Summary for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
It's Only a Paper Moon
Season 7, Episode 10
Guest Stars:
Aron Eisenberg as "Nog"
Max Grodenchik as "Rom
Chase Masterson as "Leeta"
Special Guest Star:
James Darren as "Vic Fontaine"
Co-Star:
Tami-Adrian George as "Kesha"
Story by: David Mack and John Ordover
Teleplay by: Ronald D. Moore
Events:
"It's Only a Paper Moon" continues the Nog story arc that started in the seventh episode: "The Siege of AR-558". In that episode, a desperately outgunned Star Fleet military outpost needed a scouting party to reconnoiter the Jem'Hadar strength and position. Ben ordered Nog to join a team of three, due to his acute hearing. While returning from a successful mission they were attacked by a Jem'Hadar picket and only Nog and one other from his team escaped. Due to a wound he received, Nog lost his leg through an amputation which Julian performed. He was shipped off to a hospital along with the other wounded at the end of the show and this is his first reappearance.
The episode starts with Rom, Leeta and Ezri walking the hall to the docking ring. Nog is expected home on the transport docking there, and both Rom and Leeta have concerns. Rom is worried he'll say the wrong thing, while Leeta is worried that losing a leg is so personal Nog only wants his real family to be near him (Leeta wrote Nog several letters while Nog was in the hospital but Nog never answered them).
Ezri assures both of them that they only need to express their love and support for Nog.
Nerys interrupts their discussion to tell them that the transport has docked.
The port opens, and a number of Star Fleet personnel disembark. Julian, Worf, Odo, Miles, Leeta, Rom, Jake, Quark, Ezri, Nerys, and Ben are all on hand to greet Nog with applause while Nog haltingly walks off the transport with the assistance of a silver cane.
Nog hands his orders to Ben, who announces Nog has been placed on Medical Leave indefinitely. Miles jokes that it sounds like an excuse to loaf around. The ribbing continues as Julian prescribes hard work and Odo expresses concern that the orders have been forged.
But Ben announces the orders are genuine, but he stipulates that Nog must attend his own welcome home celebration. In a quiet voice Nog politely declines the event, claiming he's tired and needs to rest. Ben agrees and Ezri points out the celebration can be rescheduled.
With this, Nog leaves the cargo bay.
The scene cuts to opening credits and commercials.
The show returns to Nog's quarters, where Ezri is trying to cheer him up with station news and discuss his new situation.
It seems Nog needs to use a cane despite the fact that his bio-synthetic leg works perfectly. Nog claims his leg hurts, all the time. The Star Fleet doctors have determined that the pain receptors in his leg are aren't registering any pain, and thus have concluded the pain is psycho-somatic.
Nog explains that he's had three weeks of doctors asking him about his feelings and he's sick of it. He just wants to be left alone. Ezri understands and suggests they leave the rest of their session till the next day.
After she leaves, Nog checks the time and goes to bed. He plays Vic Fontaine's "I'll Be Seeing You" song (which was the tune Julian played in "The Siege of AR-558" to boost the morale of the troops waiting for the Jem'Hadar attack).
The scene cuts to the Captain's office, where Ben reviews Nog's progress. He's heard from Jake that Nog sleeps more than 18 hours a day, and Julian reports Nog has missed two physical therapy sessions.
Ezri reports Nog's counseling sessions are unproductive as well. She claims to understand this, that Nog was under constant psychiatric supervision for two months. She suggests they let Nog make the next decision, pointing out that sometimes the patient will be drawn to the therapy that will work for them.
The scene cuts to Jake's room, where Jake is trying to get some sleep. Nog, in the next room, keeps playing "I'll Be Seeing You" over and over and obviously this has been wearing on Jake's nerves, as he enters Nog's room in an explosive mood (we're later told Nog was playing that song for three days straight).
Jake claims he's trying to understand Nog's problem and trying to help but that Nog hasn't said more than three words to Jake. Nog tells Jake that all he wants is to be left alone. Jake readily agrees but takes the recording of the song with him, telling Nog to hear it in the holosuite.
Nog follows his advice. While on the turbo lift Nog recalls the Jem'Hadar attack that cost him his leg (and just to make this clear this is not one of those memories where the person believes they have actually returned to the traumatic experience, this is just a memory).
Nog unlocks Quark's bar and programs the holosuite and enters to see Vic handing out the musical score sheets for the numbers which the band will play. When Vic spots Nog he introduces himself, and when Vic learns this is Nog he's very pleased. Vic claims Rom comes in all the time to brag about his son "the soldier-boy".
Nog isn't very impressed with this flattery and Vic asks Nog what he'd like. Nog asks for "I'll Be Seeing You" and Vic asks if there's anything else. Nog tells him only that song and Vic asks if there is something special about it. Nog claims it helped him once when he was unhappy.
Vic begins the song and Nog closes his eyes and recalls an incident from the Siege which we weren't previously shown. After Nog lost his leg and while he was resting with Quark at his side he started hearing the song. While it was playing he asked Julian about it and Julian explained why he'd brought the song along, and who was singing it. When asked if it was bothering him, Nog said he thought it was "nice" and settled into what looks like a sleep.
We return to the present and watch Nog listening to the song, and as time passes quickly we catch a glimpse of Nog actually grinning to a more up-beat arrangement of the same song later in the show.
Vic gives the band a break and descends the stairs to tell Nog he's played all fifteen arrangements of "I'll Be Seeing You" that he knows (which is why we heard at least two different versions of the song: the melancholy arrangement and the up-beat version).
When asked which arrangement he likes, Nog tells him the first one (the melancholy version we heard during the Siege).
Vic guesses that Nog first heard the song from Julian and when his guess is confirmed he remarks:
Vic: "If I had him for a publicist I'd be bigger than Elvis."
Nog: "Who?" Vic: "Never mind."
It's one of the brief flashes of humour in this rather humourless episode.
Vic has apparently heard of Nog's injuries, and asks him about his leg. Nog is surprised, but tells him the leg hurts all the time. He explains the medical findings, but Vic believes Nog.
This brief exchange regarding reality wears out Nog, and he prepares to return to his room. Then he realizes that means returning to the reality where Jake is exasperated and where his copy of Vic's song has been confiscated and he admits he doesn't want to go back to his quarters or his life.
He asks Vic where he lives and Vic tells him he has a suite in the hotel. Nog discovers he has a spare room, and asks to stay with Vic for awhile. Nog explains he's officially on medical leave and that he can pick his rehabilitation facility. Vic is surprised Nog would choose a holosuite as a rehab facility but Nog asks him why not. Vic cheerfully agrees and Nog smiles again.
The scene cuts to commercials.
When we return we are in the wardroom with Ben, Jake, Quark, Rom, Leeta, Julian and Ezri. Rom is convinced his son has become a "one-legged crazy person". They are all concerned with Nog's decision to inhabit the holo-suite.
Ezri thinks this might actually be a good sign
Quark: "How can hiding in one of Julian's adolescent programs be a good sign?"
Julian: "Hey."
Jake: "It could be worse. He could be hiding in the Alamo program."
Leeta: "Or that ridiculous secret agent program."
Julian: "Hey!"
Rom: "Or that stupid Viking program."
Julian: "Hey!!"
Ezri explains that she believes Nog is subconsciously seeking an appropriate therapy, and she wants him to have some time to work on this without intervention. Julian backs her assessment.
So with some doubts expressed, they allow Nog to move into the holo-suite. When Quark asks who is paying for this Ben gives him a look that tells him Quark will be swallowing the cost and lost profits. Ben tells Ezri to keep him informed.
The scene cuts to The Fontaine, where Ezri explains Nog's condition to Vic. Vic asks her about the cane, explaining Nog is pretty convinced he needs it. Ezri makes it clear this is a psychological need, not a physical one. Vic claims he has some ideas to help Nog get off the dependency.
Ezri has provided Vic a means of contacting her if there are any problems.
Up in Vic's suite, Vic arrives to find Nog watching the movie "Shane" on a black-and-white television. While Nog watches the climactic shoot-out in the saloon and the conclusion to the movie, Vic ponders his financial books.
Nog is showing difficulties adjusting to a holo-world. He's amazed that despite the fact Shane is shot in the arm he shows no pain nor blood (Nog is a nit-picker ;-). He doesn't understand why Vic would worry about finances when none of it is real. And he doesn't understand why Vic would want to go to the lounge to sing.
Vic explains all of this is real to him and this is his life, this is what he does. He asks Nog if he'll attend the show and Nog smiles and agrees.
Vic offers Nog a gift. He offers him a new cane. It looks a lot like the Grand Nagus' staff (a point Nog makes). A fine dark wood bearing an apple-sized golden lion head of a handle within which is a lighter which is activated through the use of a button on the back of the lion's head and spouts flame through his mouth.
Nog is delighted and doesn't mind the fact it is a little more fragile than his old cane and thus won't bear as much weight ;-).
In The Fontaine, Vic is singing in a smoke filled room. Nog has a table to himself and is unexpectedly joined by Jake and his date, Kesha, a Bajoran. Nog welcomes her to Las Vegas.
There is some awkward chit-chat between the three. Kesha is unfamiliar with the program and Jake is trying to smooth things over between himself and Nog, and Nog is being very short in his answers.
Jake excuses himself while he goes to fetch martinis for the three of them and as soon as he's gone Kesha comments on how Nog is considered a hero by the people on the station.
Nog refuses to accept the title and tells her flat he isn't a hero. He returns to watching the show and Kesha casts a glance at his legs, but quickly looks elsewhere when Nog catches her at it. Nog tells her she was wondering which leg was the artificial one and she becomes flustered trying to avoid appearing rude. Nog has no problem being rude and suggests since she is having trouble talking perhaps she shouldn't say anything at all.
Jake returns at that moment with the martinis, and Kesha suggests they should leave. Jake wants to know why and Kesha explains she didn't mean to stare. Jake asks her what she was staring at and Nog tells him. Kesha apologizes for making him feel uncomfortable and he dismisses them. Jake leans over the table and explains to Nog that she has apologized and Nog tells them they can go.
Jake asks him what is wrong and Nog tries a more blunt approach. He overturns the table on Jake and runs around to where Jake is trying to get up and slugs him.
Seeing this, Vic abandons the stage and breaks up the fight, telling Nog to leave. Nog does so.
The scene cuts to commercials.
When we return we are in Vic's suite. Nog is watching a gangster movie. Vic enters, and after getting Nog's agreement to turn off the TV they discuss the fight. Nog apologizes to Vic and is told he owes apologies to Jake. Nog agrees and promises to take care of it, and Vic tells him to apologize to Jake's date as well, which Nog agrees to unreservedly.
Nog asks if he can return to the lounge the following night and Vic explains he can't have Nog beating up customers. It isn't good for business. Nog agrees and promises to not do it again.
Vic asks him what caused the fight and Nog explains that Keisha called him a "hero" and "things went down hill from there". Vic is astounded.
Vic: "She called you a hero. And for that you slugged your best friend!?"
Vic changes the subject, admitting to fatigue for the first time ever. He explains that as a hologram his program has never run so long at one time. Usually people only want a song or a night on the town. Nog suggests sleep, but Vic has financial accounting to take care of. Nog offers to help, and Vic asks him if he knows anything about book-keeping.
Nog: "I'm a Ferengi. It's in our blood."
Vic hands him several thick ledgers.
Nog: "Where's your computer?"
Vic: "Right here <holding up a pencil>. It's 1962 -- what do you want from me?"
Vic then heads off to his bedroom and Nog stops him and says:
Nog: "Vic, when you sleep, do you dream?"
Vic fails to answer the question, but wishes Nog a good night.
The following morning we are in The Fontaine, where Ezri has arrived to persuade Nog to leave the holo-suite. She finds Vic first and starts talking to him about it. He claims Nog is making progress and believes Nog won't become violent again. Ezri believes it's time for Nog to come out and deal with reality again.
Vic points out that with losing a leg and seeing good friends die, Nog has had too much reality. Ezri points out Vic is a hologram and she is Nog's counselor and thus outranks him. Vic counters by pointing out the Star Fleet regulation that allows Nog to spend his rehabilitation time in whatever facility he deems appropriate. This stumps Ezri, who asks how Vic knew this. The recently arrived Nog explains he did, and further claims any effort to remove him from the holo-suite will result in him quitting his commission.
Ezri protests she had no intention of forcibly removing him and Nog is pleased. He's finished going over the books and claims Vic's hotel is a gold mine and that he and Vic are going to open another casino.
Ezri points out this is just a hologram and Nog admits the truth of that statement and then proceeds to excuse himself and Vic so they can talk about expanding the operation.
The scene cuts to commercials.
When we return we watch a number of scenes pass before our eyes to the sound of Vic singing "It's Only a Paper Moon" (the following line from that song, "But it wouldn't be make believe if you believe in me", is the moral for this story).
Almost all of the scenes show us Vic and Nog getting along very well. In one of the final scenes that brings us to the present, Ezri enters the lounge unnoticed and sees that Nog isn't relying on his cane any longer.
A little later Rom and Leeta come visiting. Nog is very pleased with the way the lounge is going. As he points out, they are making lots of money. Rom reminds him it is holographic money and Nog agrees. He asks them about themselves and Leeta announces Rom was promoted to Maintenance Engineer First Class. Nog is very pleased and wants to throw them a celebration, but Leeta announces that Miles threw Rom a celebration the previous night. She explains it was an impromptu affair. Nog is obviously disappointed, but claims he probably couldn't have gotten away since business was so busy.
The conversation is interrupted by the entrance of a holographic couple whom Nog identifies as a "big player". Nog excuses himself so he can go "shmooze" with the holographic couple.
As Nog walks away from them:
Rom: "Oookay...see you later."
Leeta: "Bye."
Vic finds Ezri at the bar. Ezri compliments Vic on the work he's done with Nog. She claims she hasn't seen Nog use his cane for days and Vic claims Nog ran up a flight of stairs.
Ezri asks Vic about his plans for Nog, and Vic explains that he'd planned on taking Nog to Lake Tahoe to meet "Sammy" (Davis Jr.?) since the casino doesn't break ground for a week.
Ezri assumes Vic has it in mind to get Sammy to tell Nog he has to return to reality, and then stops Vic from discussing it further, preferring to leave him with his secrets about dealing with Nog. She looks over at Rom and Leeta (who look very isolated and worried) and claims they'll be glad to get Nog back.
This whole exchange seems to bring Vic back to reality. Ezri's assumptions do not seem to be in agreement with Vic's intentions, but Vic manages to agree with Ezri's statements nonetheless. The impression given is that Vic likes having Nog around and doesn't look forward to being just a hologram anymore. There is no sinister intent inherent in this, just a conflict of interests.
The abandoned father and step-mother are juxtaposed with Nog shmoozing a holographic customer, and the idea is driven home that Nog has exchanged one problem for another.
Up in Vic's suite, Nog is on the balcony working on the architectural plans for the new casino. Vic asks him if Rom and Leeta were in the crowd and Nog absent-mindedly claims they stayed for awhile, and then returns to the plans.
Nog proposes a change to the plans and Vic tells him he'll think it over. Nog claims that they are meeting the architect in the morning and Vic changes their schedule. He tells Nog it's time for Nog to go.
Nog obviously protests. He tries to appeal to Vic's enjoyment of 'living' every day. Vic admits he enjoys 'living'. He enjoys going to bed and going to work. But he points out Nog has a life, that everything Vic experiences, including himself, is illusion.
Nog admits there is a world waiting for him, but that he doesn't want to return to it. He enjoys his life in the hologram.
Vic, realizing he could argue endlessly with a Ferengi, ends the program. Nog is left in the holo-suite as we hear the sound of his original cane hitting the floor.
The scene cuts to commercials.
When we return, Nog is kneeling in the holo-suite trying to get the program to run. He's joined by Miles who noticed a problem while running a diagnostic in Ops.
Miles explains to Nog that the Vic Fontaine program is different from most holo-programs. Vic has the power to turn himself off and keep himself off. Nog asks Miles if Vic has free-will and Miles says: "I'm an engineer, not a philosopher". All Miles knows is that if Vic has turned off the program nothing Nog can do will force it to run.
Miles asks if there is anything else he can do, and when Nog declines Miles tells him he's missed in Ops and leaves Nog alone.
Vic decides this is the time to make a reappearance and asks Nog to leave the holo-suite alone. Nog agrees if Vic will turn the program back on.
Vic cuts to the chase and asks Nog why he won't go back to the real world and Nog breaks down, crying, and confesses he's scared.
Nog explains he'd entered the war eager, hoping to prove he had what it took to be a soldier. He'd seen so much combat and so many people hurt and dying, and he got the idea nothing would happen to him.
But then he was wounded and Julian told him he'd have to lose the leg and he couldn't believe it. He still can't. He realized if he could get hurt and lose a leg then anything could happen to him in the real world. It all seemed so capricious and he wasn't ready to face his own mortality.
Within the program he knew what would happen and felt safe.
Vic points out that staying in the program takes a bit of his life a piece at a time, until he is as hollow as Vic. Nog points out Vic doesn't seem hollow and Vic claims it's true.
He tells Nog that he's just got to play the cards life deals him. Sometimes he wins and sometimes he loses. But at least he's in the game.
This sinks in and Nog straightens himself up and walks out of the holo-suite. Vic remains and picks up Nog's forgotten cane. With a smile Vic says "Crazy".
Down in Quark's bar Leeta, Rom and Quark are discussing Nog's progress. Leeta suggests Nog is doing well and that Quark should see him. Quark notices Nog descending the stairs and Leeta asks Nog if he's OK. Nog says no, but that he will be. The four of them embrace each other.
The scene cuts to the holo-suite where Nog in uniform enters and calls for "Bashir Program 62".
Vic is pleased to see him and Nog reports he's on limited duty (a few hours a day), but that he's doing well, feeling "older". He's come to thank Vic for his help. Vic thanks Nog for showing him what a life could be like. Nog announces he's made arrangements with Quark to have Vic's program run 26 hours a day so Vic will always have a life. Vic is speechless but Nog gets him to reserve a front row centre seat for Nog.
Nog leaves the lounge, telling Vic that he's taking Jake and Kesha out for dinner. Vic is left pleased and singing, and as time passes we find him singing to his holo-audience.
The episode ends.
Personal Reflections:
This is a good wrap-up story for the Siege-Nog story arc. It would have been easy to bring Nog back, as good as new, cloned leg or some such. But instead we are faced with the grim reality war can have for some of the survivors.
It's one thing to go to war convinced in one's personal magical invulnerability, just as we face life with much the same attitude (it always happens to someone else, right?) But the horror of war brought home for Nog that not only is war a dangerous business but life is a risky proposition. In seeking guarantees to his existence he involved himself in a fantasy world where the safeties were on.
While this was a good intermediate step it couldn't take him all the way and finally the crutch was taken from him. He was reborn into the real world where he had comforting friends and family but no assurances about the future. In the end he was strong enough to face that reality.
Vic's fate was also engaging. Yet another computer program on the verge of sentience (the previous two being Moriarty and Voyager's Emergency Medical Hologram). Vic's program obviously comes with fail safes that remind him he's an illusion and Ezri's discussion with him about what to do with Nog once he'd been weaned from his cane obviously jolted him into action.
I think Aron Eisenberg deserves full credits for use of his voice. This huskier and quieter Nog is certainly a more mature appearance for Nog and makes it much easier to imagine him sitting in the Captain's chair (Kesha claimed Jake assured her Nog would make Captain someday). Granted that Nog was near the breaking point over this situation but he did pull through and seems wiser for it. I'd like to see Nog paired up with Worf more often in Tactical. I think an interesting friendship between these warriors would be appropriate.
There were a few small down sides to this episode which I'll discuss in the nits section. But there was one issue that should be mentioned here. Nog has certainly out-matured Jake. This episode certainly separated the man from the boy (or if you prefer the soldier from the civilian). There is a gap between these two which Jake needs to fill with his own maturity.
Thank you for your attention.
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