Section-31

Story: Inquisition
Written By: Bradley Thompson & David Weddle
Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Year: 1998

A terrific piece of drama. Luther Sloan from internal affairs comes to the station to investigate an alleged spy. But it turns out his suspect is Bashir, and in fact he has pretty much convicted him like a Cardassian before he has even questioned anyone. Bashir gets thrown in the brig, and questioned ruthlessly by Sloan, who twists all of Bashirs words, or claims he is lying or that he is repressing his memories. Sloan even goes so far as to create a simulation trying to convince Bashir that he really is a Dominion spy repressing his memories.
It is a great piece of drama, but it is eventually revealed that Sloan isn’t from internal affairs at all, but from a secret organization of the Federation known as Section-31. Pretty much a Federation version of the Romulan’s Tal Shiar or the Cardassian’s Obsidian Order. It is an interesting prospect, even if it goes against some of Roddenberry’s Utopian ideals about the Federation and Earth. I’m torn on the issue, I think they make for a great episode or two, but I do wonder if it sort of it contradicts some aspects of the franchise’s philosophy.

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