The Most Disliked Episode of DS9, Season 2: 2021 Edition...

[Farscape One]

This is a twist on a game that is played here, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

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"


Season Two -

THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
NECESSARY EVIL
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
WHISPERS
PARADISE
SHADOWPLAY
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
BLOOD OATH
THE MAQUIS, PART I
THE MAQUIS, PART II
THE WIRE
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL
THE JEM'HADAR

 

[Farscape One]

The second season, I feel, is very underrated. There are some episodes that are rather mundane, but this was definitely a world building season.

(In fact, I truly feel that every Berman era spinoff's second season is very underrated, with the exception of ENTERPRISE, which I still enjoy certain aspects of.)

My first save for DS9 season 2 is probably no surprise... "THE WIRE".

There are several this season that are pure gold, but this one edges out because of Andrew Robinson. Behind only TNG's Data, I might call Garak my favorite character in the franchise. So much of this is the brilliant portrayal of Garak by Robinson. He is one of the few characters that AUTOMATICALLY elevates an episode just for appearing in it. But when you have one centered on him like this one? I do not have enough words to convey how much of a joy it is to see him on screen.

Hell, put everything aside, I would save this episode for only one piece of dialogue.


"Of all the stories you told me, which ones were true and which ones weren't?"
"My dear doctor, they're all true."
"Even the lies?"
"Especially the lies."



THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
NECESSARY EVIL
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
WHISPERS
PARADISE
SHADOWPLAY
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
BLOOD OATH
THE MAQUIS, PART I
THE MAQUIS, PART II
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL
THE JEM'HADAR

 

[Brobdingnag]

"NECESSARY EVIL" is my favorite of that season. It's very revealing of Kira and Odo.


THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
WHISPERS
PARADISE
SHADOWPLAY
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
BLOOD OATH
THE MAQUIS, PART I
THE MAQUIS, PART II
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL
THE JEM'HADAR

 

[Sakonna]

"The Maquis, Part I" because SAKONNA.

THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
WHISPERS
PARADISE
SHADOWPLAY
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
BLOOD OATH
THE MAQUIS, PART II
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL
THE JEM'HADAR

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Saving Whispers. Maybe the best twist ending of the series that plays off your expectations that O'Brien is the one who's normal because that's what the one normal guy acting on his own usually is.

THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
SHADOWPLAY
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
BLOOD OATH
THE MAQUIS, PART II
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL
THE JEM'HADAR

 

[Farscape One]

"NECESSARY EVIL" and "WHISPERS" were both on my list of gems, which brings me to one of two possibilities.

And I pick "BLOOD OATH". EXCELLENT return of Kang, Koloth, and Kor! Great use of the Trill idea, and superb acting all around. Typical of Peter Allan Fields endings, you are left with just the facial expressions doing all the talking. He truly was a gift to the franchise.


THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
SHADOWPLAY
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
THE MAQUIS, PART II
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL
THE JEM'HADAR

 

[Vale]

Bah, I was just going to pick Blood Oath. Good job I'm paranoid enough to refresh just before posting.

I'll save The Jem'Hadar, just for the everything to do with the Odyssey, and the comedy of Nog and Jake trying to get the runabout to work. Though I still think the episode should have been called Dominion as it was in pre-production.

THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
SHADOWPLAY
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
THE MAQUIS, PART II
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL

 

[Sakonna]

"The Maquis, Part II" because SAKONNA.

THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
SHADOWPLAY
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL

 

[Farscape One]

And for Sisko's 'saints in paradise' speech.

My next save is another huge gem of this season... "SHADOWPLAY".

This episode deftly handles three stories at once. Four, if you count Quark trying to outwit Kira. And they all work great.


THE HOMECOMING
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL

 

[Seven of Five]

The Homecoming is my first one this round. Great opening episode to the season, with the adventure to the Cardassian system, a formal apology from Gul Dukat () for the prisoners, and the twist at the end with Kira being reassigned.

THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
INVASIVE PROCEDURES
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL

 

[Oddish]

Saving "Invasive Procedures". Intriguing exploration of the dark side of Trill symbiosis.

THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
CROSSOVER
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL

 

[Sakonna]

"Crossover" I am a big MU fan generally, and I think this is actually the peak -- the MU was never better than here.

And the Nana Visitor performances! She's incredible.

THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
THE COLLABORATOR
TRIBUNAL

 

[Seven of Five]

The Collaborator is next for me. It's good seeing Kai Opaka being revisited, even if it led to Bareil not becoming Kai. A shame for Kira and Bajor perhaps, but not for fans of Kai Winn. I love her, even if she is manipulative, as she's fun to watch.

THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PARADISE
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
TRIBUNAL

 

[Qonundrum]

PARADISE was a great episode, extremely well-acted by all involved (which helps in volumes), using an allegory for cultism - if not a bit heavy-handed. It still works quite well, and shows a harder edge to Trek. The ending is a tad light and way too oversimplified (another tantalizing Trek tradition), but in weekly self-contained stories, I keep forgetting that some elements may have to be sidelined - if the rest of the material holds up then it's not as cringey. The villain of the story is fairly well-crafted, given three dimensions and allows a sympathetic side to cultivate and work - and some of her motives are arguably sincere. Trek overdid the "let's think of the baddie's POV and motivations" trope, but this is one episode why it was a successful trope, though that's not always the case...

Maybe as a proper 2-parter with longer time after the climax to have the locals react to the revelation she planned it all* (but with good intentions), since there's enough emotional tautness and material to really flesh this out to a greater extent.

* moohahaha!

What's left:

THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS
TRIBUNAL

 

[Brobdingnag]

I am saving "TRIBUNAL" because, yes it's another of those "let's torture Miles" episodes but it's well-done. At the very least I like it better than the ones left.

What's left:

THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
CARDASSIANS
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS

 

[Seven of Five]

I feel so sorry for Rugal in Cardassians. The battle over his custody is difficult at times, but I love it. Plus seeing Garak and Dukat is always a pleasure.

I love the dinner scene at the O'Briens cabin. Keiko going to all the effort for their guest, only for Miles and Rugal to push it away.

THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
MELORA
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS

 

[Qonundrum]

Coin-toss time as three are equally good, but for different reasons.

MELORA is next. It's not perfect, and dipping from the well of "let's have Bashir use his profession as a dating service (but at least he's not using "123 and Me" as one), exploring physically handicapped people. A story on TV that, for once, addresses low-gravity situations.

Actually, the Bashir/Melora combo works fairly well and there's some good on-screen chemistry - despite some character traits not really nailed down. Bashir could double up and get a degree in Space Psychology and be more official with it too.

The Dax/Melora talky scenes in the runabout are right out the most base soap opera.

And one can just about guess who saves the day at the end, and how, but they put in enough budget to make use of low-grav fun so why not? (oops, mild spoiler...)

Lastly, I can sorta see how this episode was an influence in "The Orville" too...

What's left:
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
ARMAGEDDON GAME
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS

 

[Brobdingnag]

Saving "ARMAGEDDON GAME" because of the character growth of the pair Miles, Julian...

What's left:
THE CIRCLE
THE SIEGE
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS

 

[Vale]

I'm going to save The Siege. It's the best of the season-opening three-parter, and while "Die Hard on a starship" (or space station in this case) is practically a Trek trope at this point, it's done very well and played completely straight here. Li Nalas should have survived, though. Shakaar was an obvious expy.

THE CIRCLE
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
RIVALS
THE ALTERNATE
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Saving Rivals. All the episodes left have negatives but Rivals has the most positives, the stuff with O'Brien and Bashir playing tennis was fun.

THE CIRCLE
RULES OF ACQUISITION
SECOND SIGHT
SANCTUARY
THE ALTERNATE
PLAYING GOD
PROFIT AND LOSS