Memory Alpha
Advertisement
Memory Alpha
Real world article
(written from a production point of view)

Kira and Dukat search for the six-year-old crash site of a Cardassian freighter that was carrying Bajoran prisoners. Also, Sisko deals with Kasidy moving onto the station, a new development in their relationship.

Summary[]

Teaser[]

Major Kira is in her quarters praying when she receives word from Worf in Ops that Razka Karn wishes to speak with her. In the course of the conversation, Kira's informed that Razka has found salvage from a missing ship called the Ravinok – but that she'll need to come to him in order to see for herself.

Act One[]

Later she's reviewing the criminal activity report with Odo concerning Trelos Vren in the security office, but she concedes that her mind is wandering. When she tells him that her thoughts are on the Ravinok, Odo wishes her good luck – he's certain that while she may be skeptical that there are any survivors, she won't rest until she's certain.

Benjamin Sisko and Kira Nerys, 2372

"Somehow, the Cardassian government got wind of your plan to search for the Ravinok."

While Kira prepares for her departure from the station, Captain Sisko drops in on her and asks Kira to put off her departure, as the Cardassians have asked to send someone along with Kira, given the Ravinok was a Cardassian ship. She tells Sisko that she'll wait two days, and not a minute more, before she leaves. Sisko tells her he will pass along the message to the Cardassian government

Sisko's overwhelmed

He's been caught flat-footed

Sometime later, Sisko is in the docking ring with Jadzia Dax, and they're speculating on the depth of Kasidy Yates's interest in the captain. At just that moment, Kasidy walks up to them to announce that she's applied for a ship's captaincy with the Bajoran Ministry of Commerce. Dax's immediate response is to point out that if Kasidy gets the job she can live on the station, and meanwhile the captain's looking entirely overwhelmed at the prospect.

Dukat joins Kira's search

In beams the last man Kira wanted to see

When Sisko makes it back to Ops, he's told by Worf that the Cardassians want to beam someone directly into Ops from the transport Rabol – that someone turns out to be Dukat. It seems that he is the one who's to accompany Kira on her search for the Ravinok, and he too is anxious to leave.

Act Two[]

Aboard the USS Rio Grande runabout heading to Razka's location in the Badlands, Dukat inquires on Kira's motivation for the search. She explains that when the Ravinok was lost (Dukat explaining that the Cardassian Central Command concluded the Ravinok was destroyed in a failed attempt by the Bajoran prisoners aboard to seizecontrol of the ship), one of the people aboard was Lorit Akrem, the man who recruited Kira into the Shakaar resistance cell. Dukat's bemused at that, and goes on to say that the Shakaar cell had been the focus of a lot of Cardassian attention during the Occupation. Thence he asserts that the Occupation did Bajor a favor by making them tougher and harder, with which Kira hotly disagrees.

Back on the station, Sisko and Kasidy are having dinner in the captain's quarters and Kasidy announces that she got the captaincy she applied for. When she raises the possibility of getting quarters on the station, an increasingly overwhelmed Sisko calls it "a big step," Obviously, Kasidy is unimpressed by that response and declares that Sisko is afraid of commitment. She walks out on him.

Razka Karn

Razka Karn aboard the runabout

When Kira and Dukat arrive at Razka's ship, Dukat's presence creates tension, and it is revealed that both Razka and Dukat are wanted men – Razka by the Cardassians, and Dukat by the Maquis. However, Dukat confirms that Razka's salvage is from the Ravinok. Informed that Dozaria was the last stop of the Ferengi ship that was hauling the salvage, Kira and Dukat leave. Once at Dozaria, they find emissions consistent with the presence of a damaged ship, and take the runabout down to the surface of the planet… where they find the hulk of the Ravinok.

Act Three[]

Dukat with Naprem's pledge bracelet

Dukat discovers that the woman he loved is dead

At the station, Sisko is in the upper level of Quark's with Dax and Bashir, discussing how the captain can best remedy the fact that Kasidy is upset with him. There appear to be a few different ways to go about it. Quark, overhearing, gives his traditional Ferengi input of treating women "like the enemy." Once the captain leaves the table with a diplomatic acknowledgement of their advice, Dax and Bashir agree with the captain's judgment that the prospect of Kasidy living on the station is "a big step."

Back on Dozaria, they find that the ship was shot down, evidenced by the damage from phaser blasts in its hull. Furthermore, there were survivors, as there are 12 neatly arranged grave sites nearby (the ship had 32 Bajoran prisoners and 18 Cardassian crewmembers aboard). Dukat pauses to identify the remains. Kira also helps, but Dukat objects, saying funeral rites forbid non-Cardassians to view the remains. Kira eventually accepts it and goes to the ship. There, she finds the manifest and the fact that the ship was attacked by unidentified ships. Coming back out to inform Dukat, she finds he is holding a Bajoran betrothal bracelet, revealing his incentive for coming there – a Bajoran woman who was once his beloved mistresswas. Dukat doesn't want to dwell on the story, leaving Kira to identify the Bajoran remains. She discovers that Lorit wasn't killed when the ship crashed. Wanting to continue her search for Lorit, Kira explains that as a resistance fighter he had an implanted tracking device of sorts, the trail of which should lead them to the location of the survivors.

That night, Kira and Dukat are setting up their bivouac when Dukat suddenly loses his usual controlled calm and repeatedly shouts "I sat on something!" Kira looks at his buttocks and removes a long, sharp object. She hands him a dermal regenerator, but he is so agitated that she has to remind him to turn it on. She breaks into laughter at his loss of dignity, and after a few seconds he joins in.

Afterwards, Kira points out that she learned from the ship's computer that the daughter of Dukat's mistress, one Tora Ziyal, was also aboard. Dukat declares that he's the girl's father, and that if he finds her alive, he will be forced to kill her. Kira is shocked.

Act Four[]

The next day, Kira berates Dukat for what he's set to do. Dukat goes on to explain to Kira that if his paternity of the girl is made known on Cardassia, his political enemies would see him ruined. Kira is, of course, unfazed by this and suggests relocating her secretly to Bajor. Dukat refuses that kind of life for her or her mother, noting the post-occupation Bajoran tendency to discriminate against half-Cardassians. He also says he sent them away, via the Ravinok, so they could live on Lissepia for a relatively better life. Kira objects further, saying he could do that again, but he says he and his family would be in more danger now, with his alignment with the unstable civilian government. He warns her not to stand in his way.

Back on the station, Sisko talks with Jake, who informs him Kasidy is not taking the job because Sisko didn't want her to. Revealing he has been talking to Nog, he says he should let Kasidy take the job if she really wants it, because it was her decision and Sisko is scared of feeling guilty if things don't work out. He's a little stunned, with all this conversation behind his back.

Ziyal found on Dozaria

There's no doubt Ziyal is alive

Kira and Dukat find the survivors of the Ravinok, who have been enslaved by the Breen at a dilithium mine. One of the survivors is indeed Tora Ziyal, to Dukat's dismay.

Act Five[]

Kira tries to order Dukat back to DS9 for reinforcements, but Dukat refuses and, with Kira also unwilling to leave Dukat alone, suggests a joint plan to infiltrate the mine. Kira bluntly promises him that if he kills his daughter, she will kill him.

Ziyal prepared to die

Even at the barrel of a gun, Ziyal has her priorities straight

Later, they manage to disguise themselves within Breen refrigeration suits. Once in the mine, Kira discovers from one of the prisoners that Lorit is dead, killed in a cave-in two years earlier (the prisoner is likewise stunned to learn Bajor is free of occupation). Dukat asks where the girl is, but they are soon under fire from the mine's Breen guards. Dukat runs off to find his daughter while Kira returns fire. Chased by Kira, Dukat finds Ziyal retrieving water from a spring. Ziyal immediately recognizes her father, and his response is to draw his disruptor on her. Just then Kira finds her way into the chamber, and draws her disruptor on Dukat.

Encouraged by Kira to run, Ziyal instead stands her ground and explains that even though she'd been warned of the likelihood that her father would want to kill her, she refused to believe it – she maintained her will to live by hoping and actually dreaming that she'd be rescued by him. The impasse is finally broken when Ziyal says to her father, "if I can't be with you, then I'd rather die" – and he embraces her warmly.

Sisko and Yates no kiss

He's not entirely out of the doghouse, just yet

Back on the station, Captain Sisko goes to Kasidy to apologize for his gracelessness, as he'd been advised by his son to do. Kasidy accepts his apology and, though she turns away from his attempt at a parting kiss, implies that the two of them will be seeing a lot more of each other.

Shortly thereafter Dukat catches up to Kira on the Promenade to announce to her that he's taking Ziyal back to Cardassia, and that he will let her know if he has any trouble over his decision.

Memorable quotes[]

"Smuggling might not've been the safest line of work, but it was a lot more exciting than selling scrap metal."

- Razka Karn


"I've found that when one has a difficult job to do, personal reasons can be quite an incentive. So who was he? A family member, a compatriot… a lover?"

- Dukat, to Kira


"Could you muster up a little more enthusiasm?"
"I am enthusiastic…"

- Kasidy Yates and Benjamin Sisko


"The voice of the new Cardassia – so compassionate, so understanding. Almost makes you forget that five years ago, he was working Bajorans to death in forced labor camps, and shooting anybody who tried to stop him! Almost makes you forget."

- Razka, about Dukat


"It's going to be a difficult landing. I'll take the controls, if you like."
"Tch! That'll be the day."

- Dukat and Kira


"Invigorating, isn't it? A bit sunny, perhaps, but this heat feels wonderful!"
"Only a Cardassian would call this hellhole invigorating."

- Dukat and Kira


"Who knows more about women than me?"
"Everyone."

- Quark and Bashir


"What if your woman leaves you?"
"That's what holosuites are for."
"It's a wonder the Ferengi reproduce at all."

- Dax, Quark and Bashir


"You're a good man, Benjamin Sisko – but you've got a lot to learn about women. Especially this one."

- Kasidy Yates


"I can't see two meters in front of us, and anyway, we could use the rest. So… stop pacing and sit down!"

- Kira, to Dukat

Background information[]

Production history[]

Story and script[]

Production[]

Reception[]

  • In "Indiscretion", the next chapter in the development of Kira and Dukat's relationship begins, something which director LeVar Burton was well aware of: "it focused on these two characters, characters who had an adversarial relationship and who had to re-evaluate who they were to each other and how they viewed each other." The scene when Dukat sits on the thorn is a pivotal moment in the episode and in this process of re-evaluation. Of this scene, Ira Steven Behr comments, "There are moments in life when you can be with someone with whom you have nothing in common, who you have nothing but disdain for, and then something happens: a moment of shared experience, or shared laughter, and it just changes the playing field. And it doesn't mean that you become friends afterward, it doesn't mean that you've broken through to a new level of understanding that'll be with you for the rest of your lives. But something has changed. It's a bonding moment. And though it's probable that neither of them would ever discuss it, after this, their relationship will never be quite the same again. They've started to see each other as people." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. ?)
  • Despite the softening of Dukat's character, the ambiguity as to Kira's opinion of him, and the re-evaluation they undergo in this episode, both Robert Hewitt Wolfe and Nana Visitor were adamant that there was never going to be any hint of genuine romance between Kira and Dukat, not from her perspective anyway. On the other hand, actor Marc Alaimo felt it would be interesting to play the character as if he thought there might be chance for a relationship in the future, and the producers agreed. The final scene in the episode, when he says, "I'll let you know", is a nod towards his hope for a more intimate relationship with Kira. However, that this could ever happen was impossible. According to Wolfe, "If you put a gun to her head, I don't think Kira would ever consider it", while Nana Visitor says, "Playing Kira, I can't even entertain the thought. It's too disgusting." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. ?)
  • These issues would next be addressed in "Return to Grace", a 'sequel' to this episode.
  • Ira Steven Behr commented, "'Indiscretion' I enjoyed. It was well directed, nice location. I thought the relationship between Kira and Dukat was interesting. Those two actors worked very well together". Behr also pointed out that he felt that, in relation to Dukat's character, the episode "ran a certain risk that I think we're going to resolve in the fifth season. There's one thing between showing, as Renoir said, that every man has his reason and taking a guy who's basically not the nicest guy in the world and making him a little too accessible. I think we have to find, not the villain, though maybe that as well, but the man who is willing to go places that some of us might not be willing to go". (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Official Poster Magazine, issue 4)
  • On Sisko and Kasidy's storyline in the episode, Penny Johnson commented, "More of that is what I like because they're in love and they mean something to each other, but at the same time they have a difference of opinion. I would love for her to continue to have those womanly points of view and not cloud them with the captain point of view when she's sharing because she's both. I have a great chemistry with Avery, and we just fly when we're together. It's not hard at all. He's charming, intelligent, and he really is a gentleman. It's like I've known him forever". (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Official Poster Magazine, issue 4)

Continuity[]

Remastered version[]

Video and DVD releases[]

Links and references[]

Starring[]

Also starring[]

Guest stars[]

Co-stars[]

Uncredited co-stars[]

Stunt doubles[]

References[]

2353; 2366; 2370; alloy; Alpha Quadrant; arrest warrant; assay office; atmosphere; authorization code; Azin; Badlands; Bajor; Bajorans; Bajoran-Cardassian Treaty; Bajoran Intelligence; Bajoran Ministry of Commerce; Bajoran pledge bracelet; Bajoran resistance; Bajoran sector; black marketeer; Breen; Breen (planet); Breen warships (unnamed); Cardassia; Cardassians; Cardassian Central Command; Cardassian civilian leader; Cardassian military; career; chief military advisor; class M; compatriot; computer; dermal regenerator; Detapa Council; dilithium; disruptor; Dozaria; Dozaria system; Dukat's children; Dukat's wife; family member; Ferengi; Ferengi scrap-metal merchant; field rations; funeral; holosuite; ionic interference; Jake-o; kai; Klingon restaurant; labor camp; leader; Lissepia; Lorit Akrem; lover; magneton radiation; manifest; Maquis; meter; mistress; Meressa; molecule; navigational array; Nog; Occupation of Bajor; PADD; pagh; phaser; pickpocketing; Promenade; Prophet; Quark's; Rabol; Ravinok; Ravinok-type; restaurant; runabout; sand spine; scrap-metal merchant; sensor array; Shakaar resistance cell; slavery; smuggler; soul; strip mining; subdermal implant; subspace anomaly; survivor; tempering; Tholians; Tora Naprem; Trelos Vren; tricorder; thief; tritonium; uridium; Vulcan; Vulcan restaurant; warp nacelle; weep; Xhosa, SS

External links[]

Previous episode:
"Hippocratic Oath"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Season 4
Next episode:
"Rejoined"
Advertisement