TNG vs DS9 - The Showdown!

[Mach5]

Which of the two do you prefer, and why?

 

[Myasishchev]

DS9, because DS9 was better in pretty much every way.

 

[DS9forever]

Like them both, but DS9's characters are better. Pretty much all of TNG's recurring characters weren't half as good as Garak.

 

[Thor Damar]

DS9. Greater acting, Characterisation and plot developments. Plus there were no Borg! (except for a few seconds in Emissary).

And then there are the Cardassians...

 

[Vonstadt]

I liked both actually, but found the DS9 storylines, and character developement to be more in depth and defined. DS9 just reminded me more of the spirit of TOS which was my first intro to the world of trek and remains my favorite.

Vons

 

[Mysterion]

DS9. More realistic characters, closer in spirit to TOS than TNG ever was (and a lot less PC than TNG as well). The premise was more interesting, and the setting allowed us to see the character living with the consequences of their actions, especially in the multi-episode arcs of the later seasons.

 

[Ensign_Redshirt]

I'm almost embarassed to say it... but you can count another vote for DS9.

Poor TNG... don't worry, I like you too.

 

[Geckothan]

I like both, but DS9 is just a superior show in every regard. The characters are more interesting, the stories are more involving and rarely rely on reset buttons, plus DS9 has Garak, Dukat, Weyoun and Martok, can TNG really top that?

 

[RyuRoots]

I like both, but DS9 is just a superior show in every regard. The characters are more interesting, the stories are more involving and rarely rely on reset buttons, plus DS9 has Garak, Dukat, Weyoun and Martok, can TNG really top that?

This. And mind you, I LOVE TNG. But it really can't hold a candle to DS9. DS9 made such better use of an ensemble cast and recurring characters (who seem almost indistinguishable from mains later on), had way more plot threads and elements which carried over and didn't end in a given episode, and while I like TNG's cast, DS9's was (ironically, considering all the aliens it had), for lack of a better word, more human. They were more flawed, more real, and that made them way easier to get close to and care about what happens to them. And as an added bonus, it has the coolest battle scenes in all of Trek.

I like TNG's cast, and I love TNG as a show for all the neat stories it told. But DS9 as a show, aside from what I like about the show on its own merits, took elements that TNG started and did a better job with them (Cardassians, the Maquis, Worf, etc.).

 

[Chekov's Phaser]

It's like having to choose between two of your children. I love TNG for it's nostalgic value, but DS9 just had the better characters and stories. As much as I love TNG's best episodes, they just don't compare to the likes of "Duet" or "In the Pale Moonlight". Plus DS9 had Garak, my favorite ST character.

 

[Thrall]

I agree with everyone above. DS9 was just more cutting edge.

But I think it's an unfair comparison though. TNG is an intellectual drama in space. DS9 is a space opera/saga. It's like comparing 2001 to Star Wars.

Entertainment that causes me to think is nice. But ultimately, I'll go with the one that has more explosions.

 

[Sector 7]

TNG will always win. Those who know me know why. I have been coming to peace with the existence of DS9, but it will never, ever get my vote.

 

[Falcor5]

I like both but prefer TNG.

 

[TheGodBen]

Voyag-... urgh, I nearly threw up saying that.

DS9, naturally.

 

[Navaros]

There is no question that DS9 is a far, far better show than TNG because unlike TNG, DS9 has character development, story development, conflict, compelling stories, interesting non-generic dialogue, interesting characters, and great acting.

 

[roguephoenix]

lol would you call a fight between superman and normal guy a showdown?

can't believe this question is being even asked. like there was even star trek between tng and voyager.

 

[mattyhugh]

Deep Space Nine easily. While I enjoy TNG, the depth of character development on DS9 as well as the serialized arcs are the clincher for me. It is also interesting re watching the DVDs how TNG hasn't aged as well as DS9.

 

[startrekwatcher]

TNG.

It was far more consistently enjoyable from seasons 3-6 than any other Trek with very few unsatisfying episodes. TNG also had Patrick Stewart which DS9 did not have.

I enjoy DS9 mainly in seasons 5-7 with their big arc-related episodes and when the show focused less on the regular cast and more on characters like Dukat, Winn, Damar, Martok, Weyoun, the Founder, Garak et al.

DS9 did play with serialization but really not to the degree that most shows do these days so for the most part DS9 was episodic and overall TNG had a better scorecard in that regard.

 

[Disillusioned]

DS9 was way better, by far. The characters were more interesting and had more depth, the stories were more epic, actions had consequences, there's just too much to list, really.

 

[mattyhugh]

TNG.

TNG also had Patrick Stewart which DS9 did not have.

I seem to remember Picard in "Emissary"