67. The Die is Cast

Summary

This episode is the second half of the two-parter begun with "Improbable Cause."

Garak is informed that his first task will be to interrogate Odo and find out what more he knows about the Founders that might be useful. Back on DS9, Starfleet adopts a wait-and-see attitude about Tain's plan...they sort of hope it succeeds. Sisko asks for permission to take the Defiant and go after Odo, but is ordered to stay put. After Admiral Toddman signs off Sisko announces that he's going anyway, but it's a volunteer mission. Garak and Odo exchange couched insults for a few minutes and Garak...who really doesn't want to torture Odo but can't tell Tain that...reports that he doesn't think Odo has anything more to say, besides, how do you torture a shapeshifter? Meanwhile, as the Defiant hurries towards the Founders' homeworld, the cloaking device suddenly malfunctions. Eddington admits that he sabotaged the device on direct orders from Toddman. Sisko sets the Chief to repairs but refuses to return to DS9. Back in Odo's cell, the Constable insists that he doesn't know anything more about the Founders than was in his reports...then Garak activates a stasis field which prevents Odo from changing shape. Unable to revert to his liquid state and long past his regeneration field, Odo deteriorates rapidly. Garak is clearly not enjoying this and all but begs Odo to tell him something, anything, even a lie. Odo eventually admits to Garak that he has a deep desire to return to the Link despite his rejection of the Founders and Garak shuts off the stasis field. Tain and the fleet begin to attack the planet, but they soon find that it's a trap...the planet is deserted and the fleet soon finds itself surrounded by 150 Jem'Hadar warships. As they fight hopelessly, Garak goes to free Odo so they can make a run for it in their runabout...to their shock, Colonel Lovok helps them. Lovok is a Changeling...and no Changeling has ever harmed another. They escape...Odo having to forcibly drag Garak away as he tries to rescue Tain...and are picked up by the Defiant. Upon returning to the station Garak begins to rebuild his shop and his friendship with Odo.

Analysis

This two-parter was one of the high points of season three, and its ending is quite satisfying and will have important ramifications in later seasons. Garak's inner conflict has never been so close to the surface. He clearly relishes the idea of returning home and resuming his career, yet he has changed and he can't deny it. He has to force himself to torture Odo and he hates himself for doing it, but if he wants Tain to trust him he must go along with Tain's wishes. Upon second viewings, there are clues to Lovak's true identity...his shock and near-anger when he finds out about the stasis field, for example...but it's still a nice and mostly unexpected twist, though when we learn of the trap we realize there must be a Dominion agent on the inside. The whole Defiant sabotage serves no real purpose and feels like filler to me. All it accomplishes is having the Defiant sit around for three hours, but they still arrive in time to rescue Odo and Garak. I can scarcely believe that Sisko experienced no consequences for what he did, though. He disobeyed a direct order and a pretty important one at that...but this sort of thing isn't without precedence. I'm also a bit surprised that Odo seemed so eager to forgive Garak for what he did...perhaps the fact that Garak kept his secret about wanting to return home helped assuage his anger. I do love the way that final scene is shot, with Garak in profile talking to Odo...but all we see of Odo is a small vague shadow in the mirror behind Garak. I also gotta say that I find Lovok kinda sexy. Call me weird, I can't help it.

Rating: 8.0

Memorable Quote:

"Home...I want to go home!" --Odo

Classic Scene:

The torturing scene has to be the most memorable scene. Rene does a great job here...we've never seen Odo in such poor shape, nor so vulnerable and helpless, and we really feel it in out gut, as does Garak by the look on his face while this is going on. Odo punching him out on the bridge and carrying him away over his shoulder is pretty kewl too.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"I was thinking we should have breakfast together some time." --Odo to Garak...okay, all together now..."should I phone you or nudge you?"

The O/K Status Report

When Odo and Garak are safely back aboard the Defiant, Kira get up from her station to walk up to him and say "Good to see you again, Constable" while trying not to grin. Not a big deal but a nice little moment.

Special Alerts

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