The Most Disliked Episode of DS9, 2023 Edition - Season 7...

[Farscape One]

Welcome to our bi-yearly 'Most Disliked Episode' games! Now that the 'Least Disliked Episode' games hosted by BlueStuff (who inspired me to create these games, so thank you very much for paving the way) have concluded, we can begin the opposite side of that coin.

Here's the game. The basic idea is your standard elimination game. I'll provide a list of the episodes for each season and you need to eliminate your most favorite or the one you deem the 'best.' Please provide an EXPLANATION for why you are eliminating your choice and be sure to copy and paste the list with your choice removed. Finally, leave at least 2 eliminations by other posters before you eliminate another episode.

No tactical voting! You cannot remove an episode because you feel they would threaten your preferred episode's chance to win. Pretty simple. Enjoy!

Hall of Champions (or Failures?)
2011 - "PROFIT AND LACE"
2018 - "LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN..."
2019 - "THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
2021 - "THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
2023 - "PROFIT AND LACE"


Season Seven -

"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER"
"ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH"
"THE SIEGE OF AR-558"
"COVENANT"
"IT'S ONLY A PAPER MOON"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"FIELD OF FIRE"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"TACKING INTO THE WIND"
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"
"WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND"

 

[Farscape One]

And here we are, the final season of DS9. While it did feel like some episodes dropped the ball, it was overall very solid and great. By far, the best 7th season of the franchise.

I'm starting this round with one of the best Moore episodes... "TACKING INTO THE WIND".

This one had possibly the most difficult job to do in the entire final arc... it not only had to tie up some loose ends, but also keep the pace and ball rolling for the last section, while also completing the Klingon politics arc that started a decade earlier.

And it was PERFECT!

Many have said that Ezri's talk with Worf about the Empire was the sole justification for her existence this season. And while I liked Ezri far more than many, I do agree that it was an excellent scene and spot on. It was just the splash of cold water Worf needed. Also sobering was how Sisko told Worf that Gowron must be stopped. You know what he meant when he said that.

Truly fitting that Worf was the one who got Gowron the Chancellorship, and he was the one to end it. And I absolutely LOVED Worf giving Martok the title. Not only was it in character for Worf, but Martok could not be a better choice. He really is my favorite Klingon.

And the story with Kira and company was also excellent. One of the best scenes of the season was when Damar learns his family was killed and wonders how a people could casually kill innocent women and children, and Kira asks the exact same question without flinching. THAT was powerful, and it might be the best acted scene Casey Biggs did as Damar. Garak's words right after were spot on, too. It's so hard to pick a story that felt better than the other. They were equally well done.

Everything about this episode was flawless. Mike Vejar directing, the acting, Moore's script, and Garak as part of the story... a masterpiece.



"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER"
"ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH"
"THE SIEGE OF AR-558"
"COVENANT"
"IT'S ONLY A PAPER MOON"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"FIELD OF FIRE"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"
"WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND"

 

[Sakonna]

The Winn/Dukat material unfortunately has all sorts of execution problems, but everything else in "What You Leave Behind" is so incredible I don't care.

"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER"
"ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH"
"THE SIEGE OF AR-558"
"COVENANT"
"IT'S ONLY A PAPER MOON"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"FIELD OF FIRE"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[kkt]

Quite a few great episodes! I'll save "It's Only a Paper Moon". Well done, DS9, for addressing what most TV dramas didn't want to touch in a thought-provoking way.

What's left:
"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER"
"ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH"
"THE SIEGE OF AR-558"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"FIELD OF FIRE"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[CitadelZombies]

I'll save "The Siege of AR-558", it's such a bleak look at the war and an excellent prelude to "It's Only a Paper Moon" great performances by all involved.

What's left:
"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER"
"ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"FIELD OF FIRE"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Farscape One]

Thanks for saving that, kkt. That is my wife's favorite DS9 episode.

A lot of great ones left. I'm going with "ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH".

My two favorite Klingons are centered here... Kor and Martok. Excellent story about the ravages of old age and feeling your usefulness in life is at its end. Equally excellent is Martok's story and how even after having his revenge moment, it was still a hollow moment.

Kor's last scene telling an unconscious Worf what he will tell Jadzia in Sto'vo'kor and his final "Long live the Empire!"... perfect end for the Dahar Master.

Excellent final scene with Martok drinking with everyone to Kor, but still not singing with them. He forgives, but only to a point. Brilliantly done.

And one of the best quotes by anyone...

"If they succeed, you can drink to their courage. And if they fail... you can still drink to their courage."

I've said it before and I'll say it again... Ronald D. Moore was the most consistently good writer in the franchise. (Even my wife, who really does not like Klingon episodes, thought this was a really good episode.)


"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"FIELD OF FIRE"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Seven of Five]

The Changing Face of Evil was a breathtaking installment of the FC.

And I do love the most of S7, despite there being too much Ezri, and I think Dukat had lost the plot in terms of being a threatening antagonist.

And of course the less said about The Emporer's New Cloak and Extreme Measures the better.

"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT RIVER"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"FIELD OF FIRE"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Oddish]

Wow, so much good stuff! My first save is FIELD OF FIRE, because the interplay between Ezri and Joran was awesome. She was SUCH a wasted character: think what they could have done with a neurotic Trill over seven seasons...

"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Cyfa]

I'm saving "TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT RIVER" - mainly for Nog navigating the Great Material Continuum, but also Odo's & Weyoun 6's 'understanding' during their flight from the Jem'Hadar (the visuals of the runabout in the ice asteroids are stunning!)

"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Farscape One]

Saving "TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT RIVER" next.

How can an episode with Weyoun, which is already going to be a win, be improved?

Have TWO Weyouns!

Excellent episode. Weyoun is such an interesting villain... he's unique in the franchise in that he has no ego whatsoever. Only service to the Founders. Every scene with him and Odo was brilliant.

The B story with Nog and the Great Material Continuum... superb. It was nice to have a look at Ferengi culture that was not profit driven but still retained their core philosophies. Genius!

This was Bradley Thompson and David Weddle's best script of DS9.




Never mind... Cyfa beat me to this. (I'm with you about those visuals, too.)

So I'll pick "INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES".

Another win from Ronald D. Moore, this was just awesome. Great intrigue that kept you guessing. William Sadler was an excellent casting choice. And a great look into Romulan political machinations.

The final scene between Ross and Bashir was superb. And Sloan's final words to Bashir about men of principle and why Section 31 exists... spot on, all of it.


"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"CHRYSALIS"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"CHIMERA"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Cyfa]

Never mind... Cyfa beat me to this. (I'm with you about those visuals, too.)

So I'll pick "INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES".

~ Ah, IAESL was going to be my next pick! Great minds...

 

[Seven of Five]

Chimera is a wonderfully done look at the Kira/Odo relationship. Odo meeting Kira halfway with the misty scene was perfect.

It was fascinating seeing a changeling who wasn't a founder, too.

"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Farscape One]

~ Ah, IAESL was going to be my next pick! Great minds...

Indeed!

Plus, it has the distinction of being the last time we see Bashir and Garak have lunch together. I always loved those scenes.

 

[Cyfa]

Plus, it has the distinction of being the last time we see Bashir and Garak have lunch together. I always loved those scenes.

~ Me too. I'd happily sit through an episode just of Bashir and Garak having lunch

I love "BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG" as it always brings a smile to my face, and the 'hero walk' along the promenade is just #chefskiss

"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"COVENANT"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Sakonna]

"Covenant" is one of those Fun Trash classics.

"IMAGE IN THE SAND"
"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Ginger]

I remember the wait for season 7 all those years ago. I don’t remember if I watched it on Sky1 or bought the video first, but I do remember thinking “where the hell are they going to go now”.

Image in the Sand is not a perfect episode, or even a brilliant one. It wasn’t frantic, it was proper slow burn TV, of the type that only seems to exist in Scandinavian detective shows these days. It also was not as silly as some of the other episodes in S7, for better or worse.

It was different and interesting, even if it was interesting in a sort of mmm way. anyway, that’s my vote.

"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"PRODIGAL DAUGHTER"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

 

[Cyfa]

The war stuff doesn't really do it for me anymore, so I'm saving "PRODIGAL DAUGHTER" for the look at Ezri's background & family (poor Norvo *) and their stunning house, plus O'Brien and the Orion Syndicate. I wish we could have seen and learned more about Ezri (but not at the expense of anyone else - perhaps another season or two might have helped? Or a spin-off?! )

"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"
"THE DOGS OF WAR"

* Yes, I know he killed someone, so I don't have that much sympathy for him.

 

[Seven of Five]

The Dogd of War was a pretty respectable way to send the Ferengi out, especially with Rom as Nagus .

Meanwhile, tension is ramping up with the buildupto the end of the war, and the series.

"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"

 

[CitadelZombies]

Saving "Take Me Out to the Holosuite"
It's a nice diversion from the war and quite a fun,(if not particularly perfect) episode.

"SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS"
"AFTERIMAGE"
"THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"
"PENUMBRA"
"'TIL DEATH DO US PART"
"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS"
"WHEN IT RAINS..."
"EXTREME MEASURES"

 

[Qonundrum]

Saving "Take Me Out to the Holosuite"
It's a nice diversion from the war and quite a fun,(if not particularly perfect) episode.

I feel to that story what many feel toward "Let He Who Is Without Snusnu" from season 5. The Vulcans always seemed a little too pompously emotional... they really went all-out for the costuming, though!