5.23 – Blaze of Glory – DS9 Review
“Blaze of Glory” is an episode about closure. It’s ironic (and a fantastic idea) that the answers ere wrapped in shades of grey, showing the multifaceted nature of the issues surrounding the central plot of the episode. Once again, there’s some great writing and great acting — with enough action thrown in to keep viewers on their toes. The result is an episode that is very, very good.
The story begins with the Klingons intercepting a Maquis communication about missiles being launched at Cardassia. Given the fact that the Klingons had previously given the Maquis cloaking devices, the implications are dire: the Maquis could, effectively, wipe out much of the Cardassian population on their home world with stealth weapons of mass destruction. Sisko realizes that such an event would effectively be the opening salvo in an open conflict with the Dominion, the allies of Cardassia. To that end, he rushes off to confront the one man who might be able to help him stop the missiles: former Major Eddington.
The bitter rivalry between Sisko and Eddington was explored to great effect in “For The Uniform.” Here, that rivalry is put to exceptional use as the two spar, verbally, against the backdrop of potential catastrophe and war. If there’s a big criticism to the episode, though, it’s in how much of the dialogue between Sisko and Eddington is a rehash of their previous “debates” in “For The Uniform.” Still, the dialogue is well-written and serves to reinforce just how personal this is for both Sisko and Eddington — Sisko takes great offense to Eddington’s personal betrayal and Eddington has a very personal stake in the Maquis.
What really sets their interactions apart from previous episodes, though, are the developments since their last encounter. Cardassia, with the Dominion as allies, has all but wiped out the Maquis. Eddington blames Sisko, claiming that he (Eddington) should have been there to lead his people in the greatest hour of need. Sisko, of course, counters by criticizing Eddington’s zeal in offering (what Sisko believes to be false) hope. And, really, this is the heart of the episode. The complex and difficult issues surrounding the Maquis — their goals and tactics — as opposed to Federation ideology and methods. Eddington believed that he was fighting for the freedom of his people. Was he wrong? Was it his methods? Is he, really, a villain? And what about Sisko whose actions clearly belie a self-centered motivation.
And so whether it’s Sisko bluffing Eddington into evading a Jem’Hadar patrol or Eddington tricking Sisko into helping him rescue some Maquis survivors, it all speaks to how these two men feel about each other and the larger issues surrounding their circumstances. As it stands, of course, the missiles were just a ploy and the Maquis location has been overrun by Jem’Hadar. The conclusion to the conflict — for both the Maquis and Eddington — is self-evident.
The predictability to the story, the fact that Eddington inevitably gives his life to save his wife and a few Maquis survivors, is a bit of a hindrance. But in some ways, this inevitability is part of the story itself. Just as Sisko is unable to escape the betrayal he feels, Eddington is unable to escape his hero-complex. The result leaves Sisko — and us — wondering about Eddington. For all that he did, how ought he to be remembered?
The answer is as complex as the issues themselves, and that is why the episode (and the series) is so successful.
“Blaze of Glory” is predictable, yes. But it’s noteworthy for how it brings to an end the Maquis and Eddington story lines. Along with crisp dialogue and sharp character explorations, this is a solid episode.
Filed under: Deep Space Nine
This episode is and was just very bad. I cannot think the Maquis are terrorists anymore. When will they start thinking things out. The thing is the Maquis don’t play the game of cat-and-mouse with Sisko to win some “most annoying terrorist award.” These are people live on land and territory appropriated by Cardassians and The PRIORITY of the Maquis is not an inappropriate one. The Cardassian colonies are the prey. They need to plan out pretty much every move and need to protect whatever colony they get their hands on above all else. That’s the law of the land, and the Federation is afraid to get its hands dirty with the Cardassians.
The Maquis need more guys not like Eddington, all the guys who want to kill as many people as possible are quaint in the Television Portrayal Of Gutsy Fighters. They need a fighter, a symbol, a hero without a hero complex. Also, have we ever learned what happened to Tom Riker or maybe what The Maquis and Gul Dukat have been up to. Gul Dukat has a fight defending a DMZ and is depending on a great many Alpha quadrant people, like the Lissepians, who probably have no ties to the Dominion. This was a last and fast discussion, a do-or-die discussion on the writer’s part. The form of the story is fascination. VERY FASCINATING. Very good substance?
The Maquis need more guys not like Eddington, all the guys who want to kill as many people as possible are quaint in the Television Portrayal Of Gutsy Fighters. They need a fighter, a symbol, a hero without a hero complex. Also, have we ever learned what happened to Tom Riker or maybe what The Maquis and Gul Dukat have been up to. Gul Dukat has a fight defending a DMZ and is depending on a great many Alpha quadrant people, like the Lissepians, who probably have no ties to the Dominion. This was a last and fast discussion, a do-or-die discussion on the writer’s part. The form of the story is fascination. VERY FASCINATING. Very good substance? If only Cal Hudson didn’t leave the people to fight the Jem’hadar. The whole Alpha Quadrant was trying to the protect the future of their colonies, and the Maquis really have no good reason to fight anymore. The colony above all else is what matters and what must be protected. Perhaps this is a classic episode, but what did Gul Dukat-f* that provoked the whole Jem’hadar and Maquis thing?
. It doesn’t dance that the Jem’hadar, Federation and Sisko all share the same goal. Just the smart Federation people have a more human perspective. AND THIS EPISODE DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ANSWERS TO THAT QUESTION! The response from the Maquis was not a higher priority than the treaty that was in place.
. It doesn’t dance that the Jem’hadar, Federation and Sisko all share the same goal. Just the smart Federation people have a more human perspective. AND THIS EPISODE DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ANSWERS TO THAT QUESTION! The response from the Maquis was not a higher priority than the treaty that was in place. The treaty was there so Cardassia and THE FEDERATION could live in peace. Here we have no colonies and the Maquis need a colony, need something, and well, all I can say someone forgot the cow was out of Milk. Dukat really needs to be fighting the Maquis, they have a need to be protected by a treaty. The treaty protects whatever colony the Federation has. These people were Federation (not only Human , but Bajoran Klingon and so on) MAQUIS AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR CANNOT BE ON THE SAME MAP!
Actually this episode could have been a lot worse, didn’t know I could go back and watch this episode again. It was a bit like finding out, well, maybe my idea of the galaxy was not all about Bajor and Cardassia and the Maquis vs Cardassians. The Maquis have been dealt with so inconsistently of this series. But risk a Cardassian war? The Maquis (not just Human but all species) need to understand that innocents could die and innocent people need to be protected over colonies. Besides the destruction of the colony I really liked and enjoyed this episode. Even if I don’t like the new Maquis. Wonderful, marvelous site!