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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
S2.E8
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IMDbPro

Necessary Evil

  • Episode aired Nov 14, 1993
  • TV-PG
  • 46m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Marc Alaimo in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
ActionAdventureDrama

Odo relives some terrible and tragic memories of a past investigation when he was the constable on Cardassian-occupied Deep Space Nine, then named Terok Nor.Odo relives some terrible and tragic memories of a past investigation when he was the constable on Cardassian-occupied Deep Space Nine, then named Terok Nor.Odo relives some terrible and tragic memories of a past investigation when he was the constable on Cardassian-occupied Deep Space Nine, then named Terok Nor.

  • Director
    • James L. Conway
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Rick Berman
    • Michael Piller
  • Stars
    • Avery Brooks
    • Rene Auberjonois
    • Alexander Siddig
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James L. Conway
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Rick Berman
      • Michael Piller
    • Stars
      • Avery Brooks
      • Rene Auberjonois
      • Alexander Siddig
    • 12User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos6

    Armin Shimerman in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Armin Shimerman in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Nana Visitor, Avery Brooks, Armin Shimerman, Rene Auberjonois, and Alexander Siddig in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Nana Visitor in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
    Rene Auberjonois and Max Grodénchik in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Avery Brooks
    Avery Brooks
    • Commander Benjamin 'Ben' Sisko
    Rene Auberjonois
    Rene Auberjonois
    • Constable Odo
    Alexander Siddig
    Alexander Siddig
    • Doctor Julian Bashir
    • (as Siddig El Fadil)
    Terry Farrell
    Terry Farrell
    • Lt. Jadzia Dax
    Cirroc Lofton
    Cirroc Lofton
    • Jake Sisko
    • (credit only)
    Colm Meaney
    Colm Meaney
    • Chief Miles O'Brien
    • (credit only)
    Armin Shimerman
    Armin Shimerman
    • Quark
    Nana Visitor
    Nana Visitor
    • Major Kira Nerys
    Katherine Moffat
    Katherine Moffat
    • Vaatrik Pallra
    Max Grodénchik
    Max Grodénchik
    • Rom
    Marc Alaimo
    Marc Alaimo
    • Gul Dukat
    Robert MacKenzie
    • Trazko
    Kevin Brophy
    Kevin Brophy
    • Bajoran Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Ford
    • Star Fleet Crew Member
    • (uncredited)
    Mark Allen Shepherd
    Mark Allen Shepherd
    • Morn
    • (uncredited)
    Michael Zurich
    • Bajoran security deputy
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • James L. Conway
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Rick Berman
      • Michael Piller(showrunner)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This is the first episode where it shows Rom may be a lot smarter than most people think, and that he is in fact possessed of a great deal of mechanical/technical knowledge and expertise.
    • Goofs
      Two episodes earlier in Melora (1993), Julian says that Anti-Gravs don't work with the Cardassian construction, yet here, he calls for and then transports Quark on one.
    • Quotes

      Odo: Commence station security log, stardate 47282.5 - At the request of Commander Sisko, I will hereafter be recording a daily log of law enforcement affairs. The reason for this exercise is beyond my comprehension, except perhaps that Humans have a compulsion to keep records and lists and files. So many in fact, that they have to invent new ways to store them microscopically. Otherwise their records would overrun all known civilization. My own very adequate memory not being good enough for Starfleet, I am pleased to put my voice to this official record of this day. Everything's under control. End log.

    • Connections
      Featured in What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Title
      (uncredited)

      Written by Dennis McCarthy

      Performed by Dennis McCarthy

    User reviews12

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    The Ferengi holds on to life like it's gold pressed latinum.
    Quark is recruited to retrieve a list of names from a strongbox on DS9.

    'Necessary Evil' is a strong episode on a number of levels.

    The central mystery is pretty compelling and is another instance of DS9 depicting the darker and more complex side of characters and events. It unfolds in a mostly entertaining way throughout, however the final reveal is portrayed in a fairly standard confession dialogue.

    Great moments for Odo, Kira and Gul Dukat are another positive. These are some of the most interesting characters on DS9, played by the most charismatic performers. Seeing them on DS9 under Cardassian rule adds another level of intrigue.

    Visually it is one of the best episodes of the Star Trek franchise. The cinematography, colours, and lighting give so many scenes a superb atmosphere and work so well for the film noir tribute. Also the editing works seamlessly for the time jumps.

    Rene Auberjonois leads it fantastically well with great support from the likes of Nana Visitor, Marc Alaimo, and Armin Shimerman.

    For me it's an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.
    helpful•4
    0
    • snoozejonc
    • Feb 8, 2022

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • November 14, 1993 (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(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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

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