Statistical Probabilities
"Statistical Probabilities" | |
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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode | |
Episode no. | Season 6 Episode 9 |
Directed by | Anson Williams |
Story by | Pam Pietroforte |
Teleplay by | René Echevarria |
Featured music | David Bell |
Cinematography by | Jonathan West |
Production code | 533 |
Original air date | November 24, 1997 |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Statistical Probabilities" is the 133rd episode of the
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures on
In this episode, the genetically engineered Dr. Julian Bashir works with a group of genetically engineered, socially maladjusted savants to try to help them become productive members of society. Meanwhile, Deep Space Nine hosts peace negotiations with the Dominion.
This episode guest stars
Background
In the Star Trek science fiction universe, after genetically engineered "supermen" tried to take over Earth, it remains illegal for parents to genetically engineer their children. The episode "
Plot
Dr. Bashir has volunteered to help treat four genetically augmented individuals who, due to unintended neurological side effects of their augmentation, are unable to function in society: hyperactive, paranoid Jack; hypersexual Lauren; childlike Patrick; and silent Sarina. Bashir realizes that their primary problem is boredom: as Jack points out, they are forbidden from pursuing any profession where they could put their enhanced brain power to work.
Meanwhile,
Based on subtle clues in Damar and
Starfleet provides the augments with further intelligence in order to develop a statistical model to predict the future. The augments soon come to the conclusion that the Federation is doomed to lose the war and suffer casualties in the hundreds of billions. As a result, they recommend surrender, which will save those lives and still leave the Federation in a position to rise up against the Dominion in the future. Bashir is convinced the augments are right and argues the case before Sisko. However, Sisko and Starfleet reject the suggestion out of hand.
The augments decide to leak Starfleet's strategic plans to the Dominion, hoping to shorten the war and minimize the casualties. When Bashir objects to this treasonous plan, Jack, Lauren, and Patrick overpower him. Bound hand and foot, and left alone with Sarina, Bashir convinces her that her fellow augments' actions will result in their imprisonment and separation. Sarina frees Bashir in the nick of time, and Bashir intercepts the augments on their way to the meeting with the Dominion negotiators.
Bashir realizes that the augments believed they couldn't possibly be wrong because of their superior intellect; but despite the presumed infallibility of their statistical model, the actions of one person (Sarina) completely altered history. The augments return to their institution, promising to continue work on a plan for defeating the Dominion.
Production
Writer Bradley Thompson explained that the idea of predicting the future using advanced statistical models was based on a concept known as "
The episode was directed by Anson Williams, best known for his role as Potsie from Happy Days.[3] He previously directed the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Real Life".[4]
Sarina, played by Faith Salie, has no spoken lines in this episode; some lines had been scripted for her, but they were cut from the episode for time.[5][3] She and the other actors playing the four augments would go on to reprise their characters in the later episode "Chrysalis", but Salie would have to re-audition for the role.[6]
Reception
Keith DeCandido of
In 2011, this episode was noted by
References
- ^ a b Erdmann (2000) page 513
- ^ Tor.com.
- ^ a b "Hitting The High Notes Aboard 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' | Soundcheck | New Sounds". NewSounds.org. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Catching Up with DS9 and Voyager Director, Anson Williams". StarTrek.com. August 1, 2017.
Let's look back at some of your episodes. The first one was "Real Life," for Voyager…
- ^ Pete Croatto (October 28, 2021). "Faith Salie Shares Her Deep Space Nine Memories". StarTrek.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
This is where my lines are and then they cut them! Whaaattt!
- Tor.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Zack Handlen (2013). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: "Statistical Probabilities"/"The Magnificent Ferengi"". The A.V. Club.
- ^ a b c d Knapp, Alex. "The 10 Best Singularity Themed Star Trek Episodes". Forbes. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- "Statistical Probabilities" at IMDb
- Statistical Probabilities at Memory Alpha
- "Statistical Probabilities" at Wayback Machine (archived from the original at StarTrek.com)