Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges (3 Mar. 1999)

While making plans to attend a medical conference on the Romulan home world, Dr. Bashir is contacted by Sloane of Section 31 and recruited to determine the health of a high-ranking Romulan ... See full summary »

Director:

David Livingston

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry, Rick Berman (creator),

Stars:

Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Nicole de Boer

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Avery Brooks	...	Captain Sisko
Rene Auberjonois	...	Odo
Nicole de Boer	...	Lieutenant Ezri Dax (as Nicole deBoer)
Michael Dorn	...	Lt. Commander Worf
Cirroc Lofton	...	Jake Sisko (credit only)
Colm Meaney	...	Chief O'Brien
Armin Shimerman	...	Quark (credit only)
Alexander Siddig	...	Doctor Bashir
Nana Visitor	...	Colonel Kira
William Sadler	...	Sloan
Andrew Robinson	...	Garak (as Andrew J. Robinson)
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Cretak
John Fleck	...	Koval
Barry Jenner	...	Admiral Ross
Hal Landon Jr.	...	Neral

Storyline

While making plans to attend a medical conference on the Romulan home world, Dr. Bashir is contacted by Sloane of Section 31 and recruited to determine the health of a high-ranking Romulan official. Things turn more desperate, though, when the ranking Starfleet admiral traveling with him, who knows about Section 31's interest in the conference mysteriously suffers a brain aneurysm after Dr. Bashir finds out that Sloane is traveling with the group, as well.

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Plot Keywords:

24th century | reference to cicero | interrogation | title spoken by character

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 1999 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The phrase "Inter arma enim silent leges" is Latin for "For among [times of] arms, the laws fall mute," although it is more popularly rendered as "In times of war, the law falls silent" (Just as Dr. Bashir explained it to Admiral Ross). This maxim was first written by Cicero in his published oration Pro Milone, although Cicero's actual wording was "Silent enim leges inter arma." At the time when Cicero used this phrase, mob violence was common. Armed gangs led by thuggish partisan leaders controlled the streets of Rome. Such leaders were nevertheless elected to high offices.

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Goofs

In the episode's last external view of the USS Bellerophon, the designation NCC-74656 can be seen on the hull. NCC-74656 is the designation for the USS Voyager.

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Quotes

Dr. Julian Bashir: [referring to Cretak and Koval] I take it you two don't get along.
Cretak: We have different views.
Dr. Julian Bashir: Which are?
Cretak: [smiles] State secrets.
Dr. Julian Bashir: Naturally.

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Connections

Referenced in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: The Gift of Gab (2001)

User Reviews

Who can you trust?

When Doctor Bashir is invited to a medical conference on Romulus he thinks he will just be giving a few talks on medical matters, however shortly before he sets off he is woken by Sloan, an agent of the shadowy Section 31 intelligence agency who wants Julian to gather information on a senior Romulan who may have an illness Section 31 can exploit.

The doctor initially refuses but is persuaded to play along with Sloan in order to expose Section 31's activities. When he is at the conference he is surprised to see Sloan is there to. When it becomes clear that Sloan is plotting to assassinate the head of Romulan intelligence Julian is forced to turn to the one person he can trust; a Romulan senator.

This episode was exciting despite having little action, the convoluted machinations of Sloan meant the viewer is constantly kept wondering what his real motives and intentions are and we don't learn what they are till the end. As usual Alexander Siddig does well as Dr. Bashir, it was nice to see him as the main character in an episode.