The Most Disliked Episode of DS9, Season 1 - 2025 Edition...

[Frightscape 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"
2025 -


Season One -

"EMISSARY"
"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"MOVE ALONG HOME"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"BATTLE LINES"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES"
"THE FORSAKEN"
"DRAMATIS PERSONAE"
"DUET"
"IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS"

 

[Frightscape One]

I'm going to kick off DS9, my favorite series in the franchise (and I feel is THE best one), with an obvious save... "DUET".

Excellent script, excellent performances... this episode is flawless. EVERYONE was on point... Peter Allan Fields writing, James L. Conway directing, and most especially Nana Visitor and Harris Yulin acting their socks off. Pure gold. This episode gets a lot of acclaim, and very rightly so.


And I'm going to be honest... season 1 of DS9 is nowhere near as bad as many have said. With the exception of Dax, I feel the actors got a good hold of their characters right out the gate, which is a very hard thing to do. I do agree that the episodes that could have been done as TNG ones were the weaker ones of the season, but even most of those have a lot of good things in them.


"EMISSARY"
"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"MOVE ALONG HOME"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"BATTLE LINES"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES"
"THE FORSAKEN"
"DRAMATIS PERSONAE"
"IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS"

 

[Sakonna]

"The Forsaken" is a great example of that A/B/C story structure that early DS9 did so well. Great use of the whole cast and whole station world in this one.

"EMISSARY"
"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"MOVE ALONG HOME"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"BATTLE LINES"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES"
"DRAMATIS PERSONAE"
"IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS"

 

[Severed Heads]

Outside of a few shows where DS9 was trying to be like TNG, S1 was pretty marvellous.

Emissary is a wonderful setup to the show. and still gets me during the Prophets talking about Sisko time and how he's lives during the time Jennifer died.

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"MOVE ALONG HOME"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"BATTLE LINES"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES"
"DRAMATIS PERSONAE"
"IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS"

 

[Frightscape One]

I know many hate this episode, but I absolutely love "MOVE ALONG HOME". (Given how often I've defended this episode in other threads, no one should be surprised that I'm picking this episode next to save. Along with TNG's "Masks", this is my most defended episode in the franchise.)

There is a LOT to love about this one. In fact, I will give my reasons in song...


(singing)
Allamaraine, count to four!

(talking normal)
1. It gives us a rare look at another Gamma Quadrant species. The Wadi show us another example of just how highly advanced technology is over there.

2. We have a great showcase of Quark. Armin Shimerman brought so much to his role, and this was a great example of just how good he was. It's the first time we see Quark have actual growth where he shows he has a line he won't cross when he has to choose who to sacrifice.

3. It's a fantastic concept. How many of us have wanted to actually be inside a game?

4. It's a rare occasion where we see our Starfleet heroes use their wits to solve puzzles instead of relying on gadgets and technobabble.

(singing)
Allamaraine, then three more!

(talking normal)
5. I don't care what anyone says, the hopscotch scene is really fun. It's a catchy little tune.

6. Sisko singing. That's a rare treat.

7. The ending is a nice twist from the usual dangers our crews face. It was only a game! No one was actually in danger, but it works so well because you almost never see that. It's a creative way to subvert what you expect.

(singing)
Allamaraine, if you like what you see
Allamaraine, say, "He convinced me!"



I will always defend this episode, as it most certainly does not belong on any 'most disliked' list. It's most certainly in my top 5 of season 1.

ALLAMARAINE!!!


"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"BATTLE LINES"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES"
"DRAMATIS PERSONAE"
"IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS"

 

[Severed Heads]

Move Along Home is a classic compared to If Wishes Were Horses.

 

[Detached Nacelle]

In the Hands of the Prophets is a great finale and is a beautiful showcase of the themes and tones that will come to define future seasons and introduced us to the wonderfully aggravating Kai Winn.

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"BATTLE LINES"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES"
"DRAMATIS PERSONAE"

 

[Cyfa]

Move Along Home is a classic compared to If Wishes Were Horses.

~ Oh, I really like "If Wishes Were Horses"! (Although I don't think it's a classic.) I still find the the appearance of Rumplestiltskin in Molly's room quite chilling. In fact, I'm going to save it now as the ep I was going to save has just left the game thanks to @Detached Nacelle

Edit: Oh, and the sex of the Betazoid envoy that Dax said Bashir had been "interested" in wasn't established, so I choose to believe said envoy was male ("not that we care about such things in this day and age").

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"BATTLE LINES"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"
"DRAMATIS PERSONAE"

 

[Frightscape One]

Saving "DRAMATIS PERSONAE" next.

This is a case where the time it was produced and aired works in its favor. If that was done in season 2, the scenario would not have been believeable because they had built up enough trust by that point. Earlier in season 1, and it would have been too easy to notice the issue that was going on.

Also, great use of mythology in creating the situation... a staple of Joe Menosky. (One of my favorite writers in the franchise.)

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"BATTLE LINES"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"

 

[Captrek]

If I can’t save the Kai, then I’ll save her goodbye. Saving Battle Lines, I let the following lie:

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"Q-LESS"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"

 

[Captrek]

We’re voting to save the ones we like, right? Is this game “Most Disliked” or “Least Liked”?

 

[Qonfounding Ghooool]

Dang, I wanted to save "Move Along Home" but @Frightscape One's description and reasoning just can't be improved on!

"Q-LESS"

DS9 goes out of its way to do a TNG character crossover and to remind, again, that DS9 is not TNG.

This time it's about Q and how Sisko deals with him.

Indeed, seeing Q snap his fingers to show Vash suffering from an ailment she otherwise would have had it if it were not from him is suitably creepy. And Vash is an ideal character to bring in as she is far more likely going to venture out into the great train station of the galaxy than Lwaxana would, but before I digress... (and being Trek, "the wagon train to the stars", some allusion is inevitable. And good what with this outpost along the Oregon Trail and all...)

The usual Q jokes were good. Like or dislike a Q story, if you liked the antics and banter in one, you'll likely appreciate them regardless of where the story does go.

But the story is only okay, not great. Is it reeeeeeeeally because Sisko punches him that he never returns, or is it because the audience finally figured it out: DS9 is not TNG and is going to be edgier within reason and daring to do what TNG could not, all while feeling like it's in the same universe. That's one heck of a juggling act, which DS9 pulled off, and season one only whet the appetite for what it would really do later on, especially adding to and moving the lore forward with both the new big bad of the Dominion, as well as doing something with the Klingons.

Lastly, as far as wagon train adventures goes,

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

isn't a shame there was no DS9 game made for the Apple //? Oh well...


...and speaking of Oh Well, you gots // of them here:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

So that's the latest edition of "Six degrees o' Qonundrum's Consciousness Stream", go figure...

What's left:
"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"THE NAGUS"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"

 

[Detached Nacelle]

I think I will save The Nagus next "Ferengi episodes" were a genius idea for the series and blossomed into one of its hallmarks.

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"
"PROGRESS"

 

[Sakonna]

"Progress" is a great character piece, with an all-time-classic B story.

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"CAPTIVE PURSUIT"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"

 

[Frightscape One]

We’re voting to save the ones we like, right? Is this game “Most Disliked” or “Least Liked”?

Yes, we are saving ones we like. 'Most Disliked' games are on now.



Saving "CAPTIVE PURSUIT".

Superb episode, and great O'Brien showcase. Sisko certainly earned his loyalty at the end, and you can see it in O'Brien's expressions.


"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"DAX"
"THE PASSENGER"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"

 

[Captrek]

Dax. Love the way they set this up. Great way to introduce the concept of what it means to be a joined Trill. Wish they’d have have been more consistent about it through the series.

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"THE PASSENGER"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"

 

[Sakonna]

"The Passenger" I love every possession ep. That is a favorite Trek trope of mine.

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"BABEL"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"

 

[Cyfa]

Quark in charge of ops (and Odo having to rely on him) is reason enough to save "Babel".

"PAST PROLOGUE"
"A MAN ALONE"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"

 

[Frightscape One]

Saving "PAST PROLOGUE".

A good early showcase for Kira. And plain, simple Garak is introduced.

Honestly... Garak's introduction alone warrants being saved.


"A MAN ALONE"
"VORTEX"
"THE STORYTELLER"

 

[Frightscape One]

Move Along Home is a classic compared to If Wishes Were Horses.

I think "MOVE ALONG HOME" is a classic, period.