VaBeachGuy 12 Posted October 10, 2003 In Purgatory's Shadow "In Purgatory's Shadow" is the first part of an exciting two part arc in which we see the return of both Klingon General Martok and former Obsidian Order head Enabran Tain. Enabran Tain has sent s special distress signal from within a Dominion prison camp. This distress signal is encoded in a special code that only he and Elim Garak know how to read, because they are the two thet created the code. Later in the episode we learn the reason why Garak risked his life to try to rescue Tain. This episode features Elim Garak as a central character and the story pretty much revolves around him. We see new deminsions of Garak in this episode and learn more about his background. We also see the planting of the seeds that bloom into the close "familiy" relationship between Worf and General Martok that becomes important throughout the rest of the series. This episode, along with part 2 was a real high spot for season 5 of Deep Space Nine. To read the entire episode synopsis from STARTREK.COM click below: Click For Spoiler When the station picks up a mysterious coded message from inside the Gamma Quadrant that appears to be Cardassian, Garak is asked to analyze it. He reports that the message is insignificant, but is later caught trying to sneak off the station in a runabout. He then admits that the message is some sort of distress call from his mentor Enabran Tain, the former head of the Obsidian Order. Garak convinces Sisko to allow him to travel to the Gamma Quadrant to search for Tain, but Sisko sends Worf along as a "chaperone." Garak and Worf bicker consistently and find nothing. Finally, Worf announces that they can go no further and takes the ship out of warp, explaining that the source of Tain's signal is deep in Dominion space. Garak, however, is unwilling to give up, and pushes Worf to travel through the nebula to avoid detection. Worf reluctantly agrees, and almost immediately upon entering the nebula, they wind up in the midst of the Jem'Hadar fleet. Worf realizes that the entire fleet can only be assembled for one reason — they intend to invade the Alpha Quadrant. He immediately sends a warning message to the station, but is not confident it will get through. Moments later, four Jem'Hadar soldiers materialize on the ship and take Worf and Garak prisoner. Back on Deep Space Nine, the crew is able to decipher enough of Worf's signal to realize the Dominion is coming. Sisko sends Kira to find Worf and Garak, but they are already imprisoned in a Dominion detention center, where they are told they will remain until they die. Inside the camp, Worf meets Martok, the Klingon general who was replaced by a Changeling. Martok leads Worf and Garak to Tain, himself a prisoner, who is dying. Instead of being thankful to Garak for coming, Tain chastises him for allowing himself to be taken prisoner. Meanwhile, Kira returns with grim news that at least 50 Dominion ships are headed their way. With reinforcements at least two days away and only Gul Dukat on hand to help out, Sisko sees only one choice — sealing the wormhole. If Worf and Garak don't escape in 36 hours, they will be trapped. Meanwhile, Worf and Garak are introduced to another prisoner: Bashir ... meaning the Bashir at the station is a Changeling. On the station, the Bashir Changeling begins making himself useful to Dax and O'Brien while they work out the technology that will seal the wormhole. In the internment camp, Garak meets with Tain again, desperate for a kind word from his mentor before the old man passes on. When Tain makes Garak promise to escape as a final request, Garak makes a request in return — that Tain acknowledge him as his son. He does, and father and illegitimate child share a memory before Tain dies peacefully. His mission complete, Garak is ready to find a way out. But he may be too late. On Deep Space Nine, the crew shoots a particle beam at the wormhole, intending to close it. However, something goes wrong. The wormhole remains open, and the Jem'Hadar fleet begins pouring through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Admiral Kirk 1 Posted October 10, 2003 Now this is a classic episode. We finally get to meet the real Martok. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddillard 2 Posted October 10, 2003 This was definitely an excellant episode of Trek. It incorporates all of the points that make the show great. We had action, emotion and secrecy. What more could you ask for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LadyNarana 0 Posted October 12, 2003 Ohmigosh, yes...what a totally awesome episode. I don't know where to start... Click for Spoiler: **Worf's epic fights with the Jem'Hadar, and his never-say-die attitude that impressed not only Martok, but the J'H First. **Garak's scene when Tain dies. My favorite part is his glance back at Julian when Tain asks if they're alone, and his lie/answer. He trusted Julian and his discretion. **The claustrophobic angle that comes in to play so well in the next episode. (LOVE it when he's scolding the light and himself for not performing up to snuff. Excellent scene and acting.) **The fact that Julian was in isolation - doesn't that say something about his mettle that he deserved something like that? That's just the beginning - and a question - Click for Spoiler: What do you think happened that got Julian thrown in the cooler? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VaBeachGuy 12 Posted March 10, 2004 Ohmigosh, yes...what a totally awesome episode. I don't know where to start... Click for Spoiler: **Worf's epic fights with the Jem'Hadar, and his never-say-die attitude that impressed not only Martok, but the J'H First. **Garak's scene when Tain dies. My favorite part is his glance back at Julian when Tain asks if they're alone, and his lie/answer. He trusted Julian and his discretion. **The claustrophobic angle that comes in to play so well in the next episode. (LOVE it when he's scolding the light and himself for not performing up to snuff. Excellent scene and acting.) **The fact that Julian was in isolation - doesn't that say something about his mettle that he deserved something like that? That's just the beginning - and a question - Click for Spoiler: What do you think happened that got Julian thrown in the cooler? I think he was in Isolation because: Click for Spoiler: His attitude git the better of him. Julian can have a bit of a sarcastic tone when he wants to lol I agree with your thoughts on the episode completely, it was an awesome 2 parter! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gul_nodrog 2 Posted March 11, 2004 Didn't your jaw just hit the floor when the person in isolation came back to the holding cell? We just gasped the first time we saw it. And I have a question. Had we ever seen the REAL Martok prior to this episode? I still get a little fuzzy on this, but wasn't he with Gowron when they showed up on DS9 in "Way of the Warrior" the season before? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VaBeachGuy 12 Posted March 11, 2004 Didn't your jaw just hit the floor when the person in isolation came back to the holding cell? We just gasped the first time we saw it. And I have a question. Had we ever seen the REAL Martok prior to this episode? I still get a little fuzzy on this, but wasn't he with Gowron when they showed up on DS9 in "Way of the Warrior" the season before? Yes that was Martok in Way Of The Warrior but it's never said if it's the real Martok or a changeling. I assumed that this is a changeling since Martok, when he meets Worf at the prison camp says "I know of you" as if he's never met him but has heard of him. Plus the amount of time that Martok is captive was set at 18 months I believe and the time between Way of the Warrior and In Purgatory's Shadow is 16 months. That would mean that the fake Martok was in place for 2 months before Way of the Warrior. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stoned_vulcan 0 Posted March 11, 2004 GREAT EPISODE!!!! ONE OF THE BEST OF THEM ALL!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites