When Section 31's Sloan returns to DS9 to seek Dr Bashir's help in an undercover operation on Romulus, the Doctor agrees in an attempt to uncover the agent and his organization's background. But there's more going on than meets the eye, and Julian may not be able to trust anyone...
DSN meets The X-Files for this paranoid tale of Section 31, the mysterious unit not affiliated with Starfleet that deals in cloak and dagger operations. It's more difficult to use Bashir these days, as with his genetically modified brain, he can outthink most people he comes across. But once again, Sloan seems to be one step ahead.
The writing of this episode is exemplary, throwing in multiple twists, and painting a world where no one can be trusted and nothing is as it appears. It's never predictable, with the viewer unable to see where the story is going, and we find out more about Section 31. But how much is true? Well, we may never know, but they'll be back later in the season.
Sloan is a great character; cunning, manipulative and vicious, and makes a good foil for the Doctor, who is trying to do the right thing to stop a murder, unaware that he's playing exactly the role he's required to. More twists and turns than a twisty-turny thing, as the phrase goes, and a really clever and intriguing episode with an ending you won't expect, followed by a coda you'll expect even less. Deep Space Nine at the top of its game.
****
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