Personally, I've always felt it was the strongest season of DS9: Just as consistent as S5 but more powerful overall and with more powerful individual episodes IMHO. Substantially more consistent than S6 and with top episodes just as good as those from S6.
I also have to add that I've always viewed Dukat's development differently. I actually found it quite intriguing seeing his breakdown and the path he took after that. I also never felt that he became one dimensional. Different but not one dimensional.
His relationship with the Pagh Wraiths wasn't as clear cut IMHO as it's sometimes described. If you look at Covenant, for example, this person actually seems to have developed a form of spirituality and faith. But it's a weak faith marred by his own appetite for power which has always been part of his character.
And I also remember that tingle when I saw him walk the promenade as a Bajoran. I found that absolutely fascinating. Quite the cruel irony, really.
There's only two things that really bother me about the season. One is "The Emperor's New Cloak" which was IMHO as superfluous as it was silly. The mirror universe had long since lost its attraction, and this was just as awful as a mixture of Ferengi story and mirror universe could get, I think.
And secondly, the final confrontation between Sisko and Dukat. Jammer put it very well in his review of WYLB when he said he liked where everyone ended up, but he didn't like how people got there. The final fight is just really underwhelming in comparison to the buildup and everything else going on, I think.
Looking at individual eps, here's how I feel about them (and sorry if I get things mixed up - it's been a while since I've seen DS9):
- Image in the Sand / Shadow and Symbols: Very, very powerful opening, I think. Loved the introduction of Ezri here, loved Ben's quest and the Pagh Wraith 'Benny' vision. Plus it easily juggled about three or four storylines at once like it was nothing.
- Afterimage: Great follow up to the opening episodes. The ending is a bit neat, but it's a good introduction of Ezri on DS9.
- Chrysalis: I've always liked the 'Jack Pack' so this was a welcome episode. It's not as powerful as its predecessor but still quite good, I think.
- Take Me Out to the Holo-Suite: One of my absolute favorite comedy episodes on the show. I also think it was well placed at the beginning of the season. There's a lull in the war in terms of DS9, so I think it works out pretty well here. "Death to the opposition!"
- Treachery, Faith and the Great River: This is one of those little gems that can easily be forgotten, I think. They're not as great or as spectacular as other episodes, but they're great to watch everytime. The relationship between Odo and the Weyoun here is very intriguing and powerful. And the Jake / Nog storyline works surprisingly well alonside it.
- Once More Unto the Breach: A great sendoff for an old warrior. Very enjoyable.
- The Siege of AR-558: Very, VERY powerful episode, I think. This was a really daring take on war and the consequences. Taking Quark along was actually a stroke of genius here, I think. For one, it's interesting seeing him fend for his own when he has to. And secondly, he provided a great external view on the Federation and Starfleet. And Nog's loss of his leg was really powerful, I think.
- Covenant: Somehow, I've always liked this episode. I thought it gave us a very interesting look into Dukat's mind and his way of thinking at this point. The interesting to me is that the old Dukat is still very much there. But there's also a new side to him in terms of his spirituality. He DOES seem to genuinely believe in his 'gods'. But as I said above, part of him's still very much the Dukat who'll look for power. I would have liked to have seen more of the Pagh Wraith cult, actually.
- It's Only a Paper Moon: This is one of the things I always loved about DS9. It took two minor characters and managed to build an excellent episode around them. It fits very, very well within the context of the show at that time (especially where Nog is concerned) but also gives us an interesting view on what the world Vic exists in can or cannot mean to a person. It remains a virtual world that Vic inhabits by necessity and only provides short moments of distraction to 'real' people.
- Prodigal Daughter: This is one of the 'ok' episodes of the season, I think. It gives us some insights into who Ezri is and what her background is. But I actually think this would have worked a lot better had there not been the murder and syndicate angle. I think it could and should have been more 'conventional' on that level. A good idea might have also been bringing Ezri's family to her, foregoing the need to take the story away from the station.
- The Emperor's New Cloak: Well, I suppose there had to be at least one clunker in the season. Well, at least there was only one...
- Field of Fire: Another 'ok' episode. It gives Ezri some more to do, but it doesn't really seem necessary by any means. The murder weapon is probably the coolest thing in this episode (it's also highly alarming, but never mind). It's an entertaining hour if not really needed, I think.
- Chimera: An excellent character piece, I think. It was a very interesting and I think clever choice to question how much Odo had really been accepted by others on the station at this point. It makes some really good points about how people can live and work together but never really cross the void that separates them. It also has some excellent moments between Odo and Kira which IMHO rank among the best moments they had together. Poor Laas, though. Probably died of the Changeling disease he must have contracted from Odo...
- Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang: One last all out fun episode before things really get going, and a good one at that. They may be stretching Vic's popularity here a little, but it's nice to see the team get bound together more strongly again (a similar thing interestingly happened in Take Me Out to the Holo-Suite, btw.). It's a nice homage to Ocean's Eleven, and it's done with style. Plus I love Ben singing at the end (a song with a very fitting title, mind you).
- Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges: An excellent Romulan episode with some of the best use that was made of Admiral Ross throughout the show. Bashir's the perfect one for the part he's playing here. And it's just fascinating to see all the intrigue unravel.
- Penumbra: And so it starts. A strong start that already hints at what's to come.
- 'Til Death Do Us Part: Things are ramped up as many, many things are in motion. Sisko opposes the Prophets, Dukat arrives on the station, more of the Breen. I will say, however, that the whole Worf/Ezri/Julian story isn't my favorite of the season. There are interesting aspects to it (it most REALLY be confusing for Worf, in particular), but some of it comes off a little juvenile, I think (not quite sure it this was here or in other episodes).
- Strange Bedfellows: Excellent stuff on the Damar front. He gets driven away further from the alliance and what he has become. I never would have thought that character could become so interesting and his relationship with Weyoun as fascinating as that between Dukat and Weyoun. Also, I thought the idea of having Winn receive a vision from the Pagh Wraiths was fantastic. After all she's been through and all she's done, it seems both very unfair and very right at the same time. You can definitely see why she chooses the path she does.
- The Changing Face of Evil: One of the true powerhouse episodes in the final chapter. Earth attacked, the Dominion seeming overwhelming, the Pagh Wraiths plans progressing with Winn...things are not looking good at this point. And it's a joy to watch.
- When It Rains: Great stuff in particular related to Kira. What a cruel twist of fate that she would help the same people who killed and tortured her people become rebels. And that she would stand side by side with Damar. It was also great to have Garak and Odo there with her. Plus Odo's disease and the Founder's slow demise is revealed. A lot happening here, and it remains very exciting.
- Tacking Into the Wind: This IMHO is probably the strongest episode in the final ten (and the strongest one of the season). Another real powerhouse with so much going on, yet the show seems to handle it all with such ease, never dropping a ball as things move breathtakingly. Worf's taking down Gowron certainly deserves mention, not only because it sees the demise of a long-time character in the Trek universe, but also because it has Sisko backing Worf in this.
- Extreme Measures: Definitely the weakest link (no pun intended) in the final arc. It's not a bad episode per se. It is really troubled, yes (I've never been too fond of the whole getting into someone's head thing and it looks like the station, the spaceship, whatever - plus I still don't believe they'd have caught Sloan). But there are some nice moments between Bashir and O'Brien. It's also nice to see what they're willing to do for Odo (especially if you think back to Chimera). However, it's just very, very weak in comparison to the other episodes standing tall around it. It also suffers from the fact that previously and after it episodes were easily juggling three to four storylines at a time. And here, everything just grinds to a painful halt except for the one story that isn't as good as it should be. That's probably one of the things that makes it stick out the most. Plus it's just way to easy, really.
- The Dogs of War: I think they really, really should have wrapped up the whole Ferengi stuff before the final episodes. It's just a distraction here IMHO and could have easily been dealt with earlier. Otherwise, this episode is as great as the other final arc ones (with the exception of the previous episode, of course).
- What You Leave Behind: First of all, I adore this episode. It ain't perfect but it just hits so many of the nails on the head that I still think it was a worthy finale. I never could understand why some people were so disappointed. As I said earlier, the biggest weakness to me is the final fight between Dukat and Sisko. But since I actually really like the outcome and what happens to all of the characters, I can live with it. I thought the war received an excellent ending. I found Garak's discovery of what he was going back to and Julian's reaction very powerful and painful. The seperation of Kira and Odo and Odo's return to the Great Link was very moving, I felt. And the feeling of so many people leaving after all this time in general was pretty moving, I think. It was also great seeing Kira take command. She had well and truly earned it. I loved the montage. I thought it did a wonderful job of really letting you think back to everything that had happened throughout the show. It's a real shame they couldn't get Jadzia in there, but what's there is great IMHO. And the final scenes with Kira and Jake at the window, the pullback - wow, just wow. So sad to see the show go after all that time.
So there. My favorite season of DS9
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