168. Till Death Do Us Part

Summary

Sisko, torn by his vision from the Prophets, receives a visit from the Kai offering to conduct his wedding. On her way out she has her first-ever Prophet vision, warning her that Sisko has faltered and she must carry out the "restoration," and to watch for a guide they are sending to her. Worf and Ezri's attempts to escape have been unsuccessful, but Worf is undaunted...and clearly plans to resume their relationship where they left off, to Ezri's discomfort. Dukat leaves Cardassia, urging Damar to find himself again and not let Weyoun walk all over him. He arrives on DS9, just another Bajoran traveler. Sisko breaks the news to Kasidy that he can't marry her, needless to say neither of them are happy about this. Dukat (using the name Anjohl) requests an audience with the Kai, who becomes convinced (due to Dukat's careful planning) that he is the guide she's been waiting for. On the Breen ship, Worf is hauled away for questioning and returns somewhat delirious. He can scarcely tell Ezri what happened before the Breen return and haul *her* away. Sisko is deeply conflicted about his decision; Kira reassures him that the Prophets wouldn't steer him wrong and that he's making the right choice. The Kai and Anjohl become closer, as she learns that one of her briberies of a Cardassian officer during the Occupation saved Anjohl's life. She convinces Anjohl to give up his farm on Bajor and remain with her; he agrees and they kiss. Ezri returns from questioning, barely conscious, and her murmured words reveal feelings for Julian, to Worf's shock. Weyoun, aboard a Jem'Hadar fighter en route to their mystery meeting, observes the Foundress deteriorating further and promises to keep Damar on a short leash. Sisko rushes to catch Kasidy before she leaves and tells her that he wants to marry her, Prophets be damned. They run to the wardroom and marry within the hour...Sisko has another brief vision of Sarah just as he slides the ring onto her finger but proceeds in spite of the Prophets' warning. Ezri and Worf, arguing over her maybe-feelings for Julian (which she denies), are interrupted as the Breen ship docks and they are beamed off the ship...to Weyoun's Jem'Hadar ship. The Breen have brought their prisoners as gifts for the Dominion, with whom they are about to sign a treaty.

Analysis

I'd say this episode jacks up in pace and quality considerably from its predecessor. Sisko's decision is made here, he is not willing to sacrifice his life with Kasidy to please the Prophets. Whether he will regret that choice remains to be seen.

What I find the most interesting, actually, is this Winn/Dukat stuff. Marc Alaimo really impressed me during this episode. He played the penitent, awestruck Bajoran seeking audience with the Kai perfectly, his manner becoming gradually more and more confident as he endeared himself to her. Is it weird that I kinda like him as a Bajoran? Well, weird or not, I do. And this is a good character development for him and for Winn. This Dukat is much closer to the Dukat of old. Scheming, plotting and laying his groundwork while he smiles his way through the day and urges his friends to buck up and get some backbone. As for Winn, she might have always clashed horns with our heroes, but at heart she genuinely wants to serve the Prophets and do what's best for Bajor. That these desires provide the perfect raw material for Dukat to twist to his own ends is a lovely character symmetry for them both.

The Worf/Dax thing just gets worse and worse. Not one, not two, but THREE scenes of people muttering things in delirium or sleep was just waaaay too much. It's a hackneyed device for dramatic insensible admissions and it's a cheap trick used when a writer can't think up a better way to move an interpersonal arc forward. I have no problem with Ezri liking Julian, in fact I'd rather her fall in love with him than Worf again, but to have her call out his name in hysteria is just so demeaning. And Worf needs a bitch-slap if ever anyone did. His silly jealousy, first of Captain Bauday and now of Julian only serves to undermine his already meager character integrity.

In any case, the episode moves things forward effectively. The prospect of a Breen/Dominion alliance is interesting, though it would be more so if we'd heard more about the mysterious Breen throughout the series. What is also interesting is Damar's further development into someone who will no longer tolerate Dominion control. Place your bets that he'll go all the way into out-and-out resistance and, ironically, end up on the same side as the Federation. I can see him teaming up with our heroes to help bring down the Dominion.

Rating: 7.0

Memorable Quote:

"The 'guard, my cellmate is ill' trick didn't work. Neither did your 'I'll make a tool and short-circuit the door' idea." --Ezri, to Worf...nice to know those particular Trek staples don't always succeed!

Classic Scene:

Sisko's insto-wedding, attended by a puzzled Miles and Julian, a disapproving Kira, a frustrated Quark, a nervous Nog, a delighted Jake, a Dixie-whistling Odo and a smug Admiral Ross.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"Reach in and grab ahold of him, Damar!" --Dukat

The O/K Status Report

One miniscule moment at the abovementioned insto-wedding, but nothing worth mentioning. Special Alerts

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