“Worried? I’m scared to death! But I’ll be damned if I’m going to let them change the way I live my life.”

“Paradise Lost” is the conclusion to a thoroughly captivating and profound story of Deep Space Nine. Following the profound and incredibly nuanced previous installment, it’s no surprise that this episode doesn’t quit match the lofty heights of its predecessor. But make no mistake, this is a solid and worthy conclusion to the overall plot introduced in ” Homefront.” Indeed, while this episode doesn’t quite find the same balance of approach, it nonetheless conveys a story of people doing the *right* thing, in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.

As the episode begins, Martial Law has been declared on Earth. But Sisko, thanks to the perspective provided by his father, isn’t entirely convinced that the current course of action is for best. Worse still, Sisko uncovers a conspiracy — one that points to an internal ploy designed to manipulate events in such a way as to allow Admiral Leyton to seize control of Earth — ostensibly to protect the planet from the shadowy threat of the Dominion.

The primary conflict of the episode, then, focuses on Sisko’s efforts to prove that the blackout, and the odd behavior of the wormhole, were all designed to allow for a military takeover of the Federation.

This conflict is both a strength and a weakness. Having established Admiral Leyton as a mentor for Sisko, the story takes on a thoroughly realistic tone. And yet, Leyton’s plans seem wholly implausible. I understand that shutting off power might cause enough of a panic to give him a great deal of authority to protect Earth. But his plan hinges upon way too many favorable outcomes to be truly plausible.

Besides the battle between the Defiant and a starship under the control of Leyton’s handpicked lieutenants seems just a tad bit overwrought. For starters, shouldn’t there be more than one starship in orbit around Earth? Shouldn’t more be on the way? Worse still, there seems to be little strategic or tactical benefit to engaging the Defiant in an all-out battle. It certainly allows for a powerhouse display of visual effects. But it rings hollow, despite how it only reinforces the episode’s thematic foundation of showing people making the “right choices, regardless of circumstance.

And really, that’s the message: the only way to confront, and overcome, rampant paranoia and fear — to defeat terrorism — is to act with personal courage and not sacrifice one’s ideals purely in the name of “security.” As a shapeshifter says to Sisko, “What if I told you there were only four changelings on this entire planet … Think of it — just four of us, and look at the havoc we’ve wrought.” Terrorism doesn’t work just on acts of destruction, but also on the fear of such an act occurring. And what this episode does best is to make explicit how fear of a thing is incredibly powerful.

“Paradise Lost”

Filed under: Deep Space Nine