‘RETURN TO GRACE’ (DS9)
Please feel free to comment on my review.
This episode is another one where Kira deals with her reaction and feelings towards Gul Dukat, whom she despises since the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. It’s a very fascinating episode to watch.
In the episode, Kira is about to go to a Bajoran-Cardassian conference to discuss the situation regarding the Klingon Empire. Kira is shocked Marc Alaimo as Dukat is taking her to that conference.
Dukat is now the captain of a Cardassian freighter since he’s been demoted due to him sparing his half-Bajoran daughter Ziyal in ‘Indiscretion’. He was disowned by his wife and family and his mother.
He also lost his military adviser position on Cardassia. He currently works in a dreary job to fly an unremarkable trading ship. He’s determined to find a way to regain his position among Cardassians.
Cyia Batten returns as Ziyal, Dukat’s daughter in the episode. There’s also Casey Biggs as Damar, one of Dukat’s men aboard the freighter. Damar will appear prominently later on in the ‘DS9’ TV series. 🙂
As they make their way to the conference, Kira gets to know Ziyal more and the two become good friends. Kira even accepts the invitation to dinner with Dukat, since it’s a traditional custom of course.
Sadly however, the conference site is obliterated. The Cardassian freighter comes across a Klingon Bird of Prey who attacked the area. It doesn’t even bother to attack Dukat’s seemingly lowly freighter.
Kira advises Dukat to adapt the freighter’s defences when they go in pursuit of the Bird of Prey. Dukat seems to be impressed by Kira’s tactical knowledge and he openly compliments her over this.
Kira however is uncomfortable about working with Dukat. Dukat tries to be friends with Kira, saying that they do make a good team. But Kira wants nothing to do with Dukat because of the occupation.
Ziyal even tries to persuade Kira to find a way to forgive Dukat on all the bad things he’s done in the occupation. But Kira, despite still being friends with Ziyal, says that she can never forgive Dukat here.
Eventually in space, Dukat’s freighter manages to trick the Bird of Prey into thinking that they’re carrying valuable cargo. Dukat’s freighter uses its new weaponry in order to cripple the Klingon ship.
Dukat, Kira and the other manage to switch places with Klingons and they commandeer the Bird of Prey. The Klingons are transported to the freighter. Dukat mercilessly destroys the freighter in space.
Kira tells Dukat it was unnecessary to destroy the Klingons on the freighter, but Dukat is determined to notify his superiors that they’ve captured the Klingon ship. Dukat is hopeful to regain his position.
He also hopes to spur the Cardassians into fighting the Klingons. Despite being offered his old job back, Dukat is ordered not to take any further offensive action against the Klingons in deep space. 😐
Dukat is disgusted by the Cardassian government’s handling of the situation and he becomes determined to fight the whole Klingon Empire himself if he has to. He has his Bird of Prey after all. 😀
Kira is stunned by Dukat’s resilient action to fight against the Klingons. Dukat offers Kira a chance to be by his side to fight the Klingons. He says her experience as a resistance fighter would be valuable.
I do wonder if Kira was actually tempted to join Dukat at his side in the fight against the Klingons. She said she wasn’t, even though he did have his moments. Anyway, Kira declines Dukat’s kind offer.
Kira does ask Dukat to let her take Ziyal back to DS9. She doesn’t want Dukat’s daughter to end up like her when she was fighting in the resistance. Dukat agrees and Ziyal goes with Kira back to DS9. 🙂
So, Ziyal is on DS9 for a while. I wonder what will happen to her. Will she ever be reunited with her father once his personal war with the Klingons is over? I’m sure she will. We’ll have to wait and see.
‘Return to Grace’ is a fascinatingly enjoyable episode featuring Kira’s relationship with Dukat. It’s interesting how that was explored in the episode and how it doesn’t end up with her forgiving him.
I suppose it’s difficult for Kira to forgive someone who killed many of her people during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. How will Kira and Dukat’s relationship be explored in future stories?
‘Return to Grace’ (DS9) rating – 8/10
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