When It Rains

DVD, DS9 S7 (When It Rains)

A slower episode than the last one, but one that continues to surprise in its threads. We have the massive irony of Kira being the best hope to help the Cardassian Resistance (or the Cardassian Liberation Front as Damar calls it); Bashir discovers Odo is not just infected, but also the carrier of the disease, and has been since Season Four when Starfleet Medical examined him. Section 31 were at work long before we even knew about them! Also, we get friction in the underground base between Kira, Rusot (after debuting last episode), and Seskal (Vaughn Armstrong adds another Cardassian to his long line of aliens, but why didn't they bring back his Season One character of Gul Danar - they probably forgot about him, I'd guess).

It's so fitting to see Kira in Starfleet uniform, with a commission and a mission. It goes some way to make up for the loss of focus in these final seasons, which the series initially had, that Bajor would one day become part of the Federation. And she looks good and right in that role. Even Odo gets to don his old 'occupation' look (even if it does appear greener than it used to). The tease of the direction events are taking, further eke out for us details such as the Klingons being the last stand against Dominion forces while the other fleets are powerless against Breen tech, and that doesn't go to their head's at all, does it! At least it brings Gowron back onto the stage, and once again he's in his negative persona as he messes with Martok's strategy at the crucial moment, personal glory uppermost in his motivation.

Someone else permitted her moment of glory is Kai Winn. After successfully covering up Solbor's murder, she continues to consort with Dukat, who makes the mistake of trying to read the evil book and gets blinded for his insolence. It gives Winn great pleasure to see her former enemy and recent deceiver in a state of helplessness, on top of the knowledge that her postion as Kai and the will of the Pah-wraiths has been proven, since she is unharmed. Cruelly she teaches the Cardassian a lesson, turning him out onto the streets to beg, now that her standing with her new masters is secure. The only character who is about as far from glory as possible is Quark. The extent to his role, once again, is to serve a drink.

Something I've been wondering about in these episodes is whatever happened to the Obsidian Order. Have I forgotten some plot point that made them obsolete? You'd think they'd be the first to wage undercover war on the oppressing forces, yet they haven't been mentioned. I know they were destroyed in Season Three, along with the Tal'Shiar, but the Romulan secret service has since been involved ('Inter Arma').

Summed up, this is another exposition episode, as if the start of a new arc, where 'Changing Face' was the culmination of the first arc of the initial three episodes. It has the strengths and weaknesses inherent in that position - it promises much for the future but doesn't yet deliver the goods.

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