I don't think the O'Briens were victims of poor writing. I found thei relationship realistic, probably the most realistic relationship Star Trek came up with.I didn't like Sisko and Yates because it always felt tacked on. Now, granted there was a lot going on with the subplots in the war but it was a sense of, "oh yeah, Sisko's relationship." So, maybe it's less how the relationship was acted out and more how it was set in the story.
The O'briens wee just victims of poor writing. A lot of fear, struggle over kids, weird anomalies, and then arguments over living in the station. Again, just odd.
Agreed and it's still frustrating because for the few stable relationships, we get the one nights, the tension of "will they/won't they?" in the newer shows as well.
Just not great in my opinion.
I think that Sisko-Yates were quite good too.