Ties of Blood and Water (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"Ties of Blood and Water" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
, the nineteenth episode of the fifth season. In an interview with Star Trek Monthly in 1997, actor Lawrence Pressman
(who played Ghemor) likened the character to real-world examples of World War II
German military officers who were unwilling to fight for Adolf Hitler
and actually tried to assassinate
him.
This episode marks the second appearance of Weyoun
, played by Jeffrey Combs
. Although his character was killed in "To The Death", the producers were impressed by Weyoun and established that the Vorta were clones in this episode.
had been abducted and told she was the long-lost daughter of a Cardassian Legate named Tekeny Ghemor, disguised as a Bajoran for a top-secret mission. Although Kira never truly believed it, Ghemor did, and as he attempted to reestablish a bond between them, Kira developed a sympathy for him. When the truth came out and Ghemor realized she was not really his daughter, he told Kira he cared for her anyway.
Now Ghemor is dying. He wishes to participate in the ritual of shri-tal, a Cardassian tradition in which a dying person reveals their secrets to the rest of the family for use against their enemies. He chooses Kira, since, as he told her before, she is the closest thing he has to family. Captain Sisko
encourages her to participate, as this could help the Federation and Bajor.
Kira joins in. The ritual is later interrupted by Gul Dukat
who takes a series of steps to attempt to prevent Ghemor from sharing his wealth of knowledge with Kira and the Federation. Finally, employing a 'divide and conquer' tactic, Dukat tells Kira about a massacre of Bajoran monks that Ghemor had participated in. Infuriated, Kira leaves Ghemor.
She soon learns Ghemor would have only been nineteen at the time of the murders. While he was a part of the Cardassian military, and did take part in the raid, he was simply a soldier whose unit had been told that the monks at the Bajoran monastery had been stockpiling weapons that were being used to kill Cardassians. Also, Kira recalls when she could not have been there for her real father, who died while she was fighting the Cardassians. Moved, she stays by Ghemor's side until the end. After Ghemor dies, Kira arranges to have his body buried on Bajor - next to her biological father, Kira Taban.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
, the nineteenth episode of the fifth season. In an interview with Star Trek Monthly in 1997, actor Lawrence Pressman
Lawrence Pressman
David M. Pressman, Senior is an American actor, probably best known for roles on Doogie Howser, M.D., Ladies Man, a recurring role on Profiler, the titular character on Mulligan's Stew and as a fictional scientist in the 1971 film The Hellstrom Chronicle.His first role was on the soap opera The...
(who played Ghemor) likened the character to real-world examples of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
German military officers who were unwilling to fight for Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
and actually tried to assassinate
July 20 Plot
On 20 July 1944, an attempt was made to assassinate Adolf Hitler, Führer of the Third Reich, inside his Wolf's Lair field headquarters near Rastenburg, East Prussia. The plot was the culmination of the efforts of several groups in the German Resistance to overthrow the Nazi-led German government...
him.
This episode marks the second appearance 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...
, played by Jeffrey Combs
Jeffrey Combs
Jeffrey Alan Combs is an American actor known for his horror film roles and his appearances playing a number of characters in the Star Trek franchise.-Early life:...
. Although his character was killed in "To The Death", the producers were impressed by Weyoun and established that the Vorta were clones in this episode.
Plot
Two years earlier, Major KiraKira 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...
had been abducted and told she was the long-lost daughter of a Cardassian Legate named Tekeny Ghemor, disguised as a Bajoran for a top-secret mission. Although Kira never truly believed it, Ghemor did, and as he attempted to reestablish a bond between them, Kira developed a sympathy for him. When the truth came out and Ghemor realized she was not really his daughter, he told Kira he cared for her anyway.
Now Ghemor is dying. He wishes to participate in the ritual of shri-tal, a Cardassian tradition in which a dying person reveals their secrets to the rest of the family for use against their enemies. He chooses Kira, since, as he told her before, she is the closest thing he has to family. Captain Sisko
Benjamin 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:...
encourages her to participate, as this could help the Federation and Bajor.
Kira joins in. The ritual is later interrupted by 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...
who takes a series of steps to attempt to prevent Ghemor from sharing his wealth of knowledge with Kira and the Federation. Finally, employing a 'divide and conquer' tactic, Dukat tells Kira about a massacre of Bajoran monks that Ghemor had participated in. Infuriated, Kira leaves Ghemor.
She soon learns Ghemor would have only been nineteen at the time of the murders. While he was a part of the Cardassian military, and did take part in the raid, he was simply a soldier whose unit had been told that the monks at the Bajoran monastery had been stockpiling weapons that were being used to kill Cardassians. Also, Kira recalls when she could not have been there for her real father, who died while she was fighting the Cardassians. Moved, she stays by Ghemor's side until the end. After Ghemor dies, Kira arranges to have his body buried on Bajor - next to her biological father, Kira Taban.