5 Ways Deep Space Nine Reinvented Star Trek

It's the 25th anniversary of the best Star Trek of 'em all!
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[@magburner]

Kira's story arc is probably one of the greatest in all of Star Trek. In season one, nobody could have predicted that the hothead freedom fighter who despised all Cardassia, would end becoming a freedom fighter fighting to free Cardassia. I do not even think that Kira Nerys would have believed it either, even if she had been transported to the Celestial Temple, and told by the prophets themselves. What a journey her character went upon.

[@mikeb6572]

6.) And one of the best recurring characters ever, Garak.

[@LilithVWinter]

Thank

[@linkeragon7885]

7 Quark

[@harjutapa]

That's a weird way to spell Jadzia

[@WorivpuqloDMogh]

Damn right. Garak was my favourite. Definitly with Bashir

[@christinearmington]

Ducat

[@robynullman4856]

I bawl my eyes out every time I see the episode where Nog hides in the Vic Fontaine holosuite program following the amputation of his leg. That is such a great episode that speaks to more people than you know. It's always hush hush and swept under the rug. DS9 is fantastic.

[@ghtax]

Another reason the show was great, DS9 was able to make the baseball on Sisco’s desk not just a prop but a a character with significance. The baseball was able to convey a direct message to Dukat that Sisco will be back to command the station.

[@evertonporter7887]

That baseball was still there on that desk when Kira became the new chief of DS9 after Sisko went to be with the Prophets.

[@DigitalVanquish]

DS9 is one of my favourite examples of how to display political and social ideas to an audience and not have it feel forced.

[@owenmiddleton1626]

Yes yes. 100 Times yes!

[@alexray230]

Someone should tell that to the current writers of Doctor Who

[@sideshowkazstuff3867]

Alex Ray dr who still has to focus on the doctor and it’s very simplified. It’s hard to find writing that’s as good as DS9.

[@blsharpley]

If TNG or DS9 aired today, there would be nothing but complaints about SJWs. Today's audience will complain about anything.

[@stueygriffith4671]

Aaron Sorkin would shame you for promoting less-than-down-your-throat storytelling......🙄

[@jba2048]

When I describe DS9 to people who have never seen it before, I always say that if the original series and the next generation are about a utopian future then DS9 is about how far are you willing to go to protect that utopian future.

[@kelechi321]

Damn good description. Your comment is gives a great way to explain to people why they should watch DS9. I am shocked to hear that there are NG fans who did not give DS9 a try...sooner or later you need to talk about the price paid for that utopian

[@secondfoundation4137]

@@billkeithchannel it's not predictive programming since that is a recurring theme in history dating back to the Romans discarding the republic and embracing an emperor for stability.

[@bentonmarcum8509]

@@billkeithchannel are you talking about National Security Agency? The NSA was in DS9?

[@scotchwars3425]

@@bentonmarcum8509 Section 31

[@rotwang2000]

The big difference with the way Discovery tackled sticky issues is that DS9 had already established that the Federation was something truly worth fighting for. In the new iteration they simply arbitrarily turn on characteristics to get a desired output. Need to reassure viewers it's good old Trek ? Show Georgiou being wise in breaking the Prime Directive ! Need them to fall into a trap ? Make them into naive space hippies with no concept of danger ! Need a ton of drama for your main protagonist ? Fabricate a situation where she's condemned for mutinity and expedite it in five seconds, before any lawyer can blow up the case. Need more drama for the main protagonist ? All the space hippies are now broken and homicidal, one kill-trigger away from smashing her head to pieces ! Klingon War is no longer relevant ? Just switch it off ten minutes before the end of the last episode ... stupid lazy writing !!!

[@taitaisanchez]

"Look kid, I don't know what's going to happen to you out there. All I can tell you is that you've got to play the cards life deals you. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but at least you're in the game." - Vic Fontaine to Nog. This has been one of my favorite quotes from the show. This series is marvelous and fantastic. I love it to pieces.

[@k1productions87]

Nog is also one of my favorite characters, because of how much he grows and changes. Most characters have one major arc, but Nog had two, and they were both absolutely beautiful to watch and brought me to tears each time.

[@angelaraber]

Loved the character of Vic... James Darren was perfect! It added a whole new dimension to the story. The episode where he helps to rehabilitate Nog was very moving.

[@tyoungjjr]

Wow! Appreciate your 5! I believe you summarized DS9 perfectly! As much as earth improved the galaxy was far from perfect. Living in an imperfect worlds.

[@TheGonzoArt]

Love that episode!!! And the only great thing about the sad episode of season six finale was when Julian and Quark go to Vic's club and chat with him after singing his best Frank Sinatra :)

[@waltsposts8583]

I was in vegas for my honeymoon in aug 2018. I saw that vic was was doing a show the next night. I was crushed because we were leaving in the morning. Pretty cool that he is out there doing it for real though

[@jamesmartin9401]

The absolutely best monologue in all of Star Trek, possibly all of televised Science Fiction: SISKO: At oh eight hundred hours, station time, the Romulan Empire formally declared war against the Dominion. They have already struck fifteen bases along the Cardassian border. So, this is a huge victory for the good guys. This may even be the turning point of the entire war. There's even a 'Welcome to the Fight' party tonight in the wardroom. So I lied, I cheated, I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But most damning thing of all, I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again, I would. Garak was right about one thing. A guilty conscience is a small price to pay for the safety of the Alpha Quadrant, so I will learn to live with it. Because I can live with it. I can live with it. Computer, erase that entire personal log.

[@gpgarcia4494]

That is my favorite thing in DS9. It shows that you have to do things that you don't like to get what is most important. I could watch that episode over and over.

[@wglowrey1]

Even reading that quote makes my gut wrench. I get chills thinking about that entire episode.

[@sushitime8622]

Garek was right about another thing.... he really was a good tailor.

[@marileestetson737]

And THAT is what set DS9 apart. Weigh that against TNG's mamby-pamby goody-two-shoes morality in "I, Borg" where they are willing to risk the assimilation of countless world's -- and potentially Earth itself -- for the sake of one semi-conscious Borg. Scoff!

[@allanrichardson1468]

There Hugh go again!

[@jedijam91]

And by god did they pick the perfect Commander/Captain. Sisko has to be one of the most amazing leaders in ST history.

[@azraelle6232]

I think my favorite episode of DS9 was the one in which Odo, having lost his shape-shifting abilities, rescues a "baby" changeling and attempts to teach it.

[@Nostravinci]

One of the best episodes always brings me to tears: The Visitor (with a remarkably moving performance by Tony Todd). It is so touching and is utterly powerful.

[@SteveShives]

"The Visitor" is my favorite episode of any Trek show, ever.

[@jba2048]

That episode was amazing. Tony Todd's performance was Emmy worthy. I love that episode. Talk about tugging at heart strings.

[@fangfyre3800]

And like most of the really great episodes, was considered a "throw away" story line and used as episode filler for the season. Most of the cast said the same thing about TNG "Inner Light" and "Darmok". Episodes that we all love, however at the time were not considered by the cast and crew to be all that special.

[@BryanBeyond202]

Does anyone else think Sisko's fate at the end of DS9 kind of echoes what happened to him in The Visitor. Ok so in the DS9 finale it wasn't an accident like in that episode, instead the Prophets take him otherwise he would have been dead, burned in the fire caves, but he is now unstuck in time and could seemingly appear at any point he chooses in the life of Jake or his and Kassidy's unborn child. Meanwhile Jake will have to go on living his life aware his dad is just sort of out there.

[@conroypawgmail]

Props to Rachel Robinson (Andrew Robinson's daughter) for her portrayal of Melanie as well.

[@Troubleshooter125]

One side note: watching Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko grow up with the series was interesting as well, especially with his choice NOT to follow in his father's footsteps and join Starfleet. I'm also reminded of the episode where Ben and Jake take out the old Bajoran solar flyer and their classic father-son interaction. Something else that was unique to DS9.

[@gbisaga]

Though perhaps they could have done more with Jake, I love the episodes where he's together with Ben. One of the most realistic father/son relationships on TV. Every time Ben kissed Jake on the head chokes me up - my son's 24 and I still kiss him on the head. :-)

[@mikeoyler2983]

I agree. Starfleet is great But there is this huge universe Out there filled with all kinds of things to pursue. Why join Starfleet?

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Troubleshooter125 I love spaceman jake- what is a human to be raised so far from earth? Not his father, not a soldier, just a man... in space.

[@angelaraber]

It was a truly authentic loving relationship that had it's ups and downs as Jake became close friends with a Ferengi who was also being raised by a single Dad... Just like Sisko was raised by his father. The show explored a lot of deep family issues throughout the series with most of the characters.

[@Neville60001]

*Riker _was_ on bad therms with his dad, but they came to something of an understanding at the end of the episode that Daddy Riker was in. *Spock and his dad also came to an understanding in part 2 of *Reunification* albeit posthumously for Sarek via a mind meld offer by Picard.

[@aaronbays4]

DS9 was revolutionary in the way it told the story, serialization and character driven, along with a huge ensemble cast. It was ahead of its time and changed the way stories are told on TV. Think to shows like the Sopranos, Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, The Wire, etc that came later, they owe a lot to DS9.

[@steveng.clinard1766]

Another great thing about DS9 was that it gave us characters with different points of view and with interpersonal conflicts. In the previous series, all the main and regular characters all had one point of view, Starfleet, and were all mutually chummy. In DS9, each character had different outlooks and goals, which are often in conflict. Quark is the most obvious, but Kira and Odo are rightfully suspicious of Federation hegemony and it's "root-beer" imperialism ;) Even the Starfleet members have different perspectives. Bashir the hotshot optimist and O'Brien the working-class non-com veteran; Sisko struggling with his doubts and ambivalence paired with Dax's measured serenity. Unlike TNG's eager-beaver officer-in-short-pants Wesley, Jake has different dreams that don't involve color-coded jumpsuits (but Nog does...). The closest we ever got to this in TNG or TOS was Ensign Ro (and maybe Pulaski), but they couldn't commit to it. The rich secondary cast takes the non-Starfleet points of view to 11 without resorting to cliche or stereotype. These different points of view and conflicts, along with serialization, give the developing relationships deeper meaning than we've ever seen. The Bashir/O'Brien arc stretches out over the entire run and works through stages; their friendship is miles deeper [no pun intended] than Data and LaForge or Paris and Kim. Jake and Nog need to grow apart and put their simple boyhood friendship behind them before they can reconnect as young adults. Sisko and Jake. Odo and Quark. Kira and Odo. The list goes on. I believe that Kira is the most complex, compelling and fully-realized character in Trek. Certainly up there with Sisko. Wonderfully written and acted. I don't think the character or Nana Visitor get anywhere near enough credit.

[@jba2048]

To me, DS9 is like "The Wire" of Star Trek. You have all that idealism of the Federation, but that's over there; this is the wild west and the strongest theme is how far are you willing to go to protect your Utopia? The characters have to walk the line between the right thing to do and what they need to do and sometimes they have to cross the line like Sisko with Eddington or Vreenak, or Bashire and Section 31. The observation of Quark about Humans in The Siege of AR-558 was spot on. The Defiant, a destroyer and dedicated warship, is another line crossed for the peace loving Federation. The show presented a very controversial image of the Federation in comparison to Roddenberry's vision, but damn it's so good and there isn't a single unlikeable character.

[@ifranzius]

charles ryanlee And, of course, you changed too. Otherwise you would not have been able to perceive her as being different than she was at the onset. Funny how this perception thing works.

[@ifranzius]

Steven G. Clinard Very well said.

[@interculturalcat]

this comment is better than the actual video. thanks for that!

[@ubernerd83]

If I recall correctly, the whole "no interpersonal conflict among the crew," or rather that that couldn't be the driving force of any of the episodes, was a sort of edict from Gene Roddenberry.

[@joshuaabe4832]

DS9 is as close to Trek perfection as the franchise ever got.

[@k1productions87]

And yet, I'm sure many of us remember how much unfair flak it got from the "older fans" who were claiming "its not MY Star Trek" too. I unfortunately was part of that bandwagon, and forever regret succumbing to it. DS9 is now, and continues to remain my absolute favorite, and I flatly refuse to judge a new show by only its first episodes or its different concept ever again. Hell, even TNG took three seasons to finally get it right

[@MaD707MaN]

K1productions couldn't have said it better myself.

[@donatist59]

Good thing Babylon 5 was there to inspire it.

[@bingobongo1615]

I have to disagree. Deep Space 9 puts 1990s American morals into space. This makes it interesting but the idealism was just gone.

[@gbisaga]

@@donatist59 Good thing DS9 did nearly everything better. Not that B5 wasn't a great, groundbreaking show. I just think DS9 just did everything better, except having a single unbroken story line (assuming you ignore B5's season 5).

[@aarond0623]

Past Tense is one of the most relevant Star Trek episodes for today's world. Rewatching it is eerie.

[@treewalker1070]

It sure is. I just happened to rewatch it too, and found it chilling because it seemed too close to reality that could be coming now (and indeed is already reality in places like Detroit).. Set just six years in our future (2024), it seems like a direct warning.

[@sanityisrelative]

I used to think the 2024 setting was ridiculous, that that was too close to present day to be realistic. Now, now not so much.

[@chrisblake4198]

The first time I watched it was when it came out. 1995, still the post Cold War heyday when there was a lot of optimism that we might actually be able to fix a lot of crap. The message was important as a reminder, but safely removed from our day to day that we could enjoy it. My most recent re-watch was right after Trump got elected. It very nearly gave me a panic attack at how close we were to having it happen right on time. I was nauseous and my chest was tight, and I couldn't look away. Partly because my mind was flashing back and forth between those old original feelings from 95, and our current reality.

[@thewilythylacine]

If you've been to San Francisco recently, you can see how amazingly prophetic the writers were when they penned this one.

[@beejcarson]

Dukat and Garak were epic.

[@SpaceCase1701]

Dukat is, to this day, one of the best and most complex Trek villains ever. He's definitely my personal favourite villain.

[@angelaraber]

Both were tormented, complex characters, each in their own way.. Brilliant acting... Garak had some of the best lines...

[@Neville60001]

Dukat needed to be against Sisko all of the time and after he was taken over by a Pah-Wraith (anti-Prophet) it was a given that he would face Sisko-a son of a Prophet- and fight in an ultimate battle to determine what faction of these non-linear beings would win. There, Dukat _did_ 'die', but sadly, so did Sisko (although he's with his mother, Sarah The Prophet, as a Prophet-and no, Word of God [the producers] say he's *not* coming back, ever.)

[@DavidOtto82]

And dont forget the self sealing stem bolts ;) also loved iggy pops awesome cameo.

[@MartinIrma]

Dukat and Garak at Deep Space Nine.

[@korky94]

this guy absolutely gets Trek. understands what sets DS9 apart

[@yimmythegreek1]

Definitely my favorite Star Trek series. The way they mixed religion at science was perfect. The “wormhole aliens” vs “the prophets” was perfect. First episode is still my favorite, how the “prophets” tried to explain to sisko whatt they were and sisko the same, classic

[@paul9284]

The sixth season episode "In The Pale Moonlight" is quite possibly the greatest piece of science fiction I've ever seen on television. I agree that DS9 is the best Trek series, and with your assessment of the series as a whole. I've always preferred serialized television to procedurals, and DS9 blended the two, to perfection. We live in a time where quality television (not just science fiction) is in abundance. Yet somehow, very few shows come close to the genius of shows like DS9, Babyon 5, and Battlestar Galactica. On the other hand, maybe it's just my nostalgia talking.

[@Getloose360]

Paul 928 "My Father used to say the road to hell is paved with good intentions and I just laid the first stone" Amen. This episode is incredibly crafted science fiction and beautiful story telling.

[@ken7165]

My favorite episode.

[@TheRayvolution]

Paul 928 YES!!!! I’ve never seen anyone who loved this episode. Was sheer brilliance.

[@shanchat]

I watch this episode now and again as it is one of the best episodes in any ST. It's dark and the performances are first rate.

[@rfcesq5474]

I'm going to quibble with you a bit. "In the Pale Moonlight" was brilliant. No question. But was it brilliant "science fiction"? To me, it was basically an espionage thriller set in the Star Trek universe. The same story could have been told in, say, a medieval or WW2 setting. To me, the best "science fiction" are those stories that are difficult if not impossible to tell without the conceits of technology taken to a given future degree, especially when the development of that technology is conceivable. I immediately think of Khan and the consequences of a genetically superior race. Data and the consequences of artificial intelligence. The Borg and the breakdown between man and machine mixed with the drive for improvement and "perfection." The Jem 'Hadar and the issues of manufacturing sentient beings for service. You could tell versions of these stories in other settings, but science fiction is where they really belong. "In the Pale Moonlight" is wonderful, but science fiction? Not for my money. Two recent and extremely impressive science fiction TV shows that I would recommend are The Expanse and (believe it or not) Rick and Morty. I watch them and the ideas they explore and frequently think to myself, "This is what science fiction can do."

[@bajankurt]

I remember when DS9 was running especially early, it was slammed a lot by fans and critics. In my opinion its revered now, I think as time passed viewers appreciated how different it was to the Star Trek Lore. I loved it from the start because I was a big Avery Brooks fan!

[@catinabox2878]

By far Sisko the most ruthless of the Star Trek captains. Totally bad ass, and Brooks played him brilliantly.

[@hyzenthlay7151]

Avery Brooks was the main reason for me watching American History X... and although his role was quite small, it was great!!

[@nexttvmarketing]

and he is a class act in real life...loyally married to the same woman for over 20 plus years

[@relishgargler]

The best part about DS9 were those rare moments when Avery Brooks would sing jazz songs.

[@Gootothesecond]

Think of all the other shit that it touched on(spoiler alert): *Single Parenthood:* Sisko and Jake *Becoming An Adult:* Jake and Nog *Liberty vs Security:* The Founders making it to Earth/Section 31 *The Meaning of Love:* Dax's former wife *Tolerance:* The Federation's views on Sisko being a religious figure to Bajor *How Far Is Too Far:* The Founders' reaction to being persecuted, Sisko's vendetta against Eddington and Senator Vreenak's assassination *Gender Equality:* The Ferengi *The Meaning of a "God:"* The Prophets *Patriotism:* Damar's Rebellion *The Grieving Process:* Everyone Hell, they even leave it vague as to who actually started the war. The only answer is Deep Space 9 aka Terok Nor.

[@kennethlove5778]

Add "In the Pale Moonlight" Killing to save lives...true moral delima

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Gootothesecond early odo Kira was great before they started dating. It got rom com then

[@JanetStarChild]

The episode _It's Only a Paper Moon_ deals with trauma and dysphoria and other psychological problems, as well as crippling fear/depression that turns people into shut-ins.

[@Gootothesecond]

+JanetFunkYeah I forgot all about that, this show is off the hook.

[@Gootothesecond]

+fragwits We'll have to go to the judges on if that's fake news, he was actually killed.

[@rlj151]

As soon as Sisco shaved his head and grew the ghoati, he seemed to turn into his Spencer for Hire character, Hawk. Which was a great change form him.

[@JanetStarChild]

And it's a good look for him.

[@andrewkosmowski3985]

This is a great list. I also enjoy the character of Morn. I am impressed how the writers developed this character without giving him anything to say. He shrugs in one episode. Numerous times he is referred to as a chatterbox. He smuggles messages for Kira to Sisko and back during the Dominion War. To me, it is great character development to make a minor character with no spoken words and give him depth and meaning.

[@geekchris105]

I also feel like DS9 gave it's messages in a way that wasn't just "the exact same problem" but more of the "it's a different problem, but it is related to/provides context to our real world problems" The best example of this is "Rejoined" Jadzia Dax gets involved with one of the symbiote's previous mate's symbiote, who happens to be a female. In the ST universe, this is scandalous because trills are not supposed to reassociate (no one cares that it's homosexuality). It effectively demonstrated how different cultures view different things as scandalous, but how it was very very pretty from other's perspectives.

[@JanetStarChild]

What's interesting about that episode is that, while everyone didn't give a second thought about two females together, the episode did indirectly deal with homophobia in our real world culture.

[@Spacegoat92]

6:05 When you realize it's been 25 years since Deep Space 9 came out...

[@mikiroony]

I like the way Religion was viewed: from the classical Starfleet "open mind", I see how even Sisko embraces his place in the universe. Creation, Gods and prophets get a way in this wonderfully rich universe.

[@colinhay1666]

I really like the way DS9 depicts terrorists and their possible motivations.

[@alexmontgomery255]

I love DS9, except for what they did to Sisko at the end. I’m still pissed about that. It’s like Jake losing his father again (The Visitor).

[@oddish2253]

Nog did the most growing.

[@robertt9342]

Oddish well in character if not height.

[@ogmundprime6534]

All five reasons are the reasons that I love Babylon 5 as well...except the final episodes made me openly weep. Star Trek has never made me cry. Not proud of it, but if a show can make me care enough to shed a tear that's good writing.

[@Foxwoodpictures]

Ogmund prime That is why I don't watch Sleeping in Light with people. Ugly cry.

[@martykarr7058]

Things you DON'T do in Star Trek: Don't beam down to the planet wearing a MACO uniform(Ent), red shirt(TOS/DISO), or gold shirt(TNG/DS(/VOY) Don't let Counselor Troi drive the ship or Captain Kirk drive stick Don't marry Kirk or Worf.

[@biglowe4776]

As a fan I think Sisko looked his best with a shaved head

[@firefly4f4]

The nice thing about DS9 when it got preachy? It's own character's weren't always on the "correct" side. Take a look at early TNG especially. When it got preachy, it was ARROGANT about it; we're right and you're wrong, it's the starfleet way or the highway. This often made the characters look like they had no spine so to speak, or just outright dumbasses. Think "Code of Honor" (They kidnapped Yar! We must cowtow to their every stupid whim to get her back), "Angel One" (Riker must dress in this stupid outfit to please the women rulers!), and "The Last Output" (see how evil yankee capitalism is by these Ferengi moving like children -- now let me fire our composer after season 2 for wanting more money!) all stand out to me as demonstrating how one sided they were. DS9, while it has some bad episodes of preachiness ("Let He Who Is Who is Without Sin...") or just BAD concepts ("Profit and Lace"), wasn't afraid to show it's characters making bad decisions they at least at the time felt were right. "Duet" (Kira must deal with a suspected genocidal Cardassian) and "For The Uniform" (the lengths Sisko will go to capture Eddington) come to mind, but of course the best is the classic, "In the Pale Moonlight", with it's closing monologue being my favorite bit of Trek EVER as Sisko deals with the fallout of his decision to bring the Romulans to their side. Preachy, but it's characters were NOT necessarily the ones preaching the correct, proper path.

[@mattm.775]

Code of Honor was a racist pile of shit and considered one of the worst episodes. Most of the cast hated it also. The director was such an asshole that he got fired mid-episode.

[@taitaisanchez]

Rules of Engagement was probably one of the best episodes for Worf. The lines were super blurred and Sisko kicked his ass at the end for what he did too.

[@Gootothesecond]

When Sisko said "Computer, erase that entire log," I lost my shit. To hear him try to justify it to himself was one thing, to hear him force himself to live with it was another but to see him actually live with it cemented him as the best captain. He even whupped Q's ass.

[@k1productions87]

Greatest thing about "In the Pale Moonlight" is,... it was actually GARAK who was doing the preaching, not Sisko,... and when Garak preaches, you LISTEN

[@jasonslade6259]

I do also like the moments where the series shows the consequences of the Federation's idealism. Even when the Federation's morals are depicted as the right choice, they're not always the easy choice.

[@coffeefiend9492]

"25 years ago" - damn that makes me feel old...

[@OsirisMalkovich]

I can't wait for the next non prequel Star Trek.

[@JDODify]

DS9 was always my favourite and Dukat was always the best character

[@jba2048]

Dukat is one of my favorite villains of all time. He's up there with The Joker, Khan, and Cersie. Talk about a character that walked the line.

[@leytonjay]

Dukat is better during the early episodes when you didn't know about his true motives, often thought "wow he's actually being good this week". But by the end I hated him as he was so obviously evil, but I didn't really like him anymore, the manipulation of Kai Winn was sick. Actually disgusting in places when you consider his crimes and compare it to an ex-Officer from Auschwitz seducing the head of the Jewish faith (I don't think there is one, but you know what I mean).

[@OlafoWaffle]

Garak is the best Cardassian

[@Helbore]

Dukat was a fantastic villain (and sometimes, antihero) right up until the end of Sacrifice of Angels. Personally, I think he should (and would have) shot his own daughter for her betrayal, but still lost his mind from having to do it. Let's not forget, this is the same man who nearly shot the same daughter for simply being a bastard half-Bajoran until Kira talked him out of it. Sure, he loved her, but he was also a man of impulse who needed other to reign in his arrogance and self-righteousness. That's actually why he was always such an interesting character. There were so many layers to him, but he always made sense as an individual. Having Damar shoot Ziyal was a bit of a get-out for him and think they should have had him be the one to pull the trigger. But more than that, this should have been Dukat's end. The ambitious patriot brought down by his own love for his family. Crushed under having to do what he believes he must (enemies of the state deserve no mercy) and what he loves (Cardassian culture values family above all). It was the perfect end to a complex villain. Unfortunately, everything they did with him afterwards shat all over that legacy. Whilst Waltz was an excellently-acted episode, it ended with Dukat being reduced to a lunatic who wished he committed genocide and Sisko accepting that Dukat is a person who is pure evil. A sad diversion from a character who was the definition of a grey villain. Everything after that just cemented Dukat as an evil baddy, right down to him admitting his final motivation was "I won Benjamin and you lost." From a deep, interesting character who just happened to be a patriot for the opposite side to the evil antichrist who get to burn in hell for eternity thanks to Sisko's sacrifice. I honestly don't know what the writers were thinking, but it was a sad demise to a once-great character.

[@stamfordly6463]

Leyton Jay Winn's own manipulations are what caused her fall though, if she hadn't been prepared to do anything for power regardless of who suffered, if she'd actually had some faith then there would have been nothing for Dukat to work with.

[@wildsmiley]

My second favorite TV show. Trek at its best. When people ask me, Kirk or Picard, my answer is Sisko.

[@Shadowman4710]

I have to agree. While I'm not really a major Star Trek fan I did watch all the series prior to this one and certainly every episode of this one. I hated "Voyager" and quit after the first season and never watched more than one or two episodes of "Enterprise" which I found tedious. To me, this is the best thing the Star Trek franchise ever produced.

[@gbisaga]

While I agree on DS9 being the best, I'd recommend watching Voyager and especially Enterprise. Enterprise has gotten better with the passage of time, and the last two seasons (with the exception of the finale) were really very good. Voyager is definitely not my favorite series and has lots of fail: but there's some really good episodes also: Equinox, Scorpion, Workforce, Year of Hell, Living Witness, and Real Life to name six; and Q2 gave us the nickname "Aunt Kathy," so it has that going for it.

[@blkrhino7961]

DS9 is my favorite Star Trek, but if I could watch only one series for the rest of my life it would be Voyager.

[@AlexandraBryngelsson]

"Obrian must suffer" haha I laughed so much! poor Obrian

[@TheWinterShadow]

Dude...Just started watching it. I have seen the others but DS9 is keeping me 'engaged' unlike the others. No pun intended.

[@robertpolanco1973]

Personally, I am a casual fan of "Star Trek" and I enjoyed the franchise for years. As for "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," I had a wonderful experience in watching the series just like the others and it is because it had great stories with a lot of meaning. Furthermore, I agree with Steve Shives on what he presented in this video about "ST:DS9" in all of its themes. As for me, I DO NOT need to pick any favorites among the "Star Trek" shows because I enjoyed ALL OF THEM.

[@leytonjay]

Always loved DS9, but thought I preferred TNG until I rewatched both recently. TNG was "there for me" during a difficult childhood but DS9 is a triumph of writing with an incredibly rich military history akin to what's playing out in Game of Thrones. Some interesting points here that I hadn't considered. Good video.

[@G11713]

Indeed. DS9 ages very well. Voyager will also age well. TNG I could not rewatch, it felt so stiff and artificial.

[@hyzenthlay7151]

The thing that made DS9 stand out for me was when i binge-watched it the first time. Before then, it was one episode a week, so you could follow the general story, but with so much going on in that week, you forgot the little details, the other things in character and plot development that otherwise went missed. When you binge-watch a season, those things stand out because they are fresh in your mind, and they make the series all that much more. TNG was great to binge-watch too, but seeing as the stories are stand-alone, and the character development isn't as strong as in DS9, I found it didn't improve from watching them all one after another... So one episode a week, I thought they were both great... but binge-watching, I saw DS9 far surpass TNG!!

[@elmoisred616]

"Necessary Evil" was one of my favorite episodes.. Really shows the moral greys amp ethical dilemmas that made the show's foundation imo. That as well as the infamous "In a Pale Moon Light"

[@michealcormier2555]

"Vulcans stole my homework"

[@estherbarba1409]

Really loved this video, Steve! Thanks!

[@antaresclast7773]

Great argument for why this is your favorite Trek, Steve! This may also be one of my favorite videos of yours; great construction and analysis as an "essay". Thank you for always being a passionate yet reasonable super-fan. A great model for "non-toxic" fandom and a welcome presence on my "recommended" lists. On a personal note, I have seen every episode of every Star Trek series at least once (and many more times than once for a few of the shows), and have started rewatching DS9 after some time away and find it very rewarding as a more mature viewer. Cheers.

[@KayleighBourquin]

How hard was picking only 5 this time? DS9 is my favourite Star Trek series (though I do rate Seasons 3+4 of Enterprise higher, for a variety of silly and complicated reasons). Watching the serious grow and develop as much as the characters themselves was just amazing. I eagerly await the Documentary that is to be released sometime this year!

[@Sephirothwolf]

I agree with you on S4 of Enterprise, by the time it stopped being afraid to be an actual prequel series and got to building up the early/prehistory of the Federation it had some great storylines. I'll admit having Soong's ancestor appear was a really big wedge of fanservice but I really enjoyed the Augment arc. Just wish they had gotten a fifth season with a build-up to the Romulan and Kzinti/Ferasan wars and Drexler's refit NX.

[@thumbfan72]

I loved enterprise by the end, and the most disappointing thing about star trek for me is how little we got to see of Shran. Well, that and Trip. Really, I'm annoyed at how many people dismiss enterprise based on S1.

[@patrickdodds7162]

As Star Trek, Deep Space Nine was iffy (there wasn't a lot of seeking out of new life and new civilization boldly going where no one has gone before), but it was EXCELLENT television. What amazed me about the series was how rich the world building it was and how detail oriented the people behind the program were. The most interesting example of this is when Deep Space Nine and Voyager did 30th anniversary tribute episodes to The Original Series. Voyager's "Flashback" is a pointless slapdash affair, whereas DS9's "Trials and Tribble-ations" was a flawless, genius entry that works in every way and is a classic as good as "The Trouble with Tribbles". There are so many great entries in this series and one of the most underrated is season 5's "In the Cards". On the surface it's a light comedy, but deep down it captures the magic of series as a whole where on the verge of war with the Dominion, Jake Sisko is simply trying to obtain a gift for his father. It works on so many levels and the ending is a gut-punch of a smile-getter.

[@Gootothesecond]

"As Star Trek, Deep Space Nine was iffy (there wasn't a lot of seeking out of new life and new civilization boldly going where no one has gone before)..." Hench the term, "reinvent."

[@joeturner1597]

"What happened!?" " We don't talk about." Got to be the best discontinuity response ever.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Patrick Dodds the vorta, jemhadar, TOSK?! Cardassian culture, bajoran religion, life on an alien station run by humans, life after violent alien occupation??? Where’s there not new life and culture.

[@phaub]

"As Star Trek, Deep Space Nine was iffy (there wasn't a lot of seeking out of new life and new civilization boldly going where no one has gone before)" I cannot agree with that part (although I agree with the rest of your comment). I think that the best description of what Star Trek is about is Q's speech at the end of "All Good Things" (TNG), which end with "That is the exploration that awaits you. Not mapping stars and studying nebulae, but charting the unknowable possibilities of existence." And there was plenty of that in DS9, I would argue more so than in any other Star Trek series.

[@Keleigh3000]

Exactly, instead of skimming a new alien race every week we got to live with them for week after week, season after season, digging into who they were and what made them tick.

[@MrBranboom]

Exceptional work, writing and narration, Steve. The words flow, and you shake up the tempo enough to keep it comfortable.

[@peterthomasjones3675]

great video I appreciate your enthusiasm

[@lewashcliffe]

Great commentary and observations. I only recently became a fan of this show via Netflix, and am now on my second viewing. It never gets old. Thanks!

[@ussakira7294]

Star Trek DS9 is absolutely amazing lots of interesting episodes & lots of interesting characters my favourite of all is Kira Nerys

[@andrewbowenssylvanianfamilies]

Deep Space Nine was my favourite Star Trek Series too.

[@PerpetualGM]

While I prefer TNG, I'll definitely acknowledge that DS9 had the best character development. The O'Brien/Bashir Bromance, Sisko accepting his role in the Bajoran religion, Dukat and Damar's various story arcs. All of them were fantastic. My favorite development is Nog though. If someone had told me that the juvenile delinquent Ferengi harassing people on the Promenade in the S1 would become a damn good Starfleet Officer by the end of the series, I'd have wondered what they were smoking!

[@allanrichardson1468]

And Nog's rebelling against his species' tradition of being merchants showed a level of maturity beyond his age. His post-injury episodes also brought comparisons to the 1940s, especially that song, "I'll be seeing you."

[@marjuanwilliams1893]

Outstanding! Well done sir.

[@randomizzer2389]

"Far beyond the stars" is the best DS9 episode in my opinion.

[@dereklbrink]

In the 90s/early 00s I used to dismiss DS9 by saying "no ship, no TREK." But last year, I made a concentrated effort to watch it in order and with an open mind. Of all of the Trek series, it is the only one that openly made me cry more than once. Never judge before you experience. That's one of the central messages of Trek that's applicable in all forms...but it also applies to this series in a big bad way.

[@medleystudios72]

Excellent analysis. Thank you.

[@melvinbonzarelli]

Excellent and insightful analysis. Congrats, Steve!

[@allend777]

The excellent acting of the cast was evident in the first season. The pilot episode had Wormhole Aliens causing Sisko to have disturbing flashbacks.His wife Jennifer is killed in a fight with the Borg. Commander Sisko vainly attempts to free her from the wreckage and his cries of anguish are heart wrenching. The Wormhole aliens observe Sisko’s flashback and ask him: “Why do you live here?”. In Battle Lines, Kai Opaka dies after crash landing on a prison moon. Kira is in shock and her wailing over the Kai’s body had me in tears before my defense mechanisms could kick in. So many great performances by the entire cast. So many great stories!

[@p.bamygdala2139]

Thanks for an eloquent tribute to DS9! TNG was my childhood, perfect for idealistic and wistful exploration and discovery. But DS9 coincided with my adolescence: shades of grey, complexity, breaking boundaries, near ideas, varied perspectives, learning so much more... keep up the great videos!

[@tf8327]

Deep Space 9 had the finest producers and writers in all Star Trek. Thry were able to make a little thief one of the finest Starfleet officers in all Star Trek. And you totally could belived the change in character. Of course I talk about Nog. They were able to write great storyarcs for so many fine recurring characters. But not only the writers were able to build the characters. The casting was brillant for the main cast, as well as for all supporting caracters. The cast and the procuder/writer were able to bring Star Trek to a new level... A level no other Star Trek series could reach till today.

[@SimonDodd3862]

One of your best Steve. More like this please !

[@alfredaquino3774]

I've been re-watching the DS9 series from start to finish, and this video really nails the merits of the show that keep me wanting to watch them again.

[@judsonfranklin6167]

This is best of all the series. The characters evolved as the series run.In the pale moonlight favorite my favorite episode. Classic trek.

[@Mukibi25]

This is the best start trek talking. Thanks for the input.

[@princeprocrastinate6485]

Well said Steve, DS9 is my favourite Star Trek series for most of the reasons you brought up. I've been watching it again slowly over the last several months & have really enjoyed going through it this time as an adult & have found even more to love about it. Great video!

[@randomobserver8168]

Pretty good list- especially like the way you handled number two. Brooks' casting was important, widely noted, and after 7 seasons demonstrably triumphantly successful. But from the point of view of analyzing the show, it is far more important to notice how large the cast was, how much it diverted from the old 'bunch of groupthink Starfleet people on a previously agreed mission' tropes. You could do a lot of storytelling within those tropes, but not as much as you could do in a setting like DS9.

[@georgebullukian1819]

This was a fantastic video!

[@Mega-Brick]

Deep Space Nine, to me, is the perfect example of how far darkness, and how far serialization, should go for Star Trek. It was dark, but it didn't become so gritty and dark that it lost it's identity as Star Trek. It wasn't constantly serialized, but it had a balance that led to a consistently engaging show and story. In a way, I don't think I'll be able to enjoy Star Trek: Discovery, considering how far it goes in both regards.

[@maximeteppe7627]

I disagree, I don't think the faults of discovery are about going too dark or too serialized. In fact, I find both dimensions fairly shallow when compared to DS9. Yes discovery is more continuous, but it's also mostly a roller coaster ride, it's fast paced but low scale. we don't see the slowly evolving relationships between the federation and Bajor over the first season, instead, we have the klingon conflict solved in a snap. As for being dark, what's dark about discovery exactly? Ambivalent high ranking officers are nothing new in star trek. personal trauma? I think we could have some fully serialized star trek that doesn't have a space anomaly every other episode but keeps the core intact. I could see a show bringing current prestige TV sensibilities in dealing with such themes as cardassian fascism or the casualties of war. The issue is that in DS9 those dark stuff where directly contrasted with the main character's ideals. Whereas it's tough to point out the ideals of the characters in discovery because it's not the focus of the show. I still liked discovery for the most part but the real issue is not that it's too dark or too serialized, it's that it's not as idea driven. As a result, we can have a third season set in a completely different timeline and apparently it doesn't break the premise (though maybe it jumps the shark?) because it's a character driven show first and foremost and the setting is incidental.

[@michaelkclark6981]

Great observations. Great Video. This was delightful to see and hear. Keep up the good work...

[@leytonjay]

Great videos, thanks so much. I love DS9. It's trending on Netflix in the UK now during Coronavirus lockdown, makes me proud.

[@juvetravels]

Thank you for this.

[@treewalker1070]

I didn't know today was the anniversary. We have recently been rewatching DS9. And we watched "Past Tense" the other night -- set in 2024 and it was striking how the situation it depicts seems chillingly close to what we might be heading for right now.

[@umbreonofshadows]

DS9 is fantastic and you concisely summed up why it’s my favorite trek iteration. Love your videos keep it up my dude

[@stevenjones2673]

You hit all the aspects I love about DS9, so brilliantly.

[@hyzenthlay7151]

One thing that is often overlooked and I liked very much the show for was something I most noticed in the episode The Ship, with the death of Muniz. He was a character that appeared a couple of times, and on another Trek series would have been your basic throwaway " ensign redshirt". But instead of that they cared for him under a siege situation, tried to help him, and in the end, he died but was even given significance by O'Brien and Worf watching over his body on their way back to the station. I saw it as no character is a simple unnamed throwaway character in this show, they all have their important role to play, no matter how small it may be, and their passing is something that is felt by the lead characters.

[@rafaelquirino4859]

Sisko is my fav caracter of all ST series

[@marcleger7229]

You are so right! You said it all and you said it very very well, thank you!

[@juliussmith4001]

Very well done. Thank you

[@douglaseid9021]

Very well said. I agree. The character relationships, the topics tackled, the serialization, etc. This one is my favorite.

[@dobrien51]

DS9 was my favorite Star Trek series and I don't understand why it's the only series that's never shown. I have to content myself with TNG and Voyager on BBC America.

[@ken7165]

dobrien51 it's shown on the H&I (Heroes and Icons) channel every day except weekends. Also shows DS9, Voyager, TOS and Enterprise all in a row starting at 8 pm PST

[@libertubey2199]

Ken W Every night, except Saturdays. As a bonus, we get "Star Trek: The Animated Series" leading off on Sunday nights beginning at 7PM EST.

[@stephenmolinares3314]

Great video on my favorite trek series

[@shane1489]

Well put!

[@tyoungjjr]

Insightful and thought provoking!

[@PaulTenorio71]

Completed the entire series this week. Very good. Doesn't beat TNG but has some shining moments and takes almost every character's arc to an end which is quite impressive. These videos are great for reflecting on what I just watched. Thanks.

[@doctorpaul34]

Thank you. I've argued for years that DS9 was the best of the ST series

[@llama74656]

Thank you, Steve. I love your Star Trek videos; and this one's the best yet, if I may say. This One's from the Heart, as James Darren might say. Brilliant work. :)

[@coreydonaldson3303]

I always thought that Jadzia Dax is very cute !

[@Draelos]

Funny, I thought the opposite. I always considered Enzri the cute trill and Jadzia the hot one. ;)

[@Defunct231324141]

Corey Donaldson Yeah you and just about every other trekkie

[@mikecobalt7005]

Every episode of DS9 built upon the depth of every character. Most serials once the character is set, they stay pretty much similar. From the giant episodes like Duet, Pale Moonlight, Visitor and on to even the more light hearted like Tribbles, Little Green Men, Magnificent Ferengi and more they all added to the characters heaping more on to solid characters. A great addition to Star Trek.

[@TheRayvolution]

Facts! You’ve said EVERYTHING I’ve argued since season 1. Thank you.

[@montewithGSO]

I like your stuff a lot!

[@zoidgato7106]

When Sisko decided to fake those recordings of Dominion, I realized that he is the most badass captain of all the series and films of Star Trek

[@c.s.7656]

Just discovered your channel, and love it already! So glad this popped up in my feed. DS9 was by far the best written, best acted and most interesting of all the series so far...(I read somewhere once that Armin Shimerman thought that the scriptwriting for DS9 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer was some of the best out there.) Not that I didn't enjoy Voyager, TNG, etc, but DS9 gave me something to tune into every week that I looked forward to. I wanted to watch the stories that came across my screen, and the characters were played so well, that they were believable. My favorite of the Trek Universe... Period.

[@johnmccarron7066]

These are all excellent points on DS9, and I think you hit it very well on the final point: DS9 was able to be a deconstruction of the idealism of Star Trek, while at the same time upholding and affirming it. It built a framework in which that idealism was challenged, and often undercut severely, but by providing that challenge, forced it's characters to decide what that idealism means. The idealism is best exemplified by the challenges it faces, and it's ability to hold together and overcome those challenges. It provided an emotional and intellectual core to the series that other Star Trek series have had a hard time matching.

[@lorensims4846]

Binging the whole series now. I think this is the peak of the franchise. You mentioned the way it kept changing its direction. it did it so much more smoothly than Enterprise did which felt like at least three completely different series.

[@meganswaine4135]

I just started season 7, and I am STOKED about this show. I love all the characters. I even love Ezri, because, on a personal level, I find her really relatable.

[@clarky23]

all I can say about DS9 that hasn't already been said is not only is it my favorite Star Trek series, but it's on my top 5 favorite television series period, and the only Star Trek series on that top 5 list.