My Notes
WIld going back and watching this again. The characters all grow and change so much by the end, but all the seeds are here in this episode, everyone trying to establish their position. Lursa and Betor trying to bridge the TNG gap, seems like a stretch but they are more believable than Tahna is
My Notes
Board games! But wow awful singing, legendarily hated episode. The concept could've been executed better and possibly salvaged but instead its just a hot mess
Nate’s Notes
Allamaraine, count to four, Allamaraine, please god no more
Nate’s Notes
Interesting concept but did not stick the landing, which is sad given the acting talent in the episode. The origin of the baseball on Sisko's desk.
My Notes
Great acting for a season 1 episode of a series, also fun double-reveal. Also even in S1 we see how wonderfully manipulative Odo and Dukat can be. Great character dev all around in this episode
Nate’s Notes
It feels like this is the first episode where the stakes for DS9 are put on the table. Great episode all around.
My Notes
Good symbiont flavor and backstory. I think Tim Russ might be a little underrated. Known primarily for playing a vulcan doesn't show his full range. That Sisko look after the failed kiss... DS9 is much better at this subtle drama. And the Quark reaction when they try to get Odo out of the box. Chuckles. "Oh it's ok. If Odo's free there's no way you're getting off the station."
My Notes
I think Melora (or a similar character) was originally supposed to be a series regular but they canned the idea due to budget. We should keep a tracker for whenever Bashir falls in love and tries to "save" someone medically
My Notes
backstory if you were wondering what Odo's time on Terek Nor was like before the Federation came. Otherwise it kinda feels like a typical Law and Order episode
My Notes
This one starts off like it's going to be another corny procedural, but I think they handle both sides of the story pretty seriously. Funny end moment about the coffee
Nate’s Notes
A rare episode where the time you watch it can change your view. Initially it was OK but now with technology and AI readily available I see more empathy.
My Notes
I love that most of the drama in the first couple seasons is just trying to fix stuff on the station. I like this episode but it's skippable for the casual viewers
My Notes
backstory, whether its true or not.... who's to say.... (andy is great as usual). This should probably be a 2 for the last few lines alone. Superb.
Nate’s Notes
What is real and what is a lie? Why both and neither.
My Notes
politicians gonna politick. I love Odo coming to Quark for help. I can't remember if this is the first time we catch the idea that Odo might have a crush on Kira
My Notes
There are four lights! Oh wrong cardassian kidnapping episode. Garak is such a good character. Probably too convienent at times, but portrayed so well
My Notes
Bashir's Monster. Classic Winn doing dubious stuff, but this one's only for the diehards. I guess it's important to know who dies in this episode for the long run, but it's generally skippable.
Nate’s Notes
Positronic parts are so easy to make now.
My Notes
It's kind of funny how more and more catastrophic every jump gets. It's a neat idea but a bit melodramatic. The more interesting parts of the episode are the discussions with the Romulans about their agreement re: the cloaking device. The reveal about the Romulans being the culprits are unsprising for a couple reasons; 1, we knew about the temporal potential from previous TNG episodes and 2, its the Romulans, duh
Nate’s Notes
A time travel episode with actual consequences
My Notes
I do really like the unexpected naval pace and cadence of bridge communications. It's a rare reminder of what Gene likely wanted the universe to feel like. Also, I can see the potential issue with sisko becoming a homicidal maniac again, but somehow I'm ok with that. I do find all the literary references to be overly pretentious though
My Notes
There's an underlying message that relates even today to current events, trans rights etc, but ultimately they prove that these mutants DO need to be isolated because they are a liability. So in the end I'm not sure what message they're trying to send here. This is part of a major recurring issue I have with the last couple seasons of DS9 which is also why the show was great; they took big swings. Unfortunately I just don't buy the idea of Bashir being a secret superhuman. It's a retroactive thing that bothers me.
My Notes
watched this again. It's a stupid episode, but it's still quite enjoyable for the joke that it is. And the last moment with Odo/Quark is exactly what I enjoy about DS9
Nate’s Notes
The break in charater hurts the episode. We are totally duty oriented but will totally change that at the drop of a dime because...contrived reasons.
My Notes
Does this fit Gene's original vision? No, not even close. But it fits the world DS9 has created and is a great bit of drama with some superb dialogue.
My Notes
Wow this is hitting so differently now in 2026. I cannot believe that this shit is happening in real life all around us now. Super disturbing. I remember watching this in 2002 and thinking oh yeah this is really far fetched but now I really uncomfortable.
Nate’s Notes
We are not a cult, really, we're not...
My Notes
The Vic storyline is a little overdone but the writing is good so you let it go
Nate’s Notes
Episode touches on trauma in a way that keeps the story focused but allows for 90's mainstream interpretation. Curious how this episode would play out in modern Trek.