Rocks and Shoals (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"Rocks and Shoals" is the second episode of the sixth season's opening six-episode story arc
, beginning shortly after the events of the previous episode. It has an average fan rating of 4.7/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009. As with the other five episodes of the opening arc, the story alternates between the events on the recaptured Terok Nor and the Federation's attempts to fight the Dominion
.
and his crew's captured Jem'Hadar ship crash onto a barren planet hidden inside a nebula. The senior officers and a handful of crew members survive and seek shelter in a cave, although Lieutenant Commander Dax
is severely injured. Unbeknownst to the survivors, a crew of Jem'Hadar
and their Vorta
, Keevan, have also survived a recent crash landing on the planet and similarly taken up shelter in a cave. The Jem'Hadar first and second are dead, but Keevan has not promoted Third Remata'Klan to the rank of first because Remata'Klan at some point questioned Keevan's orders. Keevan, seriously injured, strictly rations the Ketracel White, to the dismay of the Jem'Hadar.
Garak
and Nog are captured while scouting the unfamiliar territory. Back at the Dominion camp, Garak reveals to Keevan that the Starfleet contingent includes a doctor. Suffering from having low levels of Ketracel White, the Jem'Hadar are, despite a direct order, unable to refrain from firing on the Starfleet personnel who set out in search for Garak and Nog, and are also unable to shroud. The skirmish ends with no Starfleet injuries and an uncharacteristic Jem'Hadar withdrawal. Keevan demands to know the identity of the soldier who first opened fire, but Remata'Klan refuses, citing the order of things: the Vorta may discipline the unit leader, but only the unit leader disciplines the soldiers under his command. Keevan orders Remata'Klan to approach the Starfleet crew.
When Remata'Klan arrives at the Starfleet camp, he delivers a message to Sisko: Keevan will free the Ferengi
and the Cardassian
in exchange for Doctor Bashir
, from whom Keevan needs treatment, and Sisko, with whom Keevan wants to speak. Sisko takes the opportunity to try to drive a wedge between Remata'Klan and his Vorta, relating to the Jem'Hadar the events from "To the Death" (specifically, the Jem'Hadar first's murder of Weyoun
). Sisko asserts that it must be hard to maintain discipline in their current surroundings, and suggests that Remata'Klan not pay so much heed to the Vorta. Remata'Klan, however, remains loyal to Keevan, and Sisko agrees to the prisoner exchange.
Bashir successfully treats Keevan's wound, although the Vorta is still very weak. After dismissing the Jem'Hadar, Keevan tells the Starfleet officers of his minuscule supply of Ketracel White. He shows them a transmitter and admits he doesn't have enough white to sustain the soldiers long enough for them to fix the transmitter and send a distress call. He further explains that once the supply is gone, the Jem'Hadar will go on a killing rampage. Keevan tells them that he will order the Jem'Hadar to attack their position – however, the Vorta will give Sisko their attack plan, allowing them to kill the Dominion soldiers. Keevan will also provide them with the transmitter the Jem'Hadar have been working on. Assuming the Starfleet personnel can repair it and call for rescue, Keevan will become their captive, saving his life from the Jem'hadar. This information does not sit well with the rest of his crew, most notably Nog. Chief O'Brien
, asserts that "there are rules" in war and that getting information from Keevan that will allow them to slaughter his men somehow violates these rules. Garak, on the other hand, is perfectly content to take advantage of this knowledge. Sisko interrupts the discussion to point out that when it comes down to choosing "between us and them, there is no choice."
The stranded crew aren't the only ones facing moral qualms: on Terok Nor
, Major Kira
gradually comes to realize that by not opposing the Dominion occupation, she has become a collaborator; she identifies uncomfortable parallels between her own passivity and those who collaborated with the Cardassian
s during their occupation of Bajor. Vedek Yassim in particular has strong words for Kira, culminating with her suicide by hanging on the Promenade – before jumping to her death, Yassim declares, "Evil must be opposed." Kira wakes up the next morning but leaves Ops shortly into her shift; after mulling over her situation, she confides to Odo that she is going to start actively resisting the Dominion.
Back on the barren world, Sisko and his crew have established a lethal crossfire along the Jem'Hadars' approach to their camp. Sisko calls out to Remata'Klan, who agrees to confer in the open. Sisko tells him of Keevan's betrayal, and argues that the Vorta doesn't deserve their loyalty. Remata'Klan confesses that he recognized Keevan's attack plan as deliberately leading them into a trap. Sisko offers to put the Jem'Hadar into stasis, preserving their lives. Despite this, however, the Jem'Hadar states that Keevan does not need to "earn" his loyalty; the Jem'Hadar's loyalty to the Vorta is genetically bred into them as part of the order of things. Remata'Klan says he will follow Keevan's orders, knowing that neither he nor any of his men will survive. Sisko returns to his position; after Remata'Klan prepares his men by declaring, "Our deaths are glory to the Founders", the Jem'Hadar attack. They are quickly mown down by the Starfleet crew, although Ensign Gordon is killed. Keevan appears shortly thereafter, strolling among his dead men with the transmitter in hand. He shouts to Sisko that if he'd had just two more vials of Ketracel White, Sisko and his crew never would have had a chance. Sisko orders a burial detail for the dead.
. According to actress Nana Visitor
"Kira's maturity had to kick in, because she couldn't just react the way the younger Kira would. There was too much at stake. there was too much to lose. So even though it wasn't as much fun to play, I found it was an important growth point."
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
, beginning shortly after the events of the previous episode. It has an average fan rating of 4.7/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009. As with the other five episodes of the opening arc, the story alternates between the events on the recaptured Terok Nor and the Federation's attempts to fight the Dominion
Dominion (Star Trek)
In the Star Trek universe, the Dominion is a ruthless and militaristic Gamma Quadrant state consisting of many different races. The Dominion wages war on the United Federation of Planets and its allies in the late 24th century, acting as an antagonist in the TV show Star Trek: Deep Space...
.
Plot
Captain 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:...
and his crew's captured Jem'Hadar ship crash onto a barren planet hidden inside a nebula. The senior officers and a handful of crew members survive and seek shelter in a cave, although Lieutenant Commander Dax
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....
is severely injured. Unbeknownst to the survivors, a crew of Jem'Hadar
Jem'Hadar
In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Jem'Hadar are the shock troops of the powerful Dominion located in the Gamma Quadrant. Genetically engineered for strength and resolve, they are also short-lived and believe that "victory is life." They are bred to perceive the Founders, enigmatic...
and their Vorta
Vorta
Vorţa is a commune in Hunedoara County, Romania. It is composed of seven villages: Certeju de Jos, Coaja, Dumeşti, Luncşoara, Valea Poienii, Visca and Vorţa.-References:...
, Keevan, have also survived a recent crash landing on the planet and similarly taken up shelter in a cave. The Jem'Hadar first and second are dead, but Keevan has not promoted Third Remata'Klan to the rank of first because Remata'Klan at some point questioned Keevan's orders. Keevan, seriously injured, strictly rations the Ketracel White, to the dismay of the Jem'Hadar.
Garak
Elim Garak
Elim Garak is a fictional character from the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in which he is portrayed by Andrew J. Robinson. In the series, Garak is an exiled spy from the Cardassian empire and a former member of a prestigious Cardassian intelligence group called the Obsidian Order...
and Nog are captured while scouting the unfamiliar territory. Back at the Dominion camp, Garak reveals to Keevan that the Starfleet contingent includes a doctor. Suffering from having low levels of Ketracel White, the Jem'Hadar are, despite a direct order, unable to refrain from firing on the Starfleet personnel who set out in search for Garak and Nog, and are also unable to shroud. The skirmish ends with no Starfleet injuries and an uncharacteristic Jem'Hadar withdrawal. Keevan demands to know the identity of the soldier who first opened fire, but Remata'Klan refuses, citing the order of things: the Vorta may discipline the unit leader, but only the unit leader disciplines the soldiers under his command. Keevan orders Remata'Klan to approach the Starfleet crew.
When Remata'Klan arrives at the Starfleet camp, he delivers a message to Sisko: Keevan will free the Ferengi
Ferengi
The Ferengi are a fictitious extraterrestrial race from the Star Trek universe. They first appeared in "The Last Outpost", the fifth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, during which they made first contact with the United Federation of Planets in 2364 on the planet Delphi Ardu,...
and the Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
in exchange for Doctor 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:...
, from whom Keevan needs treatment, and Sisko, with whom Keevan wants to speak. Sisko takes the opportunity to try to drive a wedge between Remata'Klan and his Vorta, relating to the Jem'Hadar the events from "To the Death" (specifically, the Jem'Hadar first's murder of Weyoun
Weyoun
Weyoun is a fictional character from the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in which he is portrayed by Jeffrey Combs. In the series, Weyoun is a diplomat and advisor of the Vorta species who is a member of the ruthless and militaristic Gamma quadrant state the Dominion.Combs, who also...
). Sisko asserts that it must be hard to maintain discipline in their current surroundings, and suggests that Remata'Klan not pay so much heed to the Vorta. Remata'Klan, however, remains loyal to Keevan, and Sisko agrees to the prisoner exchange.
Bashir successfully treats Keevan's wound, although the Vorta is still very weak. After dismissing the Jem'Hadar, Keevan tells the Starfleet officers of his minuscule supply of Ketracel White. He shows them a transmitter and admits he doesn't have enough white to sustain the soldiers long enough for them to fix the transmitter and send a distress call. He further explains that once the supply is gone, the Jem'Hadar will go on a killing rampage. Keevan tells them that he will order the Jem'Hadar to attack their position – however, the Vorta will give Sisko their attack plan, allowing them to kill the Dominion soldiers. Keevan will also provide them with the transmitter the Jem'Hadar have been working on. Assuming the Starfleet personnel can repair it and call for rescue, Keevan will become their captive, saving his life from the Jem'hadar. This information does not sit well with the rest of his crew, most notably Nog. Chief 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...
, asserts that "there are rules" in war and that getting information from Keevan that will allow them to slaughter his men somehow violates these rules. Garak, on the other hand, is perfectly content to take advantage of this knowledge. Sisko interrupts the discussion to point out that when it comes down to choosing "between us and them, there is no choice."
The stranded crew aren't the only ones facing moral qualms: on Terok Nor
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...
, Major Kira
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...
gradually comes to realize that by not opposing the Dominion occupation, she has become a collaborator; she identifies uncomfortable parallels between her own passivity and those who collaborated with the Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
s during their occupation of Bajor. Vedek Yassim in particular has strong words for Kira, culminating with her suicide by hanging on the Promenade – before jumping to her death, Yassim declares, "Evil must be opposed." Kira wakes up the next morning but leaves Ops shortly into her shift; after mulling over her situation, she confides to Odo that she is going to start actively resisting the Dominion.
Back on the barren world, Sisko and his crew have established a lethal crossfire along the Jem'Hadars' approach to their camp. Sisko calls out to Remata'Klan, who agrees to confer in the open. Sisko tells him of Keevan's betrayal, and argues that the Vorta doesn't deserve their loyalty. Remata'Klan confesses that he recognized Keevan's attack plan as deliberately leading them into a trap. Sisko offers to put the Jem'Hadar into stasis, preserving their lives. Despite this, however, the Jem'Hadar states that Keevan does not need to "earn" his loyalty; the Jem'Hadar's loyalty to the Vorta is genetically bred into them as part of the order of things. Remata'Klan says he will follow Keevan's orders, knowing that neither he nor any of his men will survive. Sisko returns to his position; after Remata'Klan prepares his men by declaring, "Our deaths are glory to the Founders", the Jem'Hadar attack. They are quickly mown down by the Starfleet crew, although Ensign Gordon is killed. Keevan appears shortly thereafter, strolling among his dead men with the transmitter in hand. He shouts to Sisko that if he'd had just two more vials of Ketracel White, Sisko and his crew never would have had a chance. Sisko orders a burial detail for the dead.
Cast Reaction
The episode helped advance the character of Major Kira NerysKira 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...
. According to actress Nana Visitor
Nana Visitor
Nana Visitor , born Nana Tucker, is an American actress, best known for playing Kira Nerys in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Jean Ritter in the television series Wildfire.-Early life:...
"Kira's maturity had to kick in, because she couldn't just react the way the younger Kira would. There was too much at stake. there was too much to lose. So even though it wasn't as much fun to play, I found it was an important growth point."
Deleted Scene
It was originally planned for the episode to end with the crew being rescued by General Martok and Worf. Upon seeing the dead Jem'Hadar, Worf was to say to Sisko "You were outnumbered. It must have been glorious".See also
- "The Ship" – How the Jem'Hadar ship is originally captured
- "The Magnificent Ferengi" – What happens to Keevan