They also did nothing to resolve the situation with the Ba’ul. The Ba’ul are still deathly afraid of the Kelpians and they still have vastly superior technology. Destroying their obelisks isn’t going to stop them from wanting to wipe out the Kelpians. They still have starships they can use to bomb the Kelpians into…

But L’Rell’s own agenda is to continue T’Kuvma’s vision, which is to destroy the Federation because he feared that the Federation will corrupt Klingon culture and subvert it from within. Which coincidentally, is exactly what Starfleet and Section 31 has done by making L’Rell the Chancellor. The whole Klingon plot is a…

I believe the obelisks are broken. There’s a smashed obelisk lying on the ground when Saru and Siranna returns to their village.

They really tried to “Best of Both Worlds” this cliffhanger. Even the music is reminiscent of a Trek cliffhanger.

Does anything about the Ba’ul make sense?

They didn’t do a good job for the Klingons. Season 1 was supposed to be about the conflicting Klingon House forming a tenuous alliance to fight the Federation, but they only developed two of the Houses.

You do realize that in the episodes about Starfleet officers who cross that line, they’re about how it ultimately backfires and the protagonists have to clean up the mess, don’t you?

When did I say that it wasn’t beneficial to the Federation? That’s a pretty big point you consistently miss. Just because the Federation doesn’t commit atrocities and war crimes and break the trust between its member worlds to advance its goals doesn’t mean it will never do anything to its own benefit.

Worf wasn’t sent to assassinate Gowron. He acted as a member of the House of Martok in the best interests of the Empire. And he challenged Gowron to honorable combat that was completely legal under Klingon law. Huge difference compared to secret assassinations and blackmail.

No one ever said that Starfleet should never conduct any intelligence operations or fight an enemy.

First of all, I never said that espionage was wrong. Starfleet spies on potential enemies. Just because Section 31 breaks the foundational trust of the Federation doesn’t mean Starfleet should never conduct any intelligence operations ever. There are lines that Starfleet shouldn’t cross. Second, Section 31 doesn’t…

There’s a pretty big continuum between countering the machinations of a rival power and assassinating the leaders of a rival nation, planting a leader you want, and then blackmailing that leader to turn her into your puppet.

How often has that occurred during a time when the Federation wasn’t in a state of active conflict with the other power?

Jar Jar is a war hero because he fumbled around. I like war heroes who don’t fumble around.

No, having Section 31 being backed by Starfleet completely changes it.

Watch that episode again. Ross was approached by them and he didn’t know much about them. He didn't even know if Sloan really survived.

Except the badmirals are subject to oversight and are held accountable for their actions. And Starfleet and the Federation are ultimately held to account.

You do know that the Romulans are villains, don’t you? The Founders also did what Section 31 are doing, and they’re the bad guys.

You do know that the Romulans are villains, don’t you? The Founders also did what Section 31 are doing, and they’re the bad guys.

Are you really saying that declared wars with formal rules of engagement are the same as assassinations and blackmail?