Production Number 570

Summary
With the war escalating, Damar follows through on his promise that the Federation has a "friend on Cardassia." Cardassia rebels now openly begin to fight against the Dominion, meanwhile the Dominion/Breen alliance launches an assault into the Chin'Toka system.

The Review
Things really came in to play this episode. The situations that have been leading up to these events were finally what caused the cork to pop off. The story spends a large amount of time on Damar, the intelligent Cardassian once adviser of Dukat has grown weary of Dominion oppression. Conspiring with his most trusted men he has begun a small Cardassian rebel group, almost directly underneath Weyoun's nose. For once in a long time we see Damar having a real purpose in life. The endless supply of kanar he consumed has apparently dried up. The scene between Damar and Weyoun in which Weyoun briefly questioned his new change in attitude was truly rivoting and funny. At first Weyoun seems to suspect something, but quickly we find out he believes Damar is just happy over the new Breen alliance and it's many victories.

Weyoun is completely fooled.

On the Federation front there was another beautiful combination of humour with suspense. The Breen have attacked Earth, and while their assault was repelled, a brief view of the San Francisco bay gives the audience all the reason they need to understand why Starfleet is concerned. The Breen didn't take Earth this time, but they came very close. This places the Federation alliance a bit off-kilter, as obviously no one was expecting such a dramatic change in the war so suddenly. Onboard DS9, life has suddenly become much more tense, yet through it all, everyday things still happen.

That everyday life quickly changes when Sisko recieves orders to take part in a very serious battle in the Chin'Toka system. ("Tears of the Prophets") The only Federation foothold in Dominion space. This, I believe, was well done. The Breen have a new energy-dampening weapon capable of disabling a ship. The Defiant quickly becomes easy prey, which was sad and painful. But besides being a powerful battle, it somehow showed the hopelessness of the Federation alliance. This was their only foothold in Dominion territory After two years of fighting that was all they had to show for, and here in one battle it was taken away, quite painlessly on the part of the Dominion. I especially enjoyed the brief scene after the battle between Weyoun and the female founder. (Weyoun: Look at all those escape pods.. Female founder: Yes, and they are carrying, weak, demoralized, afraid Starfleet officers..)

Rating: A

Other Reviews
Jammer's Review
The Cynic's Review
TrekWeb's Review