Watching this episode is like visiting your old high school for the millionth time- there are some new faces and a few changes here and there, but, in the end, it's just not terribly exciting or dramatic because you've "been there-done that".
"Battle Lines" is a very sincere first season effort that takes great pains to "dot its I's and cross its T's- a good solid script & directing, consistent action sequences, and strong performances from both regulars and guest stars certainly elevate this installment above the rating of average.
Unfortunately, it never rises much above that, due to the fact that the basic premise of this episode- two cultures locked in a futile, generations old conflict- with a newly arrived Starfleet Captain attempting to miraculously mediate a lasting peace- has been done, re-done, and done to death in the Star Trek Universe. We've seen it all before, this basic story, in TOS, ST:NG, Star Trek:Enterprise, etc.
In all fairness, although the writers are clearly to blame for being repetitious, it's really hard to blame them too harshly. Star Trek has been in almost constant production since the 1960's; after hundreds of hours and story lines, it's inevitable that occasionally they are going to stumble and start repeating themselves. That's exactly what happens here.
A particularly intense performance by Nana Visitor (Major Kira) and excellent character portrayals by Camille Saviola (Kai Opaka) and Paul Collins (Zlangco) help to liven things up a bit, along with a spaceship crash & some excellent hand phaser shoot-outs.
Worth a look, but not a re-look.
"Battle Lines" is a very sincere first season effort that takes great pains to "dot its I's and cross its T's- a good solid script & directing, consistent action sequences, and strong performances from both regulars and guest stars certainly elevate this installment above the rating of average.
Unfortunately, it never rises much above that, due to the fact that the basic premise of this episode- two cultures locked in a futile, generations old conflict- with a newly arrived Starfleet Captain attempting to miraculously mediate a lasting peace- has been done, re-done, and done to death in the Star Trek Universe. We've seen it all before, this basic story, in TOS, ST:NG, Star Trek:Enterprise, etc.
In all fairness, although the writers are clearly to blame for being repetitious, it's really hard to blame them too harshly. Star Trek has been in almost constant production since the 1960's; after hundreds of hours and story lines, it's inevitable that occasionally they are going to stumble and start repeating themselves. That's exactly what happens here.
A particularly intense performance by Nana Visitor (Major Kira) and excellent character portrayals by Camille Saviola (Kai Opaka) and Paul Collins (Zlangco) help to liven things up a bit, along with a spaceship crash & some excellent hand phaser shoot-outs.
Worth a look, but not a re-look.