Hard Time
- Episode aired Apr 15, 1996
- TV-PG
- 45m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
O'Brien tries to re-integrate to life on the station after serving 20 years in a virtual prison.O'Brien tries to re-integrate to life on the station after serving 20 years in a virtual prison.O'Brien tries to re-integrate to life on the station after serving 20 years in a virtual prison.
Patrick Barnitt
- Argrathi Guard
- (uncredited)
Tory Christopher
- Argrathi
- (uncredited)
Peggy Donaldson
- SF Cmd Lieutenant jg
- (uncredited)
Judi M. Durand
- Cardassian Computer
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBashir makes reference to TNG: "The Wounded", as well as DS9: "Whispers" and "Tribunal". Obviously, this is another 'O'Brien Must Suffer' episode. Ira Steven Behr sums up the rationale for these episodes: "Every year, we like to drive O'Brien totally mad."
- GoofsDr. Bashir says it's impossible to erase only select incidents from O'Brien's memory without erasing his entire memory. There are previous Star Trek episodes where a person's recent memories or selective memories were erased with a device by a doctor, such as done for Tom Paris in VOY: "Ex Post Facto", and done by Dr. Crusher on TNG more than once. Also a Vulcan could have been brought in to erase that portion of O'Brien's memory with a mind-meld technique, as that had been done by Vulcans in the past, such as Spock did for Captain Kirk in TOS: "The Paradise Syndrome", intoning "Forget".
- Quotes
Chief Miles Edward O'Brien: When we were growing up, they used to tell us, humanity had evolved. That mankind had outgrown hate and rage. But when it came down to it, when I had the chance to show that no matter what anyone did to me, I was still an evolved human being... I failed. I repaid kindness with blood. I was no better than an animal.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Inglorious Treksperts: Wolfe in the Fold: Remembering DS9 (2019)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Title
(uncredited)
Written by Dennis McCarthy
Performed by Dennis McCarthy
Featured review
Civilized treatment?!
When the show begins, a much older Mile O'Brien is shown in a prison cell. He has a very long beard and tattered clothing and it's obvious he's been there for many years. However, soon you realize that this prison was a virtual prison and instead of being for 20 years, it actually only lasted a few hours. So what gives? Well, it seems a planet's government think that O'Brien was involved in espionage and they sentenced him to this 'humane' treatment-- implanting very, very clear memories in O'Brien. However, despite being released, it soon becomes obvious that the alien world did TOO GOOD a job on him--and they left him with horrible post-traumatic stress disorder and he's only a shell of his old self.
This episode is truly amazing. The idea is very novel and it really gave Colm Meany (O'Brien) a great chance to act and even further expand his character. Well done and a very sick sort of punishment, to say the least...and a bit heartbreaking as well.
This episode is truly amazing. The idea is very novel and it really gave Colm Meany (O'Brien) a great chance to act and even further expand his character. Well done and a very sick sort of punishment, to say the least...and a bit heartbreaking as well.
helpful•455
- planktonrules
- Jan 3, 2015
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