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*The plot of this episode strongly resembles the 1956 {{w|John Ford}} western ''[[The Searchers]]'', which stars [[Jeffrey Hunter]] ([[Christopher Pike]]). |
*The plot of this episode strongly resembles the 1956 {{w|John Ford}} western ''[[The Searchers]]'', which stars [[Jeffrey Hunter]] ([[Christopher Pike]]). |
||
*After {{e|The Way of the Warrior}}, this episode provides more details of the political changes on [[Cardassia Prime]]. Once the [[Obsidian Order]] was destroyed (in {{e|The Die is Cast}}), the [[Cardassian Dissident Movement]] (first seen in {{e|Profit and Loss}}, and again in {{e|Second Skin}}) were able to wrest control from the military (i.e. [[Cardassian Central Command]]), and at the time this episode takes place, a new civilian government has been established. |
*After {{e|The Way of the Warrior}}, this episode provides more details of the political changes on [[Cardassia Prime]]. Once the [[Obsidian Order]] was destroyed (in {{e|The Die is Cast}}), the [[Cardassian Dissident Movement]] (first seen in {{e|Profit and Loss}}, and again in {{e|Second Skin}}) were able to wrest control from the military (i.e. [[Cardassian Central Command]]), and at the time this episode takes place, a new civilian government has been established. |
||
| − | *According to writer [[Robert Hewitt Wolfe]], he modeled these developments on the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union, with the Obsidian Order based on the KGB, and, as with [[Cardassian Central Command]] and the [[Obsidian Order]], the militarily sanctioned government of the Soviet Union could no longer maintain its dominance upon the collapse of the KGB. |
+ | *According to writer [[Robert Hewitt Wolfe]], he modeled these developments on the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union, with the Obsidian Order based on the KGB, and, as with [[Cardassian Central Command]] and the [[Obsidian Order]], the militarily sanctioned government of the Soviet Union could no longer maintain its dominance upon the collapse of the KGB. Cardassia would soon return to a military government (in the episode {{e|In Purgatory's Shadow}}), something which Wolfe had always intended. His decision to give Cardassia a civilian government was always intended as a temporary development; "''We ''always'' planned to make them go military again''." (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'') Although not intended, this parallels developments in Russia's governance under the Putin regime. |
*This episode is of vital importance in the evolution of the relationship between [[Dukat]] and [[Kira Nerys]]. For much of [[DS9 Season 1|season one]] and [[DS9 Season 2|two]] Dukat was simply a villain, but the [[DS9 Season 2|second season]] episode {{e|The Maquis, Part II}} began to soften his character and add ambiguity to his role as a villain. This softening was furthered in the [[DS9 Season 3|third season]] with episodes like {{e|Civil Defense}} and {{e|Defiant}}. At the same time, Dukat was shown to perhaps be attracted to Kira in {{e|Civil Defense}}, while her opinion of him was seen as changing in {{e|The Maquis, Part II}}. The softening of Dukat continued into the [[DS9 Season 4|fourth season]], with the episode {{e|The Way of the Warrior}}. |
*This episode is of vital importance in the evolution of the relationship between [[Dukat]] and [[Kira Nerys]]. For much of [[DS9 Season 1|season one]] and [[DS9 Season 2|two]] Dukat was simply a villain, but the [[DS9 Season 2|second season]] episode {{e|The Maquis, Part II}} began to soften his character and add ambiguity to his role as a villain. This softening was furthered in the [[DS9 Season 3|third season]] with episodes like {{e|Civil Defense}} and {{e|Defiant}}. At the same time, Dukat was shown to perhaps be attracted to Kira in {{e|Civil Defense}}, while her opinion of him was seen as changing in {{e|The Maquis, Part II}}. The softening of Dukat continued into the [[DS9 Season 4|fourth season]], with the episode {{e|The Way of the Warrior}}. |
||
*In "Indiscretion", we see the next chapter in the development of their relationship, something which director [[LeVar Burton]] was well aware of; "''it focused on these two characters, characters who had an adversarial relationship and who had to re-evaluate who they were to each other and how they viewed each other''." The scene when Dukat sits on the thorn is a pivotal moment in the episode and in this process of re-evaluation. Of this scene, [[Ira Steven Behr]] comments, "''There are moments in life when you can be with someone with whom you have nothing in common, who you have nothing but disdain for, and then something happens: a moment of shared experience, or shared laughter, and it just changes the playing field. And it doesn't mean that you become friends afterward, it doesn't mean that you've broken through to a new level of understanding that'll be with you for the rest of your lives. But something has changed. It's a bonding moment. And though it's probable that neither of them would ever discuss it, after this, their relationship will never be quite the same again. They've started to see each other as people''." (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'') |
*In "Indiscretion", we see the next chapter in the development of their relationship, something which director [[LeVar Burton]] was well aware of; "''it focused on these two characters, characters who had an adversarial relationship and who had to re-evaluate who they were to each other and how they viewed each other''." The scene when Dukat sits on the thorn is a pivotal moment in the episode and in this process of re-evaluation. Of this scene, [[Ira Steven Behr]] comments, "''There are moments in life when you can be with someone with whom you have nothing in common, who you have nothing but disdain for, and then something happens: a moment of shared experience, or shared laughter, and it just changes the playing field. And it doesn't mean that you become friends afterward, it doesn't mean that you've broken through to a new level of understanding that'll be with you for the rest of your lives. But something has changed. It's a bonding moment. And though it's probable that neither of them would ever discuss it, after this, their relationship will never be quite the same again. They've started to see each other as people''." (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'') |
||
Revision as of 21:09, 24 December 2010
Template:Realworld Kira and Dukat search for the six-year-old crash site of a Cardassian freighter that was carrying Bajoran prisoners.
Summary
Major Kira is in her quarters when she receives word that Razka Karn wishes to speak with her. In the course of the conversation, Kira's informed that Razka has found salvage from a missing ship called the Ravinok – but that she'll need to come to him in order to see for herself.
Act One
Later she's reviewing the criminal activity report with Odo in the Security office, but she concedes that her mind is wandering. When she tells him that her thoughts are on the Ravinok, Odo wishes her good luck – he's certain that while she may be skeptical that there are any survivors, she won't rest until she's for certain.
While Kira prepares for her departure from the station, Captain Sisko drops in on her and asks Kira to put off her departure, as the Cardassians have asked to send someone along with Kira. She tells Sisko that she'll wait two days, and not a minute more, before she leaves.
He's been caught flat-footed
Sometime later Sisko is in the Docking Ring with Jadzia, and they're speculating on the depth of Kasidy's interest in the Captain. At just that moment Kasidy walks up to them to announce that she's applied for a ship's captaincy with the Bajoran Ministry of Commerce. Jadzia's immediate response is to point out that if Kasidy gets the job she can live on the station, and meanwhile the Captain's looking entirely overwhelmed at the prospect.
In beams the last man Kira wanted to see
When Sisko makes it back to Ops, he's told by Worf that the Cardassians want to beam someone directly into Ops – someone who turns out to be Dukat. It seems that he is the one who's to accompany Kira on her search for the Ravinok, and he too is anxious to leave.
Act Two
Aboard a runabout heading to Razka's location in the Badlands, Dukat inquires on Kira's motivation for the search. She explains that when the Ravinok was lost, one of the people aboard was Lorit Akrem, the man who recruited Kira into the Shakaar resistance cell. Dukat's bemused at that, and goes on to say that the Shakaar cell had been the focus of a lot of Cardassian attention during the Occupation. Thence he asserts that the Occupation did Bajor a favor, with which Kira hotly disagrees.
Back on the station Sisko and Kasidy are having dinner, and Kasidy announces that she got the captaincy she applied for. When she raises the possibility of getting quarters on the station, an increasingly overwhelmed Sisko calls it "a big step." Obviously, Kasidy is unimpressed by that response and declares that Sisko is afraid of commitment.
Razka Karn aboard the runabout
When Kira and Dukat arrive at Razka's ship, Dukat's presence creates tension, and it is revealed that both Razka and Dukat are wanted men – Razka by the Cardassians, and Dukat by the Maquis. However, Dukat confirms that Razka's salvage is from the Ravinok. Informed that Dozaria was the last stop of the Ferengi ship that was hauling the salvage, Kira and Dukat leave. Once at Dozaria, they find emissions consistent with the presence of a damaged ship, and take the runabout down to the surface of the planet... where they find the hulk of the Ravinok.
Act Three
Dukat discovers that the woman he loved is dead
At the station Sisko is in Quark's with Jadzia and Bashir, and the three of them are discussing how the Captain can best address the fact that Kasidy's upset with him. Once the Captain leaves the table, Jadzia and Bashir agree with the Captain's judgment that the prospect of Kasidy living on the station is "a big step."
Back on Dozaria, Kira discovers that Lorit wasn't killed when the ship crashed, but Dukat learns that the person he came for – a Bajoran woman who was once his beloved mistress – was.
Wanting to continue her search for Lorit, Kira explains that as a resistance fighter he had an implanted tracking device of sorts, the trail of which should lead them to the location of the survivors.
That night, after Kira and Dukat set up their bivouac with difficulty, Kira points out that she learned from the ship's computer that the daughter of Dukat's mistress, one Tora Ziyal, was also aboard. Dukat declares that he's the girl's father, and that if he finds her alive, he will be forced to kill her.
Act Four
The next day, he goes on to explain that if his paternity of the girl is made known on Cardassia, his political enemies would see him ruined. Kira promises him that if he kills his daughter, she will kill him.
Back on the station, Sisko talks with Jake, who convinces him that he should let Kasidy take the job if she really wants it, because it was her decision and Sisko is scared of feeling guilty if things don't work out.
There's no doubt Ziyal is alive
Kira and Dukat find the survivors of the Ravinok, who have been enslaved by the Breen at a dilithium mine. One of the survivors is Tora Ziyal.
Act Five
Kira and Dukat somehow disguise themselves within refrigeration suits. Once in the mine Kira discovers that Lorit is dead, and Dukat runs off to find his daughter.
Even at the barrel of a gun, Ziyal has her priorities straight
Chased by Kira, Dukat finds Ziyal retrieving water from a spring. Ziyal immediately recognizes her father, and his response is to draw his disruptor on her. Just then Kira finds her way into the chamber, and draws her disruptor on Dukat.
Encouraged by Kira to run, Ziyal instead stands her ground and explains that even though she'd been warned of the likelihood that her father would want to kill her, she refused to believe it – she maintained her will to live by hoping and actually dreaming that she'd be rescued by him. The impasse is finally broken when Ziyal says to her father, "if I can't be with you, then I'd rather die."
He's not entirely out of the doghouse, just yet
Back on the station, Captain Sisko goes to Kasidy to apologize for his gracelessness, as he'd been advised by his son to do. Kasidy accepts his apology and, though she turns away from his attempt at a parting kiss, implies that the two of them will be seeing a lot more of each other.
Shortly thereafter Dukat catches up to Kira on the Promenade to announce to her that he's taking Ziyal back to Cardassia, and that he will let her know if he has any trouble over his decision.
Memorable quotes
"Smuggling might not've been the safest line of work, but it was a lot more exciting than selling scrap metal."
- - Razka Karn
"I was going to say 'good luck'."
" 'Good luck'?"
"You had a friend on board the Ravinok, correct?"
"Lorit Akrem."
"Which means it doesn't matter if I think there are any survivors, or even if you think there are any survivors. You're going to go looking for that ship, and all I can say is good luck. And I hope you find them."
- - Odo and Kira Nerys
"I've found that when one has a difficult job to do, personal reasons can be quite an incentive. So who was he? A family member, a compatriot... a lover?"
- - Dukat, to Kira
"You are the embodiment of a new Bajor – a Bajoran born out of the ashes of the Occupation. A Bajoran tempered with Cardassian steel!"
"Ooh! Captain Sisko's right! You are in love with the sound of your own voice."
"I know you find this hard to accept, but... I believe that in some ways the Occupation actually helped Bajor."
"Which part? The massacres, or the strip mining?"
...
"Think what you must. But I believe the time will come when Cardassia and Bajor will grow to be not only allies, but also close friends."
"Cardassia and Bajor... maybe. You and me... I doubt it."
- - Dukat and Kira
"Could you muster up a little more enthusiasm?"
"I am enthusiastic..."
- - Kasidy Yates and Benjamin Sisko
"The voice of the new Cardassia – so compassionate, so understanding. Almost makes you forget that five years ago, he was working Bajorans to death in forced labor camps, and shooting anybody who tried to stop him! Almost makes you forget."
- - Razka, about Dukat
"It's going to be a difficult landing. I'll take the controls, if you like."
"Tch! That'll be the day."
- - Dukat and Kira
"Invigorating, isn't it? A bit sunny, perhaps, but this heat feels wonderful!"
"Only a Cardassian would call this hellhole invigorating."
- - Dukat and Kira
"But it could've been worse. He could've said, 'It's a very big step.' "
"You didn't say that, did you?"
...
"So, what does he do now?"
"It's simple. He goes to Kasidy, admits that everything was his fault, and pledges his undying love."
- - Julian Bashir and Jadzia Dax, with Sisko
"Who knows more about women than me?"
"Everyone."
- - Quark and Bashir
"What if your woman leaves you?"
"That's what holosuites are for."
"It's a wonder the Ferengi reproduce at all."
- - Dax, Quark, and Bashir
"So, just between you and me... what do you think about Kasidy moving onto the station?"
"It's a big step."
"A very big step."
- - Bashir and Dax
"You'll need the command codes!"
"Standard Cardassian military codes from six years ago, right?"
"Yes."
"Yeah. I got them from Bajoran Intelligence before we left."
- - Dukat and Kira
"I can't see two meters in front of us, and anyway, we could use the rest. So... stop pacing and sit down!"
- - Kira, to Dukat
"Oh, this is gonna hurt."
"It already hurts, just take it out."
"If you say so!"
"OW!!! Oh... oh..."
"Ouch."
...
"This isn't funny!"
[starts laughing uncontrollably] "It is from this angle!"
[catches the laughter himself] "You know what's even funnier? This doesn't work!"
"You [laugh] have to [laugh] activate it!"
...
"You should probably eat one of these."
"Ah! I haven't had field rations in a very long time. I'm sure they haven't improved a bit!"
[takes a bite and makes a face] "Actually, they've gotten a little worse."
- - Kira and Dukat
"Sometimes things between men and women can get a little... complicated."
"Yeah, maybe, but I don't think this is one of those times. It's pretty simple, Dad. You're scared."
...
"You figured out all this by yourself?"
"Actually, I talked with Nog about it."
"You talked to Nog about my relationship with Kasidy?!"
...
"We thought it would be better if you told her yourself."
"I see."
"So, uh, what's new with you?"
- - Benjamin Sisko and Jake Sisko
"[The Breen] must be using the survivors of the Ravinok to mine the ore."
"It makes perfect sense. The Breen homeworld is a frozen wasteland. This place is about 50 degrees too hot for them."
"You approve of what they're doing?!"
"No! Not at all! I do admire their ingenuity."
- - Kira and Dukat
"I think you should take the job – I want you to take the job."
"You've been talking to Jake."
"How'd you know?"
"Oh, he's a smart boy. Must take after his mother."
...
"This... life I lead... this job I do... that's what got Jennifer killed. If anything ever happened to you..."
"Why not let me worry about that?"
"That's what Jake said."
"You see? Smart boy! ...Look, I could stay here and listen to you apologize all day. But I've gotta get to Bajor."
- - Sisko and Kasidy Yates
Background
- The plot of this episode strongly resembles the 1956 John Ford western The Searchers, which stars Jeffrey Hunter (Christopher Pike).
- After "The Way of the Warrior", this episode provides more details of the political changes on Cardassia Prime. Once the Obsidian Order was destroyed (in "The Die is Cast"), the Cardassian Dissident Movement (first seen in "Profit and Loss", and again in "Second Skin") were able to wrest control from the military (i.e. Cardassian Central Command), and at the time this episode takes place, a new civilian government has been established.
- According to writer Robert Hewitt Wolfe, he modeled these developments on the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union, with the Obsidian Order based on the KGB, and, as with Cardassian Central Command and the Obsidian Order, the militarily sanctioned government of the Soviet Union could no longer maintain its dominance upon the collapse of the KGB. Cardassia would soon return to a military government (in the episode "In Purgatory's Shadow"), something which Wolfe had always intended. His decision to give Cardassia a civilian government was always intended as a temporary development; "We always planned to make them go military again." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion) Although not intended, this parallels developments in Russia's governance under the Putin regime.
- This episode is of vital importance in the evolution of the relationship between Dukat and Kira Nerys. For much of season one and two Dukat was simply a villain, but the second season episode "The Maquis, Part II" began to soften his character and add ambiguity to his role as a villain. This softening was furthered in the third season with episodes like "Civil Defense" and "Defiant". At the same time, Dukat was shown to perhaps be attracted to Kira in "Civil Defense", while her opinion of him was seen as changing in "The Maquis, Part II". The softening of Dukat continued into the fourth season, with the episode "The Way of the Warrior".
- In "Indiscretion", we see the next chapter in the development of their relationship, something which director LeVar Burton was well aware of; "it focused on these two characters, characters who had an adversarial relationship and who had to re-evaluate who they were to each other and how they viewed each other." The scene when Dukat sits on the thorn is a pivotal moment in the episode and in this process of re-evaluation. Of this scene, Ira Steven Behr comments, "There are moments in life when you can be with someone with whom you have nothing in common, who you have nothing but disdain for, and then something happens: a moment of shared experience, or shared laughter, and it just changes the playing field. And it doesn't mean that you become friends afterward, it doesn't mean that you've broken through to a new level of understanding that'll be with you for the rest of your lives. But something has changed. It's a bonding moment. And though it's probable that neither of them would ever discuss it, after this, their relationship will never be quite the same again. They've started to see each other as people." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
- However, despite the softening of Dukat's character, the ambiguity as to Kira's opinion of him, and the re-evaluation they undergo in this episode, both Robert Hewitt Wolfe and Nana Visitor were adamant that there was never going to be any hint of genuine romance between Kira and Dukat, not from her perspective anyway. On the other hand however, actor Marc Alaimo felt it would be interesting to play the character as if he thought there might be chance for a relationship in the future, and the producers agreed. The final scene in the episode, when he says, "I'll let you know", is a nod towards his hope for a more intimate relationship with Kira. However, that this could ever happen was impossible. According to Wolfe, "If you put a gun to her head, I don't think Kira would ever consider it", while Nana Visitor says, "Playing Kira, I can't even entertain the thought. It's too disgusting." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
- These issues would next be addressed in "Return to Grace", a 'sequel' to this episode.
- The exterior scenes on Dozaria were shot at Soledad Canyon, north of Los Angeles, the same location that had been used for Cardassia IV in the second season opener "The Homecoming", and which would also be used for the fifth season episode "The Ship" and the sixth season episode "Rocks and Shoals".
- This episode marks the first appearance of the Breen, a species long talked about in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Executive Producer Ira Steven Behr has said that the Breen's distinctive, scratchy voice was inspired by the guitar feedback on Lou Reed's album Metal Machine Music.
- This episode is also the first appearance of Tora Ziyal. Cyia Batten plays her again in the next appearance of the character in "Return to Grace". Tracy Middendorf plays her once in "For the Cause". Melanie Smith plays her in the fifth and sixth seasons.
- This episode reveals the name of another Kai – Meressa.
- Roy Brocksmith previously played Sirna Kolrami in the TNG episode "Peak Performance".
- This is the first DS9 episode (as well as the third Star Trek episode) to be directed by LeVar Burton.
- Among the costumes and props from this episode which were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay, was Marc Alaimo's Breen cool suit. [1]
Video and DVD releases
- UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 4.3, 25 March 1996.
- As part of the DS9 Season 4 DVD collection.
Links and references
Starring
Also starring
- Rene Auberjonois as Odo
- Michael Dorn as Lt. Commander Worf
- Terry Farrell as Lt. Commander Dax
- Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko
- Colm Meaney as Chief O'Brien
- Armin Shimerman as Quark
- Alexander Siddig as Doctor Bashir
- Nana Visitor as Major Kira
Guest stars
Co-stars
- Cyia Batten as Ziyal
- Thomas Prisco as Heler
Uncredited co-stars
- Unknown actors as
References
Alpha Quadrant; arrest warrant; assay office; atmosphere; authorization code; Azin; Badlands; Bajor; Bajoran-Cardassian Treaty; Bajoran Intelligence; Bajoran pledge bracelet; black market; Breen (planet); Cardassian Central Command; Class M; computer; dermal regenerator; field rations; funeral; holosuite; ionic interference; Kai; Lissepia; magneton radiation; manifest; Meressa; molecule; navigational array; Nog; PADD; pagh; phaser; pickpocketing; Prophets; Rabol; Ravinok; restaurant; sand spine; sensor array; soul; subdermal implant; subspace anomaly; Tholians; Tora Naprem; Trelos Vren; tricorder; tritonium; uridium; warp nacelle
External links
- Template:NCwiki
- Indiscretion (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) at Wikipedia
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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 4 |
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