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"Past Tense" is a two-part episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The episodes originally aired in January 1995.

Sisko, Bashir and Dax are transported to 2024 Earth, where they find themselves involved in a conflict that will change Earth history and lead to the formation of the Federation.

Summary[]

Part One[]

Commander Sisko brings the Defiant to Earth, where he is to meet with Starfleet to discuss the Gamma Quadrant situation. Transporting down to San Francisco, Sisko, Dax and Bashir find themselves in the year 2024. Sisko and Bashir are taken to a sanctuary district, a government-run area of American cities where the unemployed, the homeless and people with mental health problems live. Dax is found by businessman Chris Brynner, who takes her to his office to help her.

Sisko realises that they have arrived just days before the Bell Riots, a violent civil disturbance where the residents of the sanctuary district seize control of the area and take guards as prisoners. The government puts down the disturbance by sending in the National Guard, who kill hundreds of civilians. The Bell Riots have a positive effect, in that the American people are so shocked by the events, the sanctuary districts are closed and American society is transformed. Gabriel Bell, the leader of the sanctuary district residents, becomes an American hero.

Sisko and Bashir meet B.C., a violent resident known as a “ghost” and Michael and Danny Webb, two residents known as “gimmies”. When B.C. attempts to steal Bashir’s food card, Gabriel Bell tries to help Bashir but is stabbed to death by B.C. Sisko realises who Bell is - Bell was not supposed to die this way. Back in the 24th century, Major Kira and Chief O’Brien are preparing to travel back in time to rescue Sisko, Dax and Bashir but realise that the timeline has been altered - the Federation has been erased from history. In 2024, B.C. takes hostages and Sisko plays along - as Gabriel Bell.

Part Two[]

Sisko tries to keep order and prevent B.C from killing the hostages, and enlists Michael Webb’s help in explaining to the outside world the truth about the sanctuary districts. The government cuts off Webb’s broadcast, but Sisko and Webb negotiate with Detective Preston of the SFPD. Jadzia is able to convince Chris Brynner to override the government block and allow the residents to broadcast their stories, but the governor of California refuses to close the sanctuary district and orders the use of force. Webb and B.C are killed, and Sisko is shot while protecting Vin. A grateful Vin lets Sisko and Bashir go, promising to tell America what he has seen. Back in the 24th century, Bashir looks up Gabriel Bell in the historical database and finds that his picture is that of Sisko.

References[]

Characters[]

Part I characters[]

Julian BashirGabriel BellChristopher BrynnerBernardo CalveraBiddle ColeridgeJadzia DaxKira NerysLeeMiles O'BrienOdoQuarkBenjamin SiskoVinDanny WebbMichael Webb
Referenced only
BelongoHelen BurkeRobert ChenDrazmanNgomoJudith SiskoWrightZek

Part II characters[]

Julian BashirChristopher BrynnerBernardo CalveraBiddle ColeridgeJadzia DaxHenry GarciaGradyKira NerysLeeMiles O'BrienOdoPrestonBenjamin SiskoVinDanny WebbMichael Webb
Referenced only
Will BaileyGus BarnesBuck BokaiHelen BurkeRobert ChenErrol FlynnJimi HendrixGus LloydMike MasonCharley MulaneyManuel PradoBuddy SencioWill BaileyCharley DelaneyWinky GainesKiller KanelMuggs MagooMike MasonMickey MasonKid McCookManuel PradoSailor Vido

Locations[]

CaliforniaCalifornia StreetCandlestick ParkEarthLunaPolk StreetSan FranciscoSanctuary DistrictSolSol system
Referenced only
Alpha CentauriAlpsBay Land GardenChinaChristchurchDeep Space 9EuropeFranceGamma QuadrantGolden Gate BridgeJapanMadison Square GardenMarsNew York CityNew ZealandPortlandProxima shipyardsStarfleet HeadquartersTasmaniaUtopia Planitia Fleet YardsVenus

Starships[]

USS Defiant (Defiant-class escort)

Races and cultures[]

BajoranChangelingFerengiHumanTrill
Referenced only
CardassianRomulan

States and organizations[]

Bajoran MilitiaBrynner Information SystemsSan Francisco Police DepartmentStarfleetUnited Federation of PlanetsUnited States of AmericaUnited States National Guard
Referenced only
DominionGaullistLondon KingsNeo-TrotskyistNew York YankeesPan-Caribbean governmentStarfleet Security

Other references[]

1930s1960s19991990s20152048ablative armorannular confinement beamautomobilebaseballBell Riotsboxingcellular phoneChannel 90chronitoncloaking devicecommunication satellitedetectivedollardress uniformDutch languageEarth satellite networke-mailEnglish languageFerengi Rules of AcquisitionfootballghostgovernorHeisenberg compensatorhelicopterHippieInterfaceinternetjazzmayorMolotov cocktailorbital habitatrationretinal scanschizophreniasingularityshotgunsoccerspacedockspeakeasysubspace bubbleStarfleet Symposiumtattootemporal displacementtemporal displacement policytemporal polarizationtennistransit passtransportertransporter shockUHC cardwristwatch

Appendices[]

Related media[]

Chronology[]

20th century
21st century
24th century

Background[]

Notable cast and crew[]

Images[]

Part I images[]

Part II images[]

Connections[]

Timeline[]

published order
Previous episode:
Fascination
DS9 episode produced Next episode:
Life Support
Previous episode:
Fascination
DS9 episode aired Next episode:
Life Support
chronological order
Previous Adventure:
Pathways
Chapter 12, Section 11
Pocket Next Adventure:
Federation
Part Four: Chapter 3
Previous Adventure:
Fascination
Deep Space Nine Adventures Next Adventure:
Life Support


External links[]