Overall Rating: 9.0
We usually find it difficult to move the pure-action episodes into the feature range - not because we dislike action, but because action episodes tend to be more utilitarian. This is not a utilitarian action flick.
Plot Synopsis:
The DS9 Encyclopedia and Lexicon has the full, gory details here.
The Skinny:
The particular way in which this war starts is entertaining, gratifying, and completely in keeping with all of the key characters involved. Sisko and Weyoun's "diplomatic summit," Odo's decision to put off courting Kira until their minds are clear, Sisko's decision to protect Bajor, Jake's decision to strike out on his own behind enemy lines, Dukat's preening egotism in action as he returns to DS9 - err...Terok Nor...and the Federation's decision to gamble by giving up the center of the chess board in exchange for a corner attack to steal a kingside pawn (generally considered to be LOUSY strategy all around...and proves to be foolish indeed)...all make perfect sense in context.
But the thing that causes this episode to move from routinely solid action adventure to feature-worthy launching-point for a war isn't so much the plot direction, but the people. As is generally the case with DS9, the key is the characterization. It lacks the resonance of something written by Echevarria, but it's still as true as a Tiger Woods tee shot on a par 5. In particular, Sisko's farewell speech sends shivers up and down my spine every time I hear it. That moment is brilliant, not just because it's great oration, but because it's a seminal moment in Sisko's character development. It captures his conversion from unwilling Federation puppet to Bajoran at heart. That theme will permeate everything Sisko does from here to the wire.
Writing: 9.0
Rom's little "homage" to Casablanca aside, the script is without any major missteps (the problems of two people don't add up to a hill of beans in this wide world, baby...just get on that shuttlecraft and go!...really Behr/Wolfe? Really?). There are several moments that, after just a single viewing, I could recite from memory simply because they were beautiful and memorable. And the action is unusually interesting, for reasons I can't entirely explain. Not just Sisko's speech...I'm including his meeting with Weyoun, Garak's discussion with Odo about his chance to kill Dukat, the triumphant "and then we'll make the Dominion sorry they ever set foot in the Alpha Quadrant!" bit of HOO-RAH! at the end, etc)
Acting: 9.0
Max Grodenchik (Rom) was a bit off this week, but otherwise, I thought the main cast was, if anything, better than normal, and you can always increase the acting score by adding Andrew Robinson (Garak).
Message: 9.0
Other than the cowardly kingside gambit the Federation pulls, rather than recognizing the importance of holding the wormhole at all costs, you gotta love how this episode preaches INTOLERANCE when it comes to combatants building up their military forces and advocates an unprovoked military action to stop the threat. We've come a long way since season one of TNG.
Check out the highlights under the cut!
Highlights:
JAKE: Thanks for the invite, Dad. I haven't had a home-cooked meal since
SISKO: Since the last time you were here.
JAKE: Sounds about right. So, what's for dinner?
(Sisko hands over a PADD.)
JAKE: Ah. Can I get some salsa with that? (LOL...this actually made me laugh pretty hard, despite the cornball factor)
KIRA: Yamok sauce. Who'd bother to smuggle in ten thousand wrappages of Cardassian yamok sauce? Oh. Quark. That little worm, he thinks the Cardassians are going to retake the station.
DAX: He's a Ferengi. You can't blame him for hedging his bets. But it is a lot of yamok sauce. What is a yamok, anyway?
ODO: What would you like me to do with it?
DAX: Major?
KIRA: I don't care. You decide.
DAX: Dump it.
ODO: Very good. (ba-dum-bum)
WORF: The Romulans! I always knew they were without honour. Now they have proven it.
BASHIR: When did they sign the treaty?
SISKO: Yesterday.
O'BRIEN: They must be desperate to side with the Dominion.
SISKO: Technically they're not siding with anyone. It's a non-aggression pact.
KIRA: Which means if the Dominion attacks, they just sit by and do nothing.
ODO: The Romulans, the Miradorn, the Tholians. The Dominion is making impressive inroads in the Alpha Quadrant.
DAX: And the Bajorans are still talking to them?
KIRA: My people will never sign that treaty, or any other agreement with the Dominion.
O'BRIEN: Meanwhile, more Jem'Hadar ships come through the wormhole every week.
WORF: It must stop.
SISKO: It's going to stop. I've talked to Starfleet Command. They've agreed that no more Dominion ships can be allowed into the Alpha Quadrant.
O'BRIEN: How do we keep them out?
SISKO: We're going to mine the entrance to the wormhole, prevent the Dominion from bringing any more reinforcements to Cardassia.
ODO: If we try to stop those convoys, it may very well start a war.
SISKO: Maybe so. But one thing is certain. We're losing the peace, which means a war could be our only hope. (darn tootin')
ODO: I've been thinking about asking out you to dinner.
KIRA: I've been expecting something like this.
ODO: I could tell. You've looked a little uncomfortable around me lately.
KIRA: You've looked a little uncomfortable yourself.
ODO: Which is why I wanted you to know I'm not going to do it. No dinner invitations, no flowers, no attempts at changing the nature of our relationship. Until the current crisis has passed, we both need our minds to be clear, to be free of any unnecessary distractions.
KIRA: That's probably a good idea. So, for now, all we need to concern ourselves with is deploying the minefield, maintaining station security and preparing ourselves for a possible invasion.
ODO: Well, I don't know about you, but I feel more comfortable already.
SISKO: What can I do for you, Weyoun?
WEYOUN: Captain Sisko. I'll make this brief. We know all about the minefield.
SISKO: I assumed you'd find out sooner or later.
WEYOUN: As I see it, you have two choices. Either you remove the mines or we will take this station from you and remove them ourselves.
SISKO: I appreciate your directness. Now let me be direct with you. The mines stay. I will not allow any more Dominion reinforcements through the wormhole.
WEYOUN: You ... will not allow?
SISKO: You heard me.
WEYOUN: I can see how that might be your first reaction. But you and I are reasonable men, and surely reasonable men can come to some sort of mutually acceptable compromise.
SISKO: I didn't think the Dominion believed in compromise.
WEYOUN: It saddens me to see how deeply you misunderstand us. All the Dominion wants is to peacefully co-exist with its neighbours.
SISKO: Then why the continued military buildup? Why the weekly convoys of troops and ships from the Gamma Quadrant?
WEYOUN: It's the Cardassians. Don't get me wrong. I'm pleased to call them allies, but as you know they've just been though a terrible war with the Klingons. I'm afraid it's left them somewhat jittery. So they're understandably concerned with insuring the sovereignty of their borders. And since they're now members of the Dominion, their concerns have become our concerns.
SISKO: I would think by now you have more than enough ships to defend Cardassia.
WEYOUN: You may think that, and I may think that, but the Cardassians
SISKO: Oh, yes, I know. They're jittery.
WEYOUN: You see our dilemma.
SISKO: I'm beginning to.
WEYOUN: What if we agreed to limit our convoys to cargo ships, construction units, civilian aid? Things that will help them get their economy back on its feet. Did you know when we arrived, children were starving on Cardassia Prime? It was heartbreaking.
SISKO: I had no idea things were so bad.
WEYOUN: The Cardassians are a very proud people. They don't want to admit to outsiders how dire their situation really is. So, are we agreed? You remove the mines and we restrict our convoys to medical and economic assistance.
SISKO: That sounds reasonable. I'd have to discuss it with Starfleet first, of course.
WEYOUN: I'm sure they'll do whatever Benjamin Sisko recommends. For my part, I will personally speak to the Founders to secure our end of the bargain.
SISKO: What about Gul Dukat?
WEYOUN: Ah. He'll be furious, at first. But we've developed a fine working relationship, and I'm sure I can help him to see the wisdom of our decision.
SISKO: I will leave it in your capable hands.
WEYOUN: You won't be disappointed. This is a momentous day. You and I have just taken the first step towards insuring peace between our peoples. (next scene)
SISKO: They're going to attack. (AWESOME!)
BASHIR: Are you sure?
SISKO: I am positive. The moment I mentioned that we weren't going to remove the mines, we both knew there'd be war. Everything else was just words, a feeble attempt to lull the other side into a false sense of security. I didn't buy it, and I'm sure Weyoun didn't either.
WORF: How soon?
SISKO: As soon as they can get their fleet from Cardassia. I'd say as early as tomorrow. Which means we have to finish the minefield today.
ZIYAL: You're sure you won't come with me?
GARAK: I don't think I'd be very welcome on Bajor.
ZIYAL: I'm not going to be very popular there, either.
GARAK: My dear, you're half-Bajoran, so at least half of you is going to be accepted. I'm sure that Major Kira's friends will take good care of you.
ZIYAL: Well, what's going to happen to you?
GARAK: Well, let me tell you a story. I once knew a Cardassian, a dashing, handsome young man with a promising career. But one day, through no fault of his own, he found himself exiled and alone, with nowhere to turn. But did he give up? No. He struck upon a brilliant plan. Rather than fleeing for the rest of his life, he sought shelter in the one place no one expected him to go. In a stronghold of his people's most hated enemies. There, surrounded by hostile strangers, he built a life, and there, against all odds, against the merciless logic of the Universe itself, he thrived.
ZIYAL: By becoming the greatest tailor in the galaxy.
GARAK: And the moral of the story, my dear, is to never underestimate my gift for survival. (and HOW)
GARAK: I must say, Constable, I admire your composure. You're an island of tranquility in a sea of chaos.
ODO: What I am is useless. My entire staff has been evacuated to Bajor.
GARAK: I'm not feeling too terribly useful myself at this moment, but if it'd make you feel any better, you could always deputise me.
ODO: Ha. I'm sure if the Jem'Hadar board the station, you'll make yourself useful.
GARAK: It's ironic. When the Klingons attacked the station, Gul Dukat and I were fighting side by side. At one point he turned his back to me, and I must to admit that, for a moment, he made a very tempting target.
ODO: You'd shoot a man in the back?
GARAK: Well, it's the safest way, isn't it? But then I thought, 'oh, no, I can't fight all these Klingons by myself.' So I let him live.
ODO: And now you regret it.
GARAK: Ah, my dear Constable, before this day is over everyone on this station is going to regret it.
QUARK: Rom, I always said you were an idiot, but I never believed it more than I do at this moment.
ROM: Brother, if you want to insult me, it's going to have to wait till later. I'm busy.
QUARK: Busy doing what?
ROM: Preparing perimeter defences for the attack.
QUARK: There are dozens of engineers that could be doing that. Starfleet engineers. Humans. You should be on Bajor with your new wife.
ROM: That's what Leeta said.
QUARK: Well, she's right. This is not your fight.
ROM: It's not your fight either, but I don't see you leaving.
QUARK: I have to look out for my bar.
ROM: And I have to look out for you.
QUARK: Me?
ROM: You're my brother. Whatever happens, we belong together.
QUARK: Well, like I said, you're an idiot. (and he kisses him on the head...awwww)
KIRA: Captain, as a Major in the Bajoran Militia, I must officially protest Starfleet's refusal to turn over this station to my government.
SISKO: Your protest is duly noted.
KIRA: Good. Now that that's over with, Kira Nerys reporting for duty. (snerk)
DAX: Worf.
WORF: Jadzia. You should be on the Defiant.
DAX: I heard you're not coming with us. That you've been assigned to Martok's ship.
WORF: It might be some time before we see each other again.
DAX: Worf, we might never see each other again.
WORF: This is war. We must put aside our personal feelings and focus on the task at hand.
DAX: I've been through my share of wars. I know what I have to do. But before you leave, I want you to know that the answer is yes.
WORF: Yes? Yes to what?
DAX: Yes, I will marry you. That's what you've wanted from the very beginning, isn't it?
WORF: Yes. Yes it is.
DAX: Then as soon as this is over, we'll get married. And if that doesn't give you a reason to survive, I don't know what will.
(Dax kisses him and leaves - admittedly cute)
(Sisko is in front of the Temple, addressing the residents, including Morn, Quark, Odo, Kira and assorted aliens.)
SISKO: When I first took command of this post, all I wanted was to be somewhere else, anywhere but here. But now, five years later, this has become my home and you have become my family. And leaving this station, leaving you, is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But this war isn't over yet. I want you to know while we were keeping the Dominion occupied, a Starfleet-Klingon task force crossed the border into Cardassia and destroyed the Dominion shipyards on Torros Three. Your sacrifices, our sacrifices, made that victory possible. But no victory can make this moment any easier for me. And I promise I will not rest until I stand with you again, here, on this place where I belong.
SISKO: Are we ready?
O'BRIEN: As soon as you give the word, sir.
SISKO: Mister Garak?
GARAK: I'd like to come along, if you don't mind. You never know when you might need a good tailor. And the simple fact is, I have nowhere else to go.
SISKO: Welcome aboard.(heh)
KIRA: Contact the Dominion fleet. Tell them the Bajoran government welcomes them to Deep Space Nine.
ODO: Message acknowledged.
KIRA: Good. That's the last message this station will be sending out for a while. Computer, initiate programme Sisko one nine seven.
COMPUTER: Program initiated.
(Electricity runs across all the consoles and wall panels, and blows them all up.)
KIRA: Dukat wanted the station back, he can have it. (take THAT Dukat!)
SISKO: What the hell is Jake thinking?
O'BRIEN: Do we go back for him?
SISKO: I can't risk the entire crew for one man, even though he is my son. Whether I like it or not, he is a man, capable of making his own choices. Maintain current course.
DAX: Aye, Captain. We should rendezvous with the Federation task force in forty eight hours.
BASHIR: And then what?
NOG: And then we make the Dominion sorry they ever set foot in the Alpha Quadrant. (HOO-RAH!!)
SISKO: Cadet, you took the words right out of my mouth.
KIRA: Gentlemen. On behalf of the Bajoran government --
QUARK: And the Promenade Merchants' Association --
KIRA: I officially welcome you to Deep Space Nine.
DUKAT: You mean Terok Nor, don't you?
WEYOUN: Founder, we're honoured by your decision to remain with us.
ODO: I'm not here as a Founder. I'm the station's Chief of Security.
WEYOUN: Whatever you say. Nevertheless, having a god walk amongst us is most gratifying.
DUKAT: I agree. You, me, the Major, together again. It should be most interesting. Now if you'll excuse me. I'll be in my office. (ah the creepiness factor begins...)
WEYOUN: I assume Captain Sisko removed or destroyed everything of value?
DUKAT: Not everything.
(Dukat picks up Sisko's baseball.)
WEYOUN: What is that?
DUKAT: A message from Sisko.
WEYOUN: I don't understand.
DUKAT: He's letting me know he'll be back. (actually...he's letting you know your body will fit inside that baseball when he gets through with you...you do NOT f*** with the Sisko)
No comments:
Post a Comment