Return to Grace

Through the past couple seasons on "Star Trek: Deep Space 9", the character Major Kira has been quite the sexy lady. First, she had an affair with Vedek Bariel--one of the high religious leaders of Bajor. Second, through much of the fourth season, Odo's been secretly in love with her. Third, just an episode ago, she began a relationship with Shakaar--the new leader of Bajor. Now in "Return to Grace" we have a new and extremely odd romance of sorts beginning. Here, the Major is paired with Gul Dukat for a mission-- and it sure looks like Dukat is yearning for some good lovin' with the Major!

The episode begins with Kira complaining about having to go to some joint Bajoran-Cardassian conference. Before she leaves, she's instructed NOT to give any human or Klingon technology to the Cardassians--a no-brainer, right? Well, perhaps not. When her ship (commanded by Dukat) nears the conference, it seems that all the participants have been blown up--presumably by the Klingons. Dukat wants revenge but it seems unlikely, as now he's only a lowly freighter captain--demoted due to the embarrassment of having a Bajoran as a daughter. However, Kira also wants revenge for the attack and she helps Dukat to go on a mission against the Klingons-- and there is a HUGE prize ahead--one that might just violate the Major's orders.

This is a pretty good episode and once again establishes Dukat's strong attraction for Bajoran women--something that got him in trouble long ago and which will become a HUGE problem later in the series. Worth seeing and genuinely strange in its pairing of Dukat and the Major.