DS9 Flashback: Penumbra

Over the course of seven seasons, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had introduced so many recurring characters and continuing plot lines that to wrap them all up in a conventional two-hour series finale would be clearly impossible. So the writers and producers settled on devoting the last third of the season -- ten hours in all -- to a fully serialized concluding "final chapter" of the show. It kicked off with "Penumbra."

Worf has gone missing in the Badlands after a skirmish with the Jem'Hadar, and Ezri Dax is determined to find him. Meanwhile, Dukat comes to Damar with an unusual request. And Sisko makes big plans for his future... which the Prophets warn against.

When you start watching this final story arc of the series, it's quite striking how much like modern television it feels -- even though it's over 20 years old. There's no "to be continued" at the end of the episode. There are three running plot lines, yet none of them is really resolved within the space of this hour. Events simmer at a deliberate pace; while plenty of "stuff happens," there's also plenty of time given to marinate in how all the characters are feeling.

When the writers set out to plan it all, they reportedly had all the major character moves in mind -- they knew how they wanted things to end up for Sisko, Odo, Kira, and so forth down the line. They also knew they had to wrap up the Dominion War. But when it came to specific plot points, there was only so much planning they could do before they'd themselves shuffling everything around. Ultimately, they just had to get started and hope to figure it all out along the way.

They chose to kick things off with an Ezri/Worf story, feeling that relationship had to be addressed before Ezri could move on to anyone else. I like the way they went about this, putting the softer Ezri in the more active role. Spurred by memories of Jadzia's past (which we actually get to hear), she sprints off to the rescue. (Why they don't call back to the station once Ezri finds him, I couldn't say. Beyond the plot needs, of course.)

There are a few cliches in this story line I don't love -- faking "mouth static" on a phone call, an attempt to hit someone turning into a passionate kiss -- but I think things work well overall. The episode does a good job highlighting how Ezri is not Jadzia (and yet kind-of-sort-of is), and painting Worf as an "ex" whose once-endearing habits are now nothing but annoyances. There is a lot unsaid between them -- largely because Worf doesn't want to talk about Jadzia -- that is finally said here.

The Sisko story line is quite methodically connecting the dots between the series premiere (when he would rather have been anywhere but Deep Space Nine and Bajor) and the series finale -- both where Sisko thinks he'll end up, and what the writers have actually have planned for him. Kasidy Yates seems so very right for Sisko, completely accepting of his unusual heritage, that the Prophets' demand that he not marry her seems especially cruel. (Of course, we'll see what they mean in the end.)

The writers' room would have benefited from some female perspective generally, but particularly in this marriage proposal subplot. I don't love that Sisko just plans the whole house on Bajor (complete with Bajoran emblem on the door) and then springs it on Kasidy to accept as is. Fortunately, the performances of Avery Brooks and Penny Johnson do make it all come off fairly romantic. Perhaps it helps that by the end of this episode, it seems like neither of them is getting exactly the wedding they want; "the Emissary" getting married is going to be a big deal for all the Bajoran people.

As for Dukat? You can only wonder at this point what he'll be up to disguised as a Bajoran. The episode does a good job of reminding you about where things stand with Weyoun and the Great Link and Damar without it seeming like a simple "exposition dump." There's an interesting relationship at play between Weyoun, Damar, and Dukat that helps keep it all interesting.

Other observations:

• There's supposed to be no money in the Federation, but moments like this make you ask: how does Sisko buy the land on Bajor? You would hope he doesn't just throw his Emissary clout around and get it for free.

• Not that it was on anyone's list of "things we have to touch on before the end," but I like that the transparent-skulled Captain Boday gets a new mention. So do the Son'a, connecting to the then-recent Star Trek: Insurrection. We also see the Badlands, looking badder than ever.

"Penumbra" gets this final story arc kicked off in a compelling way. I give the episode a B+.