Duet
- Episode aired Feb 23, 1999
- TV-PG
- 46m
A Cardassian suffering from Kalla-Nohra, a disease that indicates he served in a labor camp, visits DS9. Kira is determined to convict him as a war criminal.A Cardassian suffering from Kalla-Nohra, a disease that indicates he served in a labor camp, visits DS9. Kira is determined to convict him as a war criminal.A Cardassian suffering from Kalla-Nohra, a disease that indicates he served in a labor camp, visits DS9. Kira is determined to convict him as a war criminal.
- Doctor Julian Bashir
- (as Siddig El Fadil)
- Jake Sisko
- (credit only)
- Bajoran Officer
- (uncredited)
- Bajoran Civillian
- (uncredited)
- Cardassian Computer
- (archive sound)
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
- Starfleet Crew Member
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
And yet, a surprisingly high percentage of Trek devotees hold up DS9 as the very pinnacle of the Trek series and the Trek "mission". They will tell you it is the most cerebral, the most philosophical, the most challenging. And, more often than not, they are right. Unlike TOS, TNG, VOY and ENT, DS9 (particularly in its first few seasons) rarely relies on hostile aliens, pyrotechnic space battles and mysterious spatial anomalies threatening its crew to hold the attention of its audience. Warp is NOT a factor on DS9, as it is a series dedicated not to the exploration of the far reaches of space, but to the exploration of the even more inscrutable mysteries of the mind.
"Duet" is the best of the first season, and, arguably, the best episode of the entire series. (Some here have even suggested it may be the best episode of ALL the Trek iterations.) Using clever plot twists, seemingly contradictory clues, and brilliant dialog culminating with a revelation that hits the viewer square in the gut, leaving you quite literally breathless. It is a beautifully written, performed, composed and produced episode.
Others here have revealed enough about the basic plot that I need not restate it; instead, I post this review just to add to the consensus, and let all those considering watching this episode (and this series), that this is amazing television, and far-reaching "exploration" -- even though the space explored is no bigger than that between your ears!
Harris Yulin absolutely steals the show. His performance is award-worthy, and Nana Visitor's performance is a great companion to Yulin's. But I cannot overstate how good Harris Yulin was in this episode, it is the best performance by an actor in a Star Trek episode in my opinion.
There will be plenty of reviews in detail about the story, I just want to say that this episode is why DS9 is so special. This took a unique look at the Star Trek universe in a way that I never saw again. It helped peel back layers of Kira's character, as well as foster her coming to terms with her past. Between the acting, characters, and performances it is a must-watch and arguably one of the best episodes of television of all time.
The Cardassian occupation of Bajor was in many ways comparable to the Nazi extermination of the Jews. When it appears a Cardassian war criminal, who was responsible for countless murders of innocent Bajorans, might have been discovered on DS9, it looks, at first, like this episode will be some melodrama about the powerful victimizing the weak, or perhaps the evils of militaristic societies.
But this episode holds some surprises. I'll refrain from giving any more details about this episode other than to say this was one of the rare times that any TV show has inspired such an emotional response in me.
It is a shame that science fiction on television is not held in higher regard because this episode was worthy of an Emmy Award.
There are three elements that make the episode work so well. First, Harris Yulin puts on an excellent guest performance as Aamin Marritza / Gul Darhe'el, being charming and maniacal at equal measures. Secondly, the twists, although more than a few, are believable - there is a logic in the layers of deception, it isn't an effort to fool the audience. And lastly, the ending is fitting not only dramatically, but also as a final lesson.
Star Trek the Next Generation had always been on tv when I was growing up and my family watched it sometimes. Naturally I liked Star Trek TNG but when DS9 came around I didn't "get" it.... they're just on a weird space station 24/7 ??
So now that I'm grown up, I'm very lucky that the reruns are currently still on (H&I network and others) fairly often. That's how I ended up catching this as a rerun.
It's really true, that old concept about seeing the world as a child vs as an adult. Now that I'm older and a little bit wiser, I appreciate the story, the writing, the directing and the whole experience of a movie or a TV show -- and that's where this episode really shines.
Many previous episodes of DS9 were spent trying to establish the plot or placate fans of the previous two versions of Star Trek. But this episode changed everything. Often times, Star Trek would make you think - and sometimes even re-think a social idea or concept. And they'r great episodes in many ways too. But this episode brings you in, twists the plot, ratchets up the tension, and in the end, genuinely makes you FEEL an emotion.
This is powerful.
I've seen this episode three times now and every time I see it, I get pulled into the moment, and when it's over, all I can help but say is "G*d d*mn" ... because you walk away feeling the weight of what happened.
Between the writers, the cast and the directors, to say the least, this one hour episode of "scifi" transcended TV and reached deep into the soul - even if just for a moment- of those who actually stop and watch it. A rare accomplishment these days indeed.
Bravo and well done, to all involved in this show. And thank you.
Did you know
- TriviaBoth Armin Shimerman (Quark) and Nana Visitor (Kira Nerys) count this episode among their favorites.
- GoofsAll entries contain spoilers
- Quotes
Marritza: I am alive. I will always be alive! It's Marritza who's dead! Marritza, who was good for nothing but cowering under his bunk and weeping like a woman. Who every night covered his ears because he couldn't bear to hear the screaming... for mercy... of the Bajorans...
[breaks down into tears]
- ConnectionsEdited into Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Second Skin (1994)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Title
(uncredited)
Written by Dennis McCarthy
Performed by Dennis McCarthy