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

[@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

[@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.

[@vincebrock8687]

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

[@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....

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@Unicronsupreme]

Incredible Odo impression. On-point grunts.

[@silversugar2140]

This!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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...."

[@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

[@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!

[@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."

[@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.

[@harjutapa]

20:00 - they only attack or disable Starfleet ships that are actively hunting them. The Defiant was entering the Badlands looking for Eddington. The Malinche was specifically tasked with capturing Eddington when it was ambushed and disabled. They WEREN'T a threat to the Federation until the Federation declared that it was a threat to the Maquis.

[@grifonecoronato]

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.

[@grifonecoronato]

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.

[@cesarbaca]

You shut up!! I love that running gag😂

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

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

[@sarahscott5305]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@marioangelini1860]

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

[@John-ch4wv]

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

[@cloudwatcher608]

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

[@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.

[@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 👏

[@cptnmus8996]

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

[@OldJerzyDevil]

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

[@Steve3684]

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

[@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!!!❤❤❤❤

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@8Rincewind]

10:15 your Odo impression is brilliant.

[@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.

[@brianstiles1701]

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

[@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

[@CaptainAndy]

The Maquis were right. The Federation abandoned some of its people in the name of political convenience, which is typical behaviour of a government, not too dissimilar to the American abandonment of Kurds in the Middle East. Sisko’s “You betrayed your uniform!” reveals that he is loyal to the system rather than to moral values. Eddington by contrast has a worldview that allows him to question the system because he’s sensible enough to know that the system cannot always be right.

[@jaugustussmith5816]

Starfleet fought a war for those planets, but can't fight forever. It's like America can't fight forever in Afghanistan

[@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."

[@adamparra3973]

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

[@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.

[@shadoman7682]

I always saw it that it was the federation that betrayed the marque by just giving away their planets to the Cardasians. I see Eddington as the hero, other member of the marque are Chakotay & B'Elanna Torres. There were many other Star Fleet members that became marque or sympathised with them. I can even imagine Kirk becoming a marque if it were to happen in his time. Sisco was like Captain Ahab in Moby Dick the way he was so obsessed with catching Eddington to the point of using biological weapons to destroy a planet.

[@nicspits9876]

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

[@dcHAUSdesign]

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

[@_Biscuit_Butter]

"PUNCH YOU IN FACE" made me laugh out loud.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@colewilliams1563]

I've always thought that DS9's answer to the question "Is Starfleet/The Federation The Good Guy?" was a resounding (if not nervous) "Um...."

[@brianschwartz7937]

I like think of it more as, "Yes, but...."

[@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.

[@Hibbs4Prez]

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

[@DavidRexGlenn]

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

[@kbrock9146]

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

[@mbessey]

As one of the tiny fraction of your viewers who hasn't yet watched the entirety of Deep Space Nine, I appreciated the intro.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@connormcclenny9681]

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

[@rkajdi]

I think you also missed something with the Eddington rivalry. It isn't stated directly, but Cassidy was swept up in the same net when Eddington initially defects, and serves time in prison for it. It adds some extra subtext to what goes on in the rivalry, since he got away with something Sisko's future wife spent time in the clink for.

[@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.

[@1bensisko]

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

[@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).

[@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.

[@keithmichael112]

when I first saw "for the uniform" I was waiting for there to be some trick, I always appreciated that there wasn't one, sisko just does some troubling shit, and it leaves you to think about it

[@shibolinemress8913]

I wonder why Sisko's reaction to Eddington was markedly different than to Cal Hudson? I'd love to see a comparison of Eddington and Hudson.

[@demontodaddy9064]

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

[@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!"

[@Lowlandlord]

I forgot like half of this. Defiant needs one of those tubes you shout down as a backup system

[@185Keith]

Good job Steve, nicely done. Looking forward to part two!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@Inignot12]

YOU BETRAYED YOUR UNIFORM!!! Such a good delivery

[@ByrdieFae]

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

[@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.

[@RainbowMuse2]

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

[@nickrowley5579]

Quality Odo noises

[@grantpenton1850]

Great news about a special review video about the Maquis! Perhaps it could include a bit from Journey's End, and the Caretaker, with some background on Chacotay's resignation from starfleet to provide his command experience to the freedom fighters.

[@NullStaticVoid]

Spot on Odo impression.

[@lexthefirst]

Do you think ds9 benefitted from being pre 9/11? It has a lot of episodes that touch on terrorism in a grey light, rather than black and white. I do wonder if the show had come along a decade later if they'd have been able to get away with that.

[@douglaswolfen7820]

Definitely benefited. I don't think there's any chance they would have even tried it

[@natehydro3886]

OMG you have the Odo grunt down.

[@Stardust_7273]

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

[@ThePzwilson]

Cisco's actions in for the uniform are one of the reasons why he could just never be my favorite starfleet captain. Also, Michael Eddington is unambiguously correct in his actions. The Marquis are on the right side. I can appreciate that Cisco and the federation have a duty to maintain the peace treaty with The catdassians So as to avoid a larger war, but that means that Cisco's only responsibility is to put in the bare minimum effort to give the appearance of hunting the Maquis. What Cisco did was monstrous, unjustified, and unnecessary. He truly did become the villain, and he did so for no good reason. If he needs to maintain the peace with a group of fascists, then that's fine, but he should only do what he has to to maintain that piece, and he should help the fight against them in any way that he can. Cisco chooses to do otherwise, and I judge him for that. I judge him rather harshly. The entire Maquis storyline put Starfleet on the wrong side of the conflict, and nothing done in service of eating the fascist cardassian government, or against the innocent people that they were displacing is justified. A better person, and a better captain, a better Starfleet officer, would have made an obvious and performative effort to find Eddington, but would certainly never have actually found him. Poisoning a planet is right out, obviously. I cannot stand with Cisco. If you're going to morally compromise yourself, it should not be in favor of fascists.

[@manuelsimoes1245]

Fue Eddington quien enveneno varios planetas con población civil antes de que Sisko siquiera se lo plantease. Aparte de eso, Eddington traiciono a Sisko, fue culpable de mandar a Cassidy a prisión y en sima robo y hackeo equipo de la federación, a Sisko le sobraban razones para perseguir a ese tipo. Y no, las maquis nunca estuvieron del lado derecho, ellos mismos hicieron todo lo posible para empeorar las cosas, y todo por una causa inútil que estaba condenada al fracaso.

[@oxman5571]

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

[@jeffco5237]

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

[@harrisonchr]

Sisko response to Eddington's betrayal was so much different than Picard's response to Ro Laren's betrayal.

[@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.