The Most Disliked Episode of DS9, Season 3: 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 Three -

THE SEARCH, PART I
THE SEARCH, PART II
THE HOUSE OF QUARK
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
CIVIL DEFENSE
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
FASCINATION
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
VISIONARY
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
IMPROBABLE CAUSE
THE DIE IS CAST
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS
THE ADVERSARY

 

[Farscape One]

A lot of great ones this season... it's hard to pick my first. I am truly torn between 4 episodes.

But I think I will start with "CIVIL DEFENSE". The one thing that separates this one from my other picks is this... it utilizes the ENTIRE cast. And very, very well. I've always loved episodes that do that.

Each character had a lot of shining moments. And of course, having Garak be a big part is a huge plus. Even better when you have Garak and Dukat bickering.

This one is always a rewatch.



THE SEARCH, PART I
THE SEARCH, PART II
THE HOUSE OF QUARK
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
FASCINATION
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
VISIONARY
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
IMPROBABLE CAUSE
THE DIE IS CAST
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS
THE ADVERSARY

 

[Vale]

I will go for "The Adversary". It was the first post-season one episode of Deep Space Nine that I ever saw, thanks to weird satellite-vs-terrestrial broadcast scheduling in the UK; which also meant it's the first episode I saw that featured the Defiant. This episode singlehandedly lays the groundwork for so many of Deep Space Nine's most significant episodes to come, not least of which are season four's The Way of the Warrior and Broken Link. And it's a great, tense, suspenseful story in its own right.

THE SEARCH, PART I
THE SEARCH, PART II
THE HOUSE OF QUARK
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
FASCINATION
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
VISIONARY
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
IMPROBABLE CAUSE
THE DIE IS CAST
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I’ll do the public good of eliminating Die Is Cast. We all know what the best episodes are and we all know it’s one of them.

THE SEARCH, PART I
THE SEARCH, PART II
THE HOUSE OF QUARK
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
FASCINATION
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
VISIONARY
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
IMPROBABLE CAUSE
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Brobdingnag]

I'll go with "THE HOUSE OF QUARK". It manages to be both a great Ferengi and Klingon episode which makes it unique in the franchise.

THE SEARCH, PART I
THE SEARCH, PART II
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
FASCINATION
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
VISIONARY
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
IMPROBABLE CAUSE
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Farscape One]

And the O'Brien story was great. I enjoyed it when I was younger, but fully appreciate it now as a married man. And Bashir gave phenomenally great advice.

Since "THE DIE IS CAST" was saved, which was one of my other favorites, I will go to my next one... "IMPROBABLE CAUSE". This was pure gold. Great dialogue, great script, great story, great chemistry between Robinson and Auberjonois. Garak centered episode and Odo showing off his incredible investigative skills? A win in every possible sense. Added awesome is Avery Brooks' magnificent directing... the cave scene was one of the best shot and staged scenes of the series.

Bonus points for bringing together what happened in "DEFIANT".



THE SEARCH, PART I
THE SEARCH, PART II
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
FASCINATION
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
VISIONARY
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Seven of Five]

Ninjad on Improbable Cause.

The Search, Paat I, was an epic open to the season, which followed on nicely from The Jem-Hadar in S2.


THE SEARCH, PART II
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
FASCINATION
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
VISIONARY
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[BlueStuff]

Many hate FASCINATION - but not me. It's loads of fun, and sometimes, that's all you need from a show.

THE SEARCH, PART II
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
VISIONARY
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Vale]

I'm going to save "Visionary". It's one of my favourite "torture O'Brien" episodes, it uses a time travel mechanic really well, and Colm Meaney turns out to be second only to Brent Spiner in the "acting against a duplicate of himself" chops.

THE SEARCH, PART II
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
DEFIANT
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Seven of Five]

Defiant is high-octane fun with a return from Tom Riker, the Maquis, and Sisko and Dukat cooperating in the efforts of peace, with some funny moments between them.

The hint of something big going on with the buildup of the Obsidian Order fleet was a nice touch as well.

THE SEARCH, PART II
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Sakonna]

"Explorers" is a pretty special episode. Hated it originally (except that O'Brien/Bashir drunk scene, which I always loved), but as the years passed this is one that resonates more and more.

Many hate FASCINATION - but not me. It's loads of fun, and sometimes, that's all you need from a show.

"Fascination" is one I loved from the minute I saw it, and it's never wavered. That's a true favorite of mine. It's never not delightful to revisit.

THE SEARCH, PART II
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
LIFE SUPPORT
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Brobdingnag]

I'll save "LIFE SUPPORT" at this point. It's great drama plus it rids us of one of the most lifeless recurring characters of the series. It's so bad that you can hardly tell when he becomes a (half) robot.

THE SEARCH, PART II
EQUILIBRIUM
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[no2catsuitKira]

Not sure I understand--most disliked but people are writing nice things about the episodes.

 

[Seven of Five]

Basically, we take turns going through each season of a different show, voting for our favourite episodes (and giving a reason), in the beginning. Then, whichever two episodes are left by the end of each season goes to a final vote, where we determine the most disliked episode.

TOS and TNG have been done. The opposite game, the least disliked, has already happened.

Equilibrium is next for me. The mystery is intriguing for why Dax keeps playing the music, and the music itself is haunting.

The scene at the beginning where Sisko cooks for his crew is full of energy, and Odo trying to stir whatever was in that bowl was hilarious!


THE SEARCH, PART II
SECOND SKIN
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIANt
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Farscape One]

I also love "FASCINATION" because it's fun... and it has the BEST directing of the full Promenade of the whole series. "EXPLORERS" was my other of the 4 I was torn about... a wonderful father/son story that had the added bonus of the drunk scene. Thumbs up, guys!


My next save is "SECOND SKIN". Great performances all around, particularly Nana who I didn't find out until much later after this aired that she was claustrophobic. Makes it even more impressive. (Doubly so for Andrew Robinson, who had the same issue and did it ALL the time.) And of course this episode is elevated by having Garak in it.

Great story and wonderful continuation of Kira's journey toward getting past her hatred of Cardassians.


THE SEARCH, PART II
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
HEART OF STONE
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Brobdingnag]

"HEART OF STONE", because of Nog's character growth and the way he was handled in that episode and the moving performance when he finally says why he wants to become a member of Starfleet And also the revelations about Odo's name and his feelings about Kira. Plus I kinda like the actress who plays the female changeling. They chose her well.

THE SEARCH, PART II
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
PAST TENSE, PART I
PAST TENSE, PART II
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Removing Past Tense, Part I. The only Star Trek that shows us believable evils in the near future, and predicted some of the stuff that's going on now.

THE SEARCH, PART II
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
PAST TENSE, PART II
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS

 

[Vale]

I'm going to save "Facets". I suppose the episode must be interminable if you're not a particular fan of Dax, but I am, and the chance to meet all of Dax's previous hosts was interesting, especially as all of the main cast are clearly having a ball playing cameos as completely different people. It's almost a dry run for "Doctor Bashir, I Presume" in that regard. In particular Nana Visitor as Lela, Armin Shimerman as Audrid, and Rene Auberjonois as Curzon seem to be having a grand old time.

THE SEARCH, PART II
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
PAST TENSE, PART II
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
DISTANT VOICES
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR

 

[Oddish]

Distant Voices may not be brilliant, but it's pretty decent fare, with an interesting premise and some pretty mind bending action.

THE SEARCH, PART II
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
PAST TENSE, PART II
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR

 

[Seven of Five]

Past Tense, Part II is a great follow-up to the first part. I think these episodes are where Sisko comes into his own as a character, seeing him fill in for the dead Gabriel Bell.

THE SEARCH, PART II
THE ABANDONED
MERIDIAN
MERIDIAN
DESTINY
PROPHET MOTIVE
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR