3. Past Prologue

Summary

When a Bajoran ship comes to the station under attack from a Cardassian warship, the single Bajoran occupant is beamed aboard...he is Tahna Los, who Kira knows from the Resistance. He requests asylum from Sisko but the problem is that Tahna is a member of the Kohn-Ma, an extremist splinter group that still commits acts of terrorism against Cardassia and even against Bajorans who they don't like. Tahna claims to be through with the Kohn-Ma and Sisko grants him asylum, though the matter causes considerable friction between him and Kira. Tahna is glad to see Kira but questions her motivations and her loyalty when he learns of her position in the Bajoran militia and on the station. Whenever she tries to explain herself he accuses her of having lost the "fire in her belly." Meanwhile, the Klingon sisters Lursa and B'Etor arrive on the station and Odo observes them meeting with Tahna regarding a business transaction. Tahna finally admits to Kira that he's still very much Kohn-ma and that he and two other members who are about to arrive have a plan that will insure Bajor's independence, but he needs Kira's help to get a runabout. He gambled he could convince her. Kira is torn...she does not condone Tahna's methods and believes they're no longer warranted, but how can she turn him over to Sisko and betray him? After going to Odo for guidance she tells Sisko about Tahna's plan. She pretends to go along with it, accompanying Tahna in a runabout to meet Lursa and B'Etor and receive from them the final component of a powerful explosive...unbeknownst to him, the sisters have sold him out to the Cardassians. As Tahna and Kira set course for the wormhole (which Tahna intends to collapse) pursued both by Sisko and the Cardassians, Kira tries to gain control. They struggle and finally Tahna surrenders to Sisko to avoid being captured by the Cardassians. As he's taken into custody Kira tries to explain...but he has only one word in response: "Traitor."

Analysis

With this, the first regular episode of the series' run, DS9 begins a more-or-less continuous streak of episodes that utilize stock Trek plots...this would be the requisite "Divided Loyalties" plot (in the coming season, we'll see the "Wrongfully Accused" plot, the "Mysterious Disease" plot and the "Alien Possession" plot) It works pretty well and does a good job expanding Kira's character and her motivations. The actual storyline is pretty cut and dried. Any one of a number of situations would have served this purpose, which is to elucidate just where Kira stands in regards to Sisko and her own position. The denouement isn't really a surprise, we know that she has to pretty much side with the Provisional Government and the Federation or else she wouldn't last very long. The audience doesn't trust Tahna at once...mostly because of the way he manipulates Kira. Boy, does he know what buttons to push, and I'm amazed she herself can't tell when she's being browbeaten. It also makes one appreciate the discomfort of her situation. Overall, I'd say the episode isn't boring, but neither is it particularly riveting or intriguing.

One thing that's terrific about this episode is, of course, the introduction of Plain, Simple Garak...arguably the series' most reliably interesting character. He is someone we find interesting almost immediately. A tailor who's really a spy (a fact that's dodged for years although there was never really any question that he's a spy) with a real flair for obfuscation and boy, can he turn a phrase. His friendship with Dr. Bashir is one of the most interesting side relationships in the show and had slash fans dancing in the streets. Everyone loves Garak!

Rating: 5.5

Memorable Quote:

"Go over my head again, I'll have yours on a platter." --Sisko, to Kira

Classic Scene:

Garak's first meeting with Dr. Bashir is a marvel of unspoken subtext. Garak's smoothly charming demeanor coupled with Julian's discomfiture (I love the moment when he tries to look nonchalant while swatting a stray flower stem out of his face) combine to make the conversation a great harbinger of things to come.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"Major, perhaps I should do this alone." --Sisko...if you want privacy, just say so, Ben.

The O/K Status Report

This, I believe, is the very furthest back you can possibly trace the relationship. When Kira is feeling distressed and conflicted, she goes to Odo for guidance, which he manages to give without actually offering her any advice...ultimately maneuvering her into doing what she already knew she had to do, she just wanted his validation, really. It's a scene that speaks to their pre-existing friendship and the level of respect they already share.

Special Alerts