What You Leave Behind (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"What You Leave Behind"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
The Federation Alliance fleet prepares for the final battle over Cardassia Prime
Episode no.	Season 7 Episode 25 & 26
Directed by	Allan Kroeker
Written by	Ira Steven Behr Hans Beimler
Featured music	Dennis McCarthy
Production code	575 & 576
Original air date	June 2, 1999 (1999-06-02)
Recurring/Guest appearances
Rosalind Chao - Keiko O'Brien Jeffrey Combs - Weyoun Salome Jens - Female Changeling Penny Johnson - Kasidy Yates Andrew Robinson - Elim Garak Casey Biggs - Damar Marc Alaimo - Gul Dukat Aron Eisenberg - Nog J. G. Hertzler - General Martok Barry Jenner - Admiral Ross Deborah Lacey - Sarah Sisko Julianna McCarthy - Mila Hana Hatae - Molly O'Brien Mel Johnson, Jr. - Legate Broca Greg Ellis - Ekoor Cyndi Pass - Ginger James Darren - Vic Fontaine Louise Fletcher - Kai Winn Kevin Scott Allen - Jem'Hadar Christopher Halsted - Jem'Hadar First Mark Allen Shepherd - Morn
Episode chronology
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List of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes

"What You Leave Behind" is the series finale of the television show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 175th and 176th overall episodes, and the 25th and 26th episodes of the seventh season. The episode was written by showrunner Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler and directed by Allan Kroeker. It originally aired on June 2, 1999.

Set in the 24th century, the series is centered on Deep Space Nine, a space station located near a stable wormhole between the Alpha and Gamma quadrants of the Milky Way Galaxy. The final episode of the series, "What You Leave Behind" sees the end of the Dominion War as the alliance of Starfleet, the Klingons, Romulans and rebel Cardassians launch a final attack against the Dominion on Cardassia Prime, as well as the resolution of Dukat and Kai Winn's dealings with the Pah-wraiths on Bajor.

The episode was mainly well-received, with most critics considering it a satisfying end for the series, though the final confrontation between Sisko and Dukat was largely criticized.

On Deep Space Nine, as they prepare to embark on a potentially final, decisive offensive in the Dominion War, Bashir wakes up with Ezri, O'Brien talks with his family about accepting a transfer back to Earth, and Sisko comforts a pregnant, nauseated Kasidy. While heading for battle on the Defiant, Sisko's mother Sarah, a Prophet of Bajor, appears to him in a vision, telling him his most important challenge is "not before you, but behind you." The battle between the Jem'Hadar/Breen/Cardassian and Federation/Klingon/Romulan fleets then begins. Kira, Garak, and Damar, hiding on Cardassia Prime, incite a revolt and sabotage Cardassia's power grid, cutting off communication between the Dominion fleet and the command center. In retaliation, Weyoun and the diseased Founder order the Jem'Hadar to wipe out an entire Cardassian city.