Deep Space Nine: The Final Chapter 4: The Changing Face of Evil

Deep Space Nine: The Final Chapter

4: The Changing Face of Evil

As O'Brien and Bashir welcome Worf and Ezri back to the station, and Sisko tells Ezri that's he's willing to overlook stealing and losing the runabout as he's much more interested in the Dominion-Breen alliance, Kira reports that they've received a priority one message from Starfleet: the Breen have attacked Earth.  In Siskos office Martok comments on the boldness of the attack, saying that it is something even the Klingons never tried.  He also points out how little they know about the Breen.  On Cardassia Weyoun and Thot Gor celebrate the attack and Weyoun gleefully announces that the casualty numbers are being revised upwards.  Weyoun leaves to report to the Founder, Damar tells Thot Gor that the Dominion once sung Cardassias praises, but now they blame Cardassia for the war dragging on.  In his quarters Sisko finds Kasidy trying and failing to cook him dinner, having burned his peppers.  Sisko asks to Kasidy to take a leave from her freighter captain job, she refuses.  Damar, realizing that Cardassia is now an occupied planet secretly meets with Gul Rusot in his office to begin planning a rebellion.  Rusot says the secrecy is more Romulan-like than Cardassian, but Damar tells him it's absolutely necessary.  They begin planning to attack Rondac III.  On Bajor Winn cancels all of her appointments and tells Dukat that she's unhappy that she still has to pretend to follow the Prophets while still not hearing from the Pah-wraiths.  Dukat says she will hear from them once she releases them from the Fire Caves.  She objects, saying that the prophecies say that will cause the destruction of Bajor, but Dukat says that releasing them will bring about a new Bajor with her as the leader.  She likes this, but knows that to make it happen she will need to consult the text of the evil book Kosst Amojan.  In Quark's Bar O'Brien and Bashir discuss strategies for their Battle of the Alamo holoprogram, while on the upper level Worf and Dax discuss Dax's feelings for Bashir.  On Bajor Solbor reluctantly brings Winn the Kosst Amojan, admonishing her that "he who studies evil is studied by evil".  Dukat convinces Winn to open the book.  Opening it she finds the pages blank.  Winn realizes that they must do something else to read the text.  While discussing security protocols in Odos office Sisko and Odo are interrupted by an angry Kasidy, who says that she has been put on leave by Bajor shipping against her wishes.  After a brief argument she gets Sisko to get her reinstated.  On Bajor Winn studies other dark texts attempting learn the secrets of the Kosst Amojan.  Solbor questions her actions, but she says she is working for the good of Bajor.  Sisko, after telling Kasidy that she is back on the active list, gets a message from Admiral Ross: the Breen have attacked at Chin'toka.  Sisko asks "When do I leave?"  The Defiant departs the station with a huge combined fleet bound for Chin'toka.  On Bajor Solbor tries to remove the books while Winn is sleeping but is stopped and attacked by Dukat, who takes the books back.  On Cardassia Damar and Rusot discuss the impending retake of Chin'toka.  The thought of Cardassian territory being retaken does not please Damar, the territory belongs to the Dominion NOT Cardassia.  Rusot confirms that their allies are ready to strike Rondac III, Damar orders them to attack in 7 hours.  When Rusot points out that a lot of Cardassians will die in the attack Damar says that they will be dying for Cardassia NOT the Dominion.  Weyoun and the female Founder travel to the battle on a Dominion ship, the Founder wants to witness this battle personally.  The battle begins at Chin'toka: the Defiant destroys two Breen ships, the Breen return fire with their new energy dampening weapon, which instantly cripples the Defiant.  The subsequent weapons blasts critically damage the ship, forcing Sisko to order the crew to abandon ship.  A final blast destroys the Defiant.  On the Dominion ship Weyoun reports on the destruction of the Defiant and mentions the escape pods.  The Founder orders the escape pods not be destroyed, noting that the demoralized survivors will spread fear throughout the Federation.  On Bajor a suspicious Solbor looks into Anjohl Tennan, learning that the real Tennan died 9 years ago.  Testing a sample of Tennans DNA he discovers the truth: "Tennan" is in truth Gul Dukat.  He reveals this to Winn, who is disgusted but still refuses to believe the Pah-wraiths are evil.  Solbor threatens to expose Winn for her actions, Winn stabs Solbor, killing him.  She goes to destroy the Kosst Amojan, but the blood drips off the knife onto the pages, revealing the text.  Winn realizes that she has made her choices, having murdered Solbor there is no turning back from the Pah-wraiths.  Dukat removes Solbor's body.  On DS9 Sisko reports on the loss of the Defiant, calling it the best ship he ever commanded.  Ross says he will get Sisko another ship.  They discuss finding a countermeasure for the Breen energy dampener.  Kira calls them to hear a message broadcast on all frequencies by Damar: he says that for 2 years Cardassia was loyal to the Dominion, fighting with them at the cost of 7 million soldiers, in return the Dominion gave their territories to the Breen and took over Cardassia Prime "Our allies have conquered us without firing a single shot!  Well, no longer".  He then announces that troops from the 1st, 3rd, and 9th orders have attacked the Dominion cloning facilities on Rondac III, and calls on all Cardassians to rise against the Dominion.  On Cardassia Weyoun confirms the destruction of the cloning facility and the reason: that is where his clones were created-he may be the last Weyoun.  The female Founder orders Damar and his loyalists eliminated.  On DS9 Kira confirms the attack on Rondac III and Ross says that this may have bought the alliance some time.  Sisko says that they need to find a way to help Damar.

Ok!  Shit just got serious.  So the episode starts out with Earth itself attacked, showing just how serious the situation is.  The image of San Francisco in ruins, the Golden Gate Bridge itself broken and smoldering is a powerful visual of the gravity of the attack.  Even Earth itself is not safe.  On Bajor Kai Winn makes her choices and starts down a road from which there is no turning back-even in the face of the revelation that she has been cavorting with (and sleeping with) Gul Dukat-ewwwww!  Then we have the second battle of Chin'toka.  312 ships destroyed, including the Defiant.  Not only the loss of ships and personnel but the emotional toll-something which the Founder recognized and capitalized on.  Overall the episode shows us that no one is safe.  And then we end with the beginning of Damar's rebellion.  Damar's attack on the Rondac III cloning facility was a calculated, intentional, personal attack on Weyoun (who he obviously loathes).  This also marks the beginning of a redemption arc for Damar, from Dukats lackey and puppet leader of Cardassia under the thumb of the Dominion, to resistance leader/freedom fighter, to ultimately revolutionary and martyr.  

Quotes:

Kira: We just received a priority one transmission from Starfleet Command.  The Breen have attacked Earth.

Solbor: This book has not been removed from the archives, not for seven hundred years.
Winn: Your point being?
Solbor: The knowledge it contains about the Pah wraiths, it is said to be very dangerous.
Winn: Knowledge is never dangerous in the right hands.
Solbor: There is an old saying.  He who studies evil, is studied by evil.

Damar: …And so two years ago, our government signed a treaty with the Dominion.  In it the Dominion promised to extend Cardassia's influence throughout the Alpha Quadrant.  In exchange, we pledged ourselves to join the war against the Federation and its allies.  Cardassians have never been afraid of war, a fact we've proven time and again over these past two years.  Seven million of our brave soldiers have given their lives to fulfill our part of the agreement, and what has the Dominion done in return?  Nothing.  We've gained no new territories.  In fact, our influence throughout the quadrant has diminished.  And to make matters worse, we are no longer masters in our own home.  Travel anywhere on Cardassia and what do you find?  Jem'Hadar, Vorta, and now Breen.  Instead of the invaders, we have become the invaded.  Our 'allies' have conquered us without firing a single shot.  Well, no longer.  This morning detachments of the Cardassian First, Third, and Ninth Orders attacked the Dominion outpost on Rondac III.  This assault marks the first step towards the liberation of our homeland, from the true oppressors of the Alpha Quadrant.  I call upon Cardassians everywhere.  Resist.  Resist today.  Resist tomorrow.  Resist 'til the last Dominion soldier has been driven from our soil!