I just watched the TNG episode 'Face of the Enemy' that was an interesting refresher.... was surprised how many similarities there were between the commander of the Romulan warbird and the Commander from 'Balance of Terror'
This is definitely one of those episodes people need to see and remember if they want to understand Romulans in my opinion. It was an excellent portrayal of the schism between the Tal Shiar and sane members of Romulan society/military. Even to the main "point" of the mission to have a Proconsul defect to the UFP in protest of the direction things were heading because of Tal Shiar influence.
STO isn't canon, and neither are any of the books.
0