DS9 articles

[Nostromo]

I haven't seen these posted here yet so I thought I'd de-lurk and mention them. There's been a recent series of very interesting (and sensible) retrospective articles about DS9 at wrongquestions.blogspot.com:
wrongquestions.blogspot.com

Well worth a look.

 

[Kegek]

Deep Space Nine started out the old-fashioned behemoth in a field of younger, flashier, more innovative competitors, but looking back fifteen years on it seems more like the seasoned veteran in a field of pipsqueaks. Some of those newcomers made good, but Deep Space Nine's slow and steady was also enough to win the race. Join me, over the next few weeks, to find out how.

Indeed. Having just read the introduction, she makes a good argument for how DS9's blend of somewhat old-fashioned convention and newer storytelling techniques ultimately made it a better show than its more innovative competitors like Babylon 5. I agreed with most of it (though I consider DS9's largely static cameras a subdued asset compared to more modern relentless movement).

 

[PKTrekGirl]

^ Actually, the author appears to be a 'she'.

 

[Kegek]

*shrug* I wasn't even aware I'd written a gender pronoun. Corrected, though.

 

[DS9forever]

That's an interesting point about Moore being better on DS9 (with people to reign him in) than he is now on BSG. There's some truth in that.

 

[Nostromo]

Yes. while I'm a big fan of Moore's writing generally (and his Galactica episodes tend to number among the best) I do have a few doubts about the general pacing and plotting of BSG.

 

[Navaros]

I somewhat agree with the author of those articles. One thing I don't agree with is how she had bad things to say about Ezri yet good things to say about Jadzia. But exactly the same criticisms she applied to Ezri, apply even moreso to Jadzia.

I also agree that Moore isn't very good at writing BSG due to not having other good writers to reign him in.

Don't agree with her saying Season 5 of DS9 had a drop in quality. Nor do I agree that "Nor the Battle to the Strong,", "The Ship", or "In The Cards" were bad episodes with little to say. They were all great episodes with a very poignant message behind them.

Strongly disagree with her calling Season 6 medicore. It was outstanding and probably DS9's and Trek's very best, second perhaps only to Season 7 of DS9.

Not sure why she didn't like Eddington, he was an amazing character.

Strongly disagree with her saying that DS9's handling of the Maquis was a retread. DS9 handled the Maquis beautifully, despite that being VOY's job to do (and VOY totally shirked that responsibility and did nothing with them).

 

[Nostromo]

Not sure why she didn't like Eddington, he was an amazing character.

There's a comments facility on the site so you can always find out!

I didn't agree with everything in the articles but it's always good to find thoughtful analysis of DS9.

 

[Kegek]

Not sure why she didn't like Eddington, he was an amazing character.

I see her point, actually. He was a little flat. He had his moments but on the whole I liked the idea of Eddington (the officer who betrayed Sisko to join the Maquis) moreso than Eddington himself. He was a distinct improvement over Cal Hudson, though.

I think some of her points about Ezri are valid; especially writing wise, but I felt Nicole de Boer's performance and personality really sold this character to a much greater degree than Jadzia. She could carry an episode, even the often mediocre material she was given. Farrell couldn't. One of my favourite Jadzia Dax episodes is probably "Blood Oath", and a big reason for that is Michael Ansara as Kang.