Babel

DS9 Season 1 Episode 4
Air Date: January 24th, 1993

The plot of this episode has been done twice before. The first was The Naked Time from TOS and the second was it's effective sequel The Naked Now from TNG. Both of these episodes have the crew dealing with a molecule close to water but causes intoxication. The episodes are races in time to find the cure before everyone does something to get everyone killed. This episode is the same plot but instead of a molecule, it is a microorganism that causes aphasia.

Typically aphasia is caused by brain damage from a blow to the head or a stroke which means it isn't contagious. But this aphasia spreads due to the organism and eventually will cause a fever and death. It is an interesting variation on the plot though as people are fine, until they suddenly stop making sense. The solution in this episode wasn't Doctor Bashir curing the station but instead Major Kira kidnapping the assistant of the scientist that made the organism.

Quotes

"Fix the replicators, chief. My console's offline, chief. Should've transferred to a cargo drone. No people, no complaints." - Chief O'Brien

"Unauthorized access to crew quarters is a crime, Quark. You could have just asked to use the replicators." - Const. Odo
"There's an old Ferengi saying, never ask when you can take. How'd you figure it out?" - Quark
"You claimed Rom fixed your replicators?" - Const. Odo
"So?" - Quark
"Rom's an idiot. He couldn't fix a straw if it was bent." - Const. Odo
"You're right, Rom is an idiot. Remind me to get rid of him tomorrow." - Quark

"You, gold! Owe, me!" - Quark