Rewatching DS9, need help

[Navaros]

There are 5-6 crap episodes in every season of DS9, and more than that in Season 1 in particular.

You won't get an accurate list from posters on this or any site though, or any review site, because everyone is biased to their own tastes and likes/dislikes different things (although there are a few really bad DS9 episodes that are almost universally disagreed upon as being really bad, but even those have fans who enjoyed them...). In fact, I already see many good-to-great episodes of DS9 being recommended for you to skip in this thread.

The only way to really know which episodes you find bad is to slug it out and watch them all. Otherwise, you might miss some great episodes because some posters here told you to skip them since they were bad to their tastes, but not necessarily because the episode itself was inherently bad.

 

[misskim86]

Do not skip ANY episode the first time you watch DS9 no matter what anyone says.

 

[Marie1]

^ That is probably the best advice... especially if you decided to read the *excellent* Relaunch now that the first 5 books are in "Twist of Faith" for 20$ !!!! Episodes I'd forgotten sometimes come up...

 

[The_Beef]

You won't get an accurate list from posters on this or any site though, or any review site, because everyone is biased to their own tastes and likes/dislikes different things

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. I mentioned using the review site because I feel that, if something is to be crossed off the list, it should at least be checked out on the site beforehand. Don't write it off altogether based on some suggestions. Instead, take a look at what the episode is about and what was "wrong" with it and make your own judgment.

That being said, I really do feel like it's best to just watch them all. Heh, I even still find some kind of perverse pleasure in some of the really bad comedy episodes (One Small Ship is a lot of fun if you just don't take it seriously )

 

[jgdst]

Yup, I'd agree that every episode has to be watched if you want the full picture. As someone early on said, even in the not so great episodes, there's nearly always a key event happening (whether it's a Bajor/Emissary thing, a Cardassian development, or just a nice bit of character development).

After that, you can re-watch it selectively. (Speaking of which, I'm surprised no-one mentioned Prodigal Daughter - the epitome of pointless character non-development / O'Brien Must Suffer episodes )

 

[2 of 10]

Is looks as if you have all the episodes to not watch, here are a few that you need to watch...

1) In the Pale Moonlight: Sea 6

2) The Visitor: Sea 4

3) The Maquis Pts 1 and 2: Sea 2

4) The Wire: Sea 2

5) Crossover: Sea 2

6) Defiant: Sea 2

7) Past Tense Pts 1 and 2: Sea 3

8) Way of the Warrior: Sea 4

9) Sons of Mogh: Sea 4

10) Trials and Tribble-ations: Sea 5

This is in no way is a comphresive list, it's just a starter. Needless to say there are WAY more great episodes, than poor ones in DS-9. Have fun exploring DS-9 all over again...

Resistance is Futile

 

[Navaros]

Instead, take a look at what the episode is about and what was "wrong" with it and make your own judgment.

Even that is subjective opinion as well since reviewers are only humans too thus subject to the same bias/tastes as anyone else. Hence reviews are also not a good indicator either of what to skip IMO. Same exact problem as with accepting advice on what to skip from posts by DS9 fans.

I've read lots of reviews of DS9 episodes where the reviewer points out strengths of the episode and declares them to be flaws, or points out flaws of the episode and declares them to be strengths. Or completely neglects to mention certain flaws or strengths at all in the review.

 

[The_Beef]

Exactly, hence the quotations around "wrong". That's why I picked a review site that does very comprehensive analyses so the reader can at least read some plot details that might suggest whether or not he or she wants to watch the episode. I assumed it was a given that anybody's opinion, including a reviewer, must be taken with a grain of salt. It's the viewer's opinion that matters, not anybody else's. Which is why I do still recommend simply watching them all.

 

[Ktrek]

Personally I watch every episode in release order. If anyone was to say that not all DS9 episodes are great I would agree with that but I don't know of any episode that is so bad I would not re-watch it. Every episode has redeeming qualities. If you love the show and you love the characters than even a weak story can be worth your time because you will always glean some insight into your favorite characters.

Kevin

 

[misskim86]

Whenever I re-watch DS9 I only skip two episodes, one is O'Brians 20 year prison episode which imo has too big of a story to not have any follow up and thus imo it's a badly done idea, and then the episode with grown Molly because it's too sad to watch so I always cry when I watch it, and it's not part of an Arc so it's ok to skip it.

That said, you need to see every episode at least once.

 

[Kirby]

If your intent is really to watch them all from the beginning then take the good with the bad and just watch them all. Yes, Profit and Lace sucks. But it's still part of the fabric of the show, and should be viewed as such. Hell it's only 45 minutes, just stick with it and you'll be able to proudly say that you watched them all, even Melora. When you're done with your quest, then just watch the ones you want.