Apocalypse Rising

Last updated
"Apocalypse Rising"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 1
Directed by James L. Conway
Written by
Featured music Dennis McCarthy
Production code499
Original air dateSeptember 30, 1996 (1996-09-30)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Broken Link"		Next →
"The Ship"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 5
List of episodes

"Apocalypse Rising" is the 99th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , the first episode of the fifth season. The episode was directed by James L. Conway, and written by Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe. [1]

Contents

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the space station Deep Space Nine , operated jointly by the United Federation of Planets and the planet of Bajor. In the middle seasons of the series, the Federation is under threat from both the Klingon Empire and an empire known as the Dominion, which is ruled by the shape-shifting Changelings. In this episode, suspecting that a Changeling is impersonating the Klingon chancellor Gowron, the Deep Space Nine crew undertake a mission to expose the impostor. This storyline is a continuation from the events in the season 4 finale, "Broken Link". [2]

"Apocalypse Rising" was seen by about 5.5 million viewers when it debuted. [3]

Plot

Having learned from security chief Odo that a Changeling has taken Gowron's form and is now in control of the Klingon Empire, Captain Benjamin Sisko is ordered by Starfleet Command to expose the impostor. He, Odo, Miles O'Brien, and Worf must infiltrate Ty'Gokor, the headquarters of the Klingon military, disguised as Klingon candidates for the "Order of the Bat'leth". They are given four devices which, when activated, will emit radiation which will force any nearby Changeling to revert to its gelatinous state. Gul Dukat escorts them to Ty'Gokor in his captured Klingon Bird of Prey.

The four arrive at the Hall of Warriors, where the all-night party before the induction ceremony has already begun, and try to blend in. When General Martok, second in command to Gowron, arrives, the four scramble to set up their radiation emitters. Gowron arrives and begins issuing the awards. When Sisko is called to receive his award, he attempts to activate the emitters, but is knocked to the floor by Martok, who has finally recognized them and has them thrown in a security cell.

Once they are alone, Martok confides to Sisko that he too believes that Gowron is an impostor. With the emitters destroyed, the only way to expose Gowron is to kill him. Martok releases Sisko and his group and leads them back to the Hall of Warriors. Worf challenges Gowron to a one-on-one duel. Martok wonders why Sisko does not shoot Gowron outright. Odo observes that Gowron chose to fight Worf in single combat, thus showing Klingon honor, while Changelings do not care for honor; he concludes that the Changeling is not Gowron, but Martok. Just when Worf is about to kill Gowron, Odo reveals the false Martok to the crowd, and the Klingons open fire, quickly destroying the Changeling.

Gowron realizes that Odo was fed false intelligence that Gowron was the Changeling, which would have led to Gowron's assassination by the Federation, allowing the fake Martok, and therefore the Dominion, to gain full control of the Klingon Empire. Gowron agrees to a ceasefire in the war between the Klingons and the Federation, and Sisko and his men are returned safely back to DS9.

Production

The primary photography for the episode was conducted on Stage 18 at the Paramount Pictures lot which was used to represent the Klingon Hall of Warriors. The set featured statues 12 feet (3.7 m) high. Different styles of lighting were used in the Hall as compared to the Klingon prison in order to ensure that the two looked different. While there were flicker boxes installed in the Hall of Warriors set in order to give the appearance of fire, overhead blue lighting was used in the prison in order to make the set look much colder. Because of the size of the Hall of Warriors, cinematographer Jonathan West used bleached muslin to hide fluorescent lamps in the window treatments. [4]

The bridge of the Bird of Prey was lit by overhead lights through patterned grids. One scene which featured over a hundred Klingons on scene was shot with only fifty extras. West used a split-screen effect filmed three times with a locked off camera each time which was then composited together in post effects. [4]

Reception

Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club praised this episode for its "pulpy charms" and enjoyed seeing the main characters disguised as Klingons: "it really is fun, with some solid twists and soul-searching sprinkled throughout." [5] Keith R. A. DeCandido of Tor.com rated the episode 7 out of 10. [6]

In 2015, Geek.com recommended this episode as "essential watching" for their abbreviated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine binge-watching guide. [7]

"Apocalypse Rising" was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards, for Outstanding Makeup and Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series for the work by Jonathan West. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worf</span> Fictional character from Star Trek

Worf, son of Mogh is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise, portrayed by actor Michael Dorn. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), seasons four through seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9) and the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard, as well as the feature films Star Trek Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martok</span> Fictional character from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, played by J. G. Hertzler

Martok, son of Urthog is a recurring character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, played by actor J. G. Hertzler. Martok is a high-ranking Klingon leader at the Federation-Bajoran space station in the late 2300s. Martok figures prominently in many of the show's long running story arcs, and also is an important relationship for Worf.

In the Star Trek universe, the Dominion is an interstellar state and military superpower from the Gamma Quadrant, composed of hundreds of dominated alien species. The Dominion is commanded by The Founders, a race of shapeshifters, responsible for both the creation of the Dominion and all strategic decisions undertaken through its history. The Dominion is administered by the Vorta, clones specifically genetically engineered by the Founders to act as field commanders, administrators, scientists and diplomats. The Jem'Hadar, also engineered by the Founders, are the military arm of the Dominion and one of the most powerful military forces in the galaxy during the Dominion's height.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gowron</span> Klingon character in two Star Trek series

Gowron, son of M'Rel, is a fictional character who appeared in the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Portrayed by Robert O'Reilly, he is the leader of the Klingon Empire, known as the Chancellor. O'Reilly had appeared earlier in The Next Generation as Scarface in the second season episode "Manhunt", and was cast as Gowron due to his comedic ability and his piercing and extremely unsettling gaze, or what O'Reilly himself humorously referred to as "that crazy loon eyeball thing".

In the fictional Star Trek universe the Klingon High Council is the supreme ruling body of the Klingon Empire. The council meets at the Great Hall of the First City of the Klingon Empire on the planet Qo'noS.

"Call to Arms" is the 26th and final episode of the fifth season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 124th episode overall. This episode marks the start of the show's celebrated Dominion war story arc.

"Reunion" is the 81st episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is the seventh episode of the fourth season.

"Treachery, Faith, and the Great River" is the 156th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the sixth episode of the seventh season. It was first aired the week of November 2, 1998. The teleplay was written by David Weddle and Bradley Thompson, based on a story by Philip Kim, and directed by Steve Posey. When it was aired on television in November 1998, the episode received Nielsen ratings of 4.8 points corresponding to over 4.7 million viewers.

"Once More unto the Breach" is the 157th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the seventh episode of the seventh season. This episode received a Nielsen rating of 4.5 when it was broadcast on television in 1998.

"Chimera" is the 14th episode of the seventh season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 164th episode overall.

"Soldiers of the Empire" is the 119th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 21st episode of the fifth season. It was directed by LeVar Burton.

"When it Rains..." is the 171st episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the fifth of the final nine-episode arc of the series. This episode was directed by Michael Dorn and written by Rene Echevarria. It was first aired in broadcast syndication on May 3, 1999.

"Tacking Into the Wind" is the 172nd episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The episode was written by Ronald D. Moore and directed by Mike Vejar.

"Rules of Engagement" was the 90th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 17th episode of the fourth season. It was directed by LeVar Burton, and features guest star Ron Canada as a visiting Klingon prosecutor. The episode features special effect sequences with the USS Defiant and the Klingon Bird of Prey spaceships.

"By Inferno's Light" is the 113th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 15th episode of the fifth season.

"Sons of Mogh" is the 15th episode of the fourth season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 87th episode overall.

"Broken Link" is the 98th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 26th and final episode of the fourth season.

"Sons and Daughters" is the third episode in the sixth season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It is the 127th episode overall.

"The Way of the Warrior" is the first episode from the fourth season of the American syndicated science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, counting as the 73rd and the 74th episodes overall as it is a double-length episode. Michael Dorn joins the cast of Deep Space Nine as Worf, a character originating on the preceding series, Star Trek: The Next Generation.

References

  1. ↑ McTigue, Maureen (2012-09-25). Star Trek Celebrations: Star Trek All Series. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   978-1-4711-0678-1.
  2. ↑ Okuda, Michael; Okuda, Denise; Mirek, Debbie (2011-05-17). The Star Trek Encyclopedia. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   978-1-4516-4688-7.
  3. ↑ "WebTrek - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine * SEASON 5 NIELSEN RATINGS". Archived from the original on 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
  4. 1 2 Thompson, Andrew O. (October 1997). "Star Trek - Deep Space Nine: "Apocalypse Rising"" . American Cinematographer . 78 (10). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  5. ↑ Handlen, Zack (28 March 2013). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: "Apocalypse Rising"/"The Ship"". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  6. ↑ DeCandido, Keith R. A. (2 May 2014). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Rewatch: "Apocalypse Rising"". Tor.com .
  7. ↑ Ryan Whitwam (2015-01-19). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine condensed: How to watch the most story-driven Trek". Geek.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-20.
  8. ↑ "Primetime Emmy Award Database". Emmys.com. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.