Day 124: DS9, Rocks and Shoals

Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine

Episode Particulars: S6EP2, “Rocks and Shoals”

Note: Here’s another instance where episodes were swapped around. It seems like an odd choice to make in the middle of an arc, but maybe there’s a reasonable explanation for it. Unfortunately, the DS9 Companion decided to discuss the whole arc as one entry, so I won’t be able to figure out the reason for it until I’m done with the arc. Something to look forward to, though!

 Summary: Sisko and company’s situation takes a turn for the worse when their damaged ship is attacked and they crash on an uncharted planet. Unfortunately for them, a Jem’Hadar ship has also crashed on the planet. Fortunately for them, the Vorta, Keevan (Christopher Shea) is badly injured, and is therefore willing to cut a deal, using the lead Jem’Hadar soldier, Remata’Klan (Phil Morris) as his mediator. Naturally, Sisko doesn’t have a great deal of trust in the situation, but he’s at least willing to go along with it, and since both Keevan and Remata’Klan are reasonable, maybe he can get things done through negotiation instead of fighting. Meanwhile, on DS9, Kira is going through the motions of her job, relatively content. Which doesn’t exactly sit well with some Bajorans, one of whom comes up with a rather drastic way to give Kira a change of heart. No one can deny that it’s effective, though.

Standalone Thoughts: After the relative bleakness of last episode, this episode offers up a little more hope. The tides haven’t exactly turned in anyone’s favor, but things are getting done and casualties are at a minimum, so the audience, at least, can feel a little better about the situation. The characters probably feel differently, but that’s another matter.

Focusing on the specifics, I’d say this is a very good episode. It opens with a bang and immediately draws you in, the pacing is great, the dialogue and acting is sharp. But what really makes this interesting is the situations our heroes find themselves in. Sisko and the others being stranded with few supplies isn’t new—it happened in “The Ship” at the same time last season—but their interactions with the enemy are. For lack of a better word, the Jem’Hadar are humanized in this episode, making them, but especially Remata’Klan, more than just menacing adversaries. They’re observant and clearly intelligent, but are hampered by their loyalty to the Dominion. It’s a fantastic example of DS9’s grey morality, which is really on display in the last act and makes the episode all the richer for it.

As for what’s happening on the station…I think the phrase “the banality of evil” sums it up pretty well. You can see just how easy it is to let bad things happen gradually, especially if you’re convinced that your actions are doing good. It really helps that the station scenes are shot perfectly normally, with no menacing camera angles or dark lighting, so in many ways, it just feels like business as usual except for all the Cardassians and Jem’Hadar. Which again, makes the last act much more potent. Like I said, the situations aren’t any fun for the characters, but for the audience, it all adds up to a hell of a ride.

How it Relates to the Whole: I won’t go into details just yet, but this definitely moves the plot forward, primarily on the station but also for Sisko and company, although it’s harder to tell what direction Sisko’s story is going to go in. We’ll discuss this more in later episodes, I expect.

Other: *There’s a callback to “Empok Nor” where Nog refuses to turn his back on Garak because he doesn’t want what happened there to happen again. Garak, of course, says “There may be hope for you yet”, which is perfect for him. I’m a little disappointed that later on in the episode, Nog runs ahead of Garak, but no comment is made about it, but Garak was unarmed at the time, so maybe Nog felt safe. Whatever the reason, it’s a pretty well done continuity nod.

*I also like the mirroring involving Kira getting up in the morning, both at the start and near the end of the episode. It’s fantastically handled, especially since very few words are involved. Whoever shot those sequences was on top of their game.

Best Line/Exchange: There’s quite a few good exchanges in this episode, but the one that immediately caught my attention came right at the start;

(Remata’Klan and another Jem’Hadar, Limara’Son [Paul S. Eckstein] are discussing the situation)

Limara’Son: The Vorta’s condition has worsened. He will die soon.

Remata’Klan: What about the First and the Second?

Limara’Son: I vaporized their bodies myself, and redistributed their equipment to the rest of the men. You are now the first.

Remata’Klan: No. I questioned the Vorta’s orders, he will not forget that. As long as he lives, I will remain Third.

Limara’Son: You were right to question him. If he had not ordered us into the nebula two days ago, we would not have crashed!

Remata’Klan: It was not my place! Remember, obedience brings victory.

Limara’Son (standing straighter and looking straight ahead, repeating the words almost by rote): And victory is life.

Remata’Klan: Until we reestablish communications, we will hold this world for the Dominion.

Limara’Son: And if we cannot reestablish communications?

Remata’Klan: Then we will hold this world for the Dominion until we die.

This was what first made me really sit up and take notice, because it made me realize that we were probably going to be getting a more nuanced portrayal of the Jem’Hadar. They treat their dead with respect (at least, that’s the impression you get from the tone), they break the rules, disagree with their superiors, accept consequences for their actions…you almost sympathize with them. It’s a good introduction to the situation, and it’s a feeling that continues through the rest of the episode. Well done all around, I’d say.