Yeah, I'm not sure why I didn't include the Defiant's destruction. Or at least its immediate replacement. I do recall being upset and shocked when it was destroyed (which was a good thing), but then rolling my eyes when they immediately brought in a new one. The writers even admitted they wanted to have it both ways: shock and awe by destroying it but still needing to have it in the final battle. I guess I couldn't feel too bothered about it simply because... it happens all the damned time in Star Trek! Still, I kinda wish they'd at least kept the name Sao Paulo, just so it could seem like it might not be the exact same ship, same model, same set.

Also, I find myself quite humored that you didn't realize that First Contact is set during DS9. So is Insurrection, actually. During season 5 and season 7, respectively. If you pay attention, there are a few episodes early in season 7 where Worf doesn't appear, and that's apparently supposed to make it believable that he could be with the Enterprise during the timeframe of Insurrection.

You hated Take Me Out to the Holosuite?! I love that episode so, so, so much (which probably explains why I used footage from it so heavily in my video)! DEATH TO THE OPPOSITION!

But, yes, "forced" is exactly how I would describe "Valiant." I actually ended up cutting a line from the script to my Valiant video saying that it reminded me of a Three's Company script. There's a wacky misunderstanding/poor communication that anyone with two brain cells could easily resolve, but they don't, and that's how we have conflict. Only in this case we're actually supposed to take it seriously.

And finally, I am also humored that you extrapolated what about "Season 7 Jake" I was referring to. Glad I could make your imagination dance! =P