That was dramatic! And, as was so often the case with DS9, it's drama that has been earned. It's all about our characters, with the betrayals here feeling genuine.
The Maquis have been a significant issue for some time now, but up until this point there has been no personal connection for anybody, and that especially applies to us as an audience (Sisko's old Starfleet friend was somebody we didn't know, and Chakotay doesn't count because he has no personality to connect to). Now we see Kassidy is not at all who we thought she was all this time, and it works brilliantly. Avery Brooks gets to play through this wonderfully, and the relationship between him and Kassidy - and not to mention how it also involves Jake, because he's a part of this - allows for the narrative to unfold in a very engaging manner.
And then the episode blindsides you with what's REALLY going on. Eddington has been around since the very start of season 3, so it's a real shock that he turns out to also be a Maquis. Honestly, I think his appearances have been a bit too few and far between for this to have all the impact that it could have, but it's a great plot twist. Eddington has also been pretty bland and forgettable, but it looks like that was all an act as he rips into Federation values with gusto at the end. I've never really agreed with what the Maquis stand for, but now that the show finally delivers a passionate spokesperson it's much easier to see where they're coming from. And he's spot on correct about the Federation's fake veneer of all cultures getting along together in harmony.
One other thing I love about this episode is the relaxed nature we get to see at several points. From Bashir and Garak hanging out at a springball match to the casual family dining going on with the Sisko's, Deep Space Nine feels like a place full of friends.
Review by LeftHandedGuitaristBlockedParent2017-11-27T16:21:32Z
That was dramatic! And, as was so often the case with DS9, it's drama that has been earned. It's all about our characters, with the betrayals here feeling genuine.
The Maquis have been a significant issue for some time now, but up until this point there has been no personal connection for anybody, and that especially applies to us as an audience (Sisko's old Starfleet friend was somebody we didn't know, and Chakotay doesn't count because he has no personality to connect to). Now we see Kassidy is not at all who we thought she was all this time, and it works brilliantly. Avery Brooks gets to play through this wonderfully, and the relationship between him and Kassidy - and not to mention how it also involves Jake, because he's a part of this - allows for the narrative to unfold in a very engaging manner.
And then the episode blindsides you with what's REALLY going on. Eddington has been around since the very start of season 3, so it's a real shock that he turns out to also be a Maquis. Honestly, I think his appearances have been a bit too few and far between for this to have all the impact that it could have, but it's a great plot twist. Eddington has also been pretty bland and forgettable, but it looks like that was all an act as he rips into Federation values with gusto at the end. I've never really agreed with what the Maquis stand for, but now that the show finally delivers a passionate spokesperson it's much easier to see where they're coming from. And he's spot on correct about the Federation's fake veneer of all cultures getting along together in harmony.
One other thing I love about this episode is the relaxed nature we get to see at several points. From Bashir and Garak hanging out at a springball match to the casual family dining going on with the Sisko's, Deep Space Nine feels like a place full of friends.