Ep 1. The Homecoming

The Homecoming is the first episode of the second season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which aired on September 26, 1993. The episode was directed by Winrich Kolbe and written by Ira Steven Behr and Jeri Taylor.

In this episode, Major Kira Nerys receives news that a Bajoran resistance leader and a personal hero of hers, Li Nalas, who had gone missing during the Cardassian occupation, has been found alive in a Cardassian labor camp. Kira becomes determined to bring Li Nalas back to Bajor and restore him to his rightful place as a symbol of the resistance.

Kira, along with Chief O'Brien and Doctor Bashir, travel to Cardassia to rescue Li Nalas. However, the mission becomes complicated when they discover that the Cardassians have turned Li Nalas into a propaganda tool, claiming that he defected to their side. This turns the people of Bajor against Li Nalas, and it becomes increasingly difficult for Kira to convince them of his true intentions.

Meanwhile, Commander Sisko enlists the help of Quark, a Ferengi who runs a bar on the station, to negotiate a deal with the Cardassians for the release of Bajoran prisoners being held in their custody. In exchange for the prisoners, Sisko is willing to sacrifice Quark's cousin, who has been arrested for smuggling weapons to the Bajoran resistance.

Overall, The Homecoming is an action-packed and emotional episode that explores the themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and propaganda. It is also a pivotal episode in the series, as it marks the return of several recurring characters and sets up storylines that will be explored throughout the season.