“Covenant” is an episode that desperately tries to further the overall story arc of Deep Space Nine. The problem, though, isn’t in the fact that it successfully develops both the plot and the characters. Rather, the issues with this episode stem from where that development heads off to. It’s one thing to devise a complex storyline … it’s another to create a story that is silly, and ridiculous. And the return to the pah-wraith storyline is a significant detriment.

In this episode, Kira is tricked by a childhood mentor and is, essentially, abducted by a Bajoran cult, who lives on Empok Nor, and who worships the pah-wraiths. The big twist? Their leader is none other than Dukat who, following the events of “Tears of the Prophets” has become a true believer in the pah-wraiths. He sees it as his greatest challenge to convert Kira into his cult.

The episode spends a great deal of time on the nature of cults — on faith and devotion — and these are the best, most genuine elements to the story. But the episode’s biggest issues stem from how Dukat is portrayed. In the first six seasons of the series, he went for occupier to anti-hero to genocidal maniac to demonically possessed madman. Not he’s some sort of quasi-spiritual leader.

This latest development, while presented plausibly enough within the episode, is yet another in a long line of radical reinventions of the character. So instead of truly exploring the depths of the character, we get ever-changing personality and motivations which, while interesting enough in the short-term, just don’t hold a whole lot of value in the long term. Worse yet, is the return to the pah-wraith arc, which has proven to be one of the worst developments for the series. That it’s becoming so prominent is a significant detriment.

That being said, there is one benefit to this notion: Dukat is to the pah-wraiths what Sisko is to the Prophets. The parallels are fairly clear and obvious. And will likely have significant implications for the series as a whole. Still, the way this story has developed has left quite a bit to be desired.

In terms of this episode, though, the most significant element is the exploration of “cults” — of how and why rational, intelligent people can become irrevocably involved in such organizations. Dukat, as the charismatic, spiritual leader is certainly believable enough. What isn’t believable, though, is the extent to which Bajorans would place their faith in the former occupier of their homeworld.

As far as Dukat is concerned, it certainly makes some sense that he’d pursue a course which would lead to blind devotion form Bajorans. But the motivations of the Bajorans themselves are woefully short-changed. We really never hear a reason why they follow Dukat other than they “believe.” That’s not to be dismissed lightly, but when telling such a story, we need a better explanation than that. Especially when Dukat’s inner demons manifest themselves in a child he fathers to a Bajoran couple.

“Covenant” is, surely, an important episode for the series and for the character of Dukat. But at this point, the series has gone well past diminishing returns in reinventing Dukat’s character and motivations. Plus, the focus on pah-wraiths does little to elevate the story, the episode or the series. So despite a few interesting angles (the cult, Kira’s faith in the Prophets), the episode doesn’t amount to anything truly worthwhile.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine