He's happy when things are opposite, which is what he expects. But when he tries to apply that logic to something like fried tubegrubs he almost convinces himself that all food in the alternate universe must be poison because it's not poison in our universe.
One thing is clear, MMBrunt makes a perfect host. When he returns he convinces MMEzri to get some sleep, and Rom also heads off with two helpings of fried tubegrubs.
In the discussion between MMBrunt and Quark we learn that MMBrunt and MMEzri are partners and don't much like the Alliance. With a bit of gentle prodding MMBrunt reveals his feelings for MMEzri are stronger than friendship. But those feelings are not reciprocated.
Quark sits back a little smug and MMBrunt assures him that he doesn't think Quark is her type either.
"When it comes to men she's very particular," says MMBrunt, cryptically.
Meanwhile, back on the dreadnought, MMWorf sneezes a tremendous sneeze, thus clearing his sinuses for the first time in years, thanks to Zek's beetle-snuff. He's very pleased with the stuff and wants more.
MMGarak is delighted that his Regent's sinuses have been cleared, but wants to know what to do (or should I say "how to kill") the Intendant (aka MMKira). MMWorf delays any decision until after he gets the cloaking device.
An exterior shot of the ship shows the Ferengi shuttle making rendezvous. On the shuttle Rom and Quark are starting to worry again about whether the Regent will keep his end of the deal. MMBrunt points out it's a little late to be worrying, and MMEzri assures them that the Regent doesn't get rid of anyone who proves useful to him.
Meanwhile, on the bridge of the dreadnought, MMWorf is in receipt of a new pair of open-fingered leather gloves with studs protruding from the knuckles (I believe these belonged to Zek's personal attendant). He calls over one of his warriors, explaining that the Regent has a use for him. The warrior stands to attention before MMWorf, who drives him with his fist. The warrior falls like stone, still at attention.
MMWorf admires the fit of the gloves.
MMGarak interrupts the fun to announce the arrival of the Ferengi. A Klingon carries in the cloaking device, presenting it to MMWorf. MMWorf commands that it be operational within the hour.
Quark reminds them they have a deal.
MMWorf: "Do we?"
Quark turns to MMEzri for support, but before she can speak MMKira appears and, with a smirk, kisses MMEzri on the lips.
Rom and Quark realize they've been betrayed, and that the deal has fallen through. Quark accuses MMEzri of knowing all along and MMEzri admits she's loyal to her friends, a statement that delights MMKira as she toys with MMEzri's hair.
MMWorf orders that they get rid of Rom and Quark. MMBrunt suggests they might come in useful later. MMGarak snaps at MMBrunt but MMWorf admits this is a good idea and orders that Quark and Rom be locked up.
Just before being taken away Quark expresses a sarcastic hope that MMKira and MMEzri will be very happy together. MMKira assures him they will be.
The show cuts to commercials.
When we return we're in the Klingon brig. Zek explains how he got to the alternate universe thanks to Rom. Apparently Miles had provided notes on the schematics for setting up a transporter to bridge the gap between the universes. One night when Rom was visiting Moogie he left his engineering note PADD on the table and Zek, arising for some late night feeding, looked through it and copied the information for the schematics.
In a flash Rom accuses Zek of stealing the plans. Zek points out
Zek: "I'm your Nagus. You have no secrets from me."
But when Quark asks him why he came to the alternate universe Zek states he was looking for new financial opportunities for the Ferengi.
Rom : "In the alternate universe?!"
Zek : "Well...it seemed like a good idea at the time."
The scene leaves them trying to figure out a way to escape.
Meanwhile, in MMEzri's quarters, MMBrunt is unhappy with the fate of the other Ferengi. He urges MMEzri to talk to MMKira and try to obtain their release. He likes the Ferengi and believes MMEzri does as well. He points out the Ferengi have kept their end of the bargain, but is interrupted by MMKira who points out she can't recall the last time she kept her word.
MMBrunt suggests this would be a good time to start. MMEzri tries to warn him off, but MMBrunt is determined to see this out and MMKira encourages him and reassures MMEzri.
MMBrunt suggests asking the Regent for them, that they might prove useful in the future, and that they will serve no purpose dead. MMKira admits the idea has some merit, but she doesn't want to waste a favour on behalf of the Ferengi.
Then she announces she doesn't like the idea and doesn't like MMBrunt. She grabs a knife from MMBrunt's belt and stabs him in the stomach, apparently killing him outright.
MMEzri protests but MMKira rushes to her, claiming that MMBrunt was going to betray her, that she could see it in his eyes. She announces she's had so many betrayals, MMSisko, MMBareil, etc.
She asks MMEzri to "dispose of that" (MMBrunt's corpse) but MMEzri tells her she made the mess and she can clean it up, and leaves the room. MMKira's demeanour changes from one of heartbreak to one of amusement as she realizes MMEzri isn't afraid of her.
Back on the bridge the Klingons have detected the MMDefiant on its way. MMWorf is delighted as he'll get a chance to try out his new cloaking device. Except that MMGarak hasn't figured out how to set it up yet.
MMEzri suggests they get Rom to help them, and when MMWorf agrees she leaves to retrieve him.
Down in the brig, MMEzri explains the need for Rom and when Quark demands to know why they should help, MMEzri claims she's trying to save their lives. Both Rom and Zek are willing to give it a try.
MMEzri orders the forcefield down and releases Rom. When Quark tries to leave as well, MMEzri asks him where he's going. Quark says to help his brother.
MMEzri: "You're a bartender, Quark. What are you going to do, mix him a drink?"
Rom: "Don't worry, brother. I'm not thirsty."
As a parting statement, MMEzri tries to reassure Quark that she's trying to help them. Quark doesn't believe it.
On the bridge, Rom calls for an isodyne coupler, only to hand the device he is given back to MMGarak, exclaiming the device isn't an isodyne coupler and wondering aloud how anything gets fixed on the ship.
MMGarak, two steps away from homicidal madness, angrily tells Rom to watch his tone.
Rom: "Or what? You won't let me install the cloaking device?"
MMGarak : "I'm sorry if I've upset you. Now will you please get back to work?"
Rom: "Don't mind if I do."
Meanwhile, in the command chair, MMKira is exchanging some secret of delight with MMWorf to obtain favour. MMWorf asks her what she wants and she tells him she wants Terok Nor. MMWorf had planned on destroying the station but MMKira points out plans can be changed.
MMworf uses those immortal lines "I will consider it"
(MMSpock said the very same thing to Kirk in TOS' "Mirror, Mirror" when Kirk tried to convince him to revolt against the human empire).
Rom: "Mister Reeegent."
MMWorf: "What is it?"
Rom: "Your cloak is ready."
MMWorf: "Ah."
MMworf gets assurances from MMGarak that the cloak is working and that MMGarak can operate it, and then orders an end to Rom and the other Ferengi.
MMWorf: "Then get rid of them."
Rom: "You mean we're going home."
MMGarak: "Noo. He means you're going to die."
Rom : "That settles it. I'm never helping you again."
MMKira: "Or anyone else for that matter."
MMGarak: "Come along now."
Rom: "I'm really beginning to hate this universe."
In the brig, MMGarak introduces the Ferengi to an injector full of Okartic Virus, which is both very deadly and very painful. I'll spare you the details but death is inevitable and messy.
MMgarak boasts that he had intended on using it on the Intendant but that he would settle for the four of them. Then he asks who wants to be first.
The show cuts to commercials.
When we return nothing has changed. Quark suggests MMGarak come back in a couple of days and they'll let him know what their decision is. That isn't what MMGarak has in mind, so Quark laughs at him as a rank amateur compared to our Garak, claiming our Garak knew how to conduct an interrogation. MMGarak protests, claiming he's not interrogating anyone. Zek demands to know why not, pointing out they know things that might be useful. MMGarak demands to know what things but Rom crosses his arms in defiance (an act echoed by Zek's personal attendant) and claims they won't tell unless they are "properly" interrogated.
MMGarak whines that he has no time for this, that he wants to be on the bridge when the Defiant is destroyed. Zek points out that in our universe work comes before pleasure.
Quark claims that Garak would have them hanging by their toenails telling all their secrets by now. He advises MMGarak (if he's smart) to cross-over to our universe and get some tips from our Garak on torture, assassination, and sabotage; MMGarak claims to know all there is to know about sabotage, but they all laugh and claim that's not what they've heard.
MMGarak is obviously not pleased.
Meanwhile, on the MMDefiant, Smiley and MMJulian are in pursuit of the stolen cloaking device, unaware that the cloak has reached its destination and is operational. As they speculate about such matters we see a rear view of the Defiant as presented in the Klingon viewscreen of the dreadnought. MMWorf is very pleased with the new technology.
MMWorf decides it's time to attack.
In the brig MMGarak is doing his "Who's on First" impression:
MMGarak: "I don't understand. Is this Garak of yours an assassin or a tailor?"
:
Rom: "Tailor"
Quark: "Assassin"
Zek: "Both"
MMGarak has run to the end of his patience and decides he really must know who will be the first to die. Meanwhile MMWorf orders the cloak dropped and the dreadnought appears massive, hanging over the Defiant.
Smiley orders the Defiant into evasive actions while MMWorf orders firing to commence. But instead of getting weapons fire the ship's primary power is lost, thanks to Rom's sabotage.
In the brig the lights and the forecfield drop and the Ferengi rush MMGarak. On the bridge MMWorf starts pounding his arm rests with impotent rage while MMGarak gets the upperhand on Quark, threatening him with an injection of the virus. Just before he is able to deliver it, MMEzri grabs his hand and injects the contents into MMGarak, who is never heard from again.
While Quark isn't very trusting, MMEzri advises they follow her if they want to get out.
MMJulian has figured out MMWorf's problem and Smiley orders them back for a "proper greeting". We're treated to an excellent series of attacks by the lilliputian Defiant against the dreadnought.
Without shields the dreadnought is helpless. Smiley transmits a signal, caling for unconditional surrender. Without any options MMWorf agrees. And then in a fit of anger he wrenches his command chair from its moorings and hurls it across the bridge. MMKira decides discretion is the better part of valour and leaves the bridge.
In the halls MMKira meets up with MMEzri and the Ferengi. Both MMEzri and MMKira hold phasers pointed at each other.
MMKira explains she's been looking to escape with MMEzri in an escape shuttle. MMEzri decides she's not going with MMKira because of what she did to MMBrunt. But she allows MMKira to escape. When challenged by Quark she admits she owes MMKira that much.
The scene cuts to Terok Nor, where the conquering heroes and MMWorf (in chains) are greeted with cheers.
Zek announces there is profit to be made in the alternate universe and Quark promises they won't return to rescue him. Zek agrees because he intends on bringing Quark and Rom with him.
Ezri interrupts to say that since they'll be returning she won't say goodbye. Being reminded of MMEzri, Quark decides coming back wouldn't be so bad if he had something worth coming back for. He tries flirting with MMEzri, who turns him down, almost gently ;-)
MMLeeta appears, calling MMEzri's name.
Seeing MMLeeta, Rom is delighted, telling her that they're married, when MMLeeta asks who he is. She laughs and tells them they certainly are not married.
Then with a meaningful look MMLeeta explains she's been instructed to "debrief" MMEzri. With a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye MMEzri announces "It must be my lucky day."
Zek : "This is quite a fascinating place don't you agree?"
Rom: "I want to go home."
Quark: "Me too."
The episode ends.
Personal Reflections:
This episode had a little something for everyone: humour, SFX, a little foreshadowing for our universe, and a dignified and respectable handling of a homosexual character.
Humour: Well, consider the Marx brothers ancestors to Ferengi-style humour. The BBB principle ("Bull---- Baffles Brains") was very obviously the ruling principle in this episode. Quark and Rom examining the bulkhead to decide on whether a room should be painted that colour hid the fact they were stealing a cloaking device. Rom buying time for his sabotage to take effect by taunting MMGarak with the prowess of our Garak and refusing to provide information until "properly" interrogated. Rom happily proclaiming they're not alive to a bewildered Vic Fontaine (Levar, what did you have in mind when you had Rom prance from foot to foot in that scene? Was he supposed to be pretending to float or did he have to go to the bathroom and that was his "little pee-pee dance"?).
This provided quite a bit of hilarity, though moments like MMWorf's sneeze or testing out his new gloves gave us some variety.
I'm going to miss MMGarak. Take our Garak and pump him up on testosterone till he's got a lot of rage and then keep him on a tight leash and that's what MMGarak came to represent.
The attack on the dreadnought, though brief and not up to the standard of "Shattered Mirror", was nonetheless spectacular.
The brief discussion between Ben and Martok about breaking out of the Collandra sector sounded like a little foreshadowing of things to come in the war. It was nice to be reminded that the war is still going on.
And finally, the issue of how well Trek handled a homosexual character in this episode.
Since I've spent the month of January focusing my attention on this issue, and that I considered this episode to be a test case, I hope no one is too surprised that I'm going to spend some time on analyzing the episode in this post.
First, the nature of MMEzri's sexuality:
She is an unjoined Trill. She isn't "Dax". This removes the objection some of us have had to "Rejoined", where the story made it clear there was reasonable doubt whether Jadzia's initial feelings and motivation for associating with Lenara were a result of the symbiont's emotional ties overcoming the personality of the host.
With MMEzri as an unjoined Trill we are quite sure she is a female making those decisions and not an asexual symbiont.
This also eliminates a lot of other arguments against episodes like "Warlord", "Infinite Regress", and "The Host", where a question is made of whose will is controlling the body into homosexual behaviour.
Since she is Trill, we can eliminate the comparisons to Soren in "The Outcast" which dealt with a same-sex species.
Simplicity resolves a lot of the arguments.
That she was lesbian is undeniable in my opinion. Her only intimacy was a kiss for MMKira. MMBrunt made it clear she is "very particular" about men, and nothing in the episode suggested any man had passed the standard. So it is possible to interpret MMBrunt's comment as a subtle and delicate way of saying MMEzri never chooses a man as a lover.
At any rate, both superficially and subtly, the same message is received, and that simplicity erases a lot of the arguments that have been raised in January.
Now for the question of whether she was handled in a dignified and respectable manner.
The show certainly raises doubts along the way about how respectable or dignified MMEzri is. I think that's the heart of the story, which is usually about the dramatic changes in a person's life.
This episode was, in part, about MMEzri regaining her soul, her conscience, and her liberty. MMBrunt's death at the hands of her lover was the catalyst for the transformation. And MMBrunt's reason for dying was the direction MMEzri took.
MMBrunt was protesting the unfair treatment of the Ferengi. MMKira killed him for that and MMEzri made things right by freeing the Ferengi and saving Quark's life.
Smiley's lecture about fighting for freedom and lives didn't sink into MMEzri. Not until she suffered the loss of a good friend did she take it seriously.
So while MMEzri didn't start with dignity or respect, she ended the story having achieved both.
I think that's a positive development for the character as a heroine.
Finally, the last argument raised against Trek's handling of homosexuality / bisexuality was about how every episode resets the developments so a character showing homosexual interests no longer does so. This was a problem with "Rejoined".
In "The Emperor's New Cloak", MMEzri leaves the story in the company of a very busty MMLeeta who is expressing a very meaningful interest (lots of eye contact) in "de-briefing" her.
MMEzri reaction: "It must be my lucky day."
This clearly demonstrates her continued interest in women as lovers. And it suggests that MMLeeta shares that passion.
That resolves the last of the arguments against Trek's previous handling of homosexuality/bisexuality, in my opinion.
"The Emperor's New Cloak" used several techniques for conveying the homosexuality of MMEzri. Some of them obvious (the kiss) and others subtle (MMLeeta's meaningful look and choice of words).
One potential scene which we discussed in January was used in the show:
When asked how we would convey homosexuality/bisexuality in subtle ways we talked about stand-ins holding hands in Quarks or greeting each other at airlocks, etc.
When the captive WWWorf was led onto Terok Nor, followed by the Ferengi, there was a female stand-in holding a raised laser rifle to the left of the airlock throughout. She waits awhile and after the Ferengi disembark another female stand-in runs out in delight and gives the first stand-in a big hug. They walk off with the first stand-in's arm around the second stand-in.
It's very subtle, only takes a few seconds to occur, doesn't look out of place at all, and isn't a male-female coupling (and there are other stand-ins in the group shot who are involved in male-female coupling).
I think it's safe to say "The Emperor's New Cloak" has piqued my curiousity into what can be done with a regular homosexual character. Kudos to Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler, Levar Burton, Nicole deBoer and Chase Masterson for bringing Trek into an age of positive homosexual/bisexual stereotypes.
Thank you for your attention.
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