History Recap / StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E10ItsOnlyAPaperMoon

* ContinuityOverlap: Possible example. "It's Only a Paper Moon" was the first episode of the series to premiere after the release of ''Film/Star TrekInsurrection''. While the events of the film technically aren't acknowledged here, it ''is'' worth noting that Worf vanishes from the episode after the Teaser. Worf is also likewise absent from the next two episodes ("Prodigal Daughter" and "The Emperor's New Cloak"). So, it's ''possible'' this absence is meant to chronologically sync up the film with the show and that Worf's left the station to assist the security upgrade of the Manzar colony (and become caught up in the Ba'ku incident).

* ContinuityOverlap: Possible example. "It's Only a Paper Moon" was the first episode of the series to premiere after the release of ''Star Trek: Insurrection''. While the events of the film technically aren't acknowledged here, it ''is'' worth noting that Worf vanishes from the episode after the Teaser. Worf is also likewise absent from the next two episodes ("Prodigal Daughter" and "The Emperor's New Cloak"). So, it's ''possible'' this absence is meant to chronologically sync up the film with the show and that Worf's left the station to assist the security upgrade of the Manzar colony (and become caught up in the Ba'ku incident).

* TitleDrop: Courtesy of a song that Vic sings during a TimePassesMontage.

Vic starts by gifting Nog a new holographic cane, modeled on Errol Flynn's, but he cautions Nog about its fragility. Nog assures him that he doesn't need to put his full weight on his cane. The crooner then starts finding things to get Nog's mind off his troubles, like his own financial problems, old Earth films, and his shows. However, it doesn't go well at first. When Jake visits with a date, Nog gets takes offense at her staring at his leg. It culminates in Nog throwing a table on Jake, prompting Vic to throw the Ferengi out. Afterwards, with a little heart-to-heart, Vic is finally able to switch Nog's mind to something else: his bookkeeping.

Vic starts by gifting Nog a new holographic cane, modeled on Errol Flynn's, but he cautions Nog about its fragility. Nog assures him that he doesn't need to put his full weight on his cane. The crooner then starts finding things to get Nog's mind of his troubles, like his own financial problems, old Earth films, and his shows. However, it doesn't go well at first. When Jake visits with a date, Nog gets takes offense at her staring at his leg. It culminates in Nog throwing a table on Jake, prompting Vic to throw the Ferengi out. Afterwards, with a little heart-to-heart, Vic is finally able to switch Nog's mind to something else: his bookkeeping.

* ThrowingOffTheDisability: It's played with, in that everybody but Nog realizes that he doesn't really need a cane and his problem is entirely psychosomatic. Vic gives him one that looks fancier but can't support his weight as a way to wean him off of it.

The senior staff are all abuzz to welcome back Nog, who is finally returning to {{DS9}} after a month spent at a Starfleet hospital receiving an artificial leg to replace the one that was [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E08TheSiegeOfAR558 shot off on AR-558]]. When he arrives, however, they discover that he's a sullen, withdrawn and limping wreck of a Ferengi. His new leg hurts even though Starfleet doctors insist that the pain is all in his head. Ezri springs into action, becoming his official counselor, though he insists that he's sick of talking about his feelings after a battery of counseling at the hospital, to no avail. Officially still on medical leave, Nog isolates himself in his quarters.

The senior staff are all abuzz to welcome back Nog, who is finally returning to DS9 after a month spent at a Starfleet hospital receiving an artificial leg to replace the one that was [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E08TheSiegeOfAR558 shot off on AR-558]]. When he arrives, however, they discover that he's a sullen, withdrawn and limping wreck of a Ferengi. His new leg hurts even though Starfleet doctors insist that the pain is all in his head. Ezri springs into action, becoming his official counselor, though he insists that he's sick of talking about his feelings after a battery of counseling at the hospital, to no avail. Officially still on medical leave, Nog isolates himself in his quarters.

The senior staff are all abuzz to welcome back Nog, who is finally returning to DS-9 after a month spent at a Starfleet hospital receiving an artificial leg to replace the one that was [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E08TheSiegeOfAR558 shot off on AR-558]]. When he arrives, however, they discover that he's a sullen, withdrawn and limping wreck of a Ferengi. His new leg hurts even though Starfleet doctors insist that the pain is all in his head. Ezri springs into action, becoming his official counselor, though he insists that he's sick of talking about his feelings after a battery of counseling at the hospital, to no avail. Officially still on medical leave, Nog isolates himself in his quarters.

The senior staff are all abuzz to welcome back Nog, who is finally returning to DS-9 after a month spent at a Starfleet hospital receiving an artificial leg to replace the one that was [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E08TheSiegeOfAR558 shot off on AR-558]]. When he arrives, however, they discover that he's a sullen, withdrawn and limping wreck of a Ferengi. His new legs hurts even though Starfleet doctors insist that the pain is all in his head. Ezri springs into action, becoming his official counselor, though he insists that he's sick of talking about his feelings after a battery of counseling at the hospital, to no avail. Officially still on medical leave, Nog isolates himself in his quarters.

* ShellShockedVeteran: Nog - he tells Vic he thought he was invincible, but when he lost his leg he realized for the first time that he really could ''die''.

* ThrowingOffTheDisability: It's played with in that everyone but Nog realizes that he doesn't really need a cane and his problem is entirely psychosomatic. Vic gives him one that looks fancier but can't support his weight as a way to wean him off of it.

Nog does little but listen to Vic Fontaine's rendition of "I'll Be Seeing You" on repeat. Bashir played it at the battle of AR-558, and he finds some comfort in it. His roommate Jake finally snaps and steals the music chip, telling him to listen to it in a holosuite from now on. Nog promptly does so, and Vic Fontaine happily runs through 15 variations on the song before taking a break. Still not better, Nog confesses that he doesn't want to go back to his life. Vic invites him to stay in his suite in the Las Vegas hotel. Naturally, Nog's friends are stunned by him now living in a holosuite, but Ezri convinces everyone to let this play out and asks Vic to help ease Nog back into the real world.

* ADayInTheLimelight: Vic gets a lot of spotlight here, but this is ultimately Nog's episode.

The senior staff are all abuzz to welcome back Nog, who is finally returning to DS-9 after spending a month at a Starfleet hospital receiving an artificial leg to replace the one that was [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E08TheSiegeOfAR558 shot off on AR-558]]. When he arrives, however, they discover that he's a sullen, withdrawn and limping wreck of a Ferengi. His new legs hurts even though Starfleet doctors insist that the pain is all in his head. Ezri springs into action, becoming his official counselor, though he insists that he's sick of talking about his feelings after a battery of counselors have already worked him over at the hospital, to no avail. Officially still on medical leave, Nog isolates himself in his quarters.

Nog does little but listen to Vic Fontaine's rendition of "I'll Be Seeing You" on repeat. Bashir played it at the battle of AR-558, and he finds some comfort in it. His roommate Jake finally snaps and steals the music chip, telling him to listen to it in a holosuite from now on. Nog promptly does so, and Vic Fontaine happily runs through 15 variations on the song before taking a break. Still not better, Nog confesses that he doesn't want to go back to his life. Vic invites him to stay in his suite in the Las Vegas hotel. Naturally, the senior staff is a bit stunned by Nog now living in a holosuite, but Ezri convinces everyone to let this play out and asks Vic to try to help ease Nog back into the real world.

Vic starts by gifting Nog a new holographic cane, modeled on Errol Flynn's, but he cautions Nog about its fragility. Nog assures him that he doesn't need to put his full weight on his cane. The crooner then starts finding things to get Nog's mind of his troubles, like his own financial problems, old Earth films, and his shows. However, it doesn't go well at first. When Jake visits with a date, Nog gets takes offense when he catches her staring at his leg. It culminates in Nog throwing a table on Jake, prompting Vic to throw the Ferengi out. Afterwards, with a little heart-to-heart, Vic is finally able to switch Nog's mind to something else: his bookkeeping.

Soon, Nog throws himself into the project of expanding Vic's holographic business. He's running around with barely any thought to his leg. But Nog's loved ones realize that he's is descending deeper and deeper into the fantasy. Ezri finally confronts Vic and tells him that it's time to pull Nog out. The crooner becomes crestfallen when he realizes that their time will draw to a close.

In their suite, Vic finally tells Nog that it's time to go, but the Ferengi will hear none of it. Vic says that running so long has given him an appreciation for life, so he knows that Nog deserves a real life, not a hollow, holographic fiction. Against the ensign's pleas, Vic turns his own program off. When Nog tries ripping apart the holosuite to turn him back on, Vic finally reappears, and Nog begs him not to send him back. He's afraid he'll get killed in this war. He thought he would be alright, but he's more scared than he's ever been. The hologram delivers some wise words to Nog: "All I can tell you is that you've got to play the cards life deals you. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but at least you're in the game." With this, Nog finally returns to the real world, and as a thanks to Vic, he arranges to have the program run 26 hours a day.

THe senior staff are all abuzz to welcome back Nog, who is finally returning to DS-9 after spending a month at a Starfleet hospital receiving an artificial leg to replace the one that was [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E08TheSiegeOfAR558 shot off on AR-558]]. When he arrives, however, they discover that he's a sullen, withdrawn and limping wreck of a Ferengi. His new legs hurts even though Starfleet doctors insist that the pain is all in his head. Ezri springs into action, becoming his official counselor, though he insists that he's sick of talking about his feelings after a battery of counselors have already worked him over at the hospital, to no avail. Officially still on medical leave, Nog isolates himself in his quarters.

Vic starts by gifting Nog a new holographic cane, modeled on Errol Flynn's, but cautions Nog about its fragility. Nog assures him that he doesn't need to put his full weight on his cane. The crooner then starts finding things to get Nog's mind of his troubles, like his own financial problems, old Earth films, and his shows. However, it doesn't go well at first. When Jake visits with a date, Nog gets takes offense when he catches her staring at his leg. It culminates in Nog throwing a table on Jake, to which Vic immediately throws the Ferengi out. Afterwards, with a little heart-to-heart, Vic is finally able to switch Nog's mind to something else: his bookkeeping.

Soon, Nog throws himself the project of expanding Vic's holographic businesses. He's running around with barely any thought to his leg. But Nog's loved ones realize that Nog is descending deeper and deeper into the fantasy. Ezri finally confronts Vic and tells him that it's time to pull Nog out. The crooner becomes crestfallen when he realizes that their time will draw to a close.

In their suite, Vic finally tells Nog that it's time. But the Ferengi will hear none of it. Vic says that running so long has given him an appreciation for life, and he knows that Nog deserves a real life, not a hollow, holographic fiction. Against the ensign's pleas, Vic turns his own program off. When Nog tries ripping apart the holosuite to turn him back on, Vic finally reappears, and Nog begs him not to send him back. He's afraid he'll get killed in this war. He thought he would be alright, but he's more scared than he's ever been. The hologram delivers some wise words to Nog: "All I can tell you is that you've got to play the cards life deals you. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but at least you're in the game." With this, Nog finally returns to the real world, and as a thanks to Vic, he arranges to have the program run 26 hours a day.

* AscendedExtra: Neither Nog nor Vic Fontaine are actually in the opening credits, despite being the headliners of the episode. (In total fairness, Nog was a FakeGuestStar, having been introduced in the series premiere and appearing in more episodes of the show than any other not-in-the-opening-credits character.)

* DudeWheresMyRespect: Bashir gets more and more upset when Jake, Leeta, and Rom say that Nog trapping himself in the Vegas program is better than him going to the Alamo, spy, or Viking programs. All of these Are Julian's and it seems that everybody thinks they are all ridiculous.

-->'''Vic:''' It's 1962, what do you want from me?

'''Bashir''': ''Hey''.\\

'''Bashir''': Hey.\\

'''Bashir''': '''Hey!'''

* PlotArmor: Nog realizes that his isn't as strong as he thought it was.
** [[Main/DiscussedTrope Discussed]] earlier on, when Nog questions why a character in a western movie isn't hurt after getting shot in the arm.

** After the episode aired, Aron Eisenberg received many letters from disabled veterans complimenting him on his performance, saying it was very true to life.
* ShoutOut: Vic describes himself as [[WesternAnimation/YogiBear "smarter than the average bear"]]. Darren provided the singing voice for said bear in TheMovie ''WesternAnimation/HeyThereItsYogiBear''.
* TakeThat: While discussing what to do with Nog, his family and Ezri mention that it's a good thing he isn't in Bashir's Alamo, spy, or Viking programs, remarking on how ridiculous they all are. Bashir's responses [[ImStandingRightHere get more offended each time]].

* ArtisticLicenseMedicine: Inverted, as the doctors of this Century seem to have forgotten about PhantomLimbPain.

After spending a month at a Starfleet hospital after his leg was shot off at [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E08TheSiegeOfAR558 AR-558]], Nog finally returns to DS-9. However, it's quickly clear that he's suffering from PTSD. He's not his normal chipper self, he barely acknowledges the senior staff as they greet him, and he limps with a cane. Evidently, treating soldiers suffering from PTSD has become a forgotten science in Starfleet, as all of his doctors and psychiatrists insist there is nothing wrong with him. Ezri tries to do her job, since counselors are valuable in war. However, Nog doesn't feel like talking to anyone, and so retreats to his room.

Nog tries to seek solace in "I'll Be Seeing You," as sung by Vic Fontaine. It played during the battle of AR-558 and he finds some comfort in it. However, headphones have evidently become a lost technology, as he plays it through the comm of his and Jake's shared quarters. Finally, Jake has had enough and forces him out. Nog then breaks into his uncle's holosuite and runs the Vic Fontaine program. Still not better after hearing fifteen variations of it, he declares he doesn't want to go back to his life. Vic offers him to stay in his suite in the Las Vegas hotel. Naturally, the senior staff is a bit stunned by Nog now living in a holosuite, but Ezri decides to let this play out and convinces Vic to try to help ease Nog back into the real world.

Vic begins to do this by finding things to get Nog's mind of his troubles, like his own financial problems, old Earth films, and his shows. However, it doesn't go well. While at a show, Jake comes in with a date and tries to chat up Nog, who gets exceptionally defensive when he catches Jake's date staring at his leg. It culminates in Nog throwing a table on Jake, to which Vic immediately throws the Ferengi out. Afterwards, with a little heart-to-heart, Vic is finally able to switch Nog's mind to something else: his bookkeeping. Soon, Nog becomes well adjusted to living in 1962 Las Vegas. Soon, Ezri confronts Vic that Nog is getting lost in this fantasy world, leading the hologram to realize that it is time for Nog to go back.

In their suite, Vic finally tells Nog that it's time. However, the Ferengi will hear none of it. They have big plans, including a new casino. He's also run Vic longer than he ever has been on, giving him an entire life. Acknowledging this, Vic thanks Nog, but says it's still time that Nog went back to his own. Against the ensign's wishes and pleas, Vic turns his own program off. As Nog tries ripping apart the holosuite to turn him back on, Vic finally reappears and Nog begs him not to send him back. He's afraid he'll get killed in this war. He thought he would be alright, but he's more scared than he's ever been. The hologram delivers some wise words to Nog: "All I can tell you is that you've got to play the cards life deals you. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but at least you're in the game." With this, Nog finally returns to the real world, and as a thanks to Vic, he arranges to have the program run 26 hours a day.

* AscendedExtra: Neither Nog nor Vic Fontaine are actually in the opening credits, despite being the headliners of the episode. (In total fairness, Nog was a FakeGuestStar, having been introduced in the series premiere and appearing in more episodes of the show than any other not-in-the-opening-credits character.)

* TakeThat: While discussing what to do with Nog, his family and Ezri mention that it's a good thing he isn't in Bashir's Alamo, spy, or Viking programs, remarking on how ridiculous they all are. Bashir's responses get more offended each time.

* RealityEnsues: If you suffer a grievous, near-fatal injury, don't expect to be back to normal next week.