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It's Only A Paper Moon is one of my favorite episodes of DS9. I hadn't heard of What We Left Behind, and am looking forward to watching it. The interplay between Nog and Vic makes Paper Moon compelling.
Both Nog and Vic gain life within the holosuite. Vic's existence was normally was suspended when the crew finished hanging out with him. Despite all his wisdom, he is only skin deep. With Nog running the holosuite constantly, Vic experiences more of human life [0]. Meanwhile Nog stays in the holosuite because "If I stay here, at least I know what the future is going to be like." As Nog gains more confidence he starts treating the holoprogram as his reality, and he seeks to improve it with more risky ventures like opening another casino, etc. He stops knowing exactly what will happen in the holosuite. Vic becomes real, while Nog invests reality into fantasty. Eventually Vic sacrifices his enhanced reality to return Nog to a normal life, where there is real risk but also real rewards. [0]
Since you've been here, I've slept in a bed every night, gone to work every day, had time to read the paper, play cards with the boys - I've had a life. And I have to tell you, it's a precious thing. I had no idea how much it means to just... live. And now I'm gonna return the favor, and give you your life back. |