The Most Disliked Episode of DS9, Season 1: 2021 Edition...

This is a twist on a game that is played here, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Here's the game. The basic idea is your standard elimination game. I'll provide a list of the episodes for each season and you need to eliminate your most favorite or the one you deem the 'best.' Please provide an EXPLANATION for why you are eliminating your choice and be sure to copy and paste the list with your choice removed. Finally, leave at least 2 eliminations by other posters before you eliminate another episode.

No tactical voting! You cannot remove an episode because you feel they would threaten your preferred episode's chance to win. Pretty simple. Enjoy!

Hall of Champions (or Failures?)
2011 - "PROFIT AND LACE"
2018 - "LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN..."
2019 - "THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
2021 - "THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"


Season One -

EMISSARY
PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
CAPTIVE PURSUIT
Q-LESS
DAX
THE PASSENGER
MOVE ALONG HOME
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
PROGRESS
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
THE FORSAKEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
DUET
IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS

 

I'm going to kick off DS9, my favorite series of the franchise, with an obvious save... "DUET".

Excellent script, excellent performances... this episode is flawless. EVERYONE was on point... Peter Allan Fields writing, James L. Conway directing, and most especially Nana Visitor and Harris Yulin acting their socks off. Pure gold.


(And I'm going to be honest... season 1 of DS9 is not as bad as many have said. With the exception of Dax, I feel the actors got a good hold of their characters right out the gate, which is a very hard thing to do.)


EMISSARY
PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
CAPTIVE PURSUIT
Q-LESS
DAX
THE PASSENGER
MOVE ALONG HOME
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
PROGRESS
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
THE FORSAKEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS

 

I'll save Progress first. It's a great look at how far Kira has come at that point in the season. Mullibok is a fascinatingly stubborn character, so it's an interesting test for Kira.

EMISSARY
PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
CAPTIVE PURSUIT
Q-LESS
DAX
THE PASSENGER
MOVE ALONG HOME
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
THE FORSAKEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS

 

"Emissary" SUCH a good pilot. The characters and setting are so rich right from the start, and a powerful exploration of grief.

PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
CAPTIVE PURSUIT
Q-LESS
DAX
THE PASSENGER
MOVE ALONG HOME
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
THE FORSAKEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS

 

I know many hate this episode, but I absolutely love "MOVE ALONG HOME".

There is a lot to love about this one.

1. It gives a rare look at another Gamma Quadrant species. The Wadi show us another example of just how highly advanced technology is over there.

2. We have a great showcase of Quark. Armin Shimerman brought so much to his role, and this was a great example of just how good he was.

3. It's a fantastic concept. How many of us have wanted to actually be inside a game?

4. It's a rare occasion where we see our Starfleet heroes use their wits to solve puzzles instead of relying on gadgets and technobabble.

5. I don't care what anyone says, the hopscotch scene is really fun. It's a catchy little tune.

6. Sisko singing. That's a rare treat.


I will always defend this episode, as it most certainly does not belong on any 'most disliked' list.

ALLAMARAIN!!!


PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
CAPTIVE PURSUIT
Q-LESS
DAX
THE PASSENGER
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
THE FORSAKEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS

 

I'm saving Q-Less. I love Vash & who didn't find the boxing match fun?

Q: "You hit me! Picard never hit me."
Sisko: "I'm not Picard."

PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
CAPTIVE PURSUIT
DAX
THE PASSENGER
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
THE FORSAKEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS

 

In the Hands of the Prophetes is next. A great end to the season with the introduction of long-term antagonist, Winn.

The destruction of the classroom was a really dramatic moment.

PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
CAPTIVE PURSUIT
DAX
THE PASSENGER
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
THE FORSAKEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE

 

Saving Captive Pursuit. Probably the best of the early “GQ alien visit” eps. Tosk is just a really compelling character who makes you just wish he could be convinced to ask for asylum.

PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
DAX
THE PASSENGER
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
THE FORSAKEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE[/QUOTE]

 

"The Forsaken"! As is often observed, it's true that Lwaxana was at her best on DS9. I even think her story in "The Muse" is great.

Bashir and the ambassadors is fun, as well.

In fact, I'm putting this one on right now!

PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
BABEL
DAX
THE PASSENGER
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
DRAMATIS PERSONAE

 

I actually really like "Babel." Yes, it's a "virus of the week" story for sure, but it had a creative and fun twist to it.


PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
DAX
THE PASSENGER
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES
DRAMATIS PERSONAE

 

Plus, it showed a great fatherly moment with Ben and Jake as he was comforting him. He really is a great role model for being a dad.

My next save is "DRAMATIS PERSONAE". I love Joe Menosky, and he has a way of using and twisting mythology to great effect. This episode is also perfectly placed in the series... not too far along where the division is unbelievable, but not too early where it would feel like 'of course they don't trust each other'. It's also a fun concept... and we first see the clock!


PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
DAX
THE PASSENGER
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES

 

Saving Dax. It’s the first real analysis of the nature of individuality in regard to Trill hosts, even if they could have improved the execution.


PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
THE PASSENGER
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES

 

"The Passenger" has an enjoyable spooky vibe. I'm such an easy lay for a Trek possession story -- I love them all!

And a fantastic guest performance from Caitlin Brown as Kajada.

PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
THE STORYTELLER
IF WISHES WERE HORSES

 

I like "The Storyteller," as it was the genesis of the O'Brien / Bashir Bromance that was a favorite feature of my enjoyment of DS9.

PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
THE NAGUS
VORTEX
BATTLE LINES
IF WISHES WERE HORSES

 

Ninja'd someone beat me to it with Dax.

Vortex is next then. Back when Odo's origins were a mystery, this was an intriguing look into his background. I loved the guest stars as well in this one as well.

OK, also removed The Passenger as well as Sakonna removed it, so the list is good to go.

PAST PROLOGUE
A MAN ALONE
THE NAGUS
BATTLE LINES
IF WISHES WERE HORSES

 

Progress may be my "sleeper favorite" of the entire first season (Emissary was my absolute favorite)...it really is a great episode. I actually like it in the same way most people like Duet

 

Watched it today. It certainly has the best of all the Jake/Nog subplots!

Though flawed in some obvious ways, "A Man Alone" is a great post-pilot ep (I'm rejecting the original air order here, and going with the production/Netflix order -- try not to be too scandalized ). The Odo plot is clunky, but also an intriguing early draft of some of the ideas about the interrelationships of Bajor/Fed/Odo. But the other stories of everyone settling in and getting their bearings on the station are great.

PAST PROLOGUE
THE NAGUS
BATTLE LINES
IF WISHES WERE HORSES

 

I'll go with "Battle Lines"

I actually would have picked it much earlier, but spaced over it. I think it was a cool little sci-fi concept and I always liked Kai Opaca. It was one of the episodes that stuck with me after my initial watch of S1 during first run.

PAST PROLOGUE
THE NAGUS
IF WISHES WERE HORSES

 

The Nagus is easily one of the best Ferengi episodes. Quark being Marlan Brandon when he's the Nagus is worth the price of admission alone.

PAST PROLOGUE
IF WISHES WERE HORSES

 

I will save "If Wishes", if nothing else for Molly's incredible cuteness, and the horny alternate Dax.

Past Prologue is the "winner".