Let me get this off my chest...

[Anduril]

I love DS9, however, I didn't care for any episodes that focused on the Bajorans or Bajoran religion, or any episodes focusing on Kira and her history with the resistance. They were just "meh" for me.

I've realized this while cruising through MA's episode guides for DS9 that the Bajoran episodes were the ones I missed the first run.

Anyone else feel this way or have anything they'd like to admit?

 

[{ Emilia }]

I'm exactly the same. The Bajoran religious fanatics seemed annoying, the devout holier-than-thou-attitide Bajorans always seemed dull.
But then again I find religion in general either dull or annoying most of the time.

 

[Anduril]

That's probably why I feel the way I do. It's a conflict though, because the Bajoran religion is so important to the series, especially since the commander of the station is their Emissary.

 

[lurok]

Can't disagree. Now, I just want to fast-forward anything with Bareil, Winn and the Pah-Wraiths. Dull, dull, dull. But I recognise how important it is to series. And I do like the whole Sisko vs Emissary; Prophets vs wormhole aliens dichotomy...

 

[ClayHefner]

It may be important to the series, but they really seldom tried to go deeper into Bajoran religion and culture. Its origins, the differences between the orders and beliefs...it all remained sketchy and simplistic and ultimately little interesting. Not even the little bones they sometimes threw us- like the separation ritual.
I guess thgey thought it might make the Bajorans too "alien" when they were meant to provide themes that mirrored our situation today.

Heck, apart from some rooms, some rural locations and a matte painting, they never really showed us much of Bajor. Had it gotten the Naboo treatment and they showed some streets and big ass temples, it might have been more exciting. But with their budget, it wasn't possible.
Still kinda disappointing that the best Bajoran set (the refugee camp) was in TNG.

 

[Canadave]

I used to not like those aspects very much, but I've come to appreciate them. I think they added a lot to the series, especially in the first couple seasons. And without the Bajorans and their religious fanaticism, we wouldn't have had one of the most brilliant and disturbing moments of the series:

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXsWTm0lyEE[/yt]

 

[Anduril]

True. That still sends chills up my spine.

 

[lurok]

True. For its time that must have been a (shocking?) moment for a mainstream TV show...

 

[RandyS]

When DS9 first started, I would have agreed with you, but I like those episodes now.

 

[Distorted Humor]

the Bajorian and Bajorian faith issues have become more relevant now then they where when it first aired. However, I never much cared for Bareil, though Winn I love to hate.

It it as good as the later arcs, no it was not, but it gave them the time needed to build up for the big bag at the end. Only thing I hated was they killed off the Marquis, which to me was a fun and daring moment.

And even today that hanging will send chills. Tastefully done too...

 

[Ro_Laren]

I love DS9, however, I didn't care for any episodes that focused on the Bajorans or Bajoran religion, or any episodes focusing on Kira and her history with the resistance. They were just "meh" for me.

I've realized this while cruising through MA's episode guides for DS9 that the Bajoran episodes were the ones I missed the first run.

Anyone else feel this way or have anything they'd like to admit?

The religious episodes were boring for me to. On the one hand I do appreciate the viewpoint that there are still religious societies in the 24th Century, but on the other hand hearing about the Bajoran religion got a little old.

 

[I am not Spock]

Yeah, that scene with the Vedek 'protesting' on the Promenade was totally shocking to me.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I felt the same way OP and used to roll my eyes through the Bajoran bits. I actually despised them.

Then, for reasons unknown, almost magically during my 3rd DS9 rewatch I suddenly loved them, the religion story lines, Kira's faith issues.. the whole deal. I have no idea why.

I will add though that I always loved Kai Winn who was the best acted character in the whole series.

 

[Geck]

Those stories were actually always my favourites both on first airing and still now whenever I rewatch them. I always wish the show had delved more into Bajoran culture and religion. I could have done with less of that silly war stuff instead.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

The other night I was watching Babylon 5 and remarked, the Minbari are like Bajorans on crack. Talk about a tedious religious culture!

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I think the Bajorans made a wonderful change from the derisive tone taken towards religion in TNG. Rather than just lambasting the entire concept, we get to see the good, the bad, and the ugly, just like it is in real life.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

AND.. the prophets didn't turn out to be all a big computer!

 

[Distorted Humor]

I think the Bajorans made a wonderful change from the derisive tone taken towards religion in TNG. Rather than just lambasting the entire concept, we get to see the good, the bad, and the ugly, just like it is in real life.

AND.. the prophets didn't turn out to be all a big computer!

+1000

Indeed, I felt that it was a honest look at faith, and it didn't throw in the usual star trek motifs on religion. Which is one of the things that annoyed me in TNG even as a kid.

 

[Navaros]

I love DS9, however, I didn't care for any episodes that focused on the Bajorans or Bajoran religion, or any episodes focusing on Kira and her history with the resistance. They were just "meh" for me.

I've realized this while cruising through MA's episode guides for DS9 that the Bajoran episodes were the ones I missed the first run.

Anyone else feel this way or have anything they'd like to admit?

I am absolutely 100% on-board with what you've said. Although I would say most of them go beyond "meh," and are highly unwatchable.

Bajorans make DS9 worse. The only watchable Bajoran is Kai Winn. The reason she is watchable is because she is the only one who never whines ad nauseaum about being oppressed.

A lot of people feel like us. That's why they stopped making it a Bajoran-heavy series after Season 2 and instead made it a Dominion-heavy series. Bajorans were killing the ratings, and rightly so, given how uninteresting and annoying they are.

 

[Anduril]

Yes. Uninteresting for a culture that was very advanced before humans were walking upright. They held onto their faith for a long time, so there's that.