The Wounded

DVD, TNG S4 (The Wounded)

Some of the vital pieces of the construction of 'Deep Space Nine' came with this introduction of the Cardassian race. As he did with the updated Romulans, Marc Alaimo is honoured as the first to play one of the race, even if those whiskers draw attention away from his performance a bit! Kanar is mispronounced as 'kay-nar', and we learn that peace has only existed for a year. We even get a blonde Cardassian, not to mention that 'special' armour and the bizarre headsets they sport. A bit of tweaking made the race look a lot more convincing later, but as a first stab they are just as revolutionary as any of the major creations of the series, with their yellowed complexion and bony, ridged faces. Equally important is O'Brien's active co-starring role. Not only do we get an insight into his new marriage with Keiko, but we hear of his past, see his feelings on Cardassians and learn he was held in high esteem by his former captain.

Picard is placed in a difficult decision and comes up, once again, smelling of roses thanks to the trust he places in his crew and his diplomatic skill. The Cardassians, far from being painted as one-note, warmongers, are given a sympathetic side through the scientist aide of Gul Macet. Their danger to the Federation and uneasy peace would become key elements of future encounters in 'DS9'. Though Macet has the beginnings of silky-voiced Dukat, he is much softer and much more restrained, but it would all be good grounding for the spinoff series. In the teaser Troi expresses surprise at Picard running away from a fight, but that's just what he did last episode, high-tailing it out of a confrontation with the Romulans!

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