"Sacrifice of Angels" is the sixth episode from the
sixth season of ''
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...
'', 130th episode overall. The episode's plot details the efforts of the
United Federation of Planets
In the fictional universe of ''Star Trek'' the United Federation of Planets (UFP) is the interstellar government with which, as part of its space force Starfleet, most of the characters and starships of the franchise are affiliated. Commonly refe ...
to retake space station
Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the '' Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication fr ...
from the forces of the
Dominion
The term ''Dominion'' is used to refer to one of several self-governing nations of the British Empire.
"Dominion status" was first accorded to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and the Irish Free State at the 1926 ...
. This is the second half of a two-part episode, continuing the story immediately from the end of the previous episode, "
Favor the Bold". The episode features a large guest cast and numerous VFX scenes with spacecraft.
Story background
''Deep Space Nine'' tells the story of a
space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a human crew in orbit for an extended period of time, and is therefore a type of space habitat. It lacks major propulsion or landing systems. An orbital station or an orbital space station i ...
near the planet
Bajor
The Bajorans (variously pronounced , , ) are a fictional species in the science-fiction '' Star Trek'' franchise. They are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor, who have a long-standing enmity with the Cardassians, o ...
administered by the
United Federation of Planets
In the fictional universe of ''Star Trek'' the United Federation of Planets (UFP) is the interstellar government with which, as part of its space force Starfleet, most of the characters and starships of the franchise are affiliated. Commonly refe ...
as the Bajorans recover from a brutal decades-long occupation by the aggressive
Cardassians
The Cardassians () are a fictional Extraterrestrial life in popular culture, extraterrestrial species in the American science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''. They were devised in 1991 for the series ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' before b ...
. The station guards a
wormhole
A wormhole (Einstein-Rosen bridge) is a hypothetical structure connecting disparate points in spacetime, and is based on a special Solutions of the Einstein field equations, solution of the Einstein field equations.
A wormhole can be visualize ...
leading to the distant
Gamma Quadrant
Several films and episodes of the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek'' are set in distinct astrographical regions of space. Some of these fictional locations exhibit anomalous physical properties; others are defined as sensitive buffer zones ...
, home of an expansionist empire known as the
Dominion
The term ''Dominion'' is used to refer to one of several self-governing nations of the British Empire.
"Dominion status" was first accorded to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and the Irish Free State at the 1926 ...
, which is ruled by the shapeshifting
Changeling
A changeling, also historically referred to as an auf or oaf, is a human-like creature found in folklore throughout Europe. A changeling was believed to be a fairy that had been left in place of a human (typically a child) stolen by other fairi ...
s. This episode is part of the
Dominion War
The Dominion War is an extended plot concept developed in several story arcs of ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', an American science-fiction television series produced by Paramount Pictures. In the fictional ''Star Trek'' universe, the Dominion War ...
plot arc, in which the Dominion allies with Cardassia and wages war against the Federation and their allies.
This episode is the conclusion of a six-episode story that spans the start of the sixth season. At the end of the previous season, the Dominion captured the titular space station, but the Federation blocked the wormhole with a
minefield
A land mine is an explosive device concealed under or on the ground and designed to destroy or disable enemy targets, ranging from combatants to vehicles and tanks, as they pass over or near it. Such a device is typically detonated automati ...
to prevent reinforcements from arriving from the Gamma Quadrant. Over the following episodes, DS9's Starfleet crew, led by Captain
Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' franchise portrayed by Avery Brooks. He first appeared in the television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (''DS9'') and became prominent on the TV show in the United ...
, continue the war against the Dominion on the starship ''
USS Defiant
The USS ''Defiant'' is the name of several starships in the Star Trek media franchise, most notably a vessel featured in '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (1993–1999). Introduced in the show's third season, it is a warship attached to the sho ...
''; the main characters remaining on the station, led by Major
Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys is a fictional character in the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (1993–1999). She was played by actress Nana Visitor. The character is from the fictional planet Bajor, a world which has rec ...
, work to undermine Dominion rule; Dominion representative
Weyoun
This is a list of secondary characters from the science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Characters are ordered alphabetically by family name, and only characters who played a significant major role in the series are l ...
and Cardassian leader
Dukat attempt to dismantle the minefield; and DS9 security chief
Odo
Odo or ODO may refer to:
People
* Odo, a given name; includes a list of people and fictional characters with the name
* Franklin Odo (born 1939), Japanese-American historian
* Seikichi Odo (1927–2002), Japanese karateka
* Yuya Odo (born 1990), J ...
, a rogue Changeling, receives a visit from another Changeling hoping to persuade him to return to his people. By this point, the technician
Rom
Rom, or ROM may refer to:
Biomechanics and medicine
* Risk of mortality, a medical classification to estimate the likelihood of death for a patient
* Rupture of membranes, a term used during pregnancy to describe a rupture of the amniotic sac
* R ...
has been arrested by the Dominion authorities for attempting to prevent destruction of the minefield; and Sisko is leading a Federation fleet aimed at retaking DS9 for the Federation before the minefield comes down.
Plot
With eight hours before the minefield is destroyed, Sisko's fleet engages the Dominion fleet defending DS9. Sisko orders Federation fighters to engage the Cardassian warships, hoping the less disciplined Cardassians will break formation and create a hole in the Dominion lines. Aboard DS9, Dukat sees through Sisko's ruse; he deliberately allows some of his ships to open a hole in the formation to set a trap for the Federation fleet. Aware that Dukat is setting a trap, Sisko nonetheless orders his ships forward, desperate to reach the station.
Meanwhile, Dukat's aide
Damar arrests Kira, Sisko's son
Jake
Jake may refer to:
Name
* Jake (given name), including a list of persons and fictional characters with the name
* Katrin Jäke (born c. 1975), German swimmer
* Jake (gamer), American ''Overwatch'' player and coach
Animals
* Jake (rescue dog), a s ...
, and Rom's wife
Leeta
This is a list of secondary characters from the science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Characters are ordered alphabetically by family name, and only characters who played a significant major role in the series are l ...
, correctly surmising they are part of a conspiracy against Dominion rule. The visiting Changeling, attempting to break Odo's bond with the "solids" and return him to his own people, tells Odo of Kira's arrest.
As the Federation fleet becomes overwhelmed, a
Klingon
The Klingons ( ; Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a fictional species in the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the original ''Star Trek'' (''TOS'') series, Klingons were swarthy humanoids c ...
fleet arrives and flanks the Dominion. They clear a path for the ''Defiant'', though the rest of the allied ships are unable to follow.
Rom's brother
Quark
A quark () is a type of elementary particle and a fundamental constituent of matter. Quarks combine to form composite particles called hadrons, the most stable of which are protons and neutrons, the components of atomic nuclei. All commonly o ...
and Dukat's daughter
Ziyal
This is a list of secondary characters from the science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Characters are ordered alphabetically by family name, and only characters who played a significant major role in the series are l ...
free Jake, Kira, Rom, and Leeta from jail. Kira and Rom set off to sabotage the station's weapons. They are cornered by Dominion soldiers, but are rescued by Odo and his security team. Rom disables the weapons, but seconds too late to prevent the destruction of the minefield.
Sisko orders the ''Defiant'' into the wormhole, where they encounter a massive Dominion fleet. As Sisko prepares for a desperate suicide mission, he receives a vision from the
Bajoran Prophets
The Bajorans (variously pronounced , , ) are a fictional species in the science-fiction '' Star Trek'' franchise. They are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor, who have a long-standing enmity with the Cardassians, o ...
, the powerful aliens who live in the wormhole, who are upset that he intends to sacrifice himself before fulfilling their purposes. Sisko pleads with them to help the Bajorans, who created a religion around them. The Prophets cause the Dominion ships to vanish, but warn Sisko that a penance will be exacted.
The ''Defiant'' exits the wormhole and fires on the station, which cannot respond due to Rom's sabotage. Meanwhile, the Klingons and the Federation have outflanked the Dominion fleet, with 200 ships heading for Deep Space Nine. The Dominion evacuates, but Ziyal refuses to leave, confessing to her father that she helped Kira and her friends escape. Damar overhears her confession and shoots her as an enemy of the state. Dukat collapses in grief as she dies in his arms.
By the time Sisko arrives on the station, Dukat is in a holding cell, sobbing over the loss of his daughter. As he is escorted to the infirmary, he returns Captain Sisko's baseball.
Reception
This had Nielsen ratings of 6.4 points, which was about 6.3 million viewers when it was broadcast on television in November 1997.
In 2013,
IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
ranked "Sacrifice of Angels" the 23rd best episode of all ''Star Trek'' television, noting it has a "dramatic showdown" that helped set the stage for the Dominion war story arc that continues in this season.
A 2015
binge-watching
Binge-watching (also called binge-viewing) is the practice of watching entertainment or informational content for a prolonged time span, usually a single television show.
Statistics
Binge-watching overlaps with marathon viewing which places mo ...
guide for ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' by ''
Wired
''Wired'' (stylized as ''WIRED'') is a monthly American magazine, published in print and online editions, that focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. Owned by Condé Nast, it is headquartered in San Fra ...
'' recommended not skipping this essential episode.
In 2015,
Geek.com
Geek.com is a technology news weblog about hardware, mobile computing, technology, movies, TV, video games, comic books, and all manner of geek culture subjects. It was founded in 1996 and was run independently until 2007 when it was sold to N ...
recommended this episode as "essential watching" for their abbreviated ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''
binge-watching
Binge-watching (also called binge-viewing) is the practice of watching entertainment or informational content for a prolonged time span, usually a single television show.
Statistics
Binge-watching overlaps with marathon viewing which places mo ...
guide.
In 2016,
IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
ranked "Sacrifice of Angels" the 23rd best episode of all ''Star Trek'' up to that time.
In 2018,
Vulture
A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including Condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North and ...
rated "Sacrifice of Angels" the 9th best episode of ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.''
They also recommended the entire sixth season, remarking "It's that good" and praising the war saga's evolution.
They note how "Sacrifice of Angels" is the culmination of a story arc that spans the six previous episodes.
''
io9
''io9'' is part of Gizmodo media since 2015, and it began as blog launched in 2008 by Gawker Media. The site initially focused on the subjects of science fiction, fantasy, futurism, science, technology and related areas but over the years has ...
'' ranked "Favor the Bold " when paired with "Sacrifice of Angels", as the 88th best episodic presentation of all ''Star Trek'' in a 2014 listing. They note this as featuring a special effect sequence depicting a large space battle for ''Star Trek''.
In 2016, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' rated "Sacrifice of Angels" along with its 5 preceding episodes as among the 20 greatest episodes (or sequences of episodes) in ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. This six-episode arc is noted for its serialized format compared to shorter two-episode stories that had been more common to the ''Star Trek'' franchise up to that time.
As a six-episode arc:
* "
A Time to Stand
"A Time to Stand" is the first episode of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (season 6), sixth season of the television series ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', and the 125th episode overall. This episode was broadcast on television starting on Septembe ...
"
* "
Rocks and Shoals"
* "
Sons and Daughters"
* "
Behind the Lines"
* "
Favor the Bold"
* "Sacrifice of Angels"
The last two in the sequence have also been reviewed as a two-part saga.
Sometimes the episode prior to "A Time to Stand", "
Call to Arms" is also included in this story arc, for a full seven-episode saga.
In 2018,
CBR ranked "Favor the Bold" and "Sacrifice of Angels" as the 3rd best episodic saga of ''Star Trek'' overall, behind "
The Best of Both Worlds" (Parts I & II) from ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.
In 2016,
''Empire'' ranked this the 45th best out of the top 50 episodes of the 700 plus ''Star Trek'' television episodes.
In 2016, ''
The Washington Post
''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...
'' called the
Dominion war
The Dominion War is an extended plot concept developed in several story arcs of ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', an American science-fiction television series produced by Paramount Pictures. In the fictional ''Star Trek'' universe, the Dominion War ...
story arc possibly the "richest narrative" of the ''Star Trek'' universe.
In 2020, ''The Digital Fix'' ranked this episode as the eighth best episode of ''Deep Space Nine''.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sacrifice Of Angels
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (season 6) episodes
1997 American television episodes