“Tracking into the Wind” is a nautical term meaning having to constantly alter course in order for the wind to catch the sails. It is highly appropriate for the three main stories running through the episode. Several main characters are forced to make big changes within themselves for the greater good.First, Kira and the Cardassian rebellion she is training have to learn to work together. The difficulty is in how Kira is going back to her terrorist roots in order to effectively sabotage the Dominion War effort. The effort opens old wounds for the Cardassians with her, particularly Rucot, who vows to kill the Bajoran once the war is over because he believes her motivation for helping the rebellion is to kill as many Cardassians as she did during the occupation.
Their continued tensions weighs heavily on Damar, whose romanticized view of the occupation is shattered when he learns the Dominion have killed his family. Damar realizes what his people have done in the past, that Cardassia deserves to die, and kills Rucot himself beore he can eliminate Kira.
In spite of the animosity, Kira’s resistance cell successfully steals a Jem’Hadar ship with a Breen energy weapon installed for Starfleet to study.
Second, Worf is forced to make a fateful decision when he realizes Gowron has been forcing Martok into hopeless battles in order to diminish his status in the Empire. Gowron considers Martok a political rival. And a threat to his power. Worf tries to convince Martok to challenge Gowron, but he refuses out of misguided loyalty to is uniform. Finally, Worf does so himself and kills Gowron in an exciting round of personal combat. He abdicates his right to rule the Empire in favor of Martok.
As usual, we gloss over that whole Prime Directive thing, presumably because we are I a time of war, but it pays to note Worf also killed Duras, which indirectly allowed Gowron to assume power. So this is the second time Worf has brought about political change in the Chancellory by cold blooded murder.
Sisko does not freak out like Picard did, either. Just to note.
Finally, Bashir, desperate to cure Odo’s lethal virus, concocts a plan to lure Sloan to DS9 by claiming he has found a cure. So after all that rot about Federation ideals, he resorts to Section 31 tactics to get the job done. Big surprise, no?
Ratig: *** (out of 5)
