Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Epic Love Story Revealed - Unforgettable Dax and Sisko Romance in Season 1!
Sisko and Dax's relationship in DS9 Season 1 held potential for a captivating love story, but the series explored two other remarkable romances instead A missed opportunity that left fans longing for more
Summary
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine missed the opportunity to explore a potentially groundbreaking love story between Sisko and Dax.
Jadzia Dax's fluidity in regards to gender and sexuality was not adequately explored, despite her becoming an iconic figure within the transgender community. Additionally, while Sisko and Dax both had their own separate romantic relationships with other characters, their potential for a romantic connection was unfortunately left unexplored.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine introduced an intriguing love story between Commander Benjamin Sisko and Lt. Jadzia Dax but unfortunately, it was not explored in depth. In the pilot episode, Sisko meets Jadzia, who has taken over as host of the Daz symbiont, previously held by Sisko's mentor Curzon. There is a noticeable chemistry between them, but it is never fully delved into. In a later episode, "A Man Apart", the show spends a significant amount of time establishing the boundaries of their friendship, which, in hindsight, feels like a missed chance to explore their potential romance.
Despite Jadzia becoming a trans icon in the Star Trek universe, showrunner Ira Steven Behr expressed regret in the documentary "What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek Deep Space Nine" that they did not further delve into Jadzia's fluid approach to gender and sexuality. While there is an episode, "Rejoined", where Jadzia falls for Lenara Kahn due to their previous hosts being married, the exploration of these themes through the Trill species is otherwise lacking. The potential attraction between Sisko and Jadzia serves as an example of the missed opportunities in the series.
DS9 Season 1 Hinted At A Dax & Sisko Love Story
In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "A Man Alone," one of the many subplots revolves around Sisko and Jadzia's evolving friendship. Throughout the series, various characters, including Dr. Julian Bashir, suspect that there may be more to their relationship than just friendship. This potential attraction between Sisko and Jadzia is briefly hinted at in episodes like "Trials and Tribble-ations" when Sisko admires Jadzia's old-school TOS uniform. However, in the episode "Fascination," Jadzia's romantic advances towards Sisko while influenced by Betazoid Zanthi fever are rejected.
Later in season 3's "Through the Looking Glass," Sisko engages in a temporary romance with the Mirror Universe version of Jadzia. This is done as part of Sisko's impersonation of his Mirror Universe counterpart to maintain appearances. Curiously, Sisko's acceptance of the advances from this Jadzia, who lacks Curzon's memories, suggests that he is indeed attracted to her. However, it is unfortunate that Sisko seems unable to separate Jadzia from the Dax symbiont, which she shares with Curzon. This narrow-minded perspective becomes glaring when rewatching the episode in 2023.
Dax & Sisko Had 2 Great DS9 Love Stories - But Not With Each Other
Jadzia and Sisko may not have pursued a romantic relationship, but they played vital roles in two of the most captivating love stories in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In Season 4, Jadzia's connection to Curzon's memories brought her closer to Lieutenant Commander Worf, captivating her with a unique understanding of Klingon culture. Tragically, Jadzia met her untimely demise in Season 6, leading to Worf's struggle to form a bond with Ensign Ezri Dax, providing Star Trek with an enlightening exploration of grief through Trill mythology.
Simultaneously, Sisko's bond with freighter captain Kasidy Yates presented one of the most powerful relationships in the Star Trek universe. Despite their contrasting political views regarding the Maquis, Sisko and Kasidy managed to overcome their differences, persevering even through Kasidy's imprisonment by the Federation. Their love and marriage were portrayed as complex yet immensely positive, rendering the conclusion of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine all the more tragic. Nevertheless, having endured the challenges of Maquis smuggling, imprisonment, and the Dominion War, the Celestial Temple should pose no obstacle to Sisko and Kasidy's enduring love.
