The Most Disliked Episode of DS9 - Season 3...

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"

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

 

I confess that one of the advantages of starting these threads is the ability to pick first right out of the gate.

With that in mind, my first pick of season 3 is "CIVIL DEFENSE". This is one of THE best examples of fully utilizing the entire cast. And the tension kept rising in equal measure with each act. And of course, Garak was just an awesome added bonus. Great character beats, great tension, great story... this has always been one of my favorite DS9 episodes.

I think this episode should get more love than it seems to get.


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

 

"The Search, Part I" is an exceptional series re-direct, it brings us so many new elements that fueled years of fantastic story. This one is such a powerful nostalgia hit for me, I can vividly recall the experience of watching it for the first time.

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

 

An easy start for me, I'll save Improbable Cause first. It's a densely plotted two-parter that is always fascinating to watch. Garak, Odo and Tain are on fire throughout.

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
THE DIE IS CAST
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS
THE ADVERSARY

 

So many excellent episodes in this third season, but despite not seeing this one in a couple of years I remember

THE HOUSE OF QUARK

so fondly... it just has enough for me even though so many are so good! It's a fantastic Quark-based episode! Great nuances and facets of intrigue for both Ferengi and Klingon societies, which is precisely what makes DS9 so great. And it's got some Miles/Keiko goodness as well, even if she ends up doing a botany assignment on Bajor leaving Miles alone for six months. But when it comes to Miles and Keiko, this heart-wrenching is absolutely tame compared to what they endure later on, as I sit here pondering among other stories "Time's Orphan"...

What remains:

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
THE DIE IS CAST
EXPLORERS
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS
THE ADVERSARY

 

"IMPROBABLE CAUSE", "CIVIL DEFENSE", and this next one were the ones I was struggling with choosing first. And since you already picked "IMPROBABLE CAUSE", I am going with this next one.

I have always had a huge soft spot for "EXPLORERS". Not only does it have one of my favorite Bashir/O'Brien scenes, but it is an excellent father/son story. Ben and Jake's relationship has always been a big aspect of why DS9 is my favorite series, and this is one of the episodes that exemplifies it.


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
THE DIE IS CAST
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS
THE ADVERSARY

 

The Die Is Cast, which is basically the finale of early DS9, and provides one heck of a climax both to the two-parter and the show’s original direction.

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
FAMILY BUSINESS
SHAKAAR
FACETS
THE ADVERSARY

 

It also has Garak of all people doing the most unexpected things, but there's nothing remotely trite or cliche about it - that's huge. Eddington too. Ronald D Moore has a knack for (almost always, IMHO) writing very high quality, complex yarns that engage in the unexpected while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. While still keeping true the spirit of Trek juggled in the process.

It was the end of an era, as Ira - who came in earlier - was (I don't recall where I'd read it) given more reign and rein over the show starting with season three and it is his era that took a largely good premise and catapulted it over the next several seasons.

 

Season 3 was a transitional season if there ever was one, for better or worse.

PAST TENSE was a very ambitious two-parter. I think PART II was less preachy than Part I and Sisko showed some real heroism in it.

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

 

Sisko's shifting feelings towards his role as Emissary is one of Trek's great character arcs, and "Destiny" really kicks it into higher gear in a way I love. This is an underappreciated ep.

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

 

My problem with The Die is Cast is that when Sisko directly disobeys an Admiral to rescue Odo, he is praised for it at the end of the episode. I always that was pretty cheesy writing. In the real world you can't flaunt orders like that. It would have been better written if the Admiral had simply ordered Sisko to investigate and rescue Odo.

I also thought the writers didn't do Garak justice. It's stressed that he is a cold blooded operative who kills and tortures when necessary yet when he has to torture Odo he breaks down.

 

"The Abandoned." It's our first look at the inner workings of Jem'Hadar development. Plus, it's a turn at Avery Brooks getting to direct, and I think he did a marvelous job of it. There's a lot of conflict between what Starfleet wants to happen and what Bashir and the others feel is moral. Even though we know the Jem'Hadar are dangerous and aggressive enemies, you kind of can't help but cheer that he gets away. The pacing of the episode was also tight.

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

 

Defiant, for bringing back Tom Riker in a cool and unexpected way, and laying the groundwork for the Improbable Cause/The Die Is Cast two-parter.

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

 

Defiant is my next choice. I still remember the shock I had when I first saw it years ago at the Riker fake-out. The rest of the episode is a lot of fun too on Cardassia with Sisko teaming up with Dukat.

Ninja'd! I'll save Equilibrium instead then. I love the whole mystery with the music Jadzia keeps playing, which is still haunting. The opening scene in Sisko's quarters where he's serving food for everyone is fun as well.

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

 

I've posted my love of "Fascination" a million times. A deeply underrated episode, it's a blast. The direction in particular is fantastic. That "Xanthi fever!" cut at the end is hysterical.

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

 

I am saving "FASCINATION" next. I always enjoyed this one, and it seems I'm one of the few. I don't know why. It is a fun episode, we get a look at a Bajoran holiday (Which honestly feels like it shpuld be a REAL one.), and we get some of the best shots and scenes of the Promenade thanks to Avery Brooks' directing. And it always brings a smile to my face when I watch it.

Ah, someone saved it right before me. Glad I'm not the only defender of "FASCINATION".

Okay, I will save "THE ADVERSARY", which would have been my next save if no one else did it. A tense season finale, some good shots of the Defiant, we get to see Engineering... but most importantly, Sisko FINALLY gets to be Captain!

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

 

Farscape One, since you got ninja'd, I'm holding off in case you want to save a different one instead.

 

I've already saved "THE ADVERSARY" due to 'ninjas'.

Thank you, though. Please continue.

 

PAST TENSE, PART I

It's even more relevant today than it was at the time it aired. It's eerie how prescient DS9 in particular was to the state of affairs today and rare for shows to grow more meaningful over time instead of less. I think it shows that they were way ahead of the class.

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

 

SECOND SKIN is by far one of the best episodes of the season. It was clever to incorporate Kira into a story about the Cardassian dissident movement. Very good guest stars.

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