Star Trek DS9 - Episode 119 - Duet... Gul Darheel / Aamin Marritza

I take no credit for this show, scene or anything else. I merely provide it as a public service. :) SPOILER ALERT! Do not watch unless you want to be aware of how the episode ends.
This clip is meant to be a companion piece to the KZbin clip "A Superb Case of Villainy" (see link below). I felt the other clip did not include the most important part where you see the actor in the space of only a few seconds going from the bombastic, over-the-top evil Gul Darheel to perhaps the most sympathetic character in all Star Trek - Aamin Marritza. It's a powerful scene, and an epic transition... A case study for aspiring actors and writers alike in how to treat a topic seriously.
See this link for the setup...
• A Superb Case of Villainy

[@swastikausa]

imagine feeling so guilty for your past that you would pretend to be a mass murderer just so that that murderers victims would get some kind of justice. Imagine hating yourself that much.

[@RaptorNX01]

it wasn't so much hating himself, but hating what his people had done. he LOVED cardassia, but it pained him so much that they had committed such horrible acts. He loved his people so much he was willing to die so they could begin to atone for their sins and be the people he always wanted them to be.

[@doobiesmoke15]

To BlueTeamPlayer That guy ain't white, he is grey

[@mastermonarch]

doobiesmoke15 I see sarcasm is above your thought level

[@SantomPh]

BlueTeamPlayer what is frightening is that most perpatrators of acts like that would be white.

[@KLamki1]

henkman00 Just shows you how fucking dumb people are. Being a different skin pigmentation doesn't make you immune to doing evil acts. But if it helps them sleep at night... 🤷‍♂️

[@Noah-pc6wq]

You can immediately tell the mask is slipping when he just keeps repeating the same hammy genocidal speech. Genuinely brilliant performance.

[@xyhmo]

hammy

[@Torus202]

You can see exactly that. The look major Kira gives as he starts again shows that she can see it too. It's clearly a scripted act that this Cardassian has been giving and it's finally breaking apart.

[@weldonwin]

You do wonder if this is the kind of ranting, insane speech that the real Gul Darheel would give, or if this is just something Maritza made up because he knew it would play well to his audience and give them exactly the kind of gleeful monster they expected

[@SantomPh]

weldonwin it would be something more measured and composed-more Goebbels (a PhD holder in drama ) than Göring .

[@richardv.582]

What? Are you 16?

[@drake8050]

In the last scene of this episode, Marritza is stabbed by a bajoran extremist. Kira: 'Why? He wasn't Dar'heel! Why?' Bahoran: 'He's a Cardassian! That's reason enough!' Major Kira: 'No!... It's not.' And that my friends, is character growth.

[@kxmode]

Kira was never the same towards Cardassians after Duet.

[@lordfriezaUK]

+Drake Sigar Absolutely spot on Drake. This, I think, was a significant point in Kira's character development, leading to equally strong episodes featuring her and the Cardassians in later seasons (Necessary Evil and The Darkness And The Light come to mind). This episode is in my top 10 favourite DS9 episodes of all time, helped by stellar performances from Nana Visitor and Harris Yulin.

[@3adgamd3r]

+Kane Dexter I agree, you don't see acting and character development like this anymore in shows :/

[@dkupke]

+Kane Dexter If I recall correctly, in later episodes when Kira was helping Dumar organize a resistance against the Dominion on Cardassia, he actually told her that he was beginning to understand how the Bajorans felt during the occupation of their world

[@lordfriezaUK]

Again, I think that is one of DS9's great strengths that both main and supporting characters were enabled to grow over the 7 years it was on air. If you look closely at secondary characters like Damar, Dukat, Nog, Rom, Winn, Weyoun and Garak they all changed over this period in terms of their motives and characterisation. A testament to the quality of scripting, writing, production and most importantly the actors themselves.

[@MenloMarseilles]

In season 2's episode "Tribunal", we get a closer look at Cardassian ideas of crime and punishment. To Cardassians, the purpose of a trial is not to prove innocence or guilt, but to drag the crimes into the light of day and convince the criminals to accept their wrongdoing. This cultural context puts Marritza's plan in a whole new light. From his point of view, him going up as Gul Darheel *would* be a fair trial, because it would still serve a trial's purpose: to drag the Occupation's war crimes into the light of day, and force Cardassia to own up to them.

[@ryanalving3785]

Wow, excellent analysis. I hadn't thought of that

[@KnightRaymund]

If it wasn't for Star Fleet he'd have gotten his wish. The Bajorans wanted nothing more than a swift, public punishment.

[@DkSchadow]

Not just bringing the crime into the light, but since every verdict was guilty, the purpose of a trial was to give the Cardassian people the illusion that Justice will always triumph.

[@aragmarverilian8238]

Back when Hollywood had real writers, not talentless SJW hacks like nowadays.

[@Galvion1980]

Great catch! That makes 100% sense! Wow...

[@jherrenor]

the moment you realise you're just looking at another victim.

[@Tounushi]

War only produces two things: corpses and corpses-in-waiting.

[@Tounushi]

@@kakroom3407 Original. Though it's derived from Faramir's "War will make corpses of us all."

[@joethehero2]

The first world Cardassia conqured was Cardassia...

[@explorinjenkins349]

Cardassia fucked up both Bajorans and innocent working class Cardassians through their bullshit.

[@BlazingOwnager]

I can't ruin your 420 thumbs up on 4/20.

[@Boxghost102]

"You have no idea what it's like to be a coward." And that is the sweetest backhanded complement I've ever heard.

[@fenrirrising131]

Cardassians are exceptional at those

[@richarda29]

"If there's one thing we Cardassians excel at, it's conversation."--E. Garak, to B. Sisko.

[@3Rayfire]

An inverted backhanded compliment, he was complimenting her by denigrating himself. Instead of insulting her with a compliment.

[@meganega123]

"You are incapable of that level of incompetence" Riker to Geordi in Future Imperfect

[@tanizaki]

That’s not what a backhanded compliment is.

[@Yabuturtle]

It was great acting when he was mocking "Maritza's" cries when he said "He covered his ears" which makes it sound like he was mocking "Maritza's" anguish and then you realize this guy is actually crying for real.

[@Gregb0t3000]

I've always felt that it was covering his ears that finally breaks him. He did it to avoid hearing the horrors for so long, that when he made the physical motion here it triggers a ptsd response and the horrors just flood back in and he cracks.

[@rcslyman8929]

@@Gregb0t3000 He never expected to have to put up a fight that he was Gul Darheel. As Kira was trying to get him to admit he was Aamin Marritza, he had to delve further into the lie, and conjured his personal demons that set him on this course in the first place. Everything following was his response to living that waking nightmare over and over again.

[@vladimirchernikov4249]

So was I. That's how powerful this scene was.

[@DivinePearl]

@@Gregb0t3000 It was so emotionally powerful. I knew DS9 was something different from TNG. This was special.

[@leex6576]

My gets still in my throat a moment, every time I even think of that part.

[@Swidhelm]

Probably some of the most powerful acting of the entire Star Trek franchise. Harris Yulin did an incredible job.

[@heartlessangel2910]

+Swidhelm This scene sets me on the verge of tears every time I watch it. The moment Maritza's voice begins to break as he talks about the torture and suffering Bajorans is so powerful... it's in that moment that his true identity and feelings emerge, breaking down and conflicting with his "Butcher of Gallitep" performance. It allows us an audience to feel and empathize with his guilt, sadness and give us a reality of how horrible the occupation was. Martiza suffered in his own way as a coward, powerless and innocent man in the presence of senseless horror and suffering.

[@Swidhelm]

Daniel Aung Same here. I agree as well. Definitely one of my favorite moments of DS9 because of that. It really put a solid face on the occupation like posturing characters can never do.

[@dkupke]

+Daniel Aung That's the beauty of the scene, and the plot of this episode. For the first time you see that not all Cardassians are the arrogant monsters we had seen up to now, that there were actually Cardassians who were horrified at what their people had done on Bajor. And at the end of the episode you also see that not all Barjorans are the noble freedom fighters that we had been lead to believe, and they were every bit as capable of senseless brutality as the Cardassians they so hated. And you could see Kira become better for that revelation

[@cubdukat]

Even though Gene Roddenberry was trying to stop DS9 from being made when he died, there were so many things they did with the show that he would have been proud of, like this episode. "Voyager," "Enterprise" and "Discovery," not so much...I really think he would have been put out by the dual F-bombs detonated in that one episode of "Discovery."

[@jamesrawlins735]

@@cubdukat I will say Discovery improved the second season, but its still disappointing. Voyager is the most disappointing of all, because there are several really good episodes, but it's infuriating because there are so many missed opportunities. Keeping my fingers crossed about Picard

[@Significantpower]

"Cardassia will only survive if it stands in front of Bajor and admits the truth." He was right, look at Cardassia Prime at the end of DS9.

[@WinstonfieldQPP]

Yup. And yet the path the Cardassian people went down to reach that point was always plausible and even understandable. It's part of what made Dukat such a memorable bad guy.

[@DarkLordDiablos]

Dukat is the epitome of what a bad guy should be. Someone who is perfectly at peace with what he does and would willingly sacrifice any relationships he had made if it meant him gaining power. He willingly joined the Dominion and then allied himself with the Pah Wraiths. The only time you ever saw him hurting was when Ziyal died after being shot by Damar.

[@RaptorNX01]

Dukat was even on a path of redemption at one point, and if his daughter hadn't been killed he may have ended up doing what Damar eventually did.

[@captainl-ron4068]

Not just the condition of Cardassia Prime but also Garak's 'we are not entirely innocent' speech.

[@SantomPh]

Cardassia in general was always an ambitious, grasping power that always wanted to expand. After the loss of 807 million people though, it would have triggered some sort of social change. Most major DS9 races had to look at themselves anew at the end- Federation, Klingons, Founders, Cardassians and even Ferengi all had to reassess their very societies after traumatic events (or in the Ferengi's case, a socialist coup). only the Romulans remained the same, as did the Borg (who weren't involved)

[@robertdurant6616]

Harris Yulin gave one of the finest performances in all of Star Trek. This was a missed Emmy nomination for sure.

[@HoolieWho]

I mean, the man's acting was brilliant! It made me tear up. This scene moved me.

[@OrricktheAlien]

Robert Durant without a doubt

[@Madmax0620]

he is not known enough for Emmy's ...... unfortunatly

[@C0wb0yBebop]

Robert Durant you speak the truth ! It’s one of the finest moments on TV. If it wasn’t sci fi it would have won the award

[@EmperorRahem]

I completely agree

[@jaharrm]

"Don't you see - I have to be punished, we all have to be punished." and "We're guilty, all of us."

[@GORT70]

Forgiveness never comes to self. We don’t have that authority. It’s for the ones we’ve done wrong so they can rebuild their lives.

[@MrBoBoTom]

A single episode in a room superior to any movie.

[@Aeroldoth3]

THAT'S what good writing can do.

[@k1productions87]

And great performance. You watch this and totally forget he is wearing that thick Cardassian makeup.

[@KaennC]

If only Tommy Wiseau directed this, it could've been even better

[@mr_e_monkey8836]

The occupation is tearing me apart!!!

[@LoganHunter82]

​@@KaennC Anyway... How's your sex life?

[@thebighurt2495]

Knowing how Caradassian trials work, Marritza's thinking actually makes sense. Cardassian legal trials BEGIN with the assumption that Accused is Guilty. The point of the trial is to prove conclusively and publicly HOW. By burying their crimes and hiding their actions, the Union was actually being contrary to their own legal traditions. Marritza wanted: Cardassian Legal Proceedings a) a Public, Nationally-televised show trial 🗸 b) where the accused is presumed guilty from the beginning 🗸 c) their crimes are put on public display for all to see 🗸 d) the accused to admit to what they'd done and face the consequences

[@SantomPh]

Gul Darheel actually cheated the system by dying earlier. Even the Cardassians do not prosecute dead people

[@banananotebook3331]

@@SantomPh Unlike the incredibly sane systems we have on Earth, such as the post-humous public trial and then decapitation of Oliver Cromwell and Co. and over in Rome one of the Catholic Popes dead body being flung into a river. It's the same purpose as the Cardassian trials, for the benefit of the public more than the sack of bones.

[@BenjaminCraftRendon]

100% this; even in these comments, people still miss that perfect final touch of world-building

[@SerbAtheist]

In retrospect it's all brilliant propaganda. It's clearly meant as a standing to how all those other inferior countries conduct their trials as opposed to the glorious United States of America where justice is complete. In reality, the vast majority of trials in America resemble the Cardassian model where defendants are pressured under a threat of severe jail time to take plea agreements.

[@Killzoneguy117]

This is what Star Trek today is missing. This is honestly one of the most powerful moments in any TV show in my opinion because of just how relevant it is to our own world. And honestly, the twist here is masterful. This whole time, we see Gul Darheel/Aaamin Marritza as this confident, mass murdering psychopath who is wholly convinced of the horrors that he supposedly took part in. But here, we see that this whole time, Marritza was not a willing participant at all. We see a man who is truly broken, weighed down with so much guilt and remorse, someone who is so traumatized by what he saw, he's going to great lengths to make it right. I think its worth pointing out that Marritza doesn't try to kill himself. He's clearly suicidal but not only does he believe that he has no right to live, he also believes that he has no right to an easy death. He goes through all this trouble, through the likely painful procedure of altering his own appearance, through the trauma of having to relive the horrors he witnessed and having to smile and laugh and praise the horrors that he is so painfully haunted by. I think the beauty of this scene is that we see that Aamin Marritza, for his short time on the show, was arguably one of the strongest characters on the show. To deny himself a quick death when that is clearly all he wanted, simply because he believed that this was the only way to make things right. This scene is one of the few things that can elicit a tear from me.

[@szahmad2416]

This kind of moment what was AWOL in the entire DS9 series. TNG had plenty; Picard mind-melding with Sarek; Picard going home to his brother after being freed from the assimilation of the Borg; Data as several people in Masks; Worf, discovering his murdered mate; Ensign Ro telling about her father.

[@PurposelessRabbitholes]

Just watched this for the first time last night. Yup, now firm in my decision that DS9 is my favorite Star Trek. The fucking performances in this episode were incredible.

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

really? based on this 1 episode? you must be easy to shop for at Xmas............

[@xystem4701]

More humanity in some of those aliens than half the people I know

[@sethzwicker3631]

Compare the writing & acting of this to anything Kurtzman or JJ can put out...I'll wait...

[@celticspike2522]

@@sethzwicker3631 you will be waiting a LONG time. Kurtzman is a fucking hack who has disgraced Trek

[@octopushands6923]

STNG is the best

[@PeterDivine]

Something particularly interesting to note: pay attention to his speech right at the beginning, at 0:05 . Until now, his commentary has been boisterous, proud, fluid, but when his true name starts getting mentioned-when his cover starts getting blown- his speech changes. It's flustered. It pauses, as he thinks of what to say next. It even stutters and hyperventilates, until he gets back into the swing of ranting as Gul Darheel, where he regains composure again. The man is _terrified_ of the name Aamin Marritza. He's talking about the crimes of Gul Darheel, but the subtext is obvious: _You're on the right track. Don't go any further. Please don't go any further._

[@cmdrtianyilin8107]

In other word, absolutely brilliant acting, writing and performance.

[@BlazingOwnager]

Want to know something even MORE impressive? For the vast majority of this scene the actors weren't even in the same room together for blocking reasons. They were both acting largely opposite cameras, not each other.

[@LuxAeterna22878]

@@BlazingOwnager Wow, that IS impressive.

[@chrisdarveaux3307]

Seeing this as a kid I didnt understand it. Seeing it now: Dear God Almighty

[@matwatson7947]

When I was a child I didn't understand Duet, In the Pale Moonlight, Inquisition or The measure of a man, Drumhead and Darmok. I wanted the Borg, Q and The dominion war!

[@nfinn42]

The absolute best of Trek. A timeless performance. Harris Yulin's only appearance on Trek... and yet he managed to provide a captivating performance that many have cited as the single best hour of Trek ever put on film. And I agree with that assessment. It was mostly a character piece and not really "Trek" - ie., it could have been anything. It could have been a made-for-TV movie about Israeli agents capturing what they believed to be a former Nazi officer. But it worked. Even though the plot is clearly lifted from Shaw's 'Man in the Glass Booth', it worked beautifully when redone as a Trek episode. This was Trek at its loftiest, fulfilling Gene Roddenberry's high ideals, and showing how understanding and love of 'the other' would lead to a deeper and better union for all people. The humanizing of the 'other' is a key theme of Trek dating back to the first appearance of Spock. Yulin's "Marritza" on DS9 was its first step towards humanizing the previously terrifying, inhuman, 'other' Cardassians. DS9 was truly Trek at its most mature and fully-realized, refusing all notions of black-and-white morality and reveling in the reality, that only shades of grey exist. And "Duet" was DS9 at *its* best.

[@k1productions87]

This is one of the reasons I rank DS9 as my favorite Star Trek series. Performance, character, depth, and growth all the way around. Everyone clearly gave their all, and made us feel who they were and what they stood for. Even Dukat, when he was at his worst, you still felt his motivations and his reason for being what he was. He was never a bad guy for the sake of being bad. Damar goes from blind follower to inspirational leader. Garak was absolutely wonderful in every way. and Nog... one of the best character arcing moments of all time in "Heart of Stone". And my gosh, these aren't even the main cast members, they are the secondary cast, and they almost outshine the incredible main cast at every turn. Did DS9 mis-step at times? Absolutely. I will never forgive the introduction of Section 31, or making Humans focus on material wealth. But you will never find a better example of great actors giving great performance, to the point where you even forget they are wearing all that heavy makeup prosthetics.

[@seanwolslau-holdren6731]

Agreed, what Marritza said when he told the truth meant something.

[@captainl-ron4068]

nfinn42 watch the film 'The man in the glass booth'

[@3Rayfire]

I disagree with you on one point. It's not that DS9 refused black and white morality and reveled in a reality that shades of grey exist, that's 100% false. It ignored the false black and white morality and embraced the fact that reality is that everything is in *vibrant full color.* From the dark of the Borg, to Bajor's purple oceans, Starfleet red, gold, and blue, Cardassian gray, Romulan Green, Dominion blue and purple, Klingon blood red, and Ferengi Gold Pressed Latinum. The Full Spectrum of a Universe, centered through a focus, of a rickety station, next to a tunnel through the sky....far beyond the stars.

[@AndreLuis-gw5ox]

@@3Rayfire no offense, but you just said that the show is about "shades of grey regarding morality" with extra steps

[@azraelknightquest5754]

I don't care what anyone says. Gene Roddenberry would have been proud of this episode.

[@defender2222]

There is one thing though that Aamin Marritza can cling to. That his death wasn't a waste. He changed the mind... of one being. And that is enough.

[@hagamapama]

In a way it was Marritza that started Kira down the path that would lead to her helping the Cardassian resistence.

[@ShogunMongol]

A true patriot, willing to die for his country, to expose their crimes and to improve his land, a true Cardassian.

[@bogey780]

I mildly disagree. Not that he's not a patriot but that he's doing it for his people. He can say Cardassia needs to be held to account but I'd say it's more about his hatred of his own cowardice in participating in an immoral act. He states Marritza is dead and deserves to be dead. He's created the idea of his past self as a different individual. He's actively disassociating himself from Marritza in his mind and then burying the coward in order to create a newer braver personae. One who will do what the coward couldn't do. That is to hold someone to account for the crimes. Even if he's a stand-in for the guilty party. Had he simply bowed out of the occupation and took his licks in the past, I doubt he'd have become like he is. It's his crime of allowing the massacres to happen as he filed paperwork in support of it that he's trying to repent for. Even when Kira says "you were only one man" she doesn't really realize that all armies are simply one man... and one man... and one man... and so forth. There is a moral culpability in acting as a group that falls to the individuals within. He, on some level, realizes this. Which is why he demands punishment. He wants the crime acknowledged and his old self washed away. If he didn't want the punishment, he could have simply been Marritza the whistleblower. Asking for forgiveness while separating his complicit acts. Instead, he became the villain and demanded the whole operation be exposed, condemned, and punished... him included. Sorry this is long-winded.

[@BenjaminCraftRendon]

@@bogey780 For a Cardassian what your talking about *is* justice (as Tribunal will layout in season 2). The public recounting, the acceptance of your guilt, the importance of punishment to show the fate of wrong doers- this is the social function of their criminal system. That he's not actually Dar'heel isn't even that crucial compared to the acknowledgement that what Dar'heel did requires & received punishment

[@MrJuanito931228]

A true patriot isn't someone who fanatically worships the state and blindly follows its orders. A true Patriot embodies both the conscience and the virtues of the nation which exemplifies and personifies their citizenship. This also means fighting against even the lawful government and protesting against the injustice it perpetuates.

[@healtc5069]

This episode is one of the best episodes in all of Star Trek.

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

Thomas Healy no it fucking isn't

[@healtc5069]

Bigtruckseriesreview Motorsports My opinion. The acting was superb. The moral lesson of guilt, reminiscent of Nazi soldiers during the Holocaust. Great episode.

[@Kiatrasi]

I agree, it's definitely in top 10 episodes, if not even top 5.

[@thehantavirus]

Did the nazis,or thier soldiers ever felt guilt towards the holocaust, doubtful, even today whites still believe in racial superiority

[@healtc5069]

lolaz wabby there are many many documented accounts of rank and file Nazis soldiers regretting the Holocaust. Not the SS, but your typical soldier, yes.

[@naranara1690]

"My trial will force Cardassia to acknowledge its guilt! And we're guilty, all of us!" Every time I hear that, I get misty eyed.

[@rafetizer]

Dude finally manned up

[@leonrobinson8180]

@@rafetizer True. He lived a coward, but died a hero

[@justin11678]

I'm not even really sure why, but the simple line, "You have no idea what it's like to be a coward." Always hits so hard. This is some of the best Trek has to offer.

[@Gabryal77]

From one of the bravest Cardassians in the series

[@Stardweller1]

"What you're asking for is another murder. Enough good people have already died." How many times can those words be said of real life situations?

[@goberdabelch]

+Eric Naylor not enough sadly

[@Stardweller1]

Ulric letholdus I feel like there are many times they CAN be said. Whether or not there are enough times they ARE said, though...

[@catsi563]

Not enough and all too often.

[@rkmugen]

Because sometimes, justice (as defined by the society at large) just isn't enough for some of the people that have been victimized....... and they don't want to compromise or settle -- they want to make the opposite side to suffer more than they have....... even if not for their own personal gain, but to make an example out of them. But this is why one must always do right by others in the very first place -- you just never know if the ones you hurt or offend will end up ending you and those you care about. Truth. Sad truth.

[@SantomPh]

there needs to be inquiries and tribunals, which is why they are still hauling 90 year old Nazis and old Yugoslavian soldiers into the Hague for trial.

[@therizinosaurus214]

I love how he act as Darheel breaks down as he approaches his own actions of cowering and completely fails when "covered his ears". After then he no longer tried to act as Darheel. Great scene. And DS9 had a bunch of great scenes like this. and sadly it was really reconized

[@rcslyman8929]

You could literally see the PTSD set in. I don't know if Harry Yulin has anything in his past that would torture him, but he sure made it convincing.

[@bernhardwall6876]

As I watched this, I started to wonder whether Nana Visitor wasn't herself crying.

[@Spacegamejunkie]

Every time Marritza breaks down and cries, so do I. Well done Mr. Yulin.

[@sokagofferenginar8669]

I think this was the first time Nerys felt sorry for a Cardassian.

[@cpltrickie]

I think Nerys stops judging all Cardassians as evil.

[@captainl-ron4068]

Kira gains great depth in this episode, Yullin is one hell of an actor.

[@SantomPh]

she didnt hate all Cardassians- Legate Gamorr was in fact a father figure to her, and Garak did get her respect to some extent as did Damar.

[@rjframe4410]

feels it again when Cardassisa is being occupied by the Dominion.

[@jeremysears4263]

@@rjframe4410 Karma

[@roryconroy9669]

Still moves me to tears.

[@audunseverin]

Same here

[@neilmcguire5153]

This episode is very important to me, and made me bawl my eyes out. My late grandma taught me to always love everyone, regardless of who they are and what they have done. I think this episode teaches an important lesson that society needs to learn nowadays: never judge an entire people based on the actions of some. Hate and resentment accomplishes nothing, always choose love.

[@Domoneky]

"My Death is Necessary..." Damnit feels....thought I purged you.

[@stmcde1701]

You have not achieved Kolinahr

[@flashtu]

Incredible acting if anything deserve an oscar this is it.

[@torinslik6577]

Just watched this episode last night. So fantastic. That moment when he drops his impersonation and reveals his shame and guilt, so good.

[@SpacePirate1969]

I think there is only a scene in the movies that can come close to that, the one played by Liam Neeson in the final parts of "Schindler's list", when he starts crying believing he could have done more, saved more people, and he didn't....Both scenes fully deserve to enter movie history, in my opinion...

[@datfisheboi6519]

This is when this episode was made for me. I was kinda put off by the corny, hammy genocidal speeches, but this hit me like a bombshell, and caused all of the things I didn’t like about the episode to become truly brilliant.

[@walteranders9396]

Is without a doubt one of the most profound moments of emotion and sorrow in Star Trek history. When an individual feels guilt and shame for his peoples cruelty and shameful behavior, he had the courage as one man to try to expose the horrible truth and accountability. This is top tier acting in my book.

[@roygale5404]

In this episode there are no starship battles, no phasers or bat'leths, no transporters or holosuite tricks, just a room with 2 great characters, and it's among the very best.

[@akimtu9523]

as a german this is one of the best episods...this is how a lot of germanys feeled after the 2 world war

[@odin1185]

Pathetic

[@Optimusprime240]

That's very moving actually. I often wonder what germans feel about their past, and if they feel guilt despite never having personally participated. This from an American

[@BillinHungary]

Actors have a saying "If it's not on the page, it's not on the stage". That means that if the script is bad, they cant do much to salvage it. However, with a story that was so brilliantly written, and adding to it an outstanding performance by the guest star, as well as Nana gettng a feel for Kira's character arc, the result is pure brillance! And, to top it off, it was a bottle show - a show designed to save on the budget that week, so they could more money into space battles later on.

[@Opnn8d1]

Every freaking time I see this scene, it's like a some cosmic fist grips my heart... no... my SOUL. When he breaks down, going from over the top arrogance to an emotional wreck... The horror the character experience comes alive and even without seeing the atrocities that were committed, the audience feels the remorse right there with him. Masterful writing, and a masterfully executed performance. Out of all of the star trek shows, Deep Space Nine is the one I love the most. TNG showed us the ideals of the Federation and the wonders Humanity can achieve if all its differences were set aside for its commonality. But DS9. while building upon that, dared to ask the questions about how a Utopian Society would cope if it were suddenly thrust into the mix with the same dark issues it had once resolved. That, to me, makes DS9 more relevant to reality than any other Trek show.

[@shaubooker1037]

Opnn8d1 this is a brilliant analysis. Well done.

[@brav0wing]

TNG actually started asking question about how it would cope with those dark issues. First it was Q, then Q introduced the Federation to the Borg where Wolf 359 happened (the Star Trek 9/11) and then it was the escalation of the Cardassian conflict around the border with the Maquis...

[@eugenioconti4688]

@@brav0wing yes but without the same degree of depth. The more you dig deep in the dark side, the more you start seeing shades of grey, instead of black and white. It brings discomfort, doubts and uncertainty, as it should. Exactly what DS9 does, exactly why the best episodes of the franchise are this one, as well as the pale moonlight and others that focus on the same themes. In TNG you have a majestic Picard, a beacon of light, and the best episodes are those in which he shows how not to lose the way in the darkness (e.g. The drumhead, the measure of a man, darmok, as well as when Q challenges his notion of humanity). In DS9 you don't. In life, sometimes you don't. TNG and DS9 in my opinion are two sides of the same, marvelous coin.

[@MediumRareOpinions]

@@eugenioconti4688 Very true. I find it very significant that while both captains try to do their utmost to defend the federation, Sisko admits that when it came down to a deception to bring the Romulans into the conflict, that he'd do it again despite his moral discomfort with having done so. I can't see Picard doing the same, I'm sure in a TNG plot he'd have found a way to resolve it without the assassination of a Romulan state official and a fraudulent data rod but in a DS9 episode sometimes there just wasn't any other way just like reality.

[@SonofSethoitae]

@@eugenioconti4688 DS9 had the benefit of staying in one place for most of its run, where the consequences of one story had to affect another. They couldn't just bugger off to Risa after a stressful event.

[@danielyeshe]

The next time someone asks me why I don't like the Trek reboot I will point them at this.

[@MSB3000]

They'll roll their eyes and say it's boring and weird.

[@JH-su9vl]

Real talk god if std had half the substance of this I’d like it

[@vinayn9110]

@@JH-su9vl STD is trying to make out money out of the reflected glory of real Trek such as DS9, TOS, TNG, Voyager, and even Enterprise. STD is awful, people who like STD would have the intelligence or the attention span to watch real Star Trek.

[@puzzlingcentaur]

@@vinayn9110 STD is the first and only Star Trek creation that openly insults Star Trek and violates everything Star Trek is about. New Star Trek movies were bashed by many fans, but I liked them and couldn't care about how different they were because they were set in an alternate universe. DS9 often strayed away from Roddenberry's "rainbows&communism" vision but that's the reason it was my favourite. It was the most realistic Star Trek. Voyager and Enterprise were mediocre, Voyager was a definition of wasted potential and Enterprise was cancelled right when it started to get better, too early (imagine if TNG got cancelled after the first two seasons?). Enterprise often violated established lore, tried to add in-universe explanations of things that didn't need explaining (Klingon ridges) and.....there were plenty of stupid moments. However, it was a "true" Star Trek, despite of all its faults. And STD....it shouldn't be named Star Trek at all.....if they renamed every species and simply called it "Discovery", Star Trek fans wouldn't have a problem with it. And nobody would ever see any connection between Star Trek and Discovery. Because there isn't any, except the names.

[@anthonyjordanmoviesandmore2470]

This in the pale Moonlight way of the warrior Waltz favors the Bold sacrifice of angels The Visitor

[@alexpalmer9101]

This was DS9's first homerun IMO.

[@kalibos]

Yup. And remains among the strongest in the show, and all of Trek canon.

[@The_Lunch_Man]

I may have been born long after the golden age of Star Trek, but I am glad my parents introduced me to it. This is some of the best storytelling and acting ive ever seen.

[@hagamapama]

In my mind it's neck and neck between DS9 and Babylon 5. Titans of their era and both still more than good enough to hold up in a modern context. Any other scifi space opera series has to work its tail off to get compared with either of these two.

[@bernhardwall6876]

The best "Trek" episodes revolve not around computer effects and technology, but around people telling stories. It's what I love about "TNG: The Inner Light," and about this one. Can't you imagine these two reciting all this dialogue on a theatre stage, in front of an audience of thoroughly rapt fans?

[@tabbyroberts6242]

One of the saddest episodes I have ever watched

[@jrwith]

This and Hard Time where Chief O'Brien has the memories of being in prison for 20 years and killing his cell mate over food implanted.

[@benny2427]

I couldn’t stop crying after maritzas death zzz

[@voicetube]

You know, I won't exactly disagree with you to Tabby Roberts, but maybe in a very strange (or not so strange) way, well, for me, it was one of the happiest episodes of anything I've ever seen. To explain, this speaks so deeply to (and into) so many of us who, although we are all guilty of sin of one kind or another, there are far too many instances that many of us - especially people of goodwill - beat themselves up, unnecessarily over times where we were powerless to be powerful. - and THIS... this… Illuminates that. I think it could have a big effect on a lot of people in maybe helping them create closure on something they have been living with (and this episode goes so deep, it could be many things). It says also so much about prejudice, blasting THROUGH prejudice and seeing the BEING, not the body (as being the true person, etc.). Although I indeed cried (and still do every time I see this episode) it uplifts me at the same time. Truly great movies or television will do that. To a great degree, I'm finding that with Game of Thrones. Illumination. Truth. Pulling back lies and celebrating, basically, the glory of the human spirit.

[@AngelaRyanXX]

@@voicetube Peter Stringfellow's Lord of the Rings?

[@JemHadar422]

Another sad Cardassian episode is when Kira is kidnapped because she looks like legate Ghemore’s daughter. When he rescues her 😢😢😢😢😢

[@raf7550]

*Marritza*: "The only way Cardassia will survive is if it stands before Bajor and admits the truth! My trial will force Cardassia to acknowledge its guilt, and we're guilty, all of us!" _(_*_SPOILERS BELOW_*_)_ _(Final episode, after most of Cardassia has been leveled with over _*_800 million_*_ dead)_ *Garak*: "You know, some may say that we've gotten just what we deserved. After all, we're not entirely innocent, are we? And I'm not just speaking of the Bajoran occupation. No, our whole history is one of arrogant aggression. We've collaborated with the Dominion, betrayed the entire Alpha Quadrant... Oh, oh, no no, there's no doubt about it - we're guilty as charged."

[@WinstonfieldQPP]

Very true.

[@DarkLordDiablos]

The only thing that could have made that statement more powerful would have been if it had come from Damar. Mainly because he was the focus of the rebellion in the first place. He was the reason it started. Garak and Kira were only their to provide specialist support. I'm sure at some point during the writing, he was supposed to say it but they felt later that a noble heroic death was more fitting of the leader he had become.

[@pali1d]

Even if he didn't get the chance to say it out loud in a speech, Damar makes it pretty clear to Kira both that the old "Cardassia is dead, and it isn't coming back", and that once Cardassia was free again, "it will have you (Kira) to thank for it - without you, this rebellion would have died in its infancy". The sheer amount of change the DS9 writers managed to make Damar go through, a secondary character who was introduced as nothing more than the main adversary's asshole lackey, in only a relative handful of episodes was incredible. Every single bit of it made perfect sense, felt like natural evolution and was absolutely true to the character. He could have five minutes on screen change what side he was on and you'd never question his sincerity for a second.

[@ZuluRomeo]

I had this episode in mind when Garak said that. A poignant call back.

[@RaptorNX01]

And the thing was, Damar was a horrible, repulsive individual. he did some disgusting things, including killing Zyaal, which ended up driving Dukat insane and lead to the events that happened later. and yet, you end up cheering for him and genuinely feel bad when he dies. The character growth in this series is simply amazing.

[@YD-uq5fi]

Harris Yullin did not get enough credit for this incredible one-episode performance. This will be watched a century hence (well, 30 years already have passed).

[@Josephkerr101]

One of the most powerful star trek performances ever.

[@tangylizardk6117]

Man this scene just brought tears to my eyes. Now thats what i call a performance!! I miss the good old days of great Star Trek shows. Sigh. At least i got Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead for now....though nothing can compare to the excitement, joy and hope that scifi shows like DS9, Voyager, TNG brough to me. Just a different feel.

[@WinstonfieldQPP]

+Romin Ss "A different feel" is quite an understatement. :) Game of Thrones and Walking Dead have one note - and that's misery. Star Trek - particularly DS9 and TNG - were ultimately positive but gave stories that crossed a broad swath of the human condition. So they're far more multi-faceted than GoT or WD, as well as being net positives as opposed to a relentless negative. So - yeah - different feel is quite an understatement... ;)

[@tangylizardk6117]

GoT is pretty multifaceted i think...yeah there is a lot of misery but real life is full of misery. As much as i love Star Trek, it could have used some more grit. Though DS9 did a very good job at bringing that once we got introduced to the Dominion.

[@ProseCombats]

Gritting styling is a pretty recent development in TV and cinema. A grittier Star Trek would be a good remake in today's media, but it just want not artistically feasible then.

[@OpenMawProductions]

Star Trek is not about being dark, guys. We have dozens, and dozens, and dozens of shows and other forms of media expression that give us grit, dark, grimdark, drama, bleakness. Star Trek is hope, optimism. Yes, it can do dark in short strokes, but that's not Trek's heart. Never has been, never should it be. It inspired a generation of young boys and girls to become scientists and engineers, because it was the future WE wanted to live in.

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

Romin Ss We are going to build a wall around Bajor and the Bajorans are going to pay for it.

[@Thracian117]

Just imagine, out of context for a moment, you've spent hours in makeup...you walk out looking rediculous...others around you also looking silly albeit less than you... And then the set is a bland almost flat colour full of angles and of which you only occupy one corner... And then you proceed to chew the scenery right of the walls...acting your arse off so magnanimously people still talk about it 20 years later.... Now that's talent

[@TheMalfean]

That, ladies and gentlemen, is acting.

[@atomichobbit7358]

I wonder how many men felt the same way at Bergen Belsen of Auschwitz. How many were too scared or afraid to do anything other than what they were told. this scene always gets to me.

[@Vydio]

In watching, I had the same thought of the men at Bergen Belsen .... what should they have done?

[@paulzuk1468]

I know of at least one case of a guard who kept requesting a transfer to the eastern front, and was denied every time. Eventually he got a transfer to an SS untis fighting in the Ardennes. Thing is, while he could not bear the horror of what was happening, he was also an antisemite and hardcore Nazi at the same time. People are complex and often contradictory and hypocritical.

[@Vydio]

I am thinking what would we have told Marritza to do. I can think of only one thing .... desert.

[@SantomPh]

Paul Zuk if you want to transfer to the Eastern Front to get away from something it must have been bad.

[@MediumRareOpinions]

Vydio But you have to remember Maritza was still a patriotic Cardassian, even through all the atrocities he wouldn't, couldn't abandon his service to Cardassia. That's why the character is so internally conflicted.

[@MrAbbas16]

"Cardassia will only survive if it admits its guilt" - how prophetic. It never really admitted its guilt, and was decimated by the dominion in the end

[@markoconnor7762]

Even at the end of this short slip made my throat hoarse and my eyes got dirt in them.

[@gennoveus]

+Mark O'Connor Same here; such a powerful episode and a powerful message.

[@johntrevy1]

+Bevan Mckechnie Agreed, It would be like a perfectly innocent Muslim handing themselves into the police and wanting to die for the guilt of ISIS attacks. Sadly they would probably be executed for it and nothing of this silly, fruitless war would ever change.

[@bryanadkins6776]

I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING!

[@Renji9031]

Sure, Simmons. Keep lying to yourself.

[@s.31.l50]

I am

[@3Rayfire]

That's confirmed, I was in fact crying.

[@katie9918]

This was, and remains, a revolutionary piece of writing, acting, and directing. How lucky those of us are who recognized the specialness of this series when it first aired, and how lucky are those who have been introduced since then.

[@richardmcgowan1651]

That moment you are just eating your dinner watching another episode of Star Trek and you end up getting a master class of acting and are left with a lasting impression that stays with you for a lifetime. Then people wonder why older Trek is still considered the best.

[@cretansuperbos2121]

This is easily one of the most moving episodes in all of Star Trek. Imagine believing in your country so much that you're willing to die for their sins.

[@mastermonarch]

Evil only triumps when good men do nothing. What does a good man do when he's the only one willing to do something?

[@BSE1320]

Thats actually pretty good. Well put. Not everyone is a willing hero martyr. "Its better to sacrifice your life than to commit atrocities!" ...Try it. Its not as easy as you think.

[@steampunker7]

He does that something, whatever it is and how little it might seem.

[@contentiouscritic]

@Justin Christopher The point is, that doesn't matter. Immoral orders should never be followed. It's really that simple. The idea that you would be punished if you didn't obey doesn't matter. You should take punishment over immorality. If everyone did, atrocities would never happen. Excuses are like assholes, everyone's got one and they're all full of shit

[@gusngregg5127]

It's heartbreaking when he breaks

[@AslansMane88]

This is the power of fantasy fiction - you can take things from the real world and show them for what they truly are by removing the political labels that drive the polarized emotions, as acted out by a race of beings who always wear their soul on their sleeve (Cardassians always brutal, Ferengi always greedy, Hobbits down to earth, etc). It makes the showing so much easier.

[@BlazingOwnager]

I know it's been said a lot by DS9 fans but it's true. Despite tons more screen time, the Cardassians are a way more complex, fleshed out race than any of the major players everyone knows like the Klingons and Romulans, in particular the Romulans. They aren't a "We are the X race" they are a completely varied people just as much as humanity. Well, except the haircuts. No idea why everyone but the humans and Klingons have agreed to one haircut, forever.

[@szahmad2416]

1:15 - this transformation is the absolute best dramatical moment in the entire DS9 series.

[@nataliewestby7696]

This is probably one of my favorite episodes from a fantastic show. DS9 was star trek for adults and I love that.

[@nathanfitzgerald6651]

I loved Kira's line: "What you're asking me for is another murder and enough good people have died, I won't help kill another." That gave me the chills.

[@brianoreilly6435]

The guy who acted this scene out was fantastic!

[@MountManage]

I am familiar with this scene and thought I could stop at being teary eyed when he talks about the screaming but no. Full on tears pouring down my cheeks by the end of the scene.

[@BenjaminCraftRendon]

Totally the same

[@bogey780]

Gotta hand it to the man. Breaking down is one of the hardest things for an actor to do and not appear unnatural. It takes good writing and directing to make it happen as well but timing and severity as you transition is what sells the emotion. He plays it off brilliantly as if he's actually thinking about what he's saying and he's reacting to his memories as he organizes them. If you ever know anyone with PTSD, you know what it's like to see that loss of emotional control.

[@rolandsmash]

The profound shame and despair he exhibits are so nuanced and so emblematic of DS9’s strengths. Yulin and Visitor are phenomenal in this episode.

[@HPDDJ]

One of my favorite Star Trek episodes ever.

[@veleriphon]

This is one of the greatest performances in television.

[@Newspin]

One of the top 5 scenes for me in this spectacular series!

[@skywarnjlw3]

+Newspin Absolutely

[@BillinHungary]

+Newspin I agree - one reviewer gave it 10 out of 10. Not bad for a low-budget "bottle show". It shows that you dont have to spend tons of money on CGI to deliver an outstanding episode. I forget most of the battles, but remember this show.

[@Newspin]

+Bill Osborn I love both on DS9! But even in the "Space Battle Episodes" DS9 either has some larger story to tell or superb dialogue that keeps it exciting, and not only in what I see exploding on screen. It’s still my favorite show. With today's TV production abilities and Ron Moore at the helm, I think most of the episodes would hold up fine, just the way they are. For me, as a fan, I love them the way they have been produced; but even I cannot help but see that TV-series has matured over the last two decades. I never hope for a remake or continuation though… It ended on a perfect note!

[@masterjedi1316]

Brilliant acting

[@dirdib69]

I've said it many times - absolutely superb acting. Harris Yulin is world-class, and Nana Visitor matches stride with him here. I would have loved a reference a few seasons down the road. Maybe Marritza's housekeeper shows up with a statement from his will or something.

[@nagasadragon8699]

I've seen many people complaining about Marritza getting stabbed in the end but the whole thing about him dying such a "meaningless" dead is that Kira realizes that not all Cardassians are monsters and that one cannot judge a whole species, that hatred against a species just because they are that species is not right, that they are good people in a collective faceless enemy, that one always has to differ and not collectively judge all people of a race. This is later explored in her father-daughter-like relationship with Tekeny Ghemor. So, both ways against racism. First, not all Cardassians are Nazis and Fascists, second, the atrocities of the Cardassians against the Bajorans get explored and acknowledged. Also, this episode did a great thing against sexism. One of the main female characters of the show experiences such an enormous character growth. And while for the male character growth always women die, in this episode it is the other way around. The man dies for the character growth of the woman.

[@Vydio]

I have never liked his death at the end. But if you had to, another Cardassian should have killed him. Yitzhak Rabin and Anwar Sadat. Neither were killed by their own side.

[@Nuvendil]

The ending is a poorly written attempt to make sure no one is left behind when it comes to the message. This episode masterfully made its point, then slapped an annoyingly contrived tl;dr at the end. After a whole episode of masterful writing, the ending is jarringly cliche. Even the way the scene is shot amd framed is hackneyed. It's out of place and feels completely tacked on.

[@gerardwooning3383]

Best scene, best episode of DS9. In my opinion....watched it so many times and it's still moving.

[@Darkphoenix007A]

I dunno...it has stiff competition with Garak and Sisko in "In the Pale Moonlight", and Bashir and Ross's dialogue in "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges".

[@k1productions87]

And don't forget about Nog's confession as to why he wants to join Starfleet in "Heart of Stone".

[@robertvangroll4602]

Don't forget "Far Beyond the Stars"

[@mveytia]

This was a very heavy episode of Star Trek. Covering genocide, concentration camps, war crimes etc. It's also one of the very few episodes to ever mention rape. But it was one of the most important, and features amazing performances from the two leads.

[@kuribayashi84]

The exact moment this series came into its own and transcended into greatness.

[@NeonPixels81]

This entire episode is some of the finest acting ever put on screen.

[@Teekoness]

That moment around 0:07, you can see the little slip of panic in his eyes as he realises Kira is onto him. Such fabulous acting.

[@creatip123]

Superb acting on both parts. Kira looked especially beautiful and deep in this scene....

[@nw2094]

One of the best performances in DS9 was also Buddy in Ozark??! Mind. Blown! 🤯

[@mickmoron4455]

Scenes like this are the reason DS9 was so much better than any other Star Trek.

[@billyb4790]

What's so masterful about this is we don't truly know Marritza's intentions until the very moment he breaks down crying and by that time, we're all crying too.

[@SimonFoston]

Ah, the Cardassians. Always such great characters, played by great actors. They deserve a seriously big comeback.

[@geoffshaw346]

Occasionally guest actors on a series get to shine in an outstanding moment.This was one such moment.

[@ClassicSteve]

I felt that season 1 of DS9 was mainly pretty weak but this episode redeemed it single handedly.

[@paladinboyd1228]

Steve Harte, It started out copying TNG a bit then it found it’s footing and became this.

[@ComicGladiator]

@@paladinboyd1228 Much like TNG started out trying to ape TOS, then found its footing.

[@trekkie1981]

Damn straight this was the best episode of the series

[@wadecochrane2237]

damn this was a really good scene

[@tombo1984]

Probably my favourite episode of Star Trek. The acting is out of his world. I find it very hard to watch as it always leaves me in tears. Funny thing is I imagine it was probably one of the cheaper episodes to make. Just goes to show how far a brilliant script and superb actors will get you.

[@Darkphoenix007A]

This is the reason why I STILL love Deep Space Nine--the darkness of the episodes, the depths the writers made the characters go...it pushed boundaries!!!

[@Teardehawkee]

When He Breaks Down....So did I......Tears flowed. Great acting!

[@acepr012]

This is how acting in Star Trek should be and not what we've seen as of late.

[@petekwando]

This episode is pure genius, from the writing to the performances. The sad part is, I have been thinking of it lately not just as an example of fantastic storytelling, but as a reminder of history repeating.

[@M0j0J0j0]

This performance was FANTASTIC 👏👏👏👏

[@JobeStroud]

This is one of the saddest scenes in the show. Still almost brings a tear to my eye. Very well acted.

[@umhumgum]

Fantastic actor. The emotion was real! I felt it

[@johncrow4847]

Star track back in the day used to pull some of the most powerful stage actors in to the show. They had more power and Presents than 99% of the Hollywood shitstains. Great performers, not just actors.

[@trekguy31]

I always thought this was one of the better episodes and not because of starship battles and lots of CG etc. Star Trek to me is superior over star wars because it tries to show us our Humanity while making us confront our demons as a people. I will say that in terms of acting talent and strength, its hard to beat: Marc Alaimo, Armin Shimerman, Rene Auberjonois, Jeffrey Combs, and Andrew Robinson..

[@Cdr2002]

Avery Brooks, Nana Visitor, Terry Farrel, Colm Meaney. All star cast

[@BillinHungary]

Besides being one of the most outstanding episodes in the history of Star Trek, it also disproves the idea that a "bottle show" is by nature not very good. A "bottle show" is needed during a sci-fi season, to save money that can be used for special effects (space battles) as well as on-location filming (alien planet, etc). The worst kind are "clip shows". This one, which takes place entirely on the station using existing sets, saves money and still delivers a stellar episode, thanks in no small part to Harris Yulin's performance. But like they say "If it's not on the page, it's not on the stage" - a lot of credit goes to the writers.

[@M0j0J0j0]

What a wonderful comment

[@lucifersapprentice]

Brought tears to my eyes. It made me think of the similarities of the bajoran holocaust and the holocaust during WW2. The simalaraties are unmistakable.

[@lucifersapprentice]

All true but again, I was just saying that the bajorans went through a holocaust similar to the Jewish holocaust. I'm not saying all Germans where nazis and evil. But I appreciated your input.

[@DeHerg]

+kxmode they didn´t try to kill him because he was evil (they knew that way earlier), but because they were loosing the war and knew the allies would not negotiate peace with a government lead by hitler(neither would hitler enter any such kind of negotiations). They acted upon what they percieved as patriotic duty, not humanitarian concerns.

[@lucifersapprentice]

DeHerg I totally agree.

[@omegastar19]

+Lucifer's Apprentice Actually, the story behind this episode is an adaptation of a story that originally was based around the holocaust and WW2. The similarities are deliberate.

[@Bojack727]

My god, even as 9 year old kid, this scene stuck with me, it seared itself into my memory!

[@malbourne805]

This scene drew every emotion out of me.

[@Anlushac11]

Back when DS9 reached its turning point into something spectacular.