Homefront (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"Homefront" is an episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the eleventh episode of the fourth season. It is rated 4.3/5 on the official Star Trek Website.

Plot

When 27 people are killed at a diplomatic conference on Earth, and the Changelings are the chief suspects, Odo and Captain Sisko travel to Earth to investigate what looks like a bold new offensive by the Dominion that could lead to war. Joining forces with Vice-Admiral Leyton, they begin to introduce new security measures, hoping to be prepared if the Changelings attack again. With the Dominion threat ever looming, paranoia begins to grow, and even Sisko momentarily suspects his own father of being a Changeling. As matters escalate, all the power on Earth is knocked out, and sabotage is believed to be the cause. Sisko and Leyton decide to prepare Earth for war, and they convince the President to declare a state of emergency on Earth.

Arc significance

• Changeling infiltration (cf. "The Adversary") has reached Earth.
• After a planet-wide power outage apparently caused by Changelings, the Federation President lets Starfleet declare martial law.
• This is the first mention of Red Squad, an elite group of Starfleet Cadets Nog wishes to join, though even Sisko is not aware of its existence.

Background information

This episode was to contain a reference to Earth's indigenous government, United Earth - specifically, an explanation as to why the Federation President was able to override UE authority and directly declare martial law on Earth, and why no actual UE leadership was seen in the episode. Ronald D. Moore explains that UE forces were supposed to appear, but the reference was cut for time.^[1]

References

External links

• Homefront at the Internet Movie Database
• "Homefront" at TV.com
• Homefront at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
• Homefront at StarTrek.com