Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Bell Riots
1. Life Is Like A Soapbox
Ira Steven Behr reflected on the episode as the years passed, noting that Past Tense has been reviewed as too 'liberal' or 'soapboxy.' As per the DS9 Companion:
I suppose we could have shown the 'positive aspects' of concentration camps
The episodes had to balance the message of the Riots, as well as weaving Star Trek technobabble and some lighter elements, to make it all work. Clint Howard's character provides some comic relief, while Kira and O'Brien's trips through time add some silliness, something director Jonathan Frakes wasn't thrilled about, although he does credit Past Tense pt 2 and Cause And Effect as the two episodes that got him the directorial job on Star Trek: First Contact.
Behr ultimately feels that Past Tense was a success. It was released in 1995, the year that Forrest Gump did big numbers at the Box Office, while also helping audiences feel good. Behr had this closing comment in the DS9 Companion on the matter:
Yes, it's important to feel good and I'm not putting that down. But in reality, in 1995, Forrest Gump would be homeless. I just thought it was important to show the other side.