STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
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(Redirected from DS9)
'''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''' (sometimes abbreviated to '''ST:DS9''' or '''DS9''') is a science fiction television program that premiered in 1993, ran for seven seasons, and ended in 1999. Rooted in Gene Roddenberry’s ''Star Trek'' universe, it was created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, at Brandon Tartikoff's request, and produced by Paramount Pictures. The main writers, in addition to Berman and Piller, included show runner Ira Steven Behr, Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Ronald D. Moore, Peter Allan Fields, Joe Menosky, René Echevarria, Richard Manning, and Hans Beimler.
A spin-off of '', ''DS9'' began while its parent series was still on the air, and there were several crossover episodes between the two shows. In addition, two ''Next Generation'' characters, Miles O'Brien and Worf, became regular members of ''DS9''.
However, unlike its predecessor, ''DS9'' often broke the rules laid down by Roddenberry, such as the prohibition against interpersonal conflicts between the main characters.[1] Also, unlike the other Star Trek programs, ''DS9'' took place on a space station instead of a starship. This made continuing story arcs and the appearance of recurring characters much more feasible. The show is noted for its well-developed characters and its original, complex plots. The series also depended on darker themes, less physical exploration of space, and an emphasis (in later seasons) on many aspects of war.
Although ''DS9's ratings were initially solid, it was never as successful as ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', with ratings declining in later seasons. A number of reasons were given for this decline, including an increasingly crowded television marketplace (''Babylon 5'' aired about the same time, mining similar themes), cannibalization of viewership between ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and '', and viewer fatigue. Nonetheless, it remained the top-rated first-run syndicated drama series throughout most of its run.
Conceived in 1991, shortly before Gene Roddenberry’s death, ''DS9'' centers on the space station Deep Space 9 (original Cardassian designation ''Terok Nor''), which is under the joint control of the United Federation of Planets and Bajor, a planet recently liberated from a long, brutal Cardassian occupation. According to co-creator Berman, he and Piller had considered setting the new series on a colony planet, but they felt a space station would both appeal more to viewers and save money that would be required for on-location shooting for a "land-based" show. However, they were certain they did not want the show to be set aboard a starship because ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' was still in production at the time and, in Berman’s words, it "just seemed ridiculous to have two shows—two casts of characters—that were off going where no man has gone before."1
In the pilot, the station is moved near the just discovered Bajoran wormhole, allowing access to the distant, unexplored Gamma Quadrant. It quickly becomes a center for exploration, interstellar trade, political maneuvering, and eventually open conflict.
''DS9'' contains more story arcs that span several episodes and even seasons than preceding ''Star Trek'' series. Its predecessors tend to restore the ''status quo ante'' at the end of an episode, so that many episodes could be seen out-of-order without compromising their plots. On ''DS9'' however, not only are events in one episode often referenced and built upon in later ones, but sometimes several episodes in a row are cliffhangers. Michael Piller, who spoke very highly of Behr's contributions, believed this to be one of the series' best qualities, that the repercussions of past episodes remained with the show and characters were forced to "learn that actions have consequences".1 This trend was especially strong near the end of the series’ run, by which point the show was intentionally very much a serial.1 This permitted greater character and plot development.
Interpersonal conflicts between regular characters had been previously forbidden by Roddenberry in '' and '', but feature prominently in ''DS9''. This was at the suggestion of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''’s writers (many of whom also wrote for ''DS9'') because they felt that the prohibition limited their ability to develop interesting stories. In Piller's words, "people who come from different places—honorable, noble people—will naturally have conflicts".1
★ 'Benjamin Sisko' ('Avery Brooks'), the Human Starfleet officer placed in charge of Deep Space Nine. A grieving widower at the start of the series, with a teenage son, he has trouble at first reconciling his official duties with his new-found status as a Bajoran religious icon.
★ 'Kira Nerys' ('Nana Visitor'), a Bajoran militia officer, former guerrilla fighter during the Cardassian Occupation, and Sisko's second in command. She initially distrusts the Federation's intentions toward her planet, but grows to value the friendship of the rest of the crew. Like most Bajorans, she is strongly religious, which makes it awkward having the Emissary as her commander. Ro Laren, a ''Next Generation'' character, was the producers' first choice for the first officer, but Michelle Forbes did not want to commit to a television show.
★ 'Odo' ('Rene Auberjonois'), the station's incorruptible chief of security both under the Cardassians and later the Federation. He is a Changeling, capable of assuming any shape he wishes.
★ 'Julian Bashir' ('Alexander Siddig'), the chief medical officer. Although Human, his parents had him illegally genetically enhanced when he was a child because he couldn't keep up with his peers. Somewhat tactless, he nevertheless develops strong friendships with several of the station residents, particularly Miles O'Brien and, more ambiguously, a mysterious Cardassian named Garak. Siddig appears in the opening credits by a shortened form of his birth name, Siddig el Fadil, for the first three seasons. He appeared as Alexander Siddig after he married co-star Nana Visitor, which placed their names together in the alphabetical cast credits, although his stated reason for the name change was that he discovered that viewers did not know how to pronounce "el Fadil". Siddig continued to be credited as Siddig el Fadil when he directed.
★ 'Jadzia Dax' ('Terry Farrell', seasons 1-6), the Joined Trill science officer. She shares her life and thoughts with a long-lived symbiont (Dax) which has already experienced seven prior lives. The previous host, Curzon Dax, had been a larger-than-life rogue and a mentor to Sisko.
★ 'Quark' ('Armin Shimerman'), a Ferengi bar owner. Like most of his species (with the notable exception of his brother Rom), he is extremely capitalistic and willing to do whatever it takes to acquire more latinum. This almost invariably brings him into conflict with Odo.
★ 'Miles O'Brien' ('Colm Meaney'), the Human chief of operations. He keeps the station in working order. He is married to botanist Keiko, and has a daughter, Molly, and later a son, Kirayoshi.
★ 'Jake Sisko' ('Cirroc Lofton'), Benjamin's son. He decides not to follow in his father's footsteps, wanting to be a writer and reporter instead.
During its seven-year run, ''DS9'' made two major cast changes. The fourth season added Michael Dorn as the Klingon Worf, who had recently finished seven years on ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', in order to boost ratings.[2] The second change was the abrupt departure of Terry Farrell. Feeling that the large cast limited her screen time, she did not renew her contract at the end of the sixth season. The writers introduced Ezri Dax (Nicole de Boer) to provide a new host for the symbiont.[3]
Featuring a diverse cast, ''DS9'' was the first series to include main characters who were not members of Starfleet: Kira Nerys, Odo, Quark and Jake Sisko. In addition, Miles O'Brien is the first non-commissioned main Starfleet character, reprising a supporting role from many episodes of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.
Main articles: List of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine characters
The setting of the show—a space station rather than a starship—fostered a rich assortment of recurring characters. It was not unheard of for "secondary" characters to play as much, or more, of a role in an episode as the regular cast. For example, "The Wire" focused almost entirely on Garak, while "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River" featured Weyoun, with a secondary plot centered on Nog. "It's Only a Paper Moon" featured Nog and holographic crooner Vic Fontaine carrying the story.
Several Cardassian characters figure prominently in ''DS9'', particularly Gul Dukat, played by Marc Alaimo. A complex character, he undergoes several transitions before ultimately becoming purely evil and Sisko's archenemy by the show's conclusion. A StarTrek.com article about Star Trek's greatest villains described Gul Dukat as "possibly the most complex and fully-developed bad guy in ''Star Trek'' history".[4] The previous commander of the station, Dukat eventually leads a coup to take over his home world and allies with the Dominion against the Federation.
Elim Garak, portrayed by Andrew Robinson, is the only Cardassian who remains on the space station when the Federation and the Bajorans take over. Widely suspected of being a disgraced former agent of the Obsidian Order, the feared secret police, he maintains that he is merely a simple tailor. Garak's skills and contacts on Cardassia prove invaluable on several occasions, and he becomes a pivotal figure in the war with the Dominion.
Damar (Casey Biggs) is initially Dukat's loyal henchman, but he later becomes more sympathetic and plays a vital role in the defeat of the Dominion.
Jeffrey Combs (of ''Re-Animator'' fame) has stated that he had auditioned for the role of William T. Riker on ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', but when Jonathan Frakes (who won the part) later directed the ''DS9'' episode "Meridian", he recommended Combs for a part.[5] Combs made his ''Star Trek'' and ''DS9'' debut as a one-episode alien named Timon, before being cast as the Ferengi and the Vorta Weyoun. He would go on to appear in thirty-one episodes of ''DS9'', playing four distinct characters—five, if one counts the "mirror universe" version of Brunt. In "The Dogs of War", he also became one of the few Star Trek actors to play two distinct roles (Brunt and Weyoun) in the same episode.
In addition to Quark and his brother Rom (Max Grodénchik), several other Ferengi had recurring roles, among them their shrewd mother Ishka (Cecily Adams), engineer of a social revolution on Ferenginar, Rom's son Nog (Aron Eisenberg), the first Ferengi to join Starfleet, and the Ferengi leader, (Wallace Shawn).
The Klingon Empire plays a more significant role in ''DS9'' than in any other Star Trek series. Aside from Worf, recurring Klingon characters include Chancellor Gowron (Robert O'Reilly), leader of the Empire until he is supplanted by General Martok (J.G. Hertzler) during the Dominion War. Kor, a Klingon character from ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' resurfaces in three ''DS9'' episodes. He was played by John Colicos in both series.
Morn is a minor character who, like his inspiration (Norm from ''Cheers''), is a fixture in a bar (in this case, Quark's), spending seven years there. It became a running joke that, despite the other characters' remarks on how talkative and funny he is, he never speaks a word on camera.
Other prominent recurring actors include Academy Award-winner Louise Fletcher as the Bajoran spiritual leader Kai Winn, Salome Jens as the Female Changeling, and James Darren as the hologram Vic Fontaine.
Main articles: List of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes
In the first episode, Starfleet Commander Benjamin Sisko takes charge of Deep Space Nine. He and Jadzia Dax stumble upon the first stable wormhole ever found and discover that it is inhabited by beings who are not bound by normal space and time. To the strongly religious people of Bajor, the wormhole aliens are the "Prophets" and the wormhole itself is the long-prophesied "Celestial Temple." Sisko himself is hailed as the "Emissary of the Prophets."
This provides the basis for a long-lasting story arc. Sisko initially considers his role as a religious icon with open discomfort and skepticism, referring to the Bajoran Prophets simply as "wormhole aliens" and striving to keep his role as commander of the station distinct from any obligations that the Bajorans try to place on him. Later, he becomes more accepting of his role and, by the end of the series, he openly embraces it.
The station crew early on has to contend with a human resistance group known as the Maquis. Rooted in the events of ''The Next Generation'' episode, "Journey's End", in which Native American settlers refuse to leave when their colony world is given to Cardassia as part of a treaty, the Maquis is an example for the show’s exploration of darker themes: its members are Federation citizens who take up arms against Cardassia in defense of their homes, and some—such as Calvin Hudson, a long-time friend of Sisko's, and Michael Eddington, who defects while serving aboard the station—are Starfleet officers. The show’s sharp departure from traditional ''Star Trek'' themes can be seen in episodes such as "For the Cause", in which Eddington tells Sisko, "Everybody should want to be in the Federation. Nobody leaves paradise. In some ways you’re even worse than the Borg. At least they tell you about their plans for assimilation. You assimilate people and they don’t even know it."
The second-season episode, "Rules of Acquisition" introduces the Dominion, a ruthless empire in the Gamma Quadrant. It is led by "the Founders", a race of shapeshifting Changelings—the same race as station security chief Odo. They were once persecuted by non-shapeshifters (whom they call "Solids") and they seek to impose "order" upon any who could potentially harm them, which includes nearly all Solids. The Founders have created or genetically modified two races to serve them: the Vorta, sly and subversive diplomats, and the Jem’Hadar, their fearless shock troops. These races worship the Founders as gods.
At the start of ''DS9''’s third season ("The Search"), with the threat of a Dominion attack looming from the other side of the wormhole, Commander Sisko returns from a trip to Starfleet Headquarters on Earth with the USS ''Defiant'', a prototype starship that was originally built to fight the Borg. It remains stationed at ''Deep Space Nine'' until its destruction in season seven, providing an avenue for plotlines away from the station.
The Dominion forms an uneasy alliance with the Cardassians in the fifth-season episodes "In Purgatory's Shadow" and "By Inferno's Light" and goes to war with the other major powers of the Alpha Quadrant. Throughout the series, loyalties and alliances change repeatedly: pacts with the Cardassians are made, broken, and remade; a short war with the Klingons flares up and is settled, and (through Sisko's secret machinations) the formerly neutral Romulans ally with the Federation.
An example of ''DS9''’s darker nature is Section 31, a secret organization dedicated to preserving the Federation way of life at any cost. This shadow group, introduced in "Inquisition", justifies its unlawful, unilateral tactics by claiming that it is essential to the continued existence of the Federation. Section 31 features prominently in several episodes of the Dominion War arc; such plot elements, as well as ''DS9''’s relative lack of exposure compared to its predecessor, garnered the show a reputation as the "black sheep" of the ''Trek'' family.[6]
In ''DS9'', the Ferengi are no longer an enemy of the Federation, but rather an economic power whose political neutrality is, for the most part, respected. A number of episodes explore their capitalistic nature, while others delved into the race’s sexist social norms.
''DS9'' was well received by critics with ''TV Guide'' describing it as "the best acted, written, produced and altogether finest" ''Star Trek'' series.[7] Despite debuting in the shadow of ''The Next Generation'', ''DS9'' achieved a considerable level of success in its own right. According to a press release through ''Newswire'' on April 7, 1999, it was the #1 syndicated show in the United States for adults 18-49 and 25-54 throughout its run in the National Television Index. The characters of ''DS9'' were featured on the cover of ''TV Guide'' ten times during its run, including several "special issue" editions in which a set of four different-covered versions were printed.
The series won a number of awards.[8] It was nominated for Emmy Awards every year of its run, including makeup, cinematography, art direction, special effects, hairstyling, music (direction and composition), and costumes. Of these, it won two for Makeup (for "Captive Pursuit" and "Distant Voices") and one for the Main Title Theme Music (Dennis McCarthy). It was also nominated for two Hugo Awards in Best Dramatic Presentation for "The Visitor" and "Trials and Tribble-ations"; the competing series ''Babylon 5'' won the Hugo Award.
The show first aired just weeks before the debut of ''Babylon 5''. Controversy arose between the similarities of the two shows. ''Babylon 5'' creator, J. Michael Straczynski, indicated that Paramount was aware of his concept as early as 1989.[9]
''DS9'' is also notable for breaking several cultural taboos during its run. Most prominent among these is the issue of homosexuality. Gay and gay-friendly fans of the franchise had been waiting for a ''Star Trek'' television spin-off to address how the utopian society dealt with sexual orientation, since Gene Roddenberry had promised to tackle the issue in 1987.[10] While ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' gingerly addresses the issue through gender identity on an occasion, two ''DS9'' episodes showcased a kiss between a same-sex duo.
The first same-sex kiss on a ''Star Trek'' television series was shown in the episode "Rejoined". In the story, Jadzia Dax and another Trill named Lenara Kahn at one point embrace in a passionate kiss. As the "Star Trek" series is only a reflection of what could be considered reality, the two were neither lesbians nor was the kiss a "lesbian" kiss; rather the controversy was over two actresses kissing on television, primarily. The two characters in the story had been married in previous lives when the Dax symbiont was in a male host, and that was in love with the Kahn symbiont which was in a female host. None of the other characters express any shock at temporary homosexuality. Writer Rene Echevarria made a conscious effort not to glamorize the kiss and make it a ratings booster. The point was to emphasize the romance, not to sensationalize.2 This episode aired a year and a half before the controversial "out of the closet" shift in the sitcom ''Ellen'', and proved troublesome for some local affiliates.10
In the seventh season episode, "The Emperor’s New Cloak", versions of Kira Nerys and Ezri Dax in a Mirror Universe, or parallel universe, kiss in a same-sex context. The Mirror Universe Leeta exhibiting an unmistakable interest in the Mirror Ezri, and vice versa. Although no instances deal with a homosexual character directly, the pre-''Ellen'' same-sex kisses were often compared to the ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' episode "Plato’s Stepchildren", which contained the first interracial kiss to air on United States network television.
In the sixth season of DS9, transvestism is used for humorous effect in "Profit and Lace", like that of the film ''Tootsie''. In the midst of a struggle for women's rights on the Ferengi home world, Quark's mother suffers a heart attack prior to a critical meeting with an influential businessman. She hopes to recruit him to her cause. As there are no other Ferengi females on the station, Quark undergoes a temporary sex change, moonlighting as a female named Lumba. She attempts to impress the man whom flirts and falls in love with her, chasing Lumba around a room. The episode was intended to be lighthearted. However promotional spots depicted Quark's predicament as "a real drag", and the episode was poorly received by fans. It has been heavily criticized.
Other pert issues arose within the various Star Trek series in addition to sexuality. There were several instances of potentially offensive language during the series' run, unprecedented for the ''Star Trek'' franchise (although ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' went much further, even using the phrase "you son of a bitch" in its pilot). The episode "Far Beyond the Stars", much of which takes place in 1950s Earth, features a scene in which Cirroc Lofton, as an African-American man, claims that blacks will never get to space except to "shine the shoes" of whites, to whom his character feels blacks "would always be niggers." Although not the first time the word nigger had been used on American television (it was commonly used in dramas in the 1970s), by the late 1990s, the word had all but vanished in any context in mainstream media. Another occurrence likely went unnoticed among American audiences; in the episode "Time’s Orphan", Irish Chief O’Brien utters the British and Irish swear word "bollocks". Furthermore, the series used several racial epithets for alien races in the series, namely "spoonhead" and "Cardies" for Cardassians.
On June 30, 1993, between seasons one and two, ''DS9'' followed other ''Star Trek'' series in releasing the original score from its pilot episode on CD. The title theme was also made available as a CD single. Music from several other episodes is included on the ''The Best of Star Trek'' releases.
The character of Vic Fontaine (played by 60s heart throb James Darren), a self-aware holographic Las Vegas lounge lizard from the 1960s, was introduced in the sixth-season episode "His Way". Vic was popular with the station's crew and performed many period songs by, among others, Frank Sinatra and Nat "King" Cole. Darren's role allowed him to release ''This One's From the Heart'' on August 24, 1999, featuring songs that Vic sings in the show and other period pieces.
Episodes of ''DS9'' were made available on VHS cassettes. The first release came on November 19, 1996 in the United States, but the line was discontinued once all of ''DS9'' had been released on DVD. The series was released on VHS in the UK starting August 2, 1993. Each video box contained unique artwork and character/plot information.
Following the DVD release of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' in 2002, ''DS9'' was released on DVD beginning in February 2003. ''DS9'' was released in boxed sets of one season each and released approximately a month apart. Each season contains several "special features", including a biographical look at a main character, information from make-up designer Michael Westmore on how various aliens were created, and interviews with cast members and crew members. The sets also include "Section 31" easter eggs that give a brief look at other aspects of the show. The Region 2 DVDs also come with bonus CD-ROM discs that allow users to build a "virtual" DS9 on their computer with each release. On October 26, 2004, a compilation of all seven season sets was also released.
Pocket Books has published several dozen books based on ''DS9''. Some of these were novelizations of memorable episodes, such as "Emissary", "The Search" and "What You Leave Behind", which were usually published a few days after the episode aired in the United States. Several novels were part of "crossover" series between the ''Star Trek'' franchises, while others were part of other franchises but dealt with events laid out in ''DS9''. For example, ''The Battle of Betazed'' tells of how Deanna Troi attempted to resist the Dominion occupation of her world (mentioned in the episode "In the Pale Moonlight"). Most focus on the station and its crew, with a notable exception being Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe’s ''Legends of the Ferengi''.
''Avatar'', a two-part novel published on May 1, 2001, picked up where the series left off. It began of ''DS9'', into which ''A Stitch in Time'' (a biographical look at the life of Garak, written by Andrew Robinson) was incorporated retroactively. The events of "What You Leave Behind", ''DS9''’s series finale, caused some radical changes to occur in season 8. As Benjamin Sisko had entered the Celestial Temple, Colonel Kira was given command of the station while a new commander named Elias Vaughn took over her position, Garak became the leader of post-war Cardassia, Odo helped the Changelings rebuild, and Rom presided over the Ferengi Alliance.
Outside its line of novels, ''DS9'' has been the subject of several comic books and other publications. One comic is a spin-off, detailing Nog’s experiences at the Starfleet Academy. Another ''DS9'' comic series became an exceptional example of licensed ''Star Trek'' works influencing each other, a major character from WildStorm Comics’ ''N-Vector'', Tiris Jast, appeared in the ''Avatar, Part I'' novel.
Other publications, such as the and , are common to most of the ''Trek'' series. The DS9 Companion contains detailed episode guides and interviews with actors, writers, directors and other staff members.
''DS9'' series influences were included in role-playing game reference books from Last Unicorn Games and Decipher. Additionally, several novels have also been released in audio form, narrated by Rene Auberjonois and Armin Shimerman among others.
Several video games focusing on ''DS9'' have been released. The first was ''Crossroads of Time'', a 1995 side-scrolling game released for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. The game takes place around the time of the series premiere, borrowing some stories from early episodes such as "Past Prologue" and creating others. A number of problems reportedly impeded the game's development process,[11] and it met with mixed reactions.
Three ''DS9''-themed games were released for the PC: '' in 1996, '' in 2000, and '' in 2001. A board game was released as part of the now-defunct "component board game" series, which included an intercompatible board game for ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.[12] ''DS9''' s role-playing book was one of several that failed to be released into wide circulation when Decipher, then publisher of the ''Star Trek'' role-playing game, discontinued its line.
The series features prominently in the ''Star Trek Customizable Card Game'', particularly its second edition. In the game's first edition, ''Deep Space Nine'' is the titular fifth set, followed by one entitled "The Dominion" and several other ''DS9''-themed sets. In the second edition, there are two types of cards for the United Federation of Planets, which may be placed at Earth or Deep Space Nine. The Ferengi, Dominion, Cardassian, Bajoran, and Maquis affiliations are comprised primarily of ''DS9''-derived material, while the Klingon affiliation also borrows strongly from it.[13]
Along with the rest of the ''Star Trek'' franchise, ''DS9'' has been the subject of much merchandizing. Action figures, keychains, models, and other items have been released. The station itself, which is highly recognizable and iconic of the series, is the subject of many of these items. Paramount also sells Starfleet uniforms; among the styles is the so-called "''DS9''-style" uniform, which is primarily black with a division colour (red for command, yellow for engineering or security, blue for medical and the sciences) on the shoulders.
''DS9'' is also well represented at , an attraction at the Las Vegas Hilton which faithfully recreates both Quark’s Bar & Restaurant and the Promenade. The former serves ''Star Trek''-style food and drinks, and hosts gatherings such as conventions. The latter (called the Shopping Promenade) sells various souvenirs and rarities; among the items for sale are "official" Starfleet uniforms and action figures.
1. The featurette "A Bold New Beginning" can be found on the DVD set, ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete First Season''. In it, Rick Berman and others detail the early design phases of the series and what their goals were in creating it.
2. Source: "Charting New Territory". DVD extra included with ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete Fourth Season''. Of Worf, writer/producer Robert Hewitt Wolfe said in an interview conducted on October 20, 2002 that the studio felt ''DS9''' s ratings were sagging at the end of the third season, and he and the other writers were asked to give viewers a new reason to watch. Their answer was to make Worf a part of the cast.
3. Source: "Crew Dossier - Jadzia Dax". Included with ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete Second Season''.
4. Source: http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/features/specials/article/1617.html
5. Combs, Jeffrey. Interview conducted January 30, 2003. Included as a "Hidden File" with ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete Third Season''.
6. The ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'' used this phrase in a November 30, 1999 editorial (which can be found archived on Brannon Braga’s official website), as did ''Exclaim!'' magazine in a March 31, 2003 review. (Despite the connotations associated with the phrase "black sheep", however, the writers of both articles spoke highly of the series.)
7. Although it does not specify an issue or volume, the publisher’s description for the novel ''Unity'' uses this quote to tout the book.
8. "Awards for 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'". ''IMDb: Earth's Biggest Movie Database''. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106145/awards. Accessed 16 August 2006.
9. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Season One (review) Sylvain, Nicholas, Judge (Retired)
10. The fan site Gay League maintains a Gay ''Star Trek'' Timeline, which details the franchise's treatment of homosexuality. Of the first "lesbian kiss" -- the characters of the show are not lesbians and the word "lesbian" is not used in throughout any of the "Star Trek" series or movies -- it states, “Reaction to the episode was strong: some stations refused to air the episode, a Southern affiliate edited the kissing scene out. Mail and phone calls ran very negative, although some positive feedback emerged." (Spike TV, which holds the rerun rights to the series, currently shows all episodes unabridged except where time constraints are concerned.)
11. On his personal website, lead designer Maurice Molyneaux provides behind-the-scenes information and personal reflections about the development of ''Crossroads of Time''.
12. "Star Trek Deep Space Nine - Component Game System". ''Board Game Geek''. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/12937. Accessed 16 August 2006.
13. A comprehensive history of the first edition is at http://www.jklm.net/atn/pdp.html. Of note, particularly in the second edition, are the Bajoran and Dominion affiliations and the "Deep Space Nine"-oriented United Federation of Planets option; the material for all three comes almost exclusively from ''DS9''. The Cardassian, Ferengi and Maquis affiliations also draw the majority of their source material from the series.
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' at StarTrek.com
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' on Spike TV
★ ''
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' at TrekCore.com - Includes archive of over 60,000 DVD Screencaps from the show
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' DVDs at DVD Journal
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Scripts''
'''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''' (sometimes abbreviated to '''ST:DS9''' or '''DS9''') is a science fiction television program that premiered in 1993, ran for seven seasons, and ended in 1999. Rooted in Gene Roddenberry’s ''Star Trek'' universe, it was created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, at Brandon Tartikoff's request, and produced by Paramount Pictures. The main writers, in addition to Berman and Piller, included show runner Ira Steven Behr, Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Ronald D. Moore, Peter Allan Fields, Joe Menosky, René Echevarria, Richard Manning, and Hans Beimler.
A spin-off of '', ''DS9'' began while its parent series was still on the air, and there were several crossover episodes between the two shows. In addition, two ''Next Generation'' characters, Miles O'Brien and Worf, became regular members of ''DS9''.
However, unlike its predecessor, ''DS9'' often broke the rules laid down by Roddenberry, such as the prohibition against interpersonal conflicts between the main characters.[1] Also, unlike the other Star Trek programs, ''DS9'' took place on a space station instead of a starship. This made continuing story arcs and the appearance of recurring characters much more feasible. The show is noted for its well-developed characters and its original, complex plots. The series also depended on darker themes, less physical exploration of space, and an emphasis (in later seasons) on many aspects of war.
Although ''DS9's ratings were initially solid, it was never as successful as ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', with ratings declining in later seasons. A number of reasons were given for this decline, including an increasingly crowded television marketplace (''Babylon 5'' aired about the same time, mining similar themes), cannibalization of viewership between ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and '', and viewer fatigue. Nonetheless, it remained the top-rated first-run syndicated drama series throughout most of its run.
| Contents |
| Premise |
| Cast |
| Main characters |
| Recurring characters |
| Plots |
| Reception |
| Praise |
| Critique |
| Taboos |
| Multimedia |
| Music |
| VHS and DVD releases |
| Books |
| Games |
| Other merchandising |
| References |
| External links |
Premise
Conceived in 1991, shortly before Gene Roddenberry’s death, ''DS9'' centers on the space station Deep Space 9 (original Cardassian designation ''Terok Nor''), which is under the joint control of the United Federation of Planets and Bajor, a planet recently liberated from a long, brutal Cardassian occupation. According to co-creator Berman, he and Piller had considered setting the new series on a colony planet, but they felt a space station would both appeal more to viewers and save money that would be required for on-location shooting for a "land-based" show. However, they were certain they did not want the show to be set aboard a starship because ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' was still in production at the time and, in Berman’s words, it "just seemed ridiculous to have two shows—two casts of characters—that were off going where no man has gone before."1
In the pilot, the station is moved near the just discovered Bajoran wormhole, allowing access to the distant, unexplored Gamma Quadrant. It quickly becomes a center for exploration, interstellar trade, political maneuvering, and eventually open conflict.
''DS9'' contains more story arcs that span several episodes and even seasons than preceding ''Star Trek'' series. Its predecessors tend to restore the ''status quo ante'' at the end of an episode, so that many episodes could be seen out-of-order without compromising their plots. On ''DS9'' however, not only are events in one episode often referenced and built upon in later ones, but sometimes several episodes in a row are cliffhangers. Michael Piller, who spoke very highly of Behr's contributions, believed this to be one of the series' best qualities, that the repercussions of past episodes remained with the show and characters were forced to "learn that actions have consequences".1 This trend was especially strong near the end of the series’ run, by which point the show was intentionally very much a serial.1 This permitted greater character and plot development.
Interpersonal conflicts between regular characters had been previously forbidden by Roddenberry in '' and '', but feature prominently in ''DS9''. This was at the suggestion of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''’s writers (many of whom also wrote for ''DS9'') because they felt that the prohibition limited their ability to develop interesting stories. In Piller's words, "people who come from different places—honorable, noble people—will naturally have conflicts".1
Cast
Main characters
★ 'Benjamin Sisko' ('Avery Brooks'), the Human Starfleet officer placed in charge of Deep Space Nine. A grieving widower at the start of the series, with a teenage son, he has trouble at first reconciling his official duties with his new-found status as a Bajoran religious icon.
★ 'Kira Nerys' ('Nana Visitor'), a Bajoran militia officer, former guerrilla fighter during the Cardassian Occupation, and Sisko's second in command. She initially distrusts the Federation's intentions toward her planet, but grows to value the friendship of the rest of the crew. Like most Bajorans, she is strongly religious, which makes it awkward having the Emissary as her commander. Ro Laren, a ''Next Generation'' character, was the producers' first choice for the first officer, but Michelle Forbes did not want to commit to a television show.
★ 'Odo' ('Rene Auberjonois'), the station's incorruptible chief of security both under the Cardassians and later the Federation. He is a Changeling, capable of assuming any shape he wishes.
★ 'Julian Bashir' ('Alexander Siddig'), the chief medical officer. Although Human, his parents had him illegally genetically enhanced when he was a child because he couldn't keep up with his peers. Somewhat tactless, he nevertheless develops strong friendships with several of the station residents, particularly Miles O'Brien and, more ambiguously, a mysterious Cardassian named Garak. Siddig appears in the opening credits by a shortened form of his birth name, Siddig el Fadil, for the first three seasons. He appeared as Alexander Siddig after he married co-star Nana Visitor, which placed their names together in the alphabetical cast credits, although his stated reason for the name change was that he discovered that viewers did not know how to pronounce "el Fadil". Siddig continued to be credited as Siddig el Fadil when he directed.
★ 'Jadzia Dax' ('Terry Farrell', seasons 1-6), the Joined Trill science officer. She shares her life and thoughts with a long-lived symbiont (Dax) which has already experienced seven prior lives. The previous host, Curzon Dax, had been a larger-than-life rogue and a mentor to Sisko.
★ 'Quark' ('Armin Shimerman'), a Ferengi bar owner. Like most of his species (with the notable exception of his brother Rom), he is extremely capitalistic and willing to do whatever it takes to acquire more latinum. This almost invariably brings him into conflict with Odo.
★ 'Miles O'Brien' ('Colm Meaney'), the Human chief of operations. He keeps the station in working order. He is married to botanist Keiko, and has a daughter, Molly, and later a son, Kirayoshi.
★ 'Jake Sisko' ('Cirroc Lofton'), Benjamin's son. He decides not to follow in his father's footsteps, wanting to be a writer and reporter instead.
During its seven-year run, ''DS9'' made two major cast changes. The fourth season added Michael Dorn as the Klingon Worf, who had recently finished seven years on ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', in order to boost ratings.[2] The second change was the abrupt departure of Terry Farrell. Feeling that the large cast limited her screen time, she did not renew her contract at the end of the sixth season. The writers introduced Ezri Dax (Nicole de Boer) to provide a new host for the symbiont.[3]
Featuring a diverse cast, ''DS9'' was the first series to include main characters who were not members of Starfleet: Kira Nerys, Odo, Quark and Jake Sisko. In addition, Miles O'Brien is the first non-commissioned main Starfleet character, reprising a supporting role from many episodes of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.
Recurring characters
Main articles: List of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine characters
The setting of the show—a space station rather than a starship—fostered a rich assortment of recurring characters. It was not unheard of for "secondary" characters to play as much, or more, of a role in an episode as the regular cast. For example, "The Wire" focused almost entirely on Garak, while "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River" featured Weyoun, with a secondary plot centered on Nog. "It's Only a Paper Moon" featured Nog and holographic crooner Vic Fontaine carrying the story.
Several Cardassian characters figure prominently in ''DS9'', particularly Gul Dukat, played by Marc Alaimo. A complex character, he undergoes several transitions before ultimately becoming purely evil and Sisko's archenemy by the show's conclusion. A StarTrek.com article about Star Trek's greatest villains described Gul Dukat as "possibly the most complex and fully-developed bad guy in ''Star Trek'' history".[4] The previous commander of the station, Dukat eventually leads a coup to take over his home world and allies with the Dominion against the Federation.
Elim Garak, portrayed by Andrew Robinson, is the only Cardassian who remains on the space station when the Federation and the Bajorans take over. Widely suspected of being a disgraced former agent of the Obsidian Order, the feared secret police, he maintains that he is merely a simple tailor. Garak's skills and contacts on Cardassia prove invaluable on several occasions, and he becomes a pivotal figure in the war with the Dominion.
Damar (Casey Biggs) is initially Dukat's loyal henchman, but he later becomes more sympathetic and plays a vital role in the defeat of the Dominion.
Jeffrey Combs (of ''Re-Animator'' fame) has stated that he had auditioned for the role of William T. Riker on ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', but when Jonathan Frakes (who won the part) later directed the ''DS9'' episode "Meridian", he recommended Combs for a part.[5] Combs made his ''Star Trek'' and ''DS9'' debut as a one-episode alien named Timon, before being cast as the Ferengi and the Vorta Weyoun. He would go on to appear in thirty-one episodes of ''DS9'', playing four distinct characters—five, if one counts the "mirror universe" version of Brunt. In "The Dogs of War", he also became one of the few Star Trek actors to play two distinct roles (Brunt and Weyoun) in the same episode.
In addition to Quark and his brother Rom (Max Grodénchik), several other Ferengi had recurring roles, among them their shrewd mother Ishka (Cecily Adams), engineer of a social revolution on Ferenginar, Rom's son Nog (Aron Eisenberg), the first Ferengi to join Starfleet, and the Ferengi leader, (Wallace Shawn).
The Klingon Empire plays a more significant role in ''DS9'' than in any other Star Trek series. Aside from Worf, recurring Klingon characters include Chancellor Gowron (Robert O'Reilly), leader of the Empire until he is supplanted by General Martok (J.G. Hertzler) during the Dominion War. Kor, a Klingon character from ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' resurfaces in three ''DS9'' episodes. He was played by John Colicos in both series.
Morn is a minor character who, like his inspiration (Norm from ''Cheers''), is a fixture in a bar (in this case, Quark's), spending seven years there. It became a running joke that, despite the other characters' remarks on how talkative and funny he is, he never speaks a word on camera.
Other prominent recurring actors include Academy Award-winner Louise Fletcher as the Bajoran spiritual leader Kai Winn, Salome Jens as the Female Changeling, and James Darren as the hologram Vic Fontaine.
Plots
Main articles: List of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes
In the first episode, Starfleet Commander Benjamin Sisko takes charge of Deep Space Nine. He and Jadzia Dax stumble upon the first stable wormhole ever found and discover that it is inhabited by beings who are not bound by normal space and time. To the strongly religious people of Bajor, the wormhole aliens are the "Prophets" and the wormhole itself is the long-prophesied "Celestial Temple." Sisko himself is hailed as the "Emissary of the Prophets."
This provides the basis for a long-lasting story arc. Sisko initially considers his role as a religious icon with open discomfort and skepticism, referring to the Bajoran Prophets simply as "wormhole aliens" and striving to keep his role as commander of the station distinct from any obligations that the Bajorans try to place on him. Later, he becomes more accepting of his role and, by the end of the series, he openly embraces it.
The station crew early on has to contend with a human resistance group known as the Maquis. Rooted in the events of ''The Next Generation'' episode, "Journey's End", in which Native American settlers refuse to leave when their colony world is given to Cardassia as part of a treaty, the Maquis is an example for the show’s exploration of darker themes: its members are Federation citizens who take up arms against Cardassia in defense of their homes, and some—such as Calvin Hudson, a long-time friend of Sisko's, and Michael Eddington, who defects while serving aboard the station—are Starfleet officers. The show’s sharp departure from traditional ''Star Trek'' themes can be seen in episodes such as "For the Cause", in which Eddington tells Sisko, "Everybody should want to be in the Federation. Nobody leaves paradise. In some ways you’re even worse than the Borg. At least they tell you about their plans for assimilation. You assimilate people and they don’t even know it."
The second-season episode, "Rules of Acquisition" introduces the Dominion, a ruthless empire in the Gamma Quadrant. It is led by "the Founders", a race of shapeshifting Changelings—the same race as station security chief Odo. They were once persecuted by non-shapeshifters (whom they call "Solids") and they seek to impose "order" upon any who could potentially harm them, which includes nearly all Solids. The Founders have created or genetically modified two races to serve them: the Vorta, sly and subversive diplomats, and the Jem’Hadar, their fearless shock troops. These races worship the Founders as gods.
At the start of ''DS9''’s third season ("The Search"), with the threat of a Dominion attack looming from the other side of the wormhole, Commander Sisko returns from a trip to Starfleet Headquarters on Earth with the USS ''Defiant'', a prototype starship that was originally built to fight the Borg. It remains stationed at ''Deep Space Nine'' until its destruction in season seven, providing an avenue for plotlines away from the station.
The Dominion forms an uneasy alliance with the Cardassians in the fifth-season episodes "In Purgatory's Shadow" and "By Inferno's Light" and goes to war with the other major powers of the Alpha Quadrant. Throughout the series, loyalties and alliances change repeatedly: pacts with the Cardassians are made, broken, and remade; a short war with the Klingons flares up and is settled, and (through Sisko's secret machinations) the formerly neutral Romulans ally with the Federation.
An example of ''DS9''’s darker nature is Section 31, a secret organization dedicated to preserving the Federation way of life at any cost. This shadow group, introduced in "Inquisition", justifies its unlawful, unilateral tactics by claiming that it is essential to the continued existence of the Federation. Section 31 features prominently in several episodes of the Dominion War arc; such plot elements, as well as ''DS9''’s relative lack of exposure compared to its predecessor, garnered the show a reputation as the "black sheep" of the ''Trek'' family.[6]
In ''DS9'', the Ferengi are no longer an enemy of the Federation, but rather an economic power whose political neutrality is, for the most part, respected. A number of episodes explore their capitalistic nature, while others delved into the race’s sexist social norms.
Reception
Praise
''DS9'' was well received by critics with ''TV Guide'' describing it as "the best acted, written, produced and altogether finest" ''Star Trek'' series.[7] Despite debuting in the shadow of ''The Next Generation'', ''DS9'' achieved a considerable level of success in its own right. According to a press release through ''Newswire'' on April 7, 1999, it was the #1 syndicated show in the United States for adults 18-49 and 25-54 throughout its run in the National Television Index. The characters of ''DS9'' were featured on the cover of ''TV Guide'' ten times during its run, including several "special issue" editions in which a set of four different-covered versions were printed.
The series won a number of awards.[8] It was nominated for Emmy Awards every year of its run, including makeup, cinematography, art direction, special effects, hairstyling, music (direction and composition), and costumes. Of these, it won two for Makeup (for "Captive Pursuit" and "Distant Voices") and one for the Main Title Theme Music (Dennis McCarthy). It was also nominated for two Hugo Awards in Best Dramatic Presentation for "The Visitor" and "Trials and Tribble-ations"; the competing series ''Babylon 5'' won the Hugo Award.
Critique
The show first aired just weeks before the debut of ''Babylon 5''. Controversy arose between the similarities of the two shows. ''Babylon 5'' creator, J. Michael Straczynski, indicated that Paramount was aware of his concept as early as 1989.[9]
Taboos
''DS9'' is also notable for breaking several cultural taboos during its run. Most prominent among these is the issue of homosexuality. Gay and gay-friendly fans of the franchise had been waiting for a ''Star Trek'' television spin-off to address how the utopian society dealt with sexual orientation, since Gene Roddenberry had promised to tackle the issue in 1987.[10] While ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' gingerly addresses the issue through gender identity on an occasion, two ''DS9'' episodes showcased a kiss between a same-sex duo.
The first same-sex kiss on a ''Star Trek'' television series was shown in the episode "Rejoined". In the story, Jadzia Dax and another Trill named Lenara Kahn at one point embrace in a passionate kiss. As the "Star Trek" series is only a reflection of what could be considered reality, the two were neither lesbians nor was the kiss a "lesbian" kiss; rather the controversy was over two actresses kissing on television, primarily. The two characters in the story had been married in previous lives when the Dax symbiont was in a male host, and that was in love with the Kahn symbiont which was in a female host. None of the other characters express any shock at temporary homosexuality. Writer Rene Echevarria made a conscious effort not to glamorize the kiss and make it a ratings booster. The point was to emphasize the romance, not to sensationalize.2 This episode aired a year and a half before the controversial "out of the closet" shift in the sitcom ''Ellen'', and proved troublesome for some local affiliates.10
In the seventh season episode, "The Emperor’s New Cloak", versions of Kira Nerys and Ezri Dax in a Mirror Universe, or parallel universe, kiss in a same-sex context. The Mirror Universe Leeta exhibiting an unmistakable interest in the Mirror Ezri, and vice versa. Although no instances deal with a homosexual character directly, the pre-''Ellen'' same-sex kisses were often compared to the ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' episode "Plato’s Stepchildren", which contained the first interracial kiss to air on United States network television.
In the sixth season of DS9, transvestism is used for humorous effect in "Profit and Lace", like that of the film ''Tootsie''. In the midst of a struggle for women's rights on the Ferengi home world, Quark's mother suffers a heart attack prior to a critical meeting with an influential businessman. She hopes to recruit him to her cause. As there are no other Ferengi females on the station, Quark undergoes a temporary sex change, moonlighting as a female named Lumba. She attempts to impress the man whom flirts and falls in love with her, chasing Lumba around a room. The episode was intended to be lighthearted. However promotional spots depicted Quark's predicament as "a real drag", and the episode was poorly received by fans. It has been heavily criticized.
Other pert issues arose within the various Star Trek series in addition to sexuality. There were several instances of potentially offensive language during the series' run, unprecedented for the ''Star Trek'' franchise (although ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' went much further, even using the phrase "you son of a bitch" in its pilot). The episode "Far Beyond the Stars", much of which takes place in 1950s Earth, features a scene in which Cirroc Lofton, as an African-American man, claims that blacks will never get to space except to "shine the shoes" of whites, to whom his character feels blacks "would always be niggers." Although not the first time the word nigger had been used on American television (it was commonly used in dramas in the 1970s), by the late 1990s, the word had all but vanished in any context in mainstream media. Another occurrence likely went unnoticed among American audiences; in the episode "Time’s Orphan", Irish Chief O’Brien utters the British and Irish swear word "bollocks". Furthermore, the series used several racial epithets for alien races in the series, namely "spoonhead" and "Cardies" for Cardassians.
Multimedia
Music
On June 30, 1993, between seasons one and two, ''DS9'' followed other ''Star Trek'' series in releasing the original score from its pilot episode on CD. The title theme was also made available as a CD single. Music from several other episodes is included on the ''The Best of Star Trek'' releases.
The character of Vic Fontaine (played by 60s heart throb James Darren), a self-aware holographic Las Vegas lounge lizard from the 1960s, was introduced in the sixth-season episode "His Way". Vic was popular with the station's crew and performed many period songs by, among others, Frank Sinatra and Nat "King" Cole. Darren's role allowed him to release ''This One's From the Heart'' on August 24, 1999, featuring songs that Vic sings in the show and other period pieces.
VHS and DVD releases
Episodes of ''DS9'' were made available on VHS cassettes. The first release came on November 19, 1996 in the United States, but the line was discontinued once all of ''DS9'' had been released on DVD. The series was released on VHS in the UK starting August 2, 1993. Each video box contained unique artwork and character/plot information.
Following the DVD release of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' in 2002, ''DS9'' was released on DVD beginning in February 2003. ''DS9'' was released in boxed sets of one season each and released approximately a month apart. Each season contains several "special features", including a biographical look at a main character, information from make-up designer Michael Westmore on how various aliens were created, and interviews with cast members and crew members. The sets also include "Section 31" easter eggs that give a brief look at other aspects of the show. The Region 2 DVDs also come with bonus CD-ROM discs that allow users to build a "virtual" DS9 on their computer with each release. On October 26, 2004, a compilation of all seven season sets was also released.
Books
The cover of ''Avatar, Part I''
Pocket Books has published several dozen books based on ''DS9''. Some of these were novelizations of memorable episodes, such as "Emissary", "The Search" and "What You Leave Behind", which were usually published a few days after the episode aired in the United States. Several novels were part of "crossover" series between the ''Star Trek'' franchises, while others were part of other franchises but dealt with events laid out in ''DS9''. For example, ''The Battle of Betazed'' tells of how Deanna Troi attempted to resist the Dominion occupation of her world (mentioned in the episode "In the Pale Moonlight"). Most focus on the station and its crew, with a notable exception being Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe’s ''Legends of the Ferengi''.
''Avatar'', a two-part novel published on May 1, 2001, picked up where the series left off. It began of ''DS9'', into which ''A Stitch in Time'' (a biographical look at the life of Garak, written by Andrew Robinson) was incorporated retroactively. The events of "What You Leave Behind", ''DS9''’s series finale, caused some radical changes to occur in season 8. As Benjamin Sisko had entered the Celestial Temple, Colonel Kira was given command of the station while a new commander named Elias Vaughn took over her position, Garak became the leader of post-war Cardassia, Odo helped the Changelings rebuild, and Rom presided over the Ferengi Alliance.
Outside its line of novels, ''DS9'' has been the subject of several comic books and other publications. One comic is a spin-off, detailing Nog’s experiences at the Starfleet Academy. Another ''DS9'' comic series became an exceptional example of licensed ''Star Trek'' works influencing each other, a major character from WildStorm Comics’ ''N-Vector'', Tiris Jast, appeared in the ''Avatar, Part I'' novel.
Other publications, such as the and , are common to most of the ''Trek'' series. The DS9 Companion contains detailed episode guides and interviews with actors, writers, directors and other staff members.
''DS9'' series influences were included in role-playing game reference books from Last Unicorn Games and Decipher. Additionally, several novels have also been released in audio form, narrated by Rene Auberjonois and Armin Shimerman among others.
Games
Several video games focusing on ''DS9'' have been released. The first was ''Crossroads of Time'', a 1995 side-scrolling game released for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. The game takes place around the time of the series premiere, borrowing some stories from early episodes such as "Past Prologue" and creating others. A number of problems reportedly impeded the game's development process,[11] and it met with mixed reactions.
Three ''DS9''-themed games were released for the PC: '' in 1996, '' in 2000, and '' in 2001. A board game was released as part of the now-defunct "component board game" series, which included an intercompatible board game for ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.[12] ''DS9''
The series features prominently in the ''Star Trek Customizable Card Game'', particularly its second edition. In the game's first edition, ''Deep Space Nine'' is the titular fifth set, followed by one entitled "The Dominion" and several other ''DS9''-themed sets. In the second edition, there are two types of cards for the United Federation of Planets, which may be placed at Earth or Deep Space Nine. The Ferengi, Dominion, Cardassian, Bajoran, and Maquis affiliations are comprised primarily of ''DS9''-derived material, while the Klingon affiliation also borrows strongly from it.[13]
Other merchandising
Along with the rest of the ''Star Trek'' franchise, ''DS9'' has been the subject of much merchandizing. Action figures, keychains, models, and other items have been released. The station itself, which is highly recognizable and iconic of the series, is the subject of many of these items. Paramount also sells Starfleet uniforms; among the styles is the so-called "''DS9''-style" uniform, which is primarily black with a division colour (red for command, yellow for engineering or security, blue for medical and the sciences) on the shoulders.
''DS9'' is also well represented at , an attraction at the Las Vegas Hilton which faithfully recreates both Quark’s Bar & Restaurant and the Promenade. The former serves ''Star Trek''-style food and drinks, and hosts gatherings such as conventions. The latter (called the Shopping Promenade) sells various souvenirs and rarities; among the items for sale are "official" Starfleet uniforms and action figures.
References
1. The featurette "A Bold New Beginning" can be found on the DVD set, ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete First Season''. In it, Rick Berman and others detail the early design phases of the series and what their goals were in creating it.
2. Source: "Charting New Territory". DVD extra included with ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete Fourth Season''. Of Worf, writer/producer Robert Hewitt Wolfe said in an interview conducted on October 20, 2002 that the studio felt ''DS9''
3. Source: "Crew Dossier - Jadzia Dax". Included with ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete Second Season''.
4. Source: http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/features/specials/article/1617.html
5. Combs, Jeffrey. Interview conducted January 30, 2003. Included as a "Hidden File" with ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete Third Season''.
6. The ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'' used this phrase in a November 30, 1999 editorial (which can be found archived on Brannon Braga’s official website), as did ''Exclaim!'' magazine in a March 31, 2003 review. (Despite the connotations associated with the phrase "black sheep", however, the writers of both articles spoke highly of the series.)
7. Although it does not specify an issue or volume, the publisher’s description for the novel ''Unity'' uses this quote to tout the book.
8. "Awards for 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'". ''IMDb: Earth's Biggest Movie Database''. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106145/awards. Accessed 16 August 2006.
9. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Season One (review) Sylvain, Nicholas, Judge (Retired)
10. The fan site Gay League maintains a Gay ''Star Trek'' Timeline, which details the franchise's treatment of homosexuality. Of the first "lesbian kiss" -- the characters of the show are not lesbians and the word "lesbian" is not used in throughout any of the "Star Trek" series or movies -- it states, “Reaction to the episode was strong: some stations refused to air the episode, a Southern affiliate edited the kissing scene out. Mail and phone calls ran very negative, although some positive feedback emerged." (Spike TV, which holds the rerun rights to the series, currently shows all episodes unabridged except where time constraints are concerned.)
11. On his personal website, lead designer Maurice Molyneaux provides behind-the-scenes information and personal reflections about the development of ''Crossroads of Time''.
12. "Star Trek Deep Space Nine - Component Game System". ''Board Game Geek''. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/12937. Accessed 16 August 2006.
13. A comprehensive history of the first edition is at http://www.jklm.net/atn/pdp.html. Of note, particularly in the second edition, are the Bajoran and Dominion affiliations and the "Deep Space Nine"-oriented United Federation of Planets option; the material for all three comes almost exclusively from ''DS9''. The Cardassian, Ferengi and Maquis affiliations also draw the majority of their source material from the series.
External links
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' at StarTrek.com
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' on Spike TV
★ ''
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' at TrekCore.com - Includes archive of over 60,000 DVD Screencaps from the show
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' DVDs at DVD Journal
★ ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Scripts''
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