I have greatly enjoyed DS9 over the years, with its more substantial characters. But if I had to pick a favorite episode? Looking back through the seasons, I have found many that were truly stellar. But after giving it a lot of thought, my favorite episode would have to be "Duet" from season one.

Why you ask? Because it, more than any episode other than "The Visitor", shows what DS9 is about: the characters. Harris Yulin infused the character of Aamin Marritza with humanity and truly made this episode a standout.

So guys and gals, what is your favorite episode and *why*?

My favourite episode was "Children of Time". One of the reasons I like it so much was because I had to wait a long time to watch it. I accidently taped on the wrong channel and I kept forgetting when the other channels played it. Unfortuanately I do not have it on tape anymore. I love everything. There is only one problem with the whole show and that is a few out of character scenes from Bashir. I love the scene where the crew are planting. I love the part where Kira prays over her own grave. The Odo-Kira relationship was done the best ever. I love the dialogue between our heroes as the decide whether to stay or leave. It is an all round excellent episode.

Definitely "You Are Cordially Invited." It was just so great to get away from all the war nonsense and have something totally fun and so uniquely Jadzia… and that scene the morning after the party was priceless!

Jadzia: Worf, do you hear something? Sounds like…voices. (This is after she has just admitted that she has the largest recorded hangover in known space.)
Worf: I do not hear anything.
Jadzia: Sounds like the're coming from over here. (She opens the door to the bathroom. Odo and Kira are sitting there talking.)

Or maybe I'm just suffering from Posttraumatic Jadzia Death disorder. Whatever. Okay, in all seriousness, I'd pick "Far Beyond the Stars." It set up the most thought-provoking situation ever found in Trek and forced us all to reconsider the evens that have transpired. I'd really like to see the show end with Benny Russell.

The Magnificent Ferengi! It's a hilarious episode, not only because of the verging-on-slapstick humor, but because of the way the characters interact - Quark the team leader, Rom the incompetent nice guy, Gaila the incompetent wuss, Lek the pragmatic assassin and Nog the Starfleet golden boy. The scene where Keevon runs aeay and they all chase him was priceless, also the one where Gaila shoots their hostage ("You....idiot."). DS9 has never been funnier.

My favorite Episode has to be "Waltz." I just love that episode. I love the way that Dukat justs slips away into insanity. I also love the visions of the characters, especially Weyoun. When you first see him you expect a Dominion plot, but then he starts to taunt Dukat, and you know Weyoun would never do that, and you find out it's vision. I ljust love that secne. And the fight between Sisko and Dukat, Don't get me started.

I also like the episode, "The Wire." You don't find out that much about Garak, even though he tells three stories about what happened to him. I think that this was great, esp. the acting from Andrew Robinson. And we still don't know why Garak was outcasted.

"Duet" and "In the Pale Moonlight."

'For the Uniform' - The brilliant performance by Sisko, almost diven to the brink of insanity by Eddington. A major mistake by the writers killing him off.
'Hard Time'- Another massive performance by O'Brien in this one.
Actually I think season five is probably the best season of all.

Mine is "In The Pale Moonlight".

Favoite episode so far: "Trials and Tribble-ations". You have Kirk, you have Sisko, you have Spock and McCoy bickering, you have O'Brian and Bashir bickering, and to top it off, Jazia wears a red mini-skirt! What's not to like? (Except Comishioner Baris.)

Runner-up: "You are Cordially Invited" and "Playing God" the intoduction of the "new and improved Dax".

"The Visitor". Old Jake's sacrifice was heart-wrenching. The writer's really did a good job of building a character we cared about, so when the moment of his death came, it meant something. The final scene, with Sisko's emotional reunion with his bewildered son, was wonderful.

"Children of Time" is second, because the writer's didn't let the characters take the easy way out (unless you include alt-Odo). That, and each crewmember had a different but believable reaction to their decendents (Worf's reaction in particular; neither Klingon nor Human, but his own).

Denfinantly "The Visitor" is best, with "Duet" coming in a close second.

I also admit that I loved "Children of Time", but I think the plot would have worked better in a story where the main characters were't cheated out of their decision.

"In the Pale Moonlight" and "Waltz".

I saw "In the Pale Moonlight" last night. Its has now become on my top Ds9 episodes.

I still love "Waltz", "The Wire", "Duet", "The Visitor", "Far Beyound the Stars", "Trials and Tribble-ations", just about any Ferengi episode, and any episode that has Dukat in it, and I kinda like "Empok Nor"

Pick a favourite episode? That's like choosing being cheesecake and banana cream pie as your favourite dessert for ever more...

Did you have to say that? Now I have a huge
craving for both! Thanks alot! :)

i agree with chris thomas
i have too many favourite ds9 eps to list.
i would mention the siege of ar(???) as one of the darkest and disturbing ds9's ever

Definitely too many to mention. How about most of Seasons 3 4 5 and 6.

So you know what I mean then Rene!

Yeah, I understand what you are trying to say. :)

The Visitor-If you're not crying at the end, it's not working for you.

In The Cards-Has any comedy on DS9 been better?

In Purgatory's Shadow/By Inferno's Light-One of the best two-parters DS9 has done, and it started major change for the show.

Imporabable Cause/The Die is Cast-Well done, especially Odo's torture scene(not that I like torture, I just thought it was well done)

The Quickening-Smart people really CAN screw up big time.

Trials and Tribbleations-Orb of Time + Defiant + Station K-7 + Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Sulu, Scotty and Chekov + Many Tribbles = MUCH, MUCH FUN

That's about it.

Oh, I don't think I could pick just one! There are so many...I'd have to call it a three-way tie between "Duet," "In the Pale Moonlight," and "Rocks and Shoals" (which I'm surprised nobody's mentioned yet...)

Other episodes I loved (in chronological order): "Crossover," "The Wire," "Improbable Cause"/"The Die is Cast," "The Visitor," "Hard Time," "Rapture," "In the Cards," "Call to Arms," the entire war arc (with the exception of "Sons and Daughters"), "Waltz," "Inquisition," and "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River."

Hmmmm.......just a note the Dan above is not me...apparently there are 2 of us here....ok so I will stick to Dan R. then.

Guys, the series isn't over yet.

I know. THink about it, What if the last episode is better than all the rest! That would be one GREAT Episode.

Also I think it would be easier to name the ones I didn't like than the ones I do.

"Rocks and Shoals" I can beleive I left that one out of my list. That and "Neccisary(Sp?) Evil".
There are just too many Great ones

"The Ship" is my second favourite episode next to "Children of Time". I liked "The Ship" so much because of the great characterization and how there was emphasis and meaning put on the "redshirt's" deaths. I also like how the "redshirts" had personality. Muniz was my favourite guest star and his death had a lot of meaning.

Did you know that in TV Guide, they had a vote for Best Star Trek episodes (including ALL series). The number one choice was "The Visitor!" It beat out "The City on the Edge of Forever" "The Trouble with Tribbles" and every other hot Star Trek episode! (This was before "Beyond the Farthest Star")
As I recall, TV Guide was rather startled that a DS9 episode finished first.

For myself, I have no absolute favorite. As someone said, it would be like choosing a favorite dessert, when you have such an incredible array of choices....

Well My favorite is Trials and Tribble-ations but My guess is that The Last DS9 will be the best In many cases the last episode of a series is usually the best

Might I remind you of "All Good Things…" with the
mother of all time-travel nits, or "Turnabout
Intruder" which was just God-awful. And what of
the final Seinfeld (which I actually liked, but
nobody else did)?

line eater

Well, might as well post this here as anywhere. To keep it somewhat relevant, my fav. eps. are "Trials and Tribble-ations," "The Wire," "In Purgatory's Shadow"/"By Inferno's Light" - actually, any episode with Garak/Bashir interaction is up there. Which brings me to my question: I remember a rather short scene in the Defiant's sickbay where Bashir is treating an injury to Garak. This is after Bashir's secret has been revealed, and Garak is sorta ribbing him about it. What episode is this from? I can't remember!

It was "A Time To Stand."

My Favorite has got to be "Little Green Men" That episode was great! The scene where Quark grabs his nose and everyone else does too was priceless.

I haven't seen nearly as much DS9 as I should, but my favorite was probably "For the Uniform". A moral-overtones episode that actually leaves difficult questions ambiguous, Sisko learns to act, Jadzia is the ideal foil, Eddington is obviously in the right but acts like a jerk, and it had literary references to boot.

"Children of Time" was quite good, especially coming off of "A Simple Investigation" a couple of weeks earlier. No wonder Odo looked so uncomfortable throughout that one--he was filled with self-loathing for getting involved with a woman when he really loved someone else! (well I sure would be anyway) but back to "Children", I agree with all comments made about it. One of the more interesting versions of the whole "what-if" bit.

On a side note, that one made me wish I had a tricorder. I'm convinced it'd prove she's got the Dax symbiont hiding in there someplace. (But then everyone'd find out about my positronic brain....)

TAKE ME OUT TO THE HOLOSUITE:Baseball Baby!!
After all they talk about it so often it was great
seeing them outdoors having fun doing it for
a change.Plus it had my two fave DS9 women in it
Ezri and Leeta!!!:)

Any of the Mirror Universe stories.Especially the
one that had Tuvok in it.

LITTLE GREEN MEN:DS9 meets the X-Files!!!:)

The one where O'Brien had to go undercover.

OUR MAN BASHIR:"The Name's Bashir,Julian Bashir!"
great rift on James Bond!!:)

HIS WAY:Odo and Kira having their frist date!!!:)

INFINITE REGRESS,DARK FRONTIER,WARLORD,ONE:Yeah,
I know their Voyager and NOT DS9 but TREK is TREK
is TREK..and I just thought I'd throw in four of
my fave Voyager eps as food for thought for another discussion!:)

"The Visitor" stands out, but I also really liked "Fascinations". Maybe it's a girl thing.

"Honor Among Theives" That is the best

"Rapture", without a doubt, is THE show that anyone trying to get a taste of all the best aspects of the series should tune into.

"Waltz" was tremendous.. Dukat is a great character. This isn't the best, but I think "Valiant" deserves mention. I'm not generally a fan of the Jake/Nog episodes, but the end of that show (with all the kids getting killed and ship blowing up) was incredibly powerful.

Nobody's mentioned "The Reckoning" yet! I absolutely loved the pure evil look of Jake and Kira as they battled it out. It wasn't cheesy or corny like most evil-possession things (The Assignment for example) are... It was just plain cool!

Uhhhhh... nobody seems to have posted for a while... but I think "What You Leave Behind" blows all other suggestions out of the water. As runners up, I suggest the story arc from "A Call to Arms" to "The Sacrifice of Angels" also, "The Adversary" for its suspense. In the comedy area, "The House of Quark", and "Looking For Par'mach in All the Wrong Places". Also, for power, "The Seige of AR-558" Dark. Grim. Yuck. Kudos to TPTB. Many others to list, not going to get around to them tonight...

Now that the show is over I'll cast my vote for the episode that flipped the show onto its head.
"The Jem'Hadar"
Why? Because it was a quick overview of the whole show. It, like the show, starts out innocently enough with a "makework" mission. Nothing to write home about.
Then the enemy shows up and suddenly our heroes find out there is NOTHING innocent about this one.
In the meantime the enemy, like in the over all series, comes into the Alpha quadrant and invades the station.
Starfleet, both in this episode and in the over all series, decides to stop them by sorta declaring war on them.
The two sides clash, Starfleet looks like it's about to win when the tide is turned when the main ship is destroyed. In one case its by the destruction of the Odyssey. In the other its the alliance with the Breen and destruction of the Defiant.
Finally our heroes escape with there lives and put to rest the issues at home by offing the secret threat. Iris in the former case, the Pagh-wraiths in the later.
At the end of both we know nothing will ever be the same as it was when it all began. The innocent mission that started it all is looooong forgotten.

My local DS9-airing station held an on-line vote during May for the top 5 DS9 eps and aired them one a day the week before "What We Leave Behind".

The choices, as aired, were:
--"You Are Cordially Invited"
--"The Visitor"
--"Trials and Tribblations"
--"Little Green Men"
--"Rapture"

I was disappointed that my 2nd favorite, "Duet," was not included, but all of the above are denfinently good episodes.

My local station did one of these polls in the mid-fifth season. For some reason, Emissary was voted as #3 and 4 (in separate parts). I think that really says something about DS9, that the pilot episode can be considered one of the best episodes of the series. (Of course, this was pre-Far Beyond The Stars, Sacrifice of Angels, Cordially Invited, What You Leave Behind, Holosuite, or Tears of the Prophets.)

I forgot one when I made my list earlier:
FAR BEYOND THE STARS,probably one of the most
literate pieces of tv drama since the original
TWILIGHT ZONE..in fact all that was needed was
an introduction by Rod Serling!!:)

Oooh, "Far Beyond the Stars"! One of the best, definitely!
Which brings up something else: best episode title. What do you think?
"Far Beyond the Stars" is a beautiful and evocative title. But I think my favourite, at least in DS9, is probably "The Sound of Her Voice".
If only the episode itself had lived up to it.

"In the Pale Moonlight". It's evocative of Sisko's metaphoric "dance with the devil".

Add another vote for "In the Pale Moonlight".

Check this out:

http://www.scifi.com/pulp/sfecurrent/ds91.html

It Was the Best of Nine, It Was the Worst of Nine

Star Trek's toughest fans rate the best (and worst) episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.


By Michael A. Burstein

Earlier this year, one of the most popular television shows ever developed for the Star Trek franchise, Deep Space Nine, came to an end. Its growing popularity did come as a bit of a surprise, especially to the community of Trek fans. When the show began airing, in January 1993, Star Trek: The Next Generation was at its prime, and it had taken long enough for the fans of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy to warm up to that show. Deep Space Nine had quite a few other strikes against it. Not only was it a darker vision of the future, but it was the first Star Trek ongoing series to be developed after the death of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.

And yet, it persevered. Fans of the old show grew to appreciate the grittier world of the abandoned space station near the Bajoran wormhole.
The interpersonal conflicts among the crew of the station added some much-needed spice to the Trek universe. For example, the second-in-command of the station was a Bajoran, not a member of Starfleet. And the head of security had worked the same job for the Cardassians who had occupied the station before.

The series also went where no Trek series had gone before when it came to storytelling. Perhaps it did start in the fires of the Cardassian occupation of Bajor, but the focus soon shifted to the war with the Dominion for control of the Alpha Quadrant. For the first time, the Federation of the Trek universe presented itself to viewers in a long, protracted war to defend its very existence. The story arc started in the middle of the series and wouldn't be resolved until literally the very last episode. The Trek fans took to this new form of storytelling like tribbles to food.

Of course, as with any science fiction show, the fans of Deep Space Nine are never shy about letting their opinions be heard. In particular, fans on the Internet have had a lot of venues with which to register their pleasure and displeasure with the series. Probably the most visible fan was Tim Lynch, whose reviews of Star Trek became the standard against which all other reviews were measured. But everywhere online, one could find discussions of the show, with fans weighing in on which episodes were the best and which were the worst. And, for finding a list of the most favorite and least favorite episodes, there was one poll that stood out.

The "Spoiler-Free Opinion" Summary, or SOS, is run by Joe Reiss at http://www.joereiss.net/sos/sos.cgi, and it covers all of the Star Trek series. Reiss started the survey in the fall of 1992 via postings to the Star Trek newsgroups on the Internet, and he later developed it into a Web page.

The SOS is probably the most comprehensive survey of the fans. About 3,000 different people have rated episodes on the SOS Web page from all the Star Trek series. Over the run of DS9, an average of over 400 fans per episode have registered their ratings.

One of the goals Reiss had in setting up the SOS was to allow all fans of the Star Trek shows to express their opinions about episodes without having to go to the trouble of writing detailed reviews, and it has worked wonderfully. The SOS is most likely the best indicator of what all the fans like the best and the worst. So, without any further ado, here are the worst 10 and best 10 episodes of DS9, as chosen and commented upon by you, the fans.



But enough of this. It may be true that science fiction fans love to tear down the worst parts of
their favorite shows, but they also love to praise the best. Finally, here are the best 10 episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

10. Call to Arms

At the end of the fifth season of DS9, war with the Dominion was inevitable. Continuing in the tradition of great Trek cliffhangers comes this episode, in which Starfleet actually abandons the station to the Dominion and the Cardassians. Gabriel Garcia echoes the thoughts of a lot of fans when he says, "I never would have thought that Starfleet would lose the station." There's a lot of drama to like in this episode: Sisko leaving his baseball behind; Jake sticking around to report from the station; Kira being forced to
work with Gul Dukat; Dax mining the wormhole; Worf joining the Klingon fleet; and, of course, the wedding of Rom and Leeta.

However, one scene stays with the viewer long after the episode, as Dana Kiehl notes. "The final shot of the Defiant meeting up with the [combined Federation and Klingon] fleet was in itself one of the best things about the episode."

The whole episode cranks the tension up a notch, and for the first time, fans get to see Star Trek put aside the magic reset button.
As Greg McElhatton puts it, "DS9 has hooked the viewership into tuning in next season, [with] the station abandoned to the Dominion forces. One almost expected the opening credits for the season
opener to be Star Trek: Terok Nor as a result ..."

9. Rocks and Shoals

The sixth season of DS9 picked up where "Call to Arms" left off, with a six-part arc in which Starfleet takes back the station. Dana Kiehl notes that "Rocks and Shoals" was "probably the best
episode of the arc." Jim Mann agrees: "A very nice episode that does not settle for the pat answer it seems to be leading up to."

What makes this episode so powerful is the way the story challenges the principles of both Sisko and Kira. Sisko tries to convince the leader of a group of Jem'Hadar soldiers that they don't
need to sacrifice their lives just because a dying Vorta orders them to do so, and in the end, Sisko and the crew end up mowing them down.

As for Kira's challenge, in a shocking climax where another Bajoran commits suicide for her principles, Kira realizes that she has become no better than a collaborator. As Tim Lynch notes, the real strength of this episode "lies on the station, where Kira realizes how much of herself she's lost in working with Dukat, Damar, and Weyoun. 'When I was in the resistance, I used to despise people like me' is a telling comment."

8. The Changing Face of Evil

The series came to an end in the seventh season, and the final story arc managed to place two episodes among the top 10, this being one of them. As the series concluded, many fans wished it
would go on -- and yet, the irony is that the episodes that made us long for more DS9 did so because they ended the series so well.

Brett Stohs lays out why this episode is so popular among the fans; essentially, it hits the viewer over and over with events that we never expected, but that in retrospect appear inevitable. "This one starts with the destruction of Starfleet Headquarters by the new Breen/Dominion alliance. ... The Defiant is destroyed by a new Breen energy-dissipating weapon that destroys the entire force. In addition, Kai Winn and Dukat begin researching the Pagh Wraiths.
Dukat is finally exposed as a Cardassian, and Winn is forced to kill her most trusted Bajoran advisor. Finally, Damar finally breaks free from the Dominion, starting the Cardassian resistance movement.
A power-packed hour of entertainment that illustrated the direness of the Federation's situation."

7. Improbable Cause

This third-season episode forms a two-part story along with "The Die Is Cast," and the story was so gripping that both episodes made it onto the list. It's not hard to see why: The story opens with Garak's tailor shop blowing up, and Odo spends the episode trying to find out who wants Garak dead. Mike Caldwell notes the special appeal of an episode centered around Garak. "Garak is widely believed to be DS9's most interesting character. He's witty and engaging, but his past is mysterious and probably ugly; he gets all the best lines. In this episode Garak was used to wonderful effect, playing an elaborate game-within-a-game with Odo while maintaining his usual sunny charm."

6. The Visitor

This fourth-season episode, the first one written by Michael Taylor, had the distinction of being the first episode of DS9 ever nominated
for the prestigious Hugo Award. Dana Kiehl says that it was one of the most emotional episodes of any series she had ever seen. In this episode, Jake loses his father to an engineering accident that throws Benjamin Sisko into another dimension, and Jake lives his entire life with the goal of trying to rescue his father. Tony Todd plays an older Jake brilliantly, wringing every last drop of emotion out of his performance.

Tim Lynch notes, "Jake deals with the loss of his father -- or more to the point, doesn't deal with it the way he should -- and that loss follows him through the rest of his life. Tony Todd was denied an Emmy nomination for this one, and I think it was unfair."

5. The Die Is Cast

This third-season episode is the second part of the story that began in "Improbable Cause." Again, Mike Caldwell explains why this episode is so good. "To start with, Garak has a strange, almost disturbing relationship with his old mentor, Tain, who has such a hold over Garak that he gets Garak's help immediately after trying to kill him. At the same time, in this episode the Dominion really seems like an unbeatable adversary, capable of anticipating all of its opponents' moves."

Caldwell also praises the direction of the episode. "My favorite part is the final scene between Garak and Odo; they're both extremely reserved men, and the scene managed to convey their reconciliation without violating their reserve. It was a rare case in TV of using an unusual cinematography to very good effect: As Garak is cleaning a mirror in his damaged shop, he (and the audience) discover Odo's shape reflected in the mirror, and from that point forward the scene is all one shot, with Garak directly visible and Odo only a distant shape in the mirror. Without seeming at all pretentious, that device nicely conveyed the distance between them.

4. Trials and Tribble-ations

It is perhaps inevitable that this episode would end up on almost any fan's 10-best list. The fifth season of DS9 corresponded to the 30th anniversary of the original series, and in honor of that, the producers developed this enjoyable time-travel romp. Charlie Brill reprises his role as the Klingon spy Arne Darvin from "The Trouble
with Tribbles," and he goes back in time in an attempt to change how the events of that episode played out. Fans were delighted to see Sisko, Dax, O'Brien, Worf, and Odo interacting -- or trying their best not to interact -- with Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Chekhov, Uhura, and Scotty.

This episode had a lot of great bits to it, but one of the best was when Worf is confronted with the question of why the Klingons of the original series look different.
Lawrence Weinberg points out that "it was very clever when they had Worf say that the old Klingons are in fact Klingons, but that they don't discuss the change in their appearance with outsiders. It was a nice tongue-in-cheek way of providing continuity between the old series and the new -- which was, of course, what the whole episode was about."

3. Tacking into the Wind

Although this seventh-season episode came very close to the end of the series, it managed to captivate the fans enough to bring it into the top 10. What makes this episode stand out is that it is steeped in Trek history that goes back to The Next Generation. Brett Stohs explains: "Very recent episode, in which Worf must challenge Gowron for the leadership of the Klingon Empire. He eventually kills Gowron, and helps Martok become the new leader.
Also, this episode delves into Damar and the Cardassian resistance. Some great tension between Damar and Kira, as well was illustrations of Odo's illness and his relationship with Kira."

2. Duet

One doesn't usually expect an episode from the first season of a series to make it into a top 10 list. As Kevin Snell points out, "Star Trek: The Next Generation didn't have a single five-star episode in its entire first season. ... Neither did Voyager." And yet, fans of DS9 agree that this episode was one of the best.

Harris Yulin plays Aamin Marritza, a Cardassian who served under Gul Darhe'el during the occupation. Driven by guilt, Marritza goes to DS9 and pretends to be Darhe'el, hoping to atone for his own lack of action by confessing to Darhe'el's crimes. At first, Kira is filled with hatred for Marritza, but when she finds out who he really is, she orders him to be freed. Just as it looks as if the two of them, a Bajoran and a Cardassian, may actually become friends, Marritza
is assassinated by another Bajoran who kills him simply because he is a Cardassian.

What carried this episode so close to the top is not just the story, but the performances by Yulin and Nana Visitor, who plays Kira. As Kevin Snell goes on to say, "That somehow DS9 was able to tap into a racial conflict that had only been introduced a few episodes earlier, and create a character as tragic and nuanced as Aamin Marritza, was, and still is, amazing. Ask your average DS9 devotee what made him or her a diehard fan who never, ever missed an episode. The answer is usually one word: 'Duet.'"

1. In the Pale Moonlight

It is almost impossible to ask anyone about this highest-ranked episode without hearing superlatives galore. Fans are unbridled with their praise for the acting and for the story, in which Sisko goes along with a plot to fool the Romulans into joining the war against the Dominion. This episode, from season 6, creates one of the sharpest moral dilemmas ever shown on Star Trek. As science fiction writer and Star Trek novelist Susan Shwartz puts it, "In the Pale Moonlight" is "a stunning examination of whether the ends do indeed justify the means."

Dana Kiehl notes that this is "one of the darkest episodes that DS9 has ever done in terms of looking deep into the darkest recesses of the soul, specifically Sisko's." But what makes it so dark is the way it goes against the very things Trek always seems to stand for.
Daniel M. Kimmel, the Boston correspondent for Variety, points out why it works. "It's a standout because it shows just how much the inmates are running the asylum. Here is a show that subverts much of the goody, goody Trek ethos -- a Federation officer fabricating evidence to win an alliance, and then erasing the records of his treachery -- and we're cheering him on."

In essence, what makes this episode the favorite among the fans would appear to be the way it pushes the envelope to the very edge, truly fulfilling the promise that DS9 would be a darker and grittier exploration of the Star Trek universe. As Tim Lynch explains, "Sisko winds up compromising his own sense of right and wrong, little by little -- and all 'for the good of the Federation,' or more specifically for the good of the war effort. He says he can live with it -- can Roddenberry's ideals?" Lynch speaks for all DS9 fans when he concludes, "When the show's this good, I'm not sure I mind."

my faves have got to be Past Tense 1&2 In Purgatory's Shadow/By Inferno's Light, and The Visitor :) i miss ds9 already....

Doctor Bashir, I Presume?
(A lot of the episodes are great, and admittedly this is not an ensemble show, but it continues to reveal new little details with each successive viewing and has always been to me one of the most anticipated and enjoyable episodes.)

My favorite episode has to be "The Sound of Her Voice".

I have two chains of favorite DS9 episodes.
The first is the 7 story arc starting with "Call to Arms", and ending with "Sacrifice of Angels."
The second is the 10 episode saga to end the series starting with "Penumbra", and ending with "What You Leave Behind." I just love that B5 type continuity!

First off, there are so many excellent episodes from DS9 that it is truly hard to pick my favorite. So instead I will list a few of them:
"Once more unto the breach" was a fabulous episode in which Martok's hatred towards Kor is justified at first. But after he humiliates Kor in the mess hall, he admits it didnt feel good. And Martok comes to forgive him (sort of) by singing his praises at the end of the episode. J.G Hetzeger did a great job with this episode!
"What we leave behind" Probably the best ending of ANY tv show ever! (I actually almost cried at the end when the cast was thinking back to the times the had on the station)!
"Duet". Again, another fabulous episode all around (it now ranks higher than TNG episode "The inner light"!) Nana Visitor and Harris Yulin worked perfectly together!
"Whispers". It was great that the creators made us wait to the very end to find out what was going on!
"A call to arms". Lots of action here! It was nice of the Dominion to allow Sisko to make his little speech and leave before they borded.

My favorite episodes:
10.Covenant
9.Things Past
8.The Changing Face of Evil
7.Trials and Tribble-ations
6.Shadows and Symbols
5.In the Pale Moonlight
4.Inquisition
3.For the Uniform
2.Rocks and Shoals
1.Sacrifice of Angels

(I only started watching in the fifth season)

Profit and Lace is the best episode of Star Trek ever.

Profit and Lace? That was a terrible episode!

Please Do Not Feed The Troll.

It's a good thing you posted anonymously, Anonymous. Otherwise you would have many of the true DS9 fans on this board hunting you down to kill you.

Please--after this, refer to that episode (if you must refer to it at all) as The Episode Whose Name We Do Not Speak.

From somewhere over on the Voyager board, I posted about this...

I like "In the Pale Moonlight" first of all because it is a great script, brilliantly acted. But it also has some VERY nice continuity going back to "Past Tense". In PT, as Sisko and Bashir wander about the Sanctuary, Bashir wonders what the Federation would do if pushed to extremes. Would they abandon their high values, etc...? Sisko comforts him with a few platitudes, yet just a few years later, push has come to shove, and it is Sisko who is helping the Federation betray its ideals. Very well done.

Why is it the episode who's name we do not speak?
(I mean of course Pr*f*t *nd L*c*)
Just curious.

10 of 9
10. "Necessary Evil". Fascinating picture of Terok Nor during the occupation. Emergence of Rom as comic character in his own right.
9. "Duet". Brilliantly crafted and acted study of evil and remorse. And Bajor has its bad guys too.
8. "Apocalypse Rising". An all-action thriller that sweeps you along, while enjoying a good laugh at the Klingons' ridiculous posturing!
7. "Trials and Tribbleations". It shouldn't have worked - how can one improve on the perfect? - but it did! Congrats to all!
6. "Body Parts". Brunt - my favourite Trek villain of all time! That expression of utter loathing as he accuses Quark of being "a philanthropist!" And poor Quark - caught up in a crisis of conscience and getting excommunicated!
5. "Civil Defence". An all action fun episode unfortunately badly let down by the last 5 minutes as Sisko saves the day. Redeemed by my favourite scene in all of Trek - Dukat beams in with the deadly phaser bolts appearing to dart from his body, arrogant and in control! My kind of guy!
4. Treachery, Faith and the Great River". Incredible performance by Jeffrey Combs as the two Weyouns. Also, the addition of a comedy sub-plot blends in nicely for once,and gives us more insight into the Ferengi culture.
3. "Waltz". Am I the only person to feel sympathy for Dukat? Disowned by his family and former colleagues, his daughter murdered, he's suffered a nervous breakdown, been charged by the high-and-mighty Federation with the crimes of all his race,so would it have been too much for Sisko to give him a few words of comfort? Anyway, although this is a superbly plotted and realised episode, it does unfortunately pave the way for Dukat's character to deteriorate into a mere personification of evil in the later episodes.
2. "Far Beyond the Stars". Trek at its best. A powerful message which is all the more poignant when one realises that the episode's setting is well within living memory - it challenges us to question our own attitudes. Love the paradox at the end - is Sisko the dreamer or the dream?
1. "Sacrifice of Angels". Best ever episode of Trek! It's got everything - action, comedy, conflict, harmony, mysticism, tragedy, etc. etc. etc. Magnificent performance by Marc Alaimo! But why did they have to break up Dukat and Weyoun? The conflict of these two totally opposing characters forced to work together was electric!

I'm going to cast my vote again for "In the Pale Moonlight". This time with a reason behind it. As I've posted on other boards, this episode harks nicely to Bashir and Sisko's conversation in "Past Tense", when Bashir wonders what the Federation would do if its existence were threatened. Would it abandon its high ideals? Well, now we know.

I still think that [The Episode Who's Name We Do Not Speak], if you must call it that, was the best episode of DS9 ever.
It was astronomically comical!

'Profit and Lace' is a lot funnier if you're a transsexual, or know a transsexual well -- the things about it that most people find shocking or irritating are just *life*. Armin gave a very accurate and respectful performance.

There are so many good episodes I could go on and on about which ones I like. To name a few:

"Necessary Evil" because, not only did it show Occupation-era Terok Nor, but it had plot twists like a Law & Order episode.

"Return to Grace" -- Kira and Dukat came up with the most brilliant plans here, and they were on the same side. I liked the dinner scene early on, where Kira and Dukat seem to have buried the hatchet temporarily. They used to be blood enemies, and would be again.

"Way of the Warrior" -- proving that, unlike TNG, DS9 is not afraid to shake up the status quo.

"In Purgatory's Shadow" and "By Inferno's Light" -- same as above. Suddenly, the Klingons are the good guys again.

"The Ship" -- Well done. Of course I knew from the beginning who was going to die. We actually hear someone speaking Spanish. That's a first for Star Trek.

"Siege of AR-558" -- Back in the days of NextGen, did you ever think they would come up with a gritty war story? It actually reminds me of those old John Wayne war flicks. I like it. I'll also throw in "Nor the Battle to the Strong" for the same reason.

And of course the usual stuff: The search, the Dominion War arc, the final chapter, yada, yada, yada.

Check out this quote I got from the Great Link (the website, that is). It was taken from a TV Guide interview with Armin Shimerman:

Has there ever been a show you disliked? "Yes, "Profit and Lace," because the plotline was utterly ridiculous. I'm sure that the idea was initiated by the comic idea of putting Quark in drag, but they never built the story around it to take it any further."

See, even Armin Shimerman doesn't like the Episode Whose Name We Do Not Speak!

Well, I don't often visit the Ds9 boards, not because I don't like it (it's my favourite trek show by miles) it's just that Voyager is still on so I talk about that generally. Anyway I was all set to state "Duet" as my favourite Ds9 episode before I read this board and it still is but I had forgotten all the great episodes already mentioned above: the mirror universe eps, the final arc, In the Pale Moonlight, His Way, In the hands of the prophets, Way of the Warrior. There is just so many to choose from.
As to "The Episode whose name We Do Not Speak", I couldn't remember which one you were talking about at first but knowing which one it is, it brings a smile to my face...it was silly but fun. This should probably go on a new board but what does everybody think about Trek Comedy? (Obviously there are some greats: Little Green Men, Bride oF Chaotica, Family Business but there are some awful ones eg that one with the walking corpse ( I forget the name).
Anyway enough of me rabbitting on.

It's not my absolute favorite, but it's one I can't believe no one's mentioned yet: I loved "To the Death." (I am almost sure that's what it's called ...) Anyway, it had a great plot, some hilarious scenes ("So the Jem'Haddar don't eat, don't sleep, and have no women" -- that whole scene with Jadzia was great!) and we got to see Weyoun die (for the first time)!

Most of the other ones I like have already been said several times. I really love all the comedy shows and the spy shows. . . I pretty much agree with everyone except I'm probably the only one who didn't like the final war arc (partially because it was so dark, partially because Ezri was in it).

My top ten episodes:
10. Whispers
9. Civil Defense
8. Past Tense
7. Call to Arms
6. The Wire
5. The Magnificent Ferengi
4. Sacrifice of Angels
3. In The Pale Moonlight
2. Tears of the Prophets
1. Duet

Paradise.

And I forgot to mention "The Visitor".

There's no denying that ST:DS9 has come up with some quite stunning tales, perhaps even more so than TNG which being the series that I grew up with, I tend to favour. As I am presently at the mercy of the broadcasting timetables of BBC2 (UK-Terrestrial) I have as yet not seen all the DS9 episodes past the Season 7 premier so an even better one may be a few episodes down the road but at this point, I'd have to say that "Way of the Warrior" is presently my favorite DS9 episode of all time! (I was actually surprised by the low number of mentions it got on this web-page!) It was DS9's first TV movie, stunning special effects work, a whole bunch of our favourite guest characters, the introduction of Worf...
Oh, and not forgetting the captain's new image!
The episode was just one huge joy-ride!!!

Other episodes that stand among my personal favourites include: "Whispers", "Blood Oath", "Past Tense", "Civil Defense", "Defiant", "Visionary", "Improbable Cause/The Die Is Cast", "The Visitor", "Little Green Men", "The Sword of Kahless", "Our Man Bashir", "Sons of Mogh", "Rules of Engagement", "Hard Time", "The Quickening", "Apocalypse Rising", "The Assignment", "Trials & Tribble-ations", "Rapture", "The Darkness and the Light", "For the Uniform", "In Purgatorys Shadow/ By Infernos Light", "Doctor Bashir I Presume", "Business as Usual", "Soldiers of the Empire", "Blaze of Glory", "Empok Nor", "Call to Arms", "(The whole six-story dominion war arc!)", PRETTY MUCH ALL OF SEASON SIX!!! And that's no slack evaluation, sifting through the episode guide for Season six, It's hard to find an episode that couldn't make the grade ("Wrongs Darker than Death or Night" and "Profit & Lace" were a little questionable but 24/26 still ain't bad!) - It really was a stunning season!

I'm sure that even out of this lengthy list, I'll watch an episode that I haven't mentioned and think: 'Yeah, that one belongs on this page aswell' (!) But I think I pretty much found all the gems!

ARRRRRGH! You have named the Episode Which Must Not Be Named! You have no honor! I shall slay you with my bath'let!

I'm not sure I can choose any one episode but here are some of favorites:

Season One

Emissary
Duet
In The Hands of the Prophets

Season Two

Necessary Evil
Crossover
The Wire

Season Three

Improbable Cause
The Die Is Cast

Season Four

The Visitor
Hard Time

Season Five

Trials and Tribble-ations
In Purgatory's Shadow
By Inferno's Light
Children of Time
Call to Arms

Season Six

Rocks and Shoals
Behind the Lines
Statistical Probabilities
Far Beyond the Stars
Inquisition
In The Pale Moonlight

Season Seven

Treachery, Faith and the Great River
Inter Arma, Enim Silent Leges
The Changing Face of Evil
Tacking Into the Wind

and, yes, the finale "What You Leave Behind" despite the somewhat disappointing end of Dukat.

But... "For Cardassia!!"

Bath'let (sic)? For washing little Klingon warriors clean?

In terms of cliffhangers, I would say that "Tears of the Prophets" is slightly better than "Call To Arms" (although they aren't true cliffhangers in the "To Be Continued" sense), the reason being that "Call" provides hope for the future, while "Tears" seems to offer no hope for our heroes, in a "how-the-h*ll-will-they-get-out-of-that?" sort of way. Both, however, are brilliant, and way better than the others IMO.

Profit and Lace. DS nine has never been better! Its statements about sexixsm on ferenginar were just awesome. Superb episode

I'll have to look at a complete episode list to do it. But asking me to pick my fave DS9 episode is like asking me to pick between the Rrime Rib sandwich at a certain restaurant or the Filet Mignon at a steakhouse. Or something....

(yes, I am rather carnivorous).

And how could you forget the Li Nalas arc?? *gasps in shock* "The Homecoming," "The Circle," and "The Siege." They don't stack up to the aforementioned episodes, but were good, especially that early in the series.

Look at it: a renowned hero of the Resistance is found, and he is put into Kira's position.

Li looks for a way out as Sisko looks for a way to get Kira back.

The Circle pops up. All non-Bajorans off Bajor. Sisko is ordered to evacuate the station, but he, along with everyone else, stays behind.

Li breaks down, telling Sisko he's "a fake."

And on and on...

Oh, and I thought "Wrongs Darker than Death or Night" was really good.

My faves are "In the Pale Moonlight", "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" and the "Improbable Cause"/"The Die is Cast" two-parter.

Yay! Someone else who really liked "Wrongs Darker than Death or Night."

The two Kira vs. the Cardassian epsiodes, Duet and Second Skin were incredible.

I agree that the Odo/Garak two parter was great. It was the first time there was some good multi-ship space battle action on DS9, while at the same time exploring the fact that Odo and Garak are both outsiders who wished they could return home.

Things Past was very powerful, and a nice reverse echoing of Necessary Evil.

The Quickening was really good. A good sci-fi part happy/part sad ending that utilized Bashir's character well.

As a homage, Trials and Tribble-ations was well done. It wasn't a signature DS9 show in that the story wasn't specific to DS9's premise, nor concerned with the DS9 saga, but used as a way to pay tribute to the overall Trek legacy.

The pain of Odo's revelation and his confrontation of the imposter Kira, (as well as Nog's feelings) in Heart of Stone were excellent. Crossfire also had that tragic element to Odo's unrequited feelings for her.

Hard Time was really good. Seeing O'Brien pushed to that extreme was powerful, and the epiosde was like the dark side of the penny to TNG's The Inner Light.

In the Pale Moonlight is an obvious favorite.

Chimera was the absolute best science fiction allegory-for-racism Trek episode EVER, and best episode of the seventh season. Better than A Man Alone and WAY better than Let That Be Your Last Battlefield(TOS).

a few more to include...

1. Treachery, faith, and the great river
This was a really good episode that gives alot of timr to the Weyoun character and reveals how the Vorta came into existence.

2. Sacrifice of angels
Fabulous episode!!!! I really loved it when the Klingon ships come out of nowhere and start kicking Dominion butt!

3. Seige of AR-523
This episode really opened our eyes to the unpleasantness of war I particularly liked the guy with the bandage on his arm, and how he almost kills Dr Bashir for removing it. It showed alot of intensity.

4. Apocolypse Rising
O'Brien as a Klingon? hahahaha great!

3. Seige of AR-523

The Siege of AR-558.

"What you leave behind"-Undoubtely the BEST Series finale to date, great action, great closure to a great sereies.

"What you leave behind"-Undoubtely the BEST Series finale to date, great action, great closure to a great sereies.

I'm surprised that more people haven't mentioned Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges. That was definately one of my favorites! It was just the kind of dark, plot-twisting episodes that made DS9 truly great. Just like In the Pale Moonlight, it showed the darkness of humanity when It comes to protecting our own.

Well, I liked Trials, What you Leave Behind,Civil Defense,The Woman Ferengi episode,Crossover, Thru the Looking Glass,Dr Bashire I Presume,The Baseball episode,

and the one where they listen to the poor captains voice and cant do anything for her...(what was that episode name?)

Valient and One Little Ship

That was "The Sound of Her Voice."

Meanwhile, most of the ones I really liked have already been mentioned, but can I give a shout out to "Civil Defense," and "Whispers"? Awesome eps.

thanks Sparrow... hey Sparrow47 what was yr first Trek You ever saw and how old?

Just a note, Laforge, but I would prefer if you refrained from using Net shorthand like "yr" instead of "your."

I commented on that elsewhere, and was voted down.

MY FAVORITES - SEASON 1

The Emissary
Babel
Captive Pursuit
Q-Less
The Nagus
The Forsaken
Duet

BEST EPISODE: DUET

MY FAVORITES - SEASON 2

The Siege
Rules of Acquisition
Sanctuary
Rivals
Blood Oath
Crossover
The Jem'Hadar

BEST EPISODE: BLOOD OATH

MY FAVORITES - SEASON 3

The House of Quark
Second Skin
The Abandoned
Civil Defense
Destiny
Prophet Motive
Visionary
Improbable Cause
The Die is Cast
Family Business
Facets
The Adversary

BEST EPISODE: VISIONARY

MY FAVORITES - SEASON 4

Indiscretion
Little Green Men
Starship Down
The Sword of Kahless
Our Man Bashir
The Bar Association
The Muse
Body Parts

BEST EPISODE: The Sword of Kahless

MY FAVORITES - SEASON 5

The Ship
Looking for Par Mach in All the Wrong Places
Trials & Tribble-ations
Let He Who Is Without Sin...
The Ascent
Rapture
The Begotten
For The Uniform
In Inferno's Light
Dr. Bashir, I Presume
Ferengi Love Songs
Soldiers of the Empire

BEST EPISODE: Trials & Tribble-ations (HANDS DOWN!}

MY FAVORTIES - SEASON 6

Favor the Bold
You Are Cordially Invited...
Statistical Probabilities
The Magnificent Ferengi
Who Mourns For Morn?
Far Beyond the Stars
One Little Ship
In The Pale Moonlight
Valiant
The Sound of Her Voice

BEST EPISODE: FAR BEYOND THE STARS

MY FAVORITES - SEASON 7

Take Me Out To The Holosuite
Chrysalis
Treachery, Faith, & the Great River
Once More Unto The Breach
The Siege of AR-558
The Dogs of War

BEST EPISODE: Take Me Out to the Holosuite

10. Duet
9. Defiant
8. Whispers
7. Homefront
6. Paradise Lost
5. The Way of the Warrior (1&2)
4. The Siege of AR-558
3. Far Beyond The Stars
2. In The Pale Moonlight

And the number one all time best episode of DS9 is:

The Visitor

These are some of my "Mediocre" choices now located here.

Whispers
Melora
Profit and Loss
Business As Usual
Sons & Daughters
The Sacrifice of Angels
Waltz
Chimera
Penubra
Until Death Do Us Part
Strange Bedfellows
Changing the Face of Evil
Tacking Into The Wind

Season One: Duet

Season Two: Necessary Evil

Season Three: The Die Is Cast

Season Four: The Visitor

Season Five: Trials and Tribble-ations (though lots of other great epsiodes. Season Five was the best season) (Note: If going beyond uniqueness of this tribute episode, I would then name "Children of Time")

Season Six: In the Pale Moonlight

Season Seven: The Chaging Face of Evil

Best episode in DS9 overall: The Visitor barely beats out In the Pale Moonlight

"In the Pale Moonlight"

It's the best.

"The Siege of AR-588"

It wasn't the absolute best written/acted/directed episode, but it's always been one of my favorites. Before seeing it, I'd never DS9 except for early season reruns, so it was like getting plunged into cold water.

More specifically:
1) Is there something wrong with the color on my TV? Their uniforms all look gray.
2) What's the Dominion?
3) Where did Jadzia go? Who is this new chick with the spots?
4) Why is there a Ferengi in Starfleet?

Overall it was completely different from any episode of ST I'd ever seen at the time, and that's what made the most lasting impression on me.

So many questions Q!

1) They changed the uniform colour (except for the very top) in Season Five. Nothing wrong with your TV!

2) The Dominion is an interstellar alliance in the Gamma Quadrant. It's run by the Founders, who, through the Vorta, control the loyalty of genetically engineering soldiers, the Jem'Hadar. They're at war with the Federation.

3) Jadzia died at the end of Season Six (she was written out since Terry Farrell was leaving).

4) Nog entered Starfleet Academy in Season Four - it took a great deal of persuading for Sisko to sponsor his application.

Anyway, if you start watching from about midway in Season Two (or earlier), you'll catch up.

Thanks, Josh. These were actually my questions way back when I first saw this episode. That's why I like it so much...it really was my first experience with DS9. I've since been filled in by watching a lot of reruns.

Favorites bolded.

Season One
Emissary
A Man Alone
Babel
Q-Less
The Nagus
Progress
The Forsaken
Duet
In the Hands of the Prophets

Season Two
The Homecoming/Circle/Siege
Cardassians
Necessary Evil
The Alternate
Whispers
Profit and Loss
The Maquis, Parts I and II
The Wire
Crossover
The Jem'Hadar

Season Three
The Search, Parts I and II
The House of Quark
Second Skin
The Abandoned
Civil Defense
Defiant
Destiny
Visionary
Distant Voices
Through the Looking Glassing
Improbable Cause/The Die is Cast
The Adversary

Wow, good year

Season Four
The Way of the Warrior
The Visitor
Indiscrection
Starship Down
Little Green Men
The Sword of Kahless
Our Man Bashir
Return to Grace
Hard Time
Shattered Mirror
For the Cause
To the Death
Body Parts
Broken Link

Season Five
Apocalypse Rising
The Ship
...Nor the Battle to the Strong
Trials and Tribble-ations
Let He Who Is Without Sin... (Seriously)
Things Past
The Ascent
The Begotten
For the Uniform
In Purgatory's Shadow/By Inferno's Light
Business as Usual
Ties of Blood and Water
Soldiers of the Empire
Blaze of Glory
Empok Nor
In the Cards
Call to Arms

Season Six
A Time to Stand
Rocks and Shoals
Sons and Daughters
Favor the Bold
Sacrifice of Angels
You are Cordially Invited...
The Magnificent Ferengi
Waltz
Who Mourns for Morn?
Far Beyond the Stars
Honor Among Thieves
In the Pale Moonlight
Valiant
Tears of the Prophets

Season Seven
Image in the Sand/Shadows and Symbols
Take Me Out to the Holosuite
Treachery, Faith, and the Great River
Once More Unto the Breach
The Siege of AR-558
It's Only a Paper Moon
The Emperor's New Cloak
Penumbra
'Til Death do Us Part
Strange Bedfellows
The Changing Face of Evil
When it Rains...
Tacking Into the Wind
Extreme Measures
The Dogs of War
What You Leave Behind

So many great episodes, I'll try to mention my absolute favorites.
In no particular order:

The Emissary
The Visitor
Duet
Blood Oath
The Jem' Hadar
Defiant
Children of Time
His Way
Looking for Par'mach in all wrong places
Change of Heart
The house of Quark
The Way of The Warrior
The Sword of Kahless
To the Death
Bronken Link
Sons of Mogh
You are Cordially Invited
A Time to Stand - Sacrifice of Angels
One Little Ship
The Ship
Soldiers of the Empire
Waltz
Trials and Tribble-ations
For The Uniform
In purgatory's shadow / By Inferno's light
Far Beyond the Star

I already mention too many and I'm sure I forget even more.