“Valiant” is DS9’s effort to combine the popular TNG episodes “The First Duty,” which I did not like, and “Lower Decks,” which I did. The result is somewhere in the middle. The story does not resonate with me because at no point does it look like these kids are going to pull off the impossible. I know the episode is going to end in tragedy, so when it does, there is no emotional impact. I am more relieved they got it over with.Jake and Nog are escaping from a Dominion attack when their runabout is picked up by the Valiat. The Valiant is manned by Red Squad, the group of elite cadets Nog was eager to join back in the fourth season. They have been behind the lines for months now. Nog is still enamored with them, particularly now that they have survived in the war zone this long.
Nog is especially in awe of Walters, the 22 year old cadet who serves as captain. He is a charismatic guy who eventually convinces the rest of the crew and Nog to attack a Dominion warship in the name of glory. Jake tries to appeal to the crew’s common sense--it is a suicide mission--but it is no use. They are all star struck by the idea of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
Needless to say, the Valiat is destroyed with all hands but Jake, Nog, and a loe cadet. The pretty girl makes it this time, unlike in “Lower Decks.” They are rescued from escape pods by the Defiant.
The whole affair sieved of any emotion . There are no surprises. We already know Red Squad is full of impetuous, gung ho cadets who believe they are invincible and above the rules. We know Nog will do anything to be apart of them. We know Jake definitely is not. We also know the Dominion is going to annihilate them. Watching ’Valiant” is like waiting for a time bomb to tick down. It is not exciting, just tragic.
Maybe if I cared more about the characters, even Jake and og, but I just d not.
Rating: ** (out of 5)
