History Recap / StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS03E10Fascination

* RedHerring: Miles's headache. It seems like it's a signal that he's about to start lusting after someone like so many other characters have, but nothing happens--except, eventually, him having a great night of makeup sex with Keiko. Turns out the headache was "just a headache" (and considering his martial stress, it's perfectly understandable), and he rekindled things with his wife all on his own initiative.

* ContinuityNod: Troi recalls holing Odo's liquid state in her dress in "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS01E17TheForsaken Forsaken]]" and comments on Odo discovering that his people lead the Dominion, which was revealed in [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS03E02TheSearchPartII The Search, Part II]].

* ContinuityNod: Troi recalls holing Odo's liquid state in her dress in "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS01E17TheForsaken Forsaken]]" and comments on Odo discovering that his people lead the Dominion, which was revealed in [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS03E02TheSearchPartII The Search, Part II]]."

* LoveIsInTheAir: Lwaxana's Zanthi fever caused her to project her emotions onto the people around her, the emotion in this case being sexual desire. However, Bashir points out that people are nevertheless acting on latent attractions.

O'Brien realizes that he's been pig-headed and decides that he can't afford to lose the love of his life. He tells Keiko that he's going to hand in his letter of resignation so that he can spend more time with her and Molly. Keiko is conflicted and tells O'Brien to enjoy the festival while she thinks. Meanwhile, Kira crosses paths with Bashir. They note the strange rash of romantic obsessions spreading through the station, but before they can rush off to do something about, they throw themselves him each other's arms and lock lips.

Bashir diagnoses her with Zanthi fever, a disease that affects "older" Betazeds and has been causing her to project her romantic feelings onto everyone around her, releasing their latent desires. He gives her a cure and assures everyone that they'll be fine in a day or two. O'Brien never actually had the disease, and he states that there's nothing "latent" about his love for Keiko. They make up, and O'Brien bids farewell to her again for another few months. As Troi leaves, she candidly tells Odo that she's aware of his feelings for Kira, and that if he ever tires of waiting, he knows where he can find her. She gives Odo a parting kiss, and he touches his lips curiosly.

The festival begins with an opening ceremony led by Kira. It's a time to give thanks and let go of your earthly problems by writing them in a scroll and throwing them in a fire. During the ceremony, Bereil suddenly starts making eyes at Dax, while Jake, after a momentary headache, sets his sights on Kira. He propositions here, but the bemused Bajoran turns him down. She vents about the strange episode to Bereil, but he's afflicted with his own obsession with Dax. He ditches Kira and runs off to find her.

Bereil makes a pass at Dax, who coolly excuses herself and finds Sisko. She tells him about Bereil's infidelity and proclaims that it was a futile effort, since Sisko is obviously her true love. She starts throwing herself at him, causing the flustered Sisko to call for Bashir. At sick bay, Bashir states that Dax is in perfect health.

O'Brien realizes that he's been pig-headed and decides that he can't afford to lose the love of his life. He tells Keiko that he's going to hand in his letter of resignation so that he can spend more time with her and Molly. Keiko is conflicted and tells O'Brien to enjoy the festival while she thinks. Meanwhile, Kira crosses paths with Troi, Odo, and Bashir. She and the doctor note the strange rash of romantic obsessions spreading through the station, but before they can rush off to do something about, they throw themselves him each other's arms and lock lips.

Bashir diagnoses her with Zanthi fever, a disease that affects "older" Betazeds and has been causing her to project her romantic feelings onto everyone around her and releasing their latent desires. He gives her a cure and assures everyone that they'll be fine in a day or two. O'Brien never actually had the disease, and he states that there's nothing "latent" about his love for Keiko. They make up, and O'Brien bids farewell to her again for another few months. As Troi leaves, she candidly tells Odo that she's aware of his feelings for Kira, and that if he ever tires of waiting, he knows where he can find her. She gives Odo a parting kiss, and he touches his lips in curiosity.

* AbhorrentAdmirer: People find themselves pursued by people they wouldn't consider for romantic involvement. Subverted in that no one involved is physically unattractive or socially off-putting, [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg except Quark]].

* BreatherEpisode: The previous episode has terrorism and a BittersweetEnding, while this episode is a comedic romp where everyone tries to bone each other.
* CallBack: Mardah is mentioned to be pursuing entomology in previous episodes. This episode concludes her arc by stating that she left to complete her education.

* {{Squick}}: InUniverse -- Sisko is very disturbed when Dax starts coming on to him, most likely in part because Dax was an old man for the better part of their friendship. Surpassed only by Keiko's expression when Quark starts rubbing his ears on her.

Jake is moping over the departure of his Dabo girlfriend Mardah, who left the station to pursue science. Sisko tells him that he'll have plenty of opportunities to find a new girlfriend at the upcoming Bajoran Gratitude Festival. Meanwhile, O'Brien and Kira are both excited for the return of their respective lovers, Keiko and Vedek Bareil. Kira and Bereil walk off arm-in-arm, but Keiko arrives flustered and with a sick Molly in tow. She's had a rough trip, but before she can explain why, our favorite Betazoid, Lwaxana Troi, emerges and apologizes for giving Molly so much candy. Keiko.

Troi quickly homes in on Odo and redoubles her attempts to woo the changeling after the last time they were together. Odo is just as put off by her advances as before. As she leaves, she promises to find Odo once the festival begins, though she has a brief headache as she departs. For their part, the O'Briens' homecoming isn't easy either. Keiko's exhaustion doesn't mix with O'Brien's enthusiasm to make up for lost time, and the pair start arguing about their plans for the festival.

Bashir diagnoses her with Zanthi fever, a disease that affects "older" Betazeds and has been causing her to project her romantic feelings onto everyone around her and release their latent desires. He gives her a cure and assures everyone that they'll be fine in a day or two. O'Brien never actually had the disease, and he states that there's nothing "latent" about his love for Keiko. They make up, and O'Brien bids farewell to her again for another few months. As Troi leaves, she candidly tells Odo that she's aware of his feelings for Kira, and that if he ever tires of waiting, he knows where he can find her. She gives Odo a parting kiss, and he touches his lips in curiosity.

* BreatherEpisode: The previous episode has terrorism and a BittersweetEnding, the following episode takes place JustBeforeTheEnd in 21st century San Francisco. This episode has Quark getting horny for Keiko because Lwaxana has the psychic flu.
* CrackPairing: InUniverse, some of the odd latent attractions that emerge in the wake of Lwaxana's influence make sense, though they're impractical, as with Jake developing a PrecociousCrush on Kira and Jadzia getting sweet on her longtime friend (and protector) Sisko when Bareil develops a roving eye for her. Since Bashir was [[CasanovaWannabe always hitting on every attractive woman in sight]] and Kira's on the rebound from Bareil's apparent disloyalty to her, their sudden romance makes some sense too[[note]]there's also some RealitySubtext going on, since the actors were dating each other[[/note]]. The only pairing that leaves all the other characters scratching their heads in bewilderment is Quark suddenly throwing himself at the HappilyMarried Keiko. You don't have to be Lwaxana Troi to hear them all thinking "''[[FlatWhat What.]]''" when he starts making aggressively amorous advances on her.

* NonActionGuy: When Vedek Bareil wants to fight Sisko for Jadzia's love, Sisko [[NoSell No Sells]] a punch directly to his face and easily blocks all of the following punches without even fully paying attention. In fact Sisko just looks exasperated during the whole thing. And then Bareil gets [[CurbStompBattle Curb-Stomped]] by ''[[ActionGirl Jadzia]]''.

Lwaxana Troi visits the station for the Bajoran Gratitude Festival, but wherever she goes, people's existing romantic relationships are suddenly on the rocks, while others develop spontaneous crushes on very unlikely partners.

* LoveTriangle: Lwaxana is interested in Odo. Odo is interested in Kira. Kira is interested in Bareil

* AboveTheInfluence: Odo, Sisko, and O'Brien. Odo and Sisko are utterly confused by the romantic shenanigans, and O'Brien doesn't really seem to notice until Quark goes after Keiko. Odo benefits from his species' PsychicBlockDefense, while Sisko and O'Brien seem to be just lucky.