Because the podcast Star Trek: The Next Conversation has reached this point in its trek (ha!) through Deep Space Nine, we need to take a break from cataloguing all the Shakespeare in The Dick Van Dyke Show to consider a little more Shakespeare in Star Trek.
Although I'm not a fan of any of the Lwaxana Troi episodes, they do sometimes have Shakespearean connections (for which, q.v.). I was pleased to find that the tradition continues in Deep Space Nine.
This episode's A-plot is pretty awful. Lwaxana is in the B-plot, and that only thing that makes it any better is the possible Shakespearean influence. Let me give you the opening; keep your eye out for the Shakespeare plot that it's emulating:
Links: The Episode at IMDB.
For more connections between Star Trek and Shakespeare, head to Shakespeare and Star Trek Complete.
Is everyone with me? It's a clear retelling of one of the key conflicts in A Midsummer Night's Dream!
To be fair, I'll acknowledge that it's very subtle. But the argument between Oberon and Titania in Shakespeare's play hinges on who should be in charge of raising the child of a votaress of Titania's who died in childbirth. Since the child is male, Oberon considers it time for him and the male side of the fairy world to take over his upbringing; Titania, with her deep connection to the votaress, disagrees. And that's what we have mirrored here.
I'm not sure I'll go as far as to say that Odo is a Puck analogue (since he's more in league with Lwaxana (our Titania), he's more like Moth or Mustardseed, I suppose), but there's something very Dreamlike in the setup.
Actually, as the plot moves forward (Caution: Spoilers ahead), the only solution is for Odo to convince the husband that he (Odo) is in love with Lwaxana. Perhaps Odo is Bottom the Weaver!
In any case, it's not an episode I'd recommend—except for the conceivable (ha!) Shakespearean connection.
Links: The Episode at IMDB.
For more connections between Star Trek and Shakespeare, head to Shakespeare and Star Trek Complete.
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I've searched your blog for "Strange Brew" and only found one mention of someone else watching it in a book - have you watched it? If not, I strongly recommend watching with "Hamlet" firmly in mind! Think "Hamlet with beer + really funny" and you'll probably be all right. If you try to think Hamlet+Intellectual, you'll hate it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anonymous. Yes, I know Strange Brew well. And no, "Hamlet + Intellectual would be one of the worst ways to describe it.
ReplyDeleteI will try to get to it—it's on a list with Forbidden Planet and others!
Take care!
kj (Bardfilm)