Wanderlust

4.14 — “Fall From Grace”

4.14 — “Fall From Grace”

Plot: Gul Dukat, newly demoted following the events of DS9 4.5, “Indiscretion,” is captaining a small freighter when he receives an assignment to ferry Major Kira to a diplomatic conference. Unexpected events lead them to be caught up in the Cardassian/Klingon war.

Thoughts: There is more going on in the teaser to this episode than, like, the last six Voyagers. It is so much better even than last week’s DS9, the non-Kira story that was all about Kira’s love life!

What do you need to make magic? Two great performers working with characters who have a lot of history and totally defined but competing points of view. Nana Visitor is back to top form, although Avery Brooks almost steals the episode with his reaction to Gul Dukat asking to dock at the end of the episode. Gul Dukat is slimy and entitled and unpleasant, angling always to appear sympathetic, maybe out of ego, maybe based on actual yearning for redemption.

There’s a lot of deep character study going on. I especially love the depiction of Ziyal and her relationship to Kira (which almost makes the sketchy sexual politics of DS9 4.5, “Indiscretion,” worth it). But there is something else going on here that makes this episode not only fun, but something I need to watch right now: two adults talking seriously and frankly about how they’ve messed up in the past, and whether forgiveness is possible for irredeemable acts.

When Dukat describes himself as a “worthless freighter,” it sounds Shakespearean! Flashes me back to one of my favorite sonnets, Sonnet 80. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/80.html

Seriously, I love this episode! DS9 is lucky to have Nana Visitor and Marc Alaimo.

5 out of 5 disruptor cannons.

http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Return_to_Grace_(episode)

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3 responses to “4.14 — “Fall From Grace””

  1. Randi Cohen Avatar
    Randi Cohen

    I found Gul Dukat’s seduction attempts to be boorish and in bad taste… I had a hard time finding him likeable given those and also it is surprising to me how many people keep wanting to seduce Kira… I feel it could have been just as strong of an episode without this element.

    That said, overall there’s some interesting psychological development for both principals and I’m curious what they’ll do with Ziyal as a character. She started becoming less one-dimensional in this episode and hopefully that will continue.

    Obviously there is no comparison between this and Voyager. Sitting through VOY is just painful. Although DS9 is not as much straightforward morality play as the original Trek, the characters do grapple with moral issues in this episode (as they do in many) — under what circumstances does it make sense to devote yourself to war? What is the cost of that choice?

    As an aside, I find myself wondering why Cardassia is pursuing diplomatic solutions… it doesn’t really sound like the Cardassia I know.

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  2. Kevin Black Avatar
    Kevin Black

    Yes, Dukat is not very sympathetic! One aspect I found interesting is to watch Kira grapple with him being so entitled and toxic, so eager to brush aside history, and to draw boundaries and say no to him. Because there are consequences, and he can’t just wave them away, although there is no need to hold them against Ziyal. He looks like a snake, and he is a monster, one who is both charming and not as charming as he thinks.

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  3. Randi Cohen Avatar
    Randi Cohen

    Sounds about right. It’s kind of interesting that he behaves as if he is attractive. And interesting that Kira does not mention that as one of her objections to his pursuing her. She really treats him with a good deal of respect and patience, considering the circumstances. I’m almost annoyed by how much respect, although I suppose she has to engage with him in some productive way.

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