Is Michael Eddington Actually the Hero of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine?

[@vincebrock8687]

Sisko: "You're a "Terrorist!" Eddington: "That's just what a big army calls a little army!" This quote blew my mind!

[@jlighter1]

“Terrorist” and “freedom fighter” can frequently (not always) be interchangeable depending on the goals of the person described, and on which side is favored by the entity creating the records.

[@frederickhogrefe7459]

My favorite part of For the Uniform is when Sisko orders the genocide of the planet, and Worf begins to speak up. Sisko is all like "what Mr. Worf, are you going to tell me not to commit genocide?!" And Worf is like "no... I was just going to say our genocide missiles are slightly inefficient..." 😂😂😂

[@theavocado6061]

Like I always say you need an SS officer, Worf is your guy.

[@akkristor]

Worf is just dreaming of the day when HE gets to enact General Order 24. As Garak put it: "Come now, Mr. Warf. Don't tell me you'd object to a little genocide in the name of Self Defense?"

[@NeilBlumengarten]

"No sir, I just, I'm used to being told not to commit genocide. Picard one moment is telling this super powerful being with a Real Doll wife we have no crime to fit genocide and then is all like, 'No, Worf, we can't commit genocide, it's illegal and immoral."

[@MuadMouse]

It does seem like Worf found his ideal commanding officer in Sisko. He gets to assault and intimidate so many people that dare to annoy him without repercussions!

[@ivorybooker8957]

I know. It's like Sisko punked Worf. Picard could never have broke him off like that.

[@scottbutler5]

Odo: "Have you have you ever reminded Starfleet that they stationed Eddington here because they didn't trust me?" Sisko: "No." Odo: "Please do."

[@Yakone]

Odo would SO actually say this! (I don’t remember the line, and so I’m assuming you wrote it for him.) This interchange is so perfect it really should be at the actual show!

[@snarkylive]

@@Yakone He said it, in For the Uniform

[@beberivera7011]

Facts!!😂😂😂

[@winstonsmith6826]

Eddington was more honorary than Odo.

[@davidmoncholi6746]

❤what a great video

[@lawndragon6485]

I think one of the other interesting parts of the Maquis storyline is it shows an interesting consequence of a post-scarcity society. The higher ups just don’t get why anyone would care about being relocated. They’ll replicate all the stuff you had and everything will be the same right? Without considering things like sentiment.

[@thecommenter6773]

And that kinda is what makes the Maquis cause kinda hard to really justify, especially, since we, the audience live in a scarcity society. Sentiment is not a good enough reason to go to war over.

[@jaugustussmith5816]

There are plenty of planets in the federation that the Marquis could resettle on. It isn't a problem of resources, it's a problem of people not accepting that external forces have made living where they currently are impossible

[@cravenlunatic1]

the US government basically does the same thing when they exercise eminent domain. "what? we paid you the fair market value for your land. take your money and just... move somewhere else."

[@AaronLitz]

The Maquis willingness to risk interstellar war over sentimental attachment to places is what makes them wrong.

[@danielland3767]

Lol...here is the rub...people don't care about sentiment at all. Personally, nationally or globally they just don't, the scarcity in Trek is not having enough "territory", which is something both universes address to some extent. From what I'm hearing about Discovery, that seems to be the key part that people are missing now. The Federation lacks the power it had when it had the territories it held (a U.N. if you will). What happened to the supply source is basically the universe cutting the "supply line" and therefore bringing the Federation to its knees. Now Trek is in a post scarcity relationship with the universe....

[@seanmcwatt9818]

The tragic tale of Star Trek's lone space Canadian. At least he doesn't have to listen to Sisko go on about baseball anymore.

[@jamesg8972]

Surprised Cisco didn't have a Babe Ruth holodeck image put in his cell 24/7

[@connormcclenny9681]

He should've led a bunch of space truckers to honk at the federation headquarters

[@robertsweet3827]

This is erasure of Sam Lavelle's grandfather, and I won't stand for it.

[@sacrosanct23]

@@dupersuper1938 japanese womam from bc sounds legit

[@DeathBYDesign666]

@@dupersuper1938 What about the other lower decks crewman that thought Riker was also from Canada but was from Alaska instead? Not the cartoon show but the episode from next gen. I can't remember his name at the moment.

[@CharlesJohnson-tp7qq]

Eddington: quits his job Sisko: And I took that personally

[@krzosu]

Well if he just quit there would be no issue - he not only left his post going AWOL but outright used his position to steal rather sensitive replicator tech that allowed him to equip and army and he did it while shooting Kira (okay he stunned her) and he did it fully knowing he would have to go against federation (to attack cardiess) fully knowing it would put the peace treaty in danger (thus exposing millions to yet another border war) so he commited treason. Oh and then there is the little issue that he used his Commander love interest to pull a fast one to move him out of the way while commiting the said treason so yeah you bet under the circumstances anyone would take it personally :D

[@Pegasusthewyze]

I think the point of For the Uniform, or at least the lesson I took from it, was that there *aren't* heroes and villains in war. There's just people. And people can be both or neither and switch between the various roles and always feel justified to themselves because it's "the greater good" or, For the Uniform.

[@sethstephens4777]

i agree and i always thought two episode names for the cause and for the uniform were suppose to be mirrors and the uniform is the cause for Sisko but sometimes that can be a slippery slope

[@Faction.Paradox]

The Sisko/Eddington dynamic and the Maquis storyline in general are the perfect example of why DS9 is the best. Drawing those new borders up was the best solution they had from a harm-reduction angle and no doubt saved countless lives, but it also was terrible and screwed over innocent people. Sisko anger was clearly that he and his cause were betrayed rather than leaving starfleet. He arguably did something worse to catch Eddington than what he was chasing him for in the first place. Yet Eddington was giving his people false hope in a doomed cause, people who were struggling with material needs which could be met if they swallowed their pride and went back to federation. Everytime you rewatch the show you notice another layer

[@cryofpaine]

One of the problems with the Maquis storyline is that the Maquis don't really have a reason to fight. The Federation isn't the US. They weren't going to be forced into reservations (despite the explicit comparison to indigenous people in the TNG episode), nor would they be forced to fend for themselves, as refugees are now. The only thing they lose is the specific dirt they live on. Which sucks, but not when compared to all out war with a fascist militaristic dictatorship with superior weaponry & forces. If they had just sent Data down to blow up their aquafer, the Maquis would never have existed.

[@lordinvictus793]

The cardassians aren’t native to the settled worlds. It’s more like two empires competing over terra nullius. They aren’t “colonizers” there is no indication that are any indigenous inhabitants on the worlds in question. It’s either settlers from the cardassian Union or the federation.

[@avernion]

I NEVER ONCE heard ANYONE saying that about Ukrainian.

[@Unicronsupreme]

Incredible Odo impression. On-point grunts.

[@silversugar2140]

This!

[@emmamacfarlane8137]

Eddington's oddly similar to Khan with respect to his adopting the role of Valjean, much as Khan adopted the role of Ahab -- and willingly! It's interesting that some of Star Trek's most notable antagonists and outright villains operate by a certain theatricality, playing their role in the story and being directly aware of it, to the point of quoting from the texts that inspire them. And indeed, Sisko himself plays into that role here with a similar willingness. It's also interesting that Eddington wasn't alone amongst the Maquis in adopting the Les Miserables references. Chakotay's ship was actually called the Val Jean.

[@AaronLitz]

Every Starfleet officer _is_ an actor, after all.

[@SunnyIntervalsORG]

Both Kahn and Picard assumed the role of Ahab, although when Picard realised that's what he had become he had a change of heart.

[@neocelestia]

My gut reaction when I saw the video title was "He's kidding, right?". But after watching, I have to admit that some very good points I hadn't considered are brought up in this analysis. I still can't bring myself to agree with the hero label, but "complicated" was a good way to describe things. Great video! Looking forward to the next one.

[@jordanbetteridge1598]

That line of "They call me MISTER Javert!" gave me a good chuckle. Now that is a classy reference.

[@ZoeMalDoran]

When it comes to Eddington and the Maquis, I sometimes wonder what would have happened if Eddington had strolled into Sisko's office, handed in his resignation, and hopped on a transport to a Maquis colony. Would Sisko have tried to talk him out of it like he tried (and failed) to talk Cal Hudson out of it back when the Maquis first started? Would he have had Odo arrest him so he couldn't leave? Ship him back to Earth to get yelled at by Starfleet Security? Would he have let him go as long as he didn't steal anything on the way out? In theory, if a Starfleet officer hands in their resignation they can hop on a transport to anywhere they want, and Starfleet won't go after them... unless they take Starfleet equipment with them, and how seriously Starfleet takes that likely depends on what it is. I do think that how Eddington left pissed Sisko off way more than why he left. Especially the "You're even worse than the Borg" rant. That was just asking for trouble.

[@friskyjesus]

I feel as though the Maquis subplot was sorely underused during DS9’s run. Of course the Dominion War story line was the driving force of the series, but it feels as if the Maquis were quickly (and quite unceremoniously) swept under the rug. Even Voyager (yes, we can feel you shuddering, Steve) kept much of the Maquis elements present, even if only marginally. Eddington had the potential to be another excellent foil for our heroes, but sadly went the way most background quasi-antiheroes go: out with a whimper. And as an aside, thank you for the multiple plays of the “YOU BETRAYED YOUR UNIFORM!” clip. Always gives me the deepest of chills! Avery Brooks absolutely nailed that scene!

[@sarahscott5305]

For The Uniform is such a good episode, but for me, the best part is that it is another step on the road to Sisko "selling his soul." My favourite Star Trek character arc, Sisko keeps doing steadily worse things from locking up Nog to keep Quark on the station, to letting the Maquis leader escape because they're friends, to poisoning a whole planet to catch a man he has a grudge with. It culminates in In The Pale Moonlight, when Sisko finally realises how morally grey he's become. After In The Pale Moonlight, Sisko never really does anything morally questionable again.

[@jimslancio]

Sisko's In The Pale Moonlight plot was very Section 31-ish. It should've called him to their attention. In fact, it would've been great fun if, at the end of the Bashir episode that introduces Section 31, Sisko had dropped a hint that he already knew about Section 31 and was even a member of it.

[@TheSuperRatt]

@@jimslancio Oh god, I would hate that so much. So very glad that didn't happen. x3

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Oh that would have been a fantastic twist.

[@LRM23936]

I now need to yell "You betrayed your uniform!" when I get to work.

[@Hawkman220]

I have to say I think the real reason Sisko was so focused on going after Edington was if you remember in the episode Edington shows that he was a Maquis he helped set up Cassidy Yates as the traitor and made Sisko doubt the woman he cared for and ended up loving. So while he definitely was pissed that he was duped by a man under his command and he did not see it coming. Most importantly he made him doubt the woman he loved.

[@reyperry2605]

I just made a comment saying the same thing. Sisko is not someone who easily forgives those who harm the women he loves: Picard was still Locutus in his eyes until the Prophets helped him beyond his rage and grief.

[@chrisblake4198]

Ultimately while Eddington was solidly performed, I still would have preferred if the bulk of that storyline had been written as a continuation of Sisko v Cal Hudson. Eddington could have done the theft, but have it been at the behest/manipulation by Hudson, and have it end with Eddington getting himself killed. Then Eddington's death raises the stakes between the two old friends and Sisko goes as far as he does to finally get justice.

[@Bobsmith-xq2pr]

It would have been cool if Cal Hudson was the final villain of the arc, but Eddington makes more sense. We got to see far more of Eddington as a semi-background character of the station than just a few episodes of Cal; it gives dramatic weight to Eddington's betrayal.

[@TheGerkuman]

SAUSAGE AND BEER ALL ROUND!

[@jamesg8972]

It's good to know that in the 24th century the colour of people's skin doesn't determine whether they're freedom fighters or terrorists. In all seriousness, the use of Eddington to develop Sisko's character ahead of the Garak deception in future seasons to bring the Romulans into the war was exceptional.

[@jamesg8972]

@ger du Sorry I should have clarified that if you oppose the royal family or any other lizards then you are also a terrorist

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

Yep, i always thought Sisko went too far. That episode stuck with me ever since i first saw it. Powerful stuff.

[@cfeauto5938]

I just want to say, your Odo laugh grunt is absolutely spot on. Immediately made me laugh. Also, while we all know Odo wouldn't do that.....he would certainly fantasize about that exact situation for the rest of the week

[@BigDungeonEnergy1]

Awesome video! I always loved the interplay between the Federation and the Maquis, and I've found myself sympathizing way more with Eddington / Ro Laren / Calvin Hudson / Tom Riker and other Maquis- or Maquis-coded characters (e.g. Benjamin Maxwell) than the Federation, which comes off as especially imperialistic in their treatment of them and the Cardassian border colonies.

[@BigDungeonEnergy1]

Also, I really think that O'Brien needed a smidge more screen time with this whole conflict, since he was traumatized by Cardassians in his backstory. I just wish there were more scenes between he and Eddington after the betrayal, so that O'Brien could process it, because almost everything we got was from Sisko's perspective.

[@rotwang2000]

DS9 was never afraid to ask hard questions or to put the protagonists in front of really difficult choices. However they never lost sight of the idea that the Federation was worth fighting for, because even if you tally up the issues, the balance was still positive. But it did look at what happens when a near-utopia is challenged by issues like terrorism and war.

[@Match451]

I'd like to think being "The only ship in the sector" may be true at times, but it's usually an inside joke among Star Fleet Commanders that means "We're going to do it."

[@StanKwiecien]

In regards to why there's only protagonist ships nearby, I'd direct you to the opening of of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (in universe, the book within the book starts thus) "Space is big. REALLY BIG! You won't believe how vastly hugely mind-bogglingly big it is...."

[@jamespowell617]

Ken Marshall was epic during this story arc. Electric chemistry with Avery also. Great writing,sublime acting and wonderful to watch. Always interesting to rewatch and empathize for both parties moral struggle.

[@caimport4186]

Ken Marshall, the actor who plays Eddington, is a good friend. One of the sweetest and most generous people I’ve ever known. He’ll totally get a kick out of the fact that you said he looks like a rat!

[@sarahscott5305]

I've had such a busy few days, I desperately needed some Steve Therapy ♥️

[@John-ch4wv]

Steve your odo impression was uncanny. The way you delivered of those grunts was * chef's kiss *

[@benjiskyler7836]

Sisko: "You know my wife was killed by the Borg, so that's kind of a cheap shot." Eddington: "Oh, shit, sorry about that. I was too busy throwing your eventual second wife under the bus." They never followed up on that aspect of "For the Cause" when Eddington brought Kasidy's alleged involvement with the Maquis to Sisko's attention. If that did motivate Sisko, he would have been off the manhunt months ago. They still could have at least had Dax bring it up, just like they called attention to Eddington basically replacing Cal Hudson.

[@HiperPivociarz]

Now we know why Mariner was kicked out of Deep Space 9 Mariner: *rolls up her sleeves* Sisko: YOU BETRAYED YOUR UNIFORM! Mariner: Federation sucks, and I want to help refugees! Sisko: *Eddington flashbacks* PACK YOUR THINGS. GET OUT OF MY STATION, YOU'RE FIRED!

[@thefollowingisatest4579]

I think a key moment, though small, for Eddington's character is one I believe you alluded to in The Adversary. "People who wear gold uniforms don't get to become captains", or something like that. From there it could be argued that Eddington was a glory seeker to some degree and just convinced himself it was all for the cause when in fact it was his chance to play the central figure of a story. I'm not sure I am 100% in the camp of believing that, and people tend not to do things simply for one reason or another, but it is a great little moment that the writers included for him.

[@cesarbaca]

You shut up!! I love that running gag😂

[@beefsuprem0241]

The end of "for the cause" where sisko realises he's been beaten by Eddington. Reminds me strongly of the end of the TNG episode where ensign Ro also goes native and joins the marquis. That last shot of Jean Luc smouldering behind his desk in silence 👏

[@cloudwatcher608]

This whole video was worth the time only just for the Odo grunt at 10:16, well done

[@OldJerzyDevil]

"For the Patrons!" and the sequel "For the Commission! " Well played Shives, well played. You got some lobes on you. Much respect! 🖖

[@dcHAUSdesign]

Liked: “ You betrayed your uniform!” Replay bit.

[@cptnmus8996]

This is one of the story arcs that always makes me concerned for Cisco and Star fleet

[@marioangelini1860]

Me: Spelling Ice Cream on my Star Fleet uniform by accident. Sisko: YOU BETRAY THE UNIFORM!!!!!!!!

[@mattlavenz4099]

"I know who you are. I know what you want. If you are looking for sympathy I can tell you I don't have any, but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you give up now that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you, but if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you and I will poison planets." Benjamin Lafayette Sisko

[@lordinvictus793]

Part of Sisko’s motivation for going after Eddington is ultimately personal. Not due to ideology. It’s because eddington betrayed him. Not the federation or the uniform. Eddington made a fool out of him, and used his trust against him. That was something Sisko could not let go. While he was set on stopping the Maquis otherwise-Sisko’s hostility to Eddington was extremely personal at the core. Imagine having a subordinate that you eventually grow to trust and respect-and then having that guy not only deceive you but make you look like a fool in the process. Then you can understand how enraged sisko is. Eddington fooled him, Eddington slighted him.

[@vladquebec]

My view on Eddington is that he was brought up as a very rigid by the book obedient guy who eventually became a Starfleet officer. Like a teenager, at some point, he rebelled against a life he didn't want and his way of doing it was joining the Maquis.

[@beberivera7011]

This us literally my favorite episode of this entire show. Tysm for going so deep into it. ....I so hope you explored Ensign Ro in the next video!!!❤❤❤❤

[@Tuaron]

Ah, a Trek Actually on DS9, always a delight (though Trek Actually is always a fun time). Sisko's my favourite captain (or tied with Picard, it's tough to say) because he was allowed to be such a complicated, conflicted individual (and because he punched Q) and Eddington was such a highlight of that. Thank you for this great vid, I really look forward to the Maquis vid (I guess we might even get some TNG and Voyager stuff in that one, which'll be interesting).

[@michaelmorningstar8645]

You like your captains being the kept pets of godlike aliens.

[@TheBamaChad-W4CHD]

Avery Brooks was just the perfect Sisko. That line "you betrayed your uniform!" thats a perfect example. No one could have done Sisko better. Brooks seems to be a jazzed out jazz hippy space cadet in real life but he is a cool guy it seems.

[@billyjoejimbob75]

I didn't even remember him before the episode of him leaving Starfleet, but sure was memorable after. O'Brien I remember all the way back to Farpoint.

[@blah2115]

That episode where they captured Eddington was never very believable to me. I don't believe Sisko would actually do that, nor do I believe Star Fleet would allow that to go unpunished. He would have been court-martialed for certain.

[@avernion]

It always bothered me too that Sisko didn’t get as much as a slap on the hand for what he did. At the very least his leadership should have been severely questioned after that. And that is the very least.

[@Don-ol8ze]

@@avernion I agree. I don't have a problem with characters being put in tough situations or even making questionable decisions, at least when it's not out of character. But there should be repercussions, and the situation shouldn't strain credibility.

[@BurgermanForever-nh2vp]

It always felt to me like the writers couldnt just let a black character be composed and had to tear him down. Bizarre revenge quests would never interest the Sisko from previous seasons

[@DarrinSnider]

I saw, and loved, Krull in the theater at 13 years old. I was today years old when I looked up what happened to Colwyn.

[@Steve3684]

That grunt might be the best Odo impersonation that I have ever heard!

[@ByrdieFae]

Yesssssssss! Today's vid and the next one have me so pumped. ...yes, I'm a nerd, and it's all good.

[@mathewfinch]

One thing I wish they had done was to create more of a space for Maquis supporters/sympathizers who weren't part of the Maquis or worked with them. Like a Starfleet officer who is sympathetic to the Maquis, but is fully prepared to follow orders and fight them if that's what it comes to.

[@pillmuncher67]

I never got why stealing replicators was such a big deal. It's not like he stole something dangerous, like self-sealing stem bolts.

[@willmfrank]

A stolen replicator can replicate self-sealing stem bolts...And that makes them dangerous. 😉😁

[@xedalpha1]

The only difference between if Eddington not Sisko did In the Pale Moonlight would be that Eddington wouldnt have made the personal log and instead wouldve just turned in for the night, because he would at least been honest with himself over what had to be done, and the kind of person that made him.

[@princesskatarina351]

"For the Uniform" is the episode I hated the most. All I could, and still do see, is Sisko murdering a planet of Maquis. And maybe it's because I fell in love with Ensign Ro Laren on Next Generation, but I always felt more sympathy for the Maquis than the Federation, whenever the two paths crossed. This is one of two episodes I avoid watching. The other being the Season 6, Episode 25: "The Sound of her Voice". But that one brings me to tears. 😢

[@hyper2high]

Eddington was a good guy , i always remember sisko bein really pissed over him. Great startrek in a greater time

[@AltraWave7]

I've always felt that part of the reason Sisko was so upset about Eddington betraying him was, at least in part, because of the previous betrayal by his long time friend Calvin Hudson. I imagine that Sisko still harbored many complicated feelings over Cal's betraying Starfleet and his friendship to Sisko. So maybe hunting down Eddington was also in part a way for Sisko to process the long buried emotions that he had over that initial betrayal by Cal to the Maquis? Anyway great video and though I still think Eddington was more rat than hero, this had helped me reevaluate how I see the character and agree that, if nothing else, he was indeed a complicated person, that ended up picking the wrong Starfleet Captain to be serving under when he went full Maquis.

[@Astrobrant2]

The introduction of the Maquis into the Star Trek franchise was a wonderful opportunity for stories of moral ambiguity. One peak of that moral conflict was with Ro Laren. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" concept was called into serious question in numerous episodes, and that made the whole show much more worth watching. I also appreciated the inclusion of Chakotay and Torres (and some other Maquis) in _Voyager._ Over years we got to see the old story of two enemies -- or in this case, harsh competitors -- stranded on a desert island, played out and evolving into a theme of how survival is more important than any other loyalty concerns. Another moral wrench was thrown in with Section 31. Core Federation folks, and... well... really bad guys. They appeared in _Discovery,_ too. Let's also remember that all the way through DS9, we could never be sure about the character of Garak. I found him intriguing, and masterfully portrayed by Andrew Robinson, known for his unambiguously villainous role in _Dirty Harry_. Turns out that Garak was a good guy! Yes, a good Cardassian. Another good Cardassian was Marritza, in that terrific episode, "Duet". He (Harris Yulin) and Kira (Nana Visitor) hammered out, IMO, two emmy-worthy performances in that one episode. I've often wondered if that's why the producers gave it the title, "Duet". It certainly was.

[@johndittmer8488]

Steve, I agree with that the Maquis was a threat to the Federation in the terms that its war with the Cardassians threatens to start a war that would suck in the Federation.

[@kbrock9146]

Oh, I can NOT wait until next month's episode!!!!!!! Gonna see some "Catspaw" clips for sure.

[@dkSilo]

I think I will have to come back to this, after the general Maquis video. If being a hero is predicated in helping your comrades/family, you might be right. But I think it might be more complicated, depending if the actions and motives of those you help are valid. And some of Eddigntons actions go a bit far (so do those of Sisko). I can agree with the conclusion that he's not per se evil. As with many characters in DS9, he's complex (and very "human"). And yeah, that's why we love DS9. Great video. Thanks for your insights. "No you shut up!"

[@ferretfather2000]

omg the episode where he and sisko are playing the part of jean val jean and shvere from Les Misrebles (yes i know i cant spell) i frekin loved eddington and his relationship with sisko was mezmerizing

[@rodneystrickler4568]

I just wanted to point out the 3rd season TNG episode "The Ensigns of Command" is similar to the Maquis because both deal with relocation due to a treaty with an alien race.

[@StephenLeGresley]

My issues with Eddingtion are as follows: - It's shown that one of the factors motivating him is his ego in wanting to cosplay Robin Hood. That taints any higher ideals he may have. - He was the first to be willing to use biological weapons and was willing to condemn Sing-tah to a slow death in the badlands so he has a cruel and vindictive streak. - He betrayed Starfleet. Sisko was right to tell him that he could've simply chosen to leave Starfleet and join the Maquis honestly and openly but instead he lied and stayed undercover to sabotage the Federation. - He did everything to prevent the Federation from helping the Cardassians rebuild after their war with the Klingons which was a humanitarian mission to help civilians not the Cardassian military. So I would have to say that no, Eddingtion is not a hero, he may have had moral dieals in the beginning but his hate and ego corrupted him over time.

[@demyelinated_ditz]

Would the Maquis be seen as sympathetically if the way the Federation's drive to send settlers out and colonize as many habitable planets as possible to fulfill its version of Manifest Destiny wasn't just taken for granted? It's a lot harder to see them as freedom fighters when you consider that the Maquis were only there because they'd settled an area the Cardassians said was in or too close to their territory

[@brianstiles1701]

"Moral event horizon" is now something I'll be using a lot. Well written, sir.

[@Dove01s]

"Where do all the ships go? What is so important?" This may say something horrible about the effects of old commercials on my brain, but the first thing that popped in my mind was "Space-Arbys. Roast beef sale."

[@Stardust_7273]

LOL just as you were talking about Les Mis, my cat Cosette walked by.

[@nicspits9876]

Realizing how excited I get when I see there's a new episode! Thanks STEVE!!!

[@dweller132]

A potential flaw I've seen within the Maquis is that they continue to fight, even in cases where the better option is diplomacy. Quark explains that if the Maquis continue to fight and refuse to be diplomatic, it makes peace harder in the long term. He was right, since the Maquis essentially became a force in name only near the end of the Dominion War. They continued to fight against everyone, including the Federation, which were up against a force more powerful and ruthless than both groups combined. Disabling and stranding ships that could end up crippling the war effort, etc. The ideal diplomatic solution, at least during the Dominion War, should have been the Maquis and Federation putting their problems aside and fighting the Dominion as a whole. The terms of the solution would be that Maquis leadership directly involved with Federation sabotage would serve time after the war ended, but the rest of the Maquis would be able to return to the planets they once called home in the DMZ, if those planets were safe to inhabit by that point. Even though they might cease to be a group after the war, they would get what they wanted and the Federation would be able to deal with people like Eddington.

[@LordBloodraven]

Eddington was an imperfect hero. He was fighting for a good cause, but doing it by breaking his oaths to the Federation and Starfleet. They were so focused on being independent, but lacked the means to defend themselves from a power like the Dominion. I would have been very interested to see how the war would have played out, had the Maquis reach joined the Dominion before the Cardassians.

[@Stardust_7273]

I actually fully agree with the Maquis. They were forced off their worlds, and if they stayed, they had to be ruled over by the Cardassians. None of this by their choice.

[@RainbowMuse2]

I look forward to the next vid. Well done once again!

[@Alexander-wx2ie]

.... I was not pissed at Edinton for being a Marqui. I was angry at him because he stole high-end equipment from the Federation and betrayed every person that he ever worked with in DS9 .

[@Grizabeebles]

*Re: "Where are all the ships?"* -- The Khitomer Accords prevent the Federation from having a formal military and first-strike capacity in the form of cloaking warships. This gives the Federation the diplomatic cover of being "defenseless" and thus not a foe the Klingon Empire can gain honour by attacking. In fact, Klingon warriors can gain honour by _defending_ Federation ships and fighting other empires thst attack the Federation. Extra honour with honour on the side, hold the honour. To get around these treaties, the Federation had to adapt and develop a "rapid response" militia model - Federation ships are constantly patrolling space and moving between systems in order to detect enemy movement. Often for up to 5 years at a time. Then, when a ship spots trouble too big for one ship to deal with, HQ orders ships in a sector to gather into an ad-hoc fleet for a counter-attack.

[@natehydro3886]

OMG you have the Odo grunt down.

[@adamparra3973]

The "You betrayed your uniform" line was one of the best things about that episode.

[@Hibbs4Prez]

I love the Eddington subplot. These were two of my favorite episodes.

[@NullStaticVoid]

Spot on Odo impression.

[@jeffmckinnon5842]

Sisco and Eddington were both narcists, but Sisco believes he is "the good guys"

[@MalzraAirwynn]

I'd say he's more on the hero side, but ultimately being willing to poison a plant of Cardassians really brings his morality into question. And it's hard to take his talk about how the Federation should leave him alone seriously when he stole the replicators while defecting and then later set up the trap in for the uniform. It'd be one thing if he resigned from Starfleet and then set out to join the Maquis, when you leave starfleet by stealing from them, you are giving them a good reason to go after you. He could have made a clean, honest break from Starfleet but instead he used his position to steal from them which makes his stance about how Starfleet should leave him alone pretty laughable for me. This doesn't make him 'evil' but does make me want to slap him a bit for expecting starfleet to just shrug and forget about it.

[@jeffco5237]

I really liked Eddington, he was a good character right from the beginning.

[@DavidRexGlenn]

You, sir, are a master essayist! I love how structured and thought out your reviews are. Thanks

[@christopherbutler4431]

I once played a star trek tabletop RPG as an Andorian Diplomat who held a grudge that he wasn't on the team that negotiated the cardasian cease fire as he felt the Federation gave them far too much. Star fleet were winning and the marquee were created through the federation weakness.

[@kaylistaubus8260]

I love Eddington's defection speech; it's of a piece with DS9's overall critique of Federation assimilationism. Bc when you think about it, every major cross-cultural relationship in DS9 is a product of exile. If you want to play ball with the Federation, at some point or another you MUST choose federation values over your culture of origin. Only exception is DAX, and not for lack of trying (with Dr. Kahn).

[@demontodaddy9064]

“Good because that was dope!” I almost did a spit take

[@wellingtonsmith4998]

ooohhh, a Maquis video. Well, as a sympathizer, I will definitely watch that several times.

[@davidturkos8502]

This video makes great point, Eddington actually showed how sisko was willing to destroy a plant, which he did. That later on showed how sisko was willing to sell out a Allie during the war. Sisko was a dick.

[@85wutaiflea]

I know I'm late to this party, but as much as I enjoyed your analysis, I think you overlooked one of the key questions hanging over Eddington as a character for me, which is whether he truly believed in the Maquis, or whether he just wanted any situation in which he could tout himself as "the hero" archetype. I think that question echoes throughout "For The Uniform", in no small part because it's by appealing to Eddington's egocentric hero fantasy that Sisko captures him. I think when Eddington's loyalty is discussed, it has to be considered whether he is loyal only to his personal goal of "being the hero" or actually loyal to people and a cause; it seems likely Eddington thought Starfleet would fulfill his desire to be a hero, Starfleet is also as much about routine and stability as it is about Kirk-style exploration and excitement. He "BETRAYED [HIS] UNIFORM [!!]" at the drop of a hat the moment a more "heroic" opportunity arose. I think Blaze of Glory does challenge the idea that Eddington is, oddly enough, simply a "glory-seeker", but it's always struck me as a key facet of what made him interesting.

[@8Rincewind]

10:15 your Odo impression is brilliant.

[@Inignot12]

YOU BETRAYED YOUR UNIFORM!!! Such a good delivery

[@oxman5571]

I think "Punch you in face" will be my go-to laugh line for the next week.

[@connormcclenny9681]

I forgot how much I loved this show. Might have to binge it again

[@TheGerkuman]

I know some have speculated that Primmin got removed from the show because fans noticed that he totally blew off what was happening to the captured crew members in Move Along Home, assuming they were just having a lie-in.

[@1bensisko]

Always 2 of my favorite episodes. Thanks Steve, fantastic video

[@alexweigelhikes]

These Eddington and Primmin conflicts are a great example of how the writer's inability to swear benefited the viewers. A seething Odo is way more entertaining than a swearing one. A ranting Sisko is way more entertaining than just a string of profanity. Avery Brooks is a master at delivering over-the-top dialog with a whole bunch of syllables. If tried his uniform speech with that much intensity (I have), it would just sound like a dog barking. Yet with Avery I can understand every word. His head is shaking, which just adds so much--I don't know how he does it. Credit to Steve: I wouldn't have been thinking about any of this if it wasn't for his insightful analysis about profanity in Star Trek.

[@Billchuck007]

The whole point of that episode is that Sisko played the villain he wanted him to be in order to trick the guy into feeling like he was the hero by turning himself in

[@dhotnessmcawesome9747]

Protagonist and antagonist exist as terms because "good guy" and "bad guy" are not always what separates the two.

[@erf3176]

Something that you may not have picked up on... Malinche is the name of the indigenous woman who acted as a translator for Hernan Cortes during the conquest of Mexico. She is considered the personification of betrayal in Mexican culture.

[@Jenifer_R_]

This episode always bothered me. First time I saw it I couldn't fathom that Sisko - the hero - did this. I thought I must have misinterpreted it all.

[@alexweigelhikes]

I love your tangents! One of them led me to look up Colm Meaney's IMDB profile. Star Trek probably has it's fair share of journeymen actors, but Colm has to win some kind of award for number of productions. That guy was busy!