An overzealous investigator comes to the station, looking for a traitor. He hones in on Bashir because he doesn't always play by the rules. Soon, he begins to employ heavy handed methods to enlist a confession. Julian is as strong in defiance as he is in the rules of his medical profession. There are many attacks and counter-attacks in the interrogation of our good doctor. The problem is that 200 years of doing what they do have made this group virtually invisible. This is very well done and quite disconcerting.
8 Reviews
Very strong episode with great lead performances
snoozejonc5 June 2023
Dr Bashir faces close scrutiny on suspicions of disloyalty.
I like the story, as it puts a very good twist on the type of witch-hunt episodes we have previously seen in Star Trek like 'The Drumhead'. Similarly, it makes good use of previous DS9 plot lines to develop suspicion around a certain character.
As events unfold, particularly what Bashir is subjected to, it generates a sense of unease that is quite unsettling. It moves at a good pace and when certain reveals are made, I find them pretty satisfying.
Alexander Siddig and William Sadler are both excellent, with Siddig in particular leading the episode well and resisting the urge to stray over the top in the more emotional scenes. Avery Brooks also gives good support.
I like the story, as it puts a very good twist on the type of witch-hunt episodes we have previously seen in Star Trek like 'The Drumhead'. Similarly, it makes good use of previous DS9 plot lines to develop suspicion around a certain character.
As events unfold, particularly what Bashir is subjected to, it generates a sense of unease that is quite unsettling. It moves at a good pace and when certain reveals are made, I find them pretty satisfying.
Alexander Siddig and William Sadler are both excellent, with Siddig in particular leading the episode well and resisting the urge to stray over the top in the more emotional scenes. Avery Brooks also gives good support.
How about asking for a resume?
thevacinstaller28 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I am a big fan of outer limits / black mirror so I do appreciate the mind bending star trek episodes and this episode does an effective job of presenting a plausible case for Bashir being a unknowing spy for the dominion.
This is one of those episodes that is improved by knowing what is coming up in future episodes / seasons. Bashir's speech about what level starfleet is willing to go to when it's back is up against the wall is especially delicious given future plot developments in the serialized arc.
One of the main ingredients in a solid star trek episode is the guest star performance and Sloan is excellent in the role throughout the entire episode.
It is also interesting for Bashir to confront his romanticized version of secret agencies (James Bond) with a grittier and plausible one. Lies, Misdirection, Half Truths, a battle of wits and strategy are the weapons of secret agencies and not pursuing a mustache villain on a jet ski while shooting a crossbow.
Solid episode.
This is one of those episodes that is improved by knowing what is coming up in future episodes / seasons. Bashir's speech about what level starfleet is willing to go to when it's back is up against the wall is especially delicious given future plot developments in the serialized arc.
One of the main ingredients in a solid star trek episode is the guest star performance and Sloan is excellent in the role throughout the entire episode.
It is also interesting for Bashir to confront his romanticized version of secret agencies (James Bond) with a grittier and plausible one. Lies, Misdirection, Half Truths, a battle of wits and strategy are the weapons of secret agencies and not pursuing a mustache villain on a jet ski while shooting a crossbow.
Solid episode.
Is the doctor a traitor?
Tweekums18 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Just as the doctor is preparing to go to a medical conference the senior staff are all called to ops and told that one of them is suspected of leaking information to the Dominion; until the culprit is found they are all to be confined to their quarters
and the doctor isn't going to his conference. When Sloan, director of internal affairs interviews him the questions seem fairly innocuous but when Chief O'Brien contacts him it becomes clear that Sloan is very interested in the doctor; could it be that he is suspected? After a second interview he is accused of treason and the way he is treated shows some people in the Federation don't believe that a person is innocent until proved guilty. Briefly it even looked as though he may have been guilty when he appears to be beamed off the station by the Dominion only to be recaptured by the Defiant. Something isn't quite right though and he soon realises he is in fact in the holosuite and Sloan has been testing him the whole time.
This was a good episode that introduces Sloan and the sinister Section Thirty One. Early on I was unsure what they really wanted with the doctor or why they were acting in a way one wouldn't normally expect from the usually overly perfect Federation. William Sadler puts in a good performance as the sinister Sloan and regular cast member Alexander Siddig was great as Dr. Bashir.
This was a good episode that introduces Sloan and the sinister Section Thirty One. Early on I was unsure what they really wanted with the doctor or why they were acting in a way one wouldn't normally expect from the usually overly perfect Federation. William Sadler puts in a good performance as the sinister Sloan and regular cast member Alexander Siddig was great as Dr. Bashir.
A return to form...
planktonrules23 January 2015
The previous three episodes in a row for "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" were pretty bad. So, it's nice to see that here with "Inquisition" that the show is back on track.
The show begins with Dr. Bashir getting ready to leave the station to go to some medical conference. However, just as he's about to leave a team of Federation investigators arrive. They think that there's a traitor on board and everyone is confined to quarters until their investigation is complete. What follows is a super- paranoid episode--one that reveals for the first time that there might be a shadow organization within the Federation like the Obsidian Order within the Cardassians.
I like paranoid episodes and so I have a natural affinity for shows like this one. I also appreciate it when the shows reveal a less than warm and fuzzy presence within the Federation--mostly because for so long the Trek universe had been a bit too nice. These folks ain't nice--and it's a nice way to see the show returning to form. Well worth seeing.
The show begins with Dr. Bashir getting ready to leave the station to go to some medical conference. However, just as he's about to leave a team of Federation investigators arrive. They think that there's a traitor on board and everyone is confined to quarters until their investigation is complete. What follows is a super- paranoid episode--one that reveals for the first time that there might be a shadow organization within the Federation like the Obsidian Order within the Cardassians.
I like paranoid episodes and so I have a natural affinity for shows like this one. I also appreciate it when the shows reveal a less than warm and fuzzy presence within the Federation--mostly because for so long the Trek universe had been a bit too nice. These folks ain't nice--and it's a nice way to see the show returning to form. Well worth seeing.
Half of a Story Arc?
clsmith39321 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
When you watch "Inquisition" is is easy to label, categorize it as another recurring episode that extends back to TOS. The theme of "ends justify the means" is taken to the point that Captain Sisko decides to plot with Dr Basir in the take-down of those responsible for flouting the vaunted Federation Ideals of righteousness.
It is in the very next episode, "In the Pale Moon Light", that this theme is further explored and we are subjected to the greatest episode ever!
It is in the very next episode, "In the Pale Moon Light", that this theme is further explored and we are subjected to the greatest episode ever!
Another Starfleet witch-hunt episode? Maybe not...
kevinjloria14 June 2020
Since STAR TREK; TOS episodes like "Court-martial" are a staple trope in which starfleet (or Internal Affairs or other administration entities, a.k.a. Section 31) begin a witch-hunt or tribunal or whatever, usually proven to have some grounds in truth twisted to suit a personal agenda the inquisitor character has for gunning to bring down a character. With the backstory twists and dominion POW experiences Julian becomes the target. These are usually tiresome and pedantic storytelling, even with Michael Dorn himself directing it's tedious with some twists and a nice introduction to the enigmatic section 31
Tedious, Silly
frankelee26 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's a Great Value version of The Drumhead. Sure that episode played fast and loose with military law (even though Starfleet says it's not a military, I'll pretend they don't to make the episode's plot alright), but it worked. In this case, they could play very fast and loose with military law, because none of it's real. Until the end, when we find out about the rather silly Section 31. That's right, a secret police in the advanced, evolved, peaceful Federation of Planets. Oh if only those poor savages in the 24th century could only learn lessons about decency and power from the United States in the 20th century.
I get it, they wanted to make their action space adventure show have a fun new, sophomoric idea to play with. Because this isn't TNG and there's no point pretending it can be.
Maybe I could overlook all that, if only at any point during the entire episode they had someone in Starfleet Security mention just what specific incident caused them to suspect Dr. Bashir of anything in the first place. Even if the entire thing was just to test Bashir in order to recruit him, wouldn't that question occur to the super genius during the proceedings? The FBI doesn't arrest and interrogate you because you've had too many zany adventures, there would be an actual incident, leak, crime, or some other specific thing which caused them to suspect you. Even if a common person couldn't figure that out for two days, Dr. Bashir can't?
I get it, they wanted to make their action space adventure show have a fun new, sophomoric idea to play with. Because this isn't TNG and there's no point pretending it can be.
Maybe I could overlook all that, if only at any point during the entire episode they had someone in Starfleet Security mention just what specific incident caused them to suspect Dr. Bashir of anything in the first place. Even if the entire thing was just to test Bashir in order to recruit him, wouldn't that question occur to the super genius during the proceedings? The FBI doesn't arrest and interrogate you because you've had too many zany adventures, there would be an actual incident, leak, crime, or some other specific thing which caused them to suspect you. Even if a common person couldn't figure that out for two days, Dr. Bashir can't?
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
