The return of Section 31 in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig). In the 24th century, the secretive Starfleet intelligence division was deemed a rogue organization, due to their questionable actions during DS9's Dominion War. Despite this rogue status, the organization is still operating in the 24th century, and recently recruited William Boimler (Jack Quaid) in Lower Decks season 3, episode 8, "Crisis Point II: Paradoxus".
Section 31 have been operating since the very early years of Starfleet, taking its name from a clause in the original charter which allowed for extraordinary measures in times of extreme threat, meaning they answered to nobody, not even the Prime Directive. A Section 31 spinoff series is in development, which will focus on their covert operations following the Star Trek: Discovery season 2 finale, and will also see Michelle Yeoh reprise her role as Philippa Georgiou. Meanwhile, the 24th-century version of Section 31 looks set to play a key role in Lower Decks season 4, and Julian Bashir would be an ideal character to lead the secretive security organization.
Section 31 Is Tied To Bashir On DS9
Julian Bashir's love of spy stories was memorably explored in the James Bond homage "Our Man Bashir" from DS9 season 4. This fondness for tales of heroism and espionage led to Bashir being identified as a potential asset by Section 31. In DS9 season 6, episode 18, "Inquisition", Section 31 falsely accused Julian of being a Dominion spy, using it as a pretense to test his suitability for the organization. Bashir objected to the organization's lack of ability and turned down the offer. He DS9, but Section 31 continued to keep tabs on his activities, and continued in their attempts to recruit him.
It was Bashir who discovered Section 31's genocidal plan to end the Dominion War by wiping out the Founders with a morphogenic virus. They had infected Odo with the virus with the intention of spreading it among his fellow shapeshifters. Eventually, Bashir and O'Brien secured a cure for the virus - an important bargaining chip in ending the war - but not before Julian was tempted by the secrets of Section 31. Despite his objections to their methods, the prospect of a top-secret Starfleet security organization is still clearly tempting to a James Bond fan like Bashir.
Why Section 31 Is The Best Way To Bring Back Bashir
The surprise appearance of Section 31 in Lower Decks is an ideal way to bring Bashir back to the Star Trek franchise. Whatever the plot of a future Lower Decks episode about the organization is, it could benefit from the inclusion of a legacy character like Bashir. William Boimler's recruitment to Section 31 appears to signal an evil twin type of story for Brad Boimler, but having Bashir involved could indicate the possibility of redemption.
In the retrospective DS9 documentary What We Left Behind, the writer's room, including Ira Steven Behr and Ronald D Moore collaborated on a season premiere for a hypothetical Deep Space Nine season 8. In that plot, Julian Bashir had lost his way and was now a high-ranking figure within Section 31. Bashir's apparent turn to the dark side was to cause tension between the original Star Trek: Deep Space Nine characters, but it's unknown if Bashir was truly leading Section 31, or a double agent in deep cover who planned to finally disband them. This dynamic would be the ideal way to bring Bashir back in Star Trek: Lower Decks, building on Bashir's love of spy stories and his own links to Section 31.