DS9: Defiant

         I admit I was kinda worried when I saw Riker show up in Quark's, but I should have known it would be ok. I mean, sure, this is an episode that ties directly into TNG, but it does so to conclude a loose thread that never really felt resolved in TNG. Plus it sets up a significant internal struggle for power on Cardassia Prime that will certainly make things interesting. I honestly don't remember what the Obsidian Order is up to, but I am guessing they are secretly working with the Dominion or something like that. 
         The episode opens with Kira stressing out about everything on the station to the point that Bashir orders her to take a break and enjoy a drink at Quarks. She doesn't seem to be enjoying herself until suddenly a smiling Riker walks up. The next day Riker is meeting with Sisko in his office telling him that he is on vacation but had such a good time at Quarks the last time her was there that he had to come back. Outside Dax and Kira and talking about Riker and it is clear Kira is into him. That evening as she is getting off work Kira runs into Riker and offers him a tour of the station. They eventually end up on the Defiant where Riker yells at O'Brien for no apparent reason and then after she unlocks control shoots Kira and beams over some Maquis revealing he isn't Will Riker, he is Tom. 
         Riker manages to fake a warp core breach and steal the Defiant. Sisko is forced to work with Dukat to capture it again. Riker uses the cloak to great effect and manages to draw the Cardassians away from a system where nothing should be, but once they figure out where he is headed the Obsidian Order representative orders Dukat to not take ships there which of course gets his interest. With the Defiant surrounded Dukat agrees to let the Maquis be tried by the Federation if he gets Riker and the scan data from the mystery system. Riker surrenders to the Cardassians and Kira takes the Defiant back to DS9.

         Review: It has been a long day so the summary is a little short, but that doesn't mean this was a bad episode. It also wasn't great, but using Tom Riker again actually really helped, plus Dukat is great as usual.

5 out of 10