Season 2 is Underappreciated

[tomalak301]

I've been rewatching DS9 (Finally out of the Voyager mood so went back to DS9) and just started Season 2. I've always loved this season, and consider it the third best season of the series, behind Seasons 4 and 5. Anyway, just started it and watched a very underrated episode tonight: Cardassians

Why doesn't this episode get more praise. The first three episodes really set the tone for this season in terms of politics of the universe and branching out from just the federation to the whole mythos, and this episode does a great job with that theme. Love the manipulation going on here, and how Dukat is put in his place even though he's still talking about "the children." In a way, I'm kind of thinking this episode deserved a follow-up. I wonder what happened to the children, and Rugal himself.

Anyway, looking forward to watching the rest of this season. It will be fun.

 

[Navaros]

I don't like "Cardassians" that much because that kid is extremely inherently annoying. I would have enjoyed it more if he had a 'transporter accident' within 30 seconds of appearing on-screen. It is worthwhile as a mediocre episode for some funny Garak lines, and when the Sisko says "Are you sure one is enough?" when Bashir bugs him for a runabout late at night.

 

[AdmiralGarak]

I enjoy the episode. It's not as good as the Circle trilogy or the phenomenal run of episodes at the end of the season, but it's definitely one of DS9's better outings.

It's hard to believe that the episode is only Garak's second appearance.

"I was in the underground."
"Really! Perhaps we have met!"

Quintessential Garak.

 

[tomalak301]

It's been a while since I've seen a Garak episode. This one reminded me how great he was.

As for the kid, he didn't really speak very much in this episode, so I can't say if he was annoying or not. overall, I didn't have a problem with him.

I also saw Melora too, and there is only one thing I like about that episode, the Introduction of the Klingon Restaurant and the Klingon Chef.

 

[Seven of Five]

I love season 2, much more than seasons 3 and 4. It needs more love!

The Circle trilogy was really well done, a good follow-on from what had been established in the first season. The theme of Bajoran politics was still an ongoing thing throughout the second season, which is something I missed after Bareil died.

'Cardassians' as you say was a good episode, 'Melora,' not so much! 'Necessary Evil' is one of my top 10 DS9 episodes, and I enjoyed, somewhat, 'The Alternate,' where we meet Dr. Mora for the first time. 'Whispers' is a good, creepy O'Brien episode, and then there is this amazing run of episodes to the end of the season - 'Blood Oath,' 'The Maquis' two-parter, 'The Wire,' 'Crossover,' 'The Collaborator,' 'Tribunal' and of course, 'The Jem-Hadar.'

The odd sprinkle of dialogue concerning the Dominion is thrown in for good measure too.

 

[Trek Survivor]

"Cardassians" isn't a massive favourite, but I agree season 2 is underappreciated. A lot better than 6 and 7 IMO. Some truly stellar episodes - even the "average" episodes are pretty good.

 

[Eddie Roth]

I think so, too. All things considered, and seeing that in addition to the aforementioned highlight episodes I also find "Paradise" and "Sanctuary" to be extraordinary, this may very well be my favorite DS9 season altogether.

 

[TheGodBen]

It is definitely under-appreciated, and I would also say that it is the best of the first four seasons, but I am a sucker for the war arc in 5, 6 & 7. There is some really great episodes throughout the season with only a few bad episodes, and the final third of the season was just fantastic.

 

[DS9forever]

Well, those who like "Cardassians" (like me) will be pleased to read the upcoming DS9 novel The Never Ending Sacrifice. I was really impressed with Robert Mandan as Pa'dar in that episode.

 

[DeafPoet]

I also think Season 2 gets too little love. My pick for underrated episode from Season 2? "Playing God."

Sure it's not the finest DS9 has to offer but I was surprised when I saw it recently how much better it was than I remember. So it's not the best of the season. That's gotta be The Circle Trilogy. But I think it's way more deserving of praise than it usually gets.

Then again, I'm a sucker for Dax episodes, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[Kira Nerys]

I like Cardassians cause it shows the some of the ins of cardy society .

 

[tomalak301]

I like Cardassians cause it shows the some of the ins of cardy society .

That was another great thing about the episode and this season as a whole. It really did flesh out Bajor and Cardassia a lot more than what happened in the first season. It was great seeing the universe expand and develop other than just seeing the Federation's point of view.

 

[Bones2]

Season two has Armegeddon Game, which is a favourite of mine.

 

[Too Much Fun]

So it's not the best of the season. That's gotta be The Circle Trilogy. But I think it's way more deserving of praise than it usually gets.

Then again, I'm a sucker for Dax episodes, so take that with a grain of salt.

Me too. What's the "Circle Trilogy" everyone's talking about? I agree that season 2 deserves a lot of credit. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue watching DS9 (at least not right away) after the very inconsistent season 1, but episodes like "Blood Oath" and "Whispers" hooked me into watching seasons 3, 4, and 5 all in the same period. Is the Circle Trilogy the first three episodes? I missed them, so I can't assess how they compare to the rest of the season.

 

[NKemp3]

I've been rewatching DS9 (Finally out of the Voyager mood so went back to DS9) and just started Season 2. I've always loved this season, and consider it the third best season of the series, behind Seasons 4 and 5.

Someone who finally agrees with me about what the three best seasons of the show are.

 

[TheGodBen]

Is the Circle Trilogy the first three episodes? I missed them, so I can't assess how they compare to the rest of the season.

That's the Circle Trilogy alright. You really should try and watch those episodes some time, they helped to set the show apart from TNG by making it more serialised and they also serve as the basis for Bajoran politics throughout the show. They are also great episodes in their own right.

 

[Dane_Whitman]

I also think Season 2 gets too little love. My pick for underrated episode from Season 2? "Playing God."

Really? I can't stand that Arjin guy. What a bore.

 

[DeafPoet]

I liked it just fine, but I get that criticism. It was good more for what it said about Jadzia than what it said about Arjin.

 

[neogothboy74]

I love "Cardassians" - it's a favorite of mine (among many DS9 episodes). There will be a followup book to this episode in September I think ("The Never Ending Sacrifice").

I really enjoy Season 2. I think the majority of it is better than Season 3. I loved all the Bajoran religious / political stories ("The Circle Trilogy", "The Collaborator"). One of my favorite scenes of any Trek series is in "The Circle" when Kira is packing and keeps getting interrupted by her friends; just a beautiful, beautiful scene. The developing of the Kira/Bareil relationship. The Maquis Arc between Next Gen & DS9, starting with the intro of Gul Evek in "Playing God". The first (and and best) of DS9's Mirror Universe episodes ("Crossover"). The Klingon "Blood Oath" blew me away when it first aired; 3 classic Trek Klingons in one episode. I loved the subtle gay inclusivness of "Rules of Acquisition", plus another appearance of The Nagus. "Necessary Evil" was brilliant with it's development of Odo, Kira & Dukat. Garak really came into his own that season, and "The Wire" was beyond cool. The groundwork for the whole Dominion storyline was layed out ("Rules of Acquistion", "Sanctuary", "Shadowplay", "The Jem'Hadar"). I love the 2nd Season.

 

[tomalak301]

Not sure if this is a guilty pleasure or not, but "Rules of Acquisition" is one of my favorite ferengi episodes. I think I appreciate it more now than I did when the series was originally on mainly because of what we know. This episode planted the seed for the Dominion, change in Farengi society (A storyline I actually liked even though various episodes were stupid) and the first mention of the Karama. And I also liked the scenes with Zek and Kira. It's not my favorite ferengi episode (How are we defining ferengi episodes because there were individual Quark episodes like Body Parts and Business as Usual), but it's close to the top.

Also, I'm thinking about commenting on every episode from this season from here on out. We never have a season 2 thread and I'm having a good time already being nostalgic As for the first four:

What can be said about the Circle Trilogy that hasn't been said already. What a start to the season. Loved Homecoming the best (Mainly because they got the symbol theme with Li spot on) but the other 2 have highlights. Loved the shuttle scene with Kira and Dax ("With your eyes Lieutenant not your pants" ) and the end scene with Sisko, O'brian, and Kira at the bar. As for the Circle, really loved the Orb scene and how that played into the rest of the arc.

Invasive Procedures is one I'm losing some liking for. It's not not as good now as I thought. It also doesn't help that Verad is completely forgotten immediately after the episode airs. I wonder who could have played Verad Dax in Facets. Who was left?