Category: DS9 Season 2

In this podcast, Wes gives his final thoughts about the second season of DS9. While being an improvement over the first season, the second year still featured a somewhat schizophrenic tone as the series settled into itself. Some new DS9 themes appeared, some bad TNG knockoffs failed to impress us, and the series ended the year on a run that seemed to indicate the way forward. We also got introduced to the Dominion, delved into Bajoran politics, and learned some “truths” about mysterious side characters. Listen as Wes discusses the season, makes up some fake awards to hand out, and lists his best and worst episodes!

Sisko, Jake, Nog, and Quark are confronted by the Jem’Hadar while camping in the Gamma Quadrant. The Dominion is finally introduced, and the second season of Deep Space 9 comes to a close. It’s been a somewhat slow and ponderous journey to this point, but The Jem’Hadar represents a new direction for the series. The showrunners are changing, the threats are looming, and the answers are lacking. The last 8 episodes of season two were a strong course correction for the show, and we’ll have to see how it changes from here on out. Clay joins me to discuss the downsides of camping, the racism of the Federation, and the correct way to destroy a starship!

The O’Brien’s vacation plans go awry when Chief O’Brien is arrested and interrogated by the Cardassians. He’s accused of providing weapons to the Maquis, and his Cardassian trial is a mixture of Orwell and Kafka’s worst nightmares. the penultimate episode of the second season is a bit of an odd duck: it’s a darkly comic story that feels both of the DS9 universe and totally separate from it. We gain some insight into the judicial system that Gul Dukat described in “The Maquis”: does it work within our current understanding of the Cardassian society? Modi joins me to discuss viewing something incorrectly, the mystery of Boone and O’Brien, and believing in your job!

Vedek Bareil has been accused of being a Cardassian collaborator during the Bajoran Occupation. Kira seeks out the truth about her lover. With the election for the next Kai fast approaching, will Kira be able to fend of Vedek Winn until she can find evidence to clear Bareil? Or will the truth cause everything to collapse like a house of cards? Bajoran politics and intrigue are the names of the game as “The Collaborator” marks a return to the storyline that was there from the very beginning of the series. Does the Bajoran political storyline hold up, or is it simply too ill-defined? Brad joins me to discuss unnecessary twists, Bajor in the background, and the correct time to stop saying “Emissary”!

A faulty warp engine sends Kira and Bashir into the Mirror Universe, a parallel universe that was first discovered by James T. Kirk 100 years before. Unfortunately, Kirk’s intrusion altered the landscape of the Mirror Universe, and the Terran Empire has been soundly defeated by a Cardassian-Klingon alliance. DS9 asks the question: was Kirk’s trespass and Prime Directive violation the right thing to do? Clay joins me to discuss wearing headbands, fleshing out the character of Garak, and not having enough meat on the bones!

After coming down with some serious headaches, Garak reveals that he has a device in his brain which is killing him. Dr. Bashir takes it upon himself to help his friend, only to find that the truth may be a lie, and the lies may be the truth. The Wire brings to mind Duet in its structure, but it also recalls character development episodes like Armageddon Game. The character of Garak has his break out moment, and The Wire is an episode that is highly regarded by fans of the series. But is it too much of a bottle episode, or does the “two men in a room” aspect really focus the viewer in on the story? Clay joins me to discuss being unsure of what’s happening, the “Big Brother” aspects of Cardassian culture, and Odo’s interest in efficiency!

When a Cardassian freighter explodes at Deep Space 9, the Cardassians blame Federation colonists in the new Demilitarized Zone. Sisko tries to rescue Gul Dukat, stop the Maquis terrorists, and prevent a new war with the Cardassians. The Maquis is an interesting change of pace for the show: it eschews a sci-fi story to tell a character drama about the ethical failings of the Federation. Ben Sisko is stuck between a rock and a hard place: does he help his longtime friend save the homes of colonists, or does he toe the company line as a uniformed member of Starfleet? Is it a new day for the series, or is this a one-off episode that won’t be repeated? Clay joins me to discuss being a saint in paradise, a double mirror, and not making jokes!

Klingon blood oaths are like student debts; you just can’t shake ’em! In Blood Oath, three Klingon warriors seek out Curzon Dax at DS9. When they find Jadzia Dax to be a warrior on par with Curzon, the quartet set off on a mission of vengeance. Kor, Koloth, and Kang (Klingons from Star Trek: The Original Series) return to the franchise and to battle against the mysterious and vaguely named Albino. Now, Jadzia must choose between her Federation loyalties and a sacred oath she made in a previous lifetime. Will Dax gain redemption as a character? Does the returning guest star stunt work as a gimmick? Does Cobra Commander say anything cool? Clay and I discuss the return of the Klingons, great lines delivered poorly, and the limits of filming an action scene on a budget!

Quark reunites with his long-lost Cardassian lover. Unfortunately, she’s now a member of the Cardassian Underground. Will they be able to overcome their Casablanca inspired difficulties? Will they find a way to stay together? Profit and Loss is a hodgepodge of stories. It deals with love, Cardassian political intrigue, and the mystery of Garak. The episode draws a lot of inspiration from Casablanca, but does it draw enough to make sense? It wears its influences on its sleeve but does that mean it’s derivative? Modi joins me to discuss Quark as a romantic lead, the internal workings of Cardassia, and smearing honey on someone’s face!

While hosting her first Trill mentee, Dax discovers a tiny, expanding proto-universe that threatens to destroy the Alpha Quadrant. We’ve already had a few Dax episodes. Unfortunately, she hasn’t impressed us so far, and “Playing God” doesn’t do much to fix that. As an attempt to examine the Trill, the episode fails. As an attempt to delve into ethical science fiction, it falls apart. And as a chance to get Jake Sisko laid… well, let’s check in on that next season. Wes pilots this episode solo (don’t worry, he’s a level 5 pilot) and tries to figure out how this fits into the DS9 canon. Let’s discuss Trill ambiguity, stepping on ants, and not fixing a problem!

Odo and Dax visit a planet where colonists are disappearing into thin air, Jake tries to avoid disappointing his father, and Kira has a sloppy make-out session with Vedek Bareil! Shadowplay is an early attempt at serialization, but it leaves much to be desired. While featuring a plethora of plots, there’s hardly any action or conflict. Clay joins me to discuss the third mention of the Dominion, sloppy kissing, and Odo’s pirouettes!

Sisko and O’Brien find themselves stranded on a world with no technology, and among humans who don’t have their best interests at heart. Paradise is a stock morality tale in the Star Trek universe, but that’s not to say it’s a bad hour of television. It’s hard to start a cult, but it’s even more difficult to hold one together with pesky Starfleet officers hanging around, sweeping corn. Amy joins the show to discuss being in a cult, the unique heroism of Sisko, and cringing at Dax!

Upon returning from a mission to the Parada system, O’Brien begins to notice the crew acting strange around him and suspects there may be some unknown influence at work. Why is his wife is acting (badly) strangely? Why does Sisko have him running useless errands? Why have they revoked his security clearance? Clay and Neil join me to discuss a mystery-thriller in the vein of The Invasion of the Bodysnatchers, and whether or not it works for Star Trek. Plus, we discuss British/Irish accents, the style of Miles O’Brien, and killing an exact copy of yourself!

A planet torn apart by biological warfare doesn’t seem like a likely place to make friends, but this is Star Trek. Armageddon Game is an episode that explores the Bashir and O’Brien “friendship”. It’s a solid character piece, albeit one book ended by some questionable science fiction. Amy joins me to discuss unnecessary murder, being friends with single people, and how a widow should grieve!

In the Alternate, we meet the Bajoran scientist who raised Odo from an “organic broth” to a cranky constable. We also get a little bit of a monster of the week, as a shape shifting creature is on the loose somewhere on DS9. Modi joins me to discuss the hidden past of Dr. Mora, Bashir pining after Dax, and the utility of studying Klingon opera!

Rivalries abound on DS9! Quark picks up a nemesis in the form of a competitor, while O’Brien and Bashir try to work through their own differences on the racquetball court. Modi joins me to discuss an episode that gives us a lot of insight into the day to day activities on the station, but also feels a little bit like a parlor trick. We also discuss aliens who listen, the childhood of Rom, and visualizing probability!

A group of alien farmers come through the Wormhole, and they have their eyes set on Bajor as a new home. Unfortunately, the Bajorans can barely take care of themselves. Sanctuary is maybe best described as an interesting failure. It has a lot of ideas, but not much in the way of execution. Clay joins me to discuss sweeping up skin, the downside of not having an argument, Kenny G in space!

Sisko finds romance with a station visitor, but she is not what she appears. Second Sight is an attempt to humanize Sisko through romance, and it’s also an attempt to bring back some failed storytelling techniques from the first season. Clay joins me to discuss a meandering episode that feels half baked and pointless! We also discuss the acting of Avery Brooks, choosing between characterization or plot, and killing yourself for science.

One of the positives about DS9 being set in a single location is the fact that it allows the show to explore the history of the setting, and how that impacts our characters. In Necessary Evil, Odo tries to solve a five year old murder mystery and ends up learning something unsettling about a close friend and ally. Clay joins me to discuss a very strong episode of DS9, and we break down Odo the detective, blending genres, and cutting between scenes!

Quark becomes involved in a plan to develop trade agreements with the Gamma Quadrant, but his new apprentice has a troublesome secret! In yet another Ferengi episode, DS9 struggles to find a tone that suits their story. Are they a dark satire, or a light hearted farce? Either way, this episode features the first mention of The Dominion, so there’s that!

In Melora, Bashir learns all about the pros of zero gravity, and Quark learns the cons of being a con. Ensign Melora is from a species that developed under low gravity, so getting around DS9 proves to be difficult. Fortunately, Bashir has taken an interest in the young ensign and is willing to push aside those pesky medical ethics in the name of… something? Modi joins me to discuss wheelchairs in the 24th century, chips on the shoulder, and Bashir’s desires!

Dr. Bashir and Garak try to solve the mystery of Cardassian orphans on Bajor, and the podcast tries to solve the mystery of the mystery! Dr. Bashir finally gets his hands dirty when he helps Garak uncover the truth behind a Cardassian boy who has been raised on Bajor. Clay and I discuss the best case scenario for Rugal, Gul Dukat’s skinny neck, and clinking your plates together!

A meek Trill stages an attack on DS9, with the ultimate goal of stealing the Dax symbiont. We’ve been complaining that the Trill have been underdeveloped since they originally appeared in TNG, so Invasive Procedures seeks to flesh out this mysterious species. Does it work? Amy joins me to discuss scowling at the television, Quark as a bad guy, and what it means to be “joined”.

In the third episode of the Bajoran Coup arc, DS9 is under attack from The Circle and Kira and Dax have evidence to prove Cardassian interference in the whole messy affair. Clay joins me to discuss the possibly pointless third act of this serialized story, and to examine what the definition of “siege”might be. We also discuss military rations, the domestic turmoil of the O’Brien’s, and Steven Weber!

Kira has been sent back to Bajor, and Li Nalas is the new Bajoran liaison aboard DS9. Meanwhile, Odo tries to solve the mystery of who is arming The Circle. In the second episode of the Bajoran Coup arc, things slow down and start to unfold. Can it match the heights of the previous episode? Clay joins me to discuss Bashir not following orders, the charm of wet cardboard, and the vague nature of the Bajoran religion.

In “The Homecoming”, Kira rescues a legendary Bajoran freedom fighter, and an extremist group known as The Circle begins to terrorize Bajor and DS9. The first of a three episode arc, The Homecoming certainly feels like a new show: the rejuvenated budget has worked wonders. But is it the same old stuff we saw in season one? Clay joins me to discuss abandoning TNG, the ease of breaking into a prison camp, and becoming The Bajoran Batman.