STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE: APOCALYPSE RISING {SEASON FIVE PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of science fiction programs about a twenty-fourth-century space station, Deep Space Nine.
The conflict between the Federation and the Klingon Empire continues, spearheaded by Chancellor Gowron, whom Odo recognized as a changeling infiltrator. Starfleet is sending an infiltration team to expose Gowron's status as a shape-shifter, and have elected Sisko as its leader. Sisko orders Odo to be a part of the infiltration team, although Odo has lost confidence in himself since the Founders robbed him of his shapechanging abilities. Sisko calls a briefing on the mission: Gowron has relocated the Klingon center of military operations to Ty'Gokor, a heavily fortified and well-defended planet. Gowron himself is protected constantly by his personal guard. His status as a changeling can be confirmed by killing him, but Starfleet has instead issued them prototype weapons called "polaron emitters," designed to emit a form of radiation which could destabilize a changeling's humanoid form. However, they must be placed precisely around the target, must be activated simultaneously, and can only be used once, as too much polaron radiation could be fatal.
In order to infiltrate Klingon space, Kira calls upon Gul Dukat and his Klingon Bird of Prey. Furthermore, Dr. Bashir surgically alters Sisko, Chief O'Brien, and Odo to look like Klingons. Worf has Dukat forge Klingon identities for himself and the other three, adding their names to a list of recipients of the Order of the Bat'leth, a prestigious award given to Klingon warriors. Gowron is scheduled to preside over the ceremony for the Order of the Bat'leth in a few days. Worf trains Sisko, O'Brien, and Odo on Klingon behavior and mannerisms. Odo has particular difficulty with the exercise, and Sisko tells him that he can't let the loss of his shape-shifting abilities affect his self-confidence. Another Bird of Prey hails Dukat; he tries to respond, using his holo-emitter to project an image of himself as a Klingon. The holo-emitter fails and Dukat destroys the enemy Bird of Prey, upsetting Worf.
Dukat drops Sisko, O'Brien, Odo, and Worf off at Ty'Gokor, but he will not return for them as planned, as he feels it is too risky to stay in Klingon space with his holo-emitter broken. He notes that they will either succeed in their mission and end the war or die trying. The infiltration team is beamed to a chamber in the Ty'Gokor station called the "Hall of Warriors," where an assembly of Klingons are drinking, fighting, and celebrating. The team joins in with the festivities so they can avoid suspicion. Worf explains that the celebration is also an endurance test: only those who remain standing after an entire day of fighting and drinking are awarded the Order of the Bat'leth. They continue the celebration for many hours; the crew avoids inebriation via anti-intoxicants given to them by Dr. Bashir.
Martok arrives and the infiltration team realizes that Gowron can't be far behind. They move to set up the polaron emitters, but O'Brien is stopped by Martok, who says he looks familiar. O'Brien manages to dissuade Martok and set his emitter. Odo accidentally drops his emitter and the plan is nearly discovered, but Worf helps him get it back without suspicion. Finally Gowron appears and begins the award ceremony. Odo manages to place his emitter and Sisko is about to activate them, but Gowron calls him up to receive his award. As Sisko walks off, Martok strikes him in the back with his bat'leth, revealing that he has seen through Sisko's disguise. He and the rest of the infiltration team are taken to a holding cell.
Martok, alone, speaks to the imprisoned team, telling them that Gowron had the polaron emitters destroyed. Sisko gets Martok to admit that he has suspected Gowron of being a changeling for months due to his shift in attitudes about war with the Federation, and his seeming lack of concern with unnecessary Klingon casualties. Martok releases the team from prison, planning to have them assassinate Gowron. Martok sends all of them except Odo into the Hall of Warriors to confront Gowron; he notes that he is uncertain of Odo's loyalty. Worf challenges Gowron to a duel as per the precepts of Klingon honor. Gowron accepts and refuses to allow any to interfere as he swordfights with Worf.
When Martok is mystified by Worf's actions, Odo realizes that he doesn't understand Klingon honor and deduces that Gowron is not a changeling, but Martok is. He gets Martok to expose his true form. Sisko and the assembled Klingons shoot the changeling repeatedly with disruptors until it explodes. Afterwards, Gowron talks with the infiltration team. It turns out that the Founders tricked Odo into believing that Gowron was a changeling, thus manipulating them into attempting to kill him so that the changeling impersonating Martok could assume command of the Klingon Empire. Thus, the Founders would have been able to destroy both the Federation and the Empire, assuring their victory in the Alpha Quadrant. Sisko convinces Gowron to negotiate a cease-fire between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, at least for the time being. The episode ends as they return to Deep Space Nine and their regular appearances are restored, as is Odo's self-confidence. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: Syndicated
- DATE: October 5, 1996 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:45:23
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:50188
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SERIES RUN: Syndicated - TV series, 1993-1999
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rick Berman … Executive Producer, Created by
- Ira Steven Behr … Executive Producer, Writer
- Robert Hewitt Wolfe … Producer, Writer
- Steve Oster … Producer
- René Echevarria … Producer
- J. P. Farrell … Co-Producer
- Terri Potts … Associate Producer
- Peter Lauritson … Supervising Producer
- Ronald D. Moore … Supervising Producer
- Hans Beimler … Co-Supervising Producer
- Robert della Santina … Coordinating Producer
- James L. Conway … Director
- Michael Piller … Created by
- Gene Roddenberry … Based upon "Star Trek" created by
- Dennis McCarthy … Music by, Theme Music by
- Avery Brooks … Cast, Captain Sisko
- Rene Auberjonois … Cast, Odo
- Michael Dorn … Cast, Lt. Commander Worf
- Alexander Siddig (See also: Siddig el Fadil) … Cast, Doctor Bashir
- Terry Farrell … Cast, Lieutenant Dax
- Cirroc Lofton … Cast, Jake Sisko
- Nana Visitor … Cast, Major Kira
- Robert O'Reilly … Cast, Gowron
- J. G. Hertzler … Cast, Martok
- Marc Alaimo … Cast, Gul Dukat
- Casey Biggs … Cast, Damar
- Robert Budaska … Cast, Burly Klingon
- Robert Zachar … Cast, Head Guard
- John L. Bennett … Cast, Towering Klingon
- Tony Epper … Cast, Drunken Klingon
- Ivor Bartels … Cast, Young Klingon