Much of "Things Past" really makes no sense. And, by the end of the show when you're given an explanation, it still doesn't make a lot of sense. In many ways, I'd consider this among the worst of the season 5 episodes--though the one that immediately preceded this one was even worse!
The show begins with Odo, Sisko, Garak and a few others suddenly finding themselves on the station seven years earlier. The place is once again run by the Cardassians and the Bajorans are slaves. Inexplicably, the DS9 crew members (and even Garak) are seem by every one as just another group of slaves! And, instead of Odo being in charge of security, some Cardassian is--though they eventually realize this isn't right--seven years ago, Odo SHOULD have been in this role. What does all this mean? I dunno...well, perhaps the show explained it but it all didn't make any sense and just felt like the show could have used a re-write or two to make the thing more rational.
The show begins with Odo, Sisko, Garak and a few others suddenly finding themselves on the station seven years earlier. The place is once again run by the Cardassians and the Bajorans are slaves. Inexplicably, the DS9 crew members (and even Garak) are seem by every one as just another group of slaves! And, instead of Odo being in charge of security, some Cardassian is--though they eventually realize this isn't right--seven years ago, Odo SHOULD have been in this role. What does all this mean? I dunno...well, perhaps the show explained it but it all didn't make any sense and just felt like the show could have used a re-write or two to make the thing more rational.