STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE: WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND {SERIES FINALE} (TV)

Summary

The finale of this series of science fiction programs about a twenty-fourth-century space station, Deep Space Nine.

On the morning before the final battle between the Federation Alliance and the Dominion forces at Cardassia, the staff of Deep Space Nine each has something on their mind as they ready to man the Defiant. Bashir and Ezri consummate their relationship, O'Brien plans on accepting a teaching position at Starfleet Academy, Sisko and Kasidy deal with her being pregnant with his child, and Odo is worried about Kira, still on Cardassia. The Defiant sets off with a large fleet of Federation, Klingon, and Romulan vessels in order to attack Cardassia Prime and end the Dominion War once and for all. Weyoun and the Female Shapeshifter track the progress of the Federation Alliance fleet, and learn that Damar is still alive and hiding out on Cardassia Prime. Jem'Hadar nearly capture Damar and Garak, but Kira arrives to save them. They plan to lead their rebellion to sabotage the Dominion from within the city, crippling their efforts against the Federation Alliance.

En route to Cardassia, Sisko receives a vision from the Prophets advising him that his task is nearly complete. On Bajor, Gul Dukat and Kai Winn learn how to release the Pah-wraiths; they plan to have the Pah-wraiths destroy the Prophets and reign over the galaxy. Gul Dukat insists that he will deal with Sisko, Emissary of the Prophets, personally. They travel to the Fire Caves of Bajor, where the Pah-wraiths are imprisoned. Garak, Damar, and Kira manage to disable the Dominion's long-range communications, hampering their defense. In retaliation, Dominion forces destroy an entire Cardassian city, killing over two million Cardassians. Garak is overcome with emotion at this turn of events. Kira suggests attacking the Dominion headquarters itself, despite the knowledge that it is likely a suicide mission.

The Federation Alliance fleet arrives and engages the Dominion fleet. Both sides inflict heavy casualties, and many ships are destroyed. The Jem'Hadar discover Garak and Damar's hiding place and kill Mila, capturing Garak, Damar, and Kira. During the space battle, O'Brien tells Bashir about his transfer to earth. Sisko tries to reinforce the deteriorating Romulan forces as the Dominion gains an advantage in the battle. The Female Shapeshifter learns of Damar's capture and orders the Jem'Hadar to execute him and his companions, but the Jem'Hadar's Cardassian aides betray and murder the Jem'Hadar as revenge for the millions of Cardassian deaths. They join Damar and his rebellion.

The Defiant finds itself overwhelmed by Dominion ships until they are saved by Cardassian vessels defecting to the Federation in the wake of the mass killing of Cardassians by the Dominion. Sisko seizes upon the opportunity to try to punch through the Dominion's defensive line. Frustrated, the Female Shapeshifter orders that the entire population of Cardassia be destroyed and its cities leveled. The Dominion fleet retreats back to Cardassia Prime and Sisko, along with Martok and Admiral Ross, decide to press the attack, despite the heavy casualties they are projected to suffer. Meanwhile, Kai Winn and Gul Dukat reach the end of the Fire Caves, where Kai Winn begins to summon the Pah-wraiths using an ancient Bajoran tome. Sheets of flame erupt from the cave floor, indicating the presence of the Pah-wraiths.

Damar and Kira move their rebellion cell out of the city as Jem'Hadar forces begin bombing it into ruin. Garak is devastated that Mila is dead and the Cardassia he once knew no longer exists, now motivated only by revenge against the Dominion. The Federation Alliance fleet arrives at Cardassia Prime and witnesses the Dominion's massive fleet defending the planet. Garak, Damar, and Kira try to infiltrate the Dominion headquarters, but cannot penetrate the entrance gate; they are so desperate that they burst into laughter at the apparent hopelessness of their situation. The Female Shapeshifter authorizes the use of Breen ships in the defensive fleet, and admits to Weyoun that she hasn't been able to change form in weeks due to the disease killing both her and all the other Changelings.

The gate opens to allow the Jem'Hadar to execute a few Cardassians, and Kira and the others take the opportunity to storm the Dominion headquarters. During the ensuing firefight, Damar is killed, but the others continue forward as per his orders. They manage to corner Weyoun and the Female Shapeshifter, and Garak kills Weyoun. Kira demands that the Female Shapeshifter call off the Jem'Hadar and Breen forces, but she refuses, claiming that they will fight to the last man and hope to inflict so many casualties that the Federation's victory will be pyrrhic at best. Kira gets in touch with the Defiant and informs them of the situation. Odo offers to beam down and try to convince the Female Shapeshifter to acquiesce to their demands. She refuses to concede, fearing what the powers of the Alpha Quadrant will do to the Changelings if they are left unchecked. Odo changes her mind by linking with her and curing her of her disease, claiming that she is willing to stand trial for her actions. He reveals to Kira that he intends to return to the Great Link and cure all of the other Changelings, never to return.

The Federation Alliance wins the battle, but has paid a heavy price for their victory, with hundreds of millions dead on both sides. Garak laments over the devastation of his homeworld, irrevocably damaging Cardassian life and culture. At a conference aboard Deep Space Nine, the Female Shapeshifter signs a treaty officially ending the Dominion War. Worf is chosen to become the Federation ambassador to Qo'noS, and he accepts the appointment, much to Martok's approval. Odo tells Kira that he hopes to spread what he's learned about solids throughout the Great Link so that they will cooperate with the Alpha Quadrant. Kira asks that she be the one to take him to his home planet. The crew of Deep Space Nine hold a party at Vic's to commemorate the end of the war and their departure.

Meanwhile, Kai Winn and Gul Dukat continue to summon the Pah-wraiths. Kai Winn tricks Gul Dukat into killing himself with poisoned wine in order to offer a "sacrifice" to the Pah-wraiths. However, the Pah-wraiths reject Kai Winn and instead possess Gul Dukat's dead body, resurrecting him as their Emissary. He assumes a demonic-looking version of his original Cardassian appearance. On Deep Space Nine, Sisko becomes aware of Gul Dukat's resurrection and abruptly leaves on a runabout to face him at the Fire Caves. He arrives and attempts to face down Gul Dukat, but he easily incapacitates Sisko with his newly-acquired powers. Kai Winn tries to destroy the book to stop Gul Dukat, but at his command the Pah-wraiths immolate her into ash. Sisko uses this distraction to tackle himself, Gul Dukat, and the book into the flames. Gul Dukat and the book are destroyed and Sisko finds himself in the Celestial Temple, where the Prophets tell his that his task is complete. He wishes to return to Deep Space Nine, but they tell him that he must remain with them.

While Deep Space Nine searches for Sisko, he communicates with Kasidy from the Celestial Temple. He tells her that he must remain with the Prophets, as there is much that they still require of him. However, he promises to return to her someday, although he does not know when. Kasidy embraces Sisko one last time and passes on this information to the others. The crew of Deep Space Nine go their separate ways, recalling their experiences aboard the station. Odo tries to leave without saying goodbye, but he shares a last exchange with Quark, who insists on being called a "worthy adversary" of his. Bashir and O'Brien bid each other a silent farewell. Kira takes Odo to the Great Link and they share one last embrace before Odo rejoins with the other Changelings, curing them of their disease. Kira takes over command of Deep Space Nine, and Nog is promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Kira breaks up a betting ring run by Quark, and he remarks that "the more things change, the more things stay the same." The episode ends as Jake and Kira gaze out on the wormhole, awaiting Sisko's return. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: Syndicated
• DATE: June 4, 1999 8:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:32:17
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:66124
• 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
• Hans Beimler … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
• Ronald D. Moore … Co-Executive Producer
• Robert della Santina … Coordinating Producer
• Robert Hewitt Wolfe … Producer
• J.P. Farrell … Co-Producer
• Terri Potts … Co-Producer
• Allan Kroeker … Director
• Michael Piller … Created by
• Gene Roddenberry … Based on "Star Trek" created by
• Dennis McCarthy … Music by, Theme Music by
• Avery Brooks … Cast, Captain Sisko
• Rene Auberjonois … Cast, Odo
• Nicole deBoer … Cast, Lieutenant Ezri Dax
• Michael Dorn … Cast, Lt. Commander Worf
• Cirroc Lofton … Cast, Jake Sisko
• Colm Meany … Cast, Chief O'Brien
• Armin Shimerman … Cast, Quark
• Alexander Siddig (See also: Siddig el Fadil) … Cast, Doctor Bashir
• Nana Visitor … Cast, Colonel Kira
• Rosalind Chao … Cast, Keiko O'Brien
• Jeffrey Combs … Cast, Weyoun
• Salome Jens … Cast, Female Shapeshifter
• Penny Johnson (See also: Penny Johnson Jerald) … Cast, Kasidy Yates
• Andrew J. Robinson … Cast, Garak
• Casey Biggs … Cast, Damar
• Marc Alaimo … Cast, Gul Dukat
• Aron Eisenberg … Cast, Nog
• J.G. Hertzler … Cast, Martok
• Barry Jenner … Cast, Admiral Ross
• Deborah Lacey … Cast, Sarah
• Julianna McCarthy … Cast, Mila
• Hana Hatae … Cast, Molly O'Brien
• James Darren … Cast, Vic Fontaine
• Louise Fletcher … Cast, Kai Winn
• Mel Johnson Jr. … Cast, Broca
• Greg Ellis … Cast, Ekoor
• Cyndia Pass … Cast, Ginger
• Kevin Scott Allen … Cast, Jem'Hadar
• Christopher Halstead … Cast, Jem'Hadar First
• Judi Durand … Voice, Cardassian Computer