“Homefront” and its conclusion, “Paradise Lost,” mark a drastic chage for Trek, thereby proving DS9 was unlike anything that had come before. I have used the term un-Trek before with the homage to Indiana Jones and James Bond in recent days, but this is different. The attempted coup on Earth storyline is far more elaborate and sinister than the similar Federation conspiracy in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country because at no point did the conspirators seem in the right in TUC, but we are left with a chill at the end of “Homefront” because, at the time, at least, the martial law declaration sounded like a reasonable thing to do.The episode does take on a whole new meaning post-9/11. At the time “home front” aired in 1995, no one could conceive a handful of nemy infiltrators could bring about a disastrous act of terror in the united states itself. I know it is a touchy subject with complaints the Patriot Act tramples on civil rights as badly as a martial law declaration would, but you have to admit, we as a nation did not panic and give up our way of life as readily as readily as 24th century earth did.
When it unrevealed Changeling has infiltrated Earth and set off a bomb at a federation-Romulan conference in Antwerp, Adm, leyton, an old superior officer of Sisko‘s, calls him to Earth because of his experience with Changelings. Sisko agrees, and brings Odo with him to root out however many Changelings are on earth before they can do any more serious damage
Sisko is appointed Chief of Earth Security. He offers up suggestions o how he has handled the Changeling problem thus far--blood tests and phaser sweeps. The Federation president is not fond of the idea. Blood tests on every citizen? What if one refuses? What about religious objections, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses? Sweeping every room on Earth would be impossible even if it was not a violation of private property. He changes his mind when the case Sisko is carrying turns out to be Odo.
That wasa reasonable trick to play on the president in order to provea point, but hecomesacross as so weak and indecisive, it almost feels like bullying. I am surprised someone as meek as he appears to be could be president. You would think so recently after the Borg invasion, the people would want someone tougher.
In reality, Sisko is being duped as well. I loathe to call him a useful idiot, as I respect the character, but he is inadvertently paving the way for martial law to be declared. Even a personal touch--his father refuses a blood test demanded by Starfleet personnel, does not discourage him.
Odo encounters a Changeling posing as Leyton and then Earth’s power grid is sabotaged. Why the entire Earth is powered by one grid is beyond me, but the two events combine to convince the president to declare martial law. Other than the Borg attack, Earth is under its first state of emergency since the whale probe attacked the oceans in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
I remember getting a chill at the cliffhanger when Starfleet security begun beaming in, armed, on the streets of Earth. It was such a complete change of pace for Trek. The theme that the supposedly enlightened people of the 24th century will abandoned their principles when their comfort zone is violated as already been touched on in “The Maquis, Part I/II” but it really comes to a head here in a big way. It will not be the last time, either. But the realization even the federation will keep up freedom for security is jarring.
Because of its change I tone for series, “Homefront” earns four stars from me. Some argue that the Battle of Wolf 359 is the 9/11 of Trek because military action quickly took precedent over exploration in the franchise, but I go more with the Changeling terrorist acts instead. I can elaborate more reviewing part two tomorrow when the more comfortable line between eternal vigilance and an eternal police state is more clearly established.
Rating: **** (out of 5)
