Jul 3, 2019
Many refer to Deep Space Nine as the darkest Trek, and this episode is one of many prime examples of why. As Bashir is confronted with the possibility that he might be a sleeper agent of the Dominion, Starfleet’s own Sloan is forced to reveal his true identity, and that of Section 31, the mysterious section of Starfleet that operates autonomously and reports to no one, taking care of the “dirty work” that Federation citizens would rather not know of. Little did they know, while penning this episode, what Section 31 would become in subsequent Star Trek incarnations. The gang is joined by Geoff Clarke of the ApeCast to have an extensive discussion about the Section 31 of Deep Space Nine, and the Section 31 of Star Trek: Discovery, weighing the pros and cons of how each one approaches this tricky subject matter. There’s also mild criticism of tired TV tropes, a Holo-Sisko Smackdown, and several small detours. It’s another step on the Federation’s Road to Ruin, and another step on RTW’s Road to Redemption.