Television Review: Rivals (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, S2x11, 1994)
Rivals (S02E11)
Airdate: 2 January 1994
Written by: Joe Menonsky
Directed by: David Livingstone
Running Time: 46 minutes
For all the reverence afforded to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the show that revitalised the franchise and ushered in what many fans consider its "Golden Age," it is crucial to remember that the series, much like its predecessor The Next Generation, spent its early seasons stumbling through a minefield of fluctuating quality. The ambition was undeniably there, and when DS9 hit its stride in seasons three and four, it produced some of the most thought-provoking science fiction in television history. However, looking back at the first two seasons reveals a catalogue of episodes that failed to live up to their potential, often settling for mediocrity rather than the groundbreaking storytelling the network and creators hoped to achieve. Among these misfires, the Season 2 episode Rivals stands out as a particularly disappointing entry—a script that had the components for a delightful, lighthearted adventure but ultimately fizzled into a tedious, forgettable experience.
The episode's premise sets the stage for what could have been a fun romp through the seedy underbelly of a space station. The plot kicks off with Martus Mazur (Chris Sarandon), a newly arrived member of the El-Aurian race—a species renowned throughout the fleet for their wisdom, patience, and uncanny ability to listen to others. He attempts to charm a woman named Alsia (K Allan) into a meteorite mining deal, a scene that should have established him as a sophisticated con artist. However, his schemes are rudimentary and quickly interrupted by Constable Odo, who arrests Martus for swindling an elderly couple on the planet Pythro V. It is here that the episode’s first major annoyance occurs: Martus is thrown into a holding cell where he encounters an alien named Cos (Albert Henderson). Cos dies shortly after, but not before whispering a secret about a "gambling device" that brings extreme luck to whoever possesses it. Martus manages to obtain the device, and instantly, the universe seems to bend to his will. Charges from Pythro V are mysteriously dropped, he is released from custody, and he immediately sets his sights on Bajoran widow Roana (Barbara Bosson), charming her into allowing him to transform her late husband's shop into a new gambling club designed to rival Quark’s bar.
Beyond the main plot, the episode attempts to weave in subplots that further degrade the narrative's tension. Quark is not only struggling to keep his own customers, but he is also losing his staff, including his brother Rom, who defects to join Martus. Simultaneously, a rivalry develops between Dr. Julian Bashir and Chief Miles O’Brien. Bashir, being a much younger and fitter man, has dominated O’Brien in their regular racquetball matches. O’Brien, who used to be a champion in his earlier days, demands a rematch. Quark sees this not as a sporting event, but as a marketing opportunity to bring in customers with a "spectacular rematch." However, as the match progresses, O'Brien begins to exhibit a streak of luck that is too convenient to be coincidence. Combined with a series of large-scale accidents occurring on the station, the pattern suggests a hidden variable. Jadzia Dax eventually steps in to identify the anomaly as a large number of neutrinos emanating from devices that Martus has replicated and installed at his gambling establishment. Sisko, acting on this intelligence, orders his men to destroy the devices. With his source of luck removed, Martus’s fortunes reverse. He ends up back in holding cell, reduced to a pathetic figure, ironically regarding Alsia as the con artist rather than himself.
From a screenwriting perspective, Rivals was clearly envisioned as light comedic fluff—a perfect "filler" episode to occupy a slot in a series that was still struggling to find its proper narrative bearing. The idea of a mysterious device causing individuals to become incredibly lucky or unlucky is a classic science fiction trope ripe for exploration. It could have resulted in a wealth of humour, particularly if the writers had allowed for physical comedy or slapstick variety. Imagine the chaos of a man who cannot lose at cards, or the disaster of a low-stakes accident that turns catastrophic. But this potential was entirely squandered. The episode never commits to the absurdity of the premise; instead, it treats the luck as a mundane plot device. While there were some bright moments, particularly involving the interactions between the station personnel, the dialogue felt wooden and the narrative twists were remarkably lame, relying on the most basic of misunderstandings.
The primary failure of Rivals is undoubtedly the poor writing of its main antagonist. Martus was envisioned as a semi-buffoonish charming rogue, a worthy successor to Harry Mudd from The Original Series. Instead, he was played by Chris Sarandon with a level of disinterest that was almost insulting. Sarandon seemed checked out of the role, delivering lines with a monotone detachment that made the character feel like a cardboard cutout. Furthermore, the concept of Martus being El-Aurian—the same race as Guinan—held immense potential. The El-Aurians are survivors of the Borg assimilation, a race known for being wise and empathetic. Equating such a fascinating alien heritage to a bunch of third-grade con artists was a wasted opportunity. It felt like a cheap way to attach a "cool" label to a character who otherwise lacked depth or charisma.
Finally, while the rivalry between Bashir and O'Brien shows some potential, this specific story arc was developed much better in later episodes. For fans of these characters, or at least for those who enjoy their specific dynamic, the episode offers a small amount of fan service in the form of Colm Meaney. There is a brief moment where Chief O’Brien is shirtless, a visual treat for those interested in the actor's physique, but it is too little, too late to salvage the episode's standing.
Ultimately, Rivals is a bland, uninspired episode that serves as a reminder of the growing pains experienced by Deep Space Nine during its infancy. It had the pieces to be a fun, campy romp but failed to put them together in any engaging way, leaving the viewer with nothing but a sense of disappointment and a lingering interest in what might have been had the writers taken a few more risks.
RATING: 4/10 (++)
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