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Tribunal (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
“Tribunal” is the penultimate episode of the second season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
. It provided a look at the Cardassian
judicial system and culture.
Quick Overview: O'Brien is convicted and later accused at a tribunal held on Cardassia Prime, where the legal status of the accused is determined before the trial even begins: guilty.
is just about to head off on vacation with his wife Keiko when he runs into an old crewmate named Boone. The two had served together on the U.S.S. Rutledge, before O'Brien served aboard the Enterprise
and long before he arrived on Deep Space Nine
. As he greets Boone he does not notice that the man is recording his voice.
The O'Briens set off for their trip, but do not get very far before their runabout is stopped by the Cardassians and Chief O'Brien is arrested. Back on DS9, Commander Sisko
is informed that O'Brien has been declared guilty and sentenced to death, and will have a ceremonial "trial" in which the verdict is read. He will then be executed. So far, no one has been told what the charges are.
Meanwhile, the crew of the station discovers that a number of warheads have been stolen from the station and have probably ended up in the possession of the Maquis
, a faction that has been attacking the Cardassians. Major Kira
looks into the station's records and finds that the transfer of the warheads was made by Chief O'Brien. She plays a security log containing O'Brien's voice, and in it he clearly requests access to the warheads. This evidence will be used by the Cardassians to demonstrate his guilt before his execution.
Dax
and Dr. Bashir
take the security log apart and are convinced that O'Brien's vocal command is a simulation. A voice sample was altered into a message that O'Brien never actually said. When this new evidence is sent to the courtroom on Cardassia Prime, the judge dismisses it.
Sisko interrogates Boone, the stranger seen talking to O'Brien just before he left the station. When Bashir examines him, he finds that the man is not the real Boone but a Cardassian surgically altered to look like him. His appearance was altered so he could get close enough to O'Brien to record his voice. With little time left before the end of the ceremonial trial, Sisko arrives in the courtroom with "Boone". The judge sees that the game is up, and releases O'Brien.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
. It provided a look at the Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
judicial system and culture.
Quick Overview: O'Brien is convicted and later accused at a tribunal held on Cardassia Prime, where the legal status of the accused is determined before the trial even begins: guilty.
Plot
Chief O'BrienMiles O'Brien (Star Trek)
Miles Edward O'Brien, played by Colm Meaney, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
is just about to head off on vacation with his wife Keiko when he runs into an old crewmate named Boone. The two had served together on the U.S.S. Rutledge, before O'Brien served aboard the Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
and long before he arrived on Deep Space Nine
Deep Space Nine (space station)
Deep Space Nine is a fictitious space station, and is the eponymous primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It serves as a base for the exploration of the Gamma Quadrant via the Bajoran wormhole, and is a hub of trade and travel for the sector's denizens...
. As he greets Boone he does not notice that the man is recording his voice.
The O'Briens set off for their trip, but do not get very far before their runabout is stopped by the Cardassians and Chief O'Brien is arrested. Back on DS9, Commander Sisko
Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the main character of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Early life and career:...
is informed that O'Brien has been declared guilty and sentenced to death, and will have a ceremonial "trial" in which the verdict is read. He will then be executed. So far, no one has been told what the charges are.
Meanwhile, the crew of the station discovers that a number of warheads have been stolen from the station and have probably ended up in the possession of the Maquis
Maquis (Star Trek)
In the American Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Maquis are a 24th Century paramilitary organization or terrorist group first introduced in the 1994 episode "The Maquis" of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, who subsequently also appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation and...
, a faction that has been attacking the Cardassians. Major Kira
Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys , played by Nana Visitor, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Backstory:Per Bajoran custom, her family name, Kira, precedes her given name, Nerys. She has two brothers , and her parents' names are Kira Taban and Kira Meru...
looks into the station's records and finds that the transfer of the warheads was made by Chief O'Brien. She plays a security log containing O'Brien's voice, and in it he clearly requests access to the warheads. This evidence will be used by the Cardassians to demonstrate his guilt before his execution.
Dax
Jadzia Dax
Jadzia Dax , played by Terry Farrell, was a main character during the first six seasons of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine....
and Dr. Bashir
Julian Bashir
Lieutenant Julian Subatoi Bashir, M.D., played by Alexander Siddig, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bashir is the chief medical officer of space station Deep Space Nine and the USS Defiant.-Overview:...
take the security log apart and are convinced that O'Brien's vocal command is a simulation. A voice sample was altered into a message that O'Brien never actually said. When this new evidence is sent to the courtroom on Cardassia Prime, the judge dismisses it.
Sisko interrogates Boone, the stranger seen talking to O'Brien just before he left the station. When Bashir examines him, he finds that the man is not the real Boone but a Cardassian surgically altered to look like him. His appearance was altered so he could get close enough to O'Brien to record his voice. With little time left before the end of the ceremonial trial, Sisko arrives in the courtroom with "Boone". The judge sees that the game is up, and releases O'Brien.