DS9: To the Death

         The entire time this episode was going on I kept wondering when the Jem'Hadar were going to betray Sisko and the others but it never happened. Also conveniently all the Jem'Hadar on their side are the perfect fighters we are used to, but the renegade Jem'Hadar are easy for any of them to kill. Also Weyoun's explanation of why he needs Sisko's help honestly makes no sense. And if it is all a lie to give him a chance to try and turn Odo this is a pretty elaborate trap. And would Odo's defection really be more useful than a portal to anywhere? And speaking of, what could possibly be more important than that portal to the rest of the Dominion? I know they have plans to take over the rest of the galaxy, but this portal would make that job far easier so why aren't they all there taking it over and invading whoever they want with impunity?
         The episode opens with the crew of the Defiant relaxing in the mess hall until the red alert klaxon sounds and they rush to the bridge. DS9 has been attacked and upper pylon three has been destroyed. They beam over to help and learn that group of Jem'Hadar beamed over from a transport ship before stealing equipment, setting off a bomb and escaping. Sisko heads back to the Defiant to give chase. They encounter a crippled Jem'Hadar ship (this part also makes no sense, how did they damage this warship with their transport ship?) that is about to explode. Sisko for some reason beams the survivors aboard but at least has the sense to meet them with armed guards. Their leader is Weyoun, a Vorta who we will be seeing a lot more of (even though he gets killed in this episode...) Weyoun pulls Sisko aside and tells him that a group of rogue Jem'Hadar are responsible for the attack and have come into possession of an Ionian portal which would allow them to conquer the Dominion and rest of the galaxy. 
         They spend most of the rest of the episode fighting with the Jem'Hadar on their own ship, it gets so bad the Jem'Hadar leader has to kill one of his own men, and being tempted by Weyoun who tries to recruit both Odo and Sisko. They eventually arrive at the planet with the portal (the Jem'Hadar also already know the plan despite it being a secret, again, no explanation ever given) but their weapons don't work. They fight their way to the portal and set off the bomb. Weyoun shows up with the white but gets killed by the leader of the Jem'Hadar for questioning his loyalty. This is despite earlier showing how only Weyoun can open the white container so they are all presumably dead now, but whatever. The Jem'Hadar leader lets them go and they head back to the station.

         Review: Almost none of this episode made a damn bit of sense. I guess a lot of it could be explained by "secret Dominion plans" but I don't think I have enough faith to believe that. I can't help but wonder if they planned on having Weyoun be a one time character but realized he was the best Vorta yet so he had to come back despite being dead.

4 out of 10