Phasers Set To Stun: Top 10 Episodes from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season One

0:01 Space the Final Frontier. Join us for a bold conversation our prime directive to recap our favorite Star Trek shows, both new and old, to engage and debate about all things Trek. Prepare to energize with Phasers Set to Stunt. Hello everyone, and welcome back to Phaser Set the Stun, where we continue to show our love for everything Star Trek in this ongoing series from a film by podcast which focuses on every quadrant of the expanding universe of Trek by covering television, animation, movies, directors, and more. Plotting the course, as always is your core track crew.

0:59 I'm Dave Burns, and I'm Scott Hofton and I'm Wayne Whiten. Well, gentlemen. In this episode, we're going to continue our discussion on what we like to call Starter Trek, a curated episode list for first time viewers. Just as we did with Star Trek the Next Generation, we are now going to do it with Deep Space nine. This spoiler free list focuses on what we think are the top ten episodes from each season, and of course we're going to start with season one. Deep Space nine. The series would run from nineteen ninety three to nineteen ninety nine. It would have one hundred and seventy six episodes and run seven seasons, and would be the first time in Star Trek history that we would have two series running at the same time, although briefly, but it still counts a Star Trek Next Generation would end in May of nineteen ninety four. This all really came about when the creators Berman appelar Pillar wanted to explore new characters and new stories, but they wanted to change the formula by going away from a spaceship and utilize a space station, going for that Western space vibe. In creating Deep Space nine, Billa and Pilmer drew upon elements introducing that we're introduced in the next generation, namely the conflict between two species, and of course that is the Cardassians and the Majoritans. Gentlemen, I think this was a bold move to go to a space station and not a ship.

2:19 You agree, absolutely, yeah. I mean everything's happening in one place, which gives you a lot of consistency. But you know, I know that there's some who had a hard time with the kind of lack of exploration. That being said, you're at the very tip of the gab of quadrant parked right outside a wormhole. So I mean, there's not much more new you can get than that. Well, you know, one thing that really makes this series different from like Star Trek the Next Generation is the fact that you know, they are on a space station. It's a stationary you know, they're orbiting the same planet in the same part of space, you know, each week, which means that they're the consequences that evolve from each one of the storylines stays with them from week to week.

3:05 You know, they can't just warp away to another planet leaving all our problems behind. They have to continue on, they have to deal with them. You know. This means that we saw a lot more development in the continuing storylines. You know, we got to dive deep more into the Federation and how it works rather than you know, just starfleet and the things that happen on a regular starship. And you know, we get to spend seven years learning about a single planet, you know, major and it's politics, it's it's conflicts, religion, you know, far more than any other planet than Star Trek. In any of Star Trek, you know, we learn more about Beijor in Star Trek than we ever did about Vulcan or even Earth, and I think that's what made this show unique and successful.

3:47 Absolutely in the Cardassians as well, right, Yes, we learned so much more about the Kardassians, the Ferengi, places where we never thought we'd get the time and the depth to kind of explore it. And I know that Wayne, you and I talked about the de Space nine documentary here. Gosh, I don't remember how long ago that was, but yeah, I mean ever since then, I've been dying to crack this back up. And yes, me too. So what do you guys think about the uniform change? I liked it. I mean it's not much different. It seems like a progression or not really you know, a step up, but just to step sideways from the other next generation uniforms like they should be there. Yeah, I agree. I think it was something that changed.

4:28 It needed be for the Space station. You know, I think it worked. But to go back on what you were saying too, Wayne, it gave us an opportunity not to take anything from the next generation, but if made the main storylines, it seems to be more in depth the later seasons we get because you're right, we get to know the people of that planets so much more, how it works, the ins and the outs that you can't get away from it, and it really becomes ingrained into the show, which really makes you emotionally attached to it. And I think that was a brilliant. Move, and it's away from the episode of the week, you know, the problem of the week, and kind of went into, especially in their later seasons, more of a serialized nature, which I think a lot of that has to do with another TV series that was on the air at the time, Babylon Five. But we'll get into that on later seasons. But in my opinion, that actually was an improvement. If you look at the first season and the second season compared to the other five seasons, it is a very a major step up in the way Star Trek.

5:27 Is told by. Far they go from Chap three to Chap. Twelve, they do, and I mean you can really tell it too, because I mean some of the stuff in the first season and any season when any series when it first starts, has its little struggles. This one seemed to start off on a better foot than the next generation did, but it still had some growing pains. Right it did, Yes, definitely, especially in the characterizations. Some of the characters are rather abrasive and unlikable during the first season. Fortunately grow out of that. Now, I will say, and I'm gonna remind the listeners who listened to us during the Next Generation starter Trek I said that I was not a fan of the Fringi and I wasn't then. I felt like they were obnoxious, they were silly, and it was a villain I just did not like, or a species I did not like.

6:19 I will say though, and I believe we mentioned it then Army. It's Armine who plays Qurk. Cork is amazing. I love his character so much. And when I started watching this again to get prepped for this podcast, because it's been a long time since I've seen Deep Space not probably the first air, to be honest with you, to see him again, I started chuckling because he's so good in that role, especially his relationship with Odo' It's it's incredible. They still are obnoxious and silly, but. Yes, absolutely, But I mean, Cork is such a good character and I'm so glad that we got him on d Space nine, and I don't think it would be the same if we didn't have the same actor playing Quirk because he's so good in that role. And I know, just like everybody else in this cast, they're going to grow into those characters and they're just gonna get better and better. And I can't wait for some of the episodes we're going to talk about in later seasons. But it's just it was good to see him again and watch his antics, because it was absolutely hysterical his How many acquisitions are there out there?

7:26 Rules of acquisitions? Yeah, the rules of acquition? How many? There's a ton and I'm keeping track of him. It would be interesting if they actually ever decided to set a cap or if they made a rule way back then to say there is no cap on rules of acquisition? Should new ones coming? Oh, there's there's one, hundreds and hundreds of them. I know that, Dave. I completely agree, and I would just say, you know, fresh listeners, because I know there are going to be some m Yes, the FRANGI are greedy and obnoxious as kind of a blanket statement, like it's written to appear that way. If you've been with us since the next generation, you remember from the days when they had the electric whips, you probably know what I'm talking about they're not wearing the fur vests anymore. So that's a that's a plus sign.

8:15 I would definitely agree with Quark, but I would plus that up and say watch Rum and Nog. Yeah, their progression through this Aaron Eisenberg, Max Grodincik. They start at a certain place and they're going to surprise you, so just wait for it. I'm glad you brought them up too, because this show, out of more than any of the other Star Trek, has such a fantastic secondary cast. Yeah, very lots and lots of them, you know, from all the different races, and it really benefited from that. And those two we were two of the characters that probably benefited the most. They had the biggest growth throughout the seven years. Sure. Yeah. And one thing going for the kid character of Jake, I don't hate him as much as handed West.

9:03 Sarrock often does a great job as Jake. And again there's a character like watch watch the progression. Yeah, definitely worth staying. And I'm glad you brought that up because I was going to mention that later. You know why you don't hate him as much as Wesley, Why because he only appears in nine of the twenty episodes this season. True, they knew not to overdo him like they did with Wesley and shove him down your throat. He's just a good relationship with his dad, though, I really do. I like the relationship. Yeah so, they definitely nailed that in season one. He may be only nine episodes, but they did nail that. They did, Yeah so, And their chemistry together is fantastic, It really is. And you get a lot of richness in that relationship from the jump, from the first episode from the Emissary.

9:48 Absolutely. All right, listeners, Well let's go let's take our first break, and when we come back, we will start talking about our ten episodes. Welcome back, listeners to Phaser Set the Stuff one, where we are continuing our discussion of our favorite ten episodes of season one of Star Trek Deep Space nine. So let's go ahead and get started, gentlemen, Let's start with number one. Wayne be my guest, and number one, of course, is the pilot Emissary, written by Rick Berman and Michael Pillar and directed by David Carson. Commander Benjamin Cisco reluctantly takes command of the newly transferred Cardassian built station Deep Space nine, orbiting the war torn planet Beijor, still grieving over the loss of his wife. At Wolf three five nine, Cisco struggles with his assignment and with his role as Bejor's fragile post occupation recovery. When the crew discovered a nearby stable wormhole, home to the mysterious non corporeal beings, the Fine promises to make Beijor a hub of galactic importance.

10:54 Cisco must communicate with these beings who exist outside of linear time and confront his own unresolved pain as they challenged the understanding of existence. I'm actually going to go ahead and I'm going to say that this is my favorite of all the Star Trek pilots that were made of all the series. This just a fantastically well put together pilot that set the stage for everything to come afterwards. I will have to agree with that statement, Wayne, to be honest with you. First off, how they started this at Wolf three five to nine was just mind blowing. And to see a different angle of that fight just something you didn't see coming. I remember when I first saw that on T you, I say, holy crap, we're going back to that and that one shot of when the shutter takes off with fifth going them on it before the ship blows up. That was just a cool shot.

11:43 It really was. Yeah, And I mean, first of all, great overview in description, Wayne, and I'll definitely I'll throw a third hat in the ring and agree there is such rich development and such fertile ground to cover established in this from the jump, Like we see the Battle of Wolf three five nine echoed throughout other series. It comes up often and it deserves to because it was such a big impactful moment. So seeing that from other perspectives is a stroga genius. But to see that from the family perspective is even more heartbreaking, knowing that Cisco has to leave his wife, knowing that she's gone but he needs to be there for his son and leaving and that kind of resentment so fresh on the so fresh on the minds of people who watch the Next Generation, and having it be something where it's not like we're not pals. There's camaraderie to be sure, there's mutual respect and whatnot. We've got Chief O'Brien that joins us on the crew, so there's kind of some continuity there, but there's no real love between COMMANDI of Cisco and Captain Picard, which sets this up as a very interesting thing because at that moment with the next generation, it's like, how could you, how could you be any better than Picard as a character, and this knocks him down a little bit.

13:10 I think this episode was nominated for four Any Awards too. What a way to start? What a way to start a series? I mean, okay, and it won one too, It won the Best Theme for Dennis McCarthy's Really, I just wanted to say that it's Patrick Stewart's appearance in this episode was I mean, it's not only fantastic, He's always fantastic and everything was, but it was necessary. You know. I remember way back when this show was first announced, you know, we were all excited, but a little skeptical because it just didn't sound like the Star Trek that we knew it didn't, you know, the whole thing about not being on a spaceship and stuff. We weren't sure about it, and having him step in him specifically being on the episode, especially as much as he is in it, I mean, he's a rather important character in this This episode that is was brilliant and was really neat to leave a lot of the fears that we had back then.

14:04 Yeah, I completely. Also, it also does a great job of just kind of setting you up with the station. You know, if you think about stories coming from problems to solve, it sets it up as the entire place being a problem to solve. There's holes in things, there are things that have been stolen, it's been ransecked, nothing works right, So you know that this series, at least in early days, is going to be about, you know, struggles with that kind of adoptive home that they have this of the station. Yep, I think. I know this is spoiler free, but my favorite scene obviously is when O'Brien saying goodbye to the Enterprise and the card comes in, you know, and you know basically you thought you're going to get away from me without saying good bye, you know that kind of thing, you know. I love that scene between the two of them. I thought that was really cool.

14:54 Although it's interesting watching it after lower Decks and all the things. Yeah, I found my wondering what shift are they on because nobody is on that bridge. It's like a ghost down guards in his ready room. So I don't know, Yeah, I don't know. Well they were. They were docked at the station, so a lot of people. I guess they really didn't need anyone, although I would think there are easily one person centre in case something happened, you don't attack or whatever. You know they are they are on the edge of Federation space. Yeah, yeah, So not to get on a tangent here because I know we've got nine more episodes to talk about and her listeners are like, well, what's the next one? What do you guys think about? The reason why the creators put this on beajorg was because of instant Row, and because instant Row was going to be Kira, but a shelf Forbes decided she did not want to sign on to a six year contract at the time, so she backed out of it, and that's how we got the character of Kira. What do you guys think about that?

15:46 I think it's a smart decision because you don't have to invest in Roe's character from next Generation, and you get more than one perspective from Bajorans. You get someone who is from the Bajoran military who used to be part of kind of you know, rebel forces for that of a better term. So I think it was a good idea to broaden things out, and I'm glad that we have Anna visitor as Kieran Reese. Whyn't your Jeffs happy because he's not an instant Row fan? Do you think I actually agree? You know, they really desired to bring a character over from the next generation, and if it if they had brought Michelle Forbes over, we wouldn't have got called Meeni, we wouldn't got to O'Brien.

16:32 And I think of the two characters, I think it was better to have O'Brien and explore him than Roe because Roe had already pretty much had done the majority of exploration that we also already could give with that character. You would have just continued on now, you know, by adding a new character and giving her, you know, a different background and different stories and stuff, that it was much more beneficial to the whole series. Absolutely, and I believe that even said that they felt O'Brien's character is being wasted on just the Transporter room because he's his character was so good and Colemini he's a really good actor. That's why they decided to bring him over to the Space nine so they could explore his character in more depth. Yeah, yeah, and that's true. That's true.

17:15 Well, a three for one, but definitely a two for one in terms of the the I guess that I don't want to set the adult actors because that sounds like a different genre. But you know, we get O'Brien and we get Keiko, and I think their relationship is also very interesting because you know, so much of this is family, whether it's you know, a found family kind of a dynamic of you know, the friends and the colleagues, or it's Jake and his father relationships here. So it was it was a great choice. Yeah, I agree, Yeah, I agree. All right, Well, let's move on to the second episode. Scott Our second episode is Captive Pursuit. It's written by Jill Sherman Donner and directed by Corey Allen. The first Gamma Quadrant resident to come through the wormhole is a mystery who calls himself Tusk. His nervous disposition draws suspicion throughout the station, except for Chief O'Brien, who has the official duty of making f first contact through engineering repairs.

18:11 As Tusk and O'Brien become friends, another ship emerges from the wormhole in pursuit of Tusk the hunted. Now the station is caught in a dilemma saved Tusk from the hunt or honor their culture and the prime directive. There's so many episodes I love, but this is the one that really stands out to me just because of the character of Tsk. Yeah, and the relationship with O'Brien here. And I know I can't see some of the Indian stuff because what happens, but I just the way this ends is very touching, and I just I love it so much. And I believe Cole Meeni says this is his favorite episode from season one, which makes sense because I spend it a lot for growing out loud. Yeah. Yeah, but no, it's such a cool episode. It really is.

18:52 Yeah, I'm glad we agreed on this one. I guess Michael Westmore in the Makeup Department won an Emmy for this episode deservedly so, which when you talk about awards, your pretty early days and you're racking up a lot of them. But his character design was amazing. I think it's made even more so by the performance of Scott McDonald as task I think his expressions through the makeup are very telegraphic of what he's going through in the struggles. It made me think of the Predator franchise from kind of another perspective here. I also noticed that when we meet the Hunter played by Garrett Graham, who was technician Nestler in nineteen eighty six's chopping ball.

19:37 That's right, that's good. He also played another another Q on Voyager two. Forget that he's right later. Yeah, no, but I think it's great performances in this one. So what I love it. I'm gonna go back to Cork because I love his being offend to be called a barkeeper or a barkeeper at the ben did he was by that? Yeah? But I got a question for you guys. So Odo was just hanging out on the wall of the pictures, just hanging out. You know, he just does that. Well, I got the impression he does that a lot. Yeah, he just you know, turns into something, hangs around and listens. Yeah.

20:17 Wow, okay O do yeah right? Pretty pretty boriastic there, Odo, What are you into? Buddy? But no, uh, very good episode, it was. Yeah. This this was one of my top choices too for the first season. I remember the ants anticipation for this this episode was huge because you know, we all wanted to see what was on the other side of the wormhole, and this is our first opportunity to see anybody from it. I just remember loving this episode when it first aired. Well, we'll move on to episode three, called Dax, written by Rick Berman and Michael Pillar, directed by David Carson. A group of aliens under the leader of Elon Tandro from Clastron four follow and take Dak hostage. Despite an attempt I be shere to save her. Commander Cisco manages to stop them, but only to find out that Tandra has a warrant for Dax, whose former self is accused of treason and murdering Tandro's father, who was a famous general from thirty years ago. Cisco works furiously to try and figure out how to save her, but does she want to be saved? You know? This is another one Star Trek does so many good episodes when it comes to courtroom drama, do they not? Oh yeah, And this is another one of those episodes. It's not the whole episode.

21:29 It's court room drama, but there's a little bit in there. You know. It's not a true courtroom as it's stated several times, but it still felt like it and it's done so well when they present you know, should she be responsible for you know, the the other being that's in her even though she's a different person. That was you know, quite the conundrum that we were in right there, and it brought up a lot of questions for them. Yeah, and that's the question, is she a different person? Yeah? I mean, the Trill are supposed to be you know, the Trills are symbian, so they it's emerged mind, so if you know, if anything, she's half So that that was the question. It was a great question to bring up this early in the series and.

22:10 One that doesn't necessarily get answered, you know, without spoiling it. There's you know, exploration of this topic. But I'd say it's something that kind of leads to debate. Right, So it is if a Trill commits a crime, that essentially condemns all the past lives as well, because if they sentence a Trill to death, all that experience is lost. But by the same token, does that mean if a crime is committed, that Trill should spend life in prison, knowing that life would mean continuing to be passed from host to host, So you're condemning future hosts Yeah, to serve that out and Helen does that last. I think it was. It was a brilliant courtroom episode, very interesting, very thought provoking, a lot of great performances, specifically by Terry Ferrell Lieutenant jed zi Attacks aside from the fact that I still have a crush on Terry Ferrell, absolutely gorgeous, but her performance here, like she's she essentially feels like the Obi Wan Kenobi of this franchise, at least in the beginning, because she brings all that kind of wisdom and that ry wit and things like that. But her choice in this one to have that almost like a steady stare that she kind of locks into, almost like she doesn't want to make eye contacts, she doesn't want to look at anybody, brings out both the you know, the the waiting, the burden that occurs on still feels,

23:44 the conflict that jen Zia feels, and trying to process this as they're going through a trial that might condemn them to death. It was a fascinating episode and I think it's just great performances all around, and a very interesting look into not only trill culture, but to get a look at what we're gonna see from Daks in future episodes. And it's the first time that our klingon coffee is mentioned. Racka Gino and plus I want to I want to point out something for all our new viewers to look for somewhere in this episode that the one of the prop masters included the fertility idol from Raiders of the Lost Art look for it. Yeah, I was about ready to say that, thanks for stealing my thunder.

24:25 I'm sorry. It's okay. So the the other thing that I found very humorous about this episode I want to point out is Anne Haney, who plays Banora. I always remember her from the episode of Golden Girls where she played Bonnie in the episode called Operation Funny Enough. Robert Ricardo was also in that episode as the doctor. That's right, I forgot about that. To me, She'll always be the job placement person in Missus Doubtfire. Yes, oh yeah, I forgot about that too. Do you consider yourself funny? I used to? Yoh, I know. Good stuff.

25:05 All right, Well, let's move on to number four, Scott. At number four, we have The Negus, written and directed by David Livingston. At the top of Harangi Society sits the Grand Negus the most feared, respected, and rootless leader in the quadrant. He visits Quark's bar to assess all the opportunities for profits on the other side of the wormhole. However, his advanced age takes a toll, and he decides to pass his scepter of leadership to Quark. That's a position that any Ferengi would cover it, but it's also one that threatens his life. Will Quirk live long enough to profit from his latest dissension? Let's talk about it, Wallace Sean as Zech. I love Sean.

25:45 I can't wait to hear Jeff's reaction to Grand negas Zech. Yeah, yes, I cannot work. I want to point out for listeners who have not seen d Spans nine, please keep an eye out for Mourned because he is in what ninety three episodes of this yep? Does sound right? Yeah, so he's probably on there, but probably the background person who's into the most obviously besides the main characters and stuff like that. But keep an eye on because he pops up a lot in the background. Yeah. Well, I mean, while is Sean going back to his performance, is Zach horribly obnoxious? Like when you talk about like Fergie getting in your nerves. This goes to the apex, but he's captivating to watch, right, I mean you want to kind of like turn the volume way down when he's talking. But it's so interesting mm hmm.

26:44 The level of makeup that they caked on him. Hats off to him for just that, if nothing else. But it's a great look into Ferrangie culture. And just keep an open mind and give them a chance because it's definitely worth it. Because remember Vulcan stole his homework because they don't have ethics, right. I love that one. I'm glad you. Brought up that point because this is a very important episode for the development of nog and Rom's character, but most specifically nog what he goes through the friendship he develops with Jake and his struggles with you know, I want to I want to learn, I want to grow, I want to expand. I'm going to human school, yep, but none of my family wants me to be there.

27:33 It's a it's a great moment and a great moment between Jake and his father. Yeah. I was gonna say, this is going to take back what I mentioned earlier, that chemistry between father and son. Here it is perfectly on you know, on screen here throughout this episode and when Cisco goes to find out what's going on, and I'm not going to give it away because I don't want to, you know, spoiler free here. That was you know, very heartwarming. It was I felt it. I felt it when Cisco felt it, I really did. It was awesome. Yeah, this episode is one of the most important episodes of the first season. Really, uh, you know, this is where all development from the FARRINGI came from this episode. You know, this is the first episode to mention the rules of acquisition, which becomes very important in their society.

28:15 I just I love this episode. It's also again one of my favorites because of two big things Wall Seawan, which I mean everybody loves him. He's he's great. And I have to point out this has an absolutely incredibly fun musical score by John Debney, one of the few episodes that he scored. It's it's incredible. I do want to point out another quirk theme his laugh hysterical laugh when Rom with a thick over his bar. Yeah. Yeah, oh, poor, poor poor. Yeah. That was good, good job. All right, Let's move on to episode five, Wayne, and.

28:59 That will be forty texts, written by Sam rolf and directed by Winrich Colby. A wanted criminal named cordon arrives on d Space nine after killing an alien twin during a botched robbery. Odo, suspicious according's evasive behavior, learns that he may hold knowledge to of other changelings like himself. Cordin convinces Odo to escort him through the Gamma quadrant, claiming he can lead him to a colony where shape shifters live, but he may have other personal ulterior motives in mind. Now and this this is a good and very important episode for Odo. This early in the season. You know, we're starting to learn a little bit more about this this mysterious character that even he doesn't know where he's from or who he is. You know, this plays a very very important role later on in the series, but this is the beginnings of it.

29:53 You know. It's it's a great episode. It's written by a very unusual writer, Sam Rolfe, you know, one of his few times touching a star Trek. He's the guy that he created the TV series back in the sixties called The Man from Uncle. Great series, one of my favorite sixties series. But good episode, you know, it's a really good ODO episode. Just why I wanted this episode to be featured in this top ten, I. Want I want to point out that Crowden is the Cliff de Young. Yes, and of course I was in Andersonville with mister de Young. I remember being on set with him. Nice. Yep, he did he show you a necklace? No, he did not fad like fad like that changed shape or anything fadly he didn't. Well, Odo's line, I'm a security chief, not a combat pilot. We know where that was going. He obviously, you know, in honor of McCoy of his I'm a doctor or not whatever.

30:46 You know. I thought that was pretty cool, and I think this episode is important for one other thing too. This is the first time anyone actually goes and steps foot into the Gamma quadrant. Oh yeah, after after all these episodes, what are we halfway through the season and finally we've made it to the Gamma quatter. Yeah. Well, I mean it's interesting when you think of like the characters. If you're a Fano Dex generation, I would say, if you're a fan of Data's storyline, that Odo's storyline definitely bears watching. I feel like there's some shared DNA there, not literally, but the in terms of the story, you know, he's he's found and doesn't seem to remember where he comes from, doesn't know a lot about his origins, feels alone in the universe, and has to kind of uncover a little bit about that and also kind of define who he'll be. Obviously, he's a more emotionally driven character than data, which is a god's end.

31:47 But it's interesting to see how his character changes a little bit when he has the prospect of learning about others by the same token. To interesting how much that doesn't really change all that much. I think it's a great use of the necklace as that kind of trinket to kind of hint at where he may have come from and where he might find some clues. I guess one of the questions I want to ask this crew is specifically, Wayne, do we ever see that necklace again? No, we don't. It's one of those hanging plot lines that they never brought up, and I think it's a lot to do with later on, you know, a couple of seasons from now, they kind of change course on the way the Odo's origins, where I won't bring anything out yet or reveal anything. But I don't think that was exactly planned when they first created this series, so that was forgotten on the sidelines.

32:42 I do think there's a way they could coexist that we can talk about later. Yeah, yeah, but I guess without spoiling anything, I think it'd be like a question that is coming back in my mind is what if Poo had tried to link with it? Could that possibly have been like a you know, it's not just a changeing necklace, but it could hold certain information if it's specifically meant to be interacted with by a change link, not just somebody that can kind of hold it, watch it change shape and go back again, but something more than that. I don't know. It might be interesting to know if that every got to explored.

33:23 Will never know, not now anyway. All right, So we are going to take another break. Listeners, we come back. We will continue. Welcome back to listeners to phaser set this done. We are continuing our discussion of Star Trek Deep Space nine season one starter Trek. We will start with in sixth episode, which is battle Lines, written by Rick Berman and Michael Pillar, directed by Paul Lynch. Kylepaka arrives on the station and shows some great interest in the wormhole, so Cisco, Bashir and Kira take her on a runabout and go into the worm Just on the other side in the Gama quadrant, they get a signal which Kyo Pocket insists for them to go look into.

34:06 As they investigate, a satellite disables the shuttle and calls them to crash down onto the surface of the Moon. It isn't long until the survivors are discovered by a group of the Innis on the Moon. They find out that the Nis are prisoners of a long war with a null Innis that has continued onto the Moon itself, one that is never ending. But Cisco, Bashir and Kira discovered there is clearly a lot more to this than they realize. Talk about confusion of Ennis, non Ennis or no one, I should say minerstanding is. I believe it was supposed to be Kardassians, was it not? But they changed it because they didn't want it to look like we were siding with the Cardassians. Is that right? Yeh, yeah, I think that's right, which makes perfect sense, because yeah, you don't you don't want to get into that mess.

34:52 Just I just remember being so confused with this episode when at first heard, you know, the character of Kyo Pocket, she seemed like such an important character if to the series, an emissary, and then this happens, and I just I was so baffled with it. I understand now looking at the entire series as a whole, but you know, new viewers just you know, accept it for what it is and hang on. It is confusing. It's you know, you wonder, you know why they did this to her, but there there is a good reason for it. Yep. It's a very strong character. I think Kya opaka uh is A is a great character. A great performance by Camille Sabiola in that role. I recognize her from from several different things, but I think she has a great performance here. I think it's a great setup. It almost had kind of doctor who vibes for me in terms of the relationship between the n S and the NOA NS.

35:54 Fans of Breaking Bed will enjoy this. With Jonathan Banks in the roll of Shella, he's obviously a bit different. He's a little bit more you know, the the heavy metal hair kind of days. But just a lot of great performances that kind of make you pause and think, and it kind of shows you a little bit more about the beliefs of Kyopaka, how far she's willing to go to to hold on those beliefs. I'm going to point out Jonathan Bakes was in SeaQuest. SeaQuest doesn't get a lot of love, and I know Wayne loved that show. No, I love that show. Yes he was. He was a great character. And there's another good character too. One of my favorite stunt men has oh yeah, a lot to do in this Tom Morga, and he also designed the weapons for this episode two basically just took like a cardboard blade and a ball and old tool hand handle and taped them all together. But you know, I can't help him, and he's been in hundreds and hundreds of episodes, but this one you can point him out right away.

36:56 Just don't go to kids bashing and Stutbory. I'm pretty sure I saw some behind the scenes photos in his album when he was showing him. Probably they don't go to conventions with Wayne if Tom morganets there, because you're gonna be in an photos. You're gonna be waiting a Tom forever and ever. Yah better believe it. He has got incredible stories. I'm sure he does. With his IMDb list, I can see why he's got tons of stories. All right, let's move on to number seven, Wayne, and. That is Progress, written by Peter Allen Fields and directed by less Land Out. But Joran authorities order the evacuation of a moon slated to be used for a vital energy project. Kiara Nourice is sent to oversee the removal of the last holdouts, but she encounters an elderly farmer named Mollabach who refuses to abandon his home despite her sympathy for his attachment to the land he built. Kiara attempts to reason with him, but fails, and she grows torn between duty and compassion. Mullabook will not leave, and Kiara may be forced to take more dramatic measures to convince him.

38:01 Let me put me I'm sorry, go ahead, obviously. Let me just point out that this was an amazing performance by Nana Visitor. Yes for sure, Yeah, this is her episode. Definitely her episode, and it's got probably one of the most high profile guest stars of the of the first season. I do remember them really playing that up. And that's Brian Keith playing Mullabuck. You know, he was in a lot of films, Parent Trap, Rare Breed, Johnny Shiloh went in The Lion, But you know, he also was at the time, you know, this was just you know, early nineties, so he was still in everybody's mind because he was the star of a TV series called Hardcastle McCormick, which was a really very successful series. But him and Nana Visitor do phenomenal job together in this. It's absolutely an incredible and a very important episode for her story. And it's also the second episode to be scored by John Debney, which another incredible score which is available in CD.

39:01 I also want to point out Andy O'Donnell is in this, who played the wife of Brent Spiner in Night Court. Oh yeah, I know what a oh yeah, Oh my goodness, that's a callback David at ther point. Yeah. I mean this this episode does a great job of expanding not only Kieran Nourice's character. I think it's the first time we hear in Urice, but it expands on how how well it works to stay near Bajor and keep exploring that culture and that history and the meaning of what they have gone through and what they're currently going through to have her in the Spotlight was brilliant. Brian Keith does an amazing job in this. I do kind of wonder if the subplot, which I also kind of liked, about self stealing them self stealing stems, maybe they could have negotiated with the people that are trying to take them off world and say, but have you seen these stem bolts? And then it suddenly just resolves itself.

40:04 Dude, they had it going on, did they not? Yeah? Yeah, the two kids were doing it. I mean they're hustling. They are hustling big time. The fact that nobody knows what the hell those things are supposed to do, right, I just. Follow on the list. I also want to point out the scene between Cisco and Kia, and I can't say too much about it because it's towards the end of the episode and I don't you know, I don't want to give any spoilers, but when he gives that speech to her, uh you know, to really make her come too, was just a great scene between those two characters. Yeah for sure. Yeah, all right, so let's move on to episode eight.

40:44 Scott Number is the Forsaken, directed by Les Landau and written by John Trombetta. It's another surprisingly poignant episode featuring Lowaxana Troy, where Dyes nine becomes host of several guests that test the cruisers in several ways. A delegation of ambassadors arrives on the station, including Loaxa on Troy, at the same time that a mysterious alien probe unleashes an alien program that reads havoc within the station's systems. Doctor Bisheer struggled to keep all the ambassadors busy and happy and doesn't do a great job at it. While Odo is involuntarily assigned to Missus Troy when she becomes infatuated with him. As tensions build between them, they become stuck together on malfunctioning turbolift Oba does. Odo does his best to manage the situation with diplomacy, but he also begins to lose his physical composure since he's gone so long without regenerating. It's a funny yet poignant episode that's another classic, as most are. With Missus Troy. Let's be interesting how my opinion of Missus Troy changed. Yes, I think this rewatches.

41:50 Oh my goodness, Like I used to have this reaction where I was like, all right, I'm going to rewatch these things. It's the loaxae on Troy episode No thanks, yep, and I'd be inclined to skip it, but my goodness, she is one of those that is definitely worth watching. Knowing how important Majel Barrett is to the franchise in general, but this character does an amazing job of using comedy to great effect, but also her ability for drama is blowing. Yep. I was just the same as you, Scott. When I saw this episode, I'm like, but I remember what a good episode this was with Lou'sanna Troy, And when I watched it again, I'm like, wow, this was a great episode that I remember with her. But what I find very amusing is the gag again they did when we remember Pard with the hard with coming off the turbo lift and you're trying to look for her and hide.

42:48 They did the same thing with Odo. Yeah, yep, yep, Yeah, this is this is a good episode considering it's actually one of the season's bottle episod so it's very obvious it is you know, they don't really go anywhere, but uh, it's it's it's good. And also I keep sometimes I forget that there were two, you know, both the Deep Space Sign and Next Generation wearing at the same time. I always see this as later in the continuity line, but actually this is takes place before her appearance on in what is the episode A Dark Page Next Generation, which is at my absolute best favorite of her all all of her appearances. But I really really evaluated this episode. It's a fantastic episode for Lawauxana Troy.

43:38 Yeah, I got I gotta say the the scene in OPTS when uh the Ambassadors show up and Cisco realizes that they are there and he has his back to them and he turns on his customer service faith ye bends around. I felt that deep in me. I did, yep, because we all had to do that when we have to deal with people, and I'm like, oh, okay, yep, Cisco has to do it too. Yep. I get it. But no, this is this is a really good pick and listeners out there, if you're rolling your eyes because it's a lew wallax Son or Troy episode, don't it's a really good one. It is. Yes, You're definitely worth watching. Don't skip it.

44:18 Yeah, just the scenes between her and Odo on the turble lift were fantastic. They really were, all right. Well, let's move on to Episode nine Duets written by Rick Berman and Michael Pillar, directed by James Conway. A Kardashian traveler arrives on the space station and is quickly learned he has the Kalona disease and needs medical attention. We learned that only people who were sent to the most brutal labor camps by the Kardashians were affected by this disease, causing some concerns and questions by Kira on who he really is, and tends to persecute him to the full extent of a Jordan law. Kira fights her internal battles as she struggles to distinguish between vengeance, truth answers, and her planet's pressure to prosecute him for war crimes. But as she and the crew dig deeper, they discover just who their prisoner really is. Now, I'm going to say this is Kira's best episode in season one, by far her best, Nana's most incredible performance, especially the scenes in the cell where she is questioning him and trying to figure out who he is is irresponsible for all that and just getting to that to the answers, I just thought that was incredible and I hung on every word in those scenes.

45:40 Yeah, this is this is an episode that I I'm glad that I forgot what happens in it. Mm hmm. It is so worth the wait, the kind of unraveling of what happens in the episode, and even when you get some kind of resolution, it's still not over yet. I think that the acting between none of His and Harris Helen as the main kind of protagonist character are are brilliant. I mean very hard to look away at these two when they're when they're acting together. Star Trek is so good at making these dramatic episodes, and this is definitely one of their finests. This is this is a must watch. You know. Frequently this is listed on People's best episode lists, and even as recent as twenty seventeen, the BBC's Radio Times listed it as the fifth best episode of Star Trek altogether.

46:34 So he definitely watches when it is phenomenally good, and it's because of the performances. Yep. I think Arman, Shimmerman and Nana Visitor account this is among their favorite episodes of the entire. Theories, and I can think we're seeing why Yepeah. Not giving anything away, but I'm telling there's a gut punch coming. To that end. I feel like this is one that's worth watching twice. Yes, if you want to follow up our list, definitely feel free to do so, you know, see it through to the end. But this is one where you'll have a different perspective on some things when you rewatch it, and I think it's worth taking a look. All right, let's move on to our final episode of season one, number ten, Wayne.

47:15 And that is the season finale In the Hands of the Prophets, written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe and directed by David Livingstone. Vedic Win arrives on Deep Space nine and objects to Keiko O'Brien's teaching of Bjorn children, claiming the Federation's school dismisses Bajoran religious beliefs. Her challenge sparks tension between secular Federation ideals and Bajoran's spiritual traditions, creating a rift among the station's Bajoran population. As Cisco works to ease the conflict, a series of violent incidents, including the bombing of the school, reveals When's willingness to incite on Rest to advance her political ambitions, Cisco begins to recognize the growing and fluent of majoring religion in station politics, and wins dangerous potential as an adversary.

48:06 This. First of all, this wasn't how the season was supposed to end. They were originally going to do this as a major a large crossover between D Space nine and the Next Generation. They were going to have them fighting against a Bajoran attack, but that was just way too much cost. You know, by the end of the season they're kind of, you know, counting their pennies. But this was a really even even though this was actually a very expensive episode because of huge crowd numbers, it's it's wonderfully done it. You know, I keep saying this is probably this is definitely a top ten episode. It's definitely an incredibly important episode to watch. You know, a lot of introductions here, lots of introductions to storylines that are going to continue all the way through all the way to the finale of the entire series. So you can't miss this one. You have to watch it.

48:58 I like the debate it was going on obviously in our country between evolution and creationism and how that pops up in Star Trek, Star Trek Star Trek does that so well. You know, they'll see what politics are going on in the world or in the country and they'll pull that into an episode. And that's clearly what they did here. And it makes sense. I mean it works well because you're over a planet Major and you got to do with their politics because you know, really, isn't this their space station. It's I mean, the Cardassians had it. Now it's over Major. You know, it's there's a lot going on there, and with this is where the whole series is going to take place. It they should dive into something like this, So it's interesting they chose it for the finale, but it makes sense, it really does.

49:42 Yeah, and the themes are actually even more relevant today than they were back then. I mean we still we're still debating all this stuff today here in the real world. It was not Keiko again, by the way, Yes it was. Yes, you got to give props to rosalem Chow and take O'Brien's role does a phenomenal job. And yeah, as a teacher at the cusp of the unknown right trying to find a way to help kids apply scientific reasoning to help understand things that are happening, and she's still saying that there's a place for the religious belief angle, but that's not necessarily her responsibility. The fact that when we talk about like, you know, modern relevance and things like that, especially with Vetik Wynn, who ish one of my last favorite characters. Louise Fletcher does a great job of creating that character. But when you have someone that uses that debate as a way to grab onto power and use it to her own designs, like definitely relevant today, but a theme that we've heard throughout history and definitely one worth watching here. It does a great job of setting up that dynamic at this point, not necessarily be doing the Kardashians and the Jordans, but the Jordans within themselves.

51:08 You know, there's differing beliefs, there's differing factions. It's a theme that definitely comes back around, and we show that as much as the Station is kind of coming together and finding opportunities for unity, there's also opportunities for division and something they definitely need to continue to working on throughout the series. What are the reasons that this series is worth watching? Frankly and Luise Fletcher, she is such an incredible actress, and we all know her from our other film. She's, you know, an Academy Award winner. But the fact that we hate Vedick Wins so much really shows just how incredible an actress she is, because you really do hate that character.

51:51 Yeah, and as we did with Star Technistration as well, there's always sly an episode that of the season that we probably didn't like as much and just honorable mention. I guess so, Wayne, what have you got for us? Oh? Without question, it's it's move along home. Yeah, let me give you a quick syndopsis this you know, uh, the Wadi, which is a Gama quadried species, visits Deep Space nine. They introduce a game named Chula, and Cisco and Kierra and Dax and Bashir become game pieces inside this this this environment where their lives appear to depend on the outcome and QRK is playing the game on the outside. You when when d Space nine first first premiered, you know, it was marketed as a darker, more grounded version of Star Trek and we got in the next generation.

52:43 But this episode is just too campy, too comic for what we were all expecting. And it might have worked as maybe an original series episode, but not not with the rest of the episodes of Deep Space nine. It just doesn't work, not this, not this early in the show. Yeah, the Watti come across mostly is just goofy, you know, and considering they're the first species that are encountered from the Gamma quadrant after the Wormhole's discovery, it's a huge disappointment. And don't don't get me started on that whole Ala Moraine and Hopscotch scene that was just embarrassing. Plus, you know, it was because of this episode that we didn't get Terry Ferrell on the Next Generation, that episode Birthright. You know, she had to film this, this horrible thing. And Avery Brooks once said it one of his appearances a Dragon Con that this is his least favorite episode.

53:35 Clearly, I've seen this voted several times as the worst episode of the franchise, and I think I've seen it was voted eighth worst, eighth worst episode of the whole Star Trek franchise. That's serious. Let's just say, I don't I like this. I don't like this even more than Spock's brain. Yeah, well it's you know, you mentioned that Hopscotch scene. The performance of the I can't even say that it's because of the actually the place Julian Basher. There's a situation there in that Hopscotch scene where he just acts so out of character. So it feels like, if you can make it past Hopscotch, you have my respect and Mike nolens is.

54:24 At the same time, definitely just avoid the episode altogether and unless you guys, spare time after you've seen the ten episodes we've talked about and then go back and watch it just for giggles. There you go. Yeah, I don't even know if you want to giggle during an idea. I just held my head and turned away. Fair enough. Oh, just like we did First Star Trek nixt generation, we're going to choose one character from the season and pick what we think is their best scene moment for the season. This one, we are choosing Commander Benjamin Cisco Scott. What is your best moment for him? I would say the one that I found most fascinating.

55:06 And there's a ton in here and there's tons more to come. Listeners, so don't think this is like the apex of as Cistsco when he is trying to build the defense for Dax in the Dax episode, and there's a moment when it feels like he's talking to both jad Za and Curzon alternately in the same conversation while at the same time trying to find understanding in the middle. He loses his temper at one point, and you see the dynamic between the two of them grow, and it's so much of a definition for jed Zia's character, for Dax's character specifically, because it's kind of like, I'm I'm that person you knew, but I'm somebody completely different and trying to figure out how that works. Their dynamic is beautiful here, and I think he did a great job there.

56:00 Well, you know, he had a lot of great moments this first season, but I think his his finest moment really happened in the season finale in the Hands of the Prophets, where you know, Cisco refused to allow the Bajoran religious dogma to dictate the Federation school policy, and you know when a Vedic Win pressures Keiko to to include those teachings. Everything that has happened, every bit of character growth from during the last twenty episodes kind of have been leading to this. You know, it's just Cisco shows himself as a thoughtful but a very firm leader. You know, he respects Bjorn faith, but draws the line against allowing it to really compromise his own principles and the federations.

56:42 You know. It just showed his willingness to stand the ground against this powerful religious leader, you know, and her manipulation, which is really what she's she's doing, kind of sets him up, definitely sets him apart from Picard. You know. It shows that he's not going to be bullied by anybody. Uh And I just think both his and everyone's performances this season, you know, are just incredible and and really everything the way we go right now from Cisco, he just he just gets better and better as we go to the end of the season, the series, to the end of the series. I love the fact that all three of us have different ones and they're like spread out for the whole season. Wayne, you pick the finale, I'm picking in a sari, it's Cisco's.

57:27 The moment is when he's with his son and he's showing his vulnerability to his son to Jake, showing his grief and admitting he can't move on from his wife's death. The chemistry and I've mentioned it several times already in this episode, the chemistry between these two actors is phenomenal. Like the casting was dead on for a father and son relationship to show on screen on how good it is. And this scene between the two of them is just absolutely beautiful showing their relationship of how much Cisco cares for his son and how much his son respects his dad, and and to show because a lot of fathers would hide that from their son, right that you know, they can't move on from the death of their wife. But he knows that that's not fair to Jake, so he allows that to happen because that's just going to make the relationship even stronger. And to me, that proved to me just what an amazing person Cisco is and what a great leader he's going to be because he has that vulnerability, he has that honesty with everybody he works with and works under him. And you're right, this is just the tip of the iceberg for Cisco. His character gets bigger and better as we go along to this season.

58:42 I mean serious. We talked about this briefly in a chat. We're talking about how we felt like Cisco wasn't at his best in season one. He still is really good in this season, do not get me wrong. And we've pointed out three amazing scenes here that he was really good in. And when we started talking about it and realize, holy crop, there is some great episodes coming up from Fisco that we just cannot wait to dive into. Yeah, there are, yeah, And I mean, as a as a dad, you've got to you can't help but empathize for the situation that he is in the difficulty, you know, just the nature of where he is asking his son his family had to come along with him. But knowing that when Jake lost his mom he was only ten years old, yep. And now he's a teenager and Cisco is trying to raise a teenager, which is always fraught with uh, go ahead, living opportunities. Right, It's not always easy for either one, right, right. And his demeanor, It's interesting how much kind of you know, power and respect Benjamin Cisco has or how much he kind of you know, draws from other people, but he keeps all that under this kind of calm, even keeled demeanor. It's Scott like a lion king, like a mofossa. It does kind of quality to it. Yeah, so it's he's Avery Brooks, amazing, amazing actor and he's just getting started here.

1:00:15 Absolutely, I could agree more. All right, listeners, So what do you think? Did we get it correct? Did your episodes make the cut? If you're new to Star Trek, are you looking forward to diving into these ten episodes? Let us know and why. We would love to hear your comments. You can check us out at www dot film by podcast dot com for film and TV articles and our entire library streaming free. You can write to us at a film by a Podcast at gmail dot com with your questions, comments and concerns. We may just read your response on the show and send you some a film by swag Scott. Wayne. Thank you for joining me. I can't stay on the bridge this time and on the op Center, I guess yeah, yeah, because I cannot wait to go through the rest of the series with you guys, because I know there's some major stuff coming that it's gonna be really heavy for us to talk about.

1:01:05 And I can't wait for anyone who's new to the show to get into those seasons because there's some stuff coming that's gonna get crazy and so all you listening to the show Fallingston on social media and subscribing to our Patreon, We thank you. See you next time for another episode of Phasers set to stun