Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Inquisition (1998)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

When Director Luthor Sloan (William Sadler) boards the Defiant, Doctor Julian Bashir’s (Alexander Siddig) plans to attend a medical convention are thwarted. Sloan spends his time on board now questioning the doctor, prying into his life–attempting to uncover a secret. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Inquisition is a sophisticated legal-drama interpretation of Star Trek, one that forces viewers to question beloved characters’ loyalties, shifting the trajectory of Deep Space Nine forever. 

The predecessor to the incredibly-successful episode of Deep Space Nine, In the Pale Moonlight, Inquisition harbors a similarly dark tone that permeates the entirety of the episode. The episode revolves around Bashir and Sloan, polar opposites whose intentions aren’t truly understood until the final moments of the episode. Mystery surrounds both characters, as they engage in a battle of wits, one that mirrors the heart of the Star Trek franchise. Darkness exists in Inquisition as a result of this mystery, as viewers aren’t ever sure the direction in which the episode will eventually head–teasing the possibility for great drama, a shift in the greater Deep Space Nine universe. 

Emotion plays a prominent role in developing Inquisition, and ultimately in its success. It’s important to have grown close to Bashir. Whether that bond has been formed over multiple years of watching Deep Space Nine, or within this episode alone, Director Michael Dorn ensures that viewers can connect with this character, and that their opinion of him is essential to the narrative and Inquisition as a whole. As viewers grow closer to Bashir throughout the episode, the potential for what might happen to him becomes more important. It’s clear what Dorn and Writers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle want viewers to think–and through this slowburn episode, viewers realize the full potential of what could happen to not only Bashir, but the entire Deep Space Nine crew. 

Sloan–or, more importantly, Sadler, is the most important aspect of this episode. He’s the official introduction to Section 31, a black ops branch of Starfleet that has, for decades, gone unnoticed (and was eventually given shitty treatment in the atrocity that is Section 31). The necessity to get this introduction right, if it were to be included in Star Trek lore going forward, was monumental. While there may have been a select few others that could have played the role of Sloan, Sadler is the obvious choice. A brilliant character actor who has traversed the entire landscape of Hollywood throughout his career, Sadler sees himself playing the inaccessible Sloan in Inquisition–a character that seems almost to be written specifically for him–but possesses a series of relatable and enviable qualities. Sadler’s ability to manipulate his facial expressions, to take charge on set, to be compelling in every second of the episode, makes him the most interesting and important aspect of this story. He’s the perfect introduction to Section 31, the best choice to be the face of such a morally ambiguous organization–and Inquisition, in all of its glory, is better because of him. 

Inquisition possesses a level of sophistication that initially drew me to Star Trek–that sometimes carries the even lesser entities of this greater canon. The fully-realized nature of this episode propels it to great heights, and allows it to thrive from start to finish. There are certain questions surrounding the use of simulation in this episode, but its use is warranted, effective. While Inquisition possesses a great amount of potential for this cinematic universe, I believe it has the ability to stand on its own, to appeal to those that have never felt the need to dive into Star Trek. It’s a masterfully made episode that hits the right emotional notes, fully fleshes out a compelling story, and sees a handful of gargantuan characters take the stage and shine brightly from start to finish. Inquisition is the true essence of Star Trek, and an episode that I look forward to watching again. 

Directed by Michael Dorn. 

Written by Gene Roddenberry, Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Bradley Thompson, & David Weddle. 

Starring Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Michael Dorn, Terry Farrell, Cirroc Lofton, Colm Meaney, Armin Shimerman, Alexander Siddig, Nana Visitor, William Sadler, etc. 

9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW