My partner is into DS9 and suggested we watch some last night. For some reason episode 1 was not available on Amazon Prime.(?) We watched Past Prologue and A Man Alone. As someone who is only barely familiar with the Star Trek universe, here are my thoughts:

  • Sisko is a fantastic leader and also terrifies me. His smile makes me uneasy. “Go over my head again, and I’ll serve yours on a platter.”

  • Kira’s morality is super questionable and I’m amazed they didn’t kick her off the station after episode 2.

  • Bashir is a dork and also needs to take a hint and leave Dax alone. Clearly they aren’t interested.

  • I do love Dax as a sort of early mainstream media conversation starter on gender. The Trill overall are just a brilliant way to frame the idea of how gender and sex work.

  • It’s rough seeing Odo so accustomed to hatred. When he just dips behind a glass door to watch as a mob call for his death…

I’m surprised by the level of dysfunction in the crew. I sort of always saw Star Trek as a bunch of Space Paladins that always did the right thing but in DS9 everyone has their own motives and interests and it’s super interesting to watch them come together. I think I’ll keep watching and see where things go.

  • Sharkwellington@lemmy.oneOPEnglish
    2·
    10 months ago

    But keep an eye on that tailor.

    Oh I forgot to talk about Garak! I really like how expressive he is, something about him reminds me a lot of Robin Williams. The bit where he tells Bashir to buy a suit at precisely 2055 and Bashir just totally doesn’t get it… I’m hoping the doctor grows on me but he’s probably my least favorite so far ha.

    • VindictiveJudge@startrek.website
      English
      3·
      10 months ago

      Bashir definitely gets better. There are a few episodes that recontextualize his character and each one makes him come across much better. He also just grows a lot.

      • the_sisko@startrek.websiteEnglish
        3·
        10 months ago

        On my first rewatch now and I can say that season one Bashir threw me for a loop because of just how obnoxious he is!! His interactions with any female character, or O’Brien… I guess I forget that the writers had to lay the bedrock of an annoying character in order to cover his later transition into a character we were excited about 🤣

    • Disgustoid@startrek.websiteEnglish
      2·
      10 months ago

      Garak is arguably my favorite character in all of Trek, especially after reading “A Stitch in Time” which fleshes out his background considerably.

      I don’t think this is much of a spoiler but >!Garak basically becomes a regular without Andrew J. Robinson’s name appearing in the opening credits. I don’t have exact numbers but it feels like he appears in later seasons as much as Jake does!<.