Spoilers Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

[jian]

Since I don’t see a thread dedicated to my favourite science fiction media property I thought I’d start one, and make it spoilers even though the series is over thirty years old.

I just rewatched the first episode, which I remember as being lacklustre, and have realised that 19-year-old me was full of crap. It holds up incredibly well in character development, storytelling, worldbuilding, themes, and even special effects (the visual effects team really knew the limits they were working within*). In hindsight, with all my stored up affection for the characters, seeing them appear for the first time was a delight. I’m just sorry that Garak and Worf aren’t there yet.

*Though clearly the ten seconds of Odo shape shifting must have been incredibly expensive and demanding for 1993.

The things I liked most on this rewatch were:

• Avery Brooks’ acting as Sisko generally, not least his suppressed rage at having to meet with Picard and take his orders. His open, weeping grief (“no, it’s not linear”) is overwhelming on screen.
• The surprisingly realistic approach to regime change and the effects of imperialism, especially Kira’s grimly amused acceptance that the provisional Bajoran government won’t last (“this government will be gone in a week and so will you”). This is quite surprising given that the series was written before Iraq, Afghanistan, or even Kosovo. It struck quite a chord with us given recent events.
• The wonderful little scene introducing Bashir’s cheerful English colonialism (“I’ve always wanted to work in the wilderness, it’s where heroes are made”) and, again, Kira’s savage amusement (“This wilderness is my home, doctor. Get to work and bring your advanced medicine to the natives. They’re a simple but friendly folk.”).

 

[Riley]

Good news! Garak will arrive shortly.

(Worf is a few years away yet.)

 

[jian]

I don’t plan to watch all the episodes until season 5 or so (because those are the ones I have and the ones I remember as getting good). Which ones does everyone agree are really the standouts from each season before then?

I’d say:

• Season 1: Duet
• Season 2: The Wire
• Season 3: The House of Quark, Past Tense
• Season 4: The Way of the Warrior, Our Man Bashir

 

[Zardnaar]

I watched S1 maybe S2 in 90s.

Watched it few years back and liked it S1. Thought TNG was over rated and S1 and 2 are awful watching it now.

Sisko I liked better than Picard. More relatable.

Trekkies must have high tolerance for pain. Apparently they watch curated lists of TNG. Those S1s are rough (TNG, Voyager, Discovery, Picard).

 

[pukunui]

I watched S1 maybe S2 in 90s.

Watched it few years back and liked it S1. Thought TNG was over rated and S1 and 2 are awful watching it now.

Sisko I liked better than Picard. More relatable.

Trekkies must have high tolerance for pain. Apparently they watch curated lists of TNG. Those S1s are rough (TNG, Voyager, Discovery, Picard).

I dunno, man. Picard is still my favorite captain. Anson Mount's Pike is probably second.

 

[MarkB]

DS9's pilot episode is perhaps the best of any Trek series. It sets out the show's ultimate themes better than most of the rest of the first two seasons.

 

[Ryujin]

I watched S1 maybe S2 in 90s.

Watched it few years back and liked it S1. Thought TNG was over rated and S1 and 2 are awful watching it now.

Sisko I liked better than Picard. More relatable.

Trekkies must have high tolerance for pain. Apparently they watch curated lists of TNG. Those S1s are rough (TNG, Voyager, Discovery, Picard).

I don't think that Star Trek managed to have a season 1 that landed well after TOS, until SNW. They always took one or two to find their legs.

 

[payn]

 

[payn]

I know sometimes kids grow up on shows both as characters and actors. Though, Jake and Nog have such great arcs and go from background scenery to being characters I look forward to seeing in episodes.

 

[Distracted DM]

Since I don’t see a thread dedicated to my favourite science fiction media property I thought I’d start one, and make it spoilers even though the series is over thirty years old.

I just rewatched the first episode, which I remember as being lacklustre, and have realised that 19-year-old me was full of crap. It holds up incredibly well in character development, storytelling, worldbuilding, themes, and even special effects (the visual effects team really knew the limits they were working within*j. In hindsight, with all my stored up affection for the characters, seeing them appear for the first time was a delight. I’m just sorry that Garak and Worf aren’t there yet.

*Though clearly the ten seconds of Odo shape shifting must have been incredibly expensive and demanding for 1993.

The things I liked most on this rewatch were:

• Avery Brooks’ acting as Sisko generally, not least his suppressed rage at having to meet with Picard and take his orders. His open, weeping grief (“no, it’s not linear”) is overwhelming on screen.
• The surprisingly realistic approach to regime change and the effects of imperialism, especially Kira’s grimly amused acceptance that the provisional Bajoran government won’t last (“this government will be gone in a week and so will you”). This is quite surprising given that the series was written before Iraq, Afghanistan, or even Kosovo. It struck quite a chord with us given recent events.
• The wonderful little scene introducing Bashir’s cheerful English colonialism (“I’ve always wanted to work in the wilderness, it’s where heroes are made”) and, again, Kira’s savage amusement (“This wilderness is my home, doctor. Get to work and bring your advanced medicine to the natives. They’re a simple but friendly folk.”).

My wife and I quote the first episode a bunch.
"Aggressive! Adversarial!"