Picard is relieved of command and sent on a covert mission into Cardassian territory. The Enterprise gets a new captain, and he is tasked with preparing for war.

This is a decent episode that sets up and exceptional second part. The Cardassians are causing trouble because they had just recently pulled out of Bajor and Deep Space Nine premiers in just a few weeks.

I summarize the plot and point out and explain all the references so you don’t have to