72. The Adversary

Summary

At the reception to celebrate Sisko's promotion to Captain, Federation Ambassador Krajensky informs him that there's trouble on the Tzenkethi border and he will be accompanying them on a mission to Tzenkethi space on the Defiant to "show the flag." En route the Defiant is sabotaged and Sisko loses control of the ship...the saboteur is revealed to be the Ambassador, who is really a Changeling infiltrator. The Defiant is headed towards Tzenkethi space armed for battle...perhaps to start a war, unless they can regain control. The crew splits up to search the ship for the Changeling, who could be anyone or anything on the ship, discovering the now-well-known blood-testing technique for detecting Changeling infiltrators along the way. After some tense time searching they are unable to find the Changeling...while Odo pursues him through the conduits Sisko activated the auto-destruct. As the minutes tick down the Chief is about to regain control when two Changelings appear in Engineering...both of whom look like Odo. A crewmember keeps both of them under guard while the Chief works. As it seems he's about to succeed one of the Changelings attacks him. He and Odo fight...he tries to get Odo to return with him but Odo forces him against the unprotected warp core and the Changeling dies, but not before whispering something in Odo's ear. Back on DS9, the crew learns that there never was any trouble with the Tzenkethi and the entire mission was a sham...but they're all worried about Odo who has withdrawn since killing the Changeling and thus becoming the first of his species to harm another. He finally comes to a briefing and informs the crew what the Changeling whispered to him...that Founder infiltrators are all over the Federation.

Analysis

This is a taut, suspenseful episode that's nonetheless full of holes. It stretches the imagination that the Changeling would take control of the helm, weapons, and communication...but leave the auto-destruct free for Sisko to activate. Why would the Changeling, as Bashir, implicate Eddington? Why not Sisko? How would it help to take a partner and keep them in sight at all times when your partner could already be a Changeling? It also seems to me ludicrous to search in such small groups...the minute you clear one area, the Changeling could move there and always stay one step ahead of you. Nevertheless the tension really hangs in the air, heightened by claustrophic and moody shots of the ship's interiors. Some elements are done to death...the "let's test people and stare suspiciously at each other" scenes spring to mind, as do the "let's walk down corridors with phaser rifles" scenes...but it's still quite engaging. It's also got some good stuff for Odo as he tells Eddington how he's never found it necessary to fire a phaser or take a life in his entire career as a security officer. And just for once, I would like to have an episode involving war where someone didn't comment about how "such a conflict would destabilize the Alpha Quadrant." This comment seems to be everywhere on DS9, much as the old "represent a fundamental power shift in the quadrant" comment was everywhere in TNG. Despite its flaws, this is an episode I always enjoy watching, and it's one I can watch more than once cheerfully. And I must say, when Odo reveals the Changeling's final comment, it's a very chilling moment with which to end a season.

Rating: 7.5

Memorable Quote:

"You're too late...we're everywhere." --the dying Changeling, to Odo

Classic Scene:

Sisko's promotion party with champagne, singing and cheers is a nice scene of camaraderie and celebration.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"Might as well do me next." --Kira

The O/K Status Report

No real developments. Some have read meaning into the fact that, during a confrontation in which a Bolian crewmember threatens Kira (believing her to be the Changeling), Odo not only disarms him but gives him a big old punch across the jaw. I don't really see any inference there, but if you'd like to make one don't let me stop you!

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