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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
S4.E18
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  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Hard Time

  • Episode aired Apr 15, 1996
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
2K
YOUR RATING
Colm Meaney and Craig Wasson in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Drama
O'Brien tries to re-integrate to life on the station after serving 20 years in a virtual prison.O'Brien tries to re-integrate to life on the station after serving 20 years in a virtual prison.O'Brien tries to re-integrate to life on the station after serving 20 years in a virtual prison.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alexander Singer
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry(based upon "Star Trek" created by)
    • Rick Berman
    • Michael Piller
  • Stars
    • Avery Brooks
    • Rene Auberjonois
    • Michael Dorn
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alexander Singer
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry(based upon "Star Trek" created by)
    • Rick Berman
    • Michael Piller
  • Stars
    • Avery Brooks
    • Rene Auberjonois
    • Michael Dorn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos19

    Colm Meaney and Hana Hatae in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Craig Wasson in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney and Alexander Siddig in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney, Rosalind Chao, and Hana Hatae in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney and Avery Brooks in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney and F.J. Rio in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney and Rosalind Chao in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney and Craig Wasson in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney and Alexander Siddig in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Colm Meaney and Nana Visitor in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Avery Brooks
    Avery Brooks
    • Capt. Benjamin Siskoas Capt. Benjamin Sisko
    Rene Auberjonois
    Rene Auberjonois
    • Odoas Odo
    Michael Dorn
    Michael Dorn
    • Lt. Cmdr. Worfas Lt. Cmdr. Worf
    Terry Farrell
    Terry Farrell
    • Lt. Cmdr. Jadzia Daxas Lt. Cmdr. Jadzia Dax
    Cirroc Lofton
    Cirroc Lofton
    • Jake Siskoas Jake Sisko
    Colm Meaney
    Colm Meaney
    • Chief Miles O'Brienas Chief Miles O'Brien
    Armin Shimerman
    Armin Shimerman
    • Quarkas Quark
    Alexander Siddig
    Alexander Siddig
    • Doctor Bashiras Doctor Bashir
    Nana Visitor
    Nana Visitor
    • Major Kiraas Major Kira
    Rosalind Chao
    Rosalind Chao
    • Keiko O'Brienas Keiko O'Brien
    Margot Rose
    Margot Rose
    • Rinnas Rinn
    Hana Hatae
    Hana Hatae
    • Molly O'Brienas Molly O'Brien
    F.J. Rio
    • Muñizas Muñiz
    Craig Wasson
    Craig Wasson
    • Ee'charas Ee'char
    Patrick Barnitt
    Patrick Barnitt
    • Argrathi Guardas Argrathi Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Tory Christopher
    Tory Christopher
    • Argrathias Argrathi
    • (uncredited)
    Judi M. Durand
    • Cardassian Computeras Cardassian Computer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Dorothy Hack
    • Bajoran Womanas Bajoran Woman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Alexander Singer
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry(based upon "Star Trek" created by)
      • Rick Berman
      • Michael Piller
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Bashir makes reference to TNG: "The Wounded", as well as DS9: "Whispers" and "Tribunal". Obviously, this is another 'O'Brien Must Suffer' episode. Ira Steven Behr sums up the rationale for these episodes: "Every year, we like to drive O'Brien totally mad."
    • Goofs
      Dr. Bashir says it's impossible to erase only select incidents from O'Brien's memory without erasing his entire memory. There are previous Star Trek episodes where a person's recent memories or selective memories were erased with a device by a doctor, such as done for Tom Paris in VOY: "Ex Post Facto", and done by Dr. Crusher on TNG more than once. Also a Vulcan could have been brought in to erase that portion of O'Brien's memory with a mind-meld technique, as that had been done by Vulcans in the past, such as Spock did for Captain Kirk in TOS: "The Paradise Syndrome", intoning "Forget".
    • Quotes

      Chief Miles Edward O'Brien: When we were growing up, they used to tell us, humanity had evolved. That mankind had outgrown hate and rage. But when it came down to it, when I had the chance to show that no matter what anyone did to me, I was still an evolved human being... I failed. I repaid kindness with blood. I was no better than an animal.

    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Title
      (uncredited)

      Written by Dennis McCarthy

      Performed by Dennis McCarthy

    User reviews15

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Amazing episode. Colm Meaney shines!
    Talk about a horrible experience to put someone through... Chief Miles falls afoul of "the Agrathans" and they inflict their sick version of justice: virtual prison! He goes through 20 years of hell from his perspective, living every second of it, only to be "woken up" only a few hours in the real world. He's then expected to go back to normal life, with understandable difficulty.

    Colm Meaney... That's all. He carries this episode, and it was really moving. Especially near the end, I actually teared up, he's so believable it's unbelievable. Under rated Irish actor, deserves more credit for his acting in ST.
    helpful•2
    0
    • beanslegit
    • Apr 12, 2022

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 15, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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