Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Maquis, Part 1

2.20 — “The Maquis, Part I”

Plot: A Cardassian freighter explodes upon leaving Deep Space Nine and signs point to sabotage. A separatist group of former Starfleet colonists who call themselves The Maquis is suspected.

Thoughts: This is more like it! This episode shows off what DS9 does really well: characters and character interactions. I’ve said it before, Marc Alaimo is a treasure as Gul Dukat. I love how he reflexively takes command in the roundabout, reacting to apparently rogue Cardassian fighters, and Sisko reacts. Alaimo’s Dukat is intelligent and cultured, not defined by his elaborate makeup. He keeps you guessing about his secrets, including whether he has secret decency.

My only complaint is that Gul Dukat allows himself to be captured so easily at the end. I don’t believe that he would travel without a security retinue, or so easily be caught off guard. This makes me wonder if we’ll discover in Part II that he meant to be captured as part of his long game. Which would be a little far-fetched, but you can’t put much past the character.

The idea of a Vulcan terrorist is… odd, unless you subscribe to the idea that terrorism can be logical, which is certainly not a politically correct idea today (or a correct one, in my view). TNG is on record saying “It appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change” (TNG 3.12, “The High Ground”). It doesn’t wash with me, but a Vulcan engaging in terrorism is almost a cliché at this point after Valeris in Star Trek VI and T’Paal in “Gambit,” not to mention Spock’s own actions fomenting separatist rebellion in “Unification.” In fact, we have rarely seen a Vulcan who is not a terrorist outside the Original Series. Which reminds me that Spock was not just a logician, but always represented the voice of conscience and kindness in the original crew.

Quark’s identity as a ladies man with a thing for aliens is apparently a settled part of the character now. He, like Jazdia Dax, is becoming more defined.

I love the banter between Jadzia and Kira at the top of the episode. It’s just darn lucky the explosion of a freighter at such proximity didn’t end up destroying the station.

It appears I was right to question the wisdom of Picard’s smug solution to the colonists’ problem in “Journey’s End.” This is a three series crossover, because online sources indicate that the Maquis will also feature prominently in the premiere of Voyager. That’s exciting.

Sisko’s rapport with the guest star playing Cal Hudson is lovely. I’m docking half a star, however, because his treachery to Starfleet is so clearly telegraphed. I wondered for a while if the twist would be that he isn’t working with the terrorists.

4.5 hidden asteroid fortresses (in the Badlands!).

https://www.hulu.com/watch/441091