Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Season 1 (1993) (6-Disc Set)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Season 1 (1

By Joe  Mar 25, 2003

This is my first set of TV-series DVDs. DS9 is one of my top 2 favorite sci-fi series, so it was too great a temptation, even for a tightwad like me.The DS9 set has 19 episodes, 4 episodes on each of 5 DVDs (Episode 1 was originally a 2-parter) and ...a 6th disc with interviews and special features. Being used to 6 –8 episodes per videotape, I’m still looking for a way to run all 4 episodes per DVD continuously without touching the remote. Besides that, the menus are easy to navigate.Unlike the original Star Trek (TOS) and the Next Generation series (TNG), this third Star Trek series is set on a former Cardassian space station (not a starship). A cruel, domineering race, the Cardassians occupied Bajor, the planet below, for 40 years. Ore was mined on the planet by Bajoran slave labor and processed on the space station for shipment to the Cardassian home world. Once they depleted virtually all of Bajor’s natural resources, the Cardassians abandoned Bajor, and the Federation set up shop on the station to render aid and support. Soon after that, a stable wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant is discovered, making DS9 and Bajor very attractive to the Cardassians once again. The station is quickly moved near the wormhole, laying Bajor’s claim before the Cardassians find it (it is only visible when a ship approaches). Major Kira Nerys, the Bajoran liaison to the Federation, an ex-freedom-fighter, is still fiercely defensive of her home planet, and initially bitter about the Federation involvement. Kira soon realizes that without a Federation presence, the severely ravaged Bajor would be unable to resist another Cardassian occupation. In the initial episode "Emissary", we are introduced to Kira, Odo (the shape-shifter), young Dr. Bashir (fresh from the Academy), Jadzia Dax (a 28 year-old humanoid carrying a 300 year-old symbiote inside), Miles O'Brien (an engineer from the Enterprise), and Quark, a Ferengi barkeeper. Also in the initial episode, groundwork is laid for the main theme of DS9: the wormhole is declared to be "the Celestial Temple" in fulfillment of prophecy, and Bajor's spiritual leader, Kai Opaca, determines Commander Benjamin Sisko to be Bajor's unwilling new "emissary to the Prophets". Captain Picard was in “Emissary” briefly, to pass command of DS9 to Sisko. But the two men did not get along, for reasons that become evident in the opening scenes.“Deep Space Nine” was probably the least popular of the entire Star Trek series, mainly because it was so different from TOS and TNG. It got off to a bad start, premiering on January 3, 1993, halfway through the 6th season of the hugely (and mysteriously) popular Next Generation. Those expecting an offshoot of TNG were disappointed. DS9 is not shown in syndication as often as TOS, TNG or Voyager, the 4th series, which makes this release all the more welcome. During the first season of DS9, activity was largely limited to the space station, and the planet below. Space travel was localized because the only Federation ships assigned to DS9 were low-warp capable “runabouts”, not much larger than a standard shuttlecraft. To my mind, these “limitations” are what made DS9 the best Star Trek series. Story lines had to be developed, and characters and relationships had to continually evolve, instead of being abandoned after one or two episodes, when Captain Picard or Kirk gave the command to warp off to the next adventure. In its second season, DS9 acquires the experimental starship Defiant, specially designed by Commander Sisko to defend against the Dominion. Plots and subplots soon become so complex and engrossing that it is impossible to summarize them here.Suffice it to say that this tightwad plans to purchase the entire series of Deep Space Nine DVDs, each as soon as it is released. All seven seasons are scheduled for release by the end of 2003, the next on April 1, no fooling. {ShadyGrove} Read more Less