Almost from the inception of the Star Trek canon, creatures have been able to take over the bodies of various characters, from Kirk to Janeway. This striking ability makes for some interesting plots, but it is kind of a cheap method of operation. Here, Keiko returns from a trip to Bajor and her body has been taken over by some entity. Miles is told that if he doesn't cotton to the demands of this thing, Keiko will die. So until he can figure out what to do, he must answer the call. The best part of this involves his enlisting Rom, Quark's hyperactive but incredibly talented brother, to assist him in bringing about these wishes. Rom is both insufferable and sweet as he plays his cards. Without him, the episode would be been dull. Almost as dull as Keiko's normal character.
8 Reviews
I much prefer Keiko this way and wish they'd done this sooner.
planktonrules5 January 2015
When the episode begins, Miles, Julian and Molly are worried because during Keiko's absence, they let her plants die. However, oddly, Keiko is just fine with this and all smiles...until she reveals that she's possessed!!! And, the possessed Keiko promises to murder her host unless Miles helps her! What follows is a really cool version of Keiko--evil, scheming and yet sweet and normal when anyone other than Miles sees her. Personally, I loved this version--especially since 'normal' Keiko was one of the most boring recurring characters on the show. This is not a slam against the actress playing her, Rosilind Chao, as she could only be who the writers let her be. Unfortunately, the possessed Keiko only lasts this episode!
This episode was nice as an introduction to the Pah Wraiths--nasties who would appear in some interesting future episodes. However, the episode also is a bit hard to accept because you would think anyone in this situation would IMMEDIATELY alert the crew as to what was happening--yet Miles O'Brien keeps it to himself throughout the show. Odd to say the least--as are ALL his actions during the episode. Perhaps he just thought the new and improved Keiko was better than the boring old one...like I did.
This episode was nice as an introduction to the Pah Wraiths--nasties who would appear in some interesting future episodes. However, the episode also is a bit hard to accept because you would think anyone in this situation would IMMEDIATELY alert the crew as to what was happening--yet Miles O'Brien keeps it to himself throughout the show. Odd to say the least--as are ALL his actions during the episode. Perhaps he just thought the new and improved Keiko was better than the boring old one...like I did.
Chief has another hammering
snoozejonc4 December 2022
Keiko returns from Bajor with her body possessed by a non-corporeal alien.
This is a solid 'O'Brien must suffer' episode.
The premise is simple and effective. There is no real suspense, because you know everything will get resolved and the central characters will be okay. However it is fun to see it unfold and interesting to see how the Chief gets himself out of the predicament.
A big positive is seeing Rosalind Chao play a different character and she a great job acting malevolent. It gives all her scenes with Colm Meaney a very different edge. His birthday party is very well portrayed.
It is a good episode for Rom, who gets to make a strong contribution to the story. You do have to suspend the disbelief during certain contrivances associated with this character, but his scenes do entertain.
Meaney, Chao, and Max Grodénchik are all superb.
For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
This is a solid 'O'Brien must suffer' episode.
The premise is simple and effective. There is no real suspense, because you know everything will get resolved and the central characters will be okay. However it is fun to see it unfold and interesting to see how the Chief gets himself out of the predicament.
A big positive is seeing Rosalind Chao play a different character and she a great job acting malevolent. It gives all her scenes with Colm Meaney a very different edge. His birthday party is very well portrayed.
It is a good episode for Rom, who gets to make a strong contribution to the story. You do have to suspend the disbelief during certain contrivances associated with this character, but his scenes do entertain.
Meaney, Chao, and Max Grodénchik are all superb.
For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
Not recommended for abused men.
hippiefreak20 February 2019
If any man has ever been on a short leash with his wife or lived under fear of what she could do to him in a divorce, do not watch this episode or you will have PTSD trauma. This is nightmarish for abused men who have survived such marital treatment. Keiko is the wife from h*ll who everyone thinks is the sweetest thing. She has Miles jumping, and tells him when to jump and how high. Or else...
Good acting, yet slow at times
Hughmanity1 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It was fun to see Rosalind Chao show her range and play a different version of Keiko that has been possessed. Also Rom really steals his scenes in this one, it's been fun to watch his growth through the series.
I didn't quite get why Mikes couldn't just wait until Keiko wasn't around and then say hey, Sisko, my wife's been possessed. It's not like Keiko had some way of listening into everything?
Beyond that, I didn't really understand the ending either. The station is turned into some giant lightning rod and it zaps Keiko. This apparently kills or removes the path-wraith, but we never really get and explanation how or what happened to it. And why a massive lightning strike on Keiko didn't kill her too??
Anyway, keep the Rom scripts coming. This one was a great effort by the actors but had some sizeable plot holes.
I didn't quite get why Mikes couldn't just wait until Keiko wasn't around and then say hey, Sisko, my wife's been possessed. It's not like Keiko had some way of listening into everything?
Beyond that, I didn't really understand the ending either. The station is turned into some giant lightning rod and it zaps Keiko. This apparently kills or removes the path-wraith, but we never really get and explanation how or what happened to it. And why a massive lightning strike on Keiko didn't kill her too??
Anyway, keep the Rom scripts coming. This one was a great effort by the actors but had some sizeable plot holes.
Keiko Possessed
Tweekums24 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
It should be a happy day for Chief O'Brien; it is his birthday and Keiko is returning from Bajor although he thinks he is going to be in trouble for letting her house plants die. That is the least of his worries though, when she returns he learns that she has been possessed by an alien entity which threatens to kill her if the Chief doesn't make a series of modifications to the station. Fearing for his wife's safety and because none of the changes appear dangerous he goes ahead with the work. Working against the clock he gets Rom to help him, telling him that he can't tell anybody about it, even the station's senior officers. Everything is going according to plan till Dax spots that somebody has been making changes to the station's systems. Rom is arrested but does not implicate the chief. When O'Brien goes to see him in the brig Nog says that he will remain silent but he is curious about why they are going to kill the wormhole aliens... up until know O'Brien had not realised that this would be the result of his actions, he must now act quickly to avoid this without enabling the entity to kill Keiko.
This was a gripping episode with plenty of tension as well as good character development. We learn that Rom is not the bumbling he appeared to but is in fact highly skilled as an engineer, something which earns him a promotion from the night shift to the more prestigious day shift. We also learn just how far the chief will go to protect the woman he loves. This episode also provides an introduction to the Pah-wraiths; creatures like the prophets who have been exiled to the Fire Caves on Bajor but wish to overthrow the prophets so they can return to the Celestial Temple.
This was a gripping episode with plenty of tension as well as good character development. We learn that Rom is not the bumbling he appeared to but is in fact highly skilled as an engineer, something which earns him a promotion from the night shift to the more prestigious day shift. We also learn just how far the chief will go to protect the woman he loves. This episode also provides an introduction to the Pah-wraiths; creatures like the prophets who have been exiled to the Fire Caves on Bajor but wish to overthrow the prophets so they can return to the Celestial Temple.
Rosalind Chao rocks!
skinnybert4 September 2022
Too often, the character of Keiko wa just sorta there: fretting about something, annoyed about something, or bland Stepford-wife furniture. This was partly due to Ms Chao's decision to prioritize family over work, and not be regular cast, which we are bound to admire and respect -- but it evidently hampered the writers from really giving her anything of interest to do.
And then comes this! A Keiko-centered episode, and an utter delight -- and entirely dependent on Chao's performance. This could have been done more politely, but fortunately wasn't. From the very first scene, she takes control of the screen and doesn't let go. Arguably it sorta breaks some of the norms of the show (couldn't O'Brien have told anyone?) -- but so what? TNG and DS9 both had difficulty pursuing real fun, but here they went all in, to the possessed-other story this needed to be.
So: thank you, Rosalind Chao! One of my top 10 DS9 episodes.
And then comes this! A Keiko-centered episode, and an utter delight -- and entirely dependent on Chao's performance. This could have been done more politely, but fortunately wasn't. From the very first scene, she takes control of the screen and doesn't let go. Arguably it sorta breaks some of the norms of the show (couldn't O'Brien have told anyone?) -- but so what? TNG and DS9 both had difficulty pursuing real fun, but here they went all in, to the possessed-other story this needed to be.
So: thank you, Rosalind Chao! One of my top 10 DS9 episodes.
Keiko's pandora box.
thevacinstaller15 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Another beauty of a sci-fi episode.
I really enjoyed the performance of Rosilind Chao in this episode. She is completely menacing in the role and I always find psychological terror far more immersive than physical. I keep thinking of the scene when Keiko makes O'Brien kiss her in the medical bay --- it's just deliciously uncomfortable and wonderfully acted by the pair.
Despite having watched this episode a few times before I can trick myself into wondering if O'Brien will succeed this time ------ This is a sign of quality structure and execution for an episode.
I'm going to fanboy out for a second and take on one of the complaints from another reviewer ------ "Why wouldn't O'Brien warn the crew?" ---- well, that plot hole was filled by the fact that the Pa-Wraith can kill Keiko in under a second and Keiko fell off a balcony when Miles made an actual attempt to do so. I now pronounce that plot hole dead and buried. That's how we roll with 'quality' star trek ---- they think about these things and provide a rational explanation as to why.
This hits my checkboxes for creative storytelling and succeeded in keeping me on my seat in suspense of what was going to happen next. A great episode.
This gets a 9/10 Molly's cuteness rating is completely off the charts with a score of 12/10.
I really enjoyed the performance of Rosilind Chao in this episode. She is completely menacing in the role and I always find psychological terror far more immersive than physical. I keep thinking of the scene when Keiko makes O'Brien kiss her in the medical bay --- it's just deliciously uncomfortable and wonderfully acted by the pair.
Despite having watched this episode a few times before I can trick myself into wondering if O'Brien will succeed this time ------ This is a sign of quality structure and execution for an episode.
I'm going to fanboy out for a second and take on one of the complaints from another reviewer ------ "Why wouldn't O'Brien warn the crew?" ---- well, that plot hole was filled by the fact that the Pa-Wraith can kill Keiko in under a second and Keiko fell off a balcony when Miles made an actual attempt to do so. I now pronounce that plot hole dead and buried. That's how we roll with 'quality' star trek ---- they think about these things and provide a rational explanation as to why.
This hits my checkboxes for creative storytelling and succeeded in keeping me on my seat in suspense of what was going to happen next. A great episode.
This gets a 9/10 Molly's cuteness rating is completely off the charts with a score of 12/10.
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