“Destiny” is another of those episodes that feels like it should have been aired earlier in the series when the religious nature of Bajor and Sisko’s role as the Emissary were being established. Fortunately, it does not feel as out of place as “Civil Defense” did. Actually, “Destiny” makes “Civil Defense” stick out even more prominently since the story features a joint, peaceful mission between the Cardassians and Bajorans.The main focus is Sisko’s discomfort with his role as Emissary. It is an aspect of the show I have mixed emotions about. On the one hand, I appreciated that Trek would be brave enough to have a character who is a genuine religious icon. Contrast how Sisko is seriously handled versus a resurrected Spock played for laughs in The Voyage Home, Sybok is a cult leader in The Final Frontier, and the cloned Kahless is dumped altogether rather than continue the messianic allegory. As yet, however, Sisko is not as ready to assume the role as he soon will be.
A joint Cardassian/Bajoran project to establish a communications relay between the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants is jeopardized by radical Vedek Yarka, who claims there is an apt 3,000 year old prophecy of doom that fit’s the current scenario. He wants Sisko to can the project rather than risk it coming true and destroying the wormhole.
Sisko takes his obligation to ensure cooperation between the two formerly warring races more seriously than an ancient prophecy, so he proceeds. Something goes wrong with the relay. They shut it off, but not before the malfunction diverts a comet from its normal path to one towards the wormhole. The comet emits an element called silithium which will havea volatile reaction inside the wormhole and collapse it.
Kira has had her undies in a bunch--tno easy task, considering how tight those pants are--because several prior incidents to the comet diversion could have vaguely been interpreted as fulfilled prophecy. She is pretty sure the ’three vipers” represent the three Cardassian scientists, for instance. Her relationship with Sisko takes an awkward turn. Over the last three seasons, they have gone from strained to good working relationship and now one of borderline zealotry because she now sees his role as the Emissary as bigger than his role as her CO.
So do the rest of the Bajorans when a plan is devised to safely drag the comet through the wormhole shielded. The shield does notr work perfectly. Three comt fragments break off, leakig silithium into the wormhole. The silithium weaknes the wormhole enough for therelay to safely work. Thus, the prophecy is reinterpreted to go along with what wound up happening. Sisko theEmissary used to be all that and a bag of chips. Now he isall that, a bag of chips, a Twikie, and the well caffeinatedbeverage of your choice.
Silithium sounds much like slither and also similar to Lilith, who was the serpent in the Garden of Eden according to Kabbalah myth, so there were hintsall along the three vipers had something to do with the comet rather than the Cardassians.
Speaking of, the B-story involves O’Brien quarreling bitterly with a Cardassian played by Babylon 5‘s Tracy Scoggins. She takes it as a mating call. Hilarity ensues. No wait…it does not. It is another instance of trek considering sexsynonymous with love. At least the attempt at hearty guffaws were mercifully brief.
Not a bad episodes, but Sisko as emissary stories improve much more further dow the road. One point of interest--at the episode’s fade out, yarka is explaining another prophecy to sisko that involves the Emissary which sounds suspiciously like his duel with the possessed Dukhat in the series finale. I am skeptical the story was mapped out that far ahead, but neat nevertheless.
Rating: ** (out of 5)
