Civil Defense

Quick Review:

O'Brien and Jake Sisko are working in a little-used part of the space station. All of a sudden.....they trip a security alarm which sets off a series of security protocols the Cardassians put in place - and apparently didn't bother to disengage when they left OR let the Federation know about it.

Gul Dukat's voice and video image warning Bajoran workers to please cooperate or else he will kill everyone - plays incessantly in the background and foreground.

Plot Hole Question: Why didn't the Federation THOROUGHLY sweep DS9 before allowing families and civilians to live and work on the station? How many other traps and death-lurking-security-protocols are awaiting whomever stumbles upon them?

This episode is a clear reminder of what DS9 was before the Federation took control. A drab, depressingly dark and dingy place of forced labor for Bajorans.

Leadership rises to the top under any situation. Notice how Sisko (stranded on the station in isolated rooms with O'Brien and Jake) takes charge, comes up with awesome ideas, and has a never-give-up attitude. People who are genuine leaders tend to be leaders in all aspects of their lives and in all situations - not just when they are in their normal leadership position.

As the episode progresses the groups formed are: Group 1 (Roaming around in isolated rooms) - Benjamin Sisko, Jake Sisko and Chief O'Brien Group 2 (Stuck in Ops) - Kira, Dax, Bashir, Garak, and an expendable extra Group 3 (Stuck in Odo's security office) - Odo and Quark

This episode drags along. The writers had a hard time with it from the conception of the idea. There is so many pseudo science discussions and space station terminology and phraseology the episode bogs down. Even when there is only a few vital minutes remaining before the space station self destructs the actors are walking through their cues and blocking with hardly a sense of inevitable death. At least Kirk, etc. Acted desperate like their lives depended on their actions. He was sometimes accused of overacting but we all loved it and you know it.