7-23. Extreme Measures.

Sloan lays one last trap for Dr. Bashir - inside his own mind!

THE PLOT

Odo is dying.

The Changeling virus created by Section 31 has advanced to a terminal stage, and he now has just 1 - 2 weeks to live. Dr. Bashir can make him comfortable, but cannot save him. He does have one idea, however - To lure a Section 31 operative to the station by sending a fake message to Starfleet Medical indicating that he's discovered a cure.

The bait is taken, and the trap sprung on - who else? - Sloan (William Sadler). Bashir traps the agent in a force field... But before he can interrogate Sloan, the man activates a suicide capsule. The doctor is able to temporarily stabilize him, but Sloan is already too far gone to reawaken.

Which leaves just one option to find the information he needs. He and O'Brien use Techno (Medo?)-babble devices to travel into Sloan's subconscious mind, entering the dying man's dreamscape to learn how to cure their friend before it's too late!


CHARACTERS

Capt. Sisko: When Bashir and O'Brien inform him of their plan, he indicates it's a "pretty long shot," but does not shut it down. Even when he discovers Bashir and O'Brien invading Sloan's mind, he does not stop them; and when they finally come to, just as Sloan dies, he doesn't spare a second for the late, unlamented agent. He just asks if they located the cure... Another example of how much more ruthless and goal-oriented the Sisko of recent episodes has become.

Bashir/O'Brien: The interactions between Bashir and O'Brien help to keep us invested in their disappointingly pedestrian trip down the rabbit hole. The first thing they encounter upon entering Sloan's subconscious is... the DS9 turbolift. They cling to the rails as if for dear life, each goading the other to let go first before finally agreeing to do so together. A later scene has them talking about their friendship vs. their respective romantic relationships. Bashir confesses that he is passionately in love with Ezri, but that he likes O'Brien "a bit more." O'Brien amusingly (unconvincingly) denies the same with regard to Keiko vs. Bashir. It's a funny, genuine moment.

Odo: Gets a standout scene at the start, when he pushes Kira to go back to Damar. He insists that she has to go, and tells her flatly that he wants her to leave. "You watched Bareil die in this very room, and I know how that's haunted you. I don't want your last memory of me to be witnessing my death." Rene Auberjonois and Nana Visitor are terrific, providing an emotional resonance lacking in the rest of the piece.

Sloan: There is one scene that indicates Sloan might have been used to provide that resonance. When Bashir and O'Brien enter his mind, they are almost immediately greeted by the dying man - But a much more open and affable version of him, who desperately wants them to witness his apology to his friends and loved ones. The scene underscores that people like Sloan usually go into their line of work with patriotism and good intentions. That this more human version ends up being assassinated by Section 31 Sloan is a rather obvious bit of symbolism, but it's not ineffective. If only the episode had devoted a little more time to the idea of a good man corrupted by his own work, rather than dodging into a weak Third Act fakeout that wouldn't fool a small child.


THOUGHTS

Just to get this out of the way up front: Extreme Measures is fine, as far as it goes. It does its job in advancing the overall story, while at the same time working as an episode in its own right. And, of course, any Bashir/O'Brien episode benefits from the wonderful screen cameraderie between Alexander Siddig and Colm Meaney.

So it should be understood that I'm not really bashing this episode. I'd probably be fairly positive about it had it popped up in the midst of the mid-season filler. But amongst the strong run of shows wrapping up the series, it feels decidedly lacking by comparison.

A fair comparison can be made to Season Three's Distant Voices, another episode that trapped Bashir inside a station-bound dreamscape. Though that was far from my favorite episode, lacking narrative momentum, it did a much better job of creating a dreamlike atmosphere on the standing sets than this one, not to mention offering some memorable set pieces. This episode achieves neither of those. Steve Posey's direction is competent but bland, and writers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle spend half the running time setting up the journey into Sloan's mind, thus leaving only about twenty minutes for Bashir and O'Brien to explore that setting.

There's a Third Act fakeout in which we're meant to think O'Brien and Bashir are back in the real world, only for them to discover they are still in Sloan's mind. The problem is, it's so clearly telegraphed that I can't imagine anyone being fooled. It just provides a complication, something to delay our heroes from the final confrontation with Sloan.

Overall, the episode is serviceable and does what it needs to do, and I wasn't bored by it. But I also wasn't particularly hooked. Given the quality of most of this final run, I can't help but label this a disappointment.


Overall Rating: 5/10.

Previous Episode: Tacking into the Wind
Next Episode: The Dogs of War

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7-16. Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges

Sloan (William Sadler) wants Bashir to spy on the Romulans...

THE PLOT

The alliance with the Romulans has led to an invited Starfleet presence at a medical conference on Romulus, with Dr. Bashir scheduled to chair a discussion about ketracel-white and to give a lecture about the Dominion biological weapon known as The Quickening. For Bashir, the conference is an important step in turning the alliance into a genuine friendship between the two powers. For others, it is an opportunity of an altogether different kind.

The night before Bashir leaves the station, he is visited by Sloan (William Sadler), the agent from Section 31 who attempted to recruit him once before. Sloan wants him to observe Koval (John Fleck), chairman of the Tal Shiar, the Romulan intelligence gathering service. Koval opposed the alliance with the Federation, and his rise in influence is seen as a threat to the war effort. There is a rumor that he has Tuvan Syndrome, a neurological disease - And with Bashir's genetically-enhanced senses, Sloan believes he can diagnose Koval through observation.

Sisko and Admiral Ross (Barry Jenner) encourage Bashir to play along, in hopes of exposing Section 31. But as the plan progresses, it becomes clear that Sloan has another agenda: Once Bashir confirms the diagnosis, Sloan will use that information to arrange an entirely "accidental" assassination!


CHARACTERS

Capt. Sisko: Is unsurprised that Sloan made contact with Bashir, and even less surprised that he was able to evade station security. Though he's inclined to be cautious about sharing information with Sloan, he agrees with Admiral Ross that this is an opportunity to get inside the shadow organization.

Dr. Bashir: Instantly troubled when Koval expresses interest in the Quickening - not in curing it, but in replicating it. In that moment, he is briefly persuaded to Sloan's point of view, that Koval must not come to power. When the agent's plans turn toward assassination, however, he simply will not stand by for that.  This first prompts paranoia, as he fears he has no one he can trust.  which in turn pushes him to an action that has every potential to backfire spectacularly .

Garak: Only in one scene, but it's a good one. When he notes the opportunity the conference provides to gather intelligence about the Romulans, Bashir protests that they're allies. Garak all but laughs at his naivete. "I'm disappointed hearing you mouthing the usual platitudes of peace and friendship regarding an implacable foe like the Romulans. But, I live in hope that one day you'll come to see this universe for what it truly is, rather than what you'd wish it to be."

Sloan: His first appearance comes immediately after the scene with Garak, almost as if the cynical tailor/spy had summoned him into being. Sloan does share many traits with the Cardassian: He can't pass up an opportunity to gather intelligence; he sees the worst in everyone around him; and he wholeheartedly embraces assassination as a useful tool, as long as the end result is to Starfleet's benefit. So why is Garak a friend and Sloan a foe? Maybe because Garak's worst deeds are behind him (though he remains remorseless about them). Maybe it's because Garak is a lot more charming and fun to be around.  Either way, Sloan seems a reflection of Bashir's friend - The deeds he does now, Garak is fairly open about having done every bit as bad and worse in the past.


THOUGHTS

Sloan and Section 31 were introduced in last season's Inquisition, a very good episode that effectively tapped into a paranoid thriller vibe. That episode ended in a way that clearly demanded a follow-up, which we finally receive with Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges.

The idea of using the alliance with the Romulans to gather intelligence makes sense at this stage of the larger arc. Garak, Sloan, and Ross all clearly believe that this alliance will not long outlive the Dominion War - And they are almost certainly right, while optimistic and idealistic Bashir is almost certainly very wrong. I particularly enjoyed a scene that points out how the post-war balance of power will shift. With the Klingons and Cardassians devastated by two back-to-back conflicts, the Federation and the Romulans will be the dominant powers moving forward. Just as was true of the U. S. and Soviet Union in the waning days of World War II, we see the two superpowers angling for every post-war advantage they can get.

Ronald D. Moore's script moves quickly, with a couple of nicely unexpected turns along the way. The paranoid vibe of Inquisition returns as Bashir realizes that Sloan must have allies; cut off from the station, he has no one to trust and there's a distinct sense that he himself may be in danger.

There is just a little too much plot here for 45 minutes, leading to a rushed climax.  Still, the way the situation is resolved is effective - It reflects the messiness of the situation, as "big picture" thinking leads to decisions that are morally questionable and that may lead to worse outcomes down the road... Not exactly unprecedented in the history of modern intelligence.

The ending also leaves the door open for a return appearance by Section 31 - Something I hope will happen, although with only ten episodes to go that may be asking too much.


Overall Rating: 8/10.

Previous Episode: Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang
Next Episode: Penumbra

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6-18. Inquisition.

Starfleet Intelligence Officer Sloan (William Sadler)
suspects Dr. Bashir of being a Dominion spy!

THE PLOT

The station receives a very unwelcome visitor: Deputy Director Sloan (William Sadler) of the Department of Internal Affairs. Sloan is there to investigate reports of a traitor among the senior staff, someone who has spent months passing sensitive information to the Dominion. The entire command staff is relieved of duty and confined to quarters for the term of the investigation.

It soon becomes clear that Sloan has fixated on a single suspect: Dr. Bashir. His actual evidence is thin, based on a minor inconsistency in reports of Bashir's time in a Dominon prison camp. But as he twists every aspect of the doctor's record to fit the narrative of him as a spy, even his closest friends begin to have doubts. As Sloan voices the theory that he was programmed to be a spy without knowing it, Bashir begins to doubt himself.

That's when he is suddenly beamed aboard a Dominon warship, where Weyoun greets him with the warmth of an old, dear friend...


CHARACTERS

Capt. Sisko: As long as I remain in command, I will see Doctor Bashir whenever I please. Furthermore, from now on I will sit in on all interrogation sessions to make sure his rights are observed. Do I make myself clear? Sisko cooperates with Sloan's investigation - Right up to the point at which Sloan makes Bashir the subject of a witch hunt. He then insists on being part of every interrogation, acting as an advocate for his officer. Even so, Sloan's words start to make him doubt - Particularly when he reminds Sisko about Bashir's recommendation to surrender to the Dominion. Sisko doesn't think the doctor is lying... But he does find Sloan's theory, that he has been programmed to act as an unwitting spy, a plausible one.

Dr. Bashir: As Sloan's implications and insinuations persist, and even Sisko begins to voice doubts, Bashir begins to doubt himself a little. His protestations of innocence sound a little less definitive, a little more like denial of the possibility that the Dominion "broke" him when he was their prisoner. It is only when he sees Weyoun, who practically repeats Sloan's statements verbatim, that he begins to realize the truth. Alexander Siddig gives another excellent performance, and his scenes opposite William Sadler crackle with tension as these two very strong personalities don't so much verbally fence as box, each circling around the other at vulnerable points, each doing his utmost to draw blood.

Weyoun: Appears only briefly, beaming Bashir onto his ship and trying to convince him of the same thing Sloan believes - That he is a Dominion agent, repressing memories of being an agent. Weyoun pleasantly tells Bashir of their many meetings, all of which follow the same pattern: "These little conversations of ours always follow the same pattern. You start out confused, then you get angry, then you deny everything until finally the walls inside your mind start to break down and you accept the truth." Then he offers refreshments - specifically, the very meal Bashir had earlier requested from Sloan. All of this leads Bashir to realize that Sloan must be the one working with Weyoun. It's uncharacteristic, in that Weyoun clearly overplays his hand... Until we learn that there's actually an entirely different game being played beneath the surface of this one.


THOUGHTS

Inquisition is the second Trek episode directed by Michael Dorn, after last season's outstanding In the Cards. This episode could not be more different than that one, but Dorn proves as adept at paranoid thriller as he was at comedy, and at this point is another Trek actor whose directorial outings are worth looking forward to.

The script, by Bradley Thompson and David Weddle, makes excellent use of continuity. Sloan appears to zero in on Bashir as a suspect in large part because of his genetic engineering, repeatedly noting that Bashir is only in Starfleet because he lied, and that he only confided in Sisko after he had already been found out. Some of the "evidence" Sloan provides include Bashir's recommendation to surrender to the Dominion, and (from early Season Four!) Bashir's efforts to help the Jem'Hadar unit that was trying to free itself of addiction to ketracil white. All of these past threads are brought together here, and they serve to strengthen the story by making it believable that Bashir's past behavior could be seen as suspect.

Another aspect of Deep Space 9 that is furthered by this episode is the series' willingness to hold up Gene Roddenberry's idealized Federation to the harsh light of human nature. In Season Two, we saw that the Maquis became rebels due to Starfleet's refusal to respond to Cardassian treaty violations. In Season Four, Sisko's mentor attempted a coup that would have turned the Federation into a police state in the name of security. Now we learn that Starfleet has its own secret police, in the mysterious Section 31, with Sloan fully authorized to detain Bashir until the end of the war without any real evidence against him. Sloan and his Section work as judge, jury, and executioner - and Bashir is quick to point out how rife such a system is for abuse.

As befits a series as regularly intelligence as this one, Section 31 are not presented as simple villains. In the final scene, as the station command staff discuss what has happened, not everyone is condemning their existence. Odo points out that every civilization has such an organization. Sisko admits that he has no answers as to whether such organiations are evil, or simply a necessary evil.

In the end, this is another excellent episode in an excellent season, and I look forward to seeing the questions raised here explored in future installments.


Overall Rating: 8/10.

Previous Episode: Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night
Next Episode: In the Pale Moonlight

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