On the Road: DC, August 2026

I visited my parents again in DC this past week - the second time this summer.

My parents have lived in the city since the late '90s.  It's their home.  It has never quite felt like my home.  I grew up in the Maryland suburbs.  It really isn't so far and yet I haven't actually traveled out that way so much over the years.  But one day last week, I went all in: 25,000 steps for the day.  I walked around my old high school, my childhood home and beyond.

It occurred to me that part of the intimacy I feel for the places of my youth is a direct result of having spent so many years exploring it on foot.  My body knows exactly how steep a particular hill is, for instance.  The muscle memory is set firmly in my quads.  While I had driven through our old neighborhood a few times over the years, this was my first time in ages engaging with it as a pedestrian.  It felt right.

The biggest change is the newly constructed Metro line that goes right under my old street:

I did plenty of wandering in northwest DC on other days, taking in the National Cathedral,

Malcolm X Park (also know as Meridian Hill Park depending whom you ask), where I saw two different people blasting gospel music

and the unique atmosphere of Adams Morgan, well encapsulated by this store front:

Star Trek: Ties of Blood and Water

Episode: "Ties of Blood and Water"

Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Season 5, Episode 19

Original Air Date: April 14, 1997

via Memory Alpha

Major Kira invites Tekeny Ghamor to the station in order to provide intel on the Cardassians.  Back in Season 3's "Second Skin," Kira learned that a Cardassian operative, Iliana, who looked an awful lot like her had been sent undercover to infiltrate the Bajoran resistance.  Ghamor was Iliana's father.  In the midst of confusion and heartbreak, Kira and Ghamor formed a genuine, loving bond.  Ghamor is no fan of the current Cardassian regime and is happy to help bring them down.  To complicate matters for all involved, he's dying.  Meanwhile, Dukat is demanding that Ghamor be extradited.  

Without question, "Second Skin" is one of the very best DS9 episodes and well-deserving of a sequel.  In all honesty, I would have preferred a continuation of the Iliana story but what we got instead is plenty interesting in its own right.  Ghamor's death dredges up Kira's regrets about her own father's passing.  The two tales are linked by the fear of dying alone and, of course, the accompanying remorse of the survivors.  Confronting death and aging has been an important recurring theme with Trek from the beginning - clearly important topics for creator Gene Roddenberry.  

"Ties of Blood and Water" adds rich complexity to the character of Kira Nerys who already had plenty.  She must find forgiveness in her heart for Ghamor regarding his role in the occupation while also coming to terms with the grief she feels in losing him.  Powerful stuff.

Acting Notes

via West Wing Wiki

William Lucking played the role of Furel, one of Kira's comrades during the Resistance.  Furel passed away in his first appearance, "The Darkness and the Light."  In "Ties of Blood and Water," he appears in the flashback to Kira's father's death.  This is the actor's second of three Trek appearances.  

Lucking was born in Vicksburg, Michigan, June 17, 1941.  He graduated from UCLA and the Pasadena Playhouse.  He co-founded the Santa Paula Theater Center in 1986 and served as its artistic director for five years.

Films include The Magnificent Seven Ride!, The Rundown and Erin Brockovich.  On television, Lucking had starring roles on Outlaws and Sons of Anarchy and a recurring role on The A-Team.  Guest credits include M*A*S*H, The Greatest American Hero and The West Wing.

Lucking passed away in 2021.

On the Road: Pennsylvania 2026

As I have mentioned many times before (most recently here), my family has a cabin in the woods in central Pennsylvania.  It is part of a summer community that has enriched all of our lives for over 40 years.  This year's trip was unusual for many reasons, starting with the fact that I was on my own in the cabin.  For various reasons, neither my parents, my wife nor my child could make the trip this time.  So, it was just me.

A tornado hit the community for the first time just a few days before I arrived.  Didn't know Pennsylvania was prone to tornadoes, did you?  Well, they are unusual but not unprecedented.  Even so, the 2026 total so far is already twice the annual average.  Climate change is real, folks.  Fortunately, no one in our community was hurt and only one cabin took serious damage.  The impact on the forest, though, was dramatic.  Many trees were topped, felled and entirely uprooted.  The woods will recover, of course.  The human trauma might have more long-term impact.  Our safe haven suddenly feels considerably less so.

Our place was fine - at least regarding storm damage.  However, after 40 years without serious mouse problems, the little fuckers got in this winter and made quite a mess.  So, unfortunately, I had to devote way too much of time to cleaning it all up.

Even with all of that, it was still nice to be there, and quite enjoyable on my own.  I'm an introvert in the extreme so quality time to myself is always welcome.  Even in the midst of cleaning out all the mouse poop, I was reminded of why the place is still so important to me.  For a variety of reasons, mostly geographical, I did not grow up feeling close to my extended family.  I like them but I haven't really spent much time with them.  Rather than hauling off to Ohio, Nebraska, Texas or wherever the clan resides, we spent our summers in the Pennsylvania woods.  My spiritual cousins are there.  That's what makes the 9+ hour drive worth it.

Star Trek: Before and After

Episode: "Before and After"

Series: Star Trek: Voyager

Season 3, Episode 21

Original Air Date: April 9, 1997

via Memory Alpha

The story begins six years in Voyager's future.  Kes is on her death bed.  From there, she experiences a series of flashbacks, living her life in reverse.  We get to know the family she had with Tom Paris and the tragic ends met by some of her shipmates.  Eventually, all is made right.  We - and Kes - return to the "correct" timeline.  And the eternally wise Tuvok reminds everyone that the future Kes experienced is only one possible outcome.

"Before and After" is a popular choice for best of lists for the series.  Because of my bias against time travel narratives - not to mention Voyager's tendency to go to that well far too often - I'm not putting it there.  However, there's no denying it's a lovely character story for Kes and we're running out of those fast.  

In my favorite scene, Kes assures her daughter Linnis that Linnis herself will be a good mother because Kes knows the child will turn out fine.  Because of the way the timeline is messing with her, Kes has actually only known Linnis for a few minutes but she still knows the right thing to say.  Star Trek treats such effortless empathy like a superpower and maybe it is.  Wherever the gift comes from, the moment shows Kes at her best - indeed, the Deanna Troi legacy at its best.  Seven of Nine is about to bring tremendous breadth and depth to the narrative but when Kes leaves, Voyager will lose a lot of heart.

Acting Notes

via Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Wikia

Jessica Collins (Linnis) was born Jessica Lynn Capogna in Schenectady, New York, April 1, 1971.  She was the runner-up in the Miss Teen USA pageant in 1988.  She studied acting at the Royal National Theatre Studio in London and the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Los Angeles.

Collins is best known for her television work.  She has had starring roles on Loving, The Young and the Restless and Tru Calling.  She won a Daytime Emmy for Y&R.  Guest appearances include Beverly Hills 90210, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Grey's Anatomy.  Films include Beautiful, Catch Me If You Can and Live!

Squid Eats: Palmer Lane Maple

Creemee is Vermont's term for soft serve ice cream.  Our state's twist (pun intended) on the concept is higher butterfat content and, of course, the most famous flavor is maple.  Palmer Lane Maple in Jericho is our local shop.

The Palmers started out as a retail store, with a wide assortment of products from the family's own maple operation: maple candy, maple sugar and, of course, loads of maple syrup, all grades.  Business really took off, though, when they started selling creemees during the warmer months.  They've won Seven Days's Daysie award for Best Creemee in Chittenden County the past four years in a row.  

Star Trek: Business As Usual

Episode: "Business As Usual"

Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Season 5, Episode 18

Original Air Date: April 5, 1997

via Memory Alpha

The eternally enterprising Quark is buried in debt.  A cousin offers to bring him into the lucrative arms trade, a big no-no on the station.  Quark and his new associates devise an angle to make it work - with Bajoran blessings, even.  But when talk turns to weapons of mass destruction, our greedy friend discovers his own limits.

The most interesting Quark episodes are the ones where we see his capitalistic bounds tested.  It's part of why I think the much-maligned "Move Along Home" isn't really so terrible and why I appreciate Mirror Quark more than most of the other characters in that story line.  Like all of the other principals, Quark is on a journey through the course of the series.  Over the long run, his is not even the most remarkable growth within his own family.  He may not even rank second.  But his development is absolutely essential to the whole.

"Business As Usual" includes homages to several classic films: The Third Man, Scarface and Dr. Strangelove.

Acting Notes

via Beverly Hills Cop Wiki

Steven Berkoff played the role of Hagath, king pin of Quark's new trade syndicate.  Berkoff was born Leslie Steven Berks in London, August 3, 1937.

I've featured many stage greats in this space.  Berkoff plays in a different league from all of them.  He has written at least 33 plays and his directorial style is widely known as "Berkovian Theatre."  I found this description by critic Aleks Sierz:

The language is usually filthy, characters talk about unmentionable subjects, take their clothes off, have sex, humiliate each other, experience unpleasant emotions, become suddenly violent. At its best, this kind of theatre is so powerful, so visceral, that it forces audiences to react: either they feel like fleeing the building or they are suddenly convinced that it is the best thing they have ever seen and want all their friends to see it too. It is the kind of theatre that inspires us to use superlatives, whether in praise or condemnation.

On screen, he has built his reputation in villain roles: General Orlov in Octopussy, Victor Maitland in Beverly Hills Cop and Lt. Col. Podovsky in Rambo: First Blood Part II.  Television appearances include BBC classics such as The Avengers, The Saint and Doctor Who.

Squid Mixes: Joaquin Simó's Sidecar

After making the raspberry limeade involved in last week's cocktail, my wife had a bit of left over simple syrup.  I have been charged with finding cocktail recipes to make use of it.  First up is Joaquin Simó's Sidecar from Robert Simonson's 3-Ingredient Cocktails.  Simó's variation combines cognac, dry curaçao, lemon juice and the crucial simple syrup.  

It's probable that my resulting drink didn't turn out quite like Simó's as he lists a specific cognac and a specific curaçao.  No doubt both are higher quality than I'm willing to shell out for.  But mine was still a nice sidecar, if perhaps not noticeably better than my own home recipe.  

We still have plenty of syrup left so stay tuned.

Star Trek: A Simple Investigation

Episode: "A Simple Investigation"

Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Season 5, Episode 17

Original Air Date: March 31, 1997

via Memory Alpha

Odo falls in love - with someone other than Kira!  In the course of a murder investigation, he meets Arissa.  It quickly becomes apparent that she's in danger of becoming the next victim.  He takes her under his protection, even inviting her to stay in his quarters.  His intentions are not romantic, yet it happens anyway.

It's a DS9 film noir story.  I love these and honestly, there aren't enough of them.  I would be 100% down with a series consisting entirely of Odo-led mystery stories.  Is "A Simple Investigation" the best one?  No.  But the romance is a great vehicle for Odo character exploration.  He's a Changeling once more but still straddling the in-between space, not quite belonging to one world or the other.  Given his lack of experience with intimacy, either physical or emotional, he's still an insecure adolescent in many ways.  And yet, his vulnerability makes him an appealing partner.  By the end, even after she reverts to her true identity (spoiler), Arissa's affection is genuine.

With 29 years of hindsight, we know there's development with Kira still to come.  A story like "A Simple Investigation" gives Odo space to explore what a romantic relationship is before he finds "the one."  I can say from personal experience, that's important.

*****

Acting Notes

via The Delerious Movie Wikia

John Durbin played the role of Traidy, one of the Finnean assassins.  "A Simple Investigation" is his fourth of five Trek appearances, the most significant being that of Gul Lemec in the "Chain of Command" episodes.  Durbin was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Films include Return of the Living Dead, The Blue Iguana and Number One with a Bullet.  Beyond Trek, he has made guest appearances on The A-Team, Melrose Place and Moonlighting.

Squid Mixes: Raspberry Limeade Cocktail

I will admit upfront, my wife did the hard part for this one.  She made the raspberry limeade, following the Vanessa's Raz recipe in olive + gourmando: The Cookbook by Dyan Solomon, owner of olive + gourmando, one of our favorite Montreal restaurants.  My job was to find the best liquor pairing.

I chose gin over vodka or rum, the other suggestions I saw online.  In my experience, gin draws flavors together while vodka pushes them apart. And rum just adds more sweetness, undesirable in this case as the tartness of the two fruits needs to shine.

The drink was our picnic cocktail for the Vermont Symphony's America 250 performance in Shelburne, held at Shelburne Museum, facing west - ideal for a glorious sunset.

If you squint for this one, you might recognize Bernie Sanders, our Senior Senator and a leading light for progressive politics in the United States for a decade-plus.  Bernie was the narrator for "Vermont Is a State I Love," a speech by Calvin Coolidge, backed by Edward Elgar's Chanson de Matin.

Star Trek: Favorite Son

Episode: "Favorite Son"

Series: Star Trek: Voyager

Season 3, Episode 20

Original Air Date: March 19, 1997

via Memory Alpha

Harry Kim is inexplicably drawn to the planet Taresia where the natives tell him he is one of their own.  An agent of their world traveled to Earth long ago and injected Taresian DNA into Harry's mother.  Now that he's finally "come home," the Taresians are eager for him to stay, marry three wives and have loads of children.  The Doctor's scans confirm that Harry does, indeed, carry Taresian DNA but something's fishy...

"Favorite Son" is the last of a three-episode run often referred to by fans as the "trilogy of terror."  In other words, they're notoriously bad.  I don't really think any of them are so terrible.  A little Harry development is always nice and it's only fitting that an Odyssey-like series should have a Sirens episode.  "Favorite Son" is definitely sexist so if that's the complaint, I will concede the point.  But otherwise, the story's okay - certainly far from terrible.  We've seen worse from Voyager!

 

In the end, it is revealed that the Taresian DNA was implanted in Harry long after his birth.  However, in the original script, there is no such plot twist.  Harry is a Taresian and would have been for the rest of the series.  That could have been interesting.  Instead, the writers let themselves off the hook for trying to figure out how to incorporate the revelation in future stories.

Acting Notes

via Criminal Minds Wiki

Cari Shayne played the role of Eliann, one of the Taresian women eager to marry Harry.  She was born in Sellersville, Tennessee, September 8, 1972.  Career highlights including recurring roles on General Hospital, Party of Five and The Bay.  She's also made guest appearances on Murder, She Wrote, Criminal Minds and This Is Us.  Films include Exposé, Jack the Dog and Good Fortune.

On the Road: DC, Summer 2026

I recently visited my parents in Washington, my first summertime trip in many years.  DC's heat and humidity can be brutal and as such, it's not always the most inviting city this time of year.  But parent needs are on the increase and downsizing is likely soon.  I'm probably going to need to spend more time down there in the coming years.  

Sightseeing was not a high priority this time.  I went through all of my stuff in storage and hauled four big boxes of books to the public library.  I also touched base with old friends, including a couple I'd not seen in decades.  Overall, it was a meaningfully grounding trip.  And also very hot.

I did make it to the Smithsonian one day.  Inspired by our recent Montreal trip, I targeted the Museum of the American Indian (MAI) this time - my third visit, I think.  It's a funky spot and not especially popular, certainly not by Washington standards.  Compared with the city's other big museums about marginalized populations - the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Museum of African American History and Culture - the MAI is not built around a single, unifying narrative and I expect it may feel inaccessible to people as a result.  

To a point, this reflects a deliberate choice made during the museum's creation.  Indigenous America is not a monolith.  There were and still are literally thousands of different cultures across two vast continents.  They speak different languages and follow different customs.  Even their post-European contact experiences have varied (though there are certainly common themes).  So, one story to represent everyone would be impossible.  

There were two exhibits I particularly enjoyed this time.  Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of the Chesapeake documents the experience of indigenous tribes of the Chesapeake region which, of course, includes both DC and the Maryland of my childhood.  

The Americans exhibits the roles and representations of indigenous peoples in contemporary American society, including a full documentation of the Trail of Tears, a tragic historical event only partially understood if at all by the vast majority of white Americans.  

One part of the museum has gotten rave reviews from the beginning: the Mitistam Native Foods Cafe, one of the Smithsonian's best restaurants.  I got a fried bread taco with chicken.  No, I did not manage to eat the entire thing. 

In many ways, I feel I have reached a crossroads in life.  Family needs are changing.  Professionally, I certainly have a lot more years behind me than in front of me - or at least, I'd damn well better!  One question I ask myself these days: "What do I still want to learn?"  Honestly, it's a long list but the last couple weeks have helped to bring focus.  I want to learn more about the non-white perspective on the history of the United States.  Obviously, a lot of the truth is uncomfortable, especially from my own white perspective.  But it's a healthy discomfort and frankly, the truth is genuinely fascinating and often even inspiring.  And the traditional white perspective is delusional.  It's well past time for all of us to pull back the veil.

Even during the height of World Cup mania, I find myself intrigued by lacrosse.  The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, also known as the Iroquois, are the only indigenous nation represented in international sport and lacrosse is their game.  The Iroquois invented lacrosse, you see, and they are a genuine power on the global scene.  In 2028, lacrosse will be an Olympic medal sport for the first time since 1908.  The Haudenosaunee are campaigning to compete independently.  In fact, many top players have said they will only compete for an indigenous team. 

Both Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau supported the movement but with Trump and his band of racist dickheads currently in charge, US follow through on that support seems unlikely.

(You didn't really think I'd miss a chance to take a dig at the Orange One, did you?)

Star Trek: Rise

Episode: "Rise"

Series: Star Trek: Voyager

Season 3, Episode 19

Original Air Date: February 26, 1997

via Memory Alpha

Always happy to make nice with the locals while they're passing through, the Voyager crew are helping protect a Nezu colony from an asteroid bombardment.  But there's something fishy going on.  The ship's torpedoes should be obliterating the asteroids and yet fragments are still making it to the planet surface.  A Nezu scientist reports that the asteroids appear to be artificial.  Our friends send down three shuttles on a rescue mission including one led by Tuvok and Neelix.  They are forced to make an emergency landing and that's where the real fun begins.

"Rise" explores the difficult relationship between Tuvok and Neelix.  It's well established by this point in the series that Neelix drives Tuvok crazy.  Neelix is impulsive, moody, gregarious and seemingly unserious: everything that a logical Vulcan abhors.  Now here they are, in a situation in which they absolutely have to work together in order to survive.  For perhaps the first time, Neelix proves his value - as well as the value of his own particular strengths - to the Lieutenant.  It's a big deal.

The story is based on the 1965 film, The Flight of the Phoenix.

Acting Notes

via Wikipedia

Alan Oppenheimer played the role of a Nezu ambassador.  It was his third of three Trek appearances on three different series.  Oppenheimer was born in New York City, April 23, 1930.

Television work includes appearances on Hogan's Heroes, Get Smart and Happy Days.  Film credits include Westworld and the narrator in The NeverEnding Story.  He had an extensive voice acting career, beginning in the 1970s.  He worked on several Filmation shows, including Flash Gordon, Ghostbusters and The Smurfs and yet, interestingly, never Trek's animated series.

On the Road: Montreal 2026

My wife and I went to Montreal for a few days last week to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  As we did last year, we stayed in Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal), not far from the Basilica.  Our approach was different this year from previous trips.  All of the sights and restaurants we visited were within walking distance of the hotel - didn't take a subway or a cab anywhere.  And while we did do some sightseeing, we also spent significant time relaxing in either a bar or our room with a World Cup game on.  I suggested it was because we're getting older.  My wife thinks it's more that our relationship with Montreal has changed.  Whichever it is, the change is a pleasant one.  I've long believed the ideal vacation is one where you can feel happy doing things or doing nothing.  Mission accomplished.

A couple of our most enjoyable spots...

Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bons-Secours (Our Lady of Good Help), a sailors' chapel dating back to 1771:

PHI, a multi-building art museum.  In addition to the visual art, we also enjoyed a listening room experience featuring John Coltrane's masterpiece, A Love Supreme.  From Paula Pivi's exhibition, Come check it out. Lies lies lies:

We also visited the Château Ramezay, an old governor's mansion which has become a private museum telling the story of the city's history... from a deeply white perspective.  In fact, when we got home, we told the kid where we'd gone with the "deeply white" description and they knew the place exactly.  They'd gone once on a field trip.  

As an example, I provide the following caption excerpt:

With the same initiative as the merchants, missionaries arrived in Canada with the earliest settlers.  They mastered the native languages and recorded the native traditions that they aimed to modify.  The "Black Robes" settled among the Hurons in 1634 where they strove to integrate the Amerindians into the French and Catholic culture.  Some native groups reacted adversely and several missionaries were martyred.

Word choice matters.  Martyred.  It's pretty obvious who the sympathetic protagonists are in this particular telling of the tale.

Let's be clear.  Indigenous people have always been correct to push back against European encroachment.  The end result was genocide.  As for the Huron mentioned above, two thirds of the population were wiped out by European diseases.  And that was just the beginning.

It's time for a new telling of North American history.  Or rather, the story has been told over and over again.  White people need to start listening more and believing more.

Yes, I know the MAGA fuckers have pushed hard against such "woke" thinking and the effort to bury our nation's darker truths has, unfortunately, been largely successful recently.  But that's all delusional bullshit.

Fact: the nation we call the United States of America was built on genocide - multiple genocides, African and indigenous.  You can "believe" otherwise all you want but it doesn't change reality.  Is it too late to change the past?  Yes.  But it's not too late to build a better future and that starts with acknowledging the harm done, both past AND present.  Canada has done a better job in recent years than we have but as Château Ramezay demonstrates, there's still a lot of work to do - and undo.

My thinking about such matters may have an impact on travels moving forward.  Stay tuned.

Overall, our Montreal visit was very nice.  We'll be back, I'm sure, though our increased comfort and familiarity have me wondering if it's time to explore someplace new.  Ottawa isn't far...

Star Trek: Doctor Bashir, I Presume

Episode: "Doctor Bashir, I Presume"

Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Season 5, Episode 16

Original Air Date: February 24, 1997

via Memory Alpha

Robert Picardo guest stars as both Dr. Lewis Zimmerman and the Emergency Medical Hologram he created in his own likeness.  The scientist is designing a new and improved medical hologram and wishes to use the handsome and talented Dr. Bashir as the model.  To do the job, Zimmerman requires intimate knowledge of Julian's psyche, including a deep probe of his past.  To this end, Zimmerman invites our doctor's parents to the station for interviews, against Julian's explicit wishes.  In an accidental slip up, Mom and Dad reveal a dark secret: Julian was illegally genetically enhanced as a young child.

Meanwhile, Zimmerman takes a shine to Leeta, forcing Rom out of his shyness to confess his love for her.  Fortunately, she loves him, too, and DS9's happiest and healthiest romance is finally realized.

I have mixed feelings about the Genetically Enhanced Julian storyline.  In the writers' ongoing need to make the character more interesting, I think they went a bit too far with this one.  He's superhuman?  That doesn't make him more likable.  Contrast his with Rom's arc.  We root like hell for Quark's little brother.  At this point, Rom is one of the strongest recurring characters and for DS9, that's saying quite a lot.  The writers didn't change Rom.  They simply put him in circumstances where he'd best be able to shine.  With Bashir, they try too hard.  And so does Julian.  In my defense, the development came as a late surprise for actor Alexander Siddig and he wasn't too happy about it initially either.

But postgaming the episode with our child brought new perspective for me...

They feel the augmentation plotline has parallels with nonconsensual genital surgeries performed on intersex children.  Julian didn't have a choice in undergoing the procedure.  In fact, he didn't even fully understand what had been done to him until later.  The same is true for infants born with non-conforming genitals.  In both cases, the parents have made what is essentially a cosmetic choice motivated by the long-term well-being of the child.

I think it's hard to fault the parents in either case.  We all want what's best for our kids and will go to great lengths to ensure their well-being.  But where is the limit?  For the Trek universe, there's a legal limit regarding genetic enhancement.  Regarding intersex children, parents have all the power, though the medical establishment certainly has influence in the matter.

It's an interesting question - the sort of question Trek should be encouraging all of us to ponder.

One fun note: Fadwa El Guindi (Amsha Bashir) was not a professional actor at all.  At the time, she was an anthropology professor at UCLA.  A casting agent discovered her at a community theater performance and El Guindi auditioned for Trek on a whim.  The episode is her only on-screen acting credit.

Acting Notes

via Wikipedia

Chase Masterson (Leeta) was born Christianne Carafano in Colorado Springs, February 26, 1963.  She graduated from the University of Texas with a BFA.  She made 17 appearances as Leeta on DS9 plus a voice appearance on Lower Decks.  The television resume also includes guest appearances on General Hospital, Sliders and ER.  Her film Yesterday Was a Lie earned her a Best Feature Film Producer award at the LA Femme Film Festival in 2008.

Squid Eats: Donwoori

As I have written before, I adore Korean food.  Long ago, when I was living in Yokohama, there was a Korean barbecue place in my neighborhood.  I couldn't go as often as I would like because unlike most Japanese restaurants, I had no shot at reading the menu - all kanji (characters), no kana (syllabary).  No pictures on the menu or plastic models in the window.  I had to go with someone who knew what they were doing.  But it was always worth the wait - the sort of place where your clothes would smell like your dinner for the rest of the night, and that was a wonderful thing.

For whatever reason, Korean food hasn't caught on in the US the way Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian or Vietnamese food has.  But now there's a dedicated Korean restaurant in Winooski, Vermont and that is wonderful.

Donwoori has an extensive menu.  We ordered green bean fries and fried oysters to start.  For entrees, I got Korean fried chicken with hot Gochujang sauce.  My wife got stir-fry udon with bulgogi beef.  The kid got curry udon with chicken katsu.  All were satisfying.  It's the sort of place I can imagine ordering something different each visit and being happy.  Service was friendly and decor pleasantly modern.  

Overall, Donwoori is a wonderful addition to Vermont's food scene.  I certainly hope we'll be back.

Star Trek: Darkling

Episode: "Darkling"

Series: Star Trek: Voyager

Season 3, Episode 18

Original Air Date: February 19, 1997

via Memory Alpha

In an effort to improve his bedside manner, the Doctor selects famously compassionate historical figures - Byron, Ghandi, Socrates, T'Pau - to incorporate into his programming.  Meanwhile, Kes is falling in love with a trader, Zahir, who offers to take her on grand adventures - away from Voyager.  Unfortunately, the good doctor fails to account for the fact that he would take on his heroes' flaws along with their strengths.  Two separate, competing personalities emerge in a Jekyll and Hyde tale.  The evil one eventually puts both Torres and Kes in grave peril.

Robert Picardo really acts the snot out of this one.  As with Brent Spiner (Data), there is danger in letting Picardo out of the box.  We see a lot of "look at me, I'm meeeeeean" from ol' Bob here.  And I have to admit, I really wanted to watch B'Elanna kick his ass for pawing her.  Perhaps another time...

Kes will be leaving the show soon.  I'll leave discussion of the particulars until the moment arrives but "Darkling" makes me wonder how far ahead of time the creative staff was at least aware of the possibility.  The writers painted themselves into a corner from the beginning with Kes's expected life span and in this episode, she suggests to Janeway for the first time that she may not want to spend the rest of her short life on Voyager.  And just as importantly, Janeway responds quite reasonably.  After all, Kes isn't Starfleet or Maquis.  She's along for the journey by choice and she's certainly earning her keep as the doctor's assistant.  There's no reason she shouldn't be free to go whenever she pleases.

Fortunately, not just yet.  At this point, I would say Tuvok has overtaken both the Doctor and Kes as the most interesting character but Kes is still comfortably Top 3.

Acting Notes

via Memory Alpha

David Lee Smith (Zahir) was born in Birmingham, Alabama, September 8, 1963.  Films include The Man from Earth, Mysterious Skin and A Walk to Remember.  Television work includes Savannah, The Naked Truth and CSI: Miami.  

Squid Perks: Raktajino

Raktajino is Klingon coffee, particularly popular on Star Trek's Deep Space Nine, both the station and the series.  The canon doesn't provide much guidance as to flavor beyond that it's Klingon-strong but, of course, there are numerous recipes online.  I adapted the one at AF's Amazing Food Blog, which incorporates cinnamon, cardamom and allspice.  For the "extra strong coffee," I used espresso and I mixed in the ground spices pre-brewing.  I did not use AF's recommended sugar as we don't really put sugar in coffee at home.

The result was quite pleasant.  The spices add dimension.  It doesn't have the wow flavor kick I was hoping for and I'm not sure what would bring that.  The optional black pepper in the recipe would certainly supply heat but honestly, I'm not a black pepper fan.  Some recipes add alcohol - AF suggests rum, cognac or coffee liqueur.  I doubt that would add much flavor.  I'd just want to go back to bed.

The most important question is whether we prefer raktajino to Captain Picard's beloved Earl Gray tea.  We're planning a Star Trek-themed brunch for Father's Day.  The Purple Penguin and I both prefer the rak.  My wife doesn't care.  So raktajino, it is.  Maybe we'll have a clever idea for making it stronger by Sunday...

Star Trek: By Inferno's Light

Episode: "By Inferno's Light"

Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Season 5, Episode 15

Original Air Date: February 17, 1997

via Memory Alpha

Garak episode!

The basics: picking up where the last episode left off, Worf, Garak, Bashir and Martok all manage to escape from the Dominion Internment Camp while the gang back at the station fend off a Dominion invasion with some help from both the Klingons and the Romulans.  There's so much more going on in this extraordinary episode.  Where do you even start?

• The Cardassians, under Gul Dukat's leadership, have cut a deal to become part of the Dominion.
• The prison escape is probably the best narrative in the episode and it is two-pronged.  Garak must contend with his own claustrophobia in rigging the camp's shields to allow the prisoners to transfer back to the runabout, which the Jem'Hadar rather carelessly left in orbit nearby.  Evidently, Andrew Robinson is genuinely a bit phobic and was also sick with the flu so much of his on-screen anxiety was real.  Even so, his is a Patrick Stewart-level man-on-the-edge-of-madness performance.
• Worf is "forced" into fighting each of the guards in turn, satisfying his own lust for battle as well as creating a distraction so Garak can do his thing.  He defeats them all, of course - well, nearly all of them.
• Finally, Worf takes on Ikat'Ika, the First at the camp.  By this point, Worf has earned deep respect from the guards and we also get a glimpse of the guards' disdain for their Vorta superiors.  This ultimate match ends with a memorable line from Ikat'Ika.  He is clearly in the superior position, though Worf refuses to concede: "I yield!  I cannot defeat this Klingon.  All I can do is kill him and that no longer holds my interest."  Wow.
• Garak's story is based on the 1963 film, The Great Escape.
• Meanwhile, back at the station, the impostor Bashir is discovered but almost too late.  He gets away in a runabout and nearly detonates a bomb in the Bajoran sun.  But he is destroyed first.
• Evidently, the rest of the Dominion invasion wasn't real.
• Upon returning to the station, Garak gets a girlfriend!

Seriously, there's a lot going on here.  I'm always amazed by Seinfeld's ability to cram so much material into a 22-minute episode.  Granted, DS9 had twice the time to work with here but even so, it's impressive.

Acting Notes

via Memory Alpha

Ray Buktenica played the role of Deyos, the Vorta Commander of the Internment Camp.  Buktenica was born in New York City, August 6, 1943.  Most of his work has been on television, including a recurring role on Rhoda, one of three spin-offs of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the most neglected contender in the GOAT sitcom debates.  He also had a principal role on House Calls and a recurring role on Life Goes On.  The big screen resume is relatively modest in length but he's been in some high-profile films, including My Girl, Heat and Shopgirl.

Squid Mixes: Cosmonaut

A Cosmonaut, invented by Sasha Petraske, combines gin, lemon juice and raspberry preserves.  I got my recipe from 3-Ingredient Cocktails by Robert Simonson.  It was intended as a spoof on the Cosmopolitan.  As you can see, it's deeply pink so maybe also a nod to the Soviet communists?  Or is it a pun?  Cosmo-not?  Both?

The first flavor hit for me was jelly doughnut, undoubtedly from the raspberry jam.  Once my taste buds adjusted, though, the sweetness was less potent.  The lemon brings out the natural tartness of the berries.  

Star Trek: Unity

Episode: "Unity"

Series: Star Trek: Voyager

Season 3, Episode 17

Original Air Date: February 12, 1997

via Memory Alpha

During a shuttle mission, Chakotay and his pilot, Ensign Kaplan, respond to a distress call - and doesn't that always lead to trouble?  When they land on the planet of the signal's origin, they are almost immediately attacked.  Chakotay is knocked unconscious.  When he comes to, the woman attending him is human, and a former Starfleet officer at that.  Soon, it becomes apparent that she and the rest of her community are dis-assimilated Borg drones.  They help Chakotay - indeed, they save his life.  But they also need help from him, and the particular assistance required is a tough sell for Captain Janeway.

"Unity" provides an early glimpse of Voyager's most important story - I mean, apart from the obviously overarching long journey home.  With the Hugh arc, NextGen raised important questions regarding the Borg: is it possible to separate a drone from the collective and what would be the consequences of doing so?  Apart from the series premier, DS9 has mostly ignored the Borg in favor of other fruitful narrative paths.  But soon, Voyager will explore these questions in depth via the character Seven of Nine.

It's difficult for me to look past my own eager anticipation of stories to come and judge "Unity" on its own merits.  That said, I think the episode is genuinely important for revealing to Chakotay the power and the seductiveness of the collective.  As part of his healing, he is joined with them and the experience of total connection is overwhelming.  And beautiful.  Yes, they manipulate him for selfish gain.  But then they leave him alone and it's obvious he regrets that a little.

I also think it relates thematically with Captain Sisko's experience in "Rapture."  The stories are separate, of course, and quite different from each other.  But the power of connection is common to both.  I think of where we are as a society nearly 30 years later.  Many have theorized that Trumpism is a result of too many young men, in particular, feeling disconnected from... everything.  Feeling a part of something larger than oneself: is it a universal human need?  Generations of psychologists and sociologists have asserted that it is.  Both "Unity" and "Rapture" support the thinking.

Acting Notes

via Wikipedia

Lori Hallier played the role of Dr. Riley Frazier, the former Starfleet officer turned Borg drone turned separated drone.  Hallier was born in Victoria, British Columbia, July 8, 1959.  She studied theatre at the University of Victoria, ultimately graduating from the National Theatre School in Montreal.

Hallier's films include My Bloody Valentine, Warning Sign and My Name Is Tanino.  On television, she had recurring roles on Days of Our Lives and Santa Barbara and guest roles on The Dukes of Hazzard, Jake and the Fatman and Matlock.