DS9 Returning Adversaries PT 5: Gul Dukat, Kai Winn, and the Pah-Wraiths

One of the most awesome villains in all of Trek is the former overseer of the ore mines on Terok Nor from Cardassia Prime called Gul Dukat.

Dukat saw himself as the long suffering do-gooder who went out of his way to make the Bajoran slave laborers more appreciative of him. But what thanks did he get?

Always striving to be liked by one of his nemesis on the former Terok Nor (now Deep Space 9) named Kira Nerys, he more often than not missed his mark and just ended up pissing her off.

In a classic moment, Dukat boards DS9 with the good intentions of helping the crew stop an auto destruct sequence--but only in exchange for a permanent presence back on the station. Kira is having none of it. In "Civil Defense," he attempts to leave and return in time to shut off the lasers that are tearing through the station in order to give Kira enough time to change her mind.

There's just one hitch---his attempt to leave activates another part of the auto destruct. He's prevented from leaving and told by the automated voice recording that he's bound to stay on the station and die like a man rather than take off in an act of cowardliness.

After having regained a powerful position in the newly formed Cardassian government, he brokers a peace treaty with the Dominion in exchange for their protection and influence in the Alpha Quadrant.

He eventually goes insane after the death of his daughter and ends up on a spiritual quest to find a way to absolve himself of his resentment and self-pity by teaming up with a wormhole entity---the arch enemies of the prophets called the Pah-Wraiths. His primary goal is to destroy those ungrateful Bajorans once and for all!

Later, Dukat goes to a plastic surgeon to be made into a Bajoran. He then visits the egotistical and power hungry spiritual leader of Bajor, Kai Winn.

Winn, like Dukat, craves admiration and respect and will even sabotage her own people's best interest to get it. We learn early on that one way she does this is to use her influence on a devotee to get her to assassinate a rival for the position of Kai. This attempt fails but she is later nonetheless made Kai with the help of another power hungry politician named Jaro who himself is hellbent on taking over the government. Winn betrays him when the truth about their alliance is about to become public knowledge.

Winn and Dukat end up joining forces through the influence of the Pah-Wraiths. At first, Winn assumes Dukat, disguised as a Bajoran farmer, is sent by the prophets to usher in a new era for Bajor.

That's true, but not in the way she thinks. She freaks out when her aid reveals Dukat's true identity but Dukat uses his gift of persuasion to convince her the prophets have done nothing for her or for Bajor. The Pah-Wraiths will giver her the power she desires in exchange for her allegiance.

She takes the bait but meets her fate when the two ill-fated megalomaniacs conjure up the evil spirits in the fire caves. Winn's greatest adversary, Bajor's Emissary Ben Sisko, shows up to stop the fiery ghosts from burning Bajor to a crisp. Winn is eaten by the fire and Dukat, possessed by the Pahs, is consumed by fire after he and Sisko exchange fisticuffs and go sailing off the edge of a cliff.

The Pah-Wraiths are contained in their fiery prison in the caves.

DS9 Returning Adversaries PT 4: The Founders and the Jem'Hadar

We are first introduced to the Jem'Hadar in the episode of the same title in season #2.  We learn they are the puppet warriors for the Founders, the tyrannical race of beings who dominate the Gamma Quadrant.

The Founders, who we later learn in season #3, are Changelings and Constable Odo's long lost relatives. They use and breed this specialized army for the purposes of intimidation, killing, and expanding the Founders stranglehold on the hapless inhabitants of the quadrant.

The Jem'Hadar are not only bred with the characteristics of loyalty to the Founders, but are kept in line with a special drug called Ketracel White. It contains addictive properties and also acts as food.

The warriors are taught that victory is life, even if it means their death. They remind me a lot of the Klingons, with a warrior mentality and a sacred call to battle in the name of honor. The Federation was at their mercy only as far as the Founders were willing to take the war.

One in a while a band of Jem'Hadar would go rogue, as they did in "Hippocratic Oath." Their  leader demanded of a captured Dr Bashir to help them discover a way to rid them of their dependence on the White. That was not successful.

The Jem'Hadar are the creation of The Founders, Changelings who exist primarily in "the great link," as one liquefied unit. They can become individual units ("solids") and did so many times during their occupation of the Gamma Quadrant.

We meet them in "The Search," and their matriarch, when solid, explained to Odo that they became conquerors after thousands of years of being tormented and hunted by solids who feared them. They decided to strike back and become the biggest threat to the solids in the Gamma Quadrant.

Their leader eventually surrenders to the Federation after they are outmaneuvered and the great link is suffering from a deadly contagion invented by Section 31. The virus made it impossible for the Changelings to change shape once they were infected. Those that remained in the great link were unable to participate in the war and their leader could not join the link due to being stuck in solid form. Upon surrender, she was cured by Odo who had within him the vaccine. He then carried it to the great link.

DS9 Returning Adversaries PT 3: Kira the Mirror and the Alternate Universe

Anyone who has read my blog knows I don't like the mirror universe episodes, primarily because they are overacted and the players are more like caricatures of the DS9 crew rather than just their evil twin(s). 

The primary annoyance is evil Kira, known in the other universe as "The Intendant" of the space station. She is a narcissist who uses violence and threats of violence against "the resistance,"  (members include O'Brien, Bashir, and Dax) commoners forced to mine Cardassian ore in labor facilities on the station. 

She also uses sex as a means to gain favor and parade her feminine wiles.  She's the ultimate manipulator with no conscience. What she lacks in remorse she makes up for in charm, laid on thick and heavy in silver body-tight threads.

DS9 Returning Adversaries PT 2: Sloan, Eddington, and Gowron

These guys aren't villains in the classic sense, but they are men driven by their own ambitions and agendas. One sees himself as the savior of the Federation, one the savior of colonists wronged by the Federation, and one striving for his own glory above that of the Empire.

Luther Sloan is a member of a secretive organization, one so secret that even the Federation can't, or won't, acknowledge. It's Section 31 and it's soldier pays DS9 a visit, seeking out traitors. In "Inquisition," he grills Dr. Bashir about his time spent in captivity by the Founders and whether or not his loyalties have turned.

But his ulterior motive was to get Bashir working for Section 31 as a spy. One of the reasons, we learn in "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges," was to develop a bio weapon to use against a Romulan candidate for the Senate. He seals his own fate in "Extreme Measures" by committing suicide when Bashir turns the tables and entraps him to reveal a cure for a plague Section 31 created to destroy the Changelings.

Michael Eddington was a security officer stationed on DS9 after it was revealed the Founders were like Odo---changelings. Eddington and Odo learned to trust each other in the beginning, but later we find Eddington was secretly working for the Maquis. In "For the Cause," intercepted replicators enroute to the Dominion are then stolen by him and Maquis sympathizers.

Sisko hunts down Eddington after a long game of cat and mouse. In "For the Uniform," Eddington, after having attacked several Cardassian colonies in an act of war, finally surrenders to Sisko and the Federation after Sisko tells him he's about to launch bio weapons torpedoes on Maquis colonists.

In "A Blaze of Glory," Eddington meets his fate when he and Sisko are forced to stop cloaked missiles enroute to Cardassia being launched by the Maquis. They end up at an outpost where Eddington dies heroically, battling an attacking troop of Jem'Hadar.

In "The Way of the Warrior," Gowron is head of the Klingon High Council and he orders crews to invade Cardassian colonies and take them over in an act of war. Before Cardassia became allies with the Dominion under the dictatorship of Gul Dukat, Gowron is suspicious that members of Starfleet headquarters and the Cardassian civilian leadership have been infiltrated and taken over by Changelings.

He gets pissed when Worf refuses to join him on his quest to invade Cardassia and strips Worf of his title and a place in the Empire. He tells Worf he will have nothing to show for turning his back on him (Gowron, not the Empire) and Worf tells him "except my honor."

Later, the Empire reluctantly rejoins the Federation when Cardassia becomes a friend to, and under the protection of, the Dominion. But that doesn't stop this Klingon egomaniac from trying to gain complete control, not just for self indulgence, but out of spite and jealousy of his rival Martok. His fate is sealed when Worf calls him on his unwise and reckless decisions that had cost Kronos several thousand men and ships in unwinnable invasions. In "Tacking to the Wind," they engage in a duel with Worf coming out the victor and Martok taking the mantle of Leader of the High Council.

DS9 Returning Adversaries PT. 1 Jeffrey Combs

Actor Jeffrey Combs had a reoccurring role, or make that two reoccurring roles, on DS9.

As Brunt, he played a greedy and malicious Ferengi who hounded and sometimes tormented Quark with physical violence and threats of bankruptcy and closure of his beloved bar.

Known as "liquidator Brunt," he had Quark beat up by Nausicaans in "Bar Association" when he learned Rom was forming a union for the bar help. In "Profit and Lace," he became acting Nagus when Ferengenar was thrown into financial chaos because of Quark's mother's influence over Zek.

In a hilarious moment, he grovels at Quark's feet when it is rumored that Quark will become the next Nagus in "Dogs of War."

As Weyoun, Combs really shown as the creepy yet charming Vorta and servant of the Founders.

In "Ties of Blood and Water," Weyound knowingly drinks poisoned Kenar brought aboard the station by Gul Dukat that was intended for a Cardassian under Federation protection. He jokes after downing it, to the looks of horror on Dukat's and Sisko's faces, that Vorta's are immune to such poisons because "it comes in handy when you're a diplomat."

Weyoun was also like a cat with nine lives, well, actually 8. Vorta's are clones and Weyoun's come in handy when he at one point is vaporized by Jem'Hadar for doubting their loyalty, and another time getting his neck snapped by an angry and jealous Worf in "Strange Bedfellows."

Despite his penchant for being delightfully charming and witty, Weyoun also had a very cold streak and talked sympathetically to Cardassian citizens, who were in revolt against Dominion occupied forces, as he informed them about the deaths of millions in an industrial city. With a wry smile, he warned them that another attack against them would cost Cardassia another city's population. "Let us return to the spirit of friendship and cooperation between our peoples so that together we can destroy our common enemies...thank you."

His eighth and final clone is killed off by a vengeful Garak in the last episode "What You Leave Behind."

The Seven Lives of Weyoun

In "Strange Bedfellows," Worf has had enough of Weyoun's shit. He snaps his neck, thus ending the life of clone #7. Damar is delighted and suggests Weyoun #8 pay Worf another visit.

Star Trek DS9---Tacking Into the Wind scene Worf vs. Gowron

This is a great scene from "Tacking Into the Wind" in which Worf calls out Gowron's corrupt use of power that is depleting their warships and killing warriors for political spite. "You are without wisdom or honor" he tells Gowron. Them's fighting words and they duel until one man remains. Worf becomes the new Chancellor but hands the reins over to his good friend and honorable warrior Martok.

Worst of the Worst---Meridian

The mirror universe episodes are a very close second, but to narrow it down to one episode, it was this one.

http://voyzovrezon.blogspot.com/2014/01/worst-of-star-trek-ds9-meridian.html

"Meridian" is the 8th episode of the 3rd season and was directed by Jonathan Frakes (who did a marvelous job with directing the TNG films and many previous episodes). But everyone is entitled to a mistake. As a director, this is his.

This episode, like many previous, has two story lines. The one involving Quark attempting to get a hologram image of Kira for a creepy client was amusing but not enough to keep this otherwise stinker off the worst list.

As you can see from my previous blog post, the plot involving Dax and Deral was more full of holes than swiss cheese. As painful as the overplayed performances were in the mirror universe episodes, at least they made some sense regarding plot.

Not this one. Therefore, Meridian wins the prize, AKA virtual turkey award, for worst episode.

Best of the Best----In the Hands of the Prophets

I've picked my favorite episode of Deep Space 9. "In the Hands of the Prophets" was the last episode of the 1st season and was written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe.

This episode highlights a theme of where the series should have gone, sticking to the science of artificially constructed wormholes by aliens to create a stable passageway between quadrants. Instead, the series veered off into religious myths with the wormhole aliens becoming god-like figures who gave birth to a savior in the form of Benjamin Sisko, AKA "The Sisko."

Here's my original review and summation of the episode:

http://voyzovrezon.blogspot.com/2013/12/best-of-star-trek-deep-space-9-in-hands.html

For me, the episode speaks to today's battle against ignorance and religious superstition in our culture that has permeated into our public education system. The figure of Vedek Winn, played by Louise Fletcher, represents the religious leaders who have gained influence with our politicians and helped draft policies that allow public schools to teach "intelligent design" over or along side scientific theories such as "the big bang" and evolution.

In this episode, a teacher, Keiko O'Brien, played by Rosalind Chao, fights against religious dogma and for instruction that opens student's minds to new theories and possibilities using science and time-tested theories through scientific methods.

I've recorded a couple of scenes to illustrated those points. Visual quality is poor, with my fingers holding the camera appearing in background shadow, but the dialogue is what's most important.

What You Leave Behind---Mixed Review

 "What You Leave Behind" is the last episode of  Deep Space 9 and was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler.

Cardassian civilians have learned that Damar had survived the latest battle and they are encouraged and revved up to fight against the Dominon. This does not sit well with the Founder who decides to destroy Cardassia rather than trust any one Cardassian, including the loyal yes-man ass-kisser Legate Broca.

Meanwhile, on Cardassia, Kira, Garak, and Damar plan to infiltrate Dominion headquarters after an onslaught on Cardassia that leveled a city. They are hiding out in Garak's old homestead but no for long.

A troop of Jem'Hadar show up and kill Garak's beloved housekeeper. If you want to know a good way to piss off a Cardassian tailer, this is it. The bad news, the trio are outnumbered. The good news---accompanying the Jem'Hadar are a couple of Cardassian soldiers who turn the tables on the Jem'Hadar and eliminate them. Now, the four Cardassians and Kira head for Dominion headquarters.

Back on Bajor, our two ill fated love birds are conjuring up the Pagh Wraiths to unleash their power on an unsuspecting Bajoran population. What Dukat doesn't know is that the evil spirits require a sacrifice. They share a cup of celebration, well, almost share. Winn dumps hers as a stunned and choking Dukat utters "Why?"

At Dominion headquarters, Garak and Kira have busted through the armed fortress. What helped was Weyoun's decision to send reinforcements to the front lines, leaving headquarters more vulnerable. Garak, still pissed off and not taking any shit, zaps Weyoun out of existence.

Founder: You shouldn't have done that. That was Weyoun's last clone.
Garak:   I was hoping you'd say that.

Upon hearing the good news, Odo asks Sisko to beam to the headquarters to talk to his fellow shapeshifter in hopes of getting her to surrender.

Odo links with her, to the objections of Garak, to not only convince her to surrender, but cure the sickness created by Section 31 and carried by Odo. (In a previous episode, Odo learns he was infected at Starfleet Medical and unsuspectingly spread the virus to the great link).

The plan works. Outmaneuvered and outnumbered, the changeling surrenders after being cured by Odo. She signs a surrender pact to stand trial on behalf of her people.

Odo tells Kira that he will join the great link to cure his people. He decides it's time to live among his people as well. Kira takes him to the changeling planet to join the link.

Back on DS9, the crew celebrates the end of the war. It is also time for good-byes. Miles, under pressure from Keiko, leaves for earth to take a teaching position at the Academy. He and Julian share an embrace before his departure.

Captain Sisko receives another vision. He must go to the fire caves on Bajor where Kia Winn is firing up the demons. Lo and behold, she is now double-crossed by the Pagh Wraiths! Dukat is brought back to life and restored to his former evil Cardassian self. Winn is destroyed in a swirling fire and Dukat and Sisko do a dance off the cliff. Dukat is consumed by the fire and Sisko survives in the realm of the prophets and will stay, but for how long and for what purpose isn't made clear.

Kasidy and Jake must go on with their lives without him. Nog gets a promotion and Worf reluctantly accepts an ambassadorship to Kronos. In an earlier episode, "Tacking to the Wind," Worf had challenged Gowron's wisdom in leadership. This lead to a fight in which Gowron was killed. General Martok is made the new Chancellor and he talks Worf into taking the ambassadorship position because Worf had talked him into accepting that position. At least now he'll have someone to go targ hunting with on Kronos, he tells Worf.

Julian and Ezri form a new romance and Quark quips that the more things change, the more they stay the same when Kira forbids betting on the station.

In the previous episode "Dogs of War," Rom is made the new Grand Nagus of Fereginar.

The series closes with a scene of the wormhole opening while an anticipating Jake Sisko looks on.

REVIEW

For the most part, I liked this episode. It was intense, engaging, and at times even funny. The battle FX were spectacular for television of it's time. The separate storylines all came together at the end. Each character had a chance to contemplate or face their future with certainty and remembrance of the past.

One thing I found rather odd was how Worf looked back on his time at DS9 with memories featuring the newly arrived Trill Ezri instead of his late wife Jadzia. I mean, WTF? Jadzia was a six year presence on the station and the wife of Worf for at least one!

And I didn't like Sisko's future with the prophets, who at one time were considered wormhole aliens. Are we dealing with science fiction here or mythology?

And this silly story arc involving Sisko's real mother--a prophet sent to earth in human form to create "The Sisko?" So, is Sisko the new Jesus? Gimme a break! I could have done without the ancient biblical myths repackaged in science fiction.

This is the one thing that spoiled the series for me. It became Deep Space 9:  How The Sisko Saves Humanity. I liked the series when it dealt with science anomalies, interstellar and personal conflicts. I didn't even care that the Bajorans believed in their prophets. It's much like that on earth with humans believing in theirs despite no evidence for supernatural intervention. It's what gives many humans hope.

But when you blend science with the spirit world, a world of angels and demons, it only adds credibility and power to superstition.

Quark is Upset with the Social and Economic Reforms on Ferenginar

In "Dogs of War," Quark, believing he is going to be the next Grand Nagus, vows to undo the reforms that Zek and Mookie have done on Ferenginar including social programs to help the needy and taxes on revenue. Quark would make an excellent candidate for the Tea Party Republicans.

Best of Star Trek: DS9---Strange Bedfellows

"Strange Bedfellows" is the 19th episode of the 7th season and was written by Ronald D. Moore.

The final dozen episodes of the last season have a continuing theme that deal with the Dominion's stranglehold on the Alpha Quadrant, which is only strengthened by a newly formed treaty with the Breen. The leader of the Cardassian alliance, Damar, is having serious second thoughts as he drinks away his guilt and hates looking at his own reflection. Being occupied by allies like the insufferable founders and the creepy Vorta doesn't sit too well with him.

He changes course after Ezri and Worf are captured after a crash landing in a runabout rescue and offered to the female Founder as a gift by the Breen. Damar aids in their escape and tells them to inform Captain Sisko that he's now on their side.

The most fascinating story line here however is the relationship between Kia Winn and Gul Dukat. Dukat has surgically altered his appearance to become Bajoran after encountering the evil version of the wormhole aliens called the Pagh Wraiths in the episode "Tears of the Prophets," which was also the last appearance of Jadzia Dax. Dax is killed by Dukat after he secretively enters the station and encounters Dax about to open the orb of contemplation. Dukat then opens it and his Pagh energy is released and all the orbs go dark.

Now disguised as a Bajoran farmer named Anjohl Tennan, he seeks out the Kia to play to her ambitions and get her to open the book of the Pagh Wraiths in order to release them and bring about the "restoration."

In her own vision, Winn first thinks that the prophets have spoken to her about a farmer restoring the land. When Tennan introduces himself, she believes he is the guide to help her with the restoration. Ultimately, they become more than just spiritual buddies. They become bed buddies as well.

In her second vision, the prophets reveal to her their true identity and she freaks, demanding Tennan (Dukat) get her the orb of prophesy. Too bad for her, they are in no mood to talk to the power hungry egomaniac.

Desperate, she consults Kira Nerys for advice. Kira explains to Kai that her troubles began when she took power. If she wants the prophets forgiveness, she must step down as Kai, give up her political power and walk the path of the prophets.

Kai Winn is having none of it. "Bajor needs me" she asserts. Later, after Tennan reminds her she will continue to walk in Sisko's shadow, she decides to seek out the Pagh Wraiths. Afterall, what have those other prophets given her?

"I'm a patient woman, but I have run out of patience. I will not serve gods who give me nothing in return."

I reserve some judgement here, as I can see her point. The wormhole aliens, AKA prophets, were useless in helping the Bajorans during the occupation of the Cardassians.

I've enjoyed the way the last episodes are breaking up the story lines. We go from the Dominion ship with Damar and Weyoun, to the trials of a newly formed friendship between Worf and Ezri (who is carrying Jadzia's former symbiot),  Captain Sisko and his conflict between walking with the prophets and his new marriage to Kasidy, and best of all, the return of Gul Dukat and his relationship with the equally deranged Kia Winn.

Star Trek DS9---Fan Art Slide Show

A video I made featuring art depicting characters from DS9 by various artists.

Best of Star Trek: Deep Space 9---Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges

This is the 16th episode of season 7 and was written by Ronald D. Moore.

 Dr. Bashir plans to attend a conference on Romulus to give a symposium about "the Blight" (the infection first introduced in the episode "The Quickening," for which Bashir developed a vaccine.

 While he lay in bed sleeping, Julian gets a visit from Mr. Sloan (played brilliantly by William Sadler), a secret agent in the mysterious "Section 31," who first made an appearance in "Inquisition." Sloan has a job for Bashir--gather intelligence information about candidates to the Romulan Senate, particularly one named Koval, who introduces himself to Bashir in a funny exchange at the conference.

Bashir: It's a pleasure to meet you.
Koval:  Why? 

A stumped Bashir is even more intrigued when Koval wants to know if Bashir has the know-how to introduced the Blight on an unsuspecting population. Sloan reveals to Bashir that he suspects Koval has Tuvan Syndrome, a fatal disease with no cure. He asks Bashir how they could quicken the illness to prevent Koval from getting a seat on the committee.

 Not wanting to be part of a murder plot, the good doctor asks the advice of Admiral Ross. Ross tells him that Sloan may have an accomplice on the Romulan Senate and to sit tight and see what else he can figure out. However, the next morning Bashir learns that the admiral has taken ill from an aneurysm and he suspects Sloan.

 Feeling nowhere else to turn, he enlists the aid of Federation alliance supporter Cretak, another Romulan Senate candidate. He tells her about Section 31 and the plot to kill Koval. He asks Cretak for classified information about Tal Shiar members.

 Too bad for Cretak. She is found out and arrested for treason. Dr. Bashir is tortured with a Romulan mind probe for more information. Bruised and bloodied, he is brought before the Senate with Cretak and an even more bloodied Sloan. The Senate believes Bashir and he is allowed to leave on his ship. Cretak will be sentenced later and before they can take Sloan back to be further interrogated, he disarms a guard and is about to shoot when he is vaporized.

 Later, Bashir confronts a now recovered Admiral Ross about his role in the plot. He knew Sloan, a man who can easily slip by sensors without being detected, would not be caught so easily at a conference surrounded by Romulans. Bashir believes Sloan to still be alive. Ross reveals that he and Sloan were part of a plot to get Cretak off the candidate's list because her profile showed her to be a true patriot who may turn against the Federation and the alliance and that would put the alliance at risk.

 I found this episode intriguing, suspenseful, and full of interesting turns. It also highlights the moral conscientious nature of Julian Bashir, a man dedicated to saving lives first over saving a federation, particularly one ready to blur the lines between duty to one's fellow men and duty to preserving the Federation at any cost.

 The episode's title comes from an exchange between Bashir and Admiral Ross in which Ross quotes a line from "Cicero." It's translation: "In Times of War, the Law Falls Silent."

Worst of Star Trek DS9---The Emperor's New Cloak

Another mirror universe episode, this one from the last season (and hopefully last of its kind). It was directed by the very talented LeVar Burton and dedicated to the memory of Jerome Bixby, the author of the original mirror episode featuring Kirk, Uhura, Dr. McCoy, and Scotty as the hapless crew accidentally sent to a savage alternate universe.

 This time the silly Grand Nagus has gone to the mirror universe (he found a blueprint of Rom's highlighting the multidimensional transporter and used the technology)to look for profit opportunities there. But the head of the alliance, the annoying and insufferable Kira, decides to kidnap the Nagus and let him go in exchange for a cloaking device from our universe. So who does Nagus suggest would be the ideal pawns in this scheme?

 Quark and Rom manage to get the cloaking device from the one of General Martok's ships. They escape with it just in time with the help of the mirror Ezri (who we learn is a profitier and partner to the mirror Brunt and a lover of mirror Kira's.) Rom is forced by the Regent, the mirror Worf, (who is more like a less intelligent and angry Worf than a mirror)to install the cloaking device in time for battle with the rebel ship (manned by the mirror Miles (Smiley) and Julian).

 But everyone aboard the ship underestimates Rom at their expense. He sabotages the device and once again, with the help of mirror Ezri (who is upset at Kira killing Brunt for disobedience), Rom, Quark and Zek the Grand Nagus escape to a shuttle just before the Regent is forced to surrender to the rebels.

I never liked the mirror episodes of DS9. I find the characters cartoonish and overplayed, particularly by Nana Visitor, who is superb as our universe Kira. It's too bad her talents are wasted in these ridiculous shows.

The episode's one saving grace was that it featured Rom, played by Max Grodenchick. His character is sweet, honest, and delightful. He is not only underestimated, but capable of making astute observations. For example, he's confused by the "mirror's" in that they aren't all that direct opposite. At one point, he says "The alternate universe...it just doesn't make any sense!"

I couldn't agree more, Rom.

Best of Star Trek: Deep Space 9---The Siege of AR-558

This is the 8th episode of the 7th season and was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler.

This was a dark episode and reminded me of 5th season's "Nor the Battle to the Strong." In fact, in one point in the episode, Quark (who is with the crew on a fact-finding mission from Grand Nagus) and Captain Sisko have a heated argument about Nog going on the front lines to be a look out (and listen for) the Jem'Hadar. Quark tells Sisko he wouldn't send Jake into such a dangerous position and Sisko replies that Jake is not a Starfleet officer. Jake was the one under fire in "Battle" while on a trip with Dr. Bashir to offer aide at the frontlines.

Here, a Starfleet team had been sent to a planet where the Dominion keeps a communications relay. They have seized it and held it while fighting off teams of Jem'Hadar. There are only a few dozen left of the over 100 original crew members that had been sent. They are battle fatigued from being on the same duty for five months, going against Starfleet's protocol of replacing crews every 90 days. Some crew members are suffering from post-traumatic stress and Bashir wants to get them off the duty and replaced.

Unfortunately this isn't possible at the moment because of the area of space, which is fortified with Jem'Hadar. All the Defiant crew can do is leave them supplies but, after another surprise attack, find themselves fortifying the base with reconfigured weapons and hoping to avoid "Houdini" mines---mines that appear out of subspace at any given location.

Nog loses a leg during a watch after Jem'Hadar sneak up and kill the crew's senior commander. In another chilling moment, an injured crewman refuses to allow Dr. Bashir to replace a bandage that a former crewman had placed. The soldier tells Bashir that the guy who bandaged him was a talker and never shut up. He couldn't stand him. The only time he shut up was when he was struck in the back by a phaser blast and lay there dead---and quiet.

The episode highlighted the realities of war and how those that fight on the front lines are often neglected and forgotten and the psychological effects that this neglect causes.

When the casualty list is posted at the end, Kira tells him it's over 1,700 "names." They're more than just names and we need to remember that" he tells Kira.

Quark notices the effects of battle on war fatigued "hew-mons" and has an interesting exchange with his nephew about it.

What does Nog take away from this? "I almost feel sorry for the Jem'Hadar."

What's the Difference Between Your God and Weyouns?

In "Tears of the Prophets," Weyoun finds the idea of Gul Dukat being possessed by gods from the wormhole ridiculous.

Worst of Star Trek DS9---Profit and Lace

"Profit and Lace" is the 23rd episode of the 6th season and was directed by Alexander Siddig.

It begins with Quark threatening a Dabu Girl with firing if she doesn't provide him oomox. His piggish behavior is interrupted by Rom who is panicked that he can't reach anyone on their homeworld. Fortunately about this time, the Grand Nagus shows up on a shuttle with their Mookie.

Nagus reveals his new plans which involves allowing their females to wear clothes and contribute to the economy. Nagus explains when he revealed this on Ferenginar, the whole commerce authority had a meltdown, leading to the disrupted communications. To make matters worse, Brunt is made acting Nagus.

What begins as a comedy sketch soon erupts into a long-winded silly amateurish play complete with Quark dressing in drag, acting as another close confidant of Nagus after he and Mookie get into a heated argument, which caused her to collapse from a heart attack.

After Dr. Bashir saves Mookie's life and orders her to bed rest, he helps Quark with gender change. A commissioner who comes to the station to discuss the situation with the idea of Nagus's new partner convincing him why females can be an asset to the Ferenginar economy. What happens is something that's been seen in thousands of previous comedy shows---the commissioner has ideas of his own about the female Quark, chasing him/her around the dinner table.

The sex change was a success. The commissioner agrees to Nagus's new terms.

This ridiculous episode highlights female stereotypes about raging hormones and emotional instability in the form of Lumba (Quark). Lumba learns how to sit and walk like a female. The episode makes light of the serious topic of stalking and chasing females who say NO. Even the Dabu girl at the end agrees to give in to Quark's sexual demands. The only saving grace the episode has is Quark getting insight to his despicable behavior during the transformation of returning to his old male self and telling her to forget about it.

Jake Warns Nog About the Soon to Be Dead Squad

In "Valiant," Jake can see the forest beyond the trees. The young captain of The Valiant is ambitious, egotistical, and thinks himself and the "Red Squad" as invisible. Of course it helps when you take pills to heighten the delusion. Jake tries to warn his cadet friend Nog that the plan their captain is about to embark upon is akin to a suicide mission,  but it falls on huge Ferengi deaf ears.