For the Cause

The video conversation between Sisko and Eddington about betrayal, and Eddington's argument that the Federation is acting like the Borg, then Sisko's response afterwards, these talks, conflicts, morality gray areas, they make this show what it is, a thought provoking Scifi with a taste of reality. I honestly don't know who to side with.

Odo and Eddington investigate Marquis activity that has disturbing implications for Sisko's love life.

This is a solid episode with some good performances and decent storytelling.

The best aspect of the story for me is the dynamic created between Sisko and Yates. Star Trek romances are mostly weak for me and this one was becoming stale until the events portrayed in this episode made it much more interesting. Avery Brooks and Penny Johnson Jerald are on good form. One great scene where they have a dialogue exchange is loaded with unspoken emotion.

There are some aspects of the plot regarding the actions and feelings of a recurring guest character that feel a bit contrived and slightly out of left field but in the context of this episode I think it is pretty well done. You just need to suspend a bit of disbelief and go with it.

There are some interesting political themes about the nature of Starfleet / Federation that were interesting during the time it was written, as the world was becoming incredibly globalised with an emphasis on Western hegemony. I'm not sure what Roddenberry would have made of it all.

I think the b-plot involving Garak has some good moments, but it did not particularly grip or entertain me. Andrew Robinson makes the best of the material he has to work with.

For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.

Good episode. Boring and annoying Penny Johnson Jerald (Kasidy Yates) as usual. If Penny Jerald didn't participate this episode would have one more star.