“The Dogs of War” is the penultimate episode to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The task it had to accomplish was a very tall order indeed. And most of the episode is very, very successful. Except for the parts that are not. Truly, this is a tale of two episodes: One thoroughly compelling, the other incredibly silly. It’s this odd story structure that, unfortunately, saps the episode of too much emotional impact.

The best parts of the episode focus on the events surrounding the Dominion War (no surprise there, really). It begins with the introduction of a new “friend” — The USS Sao Paulo, a Defiant class starship that has just been assigned to DS9. The scene is absolutely pitch perfect. It *feels* as though, perhaps, this is too soon to get reacquainted with a new ship. But she’s there anyway. And, in many respects, it’s like Dax returning as Ezri — familiar, yet slightly different. When Sisko says, “Hello, ship,” it really does feel like the beginning of a new relationship.

Outside of that, we get a heavy dose of Damar and his rebellion’s efforts. The Dominion doesn’t take the situation lightly and they lure Damar, Odo and Garak into a trap, destroying their commandeered Jem’Hadar ship, and wiping out all eighteen rebel bases. But a strange thing happens when the trio are stuck in the basement of one of Garak’s contacts: They learn that, despite Dominion claims to the contrary, the people of Cardassia believe Damar is alive.

They are hungry for a hero, a leader.

So Damar, Garak and Kira set off to blow up a Jem’Hadar barracks. They succeed and Damar has a powerful, impromptu speech (not unlike William Wallace’s speech). It’s a fantastic moment for his character and for the Cardassian people. Damar has certainly undergone a metamorphosis of character, and thanks to him, his people are about to revolt — to revolutionize themselves. It’s easily the episode’s best moment.

From here, though, the stories get steadily worse.

The military stratagems between Dominion and the Federation are the best of what’s left. The Dominion retreats and consolidates its power. And so the Federation must figure out the best way to proceed: wait or attack. Martok advocates going on the offensive and Starfleet agrees. But it has a bigger moral problem on its hands: What to with the cure Odo received from Bashir. Odo rightfully points out the fundamental problem with the Federation is that it purports to despise Section 31, but does nothing to counteract the impending genocide.

After these threads, we get Bashir and Ezri. I’ll admit to liking the romance simply because the characters are likable as well. But it is more than a little soapy and, ultimately, a lot of their back-and-forth is as much about filling out time than really bringing them closer. It’s obvious where their relationship is headed. Just get there already! (Which, of course, they do.)

And then …

*sigh*

And then there is the Ferengi plot. The Ferengi have to be the worst used element in the entire series. The Ferengi are played strictly for comedy — and very stupid comedy at that. As a result, the Ferengi hardly have done much either of note or thought, even if the series did try to shoehorn in some radical social changes.

What we get is, almost entirely, more of the same. Admittedly, the hijinks are scaled back slightly. But it’s still jarring to move back and forth from the serious Dominion stories to the antics of Zek, Moogie, Brunt, Quark and Rom. And as much as it was necessary to wrap up a few things — like setting up Rom as the new Nagus (of a kinder, gentler, more socialist Ferenginar) and having Quark stay put in his bar — the placement of the story just doesn’t work very well.

“The Dogs of War” puts all of the pieces into place for the final episode of the series. Ferengi nonsense aside, this was a very, very good installment.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine