The Most Disliked Episode of DS9, Season 3 - 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"


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"

 

[Frightscape 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"

 

[kkt]

Yes, this is a terrific season, and I will save Explorers. Great father-son bonding, stunningly beautiful lightship, and Julian and Miles singing "Jerusalem," what more could you want?

"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"
"FAMILY BUSINESS"
"SHAKAAR"
"FACETS"
"THE ADVERSARY"

 

[Faintly Macabre]

The Bells Riots may not have happened yet but you don't have to look very hard to see the parallels between "Past Tense" and the present day. Star Trek tackled a multitude of societal issues in this episode. Taking out Part 1.

"THE SEARCH, PART I"
"THE SEARCH, PART II"
"THE HOUSE OF QUARK"
"EQUILIBRIUM"
"SECOND SKIN"
"THE ABANDONED"
"MERIDIAN"
"DEFIANT"
"FASCINATION"
"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"
"FAMILY BUSINESS"
"SHAKAAR"
"FACETS"
"THE ADVERSARY"

 

[Frightscape One]

Saving "IMPROBABLE CAUSE".

This episode was flawless. A Garak centered episode is always going to be a win, but add in Odo being the best investigator in the franchise? Just perfection.

And Avery Brooks again showing his incredible eye for shots with the cave set. The angles and shots used here were the best of any cave scene in any of the shows. (And I challenge someone to show me a better shot cave scene.)


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

 

[Detached Nacelle]

So many good choices and also Meridian.

I'm going to save Defiant, the Tom Riker stuff was a lot of fun and it was a great prelude to the upcoming 2 parter.

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

 

[Severed Heads]

The Die is Cast is the successful conclusion to Improbable Cause, and also ends wirh the foreboding parts concerning the Federation and the Klingons.

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

 

[Sakonna]

"Fascination" is some of the most fun you can have on DS9.

I love a holiday episode, even if the holiday is not real.

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

 

[Captrek]

Gotta agree with FM about Past Tense. I save Part II.

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

 

[Frightscape One]

Saving "THE HOUSE OF QUARK".

I love both stories. Quark walking the Klingon High Council through finances never stops being hilarious, and Sisko being awesome with his understanding of O'Brien's dilemma and his talk with O'Brien speaking simply as a man who recognizes what O'Brien's going through.

Miles and Keiko are definitely the most realistic couple the franchise has ever portrayed. This episode gets better with every rewatch.


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

 

[Severed Heads]

Equilibrium is next for me. I mostly love Trill episodes (except a couple in S7), and the music Jadzia keeps playing is Haunting.

Also a nice scene is Odo stirring for Sisko.

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

 

[Pumpkin Bread]

The Search Part 1. Introduced the Defiant, the baddest Starfleet ship on the block.

THE SEARCH, PART II"
"SECOND SKIN"
"THE ABANDONED"
"MERIDIAN"
"LIFE SUPPORT"
"HEART OF STONE"
"DESTINY"
"PROPHET MOTIVE"
"VISIONARY"
"DISTANT VOICES"
"THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
"FAMILY BUSINESS"
"SHAKAAR"
"FACETS"
"THE ADVERSARY"

 

[Frightscape One]

Saving "THE ADVERSARY".

The paranoia, mood, and atmosphere was really well done here.

And Sisko finally was promoted to captain.. (Who also proves himself to be the best captain in the franchise.)



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

 

[Captrek]

Equilibrium is next for me. I mostly love Trill episodes (except a couple in S7), and the music Jadzia keeps playing is Haunting.

Me too, despite my concerns from the Trill Personhood thread about the scientific hoax. These episodes at least capture my imagination; when I have issues with the execution I enjoy imagining what I’d have done differently.

Anyway, my next save is The Search, Part II. Get to know the Changelings a bit.

"SECOND SKIN"
"THE ABANDONED"
"MERIDIAN"
"LIFE SUPPORT"
"HEART OF STONE"
"DESTINY"
"PROPHET MOTIVE"
"VISIONARY"
"DISTANT VOICES"
"THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
"FAMILY BUSINESS"
"SHAKAAR"
"FACETS"

 

[Severed Heads]

Second Skin is an excellent look at Kira's woest nightmare - being a Cardassian.

The ABANDONED"
"MERIDIAN"
"LIFE SUPPORT"
"HEART OF STONE"
"DESTINY"
"PROPHET MOTIVE"
"VISIONARY"
"DISTANT VOICES"
"THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
"FAMILY BUSINESS"
"SHAKAAR"
"FACETS"

 

[Frightscape One]

Saving "LIFE SUPPORT". (But not Bareil...)

While the tone of the two stories is a bit jarring, it's a great end to Bareil's character. A strong case can be made that he's the most selfless character in the series. Definitely heroic.

Great showcase of Bashir, and I loved how he told Winn straight up, "You're a coward."

One of the many reasons why he's my favorite CMO in the franchise.



"THE ABANDONED"
"MERIDIAN"
"HEART OF STONE"
"DESTINY"
"PROPHET MOTIVE"
"VISIONARY"
"DISTANT VOICES"
"THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
"FAMILY BUSINESS"
"SHAKAAR"
"FACETS"

 

[kkt]

I will save VISIONARY because O'Brien suffers so well The episode definitely had me in suspense the first time I saw it.

"THE ABANDONED"
"MERIDIAN"
"HEART OF STONE"
"DESTINY"
"PROPHET MOTIVE"
"DISTANT VOICES"
"THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
"FAMILY BUSINESS"
"SHAKAAR"
"FACETS"

 

[Sakonna]

"Family Business" is a favorite Ferenci episode of mine. It really commits to the bit!

"THE ABANDONED"
"MERIDIAN"
"HEART OF STONE"
"DESTINY"
"PROPHET MOTIVE"
"DISTANT VOICES"
"THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
"SHAKAAR"
"FACETS"

 

[Pumpkin Bread]

FACETS rates a save for Joran Sisko and Curzon Odo alone.

"THE ABANDONED"
"MERIDIAN"
"HEART OF STONE"
"DESTINY"
"PROPHET MOTIVE"
"DISTANT VOICES"
"THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
"SHAKAAR"

 

[Captrek]

Saving "LIFE SUPPORT". (But not Bareil...)

While the tone of the two stories is a bit jarring, it's a great end to Bareil's character. A strong case can be made that he's the most selfless character in the series. Definitely heroic.

Great showcase of Bashir, and I loved how he told Winn straight up, "You're a coward."

I’ve got few issues with it.

The idea about biology having a “spark of life” that mechanics can’t replicate is metaphysics, not medicine, and has no business coming out of Julian’s mouth in a professional capacity. (Data might have a thing or two to say about it as well.)

Why shouldn’t this be the patient’s choice? Julian concedes that robo-Bareil would act like Bareil and make the same choices as Bareil, so let robo-Bareil make the choice and you’re respecting Bareil’s choice.

Biggest failing: as soon as Julian has to replace half of Bareil’s brain, the possibility of the other half failing is foreseeable. The doctor needs to ask the patient for an advance directive. My guess is that Bareil would choose to continue serving Bajor with or without the alleged spark.