Synopsis: Experiencing a vision from the Prophets, Sisko sees himself as Benny Russell, a science-fiction writer in the 1950s, who struggles with civil rights and inequality when he writes the story of Captain Benjamin Sisko, a black commander of a futuristic space station.

Memory Alpha Summary:  Where no Star Trek had gone before

Review: Now this is DS9’s Inner Light.  It’s a little light on exposition, which is saying something, but the allegory is impressive. I found this to be quite moving, no doubt enhanced by watching it for the first time during the third year of the Trump presidency.

Synopsis: An attempt on Quark’s life re-opens a five-year-old murder investigation.

Memory Alpha Summary:  And not shrug emoji you’d expect

Review: A brilliant episode in nearly every way. Odo’s narration deepens his character and sets up the flashbacks very well. We learn more about what DS9 was like when the Cardassians ran it. We get to see how Odo became security in the first place. And then we get the bomb drop, which is that Kira murdered somebody and has been withholding that info for years. Of course, it was a time of war, so it’s not exactly murder; yet, Kira has been hiding that info, which implies that in her mind, it was more than just a casualty of war. The deeper relationship between Odo and Kira gets its start here.

Synopsis: An alien computer program wreaks havoc with the station’s systems during a visit from Lwaxana Troi and other ambassadors.

Memory Alpha Summary:  Almost makes up for “Cost of Living”

Review: When I first saw this episode, I was terrified that Lwaxana Troi was back. But holy hell, her character can work if written correctly. Her time with Odo on the turbolift is fantastic TV. We learn a great deal about Odo’s personality, and for the first time, see him in a weak moment. And, for the first time, we see Lwaxana in a moment of strength, proving why she may have had the skills to become an ambassador despite her general obnoxiousness. 

Synopsis: Kira is kidnapped by the Cardassians, who try to convince her that she is really one of them.

Memory Alpha Summary:  Hey, she isn’t!

Review: Yet another mystery that involves the Cardassians, and once again they knock it out of the park. That Nerys may be a Cardassian who was a plant and doesn’t know it is a brilliant idea reminiscent of a Philip K. Dick story (in fact, Dick’s stories were an inspiration). Everyone is not who they seem in this episode, including Odo as a backpack. Garak’s character somehow gains even new heights of intrigue, as he’s no longer just a possible spy, he also shows he could be dangerous to his friends on DS9. 

Synopsis: Gowron begins reckless attacks against the Dominion; Kira and the Cardassians plot to steal a Breen weapon.

Memory Alpha Summary: Klingons do not remain stubborn forever

Review: ,Now this was the season 7 episode I was waiting for.  Even though there’s not much here that isn’t predictable, it all feels right and a nice change of pace from “business as usual” Star Trek.  Watching Damar’s struggle with his new role for the Cardassian people is awesome and leaving the viewer with hope that a mortal enemy for decades might just be willing to trust is a great journey.  When the Klingons joined with the Federation, it happened off-screen prior to the timeline of TNG.  Here we get to see it in action, which is much preferable.  

Synopsis: Sisko, Jake, and O’Brien accidentally trigger an old Cardassian security system that believes the Occupation is still going on and the station has been taken in a Bajoran workers’ rebellion.

Memory Alpha Summary: I’m sorry Dave, I can’t do that.

Review: Reminiscent of Disaster, but way more fun as it feels less contrived. Plus, you know, Garak and Dukat show up and have a spat. There’s something so haunting about the automated defense system of the space station as the crew feels increasingly helpless to stop it. Every time they think they are getting close to disabling the security system, they are set back. The climax of this episode is when Dukat arrives, and then tries to leave, but the security system assumes he’s running away from his post and keeps him there as well.

Synopsis: Dr. Bashir works to rid a planet of a plague that was sent by the Dominion as punishment for resistance.

Memory Alpha Summary: The Reviewining

Review: With DS9 I tend to prefer the episodes that are part of larger story arcs, but this is a one-off that I’m particularly fond of. The main crux of the story, that Federation peeps find an epidemic on a new planet, has been done many times before in one way or the other. However, this might be the first time I haven’t been annoyed by trumped up moralism or deus ex machina cures.