The first season is often derided for being weak. While it definitely pales in comparison to what comes later, it's nowhere near as bad as people say. At worst, it could be accused of being a bit bland but there are some incredibly strong moments here. Characters are strongly defined and a huge amount of plot elements are established. The episodes are all standalone and there aren't many major story arcs, but the characters are consistently grown across the season.
It's nowhere near as bad as early Next Generation, that's for sure.
Best episodes for me: Emissary, Babel, Battle Lines, Duet, In the Hands of the ProphetsWorst episodes for me: Dramatis Personae, The Passenger, Move Along Home, If Wishes Were Horses
It´s been so long since I last watched it I´d forgotten how good this show was from the beginning. There were already some really good stories, some I even consider to be among the best of the complete run of the show.
It's all there. Right from the start. It's certainly not the best season. It's clear that they don't know exactly how to deal with the fact that DS9 is stationary. Not yet. But characters are likeable from day one and show a lot of potential. Only main character that isn't very good in season one is probably Dr. Bashir. Most stories are less dramatic and less consequential than in later seasons but most of them are entertaining. Rewatching this, I'm always surprised how much of the show's great story arc is already foreshadowed in season one although most viewers would not have realized this back then. They always had a vision for this show. Progress, Duet and In the Hands of the Prophets set the tone of this show: it can be very dark and serious. Some episodes are admittedly bad (Move along home, Storyteller, The Passenger, Dramatis Personae). Fortunately, no other season of the show had that many bad episodes.
Boldly going where no Star Trek series has gone before, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine delivers an exciting first season that presents a daring vision. After Bajor achieves independence from the Cardassian Empire they invite the Federation to help in their reconstruction by taking control of a former Cardassian space station and providing security in the region, but everything changes when a stable wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant is discovered. Creators Rick Berman and Michael Piller do a good job at honoring Gene Roddenberry’s vision while also expanding on it by looking at how an evolved humanity interacts with societies that are still struggling (i.e. the war torn Bajorans). And in true Roddenberry fashion the show addresses a host of sociopolitical issues; particularly terrorism and post-war reconciliation. Also, the sendoff from The Next Generation is done fairly well, with Colm Meaney (Chief O’Brien) joining the cast and appearances by several TNG characters; including Captain Picard, Q, Lwaxana Troi, and Lursa and B’Etor. Like any first season show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine has some problems finding its voice and figuring out what works and what doesn’t, but overall it’s an impressive series that explores the darker side of Star Trek.
A complete 180 from ST:tNG. The Ferengi are fun and entertaining instead of annoying, but the Bajorans are pathetic and annoying instead of interesting and complex. In ST:tNG I got tired of the Ferengi and never wanted to see another episode with them after the second time they appeared. I never want to see another episode with Bajorans in ST:DS9... Too bad they are central to the series...
Shout by GeekWithThatBlockedParent2022-01-19T19:57:25Z
Star Trek Deep Space Nine season 1 was fantastic. Great start and I'm already hooked.