History Recap / StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS04E12ParadiseLost

* BaitAndSwitch: [[TropesAreTools Intentionally invoked]] by the creators as a followup to the ploat of the previous episode's cliffhanger.
--> '''René Echevarria:''' "We go out of Part I saying, 'There's going to be a big battle, and we're going to stop them. Martial law – yes! Clamp down on rights – yes! Blood tests – yes! No civil rights – yes!' And then in Part II we find out that the real point of the story is how dangerous this feeling is."

** Siski pulls off an ''accidental'' one, contacting an admiral at the Academy to inquire about a record which shows that Red Squad were transported back to the Academy just after the power went out, only to then be redeployed a few hours later. The admiral assumes Sisko's in on the conspiracy, thanks him for bringing it to his attention, and tells Sisko to make sure the record is expunged. Sisko quickly realizes what's going on and plays along with it.

* BoringButPractical: This episode demonstrates why Starfleet has kept the ''Excelsior''-class ships in service for a century. The re-fitted ''Lakota'' manages to go toe-to-toe with the ''Defiant'', a ship designed to fight the Borg, and very nearly wins.[[labelnote:*]]Bear in mind both ships were holding back using their best weapons and they were mismatched fighters. The ''Defiant'' is a dedicated warship while the ''Lakota'' is an exploratory design refitted for frontline combat. While the ''Defiant'' could certainly have won, the fact that the ''Lakota'' still gave her pause is a testament to Starfleet's flexibility in design.[[/labelnote]]

** Leyton reiterates his orders to Benteen to stop the ''Defiant'' by any means necessary, even if it means destroying her with quantum torpedoes. Fortunately, she's sane enough to stand down.

** Sisko hauls in a Red Squad cadet for a chewing out, making the cadet believe Sisko's in league with Leyton. Sisko then demands the cadet walk him through the plan to sabotage the planetary power grid to explain their "damn sloppy work".
** Earlier, he pulls off an ''accidental'' one, contacting an admiral at the Academy to inquire about the record which shows that Red Squad were transported back to the Academy just after the power went out. The admiral assumes Sisko's in on the conspiracy, thanks him for bringing it to his attention, and promises to make sure the record is expunged. Sisko quickly realizes what's going on and plays along with it.

* BoringButPractical: This episode demonstrates why Starfleet has kept the ''Excelsior''-class ships in service for a century. The re-fitted ''Lakota'' manages to go toe-to-toe with the ''Defiant'', a ship designed to fight the Borg, and very nearly wins.[[labelnote:*]]Bear in mind both ships were holding back using their best weapons and they were mismatched fighters. The ''Defiant'' is a dedicated warship and the ''Lakota'' is an exploratory design. While the ''Defiant'' could certainly have won, the fact that the ''Lakota'' still gave her pause is a testament to Starfleet's flexibility in design.[[/labelnote]]

* RankUp: Benteen is promoted to captain and given command of the USS ''Lakota''.

* RevealingCoverup: Sisko and Odo notice a transporter log indicating that Red Squad was beamed back to San Francisco just after the blackout, demobilized, then mobilized just three hours later. When the Academy commandant asks Sisko to erase that log entry, because it might cause problems, it's their first hint that something bigger is at work.

** In at least one case a non-Odo changeling makes it on the grounds of Starfleet command, impersonating an officer, and escapes unmolested.
** It's pointed out by Odo in the past that the other changelings are ''much more'' skilled at Infiltration than he is. And if Odo can defeat the new measures (with the help of foreknowledge about them), how good can they be against practiced Changeling infiltrators who know what they are doing?

* WeHaveReserves: Leyton claims he has enough forces to "make a fight out of it" after Benteen and the ''Lakota'' crew turn on him.

* YouHaveToBelieveMe: Sisko's attempt to convince Jaresh-Inyo that Leyton's plotting against him comes close to this, but Sisko remains rational enough to make Inyo [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure willing to consider the evidence]].

** It's pointed out by Odo in the past that the other changelings are ''much more'' skilled at Infiltration than he is. And if Odo can defeat the new measures (with the help of foreknowledge about them), how good can they be against Changelings who know what they are doing.

* NamedAfterSomebodyFamous: Cadet Riley Aldrin Shepard shares two names with astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Alan Shepard. Doubles as an AwesomeMcCoolname.

** It's pointed by Odo in the past that the other changelings are ''much more'' skilled at Infiltration than he is. And if Odo can defeat the new measures (with the help of foreknowledge about them), how good can they be against Changelings who know what they are doing.

* SuspiciouslySmallArmy: Starfleet having only one ship in the vicinity of Earth during a time of crisis; and despite an admiral who's followers include the head of Starfleet Academy, Leyton only has the ''Lakota'' to do his bidding even though Starfleet has thousands of ships as seen later in the Dominion War. This could be less that it's the only ship in the area and more it's the only ship in the area commanded by Leyton's most trusted lieutenant.

* SuspiciouslySmallArmy: Starfleet having only one ship in the vicinity of Earth despite a time of crisis, and despite an admiral who's followers include the head of Starfleet Academy, Leyton only has the ''Lakota'' to do his bidding despite Starfleet having thousands of ships as seen later in the Dominion War. This could be less that it's the only ship in area and more it's the only ship in the area commanded by Leyton's most trusted lieutenant.

* BrickJoke: Last episode, Jake was reluctant to visit his grandfather, fearing he'd be made to chop vegetables. In this episode, Joseph recruits Jake to chop up some oregano, and Jake winces.

Meanwhile, a force of Deep Space Nine officers led by Worf has captured Leyton's agent who was forcing open the wormhole to make it look like a cloaked Dominion fleet was going through. They're en route to Earth in the ''Defiant'' to have the agent testify and bring Leyton down. Odo rescues Sisko from the brig, allowing the commander to confront Leyton in his office. He says that the admiral's actions, though meant to protect the Federation from external threats, will result in an civil war. Leyton is unmoved and orders Benteen, whom he has recently promoted, to intercept the ''Defiant'', telling her that it is crewed by Changelings. She obeys, in spite of her reservations.

Sisko orders Nog to provide him names of cadets in Red Squad. Even though the roster is officially classified, no one can keep a secret from a Ferengi. Soon, Cadet Riley Shepard visits Sisko and admits that he and Red Squad perpetrated the sabotage believing it to be an official mission. Sisko and Odo reason that, because no invasion resulted after the blackout, the Dominion were probably not even involved. The conspiracy must have originated inside Starfleet to engineer a crisis and assume power. And who has gained the most power but Admiral Leyton? They bring their theory to President Jaresh-Inyo, who is skeptical and demands proof. Sisko promises to return with it.

Leyton meets with Sisko and admits to his plans, arguing that they're necessary to protect the Federation and will only be temporary. He urges Sisko to honor the chain of command and follow his orders, but Sisko refuses, so Leyton relieves Sisko of his position as Chief of Starfleet Security and tells him to report back to Deep Space Nine. On his way out, Sisko bumps into Miles O'Brien but instantly realizes that O'Brien is lightyears away. It's a Changeling, who confides in Sisko that even though there are only four Changeling infiltrators on Earth, the Federation's fear of them will ultimately destroy it. Sisko can do nothing but listen and allow the Changeling to escape.

Meanwhile, a force of Deep Space Nine officers led by Worf has captured Leyton's agent who was forcing open the wormhole to make it look like a cloaked Dominion fleet was going through. They're en route to Earth in the ''Defiant'' to have the agent testify and bring Leyton down. Odo rescues Sisko from the Brig, allowing the commander to confront Leyton in his office. He says that the admiral's actions, though meant to protect the Federation from external threats, will result in an civil war. Leyton is unmoved and orders Benteen, whom he has recently promoted, to intercept the ''Defiant'', telling her that it is crewed by Changelings. She obeys, in spite of her reservations.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: We never find out what happened to the actual changeling infiltrators on Earth who bombed the Antwerp conference.

Poeer has been restored and a planetwide state of emergency has been declared, but Sisko and Odo are still no closer to figuring out how the Dominion knocked sabotaged their power relays. Then Odo notices that the Starfleet Academy's "Red Squad" got transported back to headquarters 26 minutes after the power went out. The commandant of the academy is evasive about the operation and asks Sisko to destroy the records, which only heightens his suspicions.

Sisko orders Nog to provide him names of cadets in Red Squad. Even though the roster is officially classified, no one can keep a secret from a Ferengi. Soon, Cadet Riley Shepard visits Sisko and admits that he and Red Squad perpetrated the sabotage believing it to be an official mission. Sisko and Odo reason that, because no invasion resulted after the blackout, the Dominion were probably not even involved. The conspiracy must have originated inside Starfleet to engineer a crisis and assume power. And who has been in the center of this crisis but Admiral Leyton? They bring their theory to President Jaresh-Inyo, who is skeptical and demands proof. Sisko promises to return with it.

Leyton meets with Sisko and admits to his plans, arguing that they're necessary to protect the Federation and will only be temporary. He urges Sisko to honor the chain of command and follow his orders, but Sisko refuses, so Leyton relieves Sisko of his position as Chief of Starfleet Security and tells him to report back to Deep Space Nine. On his way out, Sisko bumps into Miles O'Brien but instantly realizes that O'Brien is lightyears away. It's a Changeling, who confides in Sisko that there are only four Changeling infiltrators on Earth and that the Federation's fear of them will ultimately destroy them. Sisko can do nothing but listen and allow the Changeling to escape.

On the pretense of taking leave, Sisko remains on Earth and gathers evidence against Leyton, finding that he's been stacking his command with officers with personal loyalty to him. When Sisko arrives to Jaresh-Inyo to give his report, he's confronted by a room full of Leyton's officers, who give him a blood test that gives a false positive. Sisko is arrested as a Changeling and sent to the brig. Leyton promises to release him after he assumes power, which will be just before Jaresh-Inyo's next speech.

Meanwhile, a force of Deep Space Nine officers led by Worf has captured Leyton's agent who was forcing open the wormhole to make it look like a cloaked Dominion fleet was going through. They're en route to Earth in the ''Defiant'' to have the agent testify and bring Leyton down. Odo rescues Sisko from the Brig, allowing the commander to confront Leyton in his office. He tells the admiral that his actions, though meant to protect the Federation from external threats, will result in an civil war. Leyton is unmoved and orders Benteen, whom he has recently promoted, to intercept the ''Defiant'', telling her that it is filled with Changelings. She obeys, in spite of her reservations.

Benteen's ''Lakota'' and the ''Defiant'' blast the hell out of each other. Both ships are within one last salvo of destruction. Worf refuses to take the killshot, and Benteen also backs down. Worf announces to Sisko that the ''Lakota'' is escorting the ''Defiant'' to Earth. Leyton has lost. Through it all, Odo has been informing the President of Leyton's actions, and the ''Defiant'' will provide the necessary proof. Leyton reluctantly concedes and resigns his position, leaving his rank insignias on his desk.

It's time to head home. Everyone seems to agree that Changelings are in their midst, but they can't let fear dictate how they will live, so they will carry on as normal. Ben and Jake bid Joseph Sisko a fond farewell after failing to convince him to move his restaurant to the station. After they depart, Joseph opens his doors to a crowd of eager diners.

* BlatantLies: The changeling posing as O'Brien claims that the Founders don't fear solids; the Dominion itself was founded out of the Founders' fear of humanoids, with their drive to dominate being based on the philosophy that they don't have to fear what they control.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Benteen had no problem taking part in a military coup and trying to disable the ''Defiant'', but she draws the line at outright destroying the ''Defiant'' and killing innocent Starfleet personnel. Also Leyton instigated the coup, but calls it off when he realizes he can't without causing a full-on civil war in the Federation.

* IShallTauntYou: A Changeling takes the form of Chief O'Brien and has a chat with Sisko.

* ParanoiaGambit: Changeling!O'Brien elaborates on this to Sisko. There are only four changelings[[labelnote: !]]"You would defeat the Federation with four Changelings? ;)[[/labelnote]] on Earth ([[UnreliableNarrator well, so the changeling says, anyway]]), but just the mere thought of infiltration has sent the planet into panic.

* VillainousBreakdown: Leyton seems to start one as his plans go south, but ultimately reins it in and resigns quietly.

Poeer has been restored and a nationwide state of emergency has been declared, but Sisko and Odo are still no closer to figuring out how the Dominion knocked sabotaged their power relays. Then Odo notices that the Starfleet Academy's "Red Squad" got transported back to headquarters 26 minutes after the power went out. The commandant of the academy is evasive about the operation and asks Sisko to destroy the records, which only heightens his suspicions.

As Starfleet enforces sweeping security reforms on Earth, Sisko investigates the threat of Changelings and the Dominion. But mounting evidence indicates the entire situation could be an inside job.

* SwissCheeseSecurity: Sisko is able to get from his holding cell all the way to Leyton's office without being stopped by security, all while supposedly being wanted as a changeling infiltrator. Especially egregious since the previous episode had shown Starfleet was beefing up security at its headquarters. Then again, as Odo points out, he and Sisko helped install the security upgrades, so they would know how to circumvent them.