Uncovering the Hidden Gems: Rediscovering the Brilliance of DS9 Season 1

Summary

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's first season unfairly maligned despite great moments and innovations, establishing its unique character-focused approach.

DS9 further developed the role of the Ferengis within the franchise by delving into the intricate family dynamic of Quark and delving deeper into Ferengi culture and society.

Deep Space Nine addressed the repercussions of Starfleet's actions and inactions by exploring the aftermath of the Cardassian occupation of Bajor and the intricate society of the Bajorans.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, a highly regarded series within the Star Trek franchise, often receives unfair criticism for its first season despite its notable moments and groundbreaking ideas. The show is set on a space station and follows Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), offering a unique departure from its predecessor, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Although DS9 initially grapples with establishing its identity, all the elements that would distinguish it are present from the beginning. The series' pilot episode, "Emissary," perfectly encapsulates the essence of the show, focusing on characters and exploring the complexities of war and religion through a science fiction lens.

Season 1 does lose its way at times, particularly when it presents stories that could easily belong to its parent show, Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, even in these instances, DS9 strives to approach them differently. For instance, the episode featuring Q (John de Lancie) serves to emphasize that Sisko is not Picard, but the plotline involving Vash (Jennifer Hetrick) and bartender Quark (Armin Shimerman) is even more significant. The regular presence of a character as untrustworthy as Quark, something not seen on the USS Enterprise-D, allows the story to unfold without the need to introduce a completely new character. This is merely one example of the numerous innovations introduced by Star Trek: Deep Space Nine right from its inception.

10 Deep Space Nine Vastly Improved Star Trek's Ferengi

9 Major Kira Nerys Is A Great Star Trek Number One

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine revolutionized the reputation of the Ferengi in the Star Trek franchise, all thanks to the groundbreaking Ferengi family led by Quark. Although initially introduced in the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, this profit-driven species failed to impress as new adversaries for Starfleet and the Federation. However, in DS9 season 1, the Ferengi's true potential was unveiled as they played an essential role in the daily life on the station. Expanding on Ferengi culture through the character of Quark, DS9 delved into intriguing concepts like the Grand Nagus and unveiled the inner workings of their society. Right from the first episode, Quark's dynamic relationship with Constable Odo (Rene Auberjonois) was flawlessly established, showcasing their shared history that long predates Starfleet's arrival at Deep Space Nine.

In the Star Trek history leading up to "Emissary," Number One was always held by Starfleet officers. While Commander William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Lt. Commander Spock (Leonard Nimoy) may have questioned their Captains, their shared Starfleet background meant they had a similar worldview and moral code. However, Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine brought a breath of fresh air to the dynamic between the first and second-in-commands, as she wasn't part of Starfleet. One of the standout moments in the polarizing DS9 episode "Move Along Home" is when Kira refuses to indulge in her Starfleet colleagues' scientific fascination, keeping her focus solely on survival. Her character was an ideal choice to offer a new perspective on Starfleet's ongoing mission.

8 The Aftermath Of The Cardassian Occupation Of Bajor

One of the primary objectives of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was to address the repercussions of Starfleet's actions, or lack thereof, particularly in regards to Bajor. Season 1 of DS9 delved extensively into the Bajoran and Cardassian dynamics, building upon the foundation established in Star Trek: The Next Generation and weaving a intricate narrative that would span seven seasons. During this initial season, the Bajorans face internal divisions, and the resulting conflicts form a significant source of the early episodes' drama. Sisko and his crew must confront Bajoran freedom fighters who are unwilling to move beyond the trauma of the Occupation, as well as discover and deactivate hidden terrorist weapons left behind by the station's previous Cardassian occupants.

7 DS9 Expanded Star Trek Beyond Gene Roddenberry's Federation

Deep Space Nine served as a bustling multicultural center, positioned at the outer reaches of Federation space. As a result, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine showcased a unique dynamic of Starfleet officers collaborating with non-Federation species. In addition to Quark, the enigmatic Cardassian tailor Elim Garak (Andrew Robinson) brought a fresh perspective to the previous villains of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The diverse cultures aboard Deep Space Nine allowed Sisko to adapt Starfleet regulations, as he lacked official Federation authority over individuals like Quark and Garak. Nevertheless, he recognized their indispensable contributions to the station's smooth operation in the earliest episodes of DS9.

6 Deep Space Nine's Characters Feel Like Real People

While Gene Roddenberry's optimistic belief that petty rivalries and disagreements would be a thing of the past in the 24th century was commendable, it didn't lend itself well to captivating drama in the 20th century. Roddenberry's restrictions on interpersonal conflict in Star Trek: The Next Generation were bypassed in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Consequently, the vast majority of characters in DS9 possessed intricately developed backstories right from the start, ensuring they were never mere two-dimensional archetypes. The bond between Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) and his father immediately felt more relatable than that of Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) and boy genius Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) in TNG. This dynamic yielded significant emotional payoffs as DS9 progressed.

5 The Gamma Quadrant Opened Up The Star Trek Universe

The Gamma Quadrant's introduction in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a game-changer for the franchise. While the first species from the Gamma Quadrant may not have been as memorable as the Borg, Romulans, or Klingons, they presented an opportunity to create formidable rivals. One such encounter occurs in the episode "Vortex," where a Gamma Quadrant criminal manipulates Odo's isolation to tempt him with tantalizing information about his enigmatic origins. Although it's a ploy to secure his freedom, it foreshadows the introduction of the Changelings and their pivotal role in DS9 starting from season 3.

4 Constable Odo Is More Tragic Than Data Or Spock

One of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's pilot's most standout characters is Constable Odo, portrayed by Rene Auberjonois, who makes an impressive entrance. Odo's shape-shifting abilities and gruff demeanor instantly make him memorable. In the episode "A Man Alone," we learn about his tragic backstory: an alien with no knowledge of his origins, viewed with suspicion by the Bajoran residents on the station. Odo was created as DS9's response to characters like Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) and Spock, who provide insights into humanity. However, unlike Data and Spock, Odo lacks a concrete origin story, and this mystery becomes crucial to DS9's overarching narrative, showcasing the strength of the character and Auberjonois' portrayal.

3 Chief O'Brien Gets His Chance To Shine

Chief O'Brien's finest moments in DS9 are yet to come, but even in the first few episodes, it is evident that Colm Meaney will play a prominent role in the Star Trek: The Next Generation spinoff. His frantic efforts to maneuver Deep Space Nine towards the mouth of the wormhole are reminiscent of the iconic Montgomery Scott (James Doohan). Additionally, the episode "Captive Pursuit" portrays Miles as a quintessential Everyman character, willing to bend Starfleet's Prime Directive solely due to his kind-hearted nature. Moreover, he single-handedly maintains the dilapidated Cardassian station in the early episodes of DS9 season 1, rightfully earning his promotion from TNG's transporter technician.

2 DS9's "Dax" Is A Classic Star Trek Morality Tale

"Dax" is a noteworthy episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, written by the renowned writer D.C. Fontana from the original Star Trek series. It is considered a timeless morality tale from the Roddenberry era. The episode delves into the trial of Lt. Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) as she faces the accusations of her predecessor, Curzon Dax. This installment showcases DS9's ability to deliver compelling and grand science fiction narratives. While "Dax" does not definitively answer the question of whether the Host or the Symbiont is responsible for their actions, it presents a captivating exploration of legal ethics and the appropriate punishment for past wrongdoings. It truly embodies the essence of classic Star Trek.

1 Commander Benjamin Sisko

Sisko stood out from his predecessors, as he was not only a dedicated Starfleet officer, but also a devoted family man. Balancing his responsibilities as a father and husband with his duty, Sisko faced the heart-wrenching loss of his beloved wife Jennifer (Felecia M Bells). This tragic event eventually led him to establish a profound connection with the enigmatic Wormhole aliens, ultimately becoming their Emissary. Sisko's flexible approach to Starfleet regulations allowed him greater freedom to navigate the complex environment of Deep Space Nine. While fans often remember Avery Brooks shaving his head as a defining moment for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, it was Sisko's character, rather than his hairstyle, that made the spinoff so distinctively remarkable, embodying the essence of what Star Trek: The Next Generation stood for.