Penumbra (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)
"Penumbra" is the 167th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 17th episode of the seventh season. In the 24th century aboard the Bajoran space station Deep Space Nine, its crew contends with a pan-Galactic War. The highly regarded conclusion of this science fiction show, weaves together a multitude of story arcs that had been building through the season. The title refers to the shadow effect of the same name.
| "Penumbra" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 7 Episode 17 |
| Directed by | Steve Posey |
| Written by | René Echevarria |
| Featured music | Dennis McCarthy |
| Production code | 567 |
| Original air date | April 7, 1999 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
This episode aired on syndicated television on April 7, 1999.[1]
Plot
On the station, Sisko tells Kasidy Yates of having bought land on Bajor and of his plans to build a house there.
At the bar, Ezri Dax learns that the USS Defiant has given up the search for Worf, who was lost in the Badlands while commanding a Klingon ship attacked by the Jem'Hadar. Ezri decides to take a runabout by herself to the Badlands. Benjamin Sisko from DS9 orders her to return. She unconvincingly pretends that there is too much interference to understand him. Sisko decides to allow her to look for Worf and to send her the Defiant's search log. Dax has the computer extrapolate a likely entry point for Worf's escape pod into the Badlands, then she takes the runabout in and cuts the engine, hoping that the currents will take her to Worf's position.
On the station, Sisko and Kasidy Yates discuss the plans for Sisko's house on Bajor. Sisko says he wants the house to be 'our house'. He asks her to marry him and she says yes.
On the runabout, Ezri finds Worf's escape pod after weathering some turbulence. She transports him aboard.
On Cardassia, Weyoun takes a tissue sample from the Female Changeling to give to the Vorta doctors, who have made little to no progress in finding a cure to the illness plaguing the Great Link.
On the Station, Benjamin selects his son, Jake, to be the best man at the wedding.
On the runabout, Worf is not all that grateful for being rescued. He questions Ezri's motives for rescuing him and resents her speaking as if she was Jadzia Dax. Their runabout is gunned down by the Jem'Hadar, and Dax and Worf hastily transport to a nearby planet without a comm unit.
On Cardassia, Damar, who's becoming more of an alcoholic, is visited by Dukat, who asks for a recommendation for a doctor to surgically alter him to make him look Bajoran.
On the planet where they landed, Dax and Worf argue. After the argument intensifies, they kiss then have sex. Then they are captured by the Breen.
On Cardassia, Dukat's surgery to appear Bajoran is revealed to be complete.
On the Station, the Prophets appear as Sarah Sisko in a vision to Ben and tell him that marrying Kasidy will bring him great sorrow.
Reception
In 2014, The A.V. Club noted, that although this is one episode, its plot is highly serialized into Season Seven of this television show.[2]
In 2015, Geek.com recommended this episode as "essential watching" for their abbreviated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine binge-watching guide, as well as every episode after this.[3]
In 2020, this was noted for Star Trek including opera, in this case scene where Worf sings some klingon opera to pass the time while stuck in a spacecraft.[4]
References
- DeCandido, Keith R. A. (2015-01-23). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Rewatch: "Penumbra"". Tor.com. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
- Handlen, Zack. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges"/"Penumbra"". TV Club. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
- "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine condensed: How to watch the most story-driven Trek". Geek.com. 2015-01-19. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
- "Star Trek's Best Opera Moments, Ranked". Star Trek. Retrieved 2020-02-06.