Jonathan begins the episode more celebratory than he probably should have. That being said: onto the Star Trek!
Strangely, Shakaar is mentioned in the blurb of the episode but isn’t actually in the episode. This very well might be a first in our exploration of the blurb universe. Never before has a periphery character been mentioned as the inciting incident of an episode, but not actually been in the episode! There likely isn’t anything deeper happening here than, once again, the blurb writer decided to watch the only cold open was enough to glean the entire plot. Nevertheless, it’s always entertaining to see how wrong the blurbs are, Deep Space 9 in particular.
DS9 “Return to Grace” Synopsis:
At First Minister Shakaar’s request, Kira prepares to travel to a Cardassian outpost to share Bajoran intelligence about the Klingon Empire.
Netflix
We dig into the character of Gul Dukat and take some time to recognize his skills as a master Machiavellian manipulator. Every conversation he has feels like play for an outcome twenty years in the future. In fact, we establish that plot of this entire episode is structured on the machinations of Dukat needing someone to babysit his daughter enabling him to galavant around the galaxy as a space pirate unimpeded. Though, we then realize this is just phase one of his plan. Who knows where he’ll end up. Also, his suggestive, and possibly explicit physiology makes it into the discussion.
Regardless of Kira’s diminutive stature, she seems quite adept at easily besting three-hundred-pound Klingon warriors who’ve been trained since birth to kill their enemies for funsies. Why not give her a more creative style of fighting better suited to her body? Instead, we get the stock Star Fleet method of elbow to the chest, palm to the face, then lifting the opponent’s body onto the ground.
We find a way to juxtapose the show “Lost” and this episode of Star Trek. Even though this episode is less political in nature, it’s still predicated on politics judging from the discussions Kira and Dukat have. The “B” plot seems to be their adventures in fooling Klingons.
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