Childhood secret may end
Bashir's career/STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE. DETAILED REPORT
Bashir is chosen as the
model for Starfleet's holographic doctor program. He is
informed by Doctor Louis Zimmerman, the scientist in
charge of the project. As part of the process, Zimmerman
must learn everything he can about Bashir, from childhood
quirks to his interpersonal relationships, a procedure
that includes interviews with Bashir's family, friends,
and co-workers. Uncomfortable, Bashir requests that
Zimmerman refrain from speaking with his parents.
Zimmerman begins the task
of interviewing the crew, taking note of all of their
feelings, good and bad, about Bashir. The next day,
Bashir is horrified when two unexpected visitors
arrive-his parents.
Bashir is clearly
uncomfortable with his mother and father, and clearly
upset when they tell him they have come in response to
Zimmerman's request. Later, Bashir attempts to prepare
his parents for theirinterviews-especially concerned that
they keep a childhood secret-one that, if revealed, could
destroy his career.
Bashir's parents later
tell their son that they won't divulge the fact that he
was genetically enhanced as a child-not realizing they
are talking to his holographic version while Brien and
Zimmerman witness the exchange. Since genetic engineering
is illegal, Zimmerman's pending report could cause Bashir
to be immediately expelled from Starfleet once the truth
comes out. Because of this, he sees no alternative other
than to resign before that report is filed.
Angry and defeated,
Bashir confronts his parents and tells them his
intentions. But when he goes to Sisko, Bashir finds that
a solution has already been worked out with Starfleet.
His father, Richard, will spend two years in a minimum
security prison for subjecting Bashir reluctantlybut
gratefully accepts his father's sacrifice and bids his
parents farewell, saddened by the turn of events, but
happy that he and his father may be rewarded with a
stronger relationship.
