It has been a long time since we have had a positive Odo-centric episode. For quite a while now, he has either been conflicted in a traitorous manner about whether he belongs with his fellow Changelings or I this nauseatingly bad romance with Kira. “Treachery, Faith, and the Great River” shows Odo in action like he used to be.Odo is contacted by one of his Cardassian informants whom he suspected was executed when the Cardassian Union joined the Dominion. In fact, he has. Odo was actually contacted by Wetoun, who wants to defect to the Federation. Odo agrees to help because he is convinced Weyoun would be an intelligence asset.
The two are pursued by Jem’Hadar forces in a space chase into an asteroid belt that is not only reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back, but a marvelous turn of CGI for DS9. We have had big space battles before, which are impressive in their own right, but nothing quite as neat as this. I am biased about such things. Oftentimes in those huge CGI battle royales, artists throw in everything but the kitchen sink. Said battles are many times so overwhelming it is difficult to uild up any sense of excitement because it is hard to focus. Less is more, I my opinion.
I do not watch DS9 for the battle scenes, anyway.
When they are on the verge of capture, Weyoun sacrifices himself in order to save Odo. The Jem’Hadar were only using deadly force because they wanted to eliminate Weyoun before he had a chance to talk to Starfleet. Now that it is just Odo, the no harming of Changelings rule kicks in. The Jem’Hadar retreat.
The B-story reveals the Ferengi attitude about the afterlife. Nog makes intricate trades among numerous people for parts O’Brien needs to make Defiant repairs. In doing so, he “borrows” items from Ds9 crew with the expectation greater rewards will comefor all of them. Strangely enough, they do. Everyone either gets their property back in better condition or a better quality version altogether.
The Ferengi religion property acquisition is a strange combination of Ayn Rand’s virtue of selfishness and karma. Taking property for your own benefit has a way of spreading the wealth and ultimately benefiting whomever the property was taken from. Color me skeptical, but it is an intriguing concept.
It is also the only deep part of the episode, but the action that takes up the bulk of the story is exciting to follow.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
