The Most Disliked Episode of DS9, Season 4: 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 Four -

THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
THE VISITOR
HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
REJOINED
STARSHIP DOWN
LITTLE GREEN MEN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
OUR MAN BASHIR
HOMEFRONT
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
ACCESSION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
THE QUICKENING
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Farscape One]

I'm going to go on record (for probably the 200th time) and say that DS9 season 4 is the closest thing to a perfect season the franchise ever got. Only the B plot of ONE episode in the whole season didn't work. The rest was just fantastic. It is so hard for me to choose my first. So I think I will start with the season premiere.

"THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR" is in many ways a second pilot for the show. And it could have gone wrong in all sorts of ways. But it was PERFECT! Not only was the script great, the directing first rate, the acting right on point, but they introduced a new lead flawlessly. And there were still plenty of character beats for everyone. That is a remarkable feat. Behr and Wolfe were an excellent writing duo, and this is the proof.

And, obviously, bonus points for having Garak used quite a bit here. Tack on banter between Dukat and Garak, and you just added two cherries on top. And it contains one of the best scenes in the franchise... the root beer scene. You cannot possibly ask for more.

This was a flawless episode. The best season premiere in the franchise.


THE VISITOR
HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
REJOINED
STARSHIP DOWN
LITTLE GREEN MEN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
OUR MAN BASHIR
HOMEFRONT
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
ACCESSION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
THE QUICKENING
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Removing The Visitor. Someone's gotta do it.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
REJOINED
STARSHIP DOWN
LITTLE GREEN MEN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
OUR MAN BASHIR
HOMEFRONT
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
ACCESSION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
THE QUICKENING
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Farscape One]

I was torn between my pick and yours. For different reasons, they are both flawless.

Also, I forgot to take out my pick. I just edited it. Can you edit your post, too? This way, it makes it easier for the next person.

 

[Oddish]

I'm rescuing Accession. It's a crucial step on Sisko's journey, with a strong B-plot a out Julian and Miles retaining their friendship. And Kira makes some really bad bird sculptures.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
REJOINED
STARSHIP DOWN
LITTLE GREEN MEN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
OUR MAN BASHIR
HOMEFRONT
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
THE QUICKENING
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Brobdingnag]

So many to choose from but this time around I am saving "LITTLE GREEN MEN", the perfect Roswell parody.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
REJOINED
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
OUR MAN BASHIR
HOMEFRONT
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
THE QUICKENING
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Seven of Five]

Homefront is first for me. It's a great tale of changeling paranoia, that is made more personal for Sisko when they visit his father's restaurant.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
REJOINED
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
OUR MAN BASHIR
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
THE QUICKENING
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Sakonna]

This season is just too damn good. And also so consistent that I could save almost any episode here right now. I'll go "Rejoined." One of Trek's best ROTW's and possibly DS9's best Dax episode.

If only it wasn't the ONLY episode in Berman Trek to competently handle LGBTQ issues. And one of only two to even try.

Berman Trek consisting of 25 seasons -- 614 episodes! -- of television.

Pathetic.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
OUR MAN BASHIR
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
THE QUICKENING
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving The Quickening. It is the best medical episode of the franchise, with a balanced approach about the attitudes of doctors, their abilities and the expectations of thr public. Rene Auberjonois perhaps had the best turn in the director's chair for a main cast member.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
OUR MAN BASHIR
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Farscape One]

Saving "OUR MAN BASHIR" next.

It's DS9 and James Bond. With Garak. I need no other reason, other than it was AWESOME and FUN!

This could very well be my most rewatched episode of the franchise.


HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
SHATTERED MIRROR
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Sakonna]

Well, I saved "Crossover" in season 2 and "Through The Looking Glass" in season 3, so I guess I'll complete the sweep and save "Shattered Mirror" here. Such a good run of episodes!

Though I do love mocking the cover explanation for Mirror Jennifer's arrival in the Prime Universe -- she just hopped over the barrier between universes to say hi and maybe grab dinner!

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
PARADISE LOST
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Seven of Five]

Whilst it's not as strong as Homefront, Paradise Lost is still entertaining. The changeling appearing as O'Brien, despite being done for budgetary reasons, is a very creepy scene.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
TO THE DEATH
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Oddish]

Saving "To the Death". A fascinating look at the twisted existence of the Jem'Hadar, and an amazing battle axe fight sequence at the end.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
HARD TIME
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Farscape One]

"TO THE DEATH" is always a rewatch for me. Excellent look at the Jem'Hadar.

My next save is "HARD TIME". Colm Meaney always brought it, but this was a particularly excellent performance. The whole episode is gold.


HIPPOCRATIC OATH
INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Brobdingnag]

I like "HIPPOCRATIC OATH", a very good Bashir and Jemadar(sp?) episode, plus a good Bashir/O'Brien episode at that. Even the bit with Worf and Odo is quite good actually.

INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
BODY PARTS
BROKEN LINK

 

[Seven of Five]

Yay, I get to save Body Parts! The comedy is great, such as Quark looking sheepishly wondering if Garak was about to kill him, or Quark's dream where the Grand Nagus NotRom appears to him. The end is a very heartwarming moment, where all of his friends come with new furniture after Brunt has taken him to the cleaners over payment.

INDISCRETION
STARSHIP DOWN
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
BROKEN LINK

 

[Sakonna]

"Starship Down" This is an episode setup that always satisfies, the ship disaster that traps the cast, sectioning them into various two- or three-hander subplots...

INDISCRETION
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
SONS OF MOGH
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
BROKEN LINK

 

[Farscape One]

You beat me to it, Sakonna. Always loved episodes that use the whole cast.

So my next one is "SONS OF MOGH". Rough episode for Worf. And I do stand by his decision AND Bashir performing the procedure.


INDISCRETION
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE
BROKEN LINK

 

[Seven of Five]

Broken Link isn't the strongest conclusion to a season, but it still packs plenty of punch. Odo becoming mysteriously sick was a good way to draw him back home to face a trial for killing a changeling . He became a solid, which was a good cliffhanger, as was Gowron being a changeling. Oh, if only they'd followed through with that thread in Apocalypse Rising.

I love the scene where Garak is trying to find out from the Female Shapeshifter about any survivors from the attack on the changing homeworld. "They're dead. You're dead. Cardassia is dead. Your people were doomed the moment they attacked us."

She's as cold as ice!

INDISCRETION
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
CROSSFIRE
RETURN TO GRACE
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Crossfire crossed off. A weak story saved by magnificent acting.

INDISCRETION
THE SWORD OF KAHLESS
RETURN TO GRACE
BAR ASSOCIATION
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MUSE
FOR THE CAUSE