Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - General Discussion

[Prevailing Wind]

Yesterday, I watched the episode where Tom Riker steals the Defiant.  While he's pretending to be Will and Kira's taking him on a tour, they enter the Defiant, where O'Brien's working. Riker is quite hateful to O'Brien, who slinks off as though he deserved that.

I must have missed something in TNG. Why would Riker be so nasty to O'Brien?  They never explain it on DS9.

[Maverick]

There was no reason for the real Riker to act that way.  Tom knew O'Brien would start reminiscing as bout events on the Enterprise and if he did that his cover would be blown.  Acting like there was some rift between them prevented any conversation between the two that could trip Tom up.  O'Brien was obviously bewildered, but since Riker was a senior officer he had no choice but to leave as ordered.  O'Brien was still going to know something was off and probably would have contacted Geordi to find out what's going on but Tom has already stolen the Defiant.  He just needed to get O'Brien off the ship right then for his plan to work.  

[Prevailing Wind]

Well, this certainly explains why, in "Little Green Men," Nog pointed to the Great Lakes for where the invasion was going to occur...

https://www.thevintagenews.com/2021/06/24/lake-michigan-triangle/

[MSterling]

I listen to the Delta Flyers podcast with Robert Duncan McNeill and Garrett Wang. The newest episode has two new co-hosts, Terry Farrell and Armin Shimerman. They've started a recap and review of DS9 since they completed Voyager earlier this year. I like the addition of Farrell and Shimerman, they fit nicely into the format and they're interesting to listen to. And, this way Wang and McNeill can continue the podcast...

[blueray]

On 12/7/2023 at 11:52 PM, MSterling said:

I listen to the Delta Flyers podcast with Robert Duncan McNeill and Garrett Wang. The newest episode has two new co-hosts, Terry Farrell and Armin Shimerman. They've started a recap and review of DS9 since they completed Voyager earlier this year. I like the addition of Farrell and Shimerman, they fit nicely into the format and they're interesting to listen to. And, this way Wang and McNeill can continue the podcast...

If you are looking for a good DS9 podcast, check out the 7th rule. It's Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko) youtube channel, that he started with Aaron (Nog). They reviewed all of DS9 and are now reviewing TNG. They go really in depth of the show, and annualize each episode. As well as have different guests on, often other cast members or Ira. Not that they are completing against each other. But thought I'd shot it out as well.

[Trini]

Cross-posting since there isn't a general Star Trek media topic:

2024 in Star Trek history:

Quote

A lot—a lot—happens historically in Star Trek’s 2024, crucially important events that go on to not just shape Earth as it is in the early 21st century, but form foundational pillars for the contemporary Star Trek timeline. It’s a year we’ve heard about, and visited, multiple times across several Trek shows. So what’s exactly wild about it? Well, let us take a look through Trek’s past to find out... and perhaps, our future?

 

[wanderingstar]

The Bell Riots!!!!

Guess it's time for me to watch "Past Tense" again.

[Prevailing Wind]

I was just watching a season two Have Gun-Will Travel. At the end of the episode, a group of cavalrymen are riding off, and they all started singing "The Minstrel Boy."  I looked for Miles O'Brien, but he wasn't there. LOL.

[Prevailing Wind]

I'm watching Past Tense (which takes place in 2024!) and half-way through the second part, Bill Smitrovich asks his son if Mom and Jeannie are all right. Kid responds with "They're OK. They're with the Petersons."

...and I wondered if they were the ancestors of the Petersons that Molly O'Brien spends so much time with.

[MaryMitch]

Aww.... Vic Fontaine is but a holographic memory now 😩

James Darren, RIP

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/james-darren-gidget-moondoggie-star-trek-1236127756/

[wanderingstar]

Rest in power, Tony Todd.

[Annber03]

Popping into this thread - as stated in the "Behind the Times" thread elsewhere on this site, regarding older TV shows that we're just now discovering for the first time, I have recently started in on this show thanks to an online friend of mine. Up to now I had not seen any of the "Trek" series, what all I knew about this franchise was through general pop culture/online fandom conversations and various clips I might've seen of the original series in, like, TV retrospective documentaries aor something. So this series is literally my introduction to the "Trek" franchise (along with an episode of TNG that that same friend also showed me). 

And I am absolutely loving this series thus far. I just finished up season one this past week, so collective thoughts on that one thus far:

-The pilot two-parter was intense and did a great job of setting the tone and stage for the whole premise of the series. The tension between Sisko and Picard was perfectly done and a great way to highlight the sharp difference between this series and TNG (II may have only seen the one episode of TNG thus far, but based off both that episode and what I've read and heard about that show, I know that it has a very different vibe from DS9). Also, pretty bold choice to have Sisko going up against Picard, one of the most popular and beloved "Trek" characters (even before I watched any "Trek", I still knew who Picard was and was familiar with Patrick Stewart as an actor in general), and have his opinions and stances on everything going on be taken seriously and respected. 

Also, I'm not a baseball person at all, so I couldnt help being a bit amused at the constant metaphors involving that sport in the pilot :p. I do love Sisko being a baseball fan, though, and his nerdiness around it, to the point where he has a baseball in his office, is a charming and cute element of his character :). 

-The stuff with the prophets felt kind of trippy and out there in the pilot as well, but the way the season continued to touch on and expand that part of the story a little more helped make that aspect feel a little more grounded and added some interesting tensions to everything. Especially given their presence in this post-war setting, in an area that's still very fragile as it continues to rebuild. I also find Kira's connection to them intriguing, given her particular backstory and connections to Bajor.

-And that brings me to one of the two big things that really drew me into this show, all the political intrigue they're setting up here. It's fascinating. The tensions between the Bajorans and the Cardassians, the individuals and groups that are trying to take advantage of those tensions, the way the team is trying to bridge the gap and help ease those tensions and keep them from flaring up again, the shifting and questionable loyalties that might be lurking among some of the characters, both within the team and with some of the guest/recurring characters who pop in. I just really like how they're slowly laying the groundwork to build on those various aspects - I have heard about how serialized this show becomes and how some of these story arcs build and develop, so iI'm looking quite forwrard to seeing how everything that's been set up here will be expanded upon and developed further going forward. 

(Also, not to get too into the weeds here, but let's just say that the political aspect of this show is hitting especially hard right now, which is another reason I think I'm so drawn to and connecting with that part of the show as I am.)

-The other thing that drew me in and has me invested is, of course, the characters. I love a show with a strong ensemble cast and this one absolutely fits that bill. Sisko's relationship with his son Jake is incredibly endearing and touching, Jake's firendship with Nog  is cute and fun, Odo and Quark are a wonderful comedic duo, there's the already iconic connecton between Bashir and Garak - and they've only been in one episode together this first season! I also absolutely adore the dynamic between Sisko and Kira, how they're both very stubborn and always up for a good debate, and yet there is a strong and clear respect for each other that comes through. I love their one-on-one scenes where they get to have some heart to heart conversations about the various issues they're dealing with. Kira's interactions with Odo are fantastic, too, his rule-following self against her more rebellious spirit. 

And then on top of that each character is fleshed out individually, too. They've all got their respective roles within the team and the setting of the show, and it's been fun getting to know them. I also appreciate how they're all deeply flawed in so many ways and yet those flaws are a large part of what makes me care about and get invested in them. It's been fun getting to know these characters this season, and I'm excited to see what else the show has in store for them. 

And I'll finish off this rambling post with my top five episodes from this season:

1. Duet. God, this episode was powerful, to the point where it actually made me cry. Great showcase for Kira as a character, and I also especially appreciated how it felt so much like a classic "Twilight Zone" episode in many ways, in terms of how it touched on the themes it addressed. Marritza's monologue speeches were straight up Serling-esque in how they were written and acted, and that just added to my appreciation for this episode. 

2. Past Prologue: Again, a good episode for Kira, with her having to deal with her conflicted loyalties when Tahna shows up. And it's a great example of my comment above about how I love the interactions between her and Odo and her and Sisko, as each duo have some great scenes together this episode. 

Also, the whole plot with Bashir and Garak is a fun and entertaining contrast to the tension with Kira's storyline. The scene with their first meeting, and Bashir practically skipping aorund Ops in excitement about it afterward, is amazing XD. 

3. Dramatis Personae: This one was just a fun, trippy little episode :).  Again, strong "Twilight Zone" vibes here, with everyone acting all shifty and weird except for Odo, who's the lone sane guy trying to get everything back to normal. It was just a kick to see everyone acting a bit shady and creepy :D.  I know some people think an episode like this might work better in a latter season, when you know the characters better, but there is something fun about doing an episode like this in the first season of a show when you are still getting to know the characters, 'cause you can play a little more with the whole idea of how much of the weirdness is the character as we know them thus far and how much is the result of whatever strange things are going on. 

4. Dax: I just relly liked the moral quandry this episode set up, and it was an interesting look into Dax as a character as well. Her whole history with the host/worm stuff is a really intriguing element of her character, and I like how she's able to connect with Sisko through her connection to his old freind Curzon. I am curious which way the ruling might've gone for the trial in this episode, but obviously, I also understand why they didn't resolve it, so as to leave the viewers with something to debate and discuss and think about further. 

5. A Man Alone: I just really liked this episode for Odo. It was an interesting glimpse into his character and why he kinda keeps to himself as he does, and I also think it higlhlights one aspect of what made Auberjonois such a great actor. He has to do a lot of acting with his eyes on this show, given the particular makeup he has to wear for his character, and I thought this episode nicely highlighted that. The scene with him in his destroyed quarters while the mob's outside harassing him genuinely made me feel for him, and it was all due to Rene's quiet acting. 

The pilot deserves mention, too, of course, for reasons noted above, but I just wnated to focus on episodes that weren't a two-parter setup here. 

Anywho, so yeah, those are my thoughts on season one thus far - on to season two!

Edited February 4 by Annber03

[wanderingstar]

Annber03, I wish I could give your post +1000. I'm delighted for you that DS9 is your intro to Trek, which is very different from the experience of most fans. Agree with your top 5 episodes. Duet, in particular, is an all-timer, not just for Trek but for television in general.

The DS9 ensemble is one of the best ever, period. I'm so excited for you to see what comes in subsequent seasons. Please keep posting your reactions, comments, and questions. And welcome to the Trek family!

Edited February 2 by wanderingstar

[Annber03]

11 hours ago, wanderingstar said:

Annber03, I wish I could give your post +1000. I'm delighted for you that DS9 is your intro to Trek, which is very different from the experience of most fans. Agree with your top 5 episodes. Duet, in particular, is an all-timer, not just for Trek but for television in general.

The DS9 ensemble is one of the best ever, period. I'm so excited for you to see what comes in subsequent seasons. Please keep posting your reactions, comments, and questions. And welcome to the Trek family!

Yeah, from talking to my friend and reading a bit from other "Trek" fans online, it's always interesting to see how people got into this fandom and which show was their introduction into the franchise. I especially love the stories from people who grew up with these shows and watched them with their families, it's cool to see how this franchise can be a bonding experience for people like that. 

Another thing I really liked about "Duet" was how it kept this tension and intensity...and the episode basically just featured characters talking the entire time. This show has its action scenes, obviously, and those are definitely fun and exciting to watch,  but I really like how they can also bulid up so much genuine tension just through putting two (or more) characters in a room and letting them talk and debate with each other. Proof you don't have to go all out with big action sequences or explosions or whatever to keep people's attention and keep them on the edge of their seats. It's nice to see these stories getitng a chance to breathe, so you can properly absorb what's going on. I know people are os used to shorter seasons nowadays 'cause of streaming and whatnot, but I think a show like this is a good argument for the old-school style of doing things, and finding a good balance between serialized storytelling and episodic storytelling. 

I appreciate your kind words and welcome, thank you :D. I will absolutely be back to share more thoughts as I continue on, it's nice to have a place to be able to discuss this show with other fans. 

[Anduin]

DS9 Theme but the theme is coming from DS9 Ops! Good one. :)