169. Strange Bedfellows

Summary

As Weyoun and the Female Changeling are waxing poetic over their new Breen alliance, Damar has grave reservations...the treaty calls for mysterious concessions on the part of the Cardassians. His anger is only fueled as the Klingons decimate the Cardassian army at Septimus III and the Dominion does nothing. They set course for Cardassia with Worf and Ezri in yet another holding cell. On DS9, Anjohl and Winn continue their association, much to Solbor's annoyance...he doesn't trust Anjohl. While Ben and Kasidy are embarking on their first marital disagreements, Worf and Ezri's escape attempts are interrupted by Damar and Weyoun. Weyoun wants some clarification on the information they got during the Breen mind probes, but when he mentions Ezri's feelings for Julian, Worf reaches out and breaks his neck. Damar laugh, saying they'll just grow a new one. During a conversation with Anjohl, Winn has another "Prophet" vision, during which she realizes that it's the Pagh-Wraiths she's been communicating with. She orders Anjohl to have Solbor bring her the Orb so she can ask the Prophets' forgiveness. The new Weyoun does not endear himself to an increasingly pissed-off Damar while Worf and Ezri attempt escape again. They're caught and Worf is injured. On DS9, Winn opens the Orb but the Prophets won't speak to her...she sobs that they have forsaken her. Anjohl tells her that the Pagh-Wraiths sent him and that they want her to follow their path. She angrily throws him out and begs the Prophets for their forgiveness. She calls for Kira and confesses that she's strayed from the path and will do anything to earn the Prophets' love again, but when Kira says she should step down as Kai, she refuses. Worf and Ezri discuss their relationship; both agree they made a mistake and acknowledge that their feelings for each other are not what they both thought they were. Damar appears to escort them to execution, but instead helps them escape, telling them to let the Federation know they have an ally on Cardassia. The Kai calls Anjohl to her and says that she's tired of being expected to give up everything for the Prophets and getting nothing in return...she is ready to walk the path of the Pagh-Wraiths.

Analysis

Ooh, this one was really good. The Damar/Weyoun stuff just gets more interesting and the episode even manages to salvage the to-this-point horrible Worf/Ezri stuff. The acknowledgement that their earlier assignation was ill-conceived leads to some great dialogue that goes a looooong way towards redeeming both characters in this plotline. It even makes me think better of the liaison itself as the entree into this far more interesting character development, in which the two finally are able to reach some kind of peace with their interaction, agreeing that Ezri is *not* Jadzia and Worf is too hung up on honor.

Damar reaches critical mass in this episode, and we find ourselves cheering for him. He was never as ruthless or villainous as Dukat was, seeming more like an ordinary man fighting for his people than a vindictive butcher, and now that he's decided to take some action against the Dominion my earlier prediction that he'd end up as an ally proves correct.

In addition, the Kai/Anjohl plotline gets sicker and sicker as Winn decides she likes this evil stuff. Up to now, she's cloaked her ambition in genuine desire to serve Bajor...well, she's had enough. Sounds like from now on she's looking out for Number One and if the Pagh-Wraiths can help her do that, so be it. I still really dig Dukat as a Bajoran...the next step, of course, will be for the Kai to discover his identity. Let's hope she ends up sticking with her evil in spite of the fact that it's her arch-nemesis leading her to it!

And yet, every rose has its thorn. I know I've had it about up to *here* with the Sisko-and-Kasidy sitcom hour. I like Kasidy fine, but her relationship with Ben just isn't all that interesting, and this emphasis upon it is really out of nowhere. His marriage was just a plot device to give him some conflict with the Prophets and introduce some ominous foreshadowing.

All in all some very interesting developments here, and effective character progress as well.

Rating: 8.5

Memorable Quote:

Martok: Didn't you just marry that freighter captain?
Sisko: Yes.
Martok: Then war has broken out, whether you know it or not.

"I have dishonored myself. I know how often I use that word, perhaps too often, but this time it is appropriate." -Worf

"You think I'd disobey orders and risk my life just to seduce you? I hate to burst your bubble, but it wasn't that good!" --Ezri

"I want you to take a message back to the Federation. Tell them...that they have an ally on Cardassia." --Damar

Classic Scene:

The death of Weyoun 7 is priceless. Worf just steps up and snaps his neck matter-of-factly. Paired with Damar's maniacal cackling over the corpse this scene is at once amusing, chilling, and well-executed.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"No one touches my peppers!" --Sisko

The O/K Status Report

Grr. Nada. This is the third episode running with zero O/K content!

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