“Tacking Into The Wind” is an important episode in the grand scheme of Deep Space Nine. In many ways, it justifies some of the more questionable plot decisions that came before it. There’s some nice character development. But mostly, this is a fast-paced, action-filled episode which has just enough time to provide some crucial (and very critical) commentary on one of the biggest elements of the Star Trek franchise: The Klingon Empire.

The episode’s most character-driven plot comes from the presence of Kira, Odo and Garak within the Cardassian rebellion. Odo’s shapeshifting has accelerated the virus, leading to his rapid deterioration. He puts up a brave front, trying to hide his condition from Kira — who, for her part, knows what’s going on but let’s Odo think she doesn’t. It’s fascinating to see how Kira does as much as she can to let Odo have a measure of “dignity” despite his being infected. It’s a display of just how much these two characters have come to love and admire one another.

More relevant to the plot of the episode is Kira’s conflict with Rusot. Their verbal sparring finally spills over into a fight — which Kira wins, handily. Most interestingly, Garak appears from the shadows afterward, clearly having kept on eye on the situation — should Rusot have tried anything more … extreme that fisticuffs. But, as Garak warns, the fight isn’t over … and Rusot will not hesitate to make good on the threat to kill Kira.

This becomes a vehicle for the episode’s best character moments … from Damar. One a mission to capture a Jem’Hadar ship with the new Breen weapon attached to it, Damar learns that the Dominion has tracked down and killed his family. Damar laments over the kinds of people who would do such a thing to innocents. Kira’s reply is perfectly presented, reminding Damar that it was the Cardassians who often did such things to Bajorans.

It’s an important scene because, at a critical moment, Rusot is on the verge of killing Kira. Garak, of course, has jumped to Kira’s help, but Damar represents the deciding factor. And he chooses to kill Rusot. Damar realizes that Rusot represented a Cardassia that was long gone … one that would have killed innocent family members just as the Dominion had just done. Damar’s choice allows the mission to be successful (it was presented with a great deal of suspense) and paves the way for a new Cardassia. Not only that, Kira now owes her life to Damar. It’s a fascinating turn of events.

A revolution in Empires isn’t limited to Cardassia alone, though. Gowron continues to send Klingons to futile deaths all in the name of discrediting Martok as a commander and warrior. Even Sisko realizes that the situation is critical — the war with the Dominion takes precedent over personal vendettas. But Gowron is intransigent, so Sisko turns to Worf, essentially ordering that Gowron be stopped, no matter the cost. It’s important to understand that Sisko isn’t being cavalier about this order. It’s a matter of victory or defeat.

But with Martok unwilling to challenge Gowron, Worf is left with very few options. And here’s where the episode becomes it’s most poignant and most valuable. Much like the Cardassian Empire needed a revolution in thought, so does the Klingon Empire. It’s Ezri who provides that perspective — an inspired choice given her memories by way of Curzon and Jadzia, and given her objectivity by way of Ezri. She sees the critical flaw in the Klingon Empire that first manifested itself way back in TNG’s “Reunion” — namely that, for a people who hold honor so dear, they sure tolerate a great deal of dishonor from their leaders.

Even Worf, a man of almost unimpeachable honor, tolerates men like Gowron. How can an Empire survive under such circumstances? How can it be led by Klingons whose only goal is to acquire and maintain power? The Empire needs leaders whose only goal is the benefit of the Empire. Leaders like Martok. But Martok doesn’t want to do anything but follow the orders of the Chancellor, no matter what.

It’s important to portray Martok as serving purely the interests of the Empire, and not subverting the rightful leader, either. That means when Worf challenges Gowron … and kills him … Martok becomes the natural leader of the Empire. He receives the mantle of leadership not because he sought it, but because it was thrust upon him (in this case by Worf).

What this does is a couple of things. Most immediately, it provides some justification for the seemingly superfluous addition of Gowron to the story. Here, at least, Gowron’s presence allows for character development from Worf and Martok, and allows the audience to see the Empire in an honest-yet-critical light.

Then there are the machinations of Bashir’s search for a cure. Both he and O’Brien desperately want to do everything they can to save Odo — they even have heated words at one point. But it’s their dedication (and friendship) which stand out. And their plan, to act as though they do have a cure, in the hopes of luring Section 31 to the station, seems likely to provide some more intrigue and suspense.

“Tacking Into The Wind” is a solid combination of character and action. It’s an example of how powerful the DS9 series can be.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine