“Penumbra” serves as the first of the nine part concluding story arc for DS9. It has been dubbed The Final Chapter by the creators, which is rather amusing since no other parts of the series have been delineated into chapters. This first episode introduces the major arcs which will be rolling through until the end.Sisko buys the land on Bajor he previously announced he would in order to build a retirement home. While making plans for the future, he realizes Kassidy must be in it, so he proposes. Se accepts, but is wary of this whole married to the Emissary thing, particularly when the Bajorans appear to be even more excited about the nuptials than Sisko is.
Kassidy quips that her mother would be upset she is not going to be married by a minister. Aside from Sisko’s exhortation to God I “The Siege of AR558,” Kassidy’s comment is only the second indication Christianity still exists I the 24th century as far as DS9 is concerned. The two references still make DS9 less secular than the completely humanistic TNG, so take that, Gene Roddeberry.
The Prophets send Sisko a dire warning the worst is yet to come. He must walk his path alone.
The Dominion War rages on even though the Founders are ailing with Section 31’s manufactured virus. Worf’s ship was destroyed. He allegedly made it to an escape pod, but there has been no sign of him for days. Once the search is called off, Ezri’s Jadzia memories bubble to the surface. She feels obligated to cotinue searching. She eventually finds him. It is not a happy reunion. But thi beig television, the tension is broken by sex and then an abduction by the Dominion’s new alien ally, the Breen.
Dukat returns to surprise an alcoholic Damar who is beginning to seriously question the Cardassian alliance with the Dominion. Dukat has transformed himself surgically ito a Bajor to fully embrace the love of the Pah’Wraith.
I am more interested in the Dominion War arc than I am the romantic designs of Sisko/Kassidy and Worf/Ezri, so I cannot consider “Penumbra” particularly resonating, but introductory episodes are meant mostly to set up for big pay offs later. That “Penumbra” does well.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
