I’m rewatching it now, it’s so well written that it almost stands out from the rest of the episode. It comes off like something from David Mamet or The West Wing. It’s not Far Beyond The Stars or In The Pale Moonlight, the stakes of the episode are too low. But the material it gave all the actors to work with, the incredibly realistic way it weaves together different conversations going on between a large group, that the (really really good) acting abilities of the cast just get pushed over the top. It’s all in one room, no effects, no cost except for the appearance of Bareil, but it’s riveting, you can’t stop paying attention. It’s kind of a master class in writing. And it’s buried after the opening credits in the second episode of season 2.
Had to pull it up but recognised it immediately.
But for real, you’re totally on the mark on how each of them pivot from each other, how Kira hits eats of them
Really shows how sh’es grown. I love the double take, and pause when she first is about to blurt it out, then says it more sincerly to Bareil. Thanks for pointing this out and reminding me of how awesome #DS9 is.