To be fair, that describes the same characters in their TNG appearance as well.
Re-Watching DS9
- Thread starter Lord Garth
- Start date
To be fair, that describes the same characters in their TNG appearance as well.
You're right. But, when I was watching "The Price" for this re-watch, I was coming off just seeing the Ferengi in "The Last Outpost" immediately before, and I was just glad they were watchable. Cartoonish or not. It was like... If you're in the extreme cold, and it's 10 degrees below 0 ("The Last Outpost"), suddenly 40 degrees ("The Price") is going to feel very warm by comparison when you'd normally think it's cold.
The VOY Rewatch is totally done. Two out of three '90s Trek Series down.
Back to DS9 tonight.
Between the three sister series, I think TNG is Marsha, DS9 is Jan, and VOY is Cindy.
Back to DS9 tonight.
Between the three sister series, I think TNG is Marsha, DS9 is Jan, and VOY is Cindy.
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No, Sam the Butcher.
"Sanctuary"
The Skrreeans (yes, I had to look up the spelling) are a mirror-image parallel to the Bajorans. The Skrreeans were enslaved by the T-Rogorans (had to look that one up too!), until the T-Rogorans were themselves invaded by the Dominion. The second mention of the Dominion AND this foretells what will happen at the end of the series. The Cardassians had enslaved the Bajorans and eventually they'll be conquered by the Dominion.
I like the Skrreean hair. And the women are using some serious sculpting gel. The flaky-looking skin, I'm not so much of a fan of.
The Skrreeans are a matriarchy and the way they handle it is a huge improvement over "Angel One" from TNG in that it's not portrayed in a negative light.
Jake and especially Nog up to their old antics feels like a throwback to Season 1. I assume the Skrreean boy who clashes with Nog is Andrew Koenig.
The Skreeans are looking for a home to colonize and they think Bajor, "the land of sorrow", is their destination. It's odd that it takes 32 minutes to get up to that point, but then this is where the mirror-image comes in. The Bajorans need aid and the Skrreeans need aid. Irgo, the Bajorans aren't that much better off than the Skrreeans and can't help them. By the end, the Skrreeans see that Bajor isn't the promised land they were looking for; and they settle on another planet that was recommended to them.
This was the last episode of 1993, and I think it's fitting that at the end of the calendar year DS9 premiered they send the message that as far as Bajor has come, they still have a long way to go.
A good episode but not a heavy-hitter. I give it a 7.
BTW, nice to see William Shallert back. I liked seeing him as a Bajoran musician. When he mentions relating to people who were displaced, it makes me glad I'd re-watched "Ensign Ro" (TNG) where it was established that several Bajorans had indeed fled from Bajor when the Cardassians annexed it. William Shaller's character, Varani, wants to make sure Bajoran arts and culture are preserved. Certainly a better role than he had in "The Trouble with Tribbles" (TOS) where Baris was constantly being bullied by Kirk. Fun episode, but not one of Kirk's best moments.
The Skrreeans (yes, I had to look up the spelling) are a mirror-image parallel to the Bajorans. The Skrreeans were enslaved by the T-Rogorans (had to look that one up too!), until the T-Rogorans were themselves invaded by the Dominion. The second mention of the Dominion AND this foretells what will happen at the end of the series. The Cardassians had enslaved the Bajorans and eventually they'll be conquered by the Dominion.
I like the Skrreean hair. And the women are using some serious sculpting gel. The flaky-looking skin, I'm not so much of a fan of.
The Skrreeans are a matriarchy and the way they handle it is a huge improvement over "Angel One" from TNG in that it's not portrayed in a negative light.
Jake and especially Nog up to their old antics feels like a throwback to Season 1. I assume the Skrreean boy who clashes with Nog is Andrew Koenig.
The Skreeans are looking for a home to colonize and they think Bajor, "the land of sorrow", is their destination. It's odd that it takes 32 minutes to get up to that point, but then this is where the mirror-image comes in. The Bajorans need aid and the Skrreeans need aid. Irgo, the Bajorans aren't that much better off than the Skrreeans and can't help them. By the end, the Skrreeans see that Bajor isn't the promised land they were looking for; and they settle on another planet that was recommended to them.
This was the last episode of 1993, and I think it's fitting that at the end of the calendar year DS9 premiered they send the message that as far as Bajor has come, they still have a long way to go.
A good episode but not a heavy-hitter. I give it a 7.
BTW, nice to see William Shallert back. I liked seeing him as a Bajoran musician. When he mentions relating to people who were displaced, it makes me glad I'd re-watched "Ensign Ro" (TNG) where it was established that several Bajorans had indeed fled from Bajor when the Cardassians annexed it. William Shaller's character, Varani, wants to make sure Bajoran arts and culture are preserved. Certainly a better role than he had in "The Trouble with Tribbles" (TOS) where Baris was constantly being bullied by Kirk. Fun episode, but not one of Kirk's best moments.
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It's probably just a coincidence that Sanctuary was the final DS9 episode I reviewed on my site before dropping the series to have time for other shows... probably. But man I found this episode was a struggle to get through.
It takes forever to finally get to the dilemma it wants to present, and when it gets there the situation is so different from our real world problems that the parallels get all twisted. It seems like the ending is supposed to be tragic, with the Bajorans turning away refugees that could've helped them. But the Federation has already given the refugees a better option, a planet that could actually support them, so it's the Skrreeans that came off as unsympathetic and I don't think that's what the episode intended.
It takes forever to finally get to the dilemma it wants to present, and when it gets there the situation is so different from our real world problems that the parallels get all twisted. It seems like the ending is supposed to be tragic, with the Bajorans turning away refugees that could've helped them. But the Federation has already given the refugees a better option, a planet that could actually support them, so it's the Skrreeans that came off as unsympathetic and I don't think that's what the episode intended.
One thing that truly stands out with "SANCTUARY" was the initial problems with the universal translator. It's rare to see in STAR TREK. In fact, issues like this occured more often on ENT than all the other shows... combined. (Which is a big point in its favor... it not only reminded us that the era really was unexplored because even the languages aren't fully figured out but it also reminded the audience of just how critical the role of Communications Officer is. Another thing I praise Berman and Braga about... the very first episode after the pilot, "FIGHT OR FLIGHT", centered on Hoshi. That showed us just how important her job is to the mission.)
This is something that should occur on a regular basis (especially when dealing with races from a different quadrant), but the time constraints of tv prevent that. I'm glad it happened here so it reminds the audience that not only does the universal translator exist, but at how truly wondrous and awesome that invention is.
This is something that should occur on a regular basis (especially when dealing with races from a different quadrant), but the time constraints of tv prevent that. I'm glad it happened here so it reminds the audience that not only does the universal translator exist, but at how truly wondrous and awesome that invention is.
My recollection is that both parties came off as inflexible and unsympathetic, but I haven't seen it in awhile.
I can't fault the Bajorans for saying no. They don't have enough resources to take care of their own people, let alone millions of refugees. (This is barely a year and change after the Cardassians strip mined the planet for half a century. They were still recovering from the Occupation.) Even if the Skreeans are excellent farmers, if the land is barren and can't grow food, crops won't happen.
And the Skreeans get pouty about it and Haneek guilt trips Kira, after getting an entire planet offered to them? No, they were being brats, plain and simple. I dislike them more with each rewatch because I detest bratty behavior.
Bajor made the right call at that time.
And the Skreeans get pouty about it and Haneek guilt trips Kira, after getting an entire planet offered to them? No, they were being brats, plain and simple. I dislike them more with each rewatch because I detest bratty behavior.
Bajor made the right call at that time.
This is a current thread for me, I've been rewatching earliest episodes of DS9 lately after many years.
I knew 'Emissary' is good from past experience but this time it felt absolutely great.
Maybe partially because it wasn't that long ago I watched 'The Best of Both Worlds'.
Let's see what season 1 has to offer, I don't remember much of the episodes.
It was fun having Lursa and B'Etor around, it hasn't been that long since 'Redemption' from STNG either.
But, there's some worry.... the war with Dominion that will arrive at some point didn't work that well for me last time. Maybe I'm a "early DS9" viewer, early seasons are continuation to STNG?
And the uniforms.... why the grey shouldered uniforms....
Well, something good and something not as good coming up. =)
I knew 'Emissary' is good from past experience but this time it felt absolutely great.
Maybe partially because it wasn't that long ago I watched 'The Best of Both Worlds'.
Let's see what season 1 has to offer, I don't remember much of the episodes.
It was fun having Lursa and B'Etor around, it hasn't been that long since 'Redemption' from STNG either.
But, there's some worry.... the war with Dominion that will arrive at some point didn't work that well for me last time. Maybe I'm a "early DS9" viewer, early seasons are continuation to STNG?
And the uniforms.... why the grey shouldered uniforms....
Well, something good and something not as good coming up. =)
I think the uniforms they had in the beginning of the series looked a lot better and those grey shoulders could've stayed in STNG movies.
I agree. Particularly as the placed comm badges like it was a game of pin the tail on the donkey with they grey uniforms.
The gray soldiers were terrible. The colored shoulders reflect color onto the face. Gray shoulders made everyone look dead, especially Brooks.
About the uniform change, I bet it has already been discussed a lot if not too much but why the change?
Was it because DS9 wanted a different look after Voyager got the same uniforms they had in DS9?
Was it because DS9 wanted a different look after Voyager got the same uniforms they had in DS9?
I'm pretty sure the extent of the discussion was, "Hey! Look! We've got the new uniforms now!" It also helps to visually show that time was moving forward. Late-DS9 and the TNG Movies had updated uniforms while VOY, stranded in the Delta Quadrant, didn't.
That and, in First Contact, the Defiant had the FC Uniforms. So, continuity-wise, DS9 had to update to match what was depicted in the film.
"Rivals"
The first episode released in 1994. I don't normally watch Star Trek in the middle of the day. Middle for me. And especially not DS9. But this felt like a "middle of the day, middle of the season" episode. It killed some time.
First let me get out of the way the thing that's NOT middle of the road: the costuming. The costuming on all the guest-characters was brilliant. Very smart future fashion. Then there's Bashir who's dressed like an athlete. And O'Brien who looks like an average guy who put on some sweats from the department store.
Even though she wasn't on the scene yet, the woman who was arm candy for Martus looks like Lady Gaga. So, I get a kick out of that in retrospect.
Miles "The Mechanic" O'Brien vs. Julian "The Doctor" Bashir: I'm not a sports fan, even though I used to record them as a videographer, so I can't relate to that aspect of the episode. But what I can relate to is O'Brien not being able to do the types of things he used to do 15 years ago. At 45, I'm totally, completely with him there. So, as a middle-aged guy (I really hate admitting that!), I was on O'Brien's side and rooting for him to kick Bashir's butt, to paraphrase Keiko.
Quark vs. Martus: At first glance, it looks like Martus has it all. He's a hunk, he looks rugged, he's got charm, and he's a good listener. Everyone goes to his new establishment instead of Quark's. Martus is lucky until ALL his luck runs out and people realize he's a fraud.
The Laws of Probability: I guess improbable things happening with increasing frequency is fine as a plot device for Trek, but it didn't grab me that much.
Overall, I give this episode a 6.
One Other Thing: I'm surprised Quark doesn't have a TV on all the time (or the 24th Century equivalent). I never thought about it until re-watching this episode, but now I can't un-think it. How often do you go into a bar and there's no TV? Never! He should have one and have it on.
The first episode released in 1994. I don't normally watch Star Trek in the middle of the day. Middle for me. And especially not DS9. But this felt like a "middle of the day, middle of the season" episode. It killed some time.
First let me get out of the way the thing that's NOT middle of the road: the costuming. The costuming on all the guest-characters was brilliant. Very smart future fashion. Then there's Bashir who's dressed like an athlete. And O'Brien who looks like an average guy who put on some sweats from the department store.
Even though she wasn't on the scene yet, the woman who was arm candy for Martus looks like Lady Gaga. So, I get a kick out of that in retrospect.
Miles "The Mechanic" O'Brien vs. Julian "The Doctor" Bashir: I'm not a sports fan, even though I used to record them as a videographer, so I can't relate to that aspect of the episode. But what I can relate to is O'Brien not being able to do the types of things he used to do 15 years ago. At 45, I'm totally, completely with him there. So, as a middle-aged guy (I really hate admitting that!), I was on O'Brien's side and rooting for him to kick Bashir's butt, to paraphrase Keiko.
Quark vs. Martus: At first glance, it looks like Martus has it all. He's a hunk, he looks rugged, he's got charm, and he's a good listener. Everyone goes to his new establishment instead of Quark's. Martus is lucky until ALL his luck runs out and people realize he's a fraud.
The Laws of Probability: I guess improbable things happening with increasing frequency is fine as a plot device for Trek, but it didn't grab me that much.
Overall, I give this episode a 6.
One Other Thing: I'm surprised Quark doesn't have a TV on all the time (or the 24th Century equivalent). I never thought about it until re-watching this episode, but now I can't un-think it. How often do you go into a bar and there's no TV? Never! He should have one and have it on.
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Regarding the later Starfleet uniforms, one thing always puzzled me about VOY.
Once they were in regular contact with Starfleet, in late season 6, I'm surprised they didn't adopt the new uniforms. (I know real life reasons were almost certainly cost, but I'm talking in universe. Keeping the shows' actors appearing different wouldn't matter at this time, since VOY season 6 was the only STAR TREK series on the air at the time... DS9 season 7 ended with VOY season 5.)
I'm particularly surprised because starting with VOY season 2, they used the updated phasers (curved grip ones) and tricorders (flatter ones) that DS9 started using in their 4th season.
Obviously, they had no contact at all with Starfleet until much later (season 4's "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE"). So how did they get the updated equipment?
Even if you argue that the specifications for those new phasers and tricorders were in the databanks and would come into use only at a certain time, considering how short on resources Voyager was in those early seasons, you'd think they would keep the older ones around for a while simply out of a need to preserve resources/equipment. We might see a combination of both styles used for a couple seasons until eventually only the updated ones were seen. But the shift shouldn't be THAT immediate.
Once they were in regular contact with Starfleet, in late season 6, I'm surprised they didn't adopt the new uniforms. (I know real life reasons were almost certainly cost, but I'm talking in universe. Keeping the shows' actors appearing different wouldn't matter at this time, since VOY season 6 was the only STAR TREK series on the air at the time... DS9 season 7 ended with VOY season 5.)
I'm particularly surprised because starting with VOY season 2, they used the updated phasers (curved grip ones) and tricorders (flatter ones) that DS9 started using in their 4th season.
Obviously, they had no contact at all with Starfleet until much later (season 4's "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE"). So how did they get the updated equipment?
Even if you argue that the specifications for those new phasers and tricorders were in the databanks and would come into use only at a certain time, considering how short on resources Voyager was in those early seasons, you'd think they would keep the older ones around for a while simply out of a need to preserve resources/equipment. We might see a combination of both styles used for a couple seasons until eventually only the updated ones were seen. But the shift shouldn't be THAT immediate.
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