Call to Arms

Often "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" would end their seasons with exciting cliffhangers about pending intergalactic wars. Generally, these were among the best of the show, as they were really exciting and action-packed--and a bit contrast to the usually cerebral episodes. So, the fact that I really liked this one is certainly no surprise.

There is a HUGE build-up of Jem'Hadar ships poised to come through the wormhole. At the same time, a combined Cardassian and Jem'Hadar fleet has assembled near DS9. So, it looks pretty obvious that the long-awaited war is about to occur. In a last-ditch effort, Sisko orders the Defiant to mine the entrance to the wormhole and Rom has figured out a way to make these mines self-replicating! Will they have to use the mines or can war be somehow averted?

Apart from some annoying antics from Jake, this is a very good show- -as is the follow-up that will follow. Well worth seeing and one of the better shows of the season.

Sisko takes action when the Dominion sends forces into the Alpha Quadrant.

This is a classic episode that ends the season spectacularly and sets up an exciting story arc.

I cannot say too much about the plot without spoiling, but it's safe to say that several years of tensions have been building towards this episode and it does not disappoint. The writers make sure that all characters contribute with either big decisions or memorable little moments.

All actors are on great form, particularly Avery Brooks, Jeffrey Coombs and Max Grodénchik (great Casablanca tribute).

The visuals are some of the most memorable in Star Trek history.

Kudos for the sometimes overlooked Andrew Robinson as Garek. He is excellent in every scene. Rivals Jeffery Coombs.

All Hell breaks loose.

This was a great episode, which aired primarily on UPN stations in May 1997 (and yes WWOR in New York), as the finale of the 5th season. And to the morons who are stupid, yes without the Dominion, the Cardassians were far more advanced than the major 3 anyways, as the Federation fought a brutal war with them to a stalemate, and Picard in "Journey's End" is frought with fear at the thought of fighting them again, far more than he is with the Romulans.

As for why an advanced enemy needs to team up with the Dominion it's that simple. This was not some thing that happened overnight. It started in the very beginning. The Cardassians have discovered the wormhole in "Emisary" and Dukat is interested in orbs (he interrogates Sisko about it in the pilot). Ever since the beginning of this show, the Cardassians have taken a special interest in the wormhole, seeing possibilities of endless immortality and power, eerily reminscent of the Spanish and their quest for the fountain of youth. Dukat egged this on for decades, and joining the Dominion was their chance to galaxy domination. Most of the episode deals, however, with the preparation for war, with the various conflicts with the many different species that occupy Terek Nor (as Deep Space Nine). We see Quark getting ready. What follows after is the Dominion reaching Deep Space Nine. If the Cardassian-Federation War was all Hell breaking loose, this one is that phrase 10X more. It's Armegeddon in the worst ways. The Dominion, the Cardassians, the Jem'Hadar, the Breen all fighting the Federation. It's a fairly brutal episode. And one of the best. UPN/Warner Bros./WB flagship. And this show was one of the pioneers in using reused footage, a UPN invention.