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.
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