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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 4 Episode 14

Return to Grace

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AIRED: 2/5/96

Stardate: 49534.2 Gul Dukat asks for the assistance of Kira to help him track down a Klingon ship that destroyed a Cardassian Outpost. If he is successful in his mission, he will be reinstated into the Cardassian Government.

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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

Dukat thinks he's the only Cardassian left. Meanwhile the writers introduce Damar.

7.0

By Celedorian, Jun 05, 2013

This quick followup to "Indiscretion" (from earlier in the season) brings back Gul Dukat for another story about him and Kira working together; this time on a ship. It's a low budget character driven story that uses tactical displays, anticipation, and a few well timed action sequences to make the episode seem bigger than it really is. At its heart, however, it's a story about Dukat's choices, letting Marc Alaimo (Dukat) do what he does best: think out loud.

Along the way, "Return to Grace" opens a lot of issues: we learn that Dukat believes the occupation of Bajor was a mistake, that his actions and beliefs are making him an outsider on Cardassia, and that he finds Kira increasingly attractive. Meanwhile, we are reminded that the Klingons are no longer playing nice, and that their hostility not only threatens the Federation, but everyone else too. But instead of developing and exploring the issues, the script just pays them some lip service before moving along and resolving the plot. (Sometimes I wonder if Star Trek writers missed the day in scriptwriting school when students were taught that on TV it's better to show than tell).

It is fun, however, to see Kira and Dukat together again (Nana Visitor and Alaimo work well together), and their ship-based adventure is a nice change of pace from the location shooting in "Indescretion". But perhaps "Return to Grace" is most notable for introducing Casey Biggs as Damar, Dukat's right hand man. Though little more than an extra here, Biggs's breakout performance ensures that we'd see a lot more of Damar in the future.

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After Kira helps Dukat regain his standing within the Cardassian government, he invites her to join him in guerrilla warfare against the Klingons.

8.0

By pharoahsdance, May 14, 2010

Apparently the writers realized there was potential in the Kira/Dukat relationship, because this is the second episode of the 4th season to revolve around it. (The first was "Indiscretion".)

In this one, Dukat is the captain of a freighter meant to carry Major Kira to a Cardassian/Bajoran meeting. Due to his illegitimate half-Bajoran daughter, Dukat has been ostracized and demoted by his fellow Cardassians, and he never stops complaining about it. He also doesn't stop hitting on Major Kira, which completely revolts her.

However, the mission takes a left turn when it turns out that the outpost has been destroyed by a Klingon warship. With Kira's ingenuity, Dukat's freighter chases down the warship and disables it. Dukat communicates this to the Cardassian government, which then restores Dukat to his previous powerful position. But he is dissatisfied, instead wishing to commandeer the warship and use it to begin a guerrilla war against the Klingons; he attempts to convince Kira to join him as his lieutenant, arguing that at heart she is not a space station administrator.

As on "Indiscretion", there's great chemistry between these two characters/actors. Kira's adaptation from terrorist to near-bureaucrat, and her doubts about whether things weren't better in the old job, is a recurring theme in this series; in this case, she didn't seem to have much doubt.

Marc Alaimo was great in this episode, particularly during his intense recruitment spiel to Kira.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Armin Shimerman	Quark
Terry Farrell	Lt./Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax (Season 1-6)
Michael Dorn	Lt. Commander Worf (Season 4-7)
Rene Auberjonois	Constable Odo
Nana Visitor	Major/Colonel/Commander Kira Nerys
Avery Brooks	Commander/Captain Benjamin Sisko

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Cyia Batten	Ziyal	Guest Star
John Kenton Shull	K'Temang	Guest Star
Marc Alaimo	Gul Dukat	Recurring Role
Casey Biggs	Damar	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (4)
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- Dukat: What Cardassians? Don't you see, Major? They're paralyzed. They're beaten and defeated. I am the only Cardassian left, and if no one else will stand against the Klingons, I will.
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- Kira: Why is it when you smile I want to leave the room?
  Dukat: I suppose it's because of my overwhelming charm.
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- Dukat: First it was Vedek Bareil, now it's the head of the Bajoran Government. You do like powerful men, don't you?
  Kira: First of all, Shakaar is an old friend, second of all, what business is it of yours?!
  Dukat: Let's just say it's further incentive for me to regain my former position.
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- Dukat: Well, Major, it appears that whether you like it or not, our lives have become deeply intertwined.
  Kira: That really pleases you, doesn't it?
  Dukat: Pleases me? Major, it gives me reason to live.
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NOTES (5)
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- John Kenton Shull (K'Temang) also played the role of Security Officer in the DS9 episode "Shakaar". He also played Molor Singer on The Next Generation episode "Firstborn". On Voyager he played Medicine Man in "Basics" (Part 2), Brok'Tan on "Barge Of The Dead", and Nocona on "Homestead".
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- Cyia Batten (Ziyal) also played the role of Navaar on the Enterprise episode "Bound", and Irina on the Voyager episode "Drive".
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- Armin Shimerman (Quark) and Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko) do not appear in this episode.
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- This episode marks the last appearance of Cyia Batten as Ziyal.
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- This episode marks the first appearance of Casey Biggs as Damar.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- "What Cardassians? I am the only Cardassian left."
  This is in reference to a quote by Native American leader Sitting Bull, when he alone would not sign a treaty while other Native American leaders did.
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- Kira: (about Cardassian rifle) You could drag it through the mud and it'll still work.
  
  This is a possible reference to the most durable assault rifle in the world, the AK-47. It is said that AK-47 can be dragged through the worst conditions - mud, water, snow, dirt - and still function correctly.
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