Review: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice
Rene Auberjonois was one of those actors whose calming voice, steady demeanor, and gravitas made him both inscrutable and mesmeric. I remember watching him as a child on the all time classic, Benson. Looking back now, his character of Clayton, was the Squidworth (Spongebob Squarepants)of that show. He would go on to portray even more memorable characters throughout the rest of his years.
One of my favorite characters that he brought to the screen and much more deserving of his talents was Constable Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. His keen eye and sharp mind made for a memorable performance as the lone lawman on this classic iteration of Star Trek. The show pushed on the actors’ strengths, even more so with Auberjonois’s talents. In Constable Odo’s solo adventure he uncovers a mystery. In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice, the character unravels his own Murder on the Orient Express aboard the space station.
We open on Garak and Bashir having lunch, when suddenly a bomb goes off in Lavin’s Eatery, leading Odo to arrive on deck, to investigate. Eight dead bodies are found, leading Odo to question everything, even pondering the possibility that Quark may be a suspect and finding a clue in Rodinum darts. Sisko handles the diplomatic fallout, which pushes Odo to find the truth that much more integral. Everyone on board including Worf has their own suspicions about who is at the center of this deadly massacre, but what doesn’t help, is the consistent accumulation of dead bodies, even those who were suspects. Eventually, he gets help in the form of Inspector Retlaw, of Federation Security, who is also a Betazoid, making him an empath, leading to someone who was seen putting together an arms deal, just days before, Vedek Teler. By book’s end, remnants of past hostilities and avarice of others haunt the guilty party, and Odo to both be empathetic yet firm in his decision to arrest them.
Overall, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice is a searing crime noir that is only upended by its setting, and its excellent characterization. The story by the Tiptons is superb. The art by the creative team is alluring. Altogether, a story that brings us back to the space station, in this fun murder mystery.
Story: David Tipton and Scott Tipton Art: Greg Scott, Ricardo Drumond, Felipe Sobreiro, and Neil Uyetake
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.4 Overall: 9.7 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
