"Star Trek: DS9" - "Doctor Bashir, I Presume?" Quiz

Answer: Long-term Medical Hologram (LMH)

After one of Miles and Julian's dart games at Quark's, Dr. Louis Zimmerman introduces himself, with enigmatic words about immortality, as Director of Holographic Imaging and Programming at the Jupiter Research Station. He plans to supplement the Emergency Medical Hologram program with a long-term program, the LMH, for use when a holo-doctor is more practical than a human one. Captain Sisko congratulates Bashir on receiving the honor of being chosen by Starfleet Medical as the LMH's template.

Behind the Scenes: Robert Picardo guest starred on this episode as Dr. Zimmerman in the character's first non-holographic appearance. He first played the role on "Star Trek: Voyager," where he also starred as an EMH known only as the Doctor.

Answer: His parents

With some incredulity, Julian reads from the detailed questionnaire: "Compare and contrast your eating habits at age five with those at ages ten, fifteen, twenty, and twenty five"! Since the LMH will interact with patients over long durations, Zimmerman explains, the ability to share stories, real-life experiences, and sympathy will be expected. "If this thing works, you'll be able to irritate hundreds of people you've never even met!" Miles adds. Julian grows concerned when he learns that his family will be interviewed, and asks that his parents be left out. After agreeing, Zimmerman makes a note to "contact subject's parents immediately."

Behind the Scenes: The title of this episode -- "Doctor Bashir, I Presume?" -- was, of course, a nod to Henry Morton Stanley's oft-quoted greeting to Dr. Livingston. The episode was directed by David Livingston.

Answer: Miles

A test version of the LMH, temporarily programmed with Zimmerman's own conceited personality, acerbically hopes that he won't be boring once programmed with Bashir's traits. To determine that, Zimmerman gets juicy tidbits from Sisko ("Young, eager, ambitious"), Kira ("Didn't know when to shut up"), Dax ("Very persistent"), Morn (a shrug), and Worf ("I do not like doctors. Any doctors"). Assured that his interview is strictly private and won't be read by Julian, Miles bares his soul and describes Julian as of the highest caliber: "The truth is, he's an extraordinary person."

Answer: Cafe manager

Earlier, Rom had eagerly planned to speak to Leeta, but was only able to say "Bye" to the woman who so obviously has affection for him. Another opportunity is missed when, as Leeta has dinner with Zimmerman, Rom takes her aside and lets her down again by setting a time to repair her replicator. When Zimmerman comes calling with flowers and the offer of a job as cafe manager on Jupiter Station, Leeta is given pause for thought. She asks Rom pleadingly if there is any reason to stay on DS9, but grows exasperated when he can only say, "I don't know."

Behind the Scenes: This is the only episode to disclose details of Rom's marriage to Prinadora. It is revealed that he fell in love with her and, in an emotion-driven bid to extend the marriage contract, got swindled and was left alone with their son, Nog.

Answer: They mistake the new hologram for Julian

Julian is shocked to see his parents, invited on urgent business by Zimmerman, and awkward greetings ensue. At dinner, Julian warns Richard and Amsha to be careful in the interviews that could threaten their secret and his career. Richard takes offense, claiming Julian, with his "gifted intellect," doesn't trust them. The quarrel grows and Julian, departing, says regretfully, "This is exactly why I haven't been home in three years." Richard and Amsha later go to the infirmary to apologize to their son for the harsh words, and assure him that the secret they have kept for 25 years is safe: that his DNA was resequenced. Unfortunately, they were speaking to the LMH.

Behind the Scenes: The character of Richard Bashir is depicted as one who poses as a success, but never keeps a job long enough to achieve prosperity. This was intended to show that life on the utopic future earth has a darker side, and doesn't mean success for every citizen.

Answer: Six; he underwent "accelerated critical neural pathway formation"

While Julian's parents spoke to the perplexed LMH, Zimmerman and Miles were standing by, intending to see how the hologram dealt with an unforeseen scenario. Now, Zimmerman plans to report that, because of suspected illegal genetic enhancements, Julian is unsuitable for the LMH's template. When Starfleet Medical hears this and investigates, Julian explains, he will be dismissed from Starfleet. "Then it's true?" Miles asks. "You're..."

Julian finishes the sentence for him: "The word you're looking for is unnatural, meaning not from nature. Freak or monster would also be acceptable." He was six years old, underdeveloped physically and mentally, and unable to understand even the basics known by the other first graders. "All I knew was that I was a great disappointment to my parents." His parents took him to Adigeon Prime, where he underwent accelerated critical neural pathway formation, changing his whole person and leaving him a success, but one who feels like a fraud.

Answer: Resigning from Starfleet

Richard's instinct is to fight back, go to the courts. Julian wishes for a quiet resolution, scorning his father's "new plan" and unwillingness to accept responsibility. Julian expresses his belief that he was never given a chance, that his parents took the illegal steps because they were ashamed of him - once Jules, now Julian: "Jules Bashir died in that hospital because you couldn't live with the shame of having a son who didn't measure up!" Amsha steps in, exclaiming that, however illegal or immoral, their decision was motivated by love, not shame. Sharing a hug with her son, she asks what he wants them to do; he responds that he will hand in his resignation, and leave DS9 quietly.

Behind the Scenes: The decision to make Julian genetically enhanced was a last minute one, finalized only days before filming the episode. Alexander Siddig, not consulted about this development in his character, wasn't pleased.

Answer: The Eugenics Wars

Entering Sisko's office, Julian unexpectedly sees his parents and a hologram of Rear Admiral Bennett, Judge Advocate General. Pleading guilty to the charge of illegal genetic engineering, Richard accepts a two-year prison sentence at a New Zealand penal colony in exchange for Julian's continued service in Starfleet. Julian objects, but Richard assures him that it is his decision, his responsibility. Defending the harsh punishment, Bennett explains the threat posed by genetic engineering. When it was used centuries earlier in an attempt to improve humanity, it caused the devastating Eugenics Wars and produced dangerous, power-hungry superhumans such as Khan Singh.

Behind the Scenes: This is the second and final episode of "DS9" to feature the holo-communicator, first seen in "For the Uniform." It would not be used again until "Star Trek: Nemesis" (2002).

Goofs: Bennett's statement that the Eugenics Wars took place two hundred years earlier is in error. The established continuity places them in the 1990s, making it closer to 400 hundred years ago.

Answer: True love

Just as Leeta and Zimmerman are about to board their transport, a strange noise makes them stop. "WAAAAAIIIIIT!" Rom cries repeatedly at the top of his lungs. Finally finding the courage to tell her that he loves her and wants her to stay, Rom and Leeta kiss. Leeta apologizes to Zimmerman, jilted but quickly on the rebound, and he remarks, "True love should always win. I'm happy for you. Really." Just as he resigns himself to a life of solitude, a passing alien female catches his eye and he's off, leaving behind an unlikely yet happy couple.

Answer: Standing farther away

Julian says goodbye to his parents and promises to visit Richard, who plans to bring about a "new renaissance in landscape architecture" while in New Zealand. Later, after cutting off Julian's thanks for his embarrassing sentiments in the interview, Miles continues his winning streak in the darts tournament. He then realizes that his friend might be letting him win! Refusing Julian's charity, he bids him to play at full capacity. With little effort, Julian nails the bull's-eye three times. To even things up, Miles makes him stand far back and declares, "If that doesn't work, we'll try a blindfold!"

Behind the Scenes: It was originally intended that only Miles and the audience would know Julian's secret. Alexander Siddig, however, convinced the writers to have it revealed to everyone.