I am watching DS9 for the first time (some observations)

Just updating this thread to acknowledge that it hasn't been active for the past week or so. I've been fairly busy these last few days, but I have every intention of proceeding with DS9. I've left off partway into "The Circle".

 

Don't stop now!

 

Don't worry, I plan to keep going.

 

Enjoying your reports on your DS9 watch!

I’m watching DS9 also for the first time. Just finished season 1. Enjoyed it and looking forward to season 2 !

 

What could be more important than watching DS9?

 

This is probably the most concise and accurate summation of Kira, and it's also the reason I love her as a character. In S1, she had several solid episodes that established who she was at the end of the Occupation, her growth of the entire series makes her the best character in Trek, IMHO.

It's one of the best episodes of the franchise.

 

- It's because of this that I've just watched "Emissary", and will have to continue with the entire series. So, thanks @USS Firefly and @CRM-114. This is not a complaint

 

All right, I'm back, starting in on Season 2, episodes 2 and 3, "The Circle" and "The Siege".

Overall, I'd say that the three-parter was okay. It started strong but ended fairly weakly. Li Nalas, whether a consequence of the writing or the performance, never quite makes the impact the show wants him to be. It's almost as if he's too much of a regular guy, instead of a guy who rises to the occasion and really earns his status as a hero.

Also, there's no payoff yet to Minister Jaro, and the realization that he was being used by the Cardassians, or the consequences of his being the mastermind of a failed coup. He should be out of power at this point, but the end of "The Siege" doesn't really address it.

Still, I appreciate that the show explores the fragile nature of life on Bajor post-Occupation. This is a world in which its' people are still picking up the pieces after decades of brutiality and exploitation and it left an atmosphere where people could in turn exploit others for their gains. The Cardassians were practically counting on the Circle learning all the wrong lessons from them.

 

From what i recall (haven't seen the episodes in years) the episodes deal with the deceptive nature of politics, how people self-deceive themselves and are deceived by others. Li Nalas is a parallel to Sisko, a chosen political hero like Sisko is a chosen religious icon, neither asked for their role but has to deal with it. You also have their counterparts, Minister Jaro (a self-made politician) and the Kai (a self-made religious leader) who are jealous and want the status they can't earn. In the end, Li Nalas choses to be a hero even though he was originally accidentally taken for one. I don't know if there is more the episode is trying to do other than make those points. It is a stand-alone series of episodes that don't really tie into the larger seasonal arc or series.

 

The same themes appear throughout the series, such as the nature of heroism (Eddington, the Jem'hadar, Kor) and obviously, the continuing attention to Winn and Dukat and the desire for stature and respect.

 

A quick note on "Invasive Procedures": An okay episode that largely succeeds on the strength of John Glover's dual performance as Verad/Verad Dax. Pre-joined Verad can barely hold a conversation or even look people in the eye. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who could make any Klingon follow his orders, so they must be following Verad's companion, Mareel. Verad Dax is confident, engaging, and tries (unsuccessfully) to bond with Sisko. He even combs his hair in a more adult manner. Even as he essentially intends to comdemn Jadzia to death by stealing the Dax symbiont, Verad still manages to be a sympathetic character.

Partway through "Cardassians" now; hope to finish it tonight.

EDIT: I do have to address a particular point I neglected. In reading the Memory Alpha entry for this episode, I discovered a quote from Armin Shimerman where he addresses the fact that Quark is partially responsible for the events of this episode and basically avoids any major consequence. To quote Shimerman:

"I worry when Quark doesn't get punished for really sizable crimes. It makes the character less important since his acts trigger no consequences, and it makes Odo look a little foolish, in that he's the law keeper and he can't get this little troll punished."

 

I agree with Armin on this one.

I feel my appreciation for this episode has grown over time. When I was younger I found Verad distinctly uncharismatic and unlikable (likely for what he does during the episode) and I kind of just wanted him to get what he had coming to him. These days I think I can look past that a bit to enjoy Glover's acting.

 

I’ve been enjoying hearing your thoughts!

I’m also watching DS9 for the first time. I thought Season 1 was very good. But I’m currently near the end of Season 2 and haven’t been feeling “ it” much at all. Not sure why. I know they had several Quark centered episodes in a row. And not to offend anyone, but his character tends to annoy me. I’m still glad I’m watching it...but I hope it really takes off in Season 3.

 

I suspect you might get your wish.

DS9 - like TNG - had some teething issues seasons 1 and 2. Season 3, it feels the series has finally found it's footing and direction, with a call out to the fantastic two-parter Improbable Cause/The Die Is Cast, where you really feel the series start to scale up. Season 4 kicks it up into another gear.

Still, be prepared for obligatory Ferengi episodes throughout the series run.

 

The Ferengi episodes were a mixed bag, some good, some bad, some middling, though the same can be said about Klingon episodes.

 

Yeah, I absolutely love Next Generation...but even with that show, the Klingon centers episodes usually weren’t my cup of tea. Something about hem just usually bores me. I’m looking forward to seeing Worf show up in DS9 Season 4. But, at the same time, not really looking forward to the inevitable Klingon episodes.

I think I just get tired of most of the episodes revolving around “ honor” all the time.

 

It's not always "honor"... sometimes it's "vengence"

 

Any Klingon episodes with John Colicos get a thumbs up from me. Loved Once More Unto The Breach.

 

Yep, some of them were great: "Little Green Men," "House of Quark," etc.

Others . . . not so much.

In general, I think the Ferengi work best when they clash with other cultures, like 20th century humans or Klingons or whomever. When it's all Ferengi all the time, as with Quark's family dramas, it can get tiresome.

 

Agreed. And then there's Profit and Lace which achieved a singular level of "bad" that stands alone in DSN.