Day 167: DS9, Strange Bedfellows

Show: Star Trek; Deep Space Nine

Episode Particulars: S7EP19, “Strange Bedfellows”

 Summary: This is an episode where the bad guys get their say. In Cardassian space, the Dominion have formed an alliance with the Breen, and Weyoun is so delighted by the new faces (or rather, helmets) that he’s shoving Damar’s concerns aside. For his part, Damar is looking at the state of things and isn’t liking what he sees. Ezri and Worf refusing to sit quietly in their cell is the least of his concerns at this point. Meanwhile, on DS9, Dukat has successfully seduced Kai Winn, and begins to work on convincing her to follow the Pah-Wraiths instead of the Prophets. She tries to hide behind her faith, but there are some things in her life that are much stronger. Like her ambition, for example.

Standalone Thoughts: Now we’re starting to get somewhere. While the final push hasn’t directly happened yet, you can tell we’re building up to something big. The fact that the Breen have joined with the Dominion is the first clue, of course, but the Pah-Wraiths have put in an official appearance, and Damar’s increasing disillusionment with the Dominion is clearly meaningful, as his last act in this episode proves. We haven’t gotten any big acts (or action scenes) yet, but the atmosphere is getting that exciting crackle that I remember.

Even if this wasn’t part of the finale, though, I’d say this episode has some really good qualities. For example, there are three major plotlines this episode; Ezri and Worf dealing with both their imprisonment and their relationship, Kai Winn being tempted by the Pah-Wraiths, and Damar’s internal struggle. You’d think either the first or the third would be the most interesting one, but while they’re both good, it’s the Winn story that’s the clear standout here. All of the scenes are well played by the actors, from Dukat knowing exactly what buttons to push to steer Winn towards his way of thinking to Winn’s horror at the thought that the Prophets have forsaken her to a conversation between Winn and Kira that starts off in one emotional register and moves to a completely different one seamlessly. Whoever came up with this particular plot thread did an excellent job in writing it, and the actors just made it even better.

The other thing that I find interesting is that the episode offers up some lessons to the audience without being overly preachy about it. Some of the ones I noticed included a mature look at both sex and relationships, a fairly straightforward way to approach your problems whether you’re spiritual or not, and even a warning about why you should read through an important document before signing it (not that it did Damar much good, but still…). It’s surprisingly mature in that regard, and I appreciate it. It’s little things like that that explain why DS9’s mostly held up so well for me. Of course, it needs to make sure it doesn’t trip at the finish line, but I’m having increasing confidence that it’s not going to disappoint.

How it Relates to the Whole: Both Damar and Winn are changing their characters, which will have larger consequences for everyone (though Damar will have the bigger impact initially). Worf and Ezri have finally resolved their differences, we’re finally shown the way the Dominion operates when it comes to subjugation (we all knew how it worked, but it’s nice to get confirmation), and we know the Pah-Wraiths are planning something. Every major plot thread for the finale hasn’t been introduced yet, but we’re definitely on the right track.

Other: *Jeffrey Combs does particularly well for himself this episode, with just the right inflections in his voice to not only make everything he says sound sly and witty, but hide his true intent from the listener while also letting the audience know he’s up to something. No wonder he got cast for two major roles in this show.

*While the episode doesn’t make a big deal of it, there’s a reference to the Cardassian justice system as seen way back in “Tribunal”. Sure, the episode explains it just fine for the newcomers, but knowing exactly how it works adds a little something extra to proceedings. I wouldn’t have objected to seeing Worf in the dock, if only to see how he’d handle it, but this subtle reference is just fine too.

*One little issue I had with the episode is a scene where Sisko and Kasidy are talking. Kasidy is observing that the Bajorans are treating her differently now that she’s married to the Emissary, and Sisko admits that they want her to be the one performing a fertility blessing. She says no, giving the very logical argument that she doesn’t believe in the Bajoran religion. Sisko seems to accept that, but his last line, while a callback to a prior conversation he had earlier in the episode, suggests that he’s going to try to convince her to do it anyway. I’m not sure if that was the intent, but I think the line needed to be rewritten if they didn’t want it to be interpreted in an uncomfortable way.

Best Line/Exchange: Another limited selection today. In the end, I went with a bit that made me smile, and coincidentally has to do with the point I was just making above;

(Martok has been explaining to Sisko how marriage is a war, using an anecdote from his personal life to prove his point)

Martok: You see my point. (laughs curtly) Don’t get me wrong, I would not trade Sirella for all the targs on Qo’noS. And, over the course of our marriage, I’ve won more than my fair share of battles between us, but in the end, I know she will win the war.

I don’t know, I just like the fact that Martok is not only aware that Sirella wears the pants in their family, but seems to accept and even kind of appreciate it. It almost feels like one of those positive life lessons I mentioned, saying that one person (of either gender) can be the dominant one in a relationship, and that’s all right as long as both parties are okay with it. And if Klingons are okay with it, why shouldn’t we humans be?