#9 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
Sci-fi
Mega Mana's Ranking:
Opening: (such a boring opening)
This is by far my favorite Star Trek. Great seasons, good writing, good casts, good relationships, and a nice mix of action comedy and drama. Watching the early seasons of DS9 I just feel like I am really getting something out of it. DS9 does a tremendous job of dealing with real issues, both present and future. I love that watching it now (16 years after it first debuted) it still can teach us something. It's what made the Star Trek series great and its what sets DS9 apart from most shows. The issues with the planet Bajor which are central to the early seasons of the show have surprising parallels to our current situation in Iraq. This show also goes through everything from Religion in schools to Nazis. I not only get an enjoyable experience from watching DS9, it actually makes me think about a lot of real and important issues.
I think that is one of the main reasons why I don't love the Dominion War seasons more than the early ones. I love all the ethical and moral issues that the early seasons have. But then again, it has been so long since I've seen the later seasons that I might feel completely different this time around. Heck, if I like the later half of the series as much as I love the early seasons this show could jump all the way into the top tier. It is really that good.
Just look at all the truly great relationships and characters in this show. You have a great family dynamic in the Sisco's, and Commander/Captain Sisco is a good character character and something unusual for the Star Trek leaders. I especially love the differnece in how he deals with Q vs the other captains. Sisco/Dax is one of the most unusual relationships in TV, but it is so good. Jadzia is one of my favorites, and not just because the actress is gorgeous and from my hometown. Honestly, between O'brien/Keiko, O'Brian/Bashir, Bashir/Dax, Odo/Kira, Jake/Nog, Bashir/Garak, this show is just filled to the brim with great relationships. I have to mention one of my all-time favorites in Odo/Quark. They have this great antagonistic rivalry that is always fun to watch. They are great as they continuously challenge each other, they may even become friends though they will never admit it.
Add in a great minor character in the mysterious tailor Garak, a great villain in Gul Dukat, and some extremely good storylines and you have a show for the ages. It doesn't interest a lot of Trek fans due to the switch from traveling ship to stationary space station, but in my mind that allowed for so many great things the other shows could never do.
I just watched a few episodes of Season 3 and it is just so good. Even when the plot isn't great the characters and their stories can really carry it and make it good. That is the kind of thing that makes a show truly great in my mind.
I just know this show is going to go up from #9. But for now this is where it is.
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"Hope is allowed to be stupid, unwise, and naive." ~Sir Chris