[DS9] "Covenant"
Wulf
Nine's ninth episode from the seventh season: "Covenant". If you
haven't seen the episode and you want to watch the program before reading a
description of it then do not read this post.
The rest of you are invited to scroll down a few lines.
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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Season 7, Episode 9
Title: "Covenant"
Guest Stars:
Marc Alaimo as "Gul Dukat"
Norman Parker
Jason Leland Adams
Maureen Flannigan
Miriam Flynn
Mark Piatelli
Written by:
Rene Echevarria
Events:
----------
The show starts at Quarks where Odo has been waiting with Ezri and Julian
for Nerys. Nerys enters fresh from attending services in the temple for the
Prophets.
Odo expresses a regret that he doesn;t believe in the divinity of the
Prophets as this would allow him to spend more time with Nerys. He suggests
an Orb experience might help him but Nerys points out that Orb experiences
are reserved for the faithful. Julian suggests Odo might join a Klingon
religion where he can get to eat the hearts of his enemies and go to
Sto'vo'kor but this isn;t quite what he had in mind as he wishes to spend
more time with Nerys. Ezri thinks that's sweet.
The scene cuts to Nerys' quarters where Nerys' reading is interrupted by a
visit from Vedic Falla. She greets him as one would an old friend.
Apparently he's been on leave from a university to attend a spiritual
retreat.
We soon learn that Vedic Falla was an instructor of the young Nerys during
the occupation. They recall past days with joy and Nerys credits him with
helping her survive those days.
Vedic Falla offers her a gift in a small velvet pouch. She pours out the
contents, a small red crystal. Once in the palm of her hand it glows and
she looks up, disturbed and is surrounded by a red energy which auses her
to vanish. Vedic Falla looks down as if he has betrayed someone.
The scene cuts to an exterior shot of a space station very similar to DS9,
yet different. The axis is almost at right angles to DS9 and it is not lit
up.
Within the station Nerys materializes and is immediately greeted by a
Bajoran wearing the red armband of the Pagh Wraith cult. It seems she is
now on Empok Nor. Another Cardassian station.
Nerys is confused, surprised that she could be so far from home. The
Bajoran assures her that it is possible and takes the now clear crystal
from her hand, calling it a transponder.
She discovers she was brought here as desired by "the Master". When she
asks who this is an imposing Cardassian announces "I am". When he turns
Nerys recognizes him as Dukat.
The scene cuts to opening credits and commercials.
When the show continues we are on Empok Nor. Neys asks Dukat if he's the
leader of the Pagh Wraith cult. Dukat offers to answer all her questions,
but asks the other Bajorans to leave while he does so.
He apologizes to Nerys for kidnapping her but she accepts this in stride.
She asks if the Dominion is aware of their use of the station and he admits
it has been unused for a considerable time and he doubts they'd mind his
use of it.
He comments on her change in hair style and she counters by noting he has
pierced his ear. Dukat now wears a red-crystal earring in his left ear as
do all of the other Bajorans on the station. A symbol of his "covenant"
with them.
Nerys isn;t surprised to find that Dukat is the leader of the Pagh Wraith
cult as she believes they "worship evil". Dukat corrects her, asking her if
she has ever wondered why the Prophets did not intercede during the
Cardassian occupation. She explains that the Prophets have a plan for Bajor
and they aren;t always clear about that plan.
Dukat scoffs at this, offering another point of view. He claims that the
Prophets are not the true gods of Bajor, but that the Pagh Wraiths are. He
claims that the Pagh Wraiths wanted to help the Bajorans and take an active
roll in the affairs of the planet but were cast out for this by the
Prophets. Nerys counters by mentioning the ancient scriptures but Dukat
reminds her that history is written by the victors.
He assures her that the Pagh Wraiths are determined to return to the
Celestial Temple and she asks him how he knows this. He explains that they
speak to him through visions.
Dukat claims to be their "emmisary". She challenges him, not knowing
whether he believes what he says, is a fraud, or is insane.
Dukat: "I have been touched by a god."
He claims he's changed. That he freed the Pagh Wraith to enter the wormhole
to revenge himself against Ben. But that the experience changed him and
that he learned to love.
Nerys again challenges him, asking if this change came about before or
after he killed Jadzia. He "deeply regrets" that act and points out that
the Celestial Temple was the goal and that Jadzia stood in the way. He
explains that having the Pagh Wraith within him taught him of its love for
himself and the Bajorans. That he still had a roll to play in their
destiny.
She counters by pointing out his last 'roll' cost the Bajorans tens of
millions of lives. Dukat regrets this also, but claims that the Prophets
were responsible for the occupation. This angers Nerys but Dukat defends
himself by pointing out he "walked the path they laid out" for him. But
with the coming of the Pagh Wraith he is changed. He claims he's building a
"community" where Bajorans can "purify themselves" in preparation for the
Pagh Wraiths reclaiming the Celestial Temple.
Nerys suggests that the plan also includes him ruling Bajor. He points out
she is consumed by hatred for him, but that the members of his community
love him. She counters by claiming he has a hold on them, that they do not
love him. He finishes his discussion by asking her to open her heart to
him. That they are bound by destiny, she by his side.
The scene cuts to commercials.
Back on DS9 an investigation to find Nerys is under way the following day.
Odo noticed her missing in the morning when she didn;t show up at his
office. Miles has managed to determine that she was transported off the
ship through a Dominion transporter. He's also been able to figure out that
a transponder was used, thus permitting a transport beam up to three light
years long. Unfortunately the residue has dissipated to the point where she
can;t be tracked.
Odo points out that with a three light year range she could be "deep in
Dominion space".
Back on Empok Nor Nerys is discovering she cannot leave her quarters. She
is visited by Vedic Falla. nerys expresses pity for Falla that he was duped
by Dukat into joining the cult but he explains he was already a member of
the cult long before Dukat joined.
Falla lost his faith and found faith in the Pagh Wraiths towards the end of
the occupation. He claims it helped him understand the suffering the
Bajorans had to endure. Nerys describes the cult as based on hate and fear,
but Falla disagrees. Nerys points out the cult tried to kill Ben ("Image in
the Sand") but Falla explains that was not the doings of the cult or Dukat.
That it was simply a misguided youth. He claims they are a peaceful people.
She challenges him to prove it by letting her go, but he ignores this by
claiming that Dukat cares for her spiritual well-being. She points out that
Dukat is using the cult and its beliefs to further his own ends. Falla
points out that Nerys' stubborness has always been her problem. Nery's
claims Falla's prolem is he's too trusting.
Falla tells her that when Dukat first arrived Falla didn;t trust him. But
then he realized that the Pagh Wraiths had changed Dukat and he found it
within himself to forgive Dukat. Falla points out this was the quality he
tried hardest to teach: forgiveness. But Nerys points out some things can
never be forgiven.
Falla offers to show her the community, so she will know she needn;t fear
Dukat or the cult. As they walk above the Promenade Falla explains they
grow their own foods in cargo bays that have been changed into hydroponics
facilities. He explains that medical supplies are flown in by a few cargo
ships from Bajor and then warns her that the docking bays and transporter
are guarded to prevent her escape.
Nerys asks if she is free to walk around and speak to people and Falla
assures her that she is. He explains that Dukat hopes she will come to view
this as her home. Falla then introduces her to Meeca, a very pregnant young
lady expecting to give birth very soon. Dukat has given her and her husband
permission to bear a child, the first of the community. Nerys is surprised
that they need Dukat's permission to bear children but Falla points out
that this is the ancient Bajoran custom of "denying worldly pleasures".
Falla explains that part of the covenant between Dukat and the cult is
abstinence and that Dukat only permits children to couples who show a
"spiritual bond" between them.
Nerys points out Dukat's taste for worldly pleasures is legendary and Falla
explains that this was before the "kiss" of the Pagh Wraith.
Nerys: "That must have been some kiss."
Falla takes her to a room where a young painter is working on a portrait of
Dukat extending his arms to the viewer while on either side of him are
Bajorans (men, women, and children) looking up to him. Dukat is
well-detailed but the Bajorans are as yet faceless.
The painter's name is Banion, and he is Meeca's husband. He doesn;t like
the fact that Dukat has brought Nerys to Empok Nor. He doesn;t like her.
She finds his candid honesty refreshing. Banion doesn;t believe they need
her approval or that of anyone else's to enjoy the benefits of the love of
the Pagh Wraiths. Nerys agrees and points out those who try to force their
religion on others are usually feeling insecure about their own faith, a
comment not lost on Falla.
Banion: "I know what I believe."
Nerys: "And that's what scares me. No offense."
The scene cuts to the temple where a bell is being rung and the Bajorans
are gathered for their service. They speak a good deal of Bajoran in this
scene so it is difficult to know what they are saying (any Bajoran
translators would be rather helpful for scenes like this).
While the Bajorans pray Nerys notices one of them has a holstered weapon.
We'd seene this device used to weld a railing on the Promenade. While the
Bajorans are otherwise occupied she grabs the weapon and aims it at Dukat,
ordering the rest to lay on the ground. But Banion steps in front of Dukat,
along with Falla and several others. She is forced to retreat but doesn;t
get far before she is brought down by one of the faithful. Dukat whispers
to the unconscious Nerys "They really do love me."
The scene cuts to commercials.
When the show returns we are in Nerys' quarters where Dukat tends to her.
She finds her jacket has been removed to allow him to reach her injury (a
massive bruise over her left shoulder blade). She's disturbed to find that
he's removed any of her garments. He brings her a meal, pointing out she
hasn't eaten anything. She eyes the knife on the tray and Dukat points out
that killing him would only make a martyr of him and still wouldn't get her
off the station.
She agrees, pointing out she doesn;t want anything happening to him until
he's exposed to the Bajorans as a fraud.
The two start wrangling about the occupation again. Dukat claiming he
prevented the occupation from being worse, Nerys accusing him of his
excesses, including the taking of women and fooling himself into believing
they wanted to be there. Nerys' mother is brought into the argument and
Nerys almost manages to convince Dukat that her mother didn;t love him.
Dukat almost convinces her that she did.
Dukat confesses a number of regrets about "those years" but is glad the
Pagh Wraiths have given him an opportunity to "redeem" himself. Nerys asks
how and points out he has ressurected an idealized version of the
occupation where all is as it was except that the Bajorans really do love
him.
Dukat finally admits his real reason for bringing her to Empok Nor. Nerys
epitomizes the ualities of Bajorans that Dukat admires. he realizes if he
can convince her then he can convince anyone.
Their conversation is interrupted by the announcement that Meeca is about
to give birth.
The scene cuts to the Infirmary where Banion awaits word. Dukat
congratulations benion on the upcoming event, of fathering the first child
within their community.
In an aside between Falla dn Nerys he observes she isn;t happy about this.
She agrees, disliking the idea of children being raised to follow the Pagh
Wraiths. Falla tries to be amicable and agree to disagree but Nerys forces
the issue by pointing out they both can;t be right.
Their conversation is interrupted by the presentation of Meeca and her
child. Meeca isn;t happy and as Banion looks in on the child he isn't
looking very happy either. Then Dukat steps forward and he too looks with
dismay. The child is a Bajoran/Cardassian half-breed.
Dukat takes the child from Meeca's arms and holds the child up to the
crowd. He claims that a miracle has occurred. That the Pagh Wraiths have
shown their approval of their covenant and community by transforming the
child from being a product of Banion and Meeca to this
half-Cardassian/half-Bajoran child. He urges them all to pray and with
beatific smiles they all give thanks, even Banion, Meeca, and Falla, who
are still not looking very happy about the 'blessed event'.
The show cuts to commercials.
In the temple Nerys challenges Falla to explain this, pointing out it is
obvious that Dukat is the father. Falla counters by claiming Nerys hates
Dukat so much she can;'t accept the possibility of a miracle. Nerys wonders
aloud if Falla is so blind as to believe anything Dukat says. He asks her
if the Prophets can make an entire Dominion fleet disappear then why is it
so hard to accept that the Pagh Wraiths have done this thing. He claims he
has faith.
Nerys asks Falla to allow her to speak to Banion and Meeca. Falla
hesitates. She suggests he's afraid of discovering the truth and Benion
claims he knows the truth but doesn;t want her making "unfounded
accusations".
Nerys promises to be discreet.
In the painting room Banion continues to paint the portrait of Dukat. Nerys
suggests that one of the children should be half-Cardassian to celebrate
the event. Then she suggests that Banion must be very happy Dukat gave them
permission to have a child. Banion points out they prayed together many
times before Dukat was sure. Nerys asks if Banion and Dukat prayed alone
and Banion admits they did. Then she asks if Meeca had also prayed with
Dukat alone and Banion admits this too. Falla draws Nerys away from the
room to allow Banion to return to his painting.
Nerys expresses a desire to see Meeca and Falla hopes she will be more
discreet than she was with Banion.
In another corridor Dukat walks towards a docking port, looking behind him
to ensure he is alone. Within the port he finds Meeca waiting for him.
Through their conversation we discover Dukat gave in to temptation, that he
knew he was the father of the child when he saw the child. Meeca points out
that she had forgiven him for his weakness and that she hasn;t told anyone.
But she confesses if Banion asks she doesn;t know whether she can lie.
Meanwhile, Nerys and Falla have found someone who saw where Meeca went and
so they head down a corridor.
Back in the airlock Dukat understands Meeca's dilemma and asks her to wait
awhile so he might leave without her being seen. She agrees. Outside the
docking port he presses the control panel and the inner door closes. He
then presses another button and the outer door opens. Meeca is desperate
and tries to convince him to let her in and realizes he will not. She
collapses to the floor from oxygen deprivation and the cold.
Dukat hears Nerys calling for Meeca and promptly leaves. Nerys, hearing the
warning sound of the airlock panel finds Meeca spread out on the floor and
rescues her.
In the Infirmary we discover that Meeca was saved in time, and though
sedated and sleeping she will make a full recovery. Dukat arrives and
learns of this. He instructs one of the Bajorans to make sure another
"accident" like this doesn;t happen again.
Nerys challenges him to tell the truth. He claims Nerys is upset and
doesn;t realize what she is saying and then instructs two Bajorans to
escort her to her quarters to rest. Dukat then begins a prayer for Meeca's
recovery.
In his quarters Dukat prays to the Pagh Wraiths. He points out the obvious,
that when Meeca is awake she will reveal the truth and that the covenant
will be broken and that his community will turn away from him and the Pagh
Wraiths. He prays for her recovery and asks for their intervention.
The scene cuts to the Promenade where the bell tolls for services. In the
Infirmary the doctor points out this isn;t the time for services, and after
a short discussion with Banion it is agreed she will stay while Banion
attends the service.
Dukat arrives and announces he was given his last vision from the Pagh
Wraiths. It seems the Pagh Wraiths have decided now is the time for the
cult to kill themselves so they may become warriors on behalf of the pagh
Wraiths against the Prophets. Nerys, who is listening to this on the
intercom, strikes at the un-opening door in frustration.
The scene cuts to commercials.
In Nerys' qurters Dukat arrives and tells her that he has contacted DS9 and
that a ship will arrive in a day or two to take her home.
She doubts he is willing to die with his followers but Dukat pulls out a
tiny crystal from his tunic and claims it was developed by the Obsidian
Order to kill their operatives if captured and render the body into dust to
avoid identification.
Dukat claims he doesn;t worry about death because he knows he will be with
the Pagh Wraiths. Astonished, Nerys says "You really believe that." With
his back to her Dukat smiles and says his farewell.
In the temple the crystals are handed out to everyone there. Even Banion
takes one for himself and the child (Meeca isn;t there).
Back in her quarters Nerys rigs the door mechanism to a heating lamp.
In the temple Dukat starts his last sermon. In Nerys's quarters she manages
to open the door.
Just as Dukat reaches the point in the sermon where he and his community
are abut to take the poison Nerys calls out his name and throws herself at
him, knocking over the receptacle holding the poson crystals as well as
forcing Dukat to drop his own crystal.
He calls upon them to stop and realize he is trying to hide the truth from
them. Dukat is picking up and examining several crystals, one after
another. Falla steps forward and helps Dukat up while Nerys is restrained.
Falla reaches into another receptacle and extracts a cyrstal, offering it
to Dukat. He looks at it and visibly hesitates.
Nerys, seizing on this, challenges him to take it, asking him if the
crystals are all the same. This causes confusion amongst his followers.
Dukat admits the Pagh Wraiths want him to continue to bring others into
their "light". This angers his community and Banion finally accuses him of
being the father of the child. Dukat claims the Pagh Wraiths have forgiven
him, which raises the anger of the crowd still more. They start pelting him
with the crystals.
Dukat challenges them, asking them who they are to claim the Pagh Wraiths
are wrong and to judge him.
His gentle demeanor ripped away by this reversal, he looks wild and
vicious. He rips off the earring, claiming none of them will know the love
of the Pagh Wraiths. And with one look at Nerys he slaps his wrist and
activates a transponder of his own, thus beaming away from the crowd.
With his disappearance the crowd settles down, but Falla decides to take
the crystal after all. Nerys breaks free and rushes to his side, asking him
why. He tells her "Faith" and expires.
The scene cuts to an exterior of the Defiant at warp. In the mess hall we
find Banion, Meeca, the child, as well as Odo and Nerys.
Odo and Nerys discuss the events. Odo points out that the community must
find a way to start over now that their trust has been betrayed. Nerys
believes Dukat had convinced himself that he was doing the bidding of the
Pagh Wraiths, thus making him even more dangerous than ever.
Personal Reflections:
----------------------------
It's unfortunate when DS9 falls into the predictable. Especially after
receiving the past two outstanding offerings. Though the episode had no
nits I could find we found ourselves mired in the gobbledygook of a very
predictable episode about how bad cults are supposed to be.
Once again a cult is presented as a very reasonable alternative to the
accepted religion, only to discover that through the frailty of the cult
leader it is destined to failure and to avoid this ignominy everyone must
die.
Hoo Hum.
Let's ignore the fact that -every- religion known started as a cult.
All this episode really demonstrates is that the strength and weakness of
-any- religion resides in the unquestioning faith of the true believers.
Leaders, be they spiritual or temporal, are no better or worse than their
followers. Some are inspired for good and others for evil. But their own
strengths and weaknesses doesn;t change the basis upon which a religion or
a cult is based.
And that basis resides in the hearts of the believers.
While the Pagh Wraith community might be discouraged about their choice in
a leader their faith in peace and love remained unchanged. Falla
demonstrates this. Whether he had faith in the Prophets or the Pagh Wraith
really didn;t matter. He continued to believe in peace and love. There was
no difference between someone like Banion and Nerys. They both believed in
peace and love. They just claimed different gods as champions for their
cause.
I think this episode would have been much improved had Falla and the rest
of his community re-dedicated itself to the Pagh Wraiths under a better
leader, or perhaps even under no leader.
Losing faith in one's gods because one has lost faith in the spiritual
leader demonstrates that no faith in the gods ever existed.
The episode had potential if it could have broken out of the stereo-typical
'cult' storyline. It failed to do this and because quite predictable and
shed no new light on the concept of cults, religions, or faith. It simply
echoed the tired yet safe refrain that traditional, politically-acceptable
religions are a safer choice than any religion that wasn;t born over a
thousand years ago.
It pays to recall that even Christianity knew three hundred and some odd
years as a "cult", prosecuted for it's "atheism" and those condemned
tortured for their faith.
The only reason these kinds of stories re-appear is because it gives an
audience a sense of smug self-satisfaction to believe their faith is vested
in something more profound than that of those who believe in a cult.
Given enough time and government endorsement and any cult can raise itself
to become the political powerhouse which Christianity has made of itself at
the cost of countless millions suffering for doubting the 'one true
religion'.
Nits:
-----
None
Summary:
--------------
Nit Value for "Covenant": 0.00
Wulf's Nitpicker Rating: 10.00
---------------------------------------
10 - Nit Value = Wulf's Nitpicker Rating
Thank you for your attention.
Wulf, Keeper of Obscure Trek Trivia.
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