Return to Grace

"Return to Grace" is the 86th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 14th episode of the fourth season. It marks the first appearance of the recurring character Damar (played by Casey Biggs), and Dukat's daughter Ziyal, played by Cyia Batten returns. The narrative between Kira and Dukat picks up from "Indiscretion" earlier in the season.

For the 2012 novel, see Karen Harper.
"Return to Grace"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 14
Directed byJonathan West
Story byTom Benko
Teleplay byHans Beimler
Featured musicJay Chattaway
Production code486
Original air dateFebruary 5, 1996 (1996-02-05)
Guest appearance(s)

"Return to Grace" had a Nielsen rating of 6.5 when it was broadcast on television in 1996.[1]

This episode features interior and exterior shots set on the Star Trek franchise famous "Bird of Prey" starship which was introduced in 1984 with the film Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and featured throughout one of the most popular Star Trek films up to that time, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. This also depicts a Cardassian space freighter design including a bridge and cargo bay sets.

Plot

Major Kira is shocked to find out that Dukat will be captaining the freighter transporting her to a conference regarding the Klingon Empire. Dukat was recently demoted when it became publicly known that he has a half-Bajoran daughter, Ziyal, and he now works in a dreary job flying an unremarkable trading ship.

When they arrive they find the conference site obliterated, and a Klingon Bird of Prey leaving the area, not even bothering to attack what it considers a lowly freighter. Kira suggests that they adapt the planet's defences for use on the freighter, turning it into a Q-ship, and then they head after the Bird of Prey. They soon find it, and after tricking the Bird of Prey into thinking they are carrying valuable cargo, use its new weaponry to cripple the Klingon vessel. After commandeering the Bird of Prey and transporting the Klingons to the freighter, Dukat mercilessly destroys the freighter. Dukat notifies his superiors of his capture of the Klingon ship, hoping to regain some respect and spur the Cardassians into fighting the Klingons; they offer him his old job back, but order him to take no further offensive actions against the Klingons.

Disgusted, Dukat vows to fight the whole Klingon Empire himself if he has to. He offers Kira a place on his crew, saying her experience as a resistance fighter would be valuable. She declines, taking Ziyal back to Deep Space Nine with her until Dukat's personal war is over.

Reception

In 2015, Geek.com recommended this episode as "essential watching" for their abbreviated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine binge-watching guide.[2]

In 2018, SyFy recommend this episode for its abbreviated watch guide for the Bajoran character Kira Nerys.[3] Time magazine rated Gul Dukat the fourth best villain of the Star Trek franchise in 2016.[4]

References
  2. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine condensed: How to watch the most story-driven Trek". Geek.com. 2015-01-19. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  3. Krishna, Swapna (2018-01-16). "A binge-watching guide to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Kira Nerys". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  4. "Star Trek's 10 Most Villainous Villains". Time. Retrieved 2019-04-17.


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