Treachery, Faith and the Great River

Many DS9 episodes have plenty of depth to them -- sometimes too much, and we just have to accept what happens as shown. This episode digs a little deeper, which could easily fail if the actors featured weren't terrific. Jeffrey Coombs has always done well, but here he literally exceeds himself -- and renders a death scene as poignant as any other in all of Star Trek. It really says something to steal a scene when you're opposite Rene Auberjonois.

The subplot is indeed rather slight -- even underwritten -- but so what -- it's enjoyable, and even delightful. Nana Visitor wasn't at all irritating (in fact, she has one of her best scenes), and de Boer was hardly there at all, so probably one of the top 20 episodes of DS9 (along with "The Assignment", thanks to Rosalind Chao playing a pah-wraith).

Most has been said above, I just want to emphasize on the Nog v O'Brien thing in this episode that is just hillarious

There are two plots at work here. One is comedic and one is serious. The funny one involves O'Brien's effort to get a stabilizer for the Defiant. Because of the turnaround time it is beyond O'Brien's ability to fill the need. But Nog, being the Ferengi operator he is, does a Radar O'Reilly, trading one thing for another and then that thing for another, and so on. Sisko is gone for a few days and doesn't realize all the stuff that's going on. Meanwhile, O'Brien, who has given Nog his access code, is having cold sweats. The second, gut wrenching plot has Odo going to meet a Cardassian who has provided him with information in the past. However, when he gets there, he is met by a Vorta. The guy is the sixth in a series of clones and he wants asylum. Unfortunately, the Jem'Hadar show up. But there are huge issues going on. Having to do with the Dominion and the Founders. Odo finds out some really incredible news. Excellent episode.

Weyoun makes a surprising announcement.

There are plenty of interesting revelations in regards to the Vorta and Changeling characters that helps maintain intrigue in the overarching series narrative. Plus the likes of Weyoun(s), Damar, and Odo are used well by the writers. All the respective actors do great work with the material, particularly Jeffrey Coombs, whose performance helps put a great new slant on the character(s).

Some of the dialogue is a bit exposition heavy, but this is typical of Star Trek. One bit of backstory dialogue could have been effective if done visually, but I guess the budget would have either prevented it or made it look a bit naff.

I enjoyed the lighter subplot involving the Chief and Nog wheeling and dealing, as it is funny and full of good deadpan performances.

For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.

The plot to this episode is very surprising. After all, the Vorta are slavishly devoted to their gods, the Founders. However, oddly, one of the Vorta, Weyoun 6, has defected--something you'd never expect from these sycophants. When Odo meets him, the Vorta begs to be given sanctuary--and the rest of the episode is a rush back to Federation space with this strange Vorta. But why? Why defect? And, what secret does he hold about his beloved Founders--one that other Vorta don't even expect?!

In addition to this main plot, there is a minor plot. When Captain Sisko demands that O'Brien does the impossible, Nog intervenes and through a long series of trades, arranges to have spare parts available to O'Brien so that he won't disappoint his commander.

The plot involving Nog and O'Brien is very slight. However I really liked the one involving the Vorta and you learn a lot about them and what makes Weyoun 6 different. A truly interesting episode.