Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 112: In Purgatory's Shadow [VHS]

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine, Episode 112: In Purgatory's Shadow [VHS] Review

With resonant ties to previous DS9 episodes, "In Purgatory's Shadow" kicks off the fifth season's only two-parter with a nail-biting cliffhanger. It's also a series highlight for Andrew J. Robinson as DS9's resident Cardassian, Garak, who travels with Worf into the Gamma quadrant, where they're captured by the Jem'Hadar and held in a Dominion-controlled internment camp. Reunited with his now-dying mentor (Paul Dooley, returning from the third season's "The Die Is Cast"), Garak reveals a moving secret of his lineage, while Sisko and Kira, on DS9, cope with the Dominion's imminent invasion of the Alpha quadrant. Building up a steady head of steam, this tautly paced episode allows Robinson (best known as the villain of Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry) to deepen his character's impact on the series, and Worf finds honor and friendship with Klingon general Martok (J.G. Hertzler), who would make welcomed appearances in subsequent episodes. Despite its pretentious title, this episode represents DS9 at its best. --Jeff Shannon