And so it begins (to end) …

“Penumbra” kicks off a ten-episode arc that culminates in the series finale of Deep Space Nine. As the series takes its first steps toward completion, it’s fascinating to see how its strengths — incredibly complex character and story arcs — have become something of a burden … or at least a challenge. How to end it all with satisfactory and plausible conclusions? This episode begins the journey and, despite the relatively uneven approach, it’s very much worthy of bringing the series to a close.

There are two primary stories in this episode. First, we see Sisko and Kasidy finally come to terms with the seriousness of their relationship. Second, Ezri and Worf confront the very unusual, and contentious, relationship they now share. There are also a number of smaller subplot from Damar and Weyoun, to the female Founder, to Dukat. The structure feels epic. But it’s not threaded together especially well. The result is a strong, if somewhat flawed installment.

In his quarters, Sisko and Kasidy discuss the future. Sisko once again professes his love of Bajor and reveals that he has purchased land there, with dreams of building a beautiful retirement home. He goes on to say that he wants Kasidy to be there with him. He proposes. And she accepts. It’s a nice moment, finally paying off the long-simmering (and building) romance between the characters.

From here, their discussions shift gears to wedding plans. Both of them seem perfectly content with a small, modest ceremony … with Jake as the best man and a few close friends in attendance. But their plans are derailed by two events. First, and quite amusingly, Sisko learns that all of Bajor is aware of his upcoming wedding — it’s not every day that the Emissary of the Prophets gets married, after all. “Plans are a bit more complicated,” he says.

Then the bombshell.

While working on a scale model of his dream home, Sisko receives a vision from the Prophets — namely from Sarah, his mother. She tells him that he cannot get married, or he will “now nothing but sorrow.” The episode ends before we see how the news affects Sisko’s decisions … but it’s clear that, emotionally, he’s deeply conflicted. He wants to just live his life, but he also has a destiny … “fate” as Sarah calls it.

What’s interesting is that Sisko himself hasn’t yet come to terms with his role as Emissary. Early in the episode, he talks to Kasidy with pride about his position. But the moment it encroaches on his life, he seems to reject it. It’s as if Sisko wants the position only when it doesn’t interfere with his life. At some point, he’s going to have to make a choice: be The Emissary, and “of Bajor” or just be an ordinary man.

The secondary story involves Worf and Ezri. After Worf’s ship was destroyed, his escape pod was never found. Ezri, remembering her time (as Jadzia), decides she has to go look for Worf … they’ve never had any real closure regarding their relationship, after all. So Ezri takes a shuttle, takes some chances, and rescues Worf. They have trouble talking to one another on the journey home …

And then the episode gets a bit silly.

In what is one of the more soapy sequences in the series, the shuttle is attacked, Ezri and Worf crash land on a remote planet, without a communication device, and are therefore *forced* to talk to one another. Soon their discussion turns to arguments, then to insults, then … *sigh* to kissing and sleeping together.

It’s a fine idea to force Ezri and Worf to work through their differences, to come to terms with what they shared together. But I would have thought the series could find something a bit more inventive than the cliché argument-then-sex route. Besides, it trivializes a concept (the Trill taboo on getting involved with a loved one from a former life) that was a crucial and important plot device for a powerful episode (“Rejoined”) earlier in the series.

Then the pair are captured by The Breen … a rarely seen and referenced species that, literally, comes out of nowhere. It’s a plot development that will have to wait for judgment.

In other news … the Founder is still unable to find a cure, but she’s secretly communication … with someone (or some thing). Damar still feels useless. And Dukat has surgery to look like a Bajoran, furthering his obsession with the dreaded (for the audience) pah-wraiths.

Overall, “Penumbra” is a sweeping, expansive episode which covers a *lot* of ground. The foundations for finale are being laid. And, ultimately, its success is based on not only how far it advances the story, but the skill with which it manages to do so. In that sense, it’s a good, but not exceptional, tale.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine