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* Nana Visitor herself chose the song "{{w|Fever (1956 song)|Fever}}" because of her mother's friendship with {{w|Doris Duke}}, a socialite and patron of the arts, and one of the richest women in the world. When Visitor was a child, she and her mother would visit Duke's mansion in [[New Jersey]], and Duke would play piano and sing for them. On one particular visit, Duke sang "Fever", and the way she sang the song had a huge impact on Visitor, who was nine at the time. As Visitor explains, "''She did "Fever" with this very breathy quality to her voice, and I remember thinking, 'Oh, that's a real sophisticated woman.' That was a personal connection for me. It was a memory from when I was a little girl of what I thought a woman should be like - and I got to be that woman''." (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
 
* Nana Visitor herself chose the song "{{w|Fever (1956 song)|Fever}}" because of her mother's friendship with {{w|Doris Duke}}, a socialite and patron of the arts, and one of the richest women in the world. When Visitor was a child, she and her mother would visit Duke's mansion in [[New Jersey]], and Duke would play piano and sing for them. On one particular visit, Duke sang "Fever", and the way she sang the song had a huge impact on Visitor, who was nine at the time. As Visitor explains, "''She did "Fever" with this very breathy quality to her voice, and I remember thinking, 'Oh, that's a real sophisticated woman.' That was a personal connection for me. It was a memory from when I was a little girl of what I thought a woman should be like - and I got to be that woman''." (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
 
* The large mural behind the bar was designed by [[Andrew Reader]] and [[Anthony Fredrickson]]. They based the images of the musicians and champagne glasses on fifties-style cocktail napkins, and Fredrickson designed the shapes, which he describes as looking "''like livers''." (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
 
* The large mural behind the bar was designed by [[Andrew Reader]] and [[Anthony Fredrickson]]. They based the images of the musicians and champagne glasses on fifties-style cocktail napkins, and Fredrickson designed the shapes, which he describes as looking "''like livers''." (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
* In discussing the creation of the [[Lola Chrystal]] [[hologram]], Vic refers to the events of {{e|Our Man Bashir}} ["Do you know how hard it was to get a holographic image of Major Kira? Luckily Julian let me into one of his spy programs. Took me a week to get rid of the Russian accent." -- Vic to Odo]. Lola's query of "''who's Kira''?" is reminiscent of [[Anastasia Komananov]]'s questions "''who is this Nerys Kira''?" and "''who is Dax''?"
+
* In discussing the creation of the [[Lola Chrystal]] [[hologram]], Vic refers to the events of {{e|Our Man Bashir}} (''"Do you know how difficult it was to for me get a holographic image of Major Kira? Lucky for you, Julian used her image in one of his spy programs — though it did take me an hour to get rid of the Russian accent."'' — Vic to Odo). Lola's query of "''who's Kira''?" is reminiscent of [[Anastasia Komananov]]'s questions "''who is this Nerys Kira''?" and "''who is Dax''?"
 
* When [[Quark]] tells Odo that it has been over a year since Kira and Shakaar broke up, he is referring to the [[DS9 Season 5|fifth]] season episode {{e|Children of Time}}.
 
* When [[Quark]] tells Odo that it has been over a year since Kira and Shakaar broke up, he is referring to the [[DS9 Season 5|fifth]] season episode {{e|Children of Time}}.
 
* Among the group of people who watch Odo and Kira kiss on the [[Promenade]] is a [[Unnamed humanoids (24th century)#Scaly Aliens|Venturi]] from the ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (game)|Star Trek: Starfleet Academy]]'' computer game.
 
* Among the group of people who watch Odo and Kira kiss on the [[Promenade]] is a [[Unnamed humanoids (24th century)#Scaly Aliens|Venturi]] from the ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (game)|Star Trek: Starfleet Academy]]'' computer game.

Revision as of 23:31, 23 November 2008

Odo consults a holographic lounge singer about his relationship with Kira.

Summary

Odo, Kira, Bashir, O'Brien, Dax and Worf are in a holosuite, enjoying the songs of Vic Fontaine, the doctor's latest holoprogram. The self-aware hologram is a very insightful one, as he is able to tell that O'Brien misses his wife. He is also able to tell that Worf and Dax have not been married for a long time but he stops before saying anything about Kira and Odo, understanding that it is best to not talk about it for the moment.

Following that introduction and after advice from Quark, the constable returns to the holosuite the next day to talk to Vic about his situation with Major Kira. A long learning process then begins for Odo. Before doing anything about Kira, Vic suggests they work on the constable's personality. Because Vic is a very good teacher, the constable become less shy and more socially at ease every day. Captain Sisko is even surprised when he first hears his chief of security humming a song, a change he is happy to see.

When Kira decides to lengthen her stay on Bajor with Shakaar, Dax and Bashir grow curious about the state of her relationship with the first minister. In the same scene, we see that Dax saw through the nature of the relationship between the constable and the major, a fact that Bashir seems to ignore.

During another lesson in the holosuite, Odo has a little confrontation with Vic about an holographic copy of Kira (Lola Chrystal), saying that he will never be able act normally, knowing she is not the real Kira. Vic promises Odo that he will work on the hologram's personality. Later, without Odo's knowledge, Vic invites the real Kira to a date in the holosuite on the constable's behalf.

During following dinner, Odo is really at ease with the major, daring to show her his real personality, without knowing to whom he is really talking. In the end, we understand that the major has genuine feelings for Odo, but the evening is spoiled when the truth is uncovered, ending with Odo storming out of the holosuite, part because he was lied to and part because he couldn't explain himself to Kira.

On the next day, Kira is talking with Dax and, after some thought (about moments of true clarity), decides to go talk to Odo about the dinner. She has to deal with Odo, more distant and cold than ever, but eventually the major is able to reach to him and they have a clumsy first kiss right on the Promenade, to Dax's surprise and delight, as well as Quark's. Following this incident, Odo goes back in the holosuite to thank Vic about all the things he has done, even if some looked like mistakes at first.

Memorable Quotes

"If you're going to work Vegas in the sixties, you better know the score. Otherwise, you'll look like a Clyde."
"A Clyde?"
"You know, a Harvey."
"Harvey?"
"A square -- You know what a square is, right?"
"One side of a cube?"
"I guess that answers my question."

- Vic Fontaine, Kira, Worf, and O'Brien

"By the way, this is a high-class joint. That means coats and ties for the gents, dresses for the ladies. You guys look like a trapeze act."

- Vic to the uniformed DS9 staff as they leave his club

"You're not exactly the most lovable person in the galaxy. You're not even the most lovable person in this sector... or on the station... or even in this room."

- Quark, to Odo


"Odo! Wait!"
"Major, if you don't mind, I'd like to forget all about last night."
"I don't think that's a good idea; we need to talk about what happened."
"Very well, then we can meet in my office in an hour."
"No, let's discuss it over dinner."
"Dinner?!"
"Ya, you can choose the restaurant; anywhere but a holosuite."
"What about Shakaar, do you think he'll approve?"
"Look, I don't care whether he approves or not. Shakaar and I are friends, That's all! Friends! The First Minister asked me to update him on the war with the Dominion. My visit was strictly business. Now, are we going to have dinner together or not?!"
"And if we do, then what?!"
(almost shouting) "I don't know, maybe we can go dancing!"
(equally loud) "And after that I suppose you'll expect me to kiss you!"
"Well, that's possible!"
"Well then, who needs dinner! Why don't I just get it over with and kiss you right now!"
"Well why don't you!"
(Odo grabs Major Kira and kisses her right there on the Promenade, in front of a large number of people)
After the kiss Kira says:
"You're right. Who needs dinner?"

- Kira and Odo

Background Information

  • The main reason this show was made was to finally get Odo and Kira together as a couple. That Odo had feelings for Kira had first been hinted at in the second season episode "The Collaborator". This was confirmed in the third season episode "Fascination" when Lwaxana Troi realizes it. Odo himself admitted to it four episodes later, in "Heart of Stone", albeit to the Female Changeling, who he thought was Kira. However, in the fourth season episode "Crossfire", Odo comes to accept that Kira is in love with Shakaar and so he decides to bury his feelings for her. The fifth season episode "A Simple Investigation" seemed to confirm that Odo had indeed gotten over Kira, but a few episodes later, in "Children of Time", Kira herself discovers his feelings for her, and it is revealed that he is still madly in love with her. Then, in "Call to Arms", Odo decides not to pursue her or ask her out until after the Dominion War is over. However, his love for her remained unabated, and it was the strength of his feelings for her that prevented him from siding with the Dominion in the episode "Sacrifice of Angels". It is at this stage in the arc where "His Way" takes place.
  • In terms of the writing of this episode, Ira Steven Behr explains, ""Children of Time" basically gave us the impetus to do. We'd pulled on that thread for so long without really doing anything with it, and we were running out of time. I already knew that at the end of the series Odo would be going back to the Founders to become goo. And even though I didn't know the title "What You Leave Behind" yet, I knew that Odo had to leave something behind of real value. And it just seemed to me that Kira was that value." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • The title of this episode is a reference to the Frank Sinatra hit song "My Way."
  • This episode marks the first appearance of James Darren as Vic Fontaine on the series. Ira Steven Behr had been planning a character like this for several years; a Rat Pack type guy who would dispense advice on love and life to the crew of Deep Space 9. He originally tried to introduce the character during the fourth season, where he would be played by Frank Sinatra Jr. Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe wrote a sample scene and casting director Ron Surma brought it to Sinatra, but he was only interested in playing an alien - he didn't want to play a human, and he certainly didn't want to play a character partly based on his own father. During the fifth season then, Behr and René Echevarria decided to introduce the character in the episode "A Simple Investigation". This time, a proper scene was written, and the character was given the name Vic Fontaine. Behr wanted Steve Lawrence to play the role, but when the first draft of the script ran long, and Lawrence proved unavailable, the scene was dropped altogether. Over the course of the following year, the role was offered to Robert Goulet, Tom Jones and Jerry Vale, all of whom turned it down. Then, Behr and his close friend Frederick Rappaport ran into James Darren at a memorabilia sale in Beverly Hills. Neither of them knew him, but Rappaport went up to him and starting chatting like they were old friends. According to Behr, "I see this guy is handling Fred so well, and is so smooth, and so friendly, and so likable, and looks so good." As such, Behr decided to offer Darren the role. The next day, Surma sent the script of "His Way" to Darren, and Darren agreed to come in for a talk, although he emphasized he wasn't going to audition or do a reading, he was just coming in for a conversation. When he came in, he began to discuss how he owns a pair of Dean Martin's shoes, and, as Behr explains, "Suddenly, he starts talking about him and Frank and Dean and gambling and making all this money, and suddenly, we realize that he's doing the part. It catches us totally by surprise. We're sitting there with the script pages and don't even realize it. He had gone right from being Jimmy to being Vic - without a beat." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • Neither Nana Visitor nor Rene Auberjonois wanted Kira and Odo to become romantically involved, with both of them feeling that the characters should remain just close friends. According to Visitor, "I'm not much of a fan of Odo and Kira being together, but they found a way to make it all make sense. I've always felt I have to open my mouth and pick my fights. And even though I know there's a certain amount of fights I'm going to lose, I always do it anyway. That was one I lost." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • Although the first take of the kiss between Odo and Kira was the one seen in the finished episode, the experience of acting in the scene was not particularly enjoyable. As Auberjonois explains, "We started the scene and when we got to the mark, boom, we kissed each other. When they yelled cut, we stopped. I looked at Nana, and her face was sort of orange, and weird, and Dean Jones, my makeup artist, looked at me and went, 'Oh God.' We had been so anxious about it we just sort of went 'Khuh,' and kissed, and my makeup got all over her face and I tore my mask! Now when people ask, 'Well, what was it like to kiss Nana?' I say, 'The definition of safe-sex is this latex mask. It was the most unsensual kiss I'd ever had. I didn't feel anything'." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • Nana Visitor herself chose the song "Fever" because of her mother's friendship with Doris Duke, a socialite and patron of the arts, and one of the richest women in the world. When Visitor was a child, she and her mother would visit Duke's mansion in New Jersey, and Duke would play piano and sing for them. On one particular visit, Duke sang "Fever", and the way she sang the song had a huge impact on Visitor, who was nine at the time. As Visitor explains, "She did "Fever" with this very breathy quality to her voice, and I remember thinking, 'Oh, that's a real sophisticated woman.' That was a personal connection for me. It was a memory from when I was a little girl of what I thought a woman should be like - and I got to be that woman." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • The large mural behind the bar was designed by Andrew Reader and Anthony Fredrickson. They based the images of the musicians and champagne glasses on fifties-style cocktail napkins, and Fredrickson designed the shapes, which he describes as looking "like livers." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • In discussing the creation of the Lola Chrystal hologram, Vic refers to the events of "Our Man Bashir" ("Do you know how difficult it was to for me get a holographic image of Major Kira? Lucky for you, Julian used her image in one of his spy programs — though it did take me an hour to get rid of the Russian accent." — Vic to Odo). Lola's query of "who's Kira?" is reminiscent of Anastasia Komananov's questions "who is this Nerys Kira?" and "who is Dax?"
  • When Quark tells Odo that it has been over a year since Kira and Shakaar broke up, he is referring to the fifth season episode "Children of Time".
  • Among the group of people who watch Odo and Kira kiss on the Promenade is a Venturi from the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy computer game.
  • The scene of Odo and Kira's dinner in the holosuite is something of a twist on the Cyrano de Bergerac-type story.
  • The reference to "Shecky" which confuses Odo is most likely referring to Shecky Greene, a comedian who headlined in Vegas for over 30 years. Victor Borge, the other name Odo is unfamiliar with, was a Danish comedian, musician, author and actor, who often performed in Vegas under the moniker 'The Great Dane'.
  • When Vic Fontaine says "I remember that weekend with Frank," there is a slight wink to the audience; actor James Darren was good friends with Frank Sinatra Jr. and he knew both Frank and Nancy Sinatra well.
  • Of the music for this episode, Jay Chattaway explains, "We were still picking tunes on the way to the recording studio because so many of them were cleared at the last minute, I couldn't really do full arrangements of them in advance, so I only wrote generic intros and endings. I didn’t know what the rhythm was going to be, or the key, but when the tune did get cleared, I'd just say, 'Okay, we're going to use intro number two,' and I would quickly rearrange it for the tune in the studio. If I would have written the music out too much, maybe it wouldn't have had the magic of a lounge band. Our musicians were improvising as if they really were combo players." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • This episode is a personal favorite of Ira Steven Behr, who is exceptionally proud of it; "To do a nice romantic comedy without a lot of clichés, to be clever, to not over-do it, and to have emotion rather than sentimentality, empathy rather than sentimentality, is incredibly difficult. Especially in a series like Star Trek that isn't geared to that kind of stuff." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • This episode was not entirely well received by fans, something which bitterly disappointed Behr; "The quality of the show is not apparent to everyone, and that's really, really sad. Because that show is as perfect an episode as we ever did. You would be hard-pressed to find moments that don't work. It does exactly what it's supposed to. As loony as the show might seem, it's a real triumph. I'm not saying it's the only triumph by any means, but it's the one that's most masked, I guess, the one that's toughest for the audience to recognize." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • This show is one of director Allan Kroeker's personal favorites; "I had a marvelous time on "His Way". It probably should be illegal to have that much fun." Ira Steven Behr says of Kroeker's involvement with this episode, "Allan has to take a lot of the responsibility for the success of the show, because he understood it, and he gave it a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful look and feel." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)

Awards

  • This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction (Jay Chattaway). This is the only episode of Trek to receive a nomination in this category.

Video and DVD releases

Links and References

Guest Stars

Special Guest Star

Uncredited Co-Stars

References

Bajor; Borge, Victor; Caesar salad; Carnegie Hall; chateaubriand; cherries jubilee; Clyde; Come Fly With Me; Dom Pérignon; Dominion War; Dunes Hotel; Einstein, Albert; Felix; Fever; French language; Greene, Shecky; Harvey; holodeck characters; holosuite programs; holosuite; I've Got You Under My Skin; Jessel, George; Kennedy, John F.; Komananov, Anastasia; Las Vegas; light bulb; Martin, Dean; Nanook of the North; oysters Rockefeller; Quark's; Reno; Romeo; Russian; Sands Hotel; Shakaar Edon; Sinatra, Frank; They Can't Take That Away from Me; Walker; warp core breach (beverage); You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You; Zevians

External links

Previous episode:
"In the Pale Moonlight"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Season 6
Next episode:
"The Reckoning"