Sisko's Most Controversial Moments: Unveiling the Dark Side of Star Trek

Summary

Captain Sisko was willing to break laws and bend ideals to protect his crew and the universe, making tough decisions in times of war.

Sisko resorted to blackmail and extortion in order to achieve the greater good, exemplified by his convincing Quark to remain on DS9 for the success of the station. He made moral compromises, which involved the utilization of biological weapons and the fabrication of evidence, to accomplish his objectives, illustrating his readiness to make difficult choices for the benefit of all.

Captain Benjamin Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, was a man known for his ability to make tough decisions in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine series. He was willing to go against the law if it meant achieving the best outcome for the Bajorans or the Federation. As both a religious figure and a Starfleet officer, Sisko struggled to balance his dual responsibilities but always acted in the best interests of his crew and the wider universe, even if it meant resorting to morally questionable actions such as murder or abetting genocide. This portrayal of Sisko in morally grey areas challenged Gene Roddenberry's vision for Star Trek, but it reflected the reality of the extraordinary position Sisko found himself in during the Dominion War. In times of war, tough decisions must be made, and crimes are sometimes committed. Captain Benjamin Sisko understood this better than anyone.

10 Used Nog To Blackmail Quark

In the pilot episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, titled "Emissary", Sisko decides to imprison Nog, a young character played by Aron Eisenberg, due to his involvement in theft. This strategic move is carefully orchestrated by Sisko with the intention of persuading Quark, portrayed by Armin Shimerman, to remain on DS9 and continue operating his bar for the benefit of other business owners. Though it involves tactics of extortion and blackmail, it ultimately serves the greater good of both the station and Bajor itself. Recognizing the pivotal role played by Quark's Bar in the success of DS9 as a commercial hub, Sisko deems it necessary to employ a more Ferengi-like strategy in order to ensure the bartender's continued presence in the business.

9 Sacked Rom From The Niners

In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Take Me Out To The Holosuite," Sisko's ongoing Vulcan rivalry transforms him into a stern baseball coach. Tasked with leading a team of inexperienced players, Sisko is faced with making difficult choices in order to defeat Captain Solok and his skilled Logicians. As a result, Sisko makes the tough call to remove Rom from the Niners due to his poor batting performance. Though this decision initially strains his relationship with the team, Sisko eventually realizes his mistake and adopts a more lighthearted approach to the game. In a surprising turn of events, Rom manages to score a point purely by chance, resulting in jubilant celebrations all around.

8 Blackmailed Garak To Save Kira

In "Second Skin", Sisko compels Elim Garak (Andrew Robinson) to accompany him on a dangerous assignment to Cardassia Prime. Garak faces peril as he is unwelcome on his home planet due to questionable activities in his past. Nonetheless, Sisko recognizes Garak's value and his sense of belonging on Deep Space Nine. Capitalizing on this, Sisko coerces Garak by threatening to have him expelled from DS9 to appease the Bajoran Provisional Government, who oppose the presence of Cardassians on the station. This calculated maneuver demonstrates Sisko's adept negotiation skills, particularly when dealing with non-Federation species.

7 Let Maquis Traitor Calvin Hudson Flee Starfleet Custody

Sisko's relationship with the Maquis was complex, and his behavior while pursuing his former colleague Lieutenant Michael Eddington (Kenneth Marshall) raises questions. It stands in stark contrast to how he dealt with his former friend Lieutenant Commander Calvin Hudson (Bernie Casey). In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine two-parter "The Maquis," Sisko allowed Hudson to escape Starfleet custody, defying Gul Dukat's (Marc Alaimo) dismay. Sisko justified his actions by stating he would not condemn a man for protecting his home. However, their shared time at Starfleet Academy likely influenced his controversial decision.

6 Had Kasidy Yates Arrested For Helping The Maquis

By the time of the episode "For the Cause," Sisko's view of the Maquis had become more rigid due to two additional acts of betrayal. Learning that his girlfriend and future wife, Kasidy Yates (Penny Johnson Jerald), was covertly supplying resources to the Maquis, Sisko faced a choice between his duty as a Starfleet officer and his relationship with her. Ultimately, he made the difficult decision to have Kasidy arrested, although they both agreed to resume their relationship after she served her prison sentence. While Sisko's decision may seem excessively stern, considering he had allowed Hudson to go free, it marked the end of a once-close friendship. Allowing Kasidy to surrender ensured that their love would endure without the need for her to evade pursuit by the authorities.

5 Justified Starfleet's Use Of The Morphogenic Virus Against The Dominion Founders

Despite the final decision being made by Starfleet Command, Sisko bears responsibility for withholding the cure for the Morphogenic Virus. After Doctor Julian Bashir successfully obtained the antidote from Section 31, Starfleet concluded that sharing it with the Dominion during the ongoing war would be unjustifiable. This deeply angered Constable Odo, as it essentially implied that Starfleet was indirectly supporting genocide. Sisko acknowledged the grim reality to Odo, recognizing that although distasteful, it did not provide a strategic advantage during such a critical phase in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Dominion War. In doing so, he admitted his involvement in the potential act of genocide.

4 Used The Bajoran Prophets To Defeat DS9's Dominion In Battle

3 Sisko Convinced Worf To Kill Chancellor Gowron

- In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 6, episode 6, "A Sacrifice of Angels", Sisko utilizes his direct line to the Bajoran Prophets, granting him an extraordinary advantage. As the Dominion forces overwhelm the USS Defiant during the recapture of Deep Space Nine, they find refuge in the wormhole. Sisko seizes this opportunity to commune with the Prophets, beseeching them for a miraculous intervention to safeguard Bajor and ensure its protection during the ongoing Dominion War. The Prophets agree to his plea, resulting in the annihilation of countless Dominion reinforcements, effectively erasing thousands of Cardassians and Jem'Hadar from existence.

Sisko implies his support for Lt. Commander Worf (Michael Dorn) challenging Chancellor Gowron (Robert O'Reilly) to a deadly battle without explicitly stating it. With his words, Sisko suggests that he will approve of whatever actions Worf needs to take to overthrow the increasingly reckless and unpredictable Klingon leader. Sisko's exact instruction to Worf is "Do whatever it takes, Mister Worf," recognizing his knowledge of Klingon traditions and rituals as the Captain of Deep Space Nine. Worf's assassination of the Klingon Chancellor becomes essential to ensure that the Klingon fleet can continue safeguarding the Alpha Quadrant against the Breen. This instance further exemplifies Sisko's constant need to compromise his morals throughout DS9.

2 Used Biological Weapons Against The Maquis

1 Fabricated Evidence To Convince The Romulans To Join The Dominion War

Sisko's use of a biological weapon to halt the Maquis' attacks on Cardassian colonies was highly controversial. This action went against his previous stance of not killing those who sought to protect their homes. Although Eddington's actions left Sisko with little choice, employing the trilithium resin device to make Solosos III uninhabitable for the Maquis settlers was an extreme measure. This decision by the Federation to hand over control of people's residences to the Cardassians exemplifies appeasement, and Sisko's actions demonstrate an extreme case of it. However, it did achieve the intended outcome of persuading Eddington to surrender to Starfleet authorities.

Sisko, a Star Trek Captain who knew how to make tough decisions, demonstrated his biggest crime in an exemplary manner. In the well-known episode "In the Pale Moonlight" of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sisko once again collaborates with Elim Garak to fabricate evidence of a Dominion plot to invade Romulus. When Senator Vreenak exposes their deception, Garak takes the drastic step of killing the Romulan to protect both himself and Sisko from further scrutiny. The entire operation successfully forges a temporary alliance with the Romulan Star Empire, leading Sisko to contemplate the moral sacrifices he had to endure in order to accomplish his objective.