A Man Alone

A Bajoran is killed on DS9 and it causes civil unrest.

This is an enjoyable episode, but for me does not work as a murder mystery (if it was intended that way), and the baddie is very one-note. However, I did quite like the sci-fi concept used in the explanation even though it's not a particularly cinematic reveal. What it does well is establish characters further and set up the dynamics for what is to come on the show.

Odo mostly takes centre stage and he is portrayed as strong minded and firm principled character. To me he is like a cross between Bones and Spock, as he has the outsider's perspective on humanity, but also a passionate and somewhat grouchy persona. His ideas about justice is presented strongly and the concept of him serving the same role during both Cardassian and Federation control of DS9 makes the character more compelling.

His love-hate dynamic with Quark is nicely set up by Quark's contribution to the story and a good exchange of dialogue between them. Also the connection he has with Kira is subtly introduced by her attitude towards him here.

Other side-plots and moments are reasonably good but offer little except small amounts of character establishment. I like the idea of both Keiko and DS9 needing the school, but the behavioural issues of Jake and Nog feels forced. Dr Bashir's sex-pest pursuit of Dax is fairly tiresome already.

Rene Auberjonois is excellent in all his scenes and leads this episode well. Nana Visitor has some good moments along with Avery Brooks.