Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) In Purgatory's Shadow (1997) User Reviews

Prelude to war

[Tweekums · 10/10 · 7 July 2010]

When a coded Cardassiam message is received from the Gamma Quadrant Garak is asked to help decode it, it seems as if it was nothing of consistence though when he says it is just a communication from an exploration vessel. This being Garak of course it was far from trivial but a message from his presumed dead mentor Enabran Tain. He attempts to steal a runabout but is caught by Dr. Bashir who takes him to to Captain. Garak manages to persuade him that the signal should be investigated as there are also Federation personnel missing in the Gamma Quadrant. Soon Garak is on his way accompanied by Worf. Approaching Dominion territory they enter a nebula to avoid detection, unfortunately the nebula contains a Jem'Hadar fleet which is so large that it can only be preparing for an invasion of the Alpha Quadrant. Before capture they manage to send a warning which while garbled is clear enough for the people on DS9 to know they must act fast if they are to prevent an invasion; this will entail blocking the wormhole which would trap Garak and Worf on the wrong side. These two find themselves in a Dominion prison where they learn Enabran Tain is alive along with Klingon General Martok, somebody else they know is there too, Doctor Julian Bashir and he has been there for two months, clearly the one on DS9 must be a changeling and there in no guessing what he may have done in those two months.

This was a great episode, which wasn't a surprise as Garak played a major part in the story and Andrew Robinson is great in the role. I was really surprised when the Dr. Bashir was revealed on the station was revealed to be a changeling, it would be interesting to re-watch the preceding episodes to see if there were any clues, I certainly didn't suspect a thing. As this episode ends it is clear that the DS9 story has entered a new phase as the times of relative peace end and the long war with the Dominion begins.

Worf funny & deadly serious

[FunGuyNYGreek · 10/10 · 23 June 2017]

Great episode that leads and helps the story of DS9 well. Now one of the best lines ever written for Worf is here when he say to Sisko (referring to Garak) "No worries, at the first sign of betrayal i will kill him. But be assured i will return the body intact" - excellent sign of the warrior. Last episode he quoted some Rules of Acquisition - good writing.

Marvelous Setup

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 30 October 2018]

I know that evil and war shouldn't get the top billing, but we must face the fact that while the galaxy is peopled (aliened?) by peace loving, hard working types, the ones who get the most attention are the bad guys: Klingons, Cardassians, Romulans, and now the soldiers of the Dominion. In this first part, Garak talks the Captain into allowing him to search for his old mentor, who may have sent a message. Had they not gone, they would not have been able to warn the station that Dominion soldiers were coming, en masse, to the wormhole and, of course, bringing death and destruction to the entire Quadrant. There are surprises along the way. Worf, who accompanied Garak, proves to be an amazing fighter. Garak, the consummate liar, finally reveals a secret. Also, there is something evil brewing at DS9. I am hooked.

Watch both parts in one sitting If you can

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 19 January 2023]

Garak and Worf go on a mission to the Gamma Quadrant.

This is a very strong start to a classic two-parter.

It provides a great set-up to an adventure story that includes plot lines that makes the overarching DS9 narrative more interesting and gives certain characters high quality material.

I cannot give details without spoiling but it's safe to say that characters like Garak, Worf, Dr Bashir, Kira, and Gul Dukat all have memorable scenes and some great lines of dialogue.

The situation certain characters find themselves in towards the latter part of the episode is very compelling and makes you want to find out what happens next.

All actors are on fine form. Michael Dorn, Nana Visitor, Andrew Robinson, and Marc Alaimo stand out for me.

The overall story flows better if you watch 'By Inferno's Light' immediately after.

A very good part 1...very, very good.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 7 January 2015]

While I'll be the first to admit that the first couple seasons of "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" had quite a few dull episodes, by the 3rd season onward, the show had hit its stride and the quality increased dramatically. The new enemies, the Dominion and their army of Jem'Hadar, were excellent baddies and meant that instead of slow and cerebral episodes, more violent and intense episodes would be to come. Here in part 1 of a 2 part series, the violence level increases, as hostilities from the Dominion seem about to break out once again.

When the show begins, the station intercepts a faint Cardassian signal emanating from the Gamma Quadrant. When Garak is asked to translate the message, he says it's meaningless and unimportant-- which obviously means it's important! So, when Garak tries to escape the base to investigate, Worf is waiting to catch him and the two go on the mission together. Unfortunately, the Jem'Hadar show up and take the two prisoner. Unexpectedly, they meet a couple of folks they thought were dead--a Klingon officer and the nasty leader of the Cardassian Obsidian order, Enabran Tain (Paul Dooley). What's next? See it for yourself! And, be prepared for a few surprises.

Bringing order to chaos.

[thevacinstaller · 8/10 · 24 July 2021]

Unlike some ---- I truly enjoyed the slow boil build up of the first few seasons of DS9. One of the major problems of newer star trek is that they simply cannot restraint themselves from telling stories of galactic peril before we (the viewers) have had a chance to grow into the characters of the show.

This episode (and arc) works for me because it has been earned with seasons of breadcrumbs and build up.

There are some trek scenes that I remember verbatim and one of those scenes is between Garak and Tain describing a family outing on Cardassia.

I enjoy how the dominion are duplicitous and attempt espionage before engaging in complete brute force. Instead of openly waging war on the Federation they gain a foothold with the Cardassians and then they can exploit them for their own purposes with the lure of territory.

I have never bought into the Zial/Garak subplot arc. She's like 18 and he's 50. It's just weird. Maybe they should have made her a bajoran woman who was a bit older? I don't know ---

Overall a great episode filled with intrigue and tension.