Star Trek Retro Review: 'In the Cards' (DS9) | Bottle Episodes

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#startrek #review #startrekdeepspacenine #startrekds9

[jasonbrock]

Don't let the Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy catch wind of this review.

[murkeyhollow]

Love the exchange between Jake and Nog when Jake explains the human philosophy and in a superior tone says "It means we don't need money." and Nog replies "Good then you don't need my money."

[cloudfrost]

One of the funniest lines from DS9 is in this episode: "Really? I have a background in, shall we say, creative genetics."

[Kleion_RFB]

I feel like one of the high points here is also that we get to see Kai Winn having a genuine conversation with Sisko and legitimately working together to decide what's best for Bajor. Overall, she's an antagonist on the series, but she's given a chance to act as a reasonable authority figure as well, which sets her apart from being just another power-hungry villain.

[elim_inator]

I love that this episode flips the usual A- and B-plot structure and makes the lighthearted plotline the one we spend most time with. Like, there are these super serious talks going on in the background, but whatever, look at these boys and their baseball card!

[kaitlyn__L]

“But what does that _mean, _ exactly?”

“It means, it means… (empty gestures) it MEANS; we don’t need money.”

Is probably my favourite exchange about Trekonomics. The average joe doesn’t really know how modern central bank policies are arrived at, so the average future joe doesn’t have to know how their economics really work either. All he has to know is what it means for HIM. (And the vague party line, I guess.) For Jake it means he can be a writer without worrying about money, and that’s all that really matters.

It’s one of those brutally honest moments, whereas Picard always had a lecture to leap into. DS9 has tons of moments like this, but it’s always made the universe feel the most “lived-in”, for my money.

And yes, the spiel about cellular entertainment and the way Jake and Nog try to act cool about it is always very funny. I also enjoy how this is yet another trading adventure of the NoJay Consortium, even though it’s not namedropped.

[captainjellicoee]

The Great Material Continuum save the day again

[WaitTryFail]

i bet Wayoun wished he'd put a spying device on that card

[kevinkarmann]

Maybe I'm just a soulless minion of orthodoxy, but I've always felt this is the best comedy Trek has ever done. The ever increasing antics that Jake and Nog must engage in, the wacky mad scientist and even the heartfelt end where we see it had an impact not just on Ben, but everyone. This episode had it all. Lions, Geigers and bears, oh my!

[umjackd]

"I'm not crazy. I'm just a little obsessed." is a great line from Jake. I love how he's very self-aware but does it anyway.

[chrisblake]

In the Cards is a perfect deep breath episode. It makes the impending war feel very real for us the audience because it's real for these people. This is the tippy top of the roller coaster before the big drop. Next is 'Call to Arms' the S5 finale and the episode that kicks off the final acts of the series.
Another great moment- Kai Winn is on the station fully willing to make a deal with the devil, but it is Sisko finally understanding and believing in his mission as Emissary that pulls her back. It's a simple scene, played relatively lightly, considering the weight of deeper meanings it carries. Winn is desperate to be seen as the protector of Bajor, but it is this man who she dislikes and distrusts who she feels compelled to listen to as he pulls her back from another major mistake in her career littered with them.

[jan-rsim]

one of my earliest memories is about Willie Mays, making a great catch and leading the team to victory - so anything that makes reference to him makes me smile - just like Sisko - i love this episode on all levels - Weyoun is always entertaining and i love the family relationship between Jake and his dad - and the friendship with Nog - all good - thank you Steve

[ProgressiveRoxx]

The thing I love most about this episode is that even though they are trying to do something nice for only 1 person, Jake and Nog are able to make several people feel better in different ways. It reminds me of the concept of Karma, where the simple intention to do good has a positive effect to multiple people in ways that could not have been predicted.

[johnpotts]

I love the moment when Jake & Nog spin their "It's all some convoluted time travelling plot!" and Weyoun goes "I believe you!" A wonderful subversion on how usually the convoluted bullshit is really the truth and nobody believes it, whereas here it is complete bullshit and is (apparently) believed. All round fun episode.

[WalrusD]

I crack up every time the episode cuts from Jake and Nog confronting Winn to a flabbergasted Sisko asking, “You accused the Kai of burglary and kidnapping, ” his voice breaking into a perfect falsetto on that last word. Comedy gold!

[sfkeepay]

Yup. Loved this episode from the day it first aired. Along with everything you mention, it also gave Lofton an opportunity to stretch into a bit of new territory, and carry an episode as its’ fulcrum and tone setter. Also really enjoyed the “buddy movie/bromance chemistry between Lofton and Eisenberg, and the Winn/Sisko conversation perhaps even a bit more than you seem to have. Great inhale before the plunge,

[WFierce]

Man, Sisko hates Weyoun so much he's willing to sacrifice Andor just because some centuries-dead Andorian happens to look like him.

[sirBnes]

This is the second time a DS9 episode featured a "trading game" plotline (the first time being the B plot of the episode "Progress" from season 1, and the third and final time being the B plot of "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River" from season 7). I love all of them, but this is the only time that it's the main focus of the episode and it's the perfect story to tell at the perfect time in the arc of the show. Definitely one of my favorites!

[tbgold]

Jake wanting to do something nice for his dad and Nog being dragged along like the best friends on the station he is. Just like every time they are together.

[PurpleRobe]

I've said this about a lot of DS9 episodes, and one of the reasons it's still my favorite Trek; they had the ability to take an absolutely silly premise and turn it into a great episode of television.