Few episodes tackle such a controversial topic - subtly offering a mild support of something forbiddenly wrong - as this one. There are entire nations Americans loathe merely for having terrorists abide there - whether that nation endorses them or not.
One of the leaders involved in the Irish religious conflict was giving an interview on NPR, after the conflict was resolved. He made a point of great import: terrorists operate from a position of futility. Ie, terrorists don't expect to win; they try to forcibly impact the situation so that others can eventually provide the equitable outcome, as Finn does here. They expect to be martyred, not victorious.
Even ISIS, for those that have read deeply into their MO, do not expect victory via themselves; they and all terrorist groups already knowing they have not the power to overcome that which they fight against. Some may be surprised to learn that ISIS believes they are paving the way for their true savior - get ready - Jesus Himself - to arrive and set things aright (yes Jesus is a great prophet in the Qu'ran).
Finn's and his cohorts' Jesus is the Federation, which they believe has the overwhelming power to set things aright in their world, one that has oppressed them , with the right coercion. And like most terrorist groups, they are indeed martyred. But not all of them. Riker's greatly impressive statement to the chief enforcement officer - "Maybe peace begins with one boy lowering his weapon" - provides the possibility of hope that both sides want.
Richard Cox is brilliant as Finn: complex, talented, educated, dedicated, and ruthless. And through his articulation, we are forced to consider that position of futility, and why - from the point of view that our culture demands we should never consider lest we become sympathetic. And so in this episode, some risky and unpopular ground is trod in the process.
The great majority of us here in America would never agree with terrorism, and despite my seeming softness to terrorism here, I also deplore it, as the loss of innocent lives is always unconscionable. But by the end of the episode, we at least begin to understand the desperation that causes it, and the despairing futility that turns it so horrific.
One of the leaders involved in the Irish religious conflict was giving an interview on NPR, after the conflict was resolved. He made a point of great import: terrorists operate from a position of futility. Ie, terrorists don't expect to win; they try to forcibly impact the situation so that others can eventually provide the equitable outcome, as Finn does here. They expect to be martyred, not victorious.
Even ISIS, for those that have read deeply into their MO, do not expect victory via themselves; they and all terrorist groups already knowing they have not the power to overcome that which they fight against. Some may be surprised to learn that ISIS believes they are paving the way for their true savior - get ready - Jesus Himself - to arrive and set things aright (yes Jesus is a great prophet in the Qu'ran).
Finn's and his cohorts' Jesus is the Federation, which they believe has the overwhelming power to set things aright in their world, one that has oppressed them , with the right coercion. And like most terrorist groups, they are indeed martyred. But not all of them. Riker's greatly impressive statement to the chief enforcement officer - "Maybe peace begins with one boy lowering his weapon" - provides the possibility of hope that both sides want.
Richard Cox is brilliant as Finn: complex, talented, educated, dedicated, and ruthless. And through his articulation, we are forced to consider that position of futility, and why - from the point of view that our culture demands we should never consider lest we become sympathetic. And so in this episode, some risky and unpopular ground is trod in the process.
The great majority of us here in America would never agree with terrorism, and despite my seeming softness to terrorism here, I also deplore it, as the loss of innocent lives is always unconscionable. But by the end of the episode, we at least begin to understand the desperation that causes it, and the despairing futility that turns it so horrific.