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.”).
