143. In the Pale Moonlight

Summary

Sisko sits alone in his quarters, his mind in turmoil, and while dictating a personal log entry he tells the following story:

Discouraged that the war does not go well for the Federation, Sisko takes it upon himself to somehow bring the Romulans into the war on the Federation's side despite their non-aggression pact with the Dominion. He enlists Garak's help to find evidence that the Dominion plans to invade Romulus as well...but things take a turn into hazy territory when Garak, unable to find any actual evidence, suggests that they could manufacture it instead. Sisko agrees and the two begin to make plans, with Starfleet's blessing. Garak enlists a holodesigner and obtains a genuine Cardassian datarod and they set about forging a meeting between Weyoun and Damar at which the planned invasion of Romulus is being discussed. Sisko arranges for Romulan Senator Vreenak (who negotiated the non-aggression treaty) to pay a secret visit to DS9 en route to Soukara where he'll meet with his Dominion allies. When Vreenak arrives he's shown the recording...but discovers the forgery and leaves, infuriated. Sisko waits for the world to fall apart around him, but then is informed that Vreenak's shuttle exploded after leaving Soukara. Sisko confronts Garak...who of course planned this all along. He planted the explosive aboard Vreenak's shuttle when it was docked at the station, and when the Tal Shiar discover the datarod and its contents, they'll think that Vreenak discovered it himself and was killed to prevent anyone finding out about the nonexistent plans to invade Romulus. A few days later the Romulans declare war against the Dominion. Sisko, still composing his personal log entry, admits that he lied, cheated, bribed, and may be an accessory to murder. He can live with it, he says...then he deletes the entire entry.

Analysis

"In the Pale Moonlight" is not just one of the best Trek episodes ever, it's one of the finest hours of drama I've ever seen. One thing Trek has had trouble with in the past is straight drama. Think of all the best hours of Trek and an inordinate number of them contain comic or lighthearted elements...but DS9 has succeeded with several episodes that are entirely dramatic, and wrenchingly so...Duet, for example...and now this one. This episode combines momentous developments in the war arc, espionage and intrigue, the struggle of a Starfleet captain attempting to keep his nose clean while he wades through a river of filth, and an excellent role for Garak...all with an interesting and effective visual device used to tell the story (Sisko entering his personal log and talking into the camera). DS9 is not afraid to get its characters dirty, which was one thing TNG never did. Picard always took the moral high ground, which may be the way into heaven but probably won't help you win a war. One of this episode's most chilling moments...as well as the most realistic...is not when Sisko admits what he's allowed to happen, but when he goes on to admit that it really doesn't bother him all that much. The ends justify the means as far as he's concerned...sort of. As for Garak, well. Garak is the most duplicitous character in Trek history. He's charming, witty, amusing, even kind-hearted in his own way...but he's also a very dangerous man with a sinister streak a mile wide and the cleverness to make proper use of it. It's the rare character who can, with equal believability, try and set up one of his friends with an attractive woman in one episode but in another episode assassinate a Romulan senator without a second thought. He was right when he said that Sisko came to him because he knew that Garak would do whatever it took to bring the Romulans into the war...their verbalized plan was really just window-dressing and they both knew it. There are a number of moments in this episode when you can see Garak's true self peeking out from behind his eternally smiling face. This labyrinthine plot is so tight it might've been woven on a loom, the dialogue and the performances are terrific, and the very last line (see Memorable Quotes below) is just that last final kick to the jaw, the perfect coda...and it almost makes the entire episode vanish in a puff of smoke.

This episode also gets bonus points for evocative titling...for Sisko is, indeed, dancing with the devil.

One thing I do wonder about...doesn't Kira ever sleep? Whenever someone's awoken in the middle of the night it's always her, but she's always on duty during the day, too! She must chew No-Doz like Pez.

Rating: 10.0

Memorable Quote:

This entire episode is a memorable quote...but I have singled out two.

"So. You're the Commander of Deep Space NIne, and the Emissary to the Prophets, decorated combat officer, widower, father, mentor...and oh yes, the man who started the war with the Dominion! Somehow I thought you'd be taller." --Senator Vreenak

"Computer...delete that entire log entry." --Sisko

Classic Scene:

I can't pick, I just can't. You pick. Email me with your favorite.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"They're in the perfect position." --Dax...hmm, what position would that be, nudge nudge wink wink?

The O/K Status Report

No time for that...besides, His Way is next week, gotta save it up.

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