I’m rewatching it now, it’s so well written that it almost stands out from the rest of the episode. It comes off like something from David Mamet or The West Wing. It’s not Far Beyond The Stars or In The Pale Moonlight, the stakes of the episode are too low. But the material it gave all the actors to work with, the incredibly realistic way it weaves together different conversations going on between a large group, that the (really really good) acting abilities of the cast just get pushed over the top. It’s all in one room, no effects, no cost except for the appearance of Bareil, but it’s riveting, you can’t stop paying attention. It’s kind of a master class in writing. And it’s buried after the opening credits in the second episode of season 2.
Then Frank freaking Langella pops up, parts way through the same unbelievable episode, to chew the scenery like a boss. And, in an absolute power move, he drops that shit and goes completely uncredited and unpaid for doing it. He says he did it for his kids, I think he did it because he’s just that talented, and humility can be a boss move when you’re that good.
I had to go look it up so thanks for reminding me about that scene! I only recently got into star trek and the thing that surprised me the most about it was stuff like this. I had this idea that it was always high-concept sci-fi, but scenes like this are really what makes it special. With ds9 especially every character is so fleshed out and interesting, and it really makes me want to just watch them be together.
Could you be more specific? Episode name? Scene or episode synopsis? I watched it very recently but I need a little more to go on.
DS9 S02E02, The Circle. I believe the scene OP is talking about is in Kira’s quarters starting around six minutes in, just after the opening credits. Odo, Dax, Bashir, O’Brien, Quark, and finally Vedek Bareil all come in for an increasingly chaotic conversation. Odo is pissed, Dax is the supportive friend, Bashir is a himbo (as always), O’Brien is the concerned colleague, Quark is trying to slide into her DMs, and Bareil comes in to be the one good Vedek on Bajor and calm things down.
That’s the one!
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How dare you compare the perfection that is DS9 to Sorkin’s drivel
Not unfair. I guess I do dare. Fortune favors the bold. ;)