Strange Bedfellows

DVD, DS9 S7 (Strange Bedfellows)

Two key figures change sides at this stage of events. One, Damar, proves he is not the weak puppet of the Dominion, having been pushed as far as he can go by Weyoun. The other, Kai Winn, chooses the side of evil, after realising power is more important to her than service. Her ambitious, self-serving nature, always at the root of the decisions she chooses, wins out over her sense of right, her sense of history and what is best for her people. While Damar acts because of his people, and for them, Winn acts solely for herself.

We see a very rare portrayal of the woman who has been a bitter fruit ever since we first met her at the end of Season One, in penitent, honest, humble mood. She resorts to contacting her adversary of so many years, Kira, in the whirl of confusion she finds herself. When it is suggested that she step down, relinquish the only power she has, we see that even at her lowest ebb her desire for control and position override everything good in her. She had one last chance to repent seriously, but it was too much for her to take, and she makes the worst choice possible: to accept Anjohl, to accept the Pah-wraiths, and to reject the Prophets.

Life isn't exactly easy for others, either - Martok prepares Sisko for the 'battle' of marriage, Kasidy refuses to be involved in his duties as Emissary, while O'Brien and Bashir brood over Worf and Ezri's diappearance. Quark is on hand purely to pour a drink again, but at least this time it has significance as a glass for Ezri who he believes will return. Ezri and Worf also have their problems, with execution scheduled, they at least patch things up (in what must be the soapiest ever scene of the series, and one that is quite out of place for Trek).

The most fascinating plotline is the gradual degradation of Damar and Cardassia's importance within the Dominion. The Breen are the new toy, the brand new alliance, and Damar becomes old hat, right down to a scene out of any playground where Weyoun talks to his new 'best friend' Thot'Gor, and turns his back on Damar! When the Legate questions these new turns of events, he realises the Founders have what they wanted out of Cardassia - it has become subsumed into them, a race conquered without a battle, far from the beneficial allies of Season Five when Dukat first formed the coalition. Damar is not interested in personal power as Winn is. He is a patriot, concerned most with Cardassia and its people, going as far as secretly opposing his masters by rescuing Worf and Ezri! A bold move.

Dukat, meanwhile, helps to encourage Winn into the service of the Pah-wraiths. As much fun as it is to see these two great enemies of the series, from both of the major alien races from the beginning of the series, they are both much less compelling characters than their outward personas. To see inside their heads all the time loses the subtleties and intricacies of old, and I miss Winn's sweet as honey, deadly as poison, putdowns, or Dukat's misguided charms. They are both honest now, their former intrigues lost, as they have both come to understand themselves. It's difficult to guess where else they could have gone with these characters, as already they had become what they cement themselves as now. It makes for less deftness in the telling.

Odo and Jake don't appear (technically), and in fact, most of the main cast are not as in evidence as the recurring characters. A shame when we are so close to the end, however Rene Auberjonois does a reasonable job of directing, and we do get some fine little moments such as Worf breaking Weyoun's neck - but does the new Weyoun retain all the memories of the previous clone, as he seems to know what Damar is on about later when they discuss something. And which version are we on now? Was it Weyoun 7 that was killed, or 6? Damar says he might be seeing 9 if Weyoun tells the Founder of the prisoner escape, so that must mean the current one is 8... isn't it?

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