Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) Rocks and Shoals (1997) User Reviews

Trapped with the Jem'Hadar

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 27 July 2010]

After taking damage in the previous episode the crew rush to repair their Jem'Hadar ship but before they can do so they come under attack. With no way to fight back they head for a nearby nebula where they intend to hide. Here they find themselves crashing on to an uncharted planet with unbeknownst to them is also the temporary home of a Vorta and a group of Jem'Hadar who are in a similar predicament. While out scanning for water Nog and Garak find themselves surrounded by a group of Jem'Hadar. They are taken back to the Vorta who we learn is wounded, when he learns that there is a doctor in the Federation party he orders the Jen'Hadar to make contact and persuade Sisko and Bashir to return and talk to him. Once cured he tells Sisko that the Jem'Hadar will attack in the morning; he does this hoping that his Jem'Hadar will be wiped out as he will lose control of them when the Ketracel white runs out. Back on DS9 Kira has doubts over working alongside the Dominion after a Vedek hangs herself over the promenade.

This was another great episode, with exciting shoot-outs and an interesting moral dilemma for Major Kira. It also demonstrated once again just how self-serving the Vorta are while the Jem'Hadar showed a level of honour one might not expect. The regular cast all put in fine performances as do those who are only appearing in minor or one off roles.

A tight setting for a tight, well done episode. Worth watching.

[David_Powell3006-1 · 9/10 · 13 December 2008]

I had to write a review for this, because it is one of my favorite episodes of a very, very well put together TV series. So, here we go.

This one starts off with Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks,) his Chief of Operations Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) and their small group crash landed on a small planetoid, where they run into another similarly cut-off group made up of enemy troops. This one reminded me a bit of some of the classics like "The Outer Limits" where a very complex plot that said a lot got into an hour long show (including commercials) which stood very well on it's own. Or, some of the Original Star Trek's episodes.

In a TV series, there is often the question of "story arc" vs. "stand alone" episodes. Ones where characters develop along a progressive track vs. ones a person who hasn't seen an episode can instantly get. Deep Space Nine had some significant arcs, but this is a show that works well in both ways I mentioned.

In the show Sisko comes to get to know something about a couple of the enemy troops, I won't go further, and it is a very tight and well written plot about wars, commanders, loyalty and the collision of respect for a foe and duty to one's men. Also, instead of action across solar systems or galaxies, the action is now restricted to walking distance of a small area of a small out of the way planet. Everything is tight for our characters here, including time.

For the fans of the show watching, all the actors on board give good performances. It is also kind of chilling to see Nog, once a boy on the station and now a soldier, partner up with Mr. Garak, sent by Sisko to observe him, stay close to him, and learn. This isn't about our friend Nog going to see how Garak stitches a shirt either, and it says something about the best of our young people and sending them to learn certain things when their lives and ours are on the line. It is something that works in the story as a stand alone, sending a younger character out with someone known to be skilled, but for those who have followed the show and know both characters it is increased in the impact. Also, Colm Meaney does very well, from his work with a couple guest actors on his crew to his work with the regulars. His part where he is arguing to err on the side of humanity if one must err at a certain point is fascinating.

Also aboard and adding to the anthology feel are a couple of guest actors who really inhabit their well-written characters. DS9 had a lot of that, and Phil Morris as Remata'Klan and Christopher Shea as Keevan (OK, forget the funny names and makeup, just watch it for acting and character and you won't be disappointed) are no exception.

I won't spoil it further, but this is a very well done show that takes the concept I explained of the two small groups and which really makes you think. For a show which might have been considered part of an arc it really stands on it's own.

There is one difference between this show and the classic episodes of "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits." No narration. However, Avery Brooks' tone of voice at the end delivers all the summary that is needed.

Worth watching, there isn't a bad performance in it and the writing is great. It also points to a lot of things about duty, command, and the burdens of both.

Moral Issues and War

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 2 November 2018]

While Kira works with the Cardassian/Dominion group on board the station, she begins to feel restlessness and helplessness. Of course, she and her people are once again at the mercy of evil. The Vorta runs things and makes promises that are utterly worthless. Then one day an event occurs that makes her realize that she has betrayed her people. The main plot, however, involve our usual band of crew members who have the Jem'Hadar ship they seized in a previous episode. They come under attack by their own Federation and crash on a planet in a desert area. So do some Jem'Hadar and their Vorta. Because of injuries, the sickening Vorta makes a kind of deal. Since the Jem'Hadar are genetically developed to do harm, they can sometimes be seen as victims themselves. This has an interesting conclusion that causes one to think deeply.

Deserves credit for not glorifying the conflict

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 21 March 2023]

Sisko's crew land in enemy territory, whilst Kira struggles to serve DS9 under Dominion control.

This is a powerful episode with strong character moments.

I'm not sure if Gene Roddenberry would have approved of the Federation being involved in a war, but I think he would have liked how Sisko handles a certain combat situation and the regretful tone of this rather somber story. It addresses conflict without glorifying it and all the central characters contribute well. Others that stand out are Remata'Klan and Vedek Yassim, who both have memorable arcs.

There is not too much about the plot I can reveal without spoiling, other than at this point in the development of the Trek universe the writers enter some of its darkest territory and do it well. I particularly like the focus on the victims of the war being those who fight and die on behalf of ruling classes who pull the strings in relative comfort.

Avery Brooks leads it well and Nana Visitor is on good form.

The filmmakers make good use of location shooting to portray a baron desolate planet landscape.

An Excellent Episode on the Morality of War

[choprph · 9/10 · 27 March 2019]

This episode examines some of the morally grey issues that philosophers and generals have debated for centuries. While Star Trek, as a series, can tend towards being preachy, "Rocks and Shoals" handles such issues with a light hand and does not take the lazy way out by writing that one way or another is right or wrong.

Definitely worth the high rating it has been given.

what happened to the stun setting?

[Zephyr707 · 8/10 · 25 May 2019]

Good episode, especially the opening and the development of Vorta and Jem'Hadar. Not quite sure how Ensign Gordon managed to die given superior position and easy targets.

Not sure if the reason is covered in a previous episode, but I wonder why phasers couldn't be set to a high stun setting and then sedating the disabled soldiers to carry out Sisko's plan.

Also was the crew really that small on the crashed ship that the federation captured? If a lot of folks drowned it seems unusual that there was little remorse if any, and if all hands survived why was a cadet on such a crucial mission and why such a skeleton crew?

Otherwise enjoyed this episode, the protest hanging was a good moment for Kira's progression.

One the most sophisticated shot sequences in 90s syndicated tv

[michaeljosephgentile · 10/10 · 29 January 2024]

If you've seen this episode, you KNOW which shot I'm talking about. Like something out of a Scorsese film, the slow mo zoom in on Kira's face, the rope dwindling over the edge, and then the shot of the ground when the two feet appear, all while Kira watches in horror. The story itself shows the monotony of "giving up" so to speak for Kira. Each day is the same, each elevator ride with her enemies is the same... not unlike the Buddhist monk who lit himself on fire in Saigon, it takes a SHOCKING turn of events to jar Kira out of her apathy and back into the fight.

Most people watch this episode and think the Kira/odo bits are the B plot, while sisko and his crew are the a plot, but I like to think of it the other way around,

Sitting ducks

[paratim · 9/10 · 28 January 2022]

Love this episode, reminds me of later episodes of Ultimate Force where they had very small production costs so everything was filmed in a quarry. As for the impending Jem'Hadar attack, all of them bunched up in a line and all within 10m, proceeding on low ground, in a quarry with high ground on all sides! They deserve to get massacred with that tactical thinking! Maybe my old army head is taking over ! :-)

That is the order of things.

[thevacinstaller · 8/10 · 8 August 2021]

This was a solid episode further cementing the fanatic loyalty of the Jem'Hadar to the Vorta and the Dominion. There's an interesting discussion to be had regarding the Jem'Hadar's being created and exploited by the 'God's' that created them. It's also interesting that the Founders have programmed the Jem'Hadar to suppress emotion, the need for food and pleasures ----- making them in their own image?!

Keevan is great as a deplorable SOB who exploits the loyalty of the Jem'Hadar to his own benefit by sacrificing them so O'Brien can fix the transponder. Third Remata'Klan also provides a great performance as a sharp leader who understands the betrayal of Keevan but is resigned to his destiny as a tool and willingly sacrifices his unit. In my fan fiction, I believe that he is committing suicide to put an end to a joyless existence.

I would suggest that if you have some fanatical views that you pump the brakes ----- before you end up performing a suicide attack and die for the glory of a group of aliens that have nothing but contempt for your very existence.

Excellent episode furthering plot line, but one point of interest

[txriverotter · 9/10 · 17 June 2022]

I enjoyed this episode, even tho I don't care for the episodes where the Dominion/Cardassians have retaken DS9 much. I just hate Gul Dukat's smug face.

At any rate this is an excellent episode all around, with the exception of Jake. Seeing Nog on a mission with the lead crew of the DS9, doing his job and acting professional, juxtaposed against Jake's arrogant ignorance in all of his attempts to fulfill his new job as journalist just furthers the decline of Jake's character.

It really shows how one has grown and matured, and the other has continued to act like a selfish child, who only thinks he knows it all. This is a continuation throughout the Second Occupation, from the episode where Jake acted like an arrogant dick when his father confronted him about his new job.

Jake didn't have the guts or maturity to speak with his father about what he wanted to do before he did it. He snuck around, listening to the goings on between DS9's leadership to get information, then when Sisko confronted him, he acted like an arrogant ass, treating what he'd done with such nonchalance that his "apology" was worthless.

You know a character is an ass when you find yourself cheering on the Vorta that's confronting him.

.

Poorly written

[ghatbkk · 4/10 · 20 September 2018]

"Rocks and Shoals" is Navy slang for the legal process at sea - which has absolutely nothing to do with this episode. This is a boring episode with little to recommend it.

Poor negotiating skills by Captain Sisko

[christineinthesun · 8/10 · 1 July 2019]

Enjoyed this episode but why does Sisko not tell them that the "white" is about ran out. Surely this might have made a difference.