Star Trek Deep Space Nine Ruminations S4E11: Homefront

[@mr51406]

I love how the 3 Siskos show genuine affection. Something I wish I had had with my father. And happily something my nephew has with his father.

[@davidschneider172]

These two, with "In the Pale Moonlight", are amongst my most favourite Trek episodes.

[@andrewkyriacou6405]

This is a great two parter both because it shows us an Earth that is paradise but also at risk and people don't actually really know how to deal with that. And it shows what just one (or a few) changelings are capable of. To me it sounds like a great RPG setup: Ok you 3 you're changelings on Earth, destabilise the Federation without getting caught and killed - GO!

[@TheMarcHicks]

Actually, I have a different theory about Earth Economics. I reckon Joseph Sisko does charge & the customers do have money-probably from.working in jobs-but that nobody *has* to work and/or be in a job they hate,, as money is now more of a luxury item. The government probably provides everyone with sufficient free food, housing & clothing to be comfortable, but if you want more than that you pay for it with Federation Credits (a currency mentioned in The Trouble with Tribbles). Thats what my head canon says.

[@williamozier918]

My head cannon doesn't quite match yours, but your is compatible with mine. I see it that some people in the Federation may 'collect' currency the same way Riker collects poker chips, Picard collects archaeological relics, or Fazho collects unique items. I personally don't think Joseph collects money for his meals because we never saw any indication of it. But in my head cannon I could easily see someone in the Federation who would do that, but I think they would see it as more of a trade for personally valued items more so than an economic exchange. Either way, sign me up!

[@DIEGhostfish]

Not quite housing. That's one of the few actually limited things on Earth.

[@videogenics86]

I have to say that Brooks and Peters have excellent on screen chemistry. They play off each other very well.

[@ZemplinTemplar]

I've always found it easy to believe the two as father and son.

[@mattm2469]

It's awesome that the writers hope the viewer is intelligent enough to see that there isn't much difference between Starfleet security patrolling the streets and making people prove their identity . . . and the Jem'Hadar doing the same under Dominion rule. It really enforces the point of fighting for the ideals of the Federation, at all costs.

[@allennfla420]

Great entertainment as always sir..well thought out..professionally done..keep putting out more great content..thank you

[@thexalon]

Of course, the first casualty of this episode was General Hague over on Babylon 5 (also played by Robert Foxworth, making it necessary for them to kill him off).

[@ohgoditshimrun1346]

The one thing I painfully have to point out is that you used intergalactic wrongly, in place of either pangalactic or interstellar. Because there's only one galaxy being used in Trek, as opposed to multiple galaxies in other franchises (such as Andromeda). That said, I agree wholeheartedly that the reason why the Federation was at all able to foil Changeling infiltrations, when the Romulans and Klingons alike were repeatedly fooled at the highest levels, is definitely because of Odo. Both as a subject for practical testing, and as a psychological trigger to get other Changelings (who had never killed one of their own) to stumble in their impersonations and thereby attract suspicion in the first place. And the idea that Joseph Sisko's kitchen has no need for a checkout counter is just so wonderfully Star Trek. The idea that work done for the benefit of the community in which you live is inherently valuable and productive, in and of itself. Which is why higher education is freely available to everyone who wants it in the TNG era, because mastering new skills is itself seen as a valuable and productive endeavor for a Federation citizen to devote their efforts toward. Beautiful.

[@sharkdentures3247]

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Benjamin (Sisko) Franklin ST-DS9 took these words and built an episode(s) (whole story arc) around it. And did so brilliantly. It was relevant when it came out, it is relevant now, and it will be relevant in the future. And as you said/implied LoreRunner, there is no absolute right nor no absolute wrong when dealing with this subject. People need both And both positions are partly right & partly wrong.

[@NoelleMar]

I would believe that Dax’s mischievousness could lead her to screw with Odo, but I agree that it still seems a bit out of character. I would be satisfied with a prior scene that might explain more. Like that they became closer and more comfortable with each other or she was jokingly getting “revenge”. Something like that. Love your take on the federation and defenses. Essentially, the federation has a naïveté. And I’m glad you point out that while EARTH (and a few other planets) have infinite resources, the FEDERATION does not. I’ve heard a lot of other Star Trek fans continually harp on that, wondering why anyone would be upset when they have everything. But they don’t!! Your description of accessibility very much makes sense to anyone who takes public transportation lol. (Or likely to anyone who is disabled or has certain places that are not accessible to them, even if right next door.) In most cities I’ve lived in, public transportation is expanded to wealthier areas (where it’s convenient but, frankly, they have less need for it) and away from poorer areas. So frustrating. Sometimes O’brien is portrayed as the Everyman who has difficulties getting over his largely understandable prejudices. Like with Cardassians. On an individual level it’s much easier for him. I don’t think he’s had too many interactions with Quark that have given him other thought lol. Like it took interacting with not, the self hating Cardassian boy, and even his father to drop his individual prejudices against them personally. It’s kind of great that O’brien immediately displays this attitude by telling Odo no one can hold him responsible for his people! Maybe I’m reading too much into it.

[@undeadmaster666]

i have to say thank you. you said alot of things that hit home for me in this video. please keep up the good work

[@TheMarcHicks]

I loved this 2-parter. One of my favourites.

[@RealLordFuture]

One of my favourite episodes. Excellently done sir!

[@williamozier918]

The closest I've seen to Federation economics in real life...is the Burning Man festival. Burning Man is massive 75,000 person festival in the middle of the desert. To stay there you have to build a camp, your camp is required to provide some kind of fun something for the other people there. You would not believe the levels people go to in doing this! One camp was just a lady by herself in a one person camp, if you stopped in she would wash and massage your feet and give you a fresh pair of socks. One camp was run by a guy who owned a gourmet restaurant in California; he would slide you a ticket to his camp, with that ticket he would cook you a $50 plate meal, served by people in tuxedos while a violinist played for you. I went to a whiskey bar where the guy brewed his own barrel of whiskey AND tons of people stopped by and GAVE him whiskey to serve. All of the musical acts are just performer who want to perform, NONE of them are hired. So for a Star Trek fan Burning Man provides a small taste.

[@athrunzala6919]

Yes, Brock Peters was awesome!

[@dominicdraper683]

9:18 what about the Borg in Best of Both Worlds?

[@Robin_Glader]

I agree with you. These are among the best of DS9.

[@ShadowStoryteller]

It's always been my belief that the seeds for defeating the blood screenings were laid in an earlier episode. Remember when Odo and I think Garek were at the Replimat having breakfast and Odo did the thing with the coffee? It always struck me as odd why they would show that out of every thing unless there was a purpose or a reason that was not yet explained. Then Sisko's dad gave that on the spot idea to fool blood screenings and the lightbulb moment occurred. If Odo could absorb and pass coffee back into a cup AT WILL...then The Founders could take some blood from anyone, even a blood bank (if they even have those in The Federation), and just regurgitate it where the hypospray lands on you or the blade for the Klingons.

[@Charlessthill]

it's really Curson Dax messing with Oddo. he's like that.

[@frazerrhughess]

I liked these two a lot .

[@mukul3d3]

This by far is in my top 10. Why not top 5 or 3?? Cause DS9 has many other greats!! But this one and the next one are excellent stuff!!

[@anthonygagan4398]

Locks only keep out the honest people. And great job as always

[@nathanaelweber6734]

Homefront is the goat ds9 episode

[@OpenMawProductions]

19:42 Don't sell us too short so quickly. We're right on the cusp of the changes that need to be made for that kind of world to be, effectively, the reality.

[@KnightRaymund]

It's a fantastic 2 parter that's more relevant today than ever. And I think under the circumstances, martial law makes sense. But like Sisko, once things have calmed down and there's no more immediate threat, then we step back and reevaluate.

[@brentc2411]

No Lore, the drill in the holodeck is REAL, which means it's jsut going to drill straight through the holodeck floor!

[@jamiengo2343]

Less liberty for more security? More liberty for less security?

[@DIEGhostfish]

Yeah, Earth, Betazed, not exactly Vulcan since it never fully recovered from blowing itself up.

[@nigelmurphy6761]

great two part episode. So extremely relevant for today's world. Among my two fave DS9 eps even though I'm a TNG fan.

[@stevencoardvenice]

Yup I'm a hardcore TNG fan since the early 90s, and I'm goin through DS9 for the first time, and season 4, so far, has some of the best trek episodes ever, both 2-parters. Way of the warrior, and this one. The way the dominion is constructed, organized and operates, is fascinating

[@radeadcool]

The best part of Star Trek Online is earth has soooooooooo many ships around earth, fed, rom and even Dominion now among others :)

[@williammcguire130]

The Best of Both Worlds was the last time there was a serious threat to Earth for these guys, not The Voyage Home.

[@AdamCollings]

Interesting thoughts about quality of life vs length of life. I always assumed that Joseph was just ignoring his doctor because he was an idiot.

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

I’ll never not see Covid when I watch this ep

[@frazerrhughess]

Do you think there’s various dance crazes in the federation?

[@nickokona6849]

Going to attribute this to a slip up. The Borg attack after Wolf 359 was an attempted attack on Earth. They reference it in this episode that the Borg as the last state of emergency. Re the economic issue, have you ever heard of Jacques Fresco or the Venus Project? I love Brock Turner in Trek. Also, I wish that they’d brought back Admiral Nachayev along with Layton. I’ve always found the idea that the Founders has so much information about the Federation can’t believe that as an organization aren’t interested in conquest. The Federation has never been in the business of conquest or oppression. You’d think they’d realize they could actually negotiate a peace deal that would be respectful and convenient for everyone.

[@zuzoscorner]

techically didn't exist yet but the planet destoring weapon in Enterprise. Taht another attack.

[@bobwill]

My only question, how are you more than 1/2 way through the series??? What the heck is happening with time??? :-)

[@grantlloyd9131]

6:36 I can empathize with Odo here.

[@Norvo82]

Hope you'll also discuss the one major flaw this two parter has: the rather too convenient mystery of the opening and closing of the wormhole days before the attack on Earth. What are the odds?

[@ohgoditshimrun1346]

Honestly, we have to assume that the Changelings have an infiltrator stationed inside the Bajor System Flight Control Administration, who is able to observe and report on all activity passing through the system. So I believe that Leyton's operation to create the climate of fear prompted the Changeling action to poke the security infrastructure with a stick, thereby gathering information to better predict Starfleet's actions in the future. I believe that if not for the mysterious opening and closing of the wormhole, the Changeling at the conference would have just kept observing, rather than launching an attack.

[@KnightRaymund]

Yeah I guess him starting it a little before the bombing is fortunate. Maybe Layton already had some intelligence on a possible changling threat.

[@danielyeshe]

What if the bombing was Layton's doing too?

[@TheMarcHicks]

Do you count V'Ger, the Probe & the Borg? 😉

[@NoelleMar]

Part 2, I guess: So many fascinating discussions here. I think one problem with the freedom vs security debate, or SO MANY debates presented as binary issues, are that they are red herrings. The problem is usually inequality. That some people are prioritized over others. I even think of welfare; there are problems with welfare money being stolen, these days, mostly by hackers who don’t go through the system. Who is punished? The people who actually need it. The very American ideal that enjoying life is a luxury is often applied to poor people and POC. Because then the white Vice President for example will go to a play where he is ADDRESSED, and his cohorts will complain about infringing on his rights. Whereas a pie people who have a phone or books or HEAT are considered mooches with bad judgment who should exist at the sub human level. I won’t get too much into it due to your no controversy rule, but you can see that in how gun laws are enforced. Freedom to carry guns for SOME PEOPLE trumps security and safety of frankly all others. Other people can be legally murdered for existing or carrying what looks like a LEGAL gun. They totally succeeded in terms of making me on sisko etc. ‘s side!! I was like come on I understand but you don’t know the dangers blah blah. Then, indeed, looking back, I had to totally reconsider.

[@dirtywashedupsparkle]

What could be weak about these episodes? Here in 2020 and the pandemic, I can't help but feel there's a lot of parallel between these and the virus. Like people who have CoVID-19, shapeshifters are not detectable easily, and anyone could be one. The debate between how to respond to an invisible threat effectively without it ruining one's freedom and way of life, that's what we're dealing with now. Why Dax, why the interior redecoration? Either she likes the attention from Odo, or she's a spy.

[@KatrinaLeFaye]

My biggest issue with the series is, "This is EARTH," Earth while the current capital of the Federation is only one member planet. It is important to humans, and us since we are, but it is not the be all end all of the Federation. Nearly everyone in Star Fleet is trained to take command if the chain is broken, and I cannot see a Federation of Planets not having a secondary command.

[@TheMarcHicks]

Depending on which Canon you use. After Earth it was the other worlds in the Sol system-especially.Luna, Mars & some of the moons of Saturn & Jupiter. After that it was probably Alpha & Proxima Centauri. Remember that.Vulcan was already paradise by the time they met with the humans.

[@ohgoditshimrun1346]

Well, they didn't have any kind of replicator technology, until somebody got the idea to use the transporter buffer to store freshly ground coffee in a manner where it could not become stale. And that only came about after all the Federation species began pooling their scientific and technological resources, to apply Vulcan approaches to Human computers, Human approaches to Tellarite metallurgy, and so on.,

[@WoodysAR]

This would have been good *-IF-* he thought to start w/ a solid mini review of the episodes in question. I love DS9 and have seen it all 4 times,. But still., I'd have to go look it up or watch it to make this make sensr,.. no offense,. (Even what he did show,. (the opening clip) reveals nothig about the episode he's rererring to except 'Defiant ship flying in space',.)...

[@jf7296]

I doubt any citizen of the Federation know economics.

[@ohgoditshimrun1346]

Sarek conducted trade negotiations on numerous occasions, so the principles of supply and demand were well known.

[@kawaiikawaiianimegirl4144]

Yeah I hate the security Measures BS in these two episodes

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Another episode that shows how mediocre Starfleet security is .

[@subraxas]

I absolutely do not buy the thing with "just one single combat-capable ship being in the orbit of Earth". Just a sheer nonsense. At any given time, there must be AT LEAST a dozen of such ships patrolling the surroundings of Earth. Then there would be, let's say, four other ships in the orbit of the Moon and then about two or maybe even three dozens of ships patrolling the rest of the Solar System. Similar to what we saw at the end of Voyager's Endgame. NO OTHER WAY. And especially not after what happened at Wolf 359. I do not know what the writers of this episode were thinking. Anyway, if I am not mistaken and remember the double-parter correctly, having 70 ships in the orbit would not have changed anything about its story and its development.

[@bbbbKeJodddd]

Admiral Leyton did nothing wrong.

[@zuzoscorner]

his father complaing about being treated. yeah anti Vacs in the 23rd centruty lol no