His Way (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"His Way" is the 144th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 20th episode of the sixth season. In addition to introducing the character Vic Fontaine (James Darren) to the series, the episode saw the culmination of years of ambiguity between Odo and Kira Nerys when the two finally became romantically involved.

Plot

Dr. Bashir introduces other crew members to a new Holosuite program featuring a 1960s Las Vegas lounge singer named Vic Fontaine. Vic has been programmed with sentience and awareness that he is a hologram. During introductions, Vic comments on a perceived, unstated tension between Odo and Kira Nerys, but declines to comment further. While Nerys goes off to Bajor to meet with her ex-lover Shakaar Edon, Odo revisits Vic to try to find out what Vic implied. Vic says that it's obvious that Odo is in love with Nerys, but is afraid to do anything about it, and Nerys only considers him a friend. Odo admits that he is unable to approach her on the subject, but Vic counters that Odo's biggest obstacle is his reserved, aloof personality.

Vic says that it's still possible for Odo to win Nerys's heart and arranges to assist him by helping him "have some fun". He first has Odo 'perform' with Vic on the piano during a show, and then going on a double date with Vic with a pair of holographic women. These activities allow Odo to become more casual and relaxed in his interactions with others in his daily routine. After a week, Vic next arranges an encounter with a hologram that looks like Nerys, but does not have her mannerisms. Odo finds that he can be comfortable with the holographic version, but is still afraid to take the next step in real life.

Vic determines to take matters into his own hands to bring Odo and Nerys together. After Nerys returns to the station, Vic visits her in the suite next door where she is meditating and gets her to agree to visit the holosuite at a specified time for dinner with Odo. Vic then contacts Odo via the station's comm link and tells him that he has created a "new and improved" Nerys hologram and invites him to see the results. Odo visits the holosuite and has a romantic date at Vic's club, including dinner and a slow dance, with what he believes is only a Nerys simulation. But when Vic reveals that Nerys is real, an angered and embarrassed Odo leaves.

The next day, Odo attempts to avoid Nerys in the Promenade, but the major, admitting to Dax that she just experienced "a moment of perfect clarity," confronts Odo about the night before. She insists that they need to discuss what happened over dinner, "anywhere but a holosuite". Odo asks about whether Shakaar would object to that, believing she is still seeing him. Nerys tells him her trip was strictly business regarding the Dominion War, and that she isn't romantically involved with anyone. "Now, are we going to have dinner together or not?"

Rapidly realizing they love each other, they 'argue' about the implications of dinner, dancing, and perhaps a kiss. Nerys admits that it's all possible. Odo says, "Well, then, who needs dinner? Why don't I just get it over with and kiss you right now?" Kira replies, "Well, why don't you?" Odo grabs her and they fall into a passionate kiss, watched by the rest of the Promenade customers.

At the end, Nerys proclaims to Odo, "You're right. Who needs dinner?", and they kiss a second time.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: His Way

• "His Way" at the Internet Movie Database
• "His Way" at TV.com

• His Way at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

• His Way at StarTrek.com