TV Show - Star Trek Deep Space 9
Score 9.5/10
Multiple directors & writers (as most
shows are)
Country : USA
Language : English
Duration :
7 seasons ; the first had 20 episodes, and each of the subsequent 26. Total 176
episodes, each about 43 minutes
(original article dates October 7, 2015, which I updated December 12, 2016)
When this Star Trek spin-off arrived, I had doubts...
Roddenberry had died during TNG, so I thought'' who the hell made this based
upon'' ? nah, I won't like it... and then... I DID !! Not only I liked
it, but it actually became my favorite Star Trek show. As of June 20, 2019, I have watched it fully 28 times. 28, on tv, vhs, dvd and I hope
it'll come on bluray!
It starts with a nod and direct sequel to a key event from TNG and goes on to
its own story line and wow, what a story...
Apart for very few weaker episodes, I loved almost each and every single one,
forming perfect unique stories, and as a grand puzzle composed of the 7 seasons
DS9 lasted, it makes one whole story, with many subplots. 6 Specific arcs are
formed as general threads, some interwoven, some less so, to the grand
puzzle.
This is unique
in Star Trek, and a good part of the 6th & 7th seasons make an arc of its
own...
Deep Space 9 is a highly serialized show, and it was about time that Star Trek
had one such a show, thus avoiding the more basic 1-2 episodes per story and
moving on to greener pastures...
This was greatly helped by an increased number of main, secondary and recurring
characters, and the fact that the show's base was a space station from whence
the crew would depart - albeit rarely at first, but once TNG ended, the writers
expanded the off-station stories more frequently.
If you
haven't watched it, go ahead... I won't spoil it for you... I will, however,
summarize :
The third series in the Star Trek saga : Deep Space 9, is named as the space
station orbiting above Bajor, recently freed after 60 years of occupation and to
where the Federation sends an officer, to help the Bajoran people recover from
their long annexation by the Cardassians.
There are no less than 27 supporting, secondary and recurring characters, not
to mention the many guest stars additionally to those...
Each person in the cast gave their best and improved their performances as
their characters grew deeper.
I loved the
complicated stories and how most of the episodes can be seen alone, yet form a
jigsaw with very intelligent writing, beautiful and poetic romances and
friendships, which I felt just as moving as of the best Tolkien epic
tales...
In DS9,
characters discover their roots and destinies in a much profound and
detailed manner than the rest of Star Trek, mainly thanks to the serialized
nature of this series - all the whilst building on the strengths of the
previous shows in the saga. Everyone in the cast has his or her
personal quest in this darkest and most esoteric/ mystical star trek show and
in my opinion the most mature.
It deals with religions and belief systems for various characters and alien
races, as direct metaphors ; throughout the course of the show, writers pushed
the limits in what they could tell, dealing with many existential topics and
societal issues ranging from racism and xenophobia, men & women equality
(there's a whole arc for that, done with great humour) ; political intrigues,
socialism VS capitalism ; and lastly, mirroring several real wars during the
1990's, the writers added several plots to include future war/s involving the
station, and it's many inhabitants ; which, in turn, allowed to address the
issue of war crimes, and whether or not some could be forgiven.
A common
point to the various directors during DS9: a keen approach to lighting, casting
many shadows on more ominous characters and thus adding dynamic setting to the
dramatic flairs...
As I said,
when I started watching this show, I had doubts about liking it, being the
first Star Trek not created by Gene Roddenberry (the original Star Trek creator
if you haven't read my previous articles about this saga)..
Quickly, it grew on me and now I consider this as my favourite Star Trek, and
even favorite show, in any kind : I just finished watching it for the 27th time
since October 27, 1998 (first aired in France), and the first 18 times were in
a row- that is to say that I watched all 7 seasons back to back for 18
times in a row before taking a break…
The show starts
off with Odo ( a security officer with unknown origins...), Chief O'brien who
left TNG's Enterprise and its transporters to bigger challenges, Ben and Jake
Sisko, the captain and his son, his friend Jadzia Dax, Doctor Julian Bashir,
the Ferengi Quark, and hot tempered, impatient Bajoran, Kira Nerys.
(respectively, the actors are : René Auberjonois, Colm Meaney, Avery Brooks and
Cirroc Lofton, Terry Farrel, Alexander Siddig, Armin Shimerman, and Nana
Visitor)
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