Classics: DS9 3:5 - Second Skin

Overall Rating: 9.2

A truly suspenseful and engaging hour of television that is noteworthy primarily for its stunning acting performances and DS9's typically brilliant dialogue.

Plot Synopsis:

Kira is about to (reluctantly) join Dax for some anti-grav sailing in the holosuites when she receives a call from Bajor. The caller is a woman from the Bajoran Central archives researching the Cardassian detention center at Elemspur, and she's come across a record that claims that Kira was detained at Elemspur for a full week ten years ago. Kira has no memory of this event; indeed, she insists she was hiding with her resistance cell in the Dakhur Hills during that period. Odo calls up one of her supposed cell mates, who, to Kira's shock, confirms that Kira was indeed at Elemspur. Disturbed, Kira decides to go to Bajor herself to find out why the records and her own memory do not agree -- but she never makes it to her rendezvous point.

When next we catch up with Kira, we find her on Cardassia, thrust into her own worst nightmare: looking into a mirror, she is horrified to see a Cardassian face staring back. Entek, an operative for the Obsidian Order, tells her that her true name is Iliana Ghemor - that she too is a member of the Order who volunteered to infiltrate the Bajoran Resistance ten years ago. Kira categorically refuses to believe this, but Entek assures her that her true memories will return in time and urges her to watch a recording Iliana made before she left for Bajor. Later, Entek introduces Kira to Legate Tekeny Ghemor, Iliana's father and a kindly man by Cardassian standards. Ghemor, believing Kira to be his beloved daughter, tries his best to reach out to her, but Kira rebuffs him coldly at every turn.

Meanwhile, back on the station, Garak visits Bashir in the middle of the night and tells the good doctor he has information regarding Kira's whereabouts. Sisko pounces on this at once: calling Garak in, Sisko announces that he, Odo, and Garak will be heading out to Cardassian space to pursue Garak's lead. Garak immediately protests, but after Sisko deploys some clever threats, he finally agrees to assist.

On Cardassia, Entek tries to interrogate Kira - with a watchful Ghemor standing by - but all he gets from Kira are contemptuous jokes. Aggravated, Entek finally plays his ace: he makes a call and arranges for a body to be beamed into Ghemor's living quarters. When Kira unveils the body, she finds herself. Seeing that this revelation has begun to weaken Kira's resolve regarding her own identity, Entek then reveals that he knows about the mother hara cat she killed years ago and told no one about, claiming that this and all of her other memories were implanted in her mind by the Obsidian Order. Once again, he tells Kira to watch Iliana's recording. Kira doesn't, however, until after Ghemor catches her trying to escape.

After Kira views Iliana's recording, she is tearful and subdued, though she still continues to resist Entek's attempts to glean vital intelligence regarding DS9 and the Federation's activities in the Bajoran sector. Before Entek can get far in this second interrogation, however, Ghemor interrupts, insisting that Kira be left alone. When Entek leaves, Kira finally breaks down completely. Ghemor still believes Kira is his daughter, but he tells her he will do whatever he can to get her off Cardassia. To that end, he gets in touch with his contacts in the dissident movement.

As soon as Kira discovers Ghemor is a dissident, however, she deduces that she is being used to trap Ghemor. Entek enters then, congratulating Kira for her insight and confirming that yes, the Order is indeed trying to snare Ghemor. He kills Ghemor's dissident contact, but before he can apprehend Ghemor himself, Sisko and Odo - who have managed to infiltrate Cardassia with Garak's help - arrive to rescue Kira and Ghemor.

Before Ghemor leaves DS9 for the sanctuary of the Mathenite homeworld, he strongly advises Kira to be wary of Garak. He then tells Kira that she is the closest thing he has to a family, and Kira replies tearfully that Ghemor is an honorable man.

SABR Matt's Ratings

Writing: 9.0

It can be dangerous to write a story where you take a character everyone knows has to remain a good guy - where it is virtually impossible for us to picture that character's role on the show changing drastically - and try to build a suspenseful story around their supposedly not being what we think they are. Nine times out of ten, attempts like this fail horribly, because we never, as viewers, buy into it. In fact, this syndrome is so bad that, for example, on Stargate Atlantis, when Dr. Beckett suddenly dies in the third season episode "Sunday," the emotional impact was not there for me, because the whole time, I was thinking "naaaaaahhhh...there's no way he's actually dead...they're going to find some way around it...some way to go back in time or something!" When I realized he actually was dead, the moment of drama was already past and I was mostly just stunned. Of course, they did eventually bring him back, but that's beside the point. :)

In this episode, however, the writers managed to freak me out for a bit there as Kira goes through her personal worst nightmare and nothing seems to explain why the Cardassians would do all of this if Kira weren't an agent. They really did have me going for fifteen or twenty minutes the first time I saw it, which is owed to a number of factors; one of which is the excellent understanding the writers seem to possess for Kira's psychology.

Acting: 9.8

Lawrence Pressman - who will happily make a return visit to the show in the fifth season episode "Ties of Blood and Water" - was outstanding in his role. It was absolutely critical that Ghemor be portrayed as commanding and distinctly Cardassian, which Pressman accomplished quite nicely. If Ghemor has been played as a kindhearted old man, two things would have happened: 1) Kira's angry rebuking of his attempts to win back his daughter would have been off-putting (though still psychologically understandable) and 2) the message about the deeper layers of Cardassian society would have been lost. We would have dismissed Ghemor as an aberrant figure - his kindness deriving from the fact that he's nothing like a Cardassian. Instead, we got a man who was intimidating enough to keep Entek at bay, be a powerful leader of a civilian resistance movement, and have command of his own home, wihle still demonstrating real love for his wayward daughter and real depth of feeling for the Cardassian people in general. A natural leader, a great Cardassian military officer, and a dissident? That's a heck of a lot more interesting than a show about the "rare nice Cardy."

Nana Visitor was on top of her game as well, as was the always fabulous Andrew Robinson. And, though his role was relatively minor, Avery Brooks was in his element - he's always better when he's being a cold-hearted bastard to get what he wants. :) If I had one tiny complaint, it would be that Entek wasn't scary enough. Gregory Sierra played him a little too flippantly, I think. He was confident and "pushy"...but hardly an imposing interrogator. Kira bowled him over pretty easily with her smart-ass answers to his questions. Contrast this to what we'll see when we hit the third season two-parter Improbable Cause/The Die is Cast and Garak slips into his old Obsidian Order duties. Robinson does a MUCH better job playing a deeply frightening adversary for Odo.

Message: 8.5

One of the things DS9 has always done better than the rest of the Trek incarnations is make the alien races more complicated and more interesting in their roles. Where TNG tended to use aliens as foils to set up a plot-driven scenario to test the humans (OK...and sometimes the special humanized Klingon or Betazoid or android...LOL)...every time we see a race on DS9 (with one or two minor exceptions) we learn a heck of a lot more about what makes them tick. Cardassian society gets a huge boost of believability and intrigue in this episode as we have the message driven home that even among races with belief systems that are extremely dangerous, the majority of the people therein are trying to do right by the world they know. And Robert Hewitt Wolfe (writer of this episode) managed to send this message without descending in moral relativism - another common pitfall of Trek. Nowhere is it communicated that there's nothing wrong with Cardassian morality. Ghemor, despite being very classically Cardassian, stands for a belief system that is entirely different...at least politically...and showcases one of Cardassia's greatest strengths - their devotion to family and to culture.

Stephanie S.'s Ratings:

Writing: 9.5

I've seen a reviewer or two complain about being strung along for twenty minutes only to be told at the end that "'twas all a fake-out." But I don't think this episode constitutes a pointless forty-two minute torture-fest; on the contrary, I think this episode more than makes up for whatever flaws it may have with its expert characterization.

Everything we have learned about Kira thus far is on display here: her temper, her intelligence, her sheer brute force determination -- and even her capacity for forgiveness (something I will discuss further below). Kira is one of the series' richest, most challenging regular characters, and Wolfe makes use of nearly all of her many dimensions. Not once do I detect a false note in the way she is written.

Then we have Ghemor. SABR Matt has already discussed him above, but allow me to amplify my co-writer's remarks: Legate Tekeny Ghemor is one of the most memorable Cardassian guest characters in the entire canon (leaving aside outstanding semi-regular characters like Garak and Dukat, of course). In some senses, he may be an even more powerful character thematically than Duet's Marritza. While Marritza was a powerless minor functionary, Ghemor has risen to a position that commands real respect in his own society. He is, as SABR Matt notes, more identifiably Cardassian. That makes his connection with the dissident movement (first mentioned last season in Profit and Loss, which also makes this episode a nice nod to continuity) all the more interesting -- and Kira's eventual affection for him all the more moving.

Not mentioned by SABR Matt but also worthy of note is Garak's role in the story. The cleverest dialogue, as per usual, can be found in Garak's scenes. His affectation of ordinariness - by now recognized by all to be ludicrous - is always a hoot, and his interactions with Sisko here rank right up there with the canon's other classic Moments of Ruthless Fun.

Acting: 9.5

I think Nana Visitor has turned in better performances than this one, but not many. She must've used her claustrophobia in the Cardassian makeup to her advantage, as she conveys the attitude of a caged animal - complete with biting and general hostility - most effectively. Even more impressive, however, are her softer moments with Lawrence Pressman; Visitor's work in the final scene in particular deserves very high praise.

Message: 9.0

SABR Matt is spot-on when he discusses DS9's nuanced world-building. This episode is one among many that give the Cardassians real depth and variety as a race. But Second Skin is also a story about forgiveness. Over the course of the episode, Kira is once again pushed to recognize the essential humanity (yes, I know - that's a bad word to describe an alien, but there are no appropriate words available to convey the same idea) of a man who wears the skin of a hated enemy. This theme has been covered by DS9 before, of course - most memorably in Duet back in the first season - but I think this is a message that merits multiple treatments, as it goes right to the heart of what keeps us spiritually whole.

Highlights:

QUARK: You're fifteen minutes late for your appointment in the holosuites, and by the look of that drink, you've been nursing it for a while. You got stood up, didn't you?
DAX: Well, if you must know, I'm waiting for Major Kira. We were supposed to go anti-grav sailing together, but you know how she feels about the holosuites.
KIRA: She feels they're a complete waste of time. Anything worth doing in a holosuite can be done better in the real world.
QUARK: You've obviously never been in the right holosuite program. But, if you'd like, I could --
KIRA: You could, but you'd live to regret it. (LOL!)

KIRA: I don't know who you are or what you're trying to do, but it won't work. Whatever you think this is going to get you, you can forget it!
ENTEK: We don't think it's going to get us anything. If all we wanted was information, we'd have it already.
KIRA: Oh? Then what's stopping you?
ENTEK: We have no intention of hurting you. Why should we? You're one of us.
KIRA: This is absurd. You can mutilate me - change my appearance - but you are never going to convince me that I am a Cardassian.

GARAK: Commander, I've already told the good doctor everything I know.
SISKO: I'd like to hear it again firsthand.
GARAK: This is pointless. Believe me, there's nothing you can do. If my friend is correct, and Major Kira is being held by the Obsidian Order, retrieving her would be impossible.
ODO: Impossible for us, maybe, but not for you.
GARAK: I'm afraid you overestimate my abilities.
SISKO: I hope not, because I intend to put your abilities to the test. The three of us are going to Cardassia.
GARAK: The three of us? You can't be serious! Commander, if I were allowed on Cardassia, do you really think I'd be living here?
SISKO: Which brings up an interesting point. There are certain ministers in the Bajoran government who are concerned about your presence on this station. In fact, they want you removed. Right now, I see no alternative but to honor their request. Unless, of course, I can show them how you might be valuable to us.
ODO: Rescuing Kira would go a long way toward improving your standing with the Bajoran government.
GARAK: Why should I care what the Bajoran government thinks of me?
SISKO: I don't know. But it seems to me if someone were in trouble with the Cardassian Central Command, a Bajoran space station under Federation control might just be the safest place in the galaxy.
GARAK: Commander, this is extortion!
SISKO: Hmm. Yes. Yes, it is. (BWAHAHAHA! Awesome.)

ENTEK: She doesn't remember anything?
GHEMOR: Not yet.
ENTEK: That's unfortunate. It would've made things easier. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you some questions.
GHEMOR: So soon? I thought she would be given time to regain her memory.
ENTEK: She was given time. The desegranine injections should've worked by now. Memories usually begin to resurface after only a few hours. It's been two days.
GHEMOR: And what if the injections never work?
ENTEK: Your daughter has some information that we need. I'm sure in time she'll see the wisdom of cooperating. So, if you'll excuse us --
GHEMOR: I'll be in the next room if you need me.
ENTEK: Legate, your concerns are baseless. She's one of our own people. We have no reason to harm her.
GHEMOR: And I'll be nearby to remind you of that, in case you forget.

ENTEK: Did you know that the Obsidian Order saves everything that comes into its possession? You never know what might prove useful. We have libraries of data transcripts, vaults of ancient artifacts, even
(A stretcher is beamed in.)
ENTEK: Ah, here it is. Even cryogenic chambers containing biological subjects like this one here.
(Kira pulls back the sheet to reveal the Kira from the prison database.)
KIRA: That's impossible.
ENTEK: I assure you, when it comes to the Obsidian Order, nothing is impossible.
KIRA: It's a fake, a clone, a hologram! For all I know, this whole place is a holosuite!
ENTEK: Do you remember when you were on long-range reconnaissance in the Bestri Woods. You thought you saw a Cardassian soldier and opened fire on him. You hit your target, only to find out --
KIRA: I killed a hara cat.
ENTEK: A mother hara cat, who was nursing her young.
KIRA: How do you know that? I never told anyone that story.
ENTEK: I know about it because we placed that story in your memories, Iliana. Just like we gave you every other memory you have. What we couldn't extract from the real Kira, we got from other prisoners or just invented ourselves. Ask yourself two things, Iliana. First, is there anything that I've said we've done that's beyond the capabilities of the Obsidian Order? I assume you know there isn't. Second, if you're not my operative, if you're not who I say you are, why would I be playing this game? (This is about when I as a viewer started to question - just for a moment - my own assumptions. Most disturbing!)

BENIL [on viewscreen]: You, you're not Kobheerians.
GARAK: Very observant of you. Now turn your ships around.
BENIL [on viewscreen]: Excuse me?
GARAK: This is an Alpha Red priority mission, clearance verification nine two one eight black. By the authority of the Central Command, you are ordered to turn your ships around. Erase all record of this encounter from your logs and talk of it to no one. Is that clear?
COMPUTER [on viewscreen]: Clearance code verified.
BENIL [on viewscreen]: My apologies. I had no idea.
GARAK: You were doing your duty. End transmission.
SISKO: Mister Garak, I'm impressed.
GARAK: Oh, it was just something I overheard while hemming someone's trousers. (Hee! Yeah, sure.)

GHEMOR: I'm a selfish old man. I can't keep you here any longer, no matter how much I want to. Entek will never rest until he's broken you. If he takes you to Order Headquarters -- we must get you away from Cardassia.
KIRA: You'd do that for me? Why?
GHEMOR: You're my daughter, Iliana. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. Even if it means losing you again.

ENTEK: Garak! What are you doing? You're one of us!
GARAK: It seems things have changed. Now move away from them.
ENTEK: You're making a terrible mistake, Garak. Up until now, the Order was content to let you live out the rest of your miserable life on that space station...but now...
GARAK: As much as I'd love to stand here and listen to you bluster...I don't have the time. Step away. (to Kira now) Let's go. (Entek draws his weapon, and catching this out of the corner of his eye, Garak turns and vaporizes him) A pity. I rather liked him. (LOL!)

KIRA: Are you sure you don't want to stay on the station?
GHEMOR: There's no place for me here. The Mathenite government has offered me political sanctuary. I'll be safe there. One more thing before I leave. Can I give you some fatherly advice, for old times sake?
KIRA: Of course.
GHEMOR: That Garak fellow who helped you, helped us. Don't trust him, Nerys. Ever. He's a dangerous man and he'd betray you and all of your friends in an instant if he thought it would help him.
KIRA: I'll keep my eye on him.
GHEMOR: I suppose it's time to go.
KIRA: Here.
(It's the bracelet.)
KIRA: It doesn't belong to me. I can't keep it.
(Ghemor gives it back.)
GHEMOR: No. I want you to have it. You may not be my daughter, but until I find Iliana, you're the closest thing I have to family.
KIRA: I want you to know something. In spite of whatever I might have said, I realize now -- you're an honorable man. And I think your daughter must have loved you very much.