Star Trek: Melora

Episode: "Melora"

Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Season 2, Episode 6

Original Air Date: October 31, 1993

via Memory Alpha

Ensign Melora Pazlar visits the station on a cartography mission.  Melora is an Elaysian, a species incompatible with the artificial gravity on Starfleet vessels.  As such, she is confined to a wheelchair.  Even before her arrival, the crew, especially Dr. Bashir, are preoccupied with her accommodations.  Melora in the flesh is not so keen to have others take care of her, bristling at every perceived slight.  The ever-persistent doctor sees through her tough defenses, winning her friendship and, ultimately, a bit more.

"Melora" was written by Evan Carlos Summers, a quadriplegic himself.  He wanted to write a story about disability and accessablity but his original idea was drastically changed in the editing process.  His intention was a smooth acceptance of Melora by the crew and felt the more resentful character she became played on stereotypes.  Interestingly, a character from a low-gravity world was the original idea for the Dax character, ultimately abandoned because it was seen as too complicating.

The episode is not a favorite among critics though once again, I don't mind it so much.  Zach Gritton of The A.V. Club tagged Melora as "irritating" - fair but to me, that makes Bashir's challenge in winning her over all the more believable.  Her exchange with the Klingon chef on her first date with Julian is wonderful.  

Acting Notes

via Wikipedia

Daphne Ashbrook played the part of Melora Pazlar.  Ashbrook was born January 30, 1963 in Long Beach, California.  Her brother is Dana Ashbrook, Bobby Briggs on Twin Peaks.  Daphne's career started on stage at age six.

Ashbrook has solid geek cred as she also played Grace Holloway in Doctor Who: The Movie.  Television work includes a principal role on Hollywood Heights and a recurring one on The OC.  In 2012, she published a memoir: Dead Woman Laughing: An Actor's 'Take' from Both Sides of the Camera.