Star Trek Retro Review: 'The Visitor' | Steve's Favorite Episodes

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#startrek #startrekdeepspacenine #startrekds9 #review

[RichCsigs]

I got to talk to Mr. Todd about this episode at a convention. He thinks it's some of his best acting because his mother had just passed unexpectedly the week before he got this script. He says he just channeled all the pain he was feeling into that performance.

[RobertoChiaveri]

Also this is proof you don’t need an evil antagonist to have a great story.

[aaronwilson]

I saw this episode when it aired. As a son then, and a father now....Jake my sweet boy....this is a reward twice over.

[DrLilo]

This and TNG's "Inner Light" are the only two episodes I regularly skip not because they're bad, but because they're too good. I need to be 'ready' to watch those ones, not just have them in my comfort food playlist with the other eps.

[langleymneely]

The Visitor is single handedly one of the best most profound pieces of art I have experienced in my life. The episode originally aired months after I lost my estranged, formerly homeless, father to cancer. I was 17, the exact same age as Jake and my dream job was to become a writer. Even with out it resembling my own life and struggles watching The Visitor was and still is the most cathartic experience I’ve ever had. It’s a masterpiece of storytelling AND just happens to be an episode of my favorite Star Trek series of all time! ❤🖖🏾🥺

[benjaminscott]

The father/son portrayal between Sisko and Jake is so believable because of the physical interaction.
How many other shows have the parent and child physically interact as often?
Anytime Avery has a scene with Cirroc, you can see a genuine chemistry between characters/actors.
Their relationship is one of the best things of DS9, a show that focuses on relationships and character development.

It's easier to ask what my least favorite episodes of DS9 are.
Having to narrow down my favorites is a task that would take too much effort and today is my lazy day.

[st.anselmsfire]

When I first saw this episode as a teenager, it hit me really hard. I saw it a couple more times as an adult, and again as a father, and it really hit me even harder. Then I watched it again after I got back from Afghanistan, and I thought about what could've been if I'd died over there, leaving my kids without me. The Visitor really cuts deep. Just beautiful all around.

[SentinelBayReviews]

When a review of an episode is enough to be tear jerker, the episode did everything right. A beautiful work of art.

[tkent]

Your explanation of "The Visitor" brought to my attention the ending of "What we leave behind" where Jake is again left with a father who has gone off into some unknown future and "maybe or maybe not" ever coming back both offer the viewer the sadness Jake feels so profoundly. It is the excellence of the writers who can bring us back to this precious feeling and so hook us permanently to Deep Space Nine.

Unlike in "the Visitor" it is the end of the series and there will be no coming back this time at least within this context. Since then, many years later, we have heard rumors of Sisko finally coming back to the screen in a non-Deep Space Nine venue. I sincerely hope they can find writers with a similar skill for whatever venue he does come back.

[chrisphammond]

Hands down one of the best episodes of Star Trek, of anything. From the amazing guest performances to the heartbreaking glimpses into Jake’s life. I watch this episode in tears every time asking myself if I am a good dad, if I am a good son. Beautiful episode that single handedly demonstrates why DS9 is the best of all Star Treks. I adore this story, and I am heartbroken that only a few years later Jake lost his dad again in the series finale.

[Oonagh]

I have been waiting for your Tony Todd tribute. I have been thinking you were taking your time, trying to get it right. Rewatching this I realize, you already did it.

[thescifiZipacna]

The Ascent. That’s my favourite episode of DS9. Quark and Odo stuck together, bickering & sniping their way up a mountain? Yes please. And I adore the final scene. “Odo, what I said down there, I just want you to know - I meant every word of it” “So did I”

Honourable mention to “In Purgatory’s Shadow/By Inferno’s Light”, especially for Garak in the wall talking to himself.

[acerumble]

I don't even have to watch the episode, just talking about it like this is enough for me to get the teary eyes. Something with that much impact deserves to be recognized as the outstanding achievement that it is.

[citykids]

In my opinion, 'The Visitor' isn't just one of the best Trek episodes ever but one of the best episodes of any TV show ever made!

[catdamon]

I love The Visitor, but I still think that Duet comes out on top for me. The way that Harris Yulin shifts from reserved to bombastic to grief-stricken and deeply regretful is probably my favourite performance in the show. That it came out in DS9's overall good but unremarkable first season makes it shine all the brighter as well.

Kind of interesting that, between The Visitor, Duet, Children of Time, and (of course) In the Pale Moonlight, a lot of DS9's best episodes dealt with grief and regret. I don't know if it's just particularly fertile ground for storytelling, but the writers really make the most of it.

[Pehrcapita]

My favourite episode is similar to The Visitor in that it hits emotionally in a way that has little to do with it being Star Trek. It is "It's Only A Paper Moon", where Nog returns to the Station wounded from battle. Physically healed but so beat, so hurt he is not able to speak about it. And he hides in the holosuite with Vic Fontaine, walking that fine line between addiction and therapy. And in the end he turns out sort of okay. Equally beautiful and painful. A great moment for Nog. It's like Nog was created for this story. It hits harder with him than any other character I could think of. They often write him like comic relief, but Aron Eisenberg plays real af.

[clevelandknight]

As a father when Jake goes to sleep an Ben is just watching him, that's a gut punch

[michaelolsen]

In the Pale Moonlight. The way Garek and Sisko play off each is brilliant

[NinjaRodent]

This is one of my all time favorite episodes of not only Star Trek but tv in general. One thing that gets me though is its place in the season is kind of a sinister gut punch. The episode right before this is when Worf joins the show so you're all excited and happy that good ol' Worf is back then BAM next episode is full unbelievable heartbreak!!!

[CCJJChannels]

Your review of The Visitor made me cry just like the actual episode.

Excellent review!