YOUTUBE - The Maquis Part 2 | Star Trek Fans First Time Watching DS9

Part one may be paced better, but part 2 has most of the memorable dialogue. The problem with part 2 is the final showdown is stock. Part of it is the dialogue but even more so is the runabouts aren't made for battle sequences.

Sakonna the Vulcan did flip, she told Sisko where to go

Majel stating it is a conclusion is probably to reassure the then audience that they don't have to invest at least 3 night's in the story. That investment of time every single week always discouraged serialised stories.