Any episode where O’Brian is the main character. They are fun, often funny, sometimes sad. But they can all be watched stand alone.
Favourite Standalone Episode?
- Thread starter Warp 10 (Pepperoni)
- Start date
I'd have to argue that Defiant is not a standalone. It's a sequel to "Second Chances" from TNG and is also (at least loosely) a part of the on-going Maquis and Dominion War storylines.
One of the best. Only downside is... why didn't they just peaceably take O'Brien aside and explain their concerns. If he truly thought he was O'Brien, he would be upset, but he wouldn't make trouble.
It's close enough.
They seemed surprised he wasn't actually bad.
Possible that they thought the duplicate's programming could kick in if challenged in that way, putting them in danger.
Not really. A sequel isn't a standalone. That's literally the definition of a standalone.
Season 2 is the season for great standalones.
A lot of episodes that may not make the series all-time best, but are still solid and entertaining.
I actually preferred when DS9 was in its weird, experimental phase in Season 2 before the Dominion Arc took over the focus of the series.
Necessary Evil and Whispers are top tier, but there's also Armageddon Game, Rules of Acquisition, Shadowplay, Invasive Procedures, Cardassians, Tribunal, The Alternate, Paradise and The Wire (which was at least originally a standalone.) All quality episodes that showcase the show really stretching itself and trying new things.
A lot of episodes that may not make the series all-time best, but are still solid and entertaining.
I actually preferred when DS9 was in its weird, experimental phase in Season 2 before the Dominion Arc took over the focus of the series.
Necessary Evil and Whispers are top tier, but there's also Armageddon Game, Rules of Acquisition, Shadowplay, Invasive Procedures, Cardassians, Tribunal, The Alternate, Paradise and The Wire (which was at least originally a standalone.) All quality episodes that showcase the show really stretching itself and trying new things.
Because I dislike the Dominion War (and the glut of continuity it brought), I agree with your opinion.
I'll go ahead and pick one or two from each season:
Season 1 - Duet
Season 2 - Tribunal
Season 3 - Second Skin
Season 4 - The Visitor / The Sword of Kahless
Season 5 - Trials and Tribble-ations / Soldiers of the Empire
Season 6 - Inquisition
Season 7 - Take Me Out to the Holosuite
Season 1 - Duet
Season 2 - Tribunal
Season 3 - Second Skin
Season 4 - The Visitor / The Sword of Kahless
Season 5 - Trials and Tribble-ations / Soldiers of the Empire
Season 6 - Inquisition
Season 7 - Take Me Out to the Holosuite
But some of your choices raise the issue of what is and what is not a standalone episode.
Is "Inquisition" truly a standalone when the backdrop of the Dominion War plays such a big part AND because it becomes the first episode in the Sloan/Section 31 mini-arc?
Does backstory preclude an episode from being a standalone? Eh, probably not. Otherwise, where would you draw the line? What about sequels and follow-ups? It was a standalone at first, but then became merely the first in a trilogy.
Second Skin also had follow-ups with its story threads and characters, but it was fairly self-contained at the time.
It's an interesting conversation at least.
That's a good point actually. Many episodes work well as standalone but ultimately tie heavily into one of the show's ongoing story arcs, i.e. "Crossover" ultimately acts as a springboard for the Mirror Universe saga. In a semi-serialized show such as DS9 there's a strong flavour of subjectivity involved in determining what is or isn't a standalone. Very different from purely episodic shows such as TNG or completely serialized ones such as Picard.
Put him behind a Level 10 force field, then tell him. Even if he's programmed to spontaneously combust, you'll be fine.
Fair point, but you could similarly pull apart the logic of literally any episode if you really want to.
Well yeah, but some are more egregious than others.
Emissary
This ain't one of 'em.
"If Wishes Were Horses" is one I like that is really standalone. I like the whimsy of it and it's kinda more mystical/fantastical and just so innocent in a way. Odo grousing at the emu or imagining Quark in the holding cell is pretty fun.
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