Summary for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
Treachery, Faith and the Great River
Season 7, Episode 6
Guest Stars:
Jeffrey Combs as "Weyoun"
Casey Biggs as "Damar"
J.G. Hertzler as "Martok"
Aron Eisenberg as "Nog"
Max Grodenchik as "Rom"
Salome Jens as the female Founder
Story by: Philip Kim
Teleplay by: David Weddle and Bradley Thompson
Events:
The episode opens with Odo massaging Nerys' back, sore as a result of playing sports. Odo's method of massage is unique, as he allows his hands to partially liquefy.
Odo tells Nerys he is about to go on a mission to meet Gul Rusol (sp?), his most reliable Cardassian informant who went silent about a year ago. It was rumoured that Rusol was executed by the Cardassian government shortly after the Dominion alliance was formed.
They discuss the possibility that this is a trap, but Odo makes it clear he feels indebted to Rusol enough to take that chance to find out. Nerys offers to go but Odo explains he was instructed to come alone.
Best lines from the scene:
Odo: "Don't worry Nerys, I'll be careful."
Nerys: "Worried? Ha. This just gives me time to work on my backhand."
The scene cuts to a very messy Promenade outside of Quark's. Wires, piping and conduits drape down from every support pillar and cover most of the floor. Miles and Nog are busy working on repairs.
Quark interrupts Miles to find out how long the work will take. From Quark we learn that the Promenade is closed. He doesn't find much comfort from Miles or Nog.
Best lines from the scene:
Quark: "My bar is empty, my waiters are bored, and I'm losing money."
Miles: "Leave me alone, Quark, or I'll feed you to one of those plasma conductors."
Quark: "Are you threatening me?"
Quark files a complaint on behalf of the Promenade Business Association, and Ben, who has just arrived, tells him to put it in writing.
Ben asks Miles how long it will take, and Miles tells him it should be done by the end of the day. Ben explains he's not worried about the Promenade but wants to know how long it will take to repair the Defiant's gravity mats. Apparently the Defiant's artificial gravity is "fluctuating," thus randomly increasing or decreasing the crew's weight.
Miles explains that job will take three weeks. The time needed is mostly waiting for the arrival of a graviton stabilizer. A Star Fleet Sector Quartermaster is behind the delay.
Ben explains that he's going to Bajor for a conference and when he returns in three days he wants to take the Defiant out on patrol and he wants the problem fixed.
As Ben leaves, Nog steps forward to discuss this problem with Miles. Nog starts asking personal questions about the Sector Quartermaster: his name (first name) and whether he's married. Miles only knows the last name ("Chief Willobe") and doesn't see the point to the questions. Nog explains the only way to get the stabilizer quickly is to form a relationship with the Quartermaster so he will put the Defiant's requisition at the top of his waiting list.
Miles explains he doesn't have time for a relationship with Willobe so Nog offers his services.
Best lines from the scene:
Miles: "All right. But don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Nog: "Chief, I can't operate under those kinds of restrictions."
Miles: "At least promise me you won't do anything to get us court-martialed."
Nog: "I'll try."
<the look of response on Miles' face can't be translated but it's a priceless vision that roughly translated might mean "What have I unleashed?">
Miles: "Nog!"
Nog: "Just kidding, Chief."
The scene cuts to the Rio Grande runabout approaching a moon. This is Odo on his mission to meet with Gul Rusol. The scene cuts again to a cavern below the moon's surface, where Odo approaches the rendezvous point. He calls out Rusol's name and is greeted by Weyoun, who explains Rusol was executed a year ago.
Weyoun is properly respectful of Odo, recognizing him as "Founder".
Seems Weyoun has decided he is no longer part of the Dominion, that he wishes to serve Odo, and that he places his fate in Odo's hands. In short, he's defecting.
Best lines from the scene:
Odo: "Weyoun."
Weyoun: "Founder."
The show cuts to opening credits and commercials.
When the show returns Odo wants to know why Weyoun is defecting (and he insists Weyoun not call him "Founder"). Weyoun tries to suggest he realized his place is with Odo but Odo doesn't believe him. Weyoun then explains that the Jem'Hadar are out searching for him and his life is in danger.
Best lines from the scene:
Odo: "From whom?"
Weyoun: "Everyone."
Odo: "Aren't you being a little paranoid?"
Weyoun: "Of course I'm paranoid. Everyone is trying to kill me."
Under Odo's questioning, Weyoun reveals that the war with the Federation was supposed to be won months ago and since he led the war for the Cardassian/Dominion alliance he is being blamed for the failure to keep the scheduled victory.
Weyoun offers his knowledge of the Cardassian/Dominion alliance and its secrets. Odo tests him by asking about a Ketracel-White storage facility rumoured to be in Sector 507. Without hesitating, Weyoun offers that the facility is in the Pelosa system and offers to give exact coordinates.
This test apparently convinces Odo, as he orders the Rio Grande to beam them both up to the runabout.
On board, Odo orders Weyoun to a chair where Odo can keep an eye on him. Weyoun asks Odo to believe he would never hurt a god. Odo denies being a god. He's just a security officer with a prisoner, which apparently pains Weyoun to hear.
The scene cuts to the Promenade, which is looking much better now. Nog approaches Miles and provides him with an update on the search for a graviton stabilizer.
Apparently Quartermaster Willobe's first name is Edgar, his wife's name is Cynthia. They have an eight-year old daughter named Melissa and a five-year old son named Edgar Jr. Nog took the liberty of sending a bottle of Damsian Wine on behalf of Miles and thus learned that it will take a week for Edgar to get a graviton stabilizer. However, Nog also learned the USS Sentinel has a spare stabilizer.
Miles asks why they'd give up the stabilizer and Nog suggests they might trade for it. Miles agrees its worth a try, but instructs Nog to be discreet. Nog quotes Rule of Acquisition #168: "Whisper your way to success."
Nog asks for Miles' authorization code for the shipping orders. Miles counters that Nog need only bring it to him and he'll authorize it. Nog deftly asks Miles when Ben is expected back, and Miles, realizing he's on the hook, gives Nog the authorization code. Nog reassures him that "I've got it all under control" and leaves Miles muttering "I sure hope so".
The scene cuts to the Rio Grande, where after ten hours of being stared at, Odo instructs Weyoun to stop. Weyoun starts his "It's an honour to be in the presence of a g..." but when Odo looks at him sharply Weyoun continues with "security officer." ;-))
Their conversation is interrupted by a hail on a Cardassian frequency. Weyoun becomes surprisingly bold by instructing Odo to block the signal and when that fails Weyoun instructs Odo to scramble it. When that also fails a screen lights up and we see Weyoun's face looking down on Odo and Weyoun, claiming it is indeed an honour to be in Odo's presence once again.
Odo looks back and forth between the two Weyouns.
The show cuts to commercials.
When the show returns we learn a whole lot about the Vorta and Weyoun.
It seems the Vorta are all clones. The Weyoun we've seen for so many years, Weyoun 5, was killed in a transporter accident a month ago (and the two Weyouns seem to believe Damar was behind it though the "thorough investigation" has found no evidence of sabotage).
The Weyoun on board the Rio Grande is Weyoun 6. The one on Cardassia beside Damar is Weyoun 7. #7 believes #6 is defective, as demonstrated by #6's decision to defect. Apparently all Vorta clones are given a self-destruct implant in the brain stem and #7 demands that #6 activate his self-destruct mechanism. #6 declines, explaining that he serves the Founder Odo and that Odo wants him alive. #7 explains to Odo that if he will stop and let the Cardassians take #6 no harm will come to Odo. Odo declines, refusing to release his prisoner. #7 explains that he cannot be held responsible for what happens to Odo in that case. #6 reassures Odo that #7 is making an empty threat, as no Vorta will harm a Founder.
Damar interrupts and explains he is under no such restriction and warns the "shape-shifter" that a warship will find them soon and then ends the transmission.
On the runabout, Odo contemplates his fate. Weyoun 6 offers an apology for not telling the whole truth and Odo demands the truth now. Weyoun explains that from the moment he was activated he felt the war was wrong, that the Founders should learn to live in peace with the "solids". Finally he admits he is probably defective for questioning the wisdom of the Founders but Odo reassures him that Weyoun is right in his way of thinking. Weyoun's delivery of this explanation is very self-deprecating and almost touching in its simplicity.
The scene cuts to Cardassia Prime, where Weyoun 7 is mulling over the treachery of Weyoun 6. He explains that the Vorta cloning procedure is a delicate one and that occasionally a defective clone is created. He is obviously not pleased that this has happened to the Weyoun series of clones.
Damar comments that he knew something was wrong with Weyoun 6 because of a lack of cruelty in Weyoun 6. Weyoun 7 pursues the matter of the death of Weyoun 5. Apparently Damar was expected to be on that transporter pad as well but was called back by Central Command for an urgent meeting.
Damar offers Weyoun 7 a Kanar but Weyoun declines. Damar explains that a Jem'Hadar attack ship is on the way, but Weyoun counters by saying he doubts they will attack a Founder. Damar counters by telling Weyoun that if the Federation learns all that Weyoun 6 knows the war could be lost, and that he will not let that happen, given all that Cardassia has suffered. He suggests a plan to avoid disobedience. Simply refuse to tell the Jem'Hadar that Odo is on board. Weyoun boggles at the idea of killing a Founder, worrying about what would happen if the rest of the Founders found out. Damar counters by asking who is going to tell them.
Weyoun reluctantly agrees to Damar's plan. When offered a drink Weyoun just stares at Damar and leaves the room.
The scene cuts to DS9. Miles arrives in the command centre, only to be warned by Ezri to make himself scarce. Before he can respond, Nerys angrily calls Miles into the Captain's office. Seems the captain's desk is missing. Nerys, holding a PADD, asks Miles where the desk is. Miles doesn't know and Nerys points out his authorization code was used to move it off the station. Miles figures that Nog must have traded it for the stabilizer and promises to get the desk back.
The scene cuts to the repli-mat where Nog is explaining to Miles what he's done. He's "loaned" the desk to Al Lorenzo, the chief of operations on Dagos Prime. Seems Al likes to have his picture taken while he sits behind the desks of famous captains. With the war going on he hasn't had much opportunity to sneak in and get a picture, so he jumped at the chance to borrow the desk. Apparently Al is a busy guy. He's got a picture of himself behind Picard's desk ;-).
In exchange for the picture, Al is giving Nog an induction modulator. DS9 doesn't need an induction modulator, but the USS Musaji needs one. In exchange for the induction modulator, the Musaji is going to give DS9 a phaser emitter. DS9 doesn't need a phaser emitter but the USS Sentinel does. In exchange for the phaser emitter the Sentinel will give DS9 the graviton stabilizer they need for the Defiant.
Or so goes the "rumour" Nog has heard.
Miles has some difficulty digesting all of this ;-)). But Nog has faith in the Great Material Continuum ("the force that binds the universe together" according to Nog). Miles complains that he missed that in Engineering school, while Nog boasts that Ferengi children learn about this while they still have "their first set of ears" (??? Ferengis shed their ears???).
Nog describes the Great Material Continuum as a "great river" that flows between worlds, helping each world to balance its surpluses with its needs (and now you know where the "great river" in the title comes from).
Best lines from the scene (and this is a great scene to watch):
Miles: "Yeah well right now I'd settle for a stabilizer and the captain's desk."
Nog: "The river will provide."
Miles: "If it doesn't sink us first."
Meanwhile, back on the Rio Grande, Weyoun 6 wakes from a nightmare where he couldn't find the right room for his debriefing and was being pursued by the Jem'Hadar or Klingons, he isn't sure which. Odo seems fascinated by this Weyoun and his manner has gentled somewhat. He understand it is difficult for Weyoun to defect, seeing in Weyoun his own difficulty in turning his back on his own people (the Founders).
Weyoun asks if Odo thinks Star Fleet will allow Odo to conduct the debriefing. Odo thinks they might. Weyoun confesses it would make the experience easier. Their conversation is then interrupted by weapons fire from a Jem'Hadar attack ship immediately behind them.
The show cuts to commercials.
When it returns we are treated to a high speed pursuit with the runabout taking evasive action quite ineffectually. Every hit strikes the rear of the ship, and shields do not seem to be active.
On board Weyoun 6 is amazed they are being fired upon and realizes that the Jem'Hadar must not know Odo's on board. They try to communicate but all frequencies are blocked. Weyoun strikes on a plan and tells Odo to get above the Jem'Hadar ship. With an abrupt move we see the runabout rise above the plane of the Jem'Hadar and rapidly decelerate, ending up above and behind the attack ship. Weyoun tells Odo to lock phasers on the dorsal field junction, which is where the ship's shields are weakest. With a concentrated phaser fire the runabout manages to destroy the attack ship.
Weyoun feels guilty over this destruction. Odo asks him if it has occurred to Weyoun that the only reasons he believes the Founders are gods is because they programmed that belief into his genetic code. Weyoun readily agrees to this, saying "That's what gods do."
Meanwhile, on DS9, Miles is looking for Nog and finds Rom instead. Rom explains Nog used Miles' authorization code to requisition a runabout and left the station hours ago. While Miles is concerned about the schedule he has to keep, he's at least relieved to believe that nothing else can go missing while Nog is away.
However, in a cargo bay, Martok is furious to discover his cases of blood wine are now empty and Worf, standing nearby, promises to find out where the blood wine went.
On Cardassia Prime Damar and Weyoun 7 are furious that the ship they sent was destroyed. They prepare to order a "battalion" of ships to pursue the runabout, when they are interrupted by the Founder (the representative who introduced Odo to the Great Link and has made so many appearances). Her face is parched, dried, shriveled, and she is escorted by two Jem'Hadar warriors. When this is pointed out to her she adopts her more usual appearance. She is told that a Federation runabout was caught spying and they are trying to destroy it. They don't mention who is aboard. When the Founder asks about Weyoun 6 she is reassured by Weyoun 7 that the clone will be dealt with.
The Founder orders a drop in temperature of 15 degrees as she doesn't like the heat which Cardassians are comfortable with. Damar agrees to lower the temperature and she leaves. Weyoun returns to their plan and orders the ships to pursue the runabout.
Meanwhile, on the Rio Grande, Weyoun 6 has just finished sampling most of the choices available through the replicator. He enjoyed their "textures". Apparently the Vorta's tastes only include cava nuts and ripple berries, the Founders' way of reminding the Vorta of their past.
Weyoun launches into a story of how the Vorta came to be. Once, long ago, they were ape-like tree dwellers living on nuts and berries. An injured Founder, seeking shelter from a group of angry solids, was cared for by the Vorta's ancestors. The Founder promised that one day they would be transformed and made a part of a galactic empire.
Odo finds some comfort in the story as it suggests the Founders can be generous and kind.
Weyoun remarks that Odo cares a great deal for the Founders, despite all that has happened. Odo agrees but notes that the Founders are responsible for a war that has killed millions.
Weyoun then reveals another bit of truth. He tells Odo that a sickness has spread through the Great Link and that all of the Founders are dying.
The show cuts to commercials.
When it returns Weyoun explains that he's noted changes in the female Founder's appearance several times, each time she shrivels a little and then resumes her normal appearance. Somehow he's learned of this disease affecting the Founders and that if they all die except Odo then he can rule the Dominion alone and set it on a path of peace and cooperation.
Odo, suspecting Weyoun is angling for a role in "the new order" asks him what his role will be. Weyoun explains he only wishes to serve Odo.
Their conversation is interrupted as four Jem'Hadar attack ships approach, setting off warnings in the runabout. Fragments from a nearby comet offer them a place to hide. The runabout enters a fracture in a fragment and powers down everything to avoid detection.
Meanwhile, on DS9, things are going from bad to worse. Miles has decided to try to recreate the desk. But he has the wrong colour, size, and height. Nerys takes one look at it and tells him to get rid of it. Julian is of no help, being his usual flippant self. And then Martok enters the captain's office looking for Miles and his blood wine. In the cargo bay Miles looks over empty cases, learning that 16 cases of blood wine sent by Martok's wife are missing and Miles' authorization code has been used to take it.
Martok is not pleased ;-)). He gives Miles to the next day to get it back.
Meanwhile on the runabout, Odo and Weyoun are shivering away, waiting for the Jem'Hadar to leave. The Jem'Hadar have decided to flush them out by firing on all fair-sized comet fragments. This strategy works and the runabout has no choice but to flee the area.
The show cuts to commercials.
When the show returns the runabout is taking heavy damage from the Jem'Hadar. There are some great shots of all these ships weaving through the field of comet fragments. Sensing the end is near, Weyoun 6 contacts Weyoun 7 on Cardassia Prime and tells him to call off the ships. When asked why, Weyoun 6 activates his self-destruct mechanism (behind his right ear and it makes an audible click) and Weyoun 7 agrees to call off the ships. Damar protests, but Weyoun 7 proceeds nonetheless to call of the ships.
Back on the runabout Weyoun 6 slowly dies in Odo's arms. He asks and receives Odo's reluctant blessing and dies.
Back on DS9, Miles has been summoned to the Captain's office by the recently returned Benjamin. He finds Nog polishing the captain's desk (also recently returned but Ben is unaware of this).
Ben asks when the recently arrived graviton stabilizer will be up and running, and Miles says eight hours. Benjamin orders it done in two hours and Miles agrees. On the way out from Ops they bump into Martok and Worf, who offer Miles a bottle of 2309 bloodwine (a very good year, apparently, and better than the stuff Martok's wife sent). Nog assures them that his cousin Gant is the person to contact for wines and spirits. Then he tells Miles that Gant has sixteen cases of Saurian Brandy ;-)), which just happens to be Ben's favourite spirit.
In Nerys's quarters, Odo tells her of his experience with Weyoun 6. He isn't comfortable with being considered a god, and she points out that to Star Fleet the Prophets are nothing more than "wormhole aliens" but to her they are gods because of her faith. She explains that for Weyoun the faith in Odo is the same as her faith in the Prophets.
Then they discuss the recent disclosure of the Founders' imminent extinction. Nerys points out that they started the war, that they are very dangerous, and now they are desperate, which makes them even more dangerous. Odo doesn't give us the impression he is going to follow Weyoun 6's suggestion to take over the Dominion.
Best line from the scene:
Odo: "Whichever side wins, one thing is certain. I am going to lose."
End of episode.
Personal reflections:
Hard to pin this episode down. It was quite entertaining, and revealed many previously unknown facts (at least to me if not to others).
I didn't know Vorta were cloned. Or that the clones had self-destruct implants. Or their own legend about their origins. I didn't know about the Great Material Continuum or that Ferengi's lost their first set of ears. I didn't know that the Founders are dying.
These tidbits made for a fascinating episode. Like someone handing me a copy of the Encyclopaedia Galactica.
The Nog/Miles story-line added much comic relief to the more serious Odo/Weyoun story-line. I was reminded of "M.A.S.H.", where Radar or Klinger would trade unneeded supplies for essential goods with the other MASH units. I got the definite impression that this method of requisitioning materiel is unheard of, as sucking up to the Quartermaster actually worked and Miles seemed to have no idea of what Nog was talking about in the scene before the opening credits.
The idea that Star Fleet is totally unprepared for this kind of wheeling and dealing says something about how everyone is stuck on protocol.
Letting the Ferengi into Star Fleet may not be such a wise idea ;-)).
Odo's story-line was much more poignant. He is now trapped with the knowledge his people are dying and he can't save them. I'm sure this is setting up an interesting ending to the series and a heart-wrenching farewell to the female Founder. I do like the idea of ending the series with Odo as emperor of the Dominion and I think Weyoun 6 makes an excellent case for this development.
But I think right now Odo is too grief stricken to give it serious thought.
I was delighted that so many of the cast and those favourite guest stars managed to make an appearance. Casual appearances by the female Founder, Martok, Rom, Worf, Ezri, Ben, Nerys, and Julian made this feel like a well-rounded and crowded episode ("crowded" in a good way). Throw in Damar, Weyoun 6 and 7, Odo, Miles and Nog and the episode was chock full of DS9 characters. A hearty "well done" to those who appeared and didn't try stealing scenes for themselves.
One other observation. This was an excellent episode for Nog, who happens to be my second favourite Ferengi. This episode places him squarely on the 'to be trusted' list and shows the little Ferengi has come a long way from the days when he and Jake used to hang out on the Promenade. I'd like to hope he gets invited to one of Julian and Miles' holo-programs or out to Quark's for drinks (root beer for Nog). Rom should be very proud.
Thanks for your attention.
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