Destiny

DVD, DS9 S3 (Destiny)

The role of the Emissary has been a subject rarely discussed or developed in the series to this point. If the pilot was anything to go by it would appear Sisko's role in the Bajoran religion was to be an important part of the ongoing story of the series, but whether the writers found it hard to implement such things, or didn't have a clear direction to travel, or even had vague ideas of what they were going to do in the course of the series, but felt it needed to reach a certain maturity before exploring such storylines, it didn't work out that way. There had been occasional references to Sisko as the Emissary, the Bajorans were deferential to him, but in terms of day to day life it didn't impact him, even Major Kira was apparently happy to see him as her superior officer and friend. So the conflict between being a Starfleet officer and Emissary to an alien race had no chance to cause any problems, if Sisko even gave it any thought whatsoever.

With this episode that changed, we were shown in black and white that Sisko doesn't really see himself in the role, that he would step down graciously if he saw the chance (that's my reading, borne out in Season 4), and that Kira does believe in him. In the course of the episode Sisko comes to realise that prophecy isn't necessarily some ancient, magical, mythical tale to be seized on by any who wish to interpret it for their own ends, but simply a way of describing future events in terms that wouldn't be out of place in the time they were revealed. As God did in the Bible, revealing certain things to certain people, to be passed on, so did the Prophets to the Bajorans. If Trakor had been given the exact words that would explain the event in the terms of the time when it was to happen, he wouldn't have had a clue what he was talking about, but in seeing or being given the sequence of events he was able to record it in his own understanding.

Through this experience Sisko comes to a better understanding of such matters which to a secular mind, the possibility is hard to accept, but Kira does an admirable job of couching events in words that show the seemingly irrational is clearly rational when the mythic nature is stripped away. This would not be the last time Sisko's dual roles would cause him difficulty, only this time it sets him on a journey, or at least, gets him moving again from the place he had grown comfortable in after Kai Opaka helped him to get over his grief. It doesn't change his mind, but it does make his mind more open, which although he thought it was, he proves if any decision was to be made he would always come down on the Starfleet side.

The other important event is the joint mission between Bajor and Cardassia to place a relay in the Gamma Quadrant for maintaining contact and to provide warning of any ships approaching the Wormhole. This relay could be seen as an act of war - while the Federation hasn't explored the Gamma Quadrant as much as before, the Defiant visiting only twice since meeting the Founders, Starfleet isn't going to be bullied. They want the Dominion to know they aren't a threat to their way of life, but they have a duty to explore and discover, and aren't going to back down from threats - it's a free Quadrant (or it should be). Because the Dominion has been quiet for so long such a plan seems reasonable, but if ships can slip through at any time, as the Female Changeling proved when she visited to try and get Odo back, then a detection device is even more necessary.

Back to the treaty, we learn that it is progressing well, and that there are Cardassians who really think it's a good thing. Ulani and Gilora are two of the most untraditional examples of their race that we've seen, despite showing themselves to keep to Cardassian values as evidenced by Gilora's mistaken reading of O'Brien's irritation with her - cross-cultural missteps are rarely seen, but that may be because most familiar races know what to expect, and these were scientists, a sub-species in most cultures that tend to be more introverted and unexposed to others. Cardassians in 'TNG' were straightforward Baddies, Bajorans straightforward Goodies, but these characters add more to the positive impression of Cardassians, and we've seen our fair share of 'bad' Bajorans. Any simplicity in 'TNG' has been ironed out and balanced in 'DS9. They were interested in other cultures, especially from a culinary point of view, perhaps working in the sciences gives them a different perspective than the average Cardassian - most aren't encouraged to open their minds, whereas scientists need an open mind to completely explore all avenues. The main proof the treaty is a good thing, and not a ploy as might have been suspected is that the Obsidian Order is opposed to it - a good enough justification for most things!

The effects of the comet were good, especially when we see the rarely shown shuttlepod of the Defiant as it pulls the comet fragments along - a tiny Major Kira is visible through the window! Quark is once again shoehorned into the story a little in the way he would be later in the series, but he got off a few lines regarding rules of acquisition and vole-fighting, and the next episode makes up for it. Morn gets a mention from Bashir (another character that fell into the 'underused' category this season), though the barfly hasn't been seen much in Season 3. I was just waiting for Vedek Yarka to have a scene at the end in which he admitted his mistake. Though he was correct about the prophecy he was wrong about its result. I wonder if he was reinstated after this? Maybe his views towards Cardassians softened? The episode isn't one of the better examples of the season, but because of the continuing threads and a return to Bajoran religious matters it is still an enjoyable experience. There aren't any space battles or scenes of inner turmoil, but little details are added to the ongoing tapestry, and sometimes the little things can add up to something big.

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