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Image in the Sand (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"Image in the Sand" is the title of a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
episode
, the opener for the series' seventh and final season
. Its episode number is 151, and it first aired on September 30, 1998. The episode has an average rating of 4.1/5 on the official Star Trek
website (as of August 10, 2007).http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/DS9/episode/103245.html
has taken extended leave on Earth
, Kira Nerys
is in charge of Deep Space Nine
and Worf
is still grieving for Jadzia
.
While Sisko deals with his feelings of failure by visiting his father in New Orleans, Kira, newly promoted to the rank of Colonel, and Odo deal with life as normal on the station. The Defiant
continues its assignment escorting cargo runs, but Nog, O'Brien
, and Bashir
all notice that something is bothering Worf, beyond Jadzia's untimely demise at the hand of Gul Dukat
. Kira is later called to a meeting with Admiral Ross, who compliments her on the running of the station since Sisko's departure. "I'm just keeping his seat warm," she reminds the Admiral, even though he himself is not sure when the Captain will return. He then informs Kira that the Romulan
Empire has been given permission to send a permanent delegation to the station, just as the Klingon
s have. The leader is one Senator Cretak, who is a staunch supporter of the Alliance between Romulus and the Federation
, but Kira is not thrilled at this news. Ross ignores her dubious feelings, reminding her that he came as a courtesy, "The decision's already been made."
Back on Earth, a distant Sisko separates himself from his family, doing nothing but playing the piano in the restaurant his father Joseph owns. His son, Jake
, is worried about his father's attitude, though Joseph realizes it will take time. As they talk, Sisko continues playing, until his baseball rolls off the top of the piano and hits the floor. Sisko, stopping his playing, reaches for the ball, before changing his mind. As he pulls back though, he is suddenly pulled into one of the visions that he has been sent in the past by the Bajoran Prophets. In it, he sees himself in the desert on an alien world that he knows to be Tyree. He is digging frantically, before coming across a blanket buried in the sand. Slowly he pulls at it, only to reveal the hidden face of a woman, that he does not recognize. This snaps him out of the vision, where Jake, noticing his father's having stopped playing, quickly hurries over and asks what is wrong. Sisko explains about the vision. He confesses he has no idea who the woman is, but with a resolute determination he has not exhibited for months, he tells his son, "But I'm going to find out."
Back on the station Worf confides in O'Brian that he is worried Jadzia won't enter Klingon heaven, Sto'Vo'Kor, because she didn't die in battle and the only way to ensure her place in Sto'Vo'Kor is by winning a glorious battle in her name. General Martok tells Worf he needs a first officer for a very dangerous mission that will ensure Jadzia's place in Sto'Vo'Kor.
At the end of the episode, a young female Starfleet
ensign, a Trill
, enters and greets Sisko, who does not recognize her. She then introduces herself as "Dax
".
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
episode
Episode
An episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
, the opener for the series' seventh and final season
Season
A season is a division of the year, marked by changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight.Seasons result from the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the plane of revolution...
. Its episode number is 151, and it first aired on September 30, 1998. The episode has an average rating of 4.1/5 on the official Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
website (as of August 10, 2007).http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/DS9/episode/103245.html
Plot
The episode continues the story that began in the finale of the sixth season, "Tears of the Prophets". Benjamin SiskoBenjamin Sisko
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the main character of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Early life and career:...
has taken extended leave on Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
, Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys , played by Nana Visitor, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Backstory:Per Bajoran custom, her family name, Kira, precedes her given name, Nerys. She has two brothers , and her parents' names are Kira Taban and Kira Meru...
is in charge of Deep Space Nine
Deep Space Nine (space station)
Deep Space Nine is a fictitious space station, and is the eponymous primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It serves as a base for the exploration of the Gamma Quadrant via the Bajoran wormhole, and is a hub of trade and travel for the sector's denizens...
and Worf
Worf
Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
is still grieving for Jadzia
Jadzia Dax
Jadzia Dax , played by Terry Farrell, was a main character during the first six seasons of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine....
.
While Sisko deals with his feelings of failure by visiting his father in New Orleans, Kira, newly promoted to the rank of Colonel, and Odo deal with life as normal on the station. The Defiant
USS Defiant
The USS Defiant is a fictional starship in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the feature film Star Trek: First Contact...
continues its assignment escorting cargo runs, but Nog, O'Brien
Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)
Miles Edward O'Brien, played by Colm Meaney, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
, and Bashir
Julian Bashir
Lieutenant Julian Subatoi Bashir, M.D., played by Alexander Siddig, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bashir is the chief medical officer of space station Deep Space Nine and the USS Defiant.-Overview:...
all notice that something is bothering Worf, beyond Jadzia's untimely demise at the hand of Gul Dukat
Dukat (Star Trek)
Gul Dukat is the main antagonist of the fictional television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is a member of the fictional Cardassian species, and leader in the Cardassian Union. At times he is an enemy, whilst at others an ally of the series' protagonist Benjamin Sisko. He was played by actor...
. Kira is later called to a meeting with Admiral Ross, who compliments her on the running of the station since Sisko's departure. "I'm just keeping his seat warm," she reminds the Admiral, even though he himself is not sure when the Captain will return. He then informs Kira that the Romulan
Romulan
The Romulans are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek universe. First appearing in the original Star Trek series in the 1966 episode "Balance of Terror", they have since made appearances in all the main later Star Trek series: The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager...
Empire has been given permission to send a permanent delegation to the station, just as the Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
s have. The leader is one Senator Cretak, who is a staunch supporter of the Alliance between Romulus and the Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
, but Kira is not thrilled at this news. Ross ignores her dubious feelings, reminding her that he came as a courtesy, "The decision's already been made."
Back on Earth, a distant Sisko separates himself from his family, doing nothing but playing the piano in the restaurant his father Joseph owns. His son, Jake
Jake Sisko
Jacob "Jake" Sisko, played by Cirroc Lofton, is a character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is the son of Deep Space Nine's commanding officer, Benjamin Sisko.-Overview:...
, is worried about his father's attitude, though Joseph realizes it will take time. As they talk, Sisko continues playing, until his baseball rolls off the top of the piano and hits the floor. Sisko, stopping his playing, reaches for the ball, before changing his mind. As he pulls back though, he is suddenly pulled into one of the visions that he has been sent in the past by the Bajoran Prophets. In it, he sees himself in the desert on an alien world that he knows to be Tyree. He is digging frantically, before coming across a blanket buried in the sand. Slowly he pulls at it, only to reveal the hidden face of a woman, that he does not recognize. This snaps him out of the vision, where Jake, noticing his father's having stopped playing, quickly hurries over and asks what is wrong. Sisko explains about the vision. He confesses he has no idea who the woman is, but with a resolute determination he has not exhibited for months, he tells his son, "But I'm going to find out."
Back on the station Worf confides in O'Brian that he is worried Jadzia won't enter Klingon heaven, Sto'Vo'Kor, because she didn't die in battle and the only way to ensure her place in Sto'Vo'Kor is by winning a glorious battle in her name. General Martok tells Worf he needs a first officer for a very dangerous mission that will ensure Jadzia's place in Sto'Vo'Kor.
At the end of the episode, a young female Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
ensign, a Trill
Trill (Star Trek)
The Trill are a fictional species of symbiotic life forms, depicted in the Star Trek media franchise. First introduced in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the species became a major part of the spin-off series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which featured a Trill named Dax as one of its...
, enters and greets Sisko, who does not recognize her. She then introduces herself as "Dax
Ezri Dax
Ezri Dax , played by Nicole de Boer, is a counselor aboard Deep Space Nine in the seventh season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Casting:The role of Ezri Dax was created when Terry Farrell decided to leave the show and her character was subsequently killed by Dukat.When Nicole de Boer read for the...
".