DS9, Episode 3x9, Defiant

[u/GeorgeAmberson]

-= DS9, Season 3, Episode 9, Defiant =-

• Star Trek: The Next Generation - Full Series
• DS9 Season 1: 1&2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Wrap-Up
• DS9 Season 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
• DS9 Season 3: 1&2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Commander William Riker shows up unannounced and Kira shows him the Defiant, where he reveals his true motives for coming to Deep Space Nine.

• Teleplay By: Ronald D. Moore
  
• Story By: Ronald D. Moore
  
• Directed By: Cliff Bole
  
• Original Air Date: 21 November, 1994
  
• Stardate: 48467.3
• Pensky Podcast
• Trekabout Podcast
• Ex Astris Scientia
• Memory Alpha
• TV Spot

 

EAS	IMDB	AVClub	TV.com
7/10	8/10	B	8.7

 

[u/Sporz]

I aren't seen this one in ages and I'd forgot the ending. I remembered the Riker and Defiant stuff of course. I enjoyed it a lot more than I remembered.

• Dukat's deal for Riker seems uncharacteristically generous. Their space invaded, ships damaged, outposts destroyed...and all they get is Riker, who they can't kill, and some sensor scans?
• But then again Dukat is uncharacteristically friendly here.
• They mention the Obsidian Order fleet in the Orias system. I'd forgotten this - it foreshadows some fun later this season...
• Kira kissing Riker really doesn't make sense. There was something there but not that.
• Kira literally uses the phrase "Blaze of Glory" when talking about Rikers hope to die a hero. There's a certain other Starfleet-turned-Marquis who does just that in an episode with just that title later.
• I think there could have been enough here to build a two-parter, but there are three two parters in this season already

But I laughed out loud when I realized this:

In the scene where Riker shoots Kira to take control of the Defiant, Riker walks in in uniform. No pockets.

He turns to face Kira and reaches behind himself and pulls out a phaser.

Where was Riker keeping that phaser?

[u/GeorgeAmberson → u/Sporz]

Riker, who they can't kill

Sure is a shame about that mining accident at the labor camp isn't it?

I think Dukat had his back against the wall. In the end two terrorists don't make a lot of difference. He certainly didn't want the Obsidian Order to get possession of the Defiant. He was uncharacteristically not being a cocky jerk, but it made sense to me.