Good keeps getting better; evil stays the same. Any era, any generation can appreciate the truth in this episode. Maybe some in the spoiled halcyon or bubble periods didn't get it as widely, but the rest of us did. Fantastic exploration of authoritarianism, justice, and the human journey. Season 2 really ratcheted up the writing and direction of the actors. The great casting (and guests) were being utilized well beyond the clunky, immature, amateurish, simplistic first season. There's meat on them bones finally. Even the editing and pacing was vastly improved during season 2. You would be forgiven for discounting DS9 in season 1, for the stilted, Star Wars prequel-like delivery, or the borderline-black exploitation & soap opera cutting style. The costumes became more detailed and they slightly reduced the overly-groomed and uniform, carpeted look in every scene. The religious overtones and post-Roddenberry "predestination" aspects are still difficult to swallow, but that story thread is punctuated by episodes like this.