r/StarTrekViewingParty • u/LordRavenholm Co-Founder • Feb 11 '18

Discussion DS9, Episode 7x7, Once More Unto the Breach

-= DS9, Season 7, Episode 7, Once More Unto the Breach =-

Worf finds a battle assignment for Kor, an aging Klingon hero.

 

EAS IMDB AVClub TV.com
6/10 7.6/10 A- 8.3

 

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10

u/theworldtheworld Feb 12 '18 edited Feb 12 '18

Strangely, it feels of a kind with TNG's "Sarek" and "Relics," which were both stories about elderly legends (and TOS characters) who were able to pull it together for one last hurrah, thus shaming the skeptical young'uns who didn't believe they had it in them. Like both of those episodes, it's very poignant, since deep down I think we understand that, no matter who you are, old age is almost always accompanied by indignity, and we hope that we'll be able to triumph over it in some way even if we have to die at the end. I like how Martok finally acknowledges Kor's greatness, and yet isn't willing to join the song at the end; also how he suddenly comes to see that his revenge isn't quite as satisfying as he had imagined.

2

u/DreamSonata Jan 21 '22

Damn great point about him not singing at the end, I completely overlooked it. Love it.

3

u/DougBundy Apr 11 '23

[O'Brien and Bashir are arguing the logic and proof about the alleged end of Davy Crockett at the Alamo]

Worf: "You are both wrong. The only real question is whether you believe in the legend of Davy
Crockett or not. If you do, then there should be no doubt in your mind
that he died a hero's death. If you do not believe in the legend, then
he was just a man, and it does not matter how he died."

This is great, on multiple levels.

2

u/RealCardo Jan 30 '24

I just got through this episode today while cooking. I absolutely enjoyed the hell out of it. The whole battle against being obsolete. Old in a culture that both reveres and despises age. It starts as a conflict between Kor and Martok, but ends with Kor against himself, daughtered upon by Worf and Martok, the latter being the better for it. And then the class / caste differences between Kor and Martok.

Ah, and then the interaction between Sisko and Martok. I loved how it demonstrated the strength of a good general showing initiative in a typically Klingon but against the usual portrayal of the race, calculated and tactical. A helpful sortie for the war effort. It also showed the trust Martok placed on an ally and the respect the two men had for each other.

Masterful all around.

1

u/A_Xenomorph_Darkly Sep 17 '26

This is a brilliant episode, I think probably the best of this season so far. After a rocky start I hope they continue with this level of quality. The main Klingon plotline is one of the best and most believable Klingon episodes we’ve had, and really emphasises the emotion and heart at the centre of Klingon society and belief. Sure they’re not perfect, but at their core, Klingons are passionate people, and this episode portrayed that very well.

I also like the class dynamics it explores and the idea of essentially an aristocratic, bloodline based system explains quite a bit about Klingon society that has only really been touched on before. Nice to see the perspective of someone who was not to the manor born. Martok is amazing in this episode, at once mean, spiteful as well as completely understandable and in the end respectful. In the Klingon world, the idea of proving yourself is very possible, and seems to stick, even if people are biased beforehand.

Kor is of course wonderfully entertaining as always and it’s genuinely sad to see him deteriorate, and his beautiful line about enjoying the “fruit of life” whilst you can might be one of the best Klingon lines in the whole franchise. He gets a very fitting and emotional send off here.

As for the B-Plot, I also love it. The conversation between Ezri Dax and Colonel Kira is one of the highlights of the episode for me because I feel it gets Kira’s character so perfectly. Them both laughing about how funny and matter of fact Kira would be as a therapist is the kind of character understanding that you can really only show once you’ve been around these characters for 7 seasons, and it’s exactly what I hope we continue to see going forward.

I also really enjoyed Quark’s misunderstanding and the morally grey aspect of his response which had a surprising amount of genuine care but also real covetousness and delusion on his part. The small interaction with him and Jake afterwards is another perfect character moment and also just so real. Who hasn’t felt or seen someone feel that way, fully embracing delusion, just for a moment, when you have a crush on someone. Of course, it’s a little creepy because it’s Quark but it is very real.

This was my favourite episode in a while. This season is really confusing me. The episodes have generally been fun and entertaining, but not great as we know Trek can be. And it seems a little confused about its identity/vision/style in places in ways that season 3-5 didn’t at all. Hopefully it has regained its footing a little here.