4.5 — “Indiscretion”
Plot: A tip leads Kira Nerys to the discovery of the Ravinok, a Cardassian ship lost during the Occupation with a cargo of enslaved Bajorans. Claiming a right to participate in the search is Gul Dukat, as representative of the new Cardassian civilian government. Could it be that Dukat has an ulterior motive connected to the Ravinok? Meanwhile, Sisko must confront his feelings about the escalation of his relationship with Cassidy Yates.
Thoughts: “Indiscretion” isn’t particularly deep. It asks us what we think of the revelation that Dukat has a daughter born of a Bajoran mistress, whom we are asked to believe that he feels genuine devotion for, and her for him. The indiscretion referred to in the title in the eyes of the writers is not, perhaps, the creation of the the daughter, but that Dukat dares to love her, and to spare her.
Are we to accept this? I’m not sure. The #metoo movement has hammered home the point that consent in a sexual relationship may not be possible in the presence of a large power imbalance. I’m not ready to subscribe to this generalization in all circumstances, but where the power imbalance is accompanied by the wholesale enslavement and slaughter of the Bajoran people, the episode’s premise sounds preposterous.
As if to underscore the point, Dukat’s daughter Ziyal is remarkably unruffled by the realization that her father has come all this way just to kill her. When she asks him politely to go ahead instead of exiling her again from his presence… I don’t buy it! It’s a tell that the writers are envisioning her as an extension of Dukat, existing to fill his needs and help his character achieve self-actualization, rather than as an autonomous individual.
But people are contrary and surprising. Look around. Let’s say arguendo that Ziyal loves and trusts Dukat, and her feelings do not just derive from trauma, physical and sexual abuse. Ziyal through this lens is not then another victim, but a chink in Dukat’s villainy. The charismatic rogue reveals a sentimental weakness, a capacity to transcend species chauvanism. Presuming that he doesn’t just turn around and kill Ziyal once his shuttle departs the station and he escapes the supervision of Major Kira and the reach of her promise of retribution. Which, in my cynical black heart, I feel is an unresolved loose end.
Marc Alaimo and Nana Visitor are great performers, and it’s pleasant to watch them together. Visitor shows us that Kira has found a gear to operate in where she can compartmentalize the past and deal professionally with Dukat, even when he baits her, without forgetting history. For the character as well as the actor, it’s quite a feat.
Avery Brooks finds some nice moments to play in the otherwise pedestrian B-story. Does it seem like the chemistry between Sisko and Cassidy is diminishing as their relationship grows more serious? We should see more of Cassidy now that she is moving onto the station. I am interested to see where this story goes.
Levar Burton does a nice job in his first effort directing Deep Space Nine. I am especially impressed by the wide shot of Kira and Dukat climbing among the remains of the ship. Which appears to be a large prop, instead of a matte painting!
3.5 of 5 burial mounds.
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