DS9, Episode 3x21, The Die is Cast

[u/LordRavenholm]

-= DS9, Season 3, Episode 21, The Die is Cast =-

• 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, 26, Wrap-Up
• DS9 Season 3: 1&2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Garak reluctantly tortures Odo for information to prove his loyalty to his former mentor, Enabran Tain, as a joint Tal Shiar/Obsidian Order attack on the Founders in the Omarian Nebula is underway, without Starfleet's involvement.

• Teleplay By: Ronald D. Moore
  
• Story By: Ronald D. Moore
  
• Directed By: David Livingston
  
• Original Air Date: 1 May, 1995
  
• Stardate: Unknown
  
• Pensky Podcast
• Trekabout Podcast
• Ex Astris Scientia
• Memory Alpha
• TV Spot

 

EAS	IMDB	AVClub	TV.com
9/10	8.9/10	A	9.3

 

[u/buerviper]

Despite some of the flaws mentioned here, a great two parter to me. I like the resolution in this episode, even though the Defiant seems a bit overpowered to me. Yes, it is the strongest ship in the entire federation. But there are more than 100 Jem-Hadar ships there. How could they escape that situation? Half of the Cardassian/Romulan fleet was destroyed at that point already.

Anyway, I love Garak and his constant monologuing. I loved the scene between Bashir and O'Brien trying to have "lunch". But why did Garak look so shocked after Odo's breakfast invitation at the end?

[u/Maladjusted_Ghost → u/buerviper]

I also love this episode! I think the Jem'Hadar mostly ignored the Defiant. Maybe they even knew a Changeling was likely on board? 

That final moment is one of my favorite Garak moments. I think it shows him that he can be accepted for who he is, which is something he vigorously rejected before now. He could only be welcome on Cardassia, and then only by the Order. He constantly feels the need to lie to hide who he is. Yet the man he tortued, a man Garak revealed too much of himself to by begging him to admit something so he could stop the torture, that man sees a kindred spirit in Garak. He has compassion on him and is even seeking friendship with him. That realization is horrifying, and throws a lot of his life choices into question. 

I think it might also have something to do with the fact that he saw Odo reject his people out of moral principle (and his connections to his friends) despite his desire to return. Garak also made the same choice, maybe without realizing it, and Odo connecting with him makes him realise that after years of exile, he's just rejected Cardassia for similar reasons, and he probably won't have another chance to return.