Customer Reviews

Star Trek Deep Space Nine - The Complete First Season

5 star:		(127)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Star Trek fans, I'm sure, will argue for decades over which of the Trek TV series was the best. But as a stand-alone Sci-Fi TV series, this one was the best I had ever seen. Just to let you know where I'm coming from, my other favorites include Blake's 7, Doctor Who, the original Star Trek series, and most of the Next Generation Series (post 1989).

Deep Space Nine had it all. It was the first Star Trek series to be produced after Gene Rodenbury passed away, and I think he would have been very proud. The series had a grand story arc from the very first episode. It increased the number of primary characters over that of 'The Next Generation.' It featured more female characters in commanding roles (most notably, Major Kira). It mirrored the post Cold War politics and instability of the Balkins / Slovakia / Eastern Europe, with its setup of the dimming Cardassian Empire and the newly-freed Bajorians. It also addressed the legacy of empires past. One only needs to see the bond between Chief O'Brien (ethnic Irish) and Doctor Bashir (ethnic Indian) to identify echoes of the British empire.

And let's not forget France, or for that matter, Casablanca! Deep Space Nine was a dense series. It had action, drama, romance, and a series-long homage to the classic film, Casablanca. It could have been called, "Everyone comes to Quarks." Quark is no Rick Blaine, but he does own a bar. And Odo is a very good redux of Captain Louis Renault. Add to that the familiar story of the spy-turned-tailor in the likeable character of Garak (the only Cardassian aboar DS9). In any case, it added a depth of romance and humor to the series. Furthermore, DS9 took advantage of a grand opportunity to further develop the Bajorians, Ferengi, and Cardassians as major players in the Star Trek universe.

And it should be mentioned that although Rick Berman and company downplayed early rumors that the series would be "bleak" and "much darker" than the 'Next Generation' series, it was still a very different Star Trek. The cinematography, set design, and music might have looked and sounded a lot like The Next Generation, but this Trek had a much more realistic storyline, with very powerful and often dark themes. This Trek had the highest body count of any previous or future series. Every major planet in the storyline - Earth, Bajor, Cardassia, and Qonos/Klingon are all devastated by major military attacks sooner or later in the series (with one of them nearly being destroyed altogether). DS9 (the station) itself was originally built as a Cardiassian prison, where countless Bajorians toiled and died. So although this series is part of the same glossy world as TNG, the themes and scenarios are much more realistic. This series was about suvival against the odds, and I think it pulled it off wonderfully.

This was a grand series about the struggle to survive and build trust among different races and worlds. And being a Star Trek series, it was also about management - how to manage people, build teams, and solve problems on the fly. I think any engineer, mechanic, or IT professional would love the new Star Trek shows, including this one for it's never-ending theme of problem solving and the demonstration of leadership skills.

But above all, a series can't work unless the characters are well-developed, and the story flows at a steady pace. And that's where DS9 excelled. In my opinion, 'The Next Generation' became a great series only when a solid story arc was established, and the crew of the Enterprise-D had acquired multiple missions to deal with the Romulans and fight the Borg. I assume, that could only be done when the future of the series was secured (thanks to strong ratings in syndication). DS9 hit the ground running when it premiered in early 1993, thanks, of course, to the success of TNG. It's characters were very well thought-out (most of them had solid backgrounds and personal interests established from the start), and only grew in depth as the series progressed. And the story arc was emphasized with some of the greatest season-ending cliffhangers I've ever seen. It is quite possible that the finale of the 1999 series (I think it was '99) when both Garak and Worf lost their love interests during an attack on DS9, was as dramatic and powerful as anything I had seen on other well-written drama series such as Homicide or Six Feet Under. In fact, Homicide was the only other TV show I watched between 1993 and 2000.

It could be years before all 7 seasons of DS9 are released on DVD. But let's hope Season #1 is released soon. And then the journey can begin again. This was one for the ages for Trekers and non-Trekers alike.

Late in the fifth season of Star Trek The Next Generation, the producers decided to embark in a new direction with a new, darker and even more character rich show. Having made that decision, they came up with Deep Space Nine, which turned into one of the best of all of the series. What made this series even more intriguing and enriching was its many contrasts to the way in which the other shows were produced. In Gene Roddenberry's vision of the twenty third and later twenty fourth century's human condition, life was not exactly a paradise yet much of the strife and hardships that we contend with today are eliminated. In the other series, there aren't many examples of conflict between the characters however, in DS9 there are plenty of opportunities for conflict between the Starfleet and Bajoran personnel or any other variety of alien species.

In Deep Space Nine we're introduced to Starfleet personnel who are asked to command a space station built and formerly run by Cardassians who had been occupying Bajor for sixty years and in many ways, quite brutally! Now that the Cardassians have decided to move out, the Bajorans aren't quite prepared to operate the station and are only in the beginning stages of rebuilding their world.

In many ways, this series unfortunately wasn't received as well as Star Trek The Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager or even today's Enterprise. Often referred to as the "red headed" stepchild of the franchise, DS9 didn't initially receive the critical acclaim or the fan support it so richly deserved.

Some character introductions:

Commander Benjamin Sisko, played brilliantly by Avery Brooks is a man of strong convictions and possessed of a superb leadership quality. In the beginning of "Emissary," Commander Sisko is still plagued by the death of his wife at the hands of the Borg at Wolf 359. He is raising his son Jake by himself, as a widower. He initially felt at the time he received the assignment that he didn't want the position and that he didn't wish to stay in Starfleet. Upon meeting Captain Picard and the stoic Bajoran people his desire to resign grows even greater. Upon his discovery of the wormhole and the aliens within serve to change his mind as they help him to finally recover from the anguish he'd been living in since the death of his wife. He accepts his role as the commander of Deep Space Nine and quite reluctantly accepts the Bajorans belief that he is the prophesized Emissary.

Major Kira Nerys, played perfectly by Nana Visitor is the Commander Sisko's choice as his first officer on DS9. She grew up under the terrible conditions of the Cardassian occupation. At an early age she joined the Bajoran resistance as a freedom fighter. Her character is one of great interest and intrigue as she learns to deal with situations from a leadership/political manner rather than always taking up arms. The role was initially to have been Ro Laren/Michelle Forbes from STNG, which probably would've been alright but thank goodness she turned it down as Nana Visitor did an outstanding job with the Kira Nerys role.

Chief Miles Edward O'Brien, continuing in his role from TNG, Colm Meaney performs admirably when his character accepts a promotion/transfer to DS9. Coming along with him, but somewhat reluctantly, is his wife Keiko. No longer used in the background as transporter chief, the character stands out in many different aspects, from the dramatic to the comedic.

Lieutenant Jadzia Dax, the ever beautiful Terry Farrell steps into the role of a joined Trill. Trill are a symbiotic species, meaning that while the woman is twenty eight, the "worm" in her abdomen is another life form that has been joined with other Trill several times before. Notably, Dax's last joining was with Curzon who had been mentor and friend to Benjamin Sisko. Playing the science officer, Jadzia is a brilliant and quite alluring character that enhances the show greatly.

Lieutenant Julian Bashir, played perfectly by Alexander Siddig. Dr. Bashir is fresh out of the Academy and on his first assignment. He is a brilliant doctor and also serves well in the role of the "ladies" man. Of course, in a later season we learn where a lot of his intelligence comes from.

Chief of Security Odo who is played beautifully by Rene Auberjonois. Odo is a shapeshifter or as we later find out, a changeling. Odo is a being possessed with a strong conviction for justice and a great need for privacy in his own affairs. The banter between him and Quark is perfect and very reminiscent of those between another pair on the Original Series.

Quark - The Ferengi that runs the stations drinking establishment. In good keeping with Ferengi tradition, he is in on nearly every illicit and illegal activity that happens on the station. The character is wonderful in every way conceivable, from the comedic stand point to the dramatic; Armin Shimerman's performance is brilliant and irreplaceable.

Garak, the Cardassian tailor/spy that was left behind when the Cardassians withdrew from Deep Space Nine is played superbly by Andrew Robinson. While only making one appearance in this first season, the former agent of the Obsidian Order does well to secure many recurring roles in episodes/seasons to come. He is, to date, one of the most intriguing characters of the entire genre.

I highly recommend this DVD set and the other seasons to come, as it is worth every penny! {ssintrepid}

Episode listing:

Emissary
Past Prologue
A Man Alone
Babel
Captive Pursuit
Q-Less
Dax
The Passenger
Move Along Home
The Nagus
Vortex
Battle Lines
The Storyteller
Progress
If Wishes Were Horses
The Forsaken
Dramatis Personae
Duet
In the Hand of the Prophets

Special Features:
Deep Space Nine: A Bold Beginning
Crew Dossier: Kira Nerys
Michael Westmore's Aliens: Season One
Secrets of Quark's Bar
Deep Space Nine Sketchbook

Alien Artifacts: Season One
A photo gallery
Several "hidden" interviews with cast members

Okay, everyone else who wrote a review said that DS9 is the best Trek series ever, so I won't bother saying it again (even though I kinda just did!). Character depth, story arcs, darker premises, great drama...it just rocked. However, this review is for the DVD box of the First Season.

The first season, as with any Trek series, is a bit iffy. There are good shows and bad shows, the characters are still being explored both by the writers and the actors, the massive guest cast that made DS9 such a thick, rich series is mostly not in place yet (although some of them are introduced this season). So go into it keeping this in mind. There are the usual exaggherated "personality" stories as well.

But there are a couple of reasons to get this set. First of all, you get to see the ground work that is laid for later seasons, both in terms of character development and story development. Plus, there are some cool guest appearances, like Q, Lurhsa and B'etor, and Vash.

Second, even though the stories are uneven, the series begins and ends with three of the strongest episodes of the series.

"The Emissary" does a great job of introducing the viewer not only to the characters and personalities that make up the station's crew, but also introduces the strange, mystic-driven Bajoran culture, the plight of the Bajoran people in the wake of the Cardassian occupation, and the prejudices that exist between the two.

Then, the final two episodes are absolutely indispensible. "Duet" is incredibly gripping, and possibly the best script Nana Visitor was given (she still names it as her favourite episode from the series). Kira has to confront her prejudices face to face, literally, and finds that they even in the midst of racial hatred, there is room for compassion. Then, "In the Hands of the Prophets" is a very real and strong tale of religious tolerance, and the lengths that people will go to to defend their beliefs. It's sort of a science vs. religion, "Creatism vs. Evolution" type of conflict. Very startling.

Basically, while season one isn't the strongest DS9 ever offered, it does show very clearly the sort of values and style of storytelling that grew into what became, for me, some of the best television happening at the time. Wait'll Seasons 6 and 7 come out: That is Trek at it's absolute best.

Paramount Home Entertainment announced on 11/16 that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine will receive its DVD debut on February 25, 2003.

Deep Space Nine's first season will be released on that date with subsequent seasons released in alternate months throughout 2003, in a similar pattern to the Next Generation DVDs.

The six-disc set will contain the feature-length premiere, 'Emissary,' together with the eighteen regular season one episodes, all remixed with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The season includes visits by Q and Lwaxana Troi in 'Q-Less' and 'The Forsaken,' respectively, the introduction of Vedek Winn in 'In The Hands of the Prophets,' and 'Duet,' often regarded as one of DS9's best-ever episodes.

Extra features include 'Deep Space Nine: A Bold Beginning,' a look at the show's makeup maestro in 'Michael Westmore's Aliens: Season One,' 'Crew Dossier: Kira Nerys,' 'Deep Space Nine Sketchbook' and one featurette which promises to reveal the 'Secrets of Quark's Bar.'

Be sure to catch the trailers for the DS9 releases in the Season 6 and 7 TNG sets coming out in December.

By season two, Deep Space Nine had become the best of the Star Trek spin-offs. The excellent writing and complex characters made it one of the best tv shows ever produced. The bad guys were smart and incredibly devious, the science was amazing, and the story lines were epic. I can't wait for it to be released on DVD.

Decades from now, DS9 will undoubtedly be considered one of Trek's finest achievements. But be warned -- this is not your grandmother's Trek. It's dark, it's political, it's very realistic, and after seeing it you won't be the same person.

Newcomers to the series should be warned. DS9 is made up of many ongoing storylines. Unlike The Next Generation, you can't buy just one season of DVD's and expect to really understand what the show is all about. Doing ths would be like taking one chapter out of the Bible and then proclaiming that you understand what the Bible is. It doesn't work that way. You must see DS9 in its entirety and IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER before you can really appreciate how much of an achievement it is. Some episodes can be understood individually as "stand-alones," but most of them involve ongoing themes and storylines that provide a backdrop and a context for what is going on. Basically, I would suggest that you either get the whole series, or save your money and watch it on TNN when they start showing it.

Seasons 1 and 2 are a little slow at first, but don't give up. Both seasons have some classic episodes which play an important role in the development of the series and its characters. But when you hit the Season 2 finale "The Jem'Hadar" prepare for a side of Star Trek you never thought you'd see.

That's all I have to say.

Walk with the prophets. And remember:

Niners aren't linear; we're everywhere!

Long time Trek fan here too. As a child I would stay up late and watch the original series reruns and be tired all throughout elementary school. Then I recall a new Star Trek coming out called Star Trek: The Next Generation. I reacted adversely to it. But soon over time was a great fan of the show. And it was the same way with DS9 but even worse. I hated Star Trek Deep Space Nine the first few times I viewed it. It was only until years later I deceided to watch it starting off in episode 73 with the introduction of Worf. I was blown away by how great that season was and got hooked. Eventually, I saw all the seasons and to this day it is by far my favorite of all the treks. I have dreamed of Star Trek Deep Space Nine coming out on dvd and now its here. I also want to thank Paramount for releasing Deep Space Nine on dvd. I cannot wait to get my hands on every season as soon as it comes out. If you like or even love the other Treks, please due yourself a huge favor and get into DS9. LONG LIVE DS9 the best of all the treks ..each season is easily 5 out of five stars.. I too pray for a Deep Space Nine movie !!

With glee I write this review for my favorite show of all time.

If you passed on the Deep Space phenomenon at the time, you were'nt alone. Many who had interest in TNG didn't really take to DS9 at first, myself included. I started watching it again in the second season and it slowly grab held of me. There are a few bad episodes ("Melora" for one), but overall these are the most fascinating, imaginative stories ever collected into a series of any kind. It's a saga no doubt, a soap opera of sci-fiction, but Deep Space went so much further. With great special effects and audio, the production value alone was entertaining. But the episodes were extremely dark at times too, with the greatest characters, a healthy budget and fantastic writing. This combination led "Kira" in an interview to state that she believes this will be one of the most time enduring Television shows ever created. I really agree. If your on the fence about whether to invest yourself in the series, maybe wait for the second or third season (it generally becomes a sleeker show over time). My favorite episode of all time "In the Pale Moonlight", I believe is in the fourth season. An episode where the absolute moral boundary of war is questioned and Sisko and Garek do all this crazy stuff to assure security for the federation. A Narly episode. Garek actually kills a Romulan Senator by sabotaging his craft and Sisko actually trades biogenic weapons material for information. I was stunned. There's another episode where Garek actually kills several Star Fleet Officers on Empok Nor in reaction to a violent drug meant for Cardassians. As I said, this is a pretty dark show at times. Don't miss it, treat yourself to good, exciting, well thought out sci-fi for a change. ENJOY TREK FANS! ehee! - Thanks Paramount...! it only took a decade.

Season 1 of Deep Space Nine lays the groundwork for the best Star Trek series ever produced.

DS9 is the "forgotten middle child" of the Trek series. It always sat in the shadow of Next Generation and Voyager and was never hyped by Paramount. yet, we see and feel the effects that started from DS9. Mentioned numerous times in the movies (First Contact (Defiant makes an appearance), Insurrection (So'Na are collaborators with the Dominion), Nemesis (Remans were ground troops during Dominion War) and even in Voyager (B'Ellana losing her mind at the thought of all the Maquis aare dead, and "Prometheus" where teh EMH2 mentions to the Doctor that 'The Romulans have not joined in the war against the Dominion.)

DS9 was always the series to take risks. Its moral plays are the best in Trek. It even took the step of having the enemy destroy much of Starfleet headquarters in the 10-part Series finale!!

The writing, the amazing story arcs, the death of a major character, it's moral plays, the study of spirituality, the invasion of Federation space, the struggle for freedom, the amazing acting, the tremendous guest cast, (which included an Oscar winner), the political machinations, the "dark side" of the Federation, all combine to make one of the best Sci-Fi series of all time.

And yes... DS9 had the BEST space battles ever -- this includes the small screen and the big screen. If you think Star Wars has great space battles, you haven't seen DS9. Whether it be a couple hundred Klingon ships against the sole space station, or a couple thousand Cardassian/Dominion/Breen ships against the Federation/Klingon/Romulan fleet of a few thousand... it's just one sight to behold.... even on the small screen.

I can't wait for the DVD!!!

In my opinion, DS9 was the best and most thought-provoking star trek series. It had a more realistic view of life and the decisions that we make, and showed that the innate idealism of Star Trek was something that could not be taken for granted, nor could it be completely above reproach. Also, this series is more character-driven than the other trek series. In TNG, you would not get to know many of the characters besides how you saw them in action every week doing this or that, but on DS9 you got to know the characters as they interacted with each other more in depth. In my opinion, the characters made the show what it was, for better or worse.

Many othes have described the plot and format for the series in their review so I won't do so here, but I will give my comments on this season. I'm a poor college student so I haven't bought the DVD set; however I did watch all of the seasons on DVD from Netflix. Season one had some hits and misses as the writers tried to get a feel for the show and the characters, but there were some good stories told. The best episode of the season was "Duet" which set the tone for all the premier episodes during its 7-season run; stories that made you think, made you cry, and weren't so cut-and-dry. While it is true that the series hit its stride in season 3 and continued a high arc up through Season 5 until a slight dip in season 6 and leveling off in season 7, you won't fully appreciate what you see in those seasons until you understand where they're coming from in season's 1 and 2. For example, you can see the wonderful friendship between Dr. Bashir and Chief O'Brien, but you'll see it even better when you remember that O'Brien couldn't stand Bashir in season 1. It is so cool to see the "growth" in all the characters over 7 seasons.

But anyways, check it out here on DVD or on Spike TV, show it the love it deserved and see why this was the Best Star Trek Ever.