The Dogs of War (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"The Dogs of War" is the 174th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 24th of the seventh season. It is the eighth of the ten-episode story arc concluding the series, based on a story by Peter Allan Fields.

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures on Deep Space Nine, a space station located near a stable wormhole between the Alpha and Gamma quadrants of the Milky Way Galaxy. In this episode, Damar (Casey Biggs), Kira (Nana Visitor) and Garak (Andrew J. Robinson) form a new strategy for opposing the Dominion after the organized resistance is wiped out; Grand Nagus Zek (Wallace Shawn) announces his retirement and plans to come to the station to visit his hand-picked successor.

Plot

The Cardassian rebellion headed by former Legate Damar (Casey Biggs), suffers a severe blow when Damar is stranded with Garak (Andrew J. Robinson) and Kira (Nana Visitor) on Cardassia Prime, while all of the rebel bases are destroyed. The Dominion proudly announces they have crushed the rebellion, and the Cardassian Union names Damar's replacement, Legate Broca (Mel Johnson, Jr.). Damar, Garak, and Kira hide out in the home of Mila (Julianna McCarthy), Garak's former caretaker. With the encouragement of Kira, the three bomb a Jem'Hadar barracks, where Damar reveals to the people that he is not dead, as Dominion propaganda claimed. He then calls upon the Cardassian populace to rise up against the Dominion. Even though the organized military resistance is gone, a massive civilian revolution begins.

On Deep Space Nine, Quark (Armin Shimerman) receives a message from Grand Nagus Zek (Wallace Shawn), apparently informing him that he has been chosen as Zek's successor upon his imminent retirement. Upon a visit from his old rival Brunt (Jeffrey Combs), however, he discovers that Zek, presumably under the influence of Quark's mother Ishka (Cecily Adams), has instituted a number of reforms, including promoting workers’ rights and environmental protection and outlawing monopolies. Quark is so disgusted by these violations of old Ferengi tradition that he threatens to turn down the job. Upon Zek's arrival to name his successor, however, he discovers that he was never the intended heir of the Grand Nagus, and it was in fact Quark's brother Rom (Max Grodénchik). Quark is still extremely unimpressed, and in a subsequent monologue swears to turn his bar into a refuge for the old unrestrained capitalism that was symbolic of his Ferenginar, though he admits that his brother is better suited to be the leader of a new Ferenginar.

At Dominion headquarters on Cardassia, the Female Changeling (Salome Jens), Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs), Broca, and the Breen Representative Thot Pran note the Federation has overcome the Breen weapon, and resolve to make a major retreat in hopes that the Federation and its allies will leave them alone long enough for them to rebuild their fleets. Despite their position, they still believe in a final victory. Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks) anticipates this, however, and he and Chancellor Martok (J. G. Hertzler) press for a final assault to be launched upon Cardassia Prime to end the war. Admiral Ross (Barry Jenner) and the Romulan representative reluctantly agree. Later that day, Sisko's wife Kasidy (Penny Johnson Jerald) tells him that she is pregnant, and she is concerned by a warning from the Prophets that Sisko, as the emissary, must walk his path alone. Sisko attempts to comfort her.

Production

Brunt and Weyoun were recurring characters who had each been played by Jeffrey Combs in previous episodes. This was the first and only episode to feature both of them, and Combs played both parts.

See also

• Star Trek portal

References

• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine DVD set, volume 7, disc 6, selection 4

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: "The Dogs of War"

• "The Dogs of War" at the Internet Movie Database
• "The Dogs of War" at TV.com

• "The Dogs of War" at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

• "The Dogs of War" at StarTrek.com