Wherein Bashir lies to Starfleet, kidnaps Sloan, uses an illegal device to interrogate him, and inadvertently leads to his suicide, all while ignoring the irony he is using Section 31’s dirty tactics in order to eliminate Section 31’sdirty tactics. The episode isa heavy-handed attempt to muss Bashir’s hair a bit, but lacks the self-awareness to effectively pull it off.Time is running out for Odo, so Bashir decides to go with O’Brien’s plan of lying to Starfleet about finding a cure for the Changeling virus with the assumption someone from Section 31 will show up to destroy it. When that happens, Bashir can get thecure from him.
The plan involves a few implausible assumptions:
1. There is a cure.
2. The operative who shows up knows the formula.
3. Failing that, knows someone who does.
4. Said operative will not just destroy the lab to eliminate the cure.
5. There is enough time to fid and administer the cure even under the best of circumstances.
Since I m not a genetically enhanced super genius, I will just go ahead and assume I am too dense to see how beautifully effective this plan is.
Sloan does show up. Bashir shoots him, then opts to use the illegal Romulan mind probes to find the formula in Sloan’s mind, because field agents always know such things. Sloan triggers the 24th ceturyersion of a Cyanide pill. Bashir caot revive him. He can only put him on unconscious life support for a short period of time. He and Bashir literally go traveling inside Sloan’s mind to find the formula.
Sloan’s mind is a surreal, complex trap designed specifically to stall Bashir by at various times appealing to his idealism, his friendship with O’Brien, and his overwhelming compulsion to be a hero. The sequence is the best part of the episode. Even near death and trapped inside his ow mind, Sloan plays Bashir like a fiddle. It is only the unplanned influence of O’Brien that allows the mission to be successful.
For those of you attached to the O’Brien/Bashir friendship, there is scene made especially for you. When the two believe they are dying at one point, O’Brien finally admits an agape love for Bashir. Well, there you go.
Odo is successfully cured. I thought what might have bee his last moments with Kira were not as moving as they could have been since they were such a small part of the episode, but I have been skeptical of their romance period.
The abrupt end to Section 31’s involvement in the series is a bit jarring, too. I am more forgiving about that since I am not as adverse to the organization’s existence as the show wants meto be. I agree with Sloan I one sense--idealists like Bashir just as surely as pacifists are the enablers of tyranny. The big drawback is Bashir comes around to Sloan’s way of thinking when he is desperate to save Odo, yet not only pretends he does not, but still loathes others wo take extreme measures for the greater good. Bashir’s blinders a big reason I ave never cared much for the character.
I have been brutal I my critique, but I actually like “Extreme Measures,” although I will concede it is the weakest of the final nine episodes of The Final Chapter. My fondness for it largely comes from William Sadler’s portrayal of Sloan. They should have utilized him more than just in a handful of appearances. He makes a good villain because he hasa compelling argument to justify his actions.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
