“Return to Grace” is a direct sequel to “Indiscretion.” it improves on the Dukat/Kira relationship immensely from that episode. Here we see the two of them becoming much more intertwined, much to the delight of Dukat ad chagrin of Kira.The backdrop of the story is the two of them are forced to track down a Klingon Bird-of-Prey which destroyed a joint Bajoran/Cardassian intelligence sharing conference they were on their way to attending. But that is a MacGuffin. What we really care about is about how Dukat and Kira are affecting one another personally.
Dukat has been demoted to freighter captain because of his illegitimate daughter, Ziyal. His wife has also left him. In his mind, that frees him up to pursue Kira romantically. She will have none of that, of course, but there is a vibe from Ziyal that she really wishes they would get along better. Kira agrees to dinner with Dukat with an almost maternal sigh of resignation. Think The Parent Trap here.
Kira does bond well with Ziyal because she sees much of herself in the young girl. But she cannot offer Duat the forgiveness Ziyal--and Dukat, for the moment--wants desperately. He is Adolf Eichman as far as she is concerned.
Nevertheless, Kira aides Dukat in pursuing the Bird-of-Prey. When the mission is all said and done, Dukat expresses his intention to serve as a resistance fighter against the Kligons as his people lay defeated before them. The history buff in me got a tingle as he said, “What Cardassians? I am the only Cardassian left,” echoing Souix Chief Sitting Bull’s statement at his being the only Indian left to not sign a peace treaty with the United states--”What Indians? There are no other Indians left but me.” Kira refuses to join his one man crusade, but offers to take Ziyal to DS9 with her. A lifeas a figitivwe is no life at all for a young girl.
Appreciate the juxtaposition: dukat has now become Kira--a freedom fighter desperately trying to save his people from overwhelming oppression. This is one of the first times a Cardassian begins to appreciate the concept of reaping what one has sown.. Damar, who makes his first appearance here, will come to a similar realization when the Dominion begin a scorched earth against his people for rebelling against them in the war’s endgame. By offering to watch over Ziyal, Kira has assumed a familial responsibility she has never had before. Family issued be everything to Cardassians, so I a way, she has become Dukat. Her true motivation is keeping Ziyal from becoming like her.
‘Return to grace’ was pitched as the idea of Nazi and Jews having to work together to face a common enemy, but that is not eve important to the story. I do not even care about the Klingons being hunted down. It is all about the growth of characters. You do not see such a thing done in Trek period, much less as well as is done here. The subtlety in which Dukat and kira trade places in life is quite brilliant. Usually, Trek would beat you over the head with such, so savor the stealth while you can.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
