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Jadzia Dax prepares for her
zhian'tara, the Trill Rite of Closure. During the ritual, Jadzia
will meet Dax's previous hosts, which will be accomplished by
transferring the memories of each into someone's body. Sisko,
Kira, Bashir, Odo, Quark, O'Brien, and Leeta agree to
participate, and a Guardian performs the ceremony. Kira
undergoes the transference first, becoming Lela, Dax's initial
host.
The Guardian leaves Jadzia
alone with Lela, who exhibits several traits Dax has inherited.
So do subsequent hosts O'Brien/Tobin and Leeta/Emony. Quark
experiences some discomfort hosting a female entity, Audrid,
while Bashir/Torias regrets that an accident ended his life too
soon. Jadzia then prepares for her most difficult meeting — with
Joran, who once committed murder. Sisko has volunteered to host
his memories, and the transference is conducted inside a holding
cell.
Sisko/Joran berates Jadzia, telling her she is not worthy of the
Dax symbiont, then tricks her into lowering the forcefield and
attempts to choke her. But Jadzia overpowers him with a few
Klingon-style blows, bringing Sisko back. Later, she admits to
Sisko that she may have put off her zhian'tara because she is
afraid of not measuring up to the other hosts. Jadzia is still
haunted by the time Curzon forced her out of the Initiate
program. Did he feel she just wasn't good enough?
 Odo has volunteered to host Curzon, and when the transfer
occurs, he literally morphs into a combination of himself and
the old man. Odo/Curzon is thrilled to see Sisko. When Jadzia
joins them in Quark's, Sisko leaves, knowing she needs to speak
with Odo/Curzon about her feelings of insecurity. But he says
nothing to make her feel better, only that he felt sorry for
her. Jadzia replies that when Curzon's memories are restored to
her, she fears that without his respect, she won't respect
herself. Odo/Curzon happily answers that she won't have that
problem — Curzon and Odo love being joined, and have agreed that
Curzon should stay in Odo's body permanently.
With Jadzia in danger of losing a part of herself, Sisko offers
to talk to Odo/Curzon. Instead, she works up the courage to face
him herself and demands that her memories be returned. Odo/Curzon
initially refuses. But Jadzia stands up for herself, and
uncovers the surprising fact that Curzon forced her out of the
program because he was in love with her. She tells Curzon that
she loves him too, and that they can be joined forever through
Dax if he returns to her body. This convinces Odo and Curzon to
separate, and Curzon's memories return to Jadzia, finally giving
her the self-confidence she needs. |
