410. Call to ArmsFORMULA: Redemption Part II + The Way of the Warrior + The Siege
WHY WE LIKE IT: A chilling cliffhanger. "He'll be back."
WHY WE DON'T: Finally a fight... made up of reused shots.
REVIEW: It's the usual DS9 season finale in that it changes EVERYTHING, and this time, it's going to take a fair bit of doing before a semblance of status quo is restored. Call to Arms moves at breakneck speed as the Dominion/Cardassian alliance finally makes a move on the station. Politically, the Romulans have already signed with the Dominion, and Bajor must do the same if it is to survive the "locust". Where does that leave the Federation?
Sisko and Weyoun have a great scene together, coming to a well-negotiated compromise, only for Sisko to come out and conclude that "they're going to attack". And they finally do after much teasing throughout the second half of the season. Unfortunately, the effects budget seems stretched beyond belief and most of the shots are reuses from other episodes. Perhaps not too bad when the show is watched weekly, but back to back on DVD, the cut and paste shows. The battle is just a diversion while the Defiant mines the entrance to the Wormhole anyway, cutting off the Dominion reinforcements' access to the Alpha Quadrant, and in a twist, the station is actually evacuated.
As comic counterpoint to all this is Rom and Leeta's wedding, performed summarily by Sisko before Rom sends Leeta to Bajor for her own protection. Though Rom is his usually silly self when contemplating the size of his quarters during a crucial technical meeting, he's always best used for his big heart, amply demonstrated in his staying behind to keep an eye on his brother. The awkward Kira/Odo relationship (since Children of Time) gets an amusing detente here, which also helps lighten the tone of the episode.
There are a number of nice, even poignant farewell scenes to make this seem like it won't be quickly fixed in a single episode next season. Sisko's is especially good ("...in this place where I belong"), but there's also Dax and Worf's engagement, and Garak's assurances to a still starstruck Ziyal that he is the ultimate survivor. Kira, Odo and Quark inherit the station (with a lovely formal protest to the Federation) and will have to share the station with Weyoun, Dukat and Damar. Oh, it's on now! Kira gutting the computer systems is a great bit and promises much conflict next season, especially with Jake staying behind as a reporter and Rom acting as the idiot spy. Sisko leaves his baseball as a message to Dukat: Yeah baby! Back on the Defiant, I remember being very juiced when Nog's desire to make the Dominion regret the day they ever set foot in the Alpha Quadrant wasn't met with a dressing down comment from Sisko, but rather total agreement. Then the ship joins a massive fleet... Well, that's obviously to be continued!
LESSON: If you can't beat 'em, sign a non-aggression treaty with 'em.
REWATCHABILITY - High: DS9's biggest season finale, full of energy and emotion, with every character attended to. It promises big things for the next season, even if the effects are relatively lackluster.
Comments
Odo: You'd shoot a man in the back?
Garak: It is the safest way, isn't it?
That scene, the "negotiation" between Sisko and Weyoun, and Sisko's baseball all make the episode for me. And I love what Ira Behr said about the ending of this episode, in contrast to episodes like "Best of Both Worlds": "It's not a cliffhanger, it's just a great ending."
It's one of the best endings on tv. Up there with West Wing's "Two Cathedrals" in my book.
A couple years ago or so, I discovered your blog and spent a lazy weekend getting caught up on your DS9 posts. I still enjoy browsing through them from time to time, which is why I'm answering your question now.