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Star Trek DS9 - Season 7 - Episode 22

Star Trek DS9 - 7x22 - Tacking Into the Wind

Originally Aired: 1999-5-12

Synopsis:
Bashir works on a cure for Odo's debilitating illness, while Martok assumes power following the death of Gowron. [DVD]

My Rating - 9

Fan Rating Average - 4.48

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Filler Quotient: 0, not filler, do not skip this episode.
- Numerous major long term plot threads are serviced here.

Problems
None

Factoids
- Garak's 35th episode.

Remarkable Scenes
- Kira, Garak, et al analyzing the aftermath of the sabotage of a Jem'Hadar ship.
- Garak stumbling on a deteriorating Odo.
- Female shapeshifter: "If our cloning facilities were operational, I would eliminate this Weyoun immediately."
- Sisko ordering Worf to do something about Gowron squandering resources over his petty political vendetta.
- Rusot provoking Kira again.
- Damar: "What kind of state tolerates the murder of innocent women and children? What kind of people give those orders?" Kira: "Yeah, Damar, what kind of people give those orders?" A nice reference to Ziyal's death.
- Worf: "You are still a member of the house of Martok." Ezri: "This is the first that I've heard of it." Worf: "The general and I talked about it weeks ago. He likes you and considers you an honorable woman. A worthy successor to Jadzia. And so do I." Ezri: "That is very sweet of him." Worf: "Sweet?" Ezri, realizing her faux pas: "Not a very Klingon word, is it?" Worf shakes his head and says: "No." Ezri: "It's very... honorable." Worf: "Better, albeit a little obvious."
- Worf regarding the Gowron situation: "Tell me what you think." Ezri: "Okay, but I'm not sure you're going to like it." Worf: "Tell me." Ezri: "I think the situation with Gowron is a symptom of a bigger problem. The Klingon Empire is dying. And I think it deserves to die." Worf: "You were right. I do not like it." Ezri: "Don't get me wrong. I'm very touched that you still consider me to be a member of the house of Martok. But I tend to look at the empire with a little more skepticism than Curzon or Jadzia did. I see a society that is in deep denial about itself. We're talking about a warrior culture that prides itself on maintaining centuries old traditions of honor and integrity but in reality is willing accept corruption at the highest levels." Worf: "You are overstating your case." Ezri: "Am I? Who was the last leader of the high council that you respected? Has there even been one? And how many times have you had to cover up the crimes of Klingon leaders because you were told it was for the good of the empire? I know this sounds harsh but the truth is you have been willing to accept a government that you know is corrupt. Gowron's just the latest example. Worf, you are the most honorable and decent man that I have ever met. And if you're willing to tolerate men like Gowron, then what hope is there for the empire?"
- Kira, Odo, Garak, Damar, and Rusot arriving at the Cardassian shipyards.
- Luaran: "What's this?" Garak: "We have a prisoner." Luaran: "I can see that. Why are you bringing her to me?"
- Odo posing as the female shapeshifter.
- Garak killing the entire bridge crew of the Jem'Hadar ship.
- Worf standing up to Gowron.
- Worf killing Gowron.
- Worf: "Kahless said, great men do not seek power. They have power thrust upon them."
- Worf declaring Martok the leader of the Klingon Empire.
- Damar killing Rusot.
- Kira, Odo, Damar, and Garak stealing a Jem'Hadar ship, equipped with the Breen weapon.

My Review
Some more big events. Odo's disease is killing him faster now that he's been changing shape all the time, Worf kills Gowron and declares Martok the new leader of the Klingon Empire, and Damar kills one of his best friends, Rusot, to prove to Kira his newfound devotion to defeating the Dominion, changing his ways, and changing the ways of Cardassia is sincere. I continue to be extremely impressed with the changes in Damar's character. I was also impressed with Worf's decision to kill Gowron. It's remarkable to note how Sisko told Worf to stop at nothing to eliminate Gowron's threat, similar the devotion he expressed to Garak regarding getting the Romulans in on the war in DS9: In The Pale Moonlight. I also enjoyed Ezri's opinions on the Klingon Empire. I think it really opened up Worf's eyes, and the eyes of many viewers too! Overall, another highly exciting installment of the current arc.

The following are comments submitted by my readers.

  • From Rob on 2008-04-26 at 9:46pm:
    I love how Ezri's analysis takes in all of Worf's history and, in effect, all of the history of the Klingon Empire. Not in only DS9, but all the way back to the third season of TNG and Duras' involvement in the High Council. Fantastic long-term continuity...!

  • From Pemmer Harge on 2010-03-22 at 7:56pm:
    The best episode of the Final Chapter by quite some distance. Most of the others are at least good, but this one is just better written and more intelligent.

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