The Most Disliked Episode of DS9, Season 7: 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 Seven -

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER
ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH
THE SIEGE OF AR-558
COVENANT
IT'S ONLY A PAPER MOON
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
FIELD OF FIRE
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL
WHEN IT RAINS...
TACKING INTO THE WIND
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

 

[Farscape One]

And here we are, the final season of DS9. While it did feel like some episodes dropped the ball, it was overall very solid and great. By far, the best 7th season of the franchise.

I'm starting this round with one of the best Moore episodes... "TACKING INTO THE WIND".

This one had possibly the most difficult job to do in the entire final arc... it not only had to tie up some loose ends, but also keep the pace and ball rolling for the last section, while also completing the Klingon politics arc that started a decade earlier.

And it was PERFECT!

Many have said that Ezri's talk with Worf about the Empire was the sole justification for her existence this season. And while I liked Ezri far more than many, I do agree that it was an excellent scene and spot on. It was just the splash of cold water Worf needed. Also sobering was how Sisko told Worf that Gowron must be stopped. You know what he meant when he said that.

Truly fitting that Worf was the one who got Gowron the Chancellorship, and he was the one to end it. And I absolutely LOVED Worf giving Martok the title. Not only was it in character for Worf, but Martok could not be a better choice. He really is my favorite Klingon.

And the story with Kira and company was also excellent. One of the best scenes of the season was when Damar learns his family was killed and wonders how a people could casually kill innocent women and children, and Kira asks the exact same question without flinching. THAT was powerful, and it might be the best acted scene Casey Biggs did as Damar. Garak's words right after were spot on, too. It's so hard to pick a story that felt better than the other. They were equally well done.

Everything about this episode was flawless. Mike Vejar directing, the acting, Moore's script, and Garak as part of the story... a masterpiece.



IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER
ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH
THE SIEGE OF AR-558
COVENANT
IT'S ONLY A PAPER MOON
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
FIELD OF FIRE
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving It's Only a Paper Moon. The episode is full of pathos for both Nog and Vic. Good humor, the music keeps the drama moving, the board room scenes is epic, ... . I love how the adulation of the crew was not enough for Nog to feel like a hero.

ETA: Never was Leeta a more meaningful character.

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER
ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH
THE SIEGE OF AR-558
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
FIELD OF FIRE
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

 

[Vale]

Saving It's Only a Paper Moon. The episode is full of pathos for both Nog and Vic. Good humor, the music keeps the drama moving, the board room scenes is epic, ... . I love how the adulation of the crew was not enough for Nog to feel like a hero.

ETA: Never was Leeta a more meaningful character.

It's the only Vic episode I like, and almost makes up for him being crowbarred in to episodes left, right, and centre throughout seasons six and seven.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Removing Siege of AR-558, the other Trek episode about the emotional reality of war.

MAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER
ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
FIELD OF FIRE
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

 

[Vale]

I'm going to save "Once More Unto The Breach". Leaving Kor's glorious warrior's death aside for a moment, for me the best part of this episode (as it is for most of the Klingon-centric Deep Space Nine stories) is Martok, who demonstrates yet again why he is by far my favourite Klingon. Both Martok and Kor are sympathetic despite their opposing views – Kor's obvious struggles with senility and feeling like he's outlived his usefulness, and Martok talking about the regret of his father not living to see him become an officer, are both tremendously moving. Kor's final moments of mentioning Jadzia and proclaiming "Long live the Empire!" as he beams off the ship and into legend are the perfect coda for his character, but the one thing I really like is that while Martok leads his crew in celebrating Kor's achievement, he never actually forgives him – you'll notice he never joins in with the warrior's lament. Their conflict is never fully resolved, but both Kor and Martok shine throughout, and the audience is never compelled to take sides. The writing is raw, the characters are real. Honestly one of the most moving and thought-provoking episode finales in all of Deep Space Nine.

Mi' qul qar'a, 'ej Do' QI'la'
QI'do' Sum, garI' do' QI'la
Sutem pa' rI' tlho' Mara' 'e' qor
rI'qa' rI'qa' rI'qa' DaSo' pa gareh
QI' ro'qa' ro'qa' ro'qa' ro'qa!

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
TREACHERY, FAITH AND THE GREAT
RIVER
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
FIELD OF FIRE
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

 

[Farscape One]

All your picks were going to be my next ones. Superb choices, folks. Just superb.

My next pick is "TREACHERY, FAITH, AND THE GREAT RIVER".

Both stories were equally fantastic. It was refreshing to have a look at Ferengi beliefs that are not profit driven. And Odo and Weyoun... just gold. That last moment of Odo giving him his blessing... I'm not religious at all, but I can imagine that must have been the greatest feeling for him.


IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
FIELD OF FIRE
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
THE CHANGING FACE OF EVIL
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving The Changing Face of Evil. Gut-punching all around. It's a plot heavy episode, but it forces so many reversals to our heroes. And of course, Damar's speech.

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
FIELD OF FIRE
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

 

[Seven of Five]

I'm going to save What You Leave Behind. The pacing of the Dukat/Winn scenes is odd, as is the whole resolution with Sisko and Dukat. But, the episode is a fittingly epic conclusion to DS9. The emotional beats never fail to hit me, and I'm always a gibbering wreck by the time Kira and Odo say goodbye. And then the final zoom away from Jake and Kira...

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
FIELD OF FIRE
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR

 

[Oddish]

There's a lot I like here, it's hard choosing what to save, but I'll go with "Field of Fire". It's creepy fun to watch Ezri flirt with her newly acquired dark side.

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
INTER ARMA ENIM SILENT LEGES
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR[/QUOTE]

 

[Vale]

I'll go for "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges". Plot and counterplot, and very Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy but with a Star Trek twist. A solid Bashir episode and it's interesting to see Admiral Ross's mask slip just a little... people complaining about the darkness and unpleasantness of Starfleet in Picard would do well to remember that half the admirals we've ever seen in TNG and DS9 have had their fair share of shadowy dealings, even the comparatively familiar and outwardly decent ones. And it's nice to see another Intrepid-class ship!

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR

 

[Vale]

All your picks were going to be my next ones. Superb choices, folks. Just superb.

My next pick is "TREACHERY, FAITH, AND THE GREAT RIVER".

That would certainly have been my next choice, and for a second I even considered putting it ahead of "Once More Unto the Breach". Deep Space Nine's real strength was letting us see sympathetic sides to the villains, and unpleasant sides to the heroes; who'd have thought that Weyoun, that consummate oleaginous and two-faced master of political spin, a man who made Ferengi seem trustworthy and honourable, should wind up tugging at the audience's heartstrings with an act of heroic self-sacrifice?

 

[Seven of Five]

I love Take Me Out to the Holosuie, so that's my next save. The characters trying to learn how to play baseball was hilarious, and I loved the slightly corny way Rom scored a point at the end.

Odo is perfectly cast as the umpire, and seeing practicing saying YOU'RE OUT! in his office was brilliant.

Also, Nog's inability to tell the Vulcans apart was priceless. "What do I do?" followed by Worf's, "Find him and kill him!"

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
CHIMERA
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving CHIMERA. This is a difficult episode, though nonetheless well written and performed. Odo gets a lot of setup in this season, perhaps taking the spotlight too much from Sisko, but everything points to this theme of him never being at home, always needing to make tough decisions. Oh, and Hertzler.

ETA: This episode suffers by being too similar to Treachery, Faith, and the Great River. I would argue that this does a better job exploring Odo’s divided loyalties, but it lacks the balance of the earlier episode. Moreover, not enough time has gone by for us to see how Odo has grown since Treachery for this story to be effective.

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR

 

[Seven of Five]

I forgot about Chimera! Whilst I wasn't convinced of Kira/Odo initially, as prior to their relationship, it was a very one-sided infatuation. However, S7 did a great job building a more believable one, and Chimera played a massive part in that.

 

[Farscape One]

Saving "STRANGE BEDFELLOWS" next.

It was a great episode that kept all the parts moving in the final arc.

And even if it didn't, it would be saved only for Worf killing Weyoun and Damar's reaction, plus his line to the next Weyoun while laughing.

"Maybe you should talk to Worf again!"


IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
PENUMBRA
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Removing Til Death Do Us Part. No good pre-final arc episodes left to choose from and it's the best remaining of those.

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
PENUMBRA
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES
THE DOGS OF WAR

 

[Vale]

I'll save "The Dogs of War" next. It's not a bad episode, it's just overshadowed by "What You Leave Behind", and it has the important job of both building tension and making sure all the pieces are set up properly for "WYLB" to finish out all the show's major threads. Plus we have Quark's "the line has to be drawn here – this far and no further!" speech.

IMAGE IN THE SAND
SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
PENUMBRA
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving Image in the Sand. As Joseph said, too many notes. Too many story lines, although the A story is really good. The Gothic feel of Sisko's discovery of his mother is really well done, effectively using the intimacy between Brooks, Lofton and Peters. Brooks playing of Round Midnight was magnificent. The Kira story is ok ... she almost had a friend. The Worf story is dead air. And the brief intro of Ezri carries a little surprise.


SHADOWS AND SYMBOLS
AFTERIMAGE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
PENUMBRA
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES

 

[Seven of Five]

Shadow and Symbols is next. I love the opening two-parter, and I wasn't sick of Ezri yet either, so it was all good.

It felt like quite a mystical storyline, and I loved that Ben returned to Earth to his father, licking his wounds after the death of Jadzia. I also liked Kira standing up to Cretak back on DS9.

AFTERIMAGE
CHRYSALIS
COVENANT
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK
BADDA-BING, BADDA-BANG
PENUMBRA
WHEN IT RAINS...
EXTREME MEASURES