Final Thoughts on the Series
- Thread starter Dobian
- Start date
Epic comment. And very true.I had a mental image of promos for the show. "Next week on a shocking episode of Deep Space Morn" (shot of Morn sitting quietly at the bar with his drink while someone talks to him), "Next week, a very special Deep Space Morn" (shot of Morn sitting quietly at the bar with his drink while someone talks to him), "Next week, the dramatic season finale of Deep Space Morn" (shot of Morn sitting quietly at the bar with his drink while someone talks to him).
DS9 I think did the best of the 24th century shows of addressing the issues faced by the modern world. From terrorism, imperialism, multi faceted diplomacy involving diverse cultures, and religions. Espionage the setting forces these 24th century characters to think a little more 21st century. In "Paradise Lost" for example with earth put under martial law, federation officers patrolling the streets with rifles conducting mandatory blood screenings, and when Sisko finally encounters one of the changelings on earth he learns that there are 4. 4 Changelings on the whole planet has caused humanity to give up all it's freedom.
Watching that episode post 2001 certainly has a different meaning for me. I was impressed with the foresight the writers showed throughout the series.
Watching that episode post 2001 certainly has a different meaning for me. I was impressed with the foresight the writers showed throughout the series.
I´d like to add some characters.
Weyoun was that good, they kept on cloning him after he died (several times).
Damar. I couldn´t stand him from the beginning. Was a drinker, even killed Ziyal. Became hero of Cardassia after all. I liked his interactions in the resistance with Kira and Garak.
Was saddened, when Ziyal was killed. It broke Dukat´s heart. Hm, there is another half Bajoran/Cardassian child Dukat has with Mika. We might see im in the Litverse again (Mika appeared already in one of the novels).
Joseph Sisko: argued against his son when he should be tested to prove that he is no founder.
Only Sarah Sisko remained a mystery and somewhat bland.
Weyoun was that good, they kept on cloning him after he died (several times).
Damar. I couldn´t stand him from the beginning. Was a drinker, even killed Ziyal. Became hero of Cardassia after all. I liked his interactions in the resistance with Kira and Garak.
Was saddened, when Ziyal was killed. It broke Dukat´s heart. Hm, there is another half Bajoran/Cardassian child Dukat has with Mika. We might see im in the Litverse again (Mika appeared already in one of the novels).
Joseph Sisko: argued against his son when he should be tested to prove that he is no founder.
Only Sarah Sisko remained a mystery and somewhat bland.
This may be a hijacking post, but why is it that it seems the trek fans don't like DS9? I didn't see it when it was new. I only saw it later.
I worded that badly. It seems from what I have seen on this forum and other places that DS9 was not as popular when it had its original run as the other series. I am wondering why?
Speculation follows:
Perhaps because DVD and other forms of on-demand media weren't around at the time, and DS9 is so arc-heavy that if you don't start from the beginning getting into it can be challenging.
Some people got hung up on the whole "not set on a starship, so they're not exploring!" issue.
Tonally and structurally it is a departure from TNG, which may have been off-putting.
Plus you've got all the issues any new tv show faces. And the first two seasons of DS9 are neither its strongest nor really indicate where it's going to go.
While it may have started an arc that was ultimately somewhat of a digression, I still think "Way of the Warrior" was the first time DS9 really felt amazing. Though "The Jem'hadar" certainly sets up a lot to come and establishes both the shape of things to come and that DS9 was going to go places that TNG hadn't.
Perhaps because DVD and other forms of on-demand media weren't around at the time, and DS9 is so arc-heavy that if you don't start from the beginning getting into it can be challenging.
Some people got hung up on the whole "not set on a starship, so they're not exploring!" issue.
Tonally and structurally it is a departure from TNG, which may have been off-putting.
Plus you've got all the issues any new tv show faces. And the first two seasons of DS9 are neither its strongest nor really indicate where it's going to go.
While it may have started an arc that was ultimately somewhat of a digression, I still think "Way of the Warrior" was the first time DS9 really felt amazing. Though "The Jem'hadar" certainly sets up a lot to come and establishes both the shape of things to come and that DS9 was going to go places that TNG hadn't.
DS9 is the first Trek I really got into. My husband had shown me a few TNG episodes and movies 2-4 but they didn't do it for me (at the time). He insisted I give Trek another shot and I said, "ok then I am choosing which one to watch!" I chose DS9 simply based on how creepy the name sounded, and I'm a lover of many things morbid. I was immediately impressed. Since I've now watched and rewatched every series except for TAS (which I will get around to eventually), I can safely say, DS9 is still my favorite. The character development is amazing. We get in-depth looks into various characters' lives and what made them who they are today. Not only that, but we see them change, and many of those changes seem pretty natural to me given what we see in the show.
Another reason I love DS9 is because there's a lot of diversity in terms of alien species: we regularly see a Ferengi, Trill, Bajoran, Changeling, and Klingon and are exposed to their cultural differences. We see how they interact with each other and how they clash due to the way they've been raised. This is my favorite part of Trek - I have always been interested in foreign languages and reading about cultures different from my own. There is also the introduction of a completely new quadrant of space and what can go horribly wrong when entering new territory (the Dominion wars).
I love Odo's journey to find his people and his struggle once he understands who/what they are. I love so, so many things about this show. Even the characters I hated when I first started watching grew on me. Ok must stop babbling now.
Another reason I love DS9 is because there's a lot of diversity in terms of alien species: we regularly see a Ferengi, Trill, Bajoran, Changeling, and Klingon and are exposed to their cultural differences. We see how they interact with each other and how they clash due to the way they've been raised. This is my favorite part of Trek - I have always been interested in foreign languages and reading about cultures different from my own. There is also the introduction of a completely new quadrant of space and what can go horribly wrong when entering new territory (the Dominion wars).
I love Odo's journey to find his people and his struggle once he understands who/what they are. I love so, so many things about this show. Even the characters I hated when I first started watching grew on me. Ok must stop babbling now.
Same here. I´m a sociologist. Being interested in different social structures comes naturally to me
.Certainly DS9 was unique in the context of other ST series. The relative darkness of the station set, the characters and the sheer amount of different species really added to the depth of the show.
^ Trek needs more alien characters, they're often the most interesting on a series.
Yes, and not just aliens passing by. I love it when we are introduced to a new species and get to learn more about it. That doesn't mean a character of that species needs to be in every episode of a series or anything like that, but it is particularly nice to learn something new about their physiology or culture.
It does always seem like a contradiction when the Federation is referred to as being composed of hundreds of species but we mostly only see humans on the ship. We know out of universe that this is probably because human extras are cheaper, and off screen characters referred to but never seen tend to be aliens.
I didn't like DS9 back when it was airing. Part of it definitely has to do with the optimism of the 90s and people wanting to see the story of the human race to be a linear path of cultural progress. Also I think people just expected adventure stories from Star Trek, and a lot of DS9's best stories were political stories, not adventure stories.
I didn't like DS9 back when it was airing. Part of it definitely has to do with the optimism of the 90s and people wanting to see the story of the human race to be a linear path of cultural progress. Also I think people just expected adventure stories from Star Trek, and a lot of DS9's best stories were political stories, not adventure stories.
I adore Star Trek. TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY & ENT. I have a huge [huge] memoribilia collection which I have been building for almost two decades.
And DS9 is my absolute favourite.
I love reading someone talking of how great it is. I love films, video-games, books, music...and I wouldn't trade DS9 for anything. Metallica? Nah. The Godfather? Nah. Grand Theft Auto? Nah.
DS9 is one huge, seven year journey. By doing everything they were 'not supposed to do' [not on a ship, huge arcs, conflict] it surpassed the brilliance of TNG [and TOS & VOY].
I watch Star Trek for the morality, the philosophical pondering and ethical musings. TNG excelled at this...and DS9 is better: racism, war, loss, death, sacrifice, terrorism, religion, fanaticism and so much more is all there. It tackles themes the others shows are too scared to.
And the characters. As OP said, they are all epic. Sisko, Jadzia, Odo, Kira, O'Brien....the damn recurring characters are better than some mains on other shows: Garak [absolutely epic, quotes that could be carved in stone], Dukat [one of my all time favourite villains], Weyoun [hilarious, fanatical, brilliant] and that is without mentioning Kai Winn, Damar, Brunt, Bariel...
Quick mention of the theme. Voyagers is gorgeous. DS9's makes the hairs on my arms stand up.
Watching all of those people evolve over seven years is an absolute joy. Each of those characters changes, evolves...they grow as people and we get to witness. It's a joy that, i'm afraid to say, I do not think will be topped.
DS9, to me, is Trek's masterwork. And that is no small feat.
And DS9 is my absolute favourite.
I love reading someone talking of how great it is. I love films, video-games, books, music...and I wouldn't trade DS9 for anything. Metallica? Nah. The Godfather? Nah. Grand Theft Auto? Nah.
DS9 is one huge, seven year journey. By doing everything they were 'not supposed to do' [not on a ship, huge arcs, conflict] it surpassed the brilliance of TNG [and TOS & VOY].
I watch Star Trek for the morality, the philosophical pondering and ethical musings. TNG excelled at this...and DS9 is better: racism, war, loss, death, sacrifice, terrorism, religion, fanaticism and so much more is all there. It tackles themes the others shows are too scared to.
And the characters. As OP said, they are all epic. Sisko, Jadzia, Odo, Kira, O'Brien....the damn recurring characters are better than some mains on other shows: Garak [absolutely epic, quotes that could be carved in stone], Dukat [one of my all time favourite villains], Weyoun [hilarious, fanatical, brilliant] and that is without mentioning Kai Winn, Damar, Brunt, Bariel...
Quick mention of the theme. Voyagers is gorgeous. DS9's makes the hairs on my arms stand up.
Watching all of those people evolve over seven years is an absolute joy. Each of those characters changes, evolves...they grow as people and we get to witness. It's a joy that, i'm afraid to say, I do not think will be topped.
DS9, to me, is Trek's masterwork. And that is no small feat.
I agree with just about every word of your post, but wanted to highlight the above. Exactly what I love about DS9. Exactly.
