Customer Reviews

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm mainly posting this in oposition to the editorial above. This person does not know Trek very well to not recognize what is by far the best season of Deep Space Nine and argueable, the best season of all Star Trek.

The introduction of Section 31 gave everyone something to talk about. Far Beyond the Stars was an artistic masterpeice. And the death of Jadzia Dax, I must say, the writer of the editorial has it all wrong. Terry Farrell wanted to leave the show. True enough, she didn't want her character killed, but she did make the decision to leave. That may make her character's departure seem out of place, but none the less appropriate. The Dominion War has been faught, officially and unofficially since Season 3 (which began with major tensions with them) and lasted until the very last episode of the series. It is only logical to conclude that someone will die. Sisko reads through thousands of names of casualties at the hands of the Dominion, yet he never lost anyone of his crew until Jadzia. This makes it much more potent...it makes the war seem personal...and the Devil (Dukat) is a more real enemy to Sisko than the Dominion.

Art, plan and simple.

Who's idea was it to let Paul Tonks write the Amazon editorial reviews of the DS9 DVD sets? He's entitled to his opinions about the show, but his sweeping statements about how the intersecting plot lines, number of cast members, presence of comedic episodes, etc., "confuse the viewer" are condescending and patronizing. Why can't he just admit that the show confuses/aggravates him? I consider DS9's risky narrative density one of its most appealing and challenging aspects, even when it misfired, and I imagine I'm not alone. Speak for yourself, Paul.

It's hard for me to pick any one season of DS9 as being the best, but season 6 is perhaps the most interesting season of all. The reason for this is that they took several risks.

One of them of course is the use of long, involved story lines. Almost more than any othe sci-fi series (with the possible exception of Babylon 5), DS9 showed that war was a messy, complicated business, not just in terms of body count but in compromised values, shifting allegiences, and tough decisions that may or may not be right. Sisko truly comes into his own as the leader of the station as well as a key figure in the war. The highlight of the main war story arc is In the Pale Moonlight, a true masterpiece of storytelling about the seamy side of war. Almost as good as this exceptional episode in the general story line is Inquisition, which introduces the KGB- or even Gestapo? -like Section 31(and they work for the good guys!)

Every Trek season has it's off-topic type of episodes, and season 6's are some of the best. Even the Ferengi episodes are not that bad - The Magnificent Ferengi is a comic highlight. Who Mourns for Morn is uneven but nevertheless makes use of one of the most famous non-speaking parts on TV, Morn the barfly. Statistical Probabilities is a very interesting intellectual episode that furthers the story of Julian Bashir as a genetically enhanced human, and shows what can go wrong with such "enhancements". Valiant shows the effect of war on kids (a young Academy squad who somehow end up commanding their own ship after the death of their captain). One Little Ship is a ridiculous but totally fyn episode (Honey, I Shrunk The Runabout!) His Way introduced James Darren as Vic Damone, a holographic night club owner with self-awareness - since Voyager was pursuing the idea of a hologram being a sentient being, this was nice to see - and Vic becomes an important secondary character in season 7. Worf and Jadzia Dax's wedding (You Are Cordially Invited) is a bit cheesy, as many Kllingon episodes tend to be. But the Worf-Jadzia relationship was one of the very few marriages shown in Trek (aside from the O'Briens), and later episodes managed to show the difficulties of being in the same war with the one you love quite effectively, until the death of Jadzia in the last episode. The death itself was quite abrupt - almost up there with the death of Tasha Yar in TNG, but in the context of war it makes sense. Death in war is senseless...

I left the best for last - Far Beyond The Stars. This is a transcendent episode, and a must-see for any sci-fi fan - even if you don't like Trek. It asks the question, are we real? Or are we just a figment of someone's imagination? And what is it that makes what we dream of? This idea was explored somewhat in a Next Generation episode (Message In A Bottle), but it's really told beautifully here.

I can't really think of a truly bad episode in this season, like a couple of the clunkers in both season 5 and 7. All in all, this season is a keeper.

For my money, Deep Space Nine's Sixth Season was the series' best, and that is quite a distinction. The show tells stories in this season that are both more epic and more personal than ever before, features genuine twists, great acting, of course, as well as some infinitely memorable moments.

The season begins with a sensational story arc that picks up where season 5's "A Call to Arms" left off. The arc is perhaps the show's best, and brings about many developments: Nog becoming an officer, Gul Dukat's daughter getting killed by his second-in-command, Starfleet retaking the station. The show then segues back into its blend of character-based drama and war tales that make this season so good. Character stories are plentiful here and include: Worf and Jadzia tying the knot in "You are Cordially Invited...", Bashir being reunited with his not-quite-so-well-adjusted genetically engineered friends in "Statistical Probabilities", and Dukat's truly evil nature being exposed in the terriffic "Waltz". Marc Alaimo delivers an astonishing portrayal of the once-proud Cardassian Military Leader now a schizoid, hallucinating, paranoid man driven hopelessly mad by his beloved daughter's death. The highlights continue with "Far Beyond the Stars", an episode on race relations on Earth, circa 1950, that has echoes of TNG's "The Inner Light". But where that episode was warm, this one is painful and uncomfortable, but unmistakeably brilliant. It even ventures into the metaphysical, onto the nature of perception and dreams. A memorable episode. Sisko also had some important development in "The Reckoning", where we truly begin to see how great the changes in his soul have become when he is willing to be an Abraham to save Bajor. There were plenty of other character-driven episodes. Chief O'Brien befriends a criminal in "Honor Among Thieves", Kira learns the horrible truth about her mother in "Wrongs Darker...", and Bashir is recruited into a ultrasecret intelligence agency in "Inquisition", which brought us the first glimpse of the amoral Section 31 group, and "Tears of the Prophets" has the most shocking plot twist of all, with Dukat becoming indwelt by a Pah-wraith and murdering one of the crew, as well as the disappearance of the wormhole. There were also plenty of lighter moments. "His Way" introduces the very popular Vic Fontaine hologram who helps Odo out with his love life. "The Magnificent Ferengi" has Quark, Rom, Nog, Brunt and various other Ferengi attempting to free Quark's mother from Dominion incarceration. "Who Mourns for Morn" is the only episode dedicated to everyone's favorite barfly, "One Little Ship" is a cheeky tribute to old science fiction shows where people become miniaturized.

This season also includes my personal favorite episode. "In the Pale Moonlight" is undoubtedly the most spectacular episode that the show ever created. For an episode where nobody leaves the station, nobody gets in a firefight and without even a single scene of space combat, some might wonder how this could be the best episode, let alone one of the most exciting. It is both, in my opinion. The episode centers on Ben Sisko's attempt to gain the Romulans as allies in their fight against the Dominion. In order to do this, Sisko fabricates internal Dominion files, trades a potentially lethal substance for an essential data rod, and becomes indirectly responsible for the death of a Romulan senator. However, the plan soon gets out of Sisko's control, and he must continue down the road paved with good intentions. The episode is beautifully paced, with several twists and a great sudden reversal at the end. One must marvel at the choice that Sisko had to make: save countless lives and compromise your moral integrity or don't and suffer the consequences. A thoroughly nuanced and powerful hour of television, with Avery Brooks' most powerful performance in the run of the show. After watching this episode, it is easy to see why most DS9 fans hail him as Star Trek's best captain. Andrew Robinson as Garak also turns in a memorable performance.

In short, the highlights of this season are too plentiful to list. Buy it.

Dear Amazon Customers,
One of the most exciting series of programs in the Star Trek universe returns in its sixth season on DVD. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in season 6 takes on some of the most aggressive story development ever in the Star Trek universe of programs. It is the sixth season that really defines Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the pinnacle of SCI-FI shows in the Star Trek universe.

In the sixth season, Benjamin Sisko played by "Avery Brooks" must come to terms with himself and makes a decision as to his dual roles as the Emissary of Bajor and as a Commander in Starfleet. Even as he leads an assault force that frees the Space Station Deep Space Nine from the clutches of the Cardassians and the Dominion, he finds himself torn having to struggle between both roles. The Federation has asked him on a number of occasions to choose between his dual occupations. In season 6 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sisko must make his decision.

It is in the sixth season that the audience learns even more about the turmoil inside of the character Odo played by "Rene Auberjonois" and his wanting to return the Great Link and to his own people. Troubled at Odo's loyalties to his people, Kira Nerys played by "Nana Visitor" confronts Odo with the question as to which side of the war he is on. Odo is caught again with the decision to pick between his love for Major Kira and his desire to return to his own kind. These events leads the two characters into one of the most tremulous period of their lives.

During this season, the character Miles O'Brien played by "Colm Meaney" is reunited with his family but is still cautious and tries to protect them from the horrors of war. Although he has never questioned the actions or his loyalty to Starfleet, O'Brien finds himself confronted with the decision to help friends or to blindly follow the orders of his superiors. The writers of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine finally give the opportunity for "Colm Meaney" to show some excellent dramatic acting as the character Chief O'Brien.

What would season 6 be without the appearance of the most popular race in the entire Star Trek universe, the Klingons. In season 6 we get to see the wedding between the Klingon character Worf played by "Michael Dorn" and the Trill character Jadzia Dax played by "Terry Farrell". Their sometimes on again off again romance makes for some interesting dialog between the two but finally it comes to a conclusion with the wedding ceremony which reveals even more about the Klingon society. One of the most aggressive aspects of the show is revealed on the last episode of this season in which both Jadzia Dax and Commander Worf's lives are dramactically affected forever.

Many SCI-FI fans and Trekkers alike will be dazzled this season with the special effects of the first ever space battle scene shown in it's entirety from start to finish. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had already received accolades for it's special effects in previous episodes but in this season, the audience gets treated to the most spectacular space battle scene ever shown in the Star Trek universe of programs.

I could tell you so much more about this season but the best thing for you to do is purchase Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 6 on DVD. You will find that this season is the absolute best that the Star Trek universe of programs has to offer. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in season 6 reached all new heights in story, character and special effects development which has not been repeated in the Star Trek universe of programs since the airing of this show. You will thoroughly enjoy Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 6 on DVD.

This is a must have season for DS9 fans! The two-parter "Favor the Bold" and "Sacrifice of Angels" are definately the best of the lot. Other good offerings include "You are Coordially Invited," "One Little Ship," "Valiant," and "Tears of the Prophets."

Season six was, in my opinion, one of the best seasons for Deep Space Nine. In Season Six the Federation has lost Deep Space Nine to the Cardassians and their Dominion allies and the war with the Dominion is only getting bloodier for the Federation and the Klingons. To me, that was part of what made this particular season so great. In no other Star Trek series before or after DS9 has war been written so dramatically, so truthfully, and so emotionally. You can really see Ronald Moore's hand in this season. Much of the grittiness we see in the Battlestar Galactica seemed to get its genesis here. Moreover, even with the bloody war around their characters, the writers also found time to write some deeply felt stories of everyday life on the station, and as usual gave each of the main cast an episode that allowed them to shine. Of particular note in this season is the episode entitled "Far Beyond the Stars," in which Sisko is thrown into an alternate reality where all the cast of DS9 -- minus the makeup; yes, we get to see their real faces! -- plays a role during 1940s/1950s America. A majority of the cast is a part of a group of early science fiction writers at a time when women had to use initials so the readers wouldn't find out about them, at a time when an African-American writer (played beautifully by Avery Brooks) had to hide color of his skin. By far, it is the best depiction of racism in Star Trek ever. Above all, it was perfect science fiction. Not only did it discuss the issue of racism, but it was an homage to the early science fiction writers who were paid pennies to put out good, and bad, sci-fi stories that fired the imagination of a generation of future science fiction writers. It was Star Trek at its finest, and this episode deserved far more attention than it ever received. It was certainly Emmy worthy in the tradition of the Twilight Zone.

In addition to "Far Beyond the Stars," the wedding of Worf and Jadzia Dax was a comedic delight. I always liked the pairing of Worf and Jadzia much more than the forced pairing of Troi and Worf in the last season of Star Trek: TNG. Michael Dorn and Terry Farrell had fantastic chemistry. This pairing is also what makes me put the "Almost" in my title. I remember at the time the sixth season was coming to an end that Farrell and the producers of DS9 were at an impasse concerning her salary for the seventh and final season, so in their infinite wisdom the producers decided to kill the character of Jadzia Dax in a very crappy way. After two seasons of building this relationship up and to see the character killed off like that was just stupid. Money or not, the seventh season would have been a heck of a lot better, a heck of a lot more fun if Terry Farrell had been there. Of course, there is nothing wrong with Nicole deBoer -- she's great in The Dead Zone -- but too much time was wasted trying to integrate a new character into the final season, and she just wasn't Jadzia.

Except for that final part, this season of Deep Space Nine is definately worth the price to own.

You just can't get much better than this from ANY Star Trek series ... and I am a diehard fan who grew up watching the original in syndication (was born in 1973 -- lol), The Next Generation (which is also fabulous, but still not as good as Deep Space 9), Voyager and Enterprise.

Season 6 & 7 are darker than dark. Due to the Dominion War you see a transformation in the characters that is perfect. By the time you end out the season and the complete DS9 series, you know so much about these characters that they feel like family!

You get to see how the war is taking its toll on the Captain and its crew when all their colleagues are coming home in body bags, you see how 1 lone alien who is part of the race who started the Dominion war struggles with what his people are doing then is inflicted with a deadly disease by a secret section of The Federation (the infamous SECTION 31, lol) to wipe out the Dominion aliens; You see how Captain Sisko's connection to the religion that adopted him (since he was never religious until he came to DS9) builds and plays a huge role in his life and where the path of The Prophets lead him.

You see how Gul Dukat (former glorious military leader of Cardassia, now cast out and shamed) becomes mad and starts to lose himself and his mind in the evil religion of the people he helped to occupy and destroy (Bajorins and the occupation of Bajor); his closest aid (Gul Damar) changes from a proud soldier of Cardassia under Gul Dukat's rule, to a Dominion collaborator, to a freedom fighting revolutionary against the Dominion and ultimately a war hero to his people.

I could go on and on and on ... There is so much depth in the later seasons of Deep Space 9 that you could drown.

Seasons 6 & 7 are fabulous ... even if you purchase them on their own without the rest of the seasons (although not quite sure other than money why you'd do that).

I've said it to my friends before and I will say it to Amazon readers now -- there is absolutely no way that DS9 should not be considered the best Star Trek series of all the Star Trek series! I love them all, but *HANDS DOWN* DS9 * IS * THE * BEST. If you are not engulfed by this series then you just don't like dark dramas. I've heard a lot of TNG fans rag on DS9. There are some major differences between them, one being that the TNG crew is constantly moving and the DS9 crew is stationary. You know what I think? The writing had to be deeper and more involved on DS9 because of the very fact that the crew was stationary -- -- I'm sure it was a much greater challenge to write for them.

You TNG fans... Don't rag on DS9!! You cannot compare apples to oranges. Have faith in the Prophets... They will guide you!! LOL ;)

I don't use those words lightly. The 6th year of Deep Space Nine is *the* best season of TV episodes Trek has ever seen. Other reviewers have already gone into far more depth than I could ever hope to go on the reasons for this. I'm just posting this review so my rating of the DVD set will be registered.

If you are a sci-fi buff, you owe it to yourself to buy this, though it is not recommended until one has seen Seasons 3,4, & 5, as those provide a vital build up to the epic developments in year 6 - mainly, the outbreak of the Dominion War, which is the first and only time a prolonged interstellar war is (well) portrayed in the Trek universe.

The sixth season of DS9 was a considerable challenge to all involved: the ongoing war with the Dominion lead to the loss of the space station to the Cardassian/Dominion alliance; Dukat crossed over to the dark side completely as he sold his soul to become the head of the new Cardassian government; Worf and Dax married; Odo romances Major Kira and, finally, Section 31 reared its ugly little head recalling the hysteria of the McCarthy era Communist witch hunts.

With more of the cast stepping behind the camera and an influx of vets from Next Generation helping out as well, DS9 managed to maintain its roots but continue to forge its own, unique dark identity among the Trek franchise. There were so many plot threads dangling from previous seasons that they could easily have gummed up the storytelling in season 6. Instead, they provided just the right amount of variety and allowed the conflict between the Dominion and Federation to continue without it becoming too tiresome.

If that wasn't enough there was a unique story that was every bit as special as Trials and Tribb-ulations from season 5; the brilliant Far Beyond The Stars (written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler from a story by Twilight Zone vet Marc Scott Zicree)allows Ben Sisko to venture into the past with a twist; he's a 1950's science fiction writer working for Incredible Tales of Scientific Wonder Magazine. The crew is there as well inhabiting similar roles. Sisko's main story is called Deep Space 9 about the very troubled space station whose crew are caught in the midst of interstellar war. It's a powerful episode that transcends its cleverness to become a great episode of science fiction television (and not just a great Trek moment).

The season ends with the murder of Jadzia Dax at the hands of the villianous Gul Dukat. Suddenly, Worf moves from Newlywed to grief stricken husband all within the span of 26 episodes. Tears of the Prophet also has major changes in store for Sisko, the wormhole and DS9. If the original Star Trek and Next Generation are an example of the franchise childhood and adolescence, then DS9 represents its adulthood. The series continued to deal with complex story lines, themes and dark moments that made it a very real adult series. The Trek franchise never improved from DS9. It has continued (with mixed results)but is missing the risk taking that characterized DS9.

There are quite a few digital compression artifacts visible particularly if you watch the film in progressive scan mode. Still, squeezing 4 episodes of DS9's dark, rich and active frames onto a single dual layered disc comes fraught with problems. On the whole the boxed sets have looked pretty good considering how many episodes are squeezed onto each disc. The 5.1 sound hasn't been used to maximum advantage on any of the DS9 sets but they do sound pretty good overall and are an improvement over Next Gen's boxed sets.

The extras appear to be promising but, once again, Paramount has chosen not to allow there to be any writer/director/actor audio commentaries. With a series this rich and full of interesting characters, DS9 would benefit from a couple of the key episodes having a commentary track. Ira Steven Behr would be the prime candidate (since he and Robert Hewitt Wolfe more or less ran the show day to day after Pillar left)for an audio commentary. It's a pity as DS9 certainly warrants boundiful extras.

Still, this is a rich season full of strong writing/direction and acting that looks good if not spectacular on DVD. The dark DVD transfer is a major improvement over many of the home videos and released. Is this the best season of DS9? It would definitely be a close match between season 5 and 6. Season 7 had many memorable moments but it lacked the dynamic tension of these particular two seasons.