So I’m Finally watching Deep Space Nine for the First Time

When Deep Space Nine was new, I was still working on Next Generation. I recall feeling this strong sense of sibling rivalry (entirely my issue, never created or encouraged by anyone else) that got in between me and my ability to watch the show, and give it the chance it deserved. Also, by 1993, I was 21 and feeling like it was time for me to get a break away from Trek and its emotional baggage. Over the years, I’ve wondered what, exactly, I missed, but I never made it a priority to find out.
 
With the passing my my friend, Aron, last week, I thought that I could remember and honor him by finally watching the series he gave so many years of his life and career to.
 
I know that DS9 is uneven, especially in its early seasons, just like we were, and I didn’t want to invest time into whatever their version of Angel One or Justice was (or, the gods help us all, Shades of Grey). Luckily for me, my friend, Max Temkin, has written a guide to watching the best of TNG in like 40 hours, and a similar guide to watching DS9 in like 80 hours (because, Max says, there are just too many good episodes of DS9 out there to get it down to 40).
 
So I dug up his guide, and read it. I took note of the context he thinks we should have before we start watching the show, including its time of production, its relationship to TNG, and some details about the characters that are useful to know before we really meet them.
 
Max tells us, “Deep Space Nine … is chock full of full, flawed characters with world views more diverse than their forehead prostheses.”
 
After we have that information and perspective, he picks out the episodes he feels are the best from each season, not just in terms of enjoyment (there are plenty of entertaining episodes of TOS that don’t exactly advance the character arcs, such as they were in 1966, like Arena, for instance) but as they relate to the things he feels makes DS9 the best of all the Star Treks: the Cardassians and their relationship to Bajor and the Federation, the Dominion, the character arcs that made Kira and Sisko so memorable and beloved by fans for thirty years.
 
I know it makes for better drama and a more interesting story if I say I was skeptical going into it, but I wasn’t. I was purely excited. I trust Max, and I trust the legions of DS9 fans who love it for what I’ve come to know this week are extremely good reasons.
 
Max’s guide tells us to watch the following episodes from S01: The first four, including the two-part pilot, which has the distinction of being the only truly good Trek pilot in the history of the series. Episodes 11, 13, 19, and 20.
 
I binged the first four on Netflix. This is significant because I *hate* binging shows. I prefer to let shows sit for at least a day between episodes, so I can digest and reflect upon what I watched. I believe that when we binge shows, we trade enjoying a meal for not being hungry any more … and yet. I loved the characters so much, I loved the look of the show, the tone of the show, and the stories they told in those four hours so much, I couldn’t stop watching.
 
Last night, I watched Episode 11, The Nagus. It’s the introduction of a character which could have just been broad and silly comic relief, but which I understand becomes a beloved part of the show. I’ve never been a big Ferengi fan; if you’ve read Memories of the Future you know why: they were so comical and broad in TNG, all I got out of them was buffoonish misogyny. There’s still some of that in the writing (it’s still the first season, and the writers haven’t let Quark and Rom and Nog grow into who they will become), but the actors pull the most interesting and complex nuances out of the scripts, to make their characters so compelling, I wanted to dive head first into the rest of the series, just to get to know them.
 
I told Anne that I was watching Deep Space Nine for the first time, which surprised her. I love Star Trek so much, she thought I would have watched it already. I told her how I had all this emotional baggage that got in between me and watching the show, but the therapeutic, emotional work I’ve done the past year has let me heal a lot of stuff, and stop carrying around that emotional baggage. So watching Deep Space Nine is extra special to me, because it lets me watch Star Trek, and it lets me LOVE Star Trek, in a way that I hadn’t been able to for essentially my entire adult life.
 
I love TNG, and I love my cast. They are my real family, and I will cherish the memories I have from working with them. And that means I can’t just watch TNG the way a fan does, without any complicated memories related to, you know, MAKING the show.
 
But I can watch Deep Space Nine and just see characters. Yeah, I know some of the actors a little bit, but for some reason, I can compartmentalize this time around. And that’s a wonderful revelation and a wonderful gift, for me.
Aron’s performance is sensational, by the way. But if you watched DS9, you already know that.

Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

168 thoughts on “So I’m Finally watching Deep Space Nine for the First Time”

  2. It is the only star trek that I re-watch, front to back all seven seasons, every year or so. I catch episodes on H&I of Next Gen and Voyager from time to time but DS9 is it for me.

  3. when I got my husband into all things trek we went through all the iterations, starting with TNG. I told him as we sat down, be patient, the acting gets better!! (he still quotes me on that). but being honest, DS9 is my favorite of the franchise. I wish I could watch it for the first time again. I was saddened to read of Aron’s passing, his Nog will be remembered fondly as long as there are trekkers.

  4. I think I said this on your FB post about Aron (and condolences to you on that), but DS9 is my favorite Trek series (well, after the original, which, let’s be honest, has more meh and bad episodes than good and great, but it’s what I grew up with as a kid and it will always be special to me) and I think Nog has one of the best character arcs in all of Trekdom. I’m really happy you’re enjoying it! (Also, I have VERY STRONG OPINIONS about Jake Sisko and Wesley Crusher, but I’ll leave those alone for now.)

  5. Interesting. I’m going to have to give it a try. I remember watching a few of the episodes as they aired but never feeling the pull that TNG had for me. Glad you are enjoying it and, as always, thanks for sharing.

  6. I cry when someone I love dies, and I cry for Aron/Nog now!!! I recently watched DS9 in a marathon over several months watching all ST from original to Enterprise. What a treasure, and what variety. Thank you for ALL the entertainment and everything else you do! Take care!!!

  7. I love both TNG and DS9 for different reasons.
    DS9 is complex arcs and character relations – and the greyness of live… but TNG was the spirit of wonder, of going hopeful into the future – which is my true alignment.

    And I agree – Nog is one of my favorite characters. He is truly bold in being himself and aiming for his dream, while never stopping to be a ferengi. He is one of the most ethical persons in the show, because he rarely goes against his values. And to be able to act under that kind of prosthetic… astonishing.

    I rarely have an emotional reaction to celebrity deaths, because I didn’t truly know them… but maybe because it was such a big part of my childhood or I could emphazise with his character so much, I don’t know… I cried when Aron Eisenberg passed…

  9. Not that it happens very often—I’m a much more quiet, closety Trek fan—but whenever anyone asks me, “Kirk or Picard,” my automatic response is, “Sisko!”

    1. Same, to be honest.

      I am super excited to see his reaction to some of the better episodes of the last few seasons, particularly In The Pale Moonlight, It’s Only a Paper Moon, and Far Beyond the Stars.

  12. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings about Star Trek DS9. I hadn’t heard of Aron Eisenberg’s passing; my sympathies to you at the loss of your friend. When DS9 “launched” I wondered how it could be interesting with Star Trek universe characters not zooming about in space all the time but it was, on balance, a different kind of Star Trek — memorable if only in the way it centered on characters and their cultural and religious beliefs.

  13. Far Beyond the Stars and In the Pale Moonlight are very likely amongst the best Trek ever made, mostly because somehow the are very not Trek and yet very Trek, and I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention imho Aron’s finest scene as Nog explains why he needs,needs not wants, to join Starfleet, takes one heck of an actor to stand against the mighty Mr Brooks in full flow, but boy did he stick it, rest well Lieutenant

    1. “Far Beyond the Stars and In the Pale Moonlight are very likely amongst the best Trek ever made, mostly because somehow the are very not Trek and yet very Trek, and I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention imho Aron’s finest scene as Nog explains why he needs,needs not wants, to join Starfleet, takes one heck of an actor to stand against the mighty Mr Brooks in full flow, but boy did he stick it, rest well Lieutenant” — You said it better than I ever could have.

      1. (borrowing from the wiki at sto dot gamepedia dot com)

        First, Qapla’!! Wil is watching DS9!

        Secondly, part of the fun of playing Star Trek Online is that it is canon – they have to run all their material past both CBS and Paramount (not to mention having all of the wonderful voice acting of the actual cast like Mary Wiseman is the previous episode and Anthony Rapp on the current episode) but all of the characters you loved watching in the shows live on (officially and canonically, which matters to a lot of us). We hit 2410 in august I believe. Anyways, Aron’s work/Nog lives on and will continue to as the U.S.S. Chimera lives on

        from the gamepedia wiki

        Nog was raised by his father, Rom, aboard Deep Space 9. As a boy, he worked in his Uncle Quark’s bar. He later became the first Ferengi to join Starfleet, and returned to the station to serve as a Cadet, and later an Ensign.

        Nog was involved in several battles during the Dominion War, including the Siege of AR-558, Operation Return, and the Battle of Cardassia. He was wounded in action on AR-558, losing a leg during the fighting there. By the end of the war in late 2375, his service had earned him a promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade which was delivered by Captain Benjamin Sisko in one of the Captain’s last official acts as commanding officer of DS9.

        When Geordi La Forge left the U.S.S. Enterprise-E to command the U.S.S. Challenger in 2397, Nog became the new Chief Engineer of the Enterprise. He was seen as an example to many Ferengi, and the 2396 class at Starfleet Academy included four Ferengi cadets.

        By 2410, Nog has been promoted to Captain and given command of the U.S.S. Chimera.

  14. This is such a coincidence. I watched tng with my daughter first and followed it by voyager since I thought
    Ds9 might be too complicated. She is now 12 and we just finished voyager and started out with ds9. And watched the Nagus episode yesterday. So, following along with you here and looking forward to what comes next. Sorry to hear about Aron’s passing.

  15. DS9 IS a very different kind of ST, I agree. Each of the series, to me, can take humanity in a different direction toward that utopian future where humanity has surpassed so many of our failings.
    I think I really liked the Nazi/Jew analogy storyline the best and I also really liked the concept of the symbiant life form that morphed and grew with each host.

    So glad you dove in!
    Sorry to hear about your friend. I hadn’t heard of his passing until I read your blog. Guess my news has been clogged with the shenanigans of you know who.

  16. This gave me such warm fuzzies to read. I’m so glad you’re in a place that finally allows you to experience this part of the world you love.

    I used to stay up until the wee hours in high school and college to watch DS9 when it was new. It aired on our local syndication station at 1 am on Saturday nights. (So it also lead to me watching a lot of late-90s/early-2000s SNL, as well.) My dad and I were the night owls of the house, and we often watched DS9 together, just as we’d watched TNG as a family when we were younger. It’s one of my favorite quiet memories from that time.

    I hope you continue to enjoy the show as much as you have thus far.

    1. I’m 54. I had just returned to the states from about three yrs in Africa serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. It was a weird period of my life. I had a tough time readjusting to the states. I was working the night shift at a gas station and I’d come home at 6am to watch last nights vhs recording of TNG and I’d have an hour of inspiration and hope for my future. Then I’d sleep through the airplanes flying over our shared house (we were literally under a landing pattern at a major Midwest airport). Fell in love with TNG and all the cast during those years.

      I watched DS9 in real time in Grad school. I remember how excited we all were for ea. episode. Lord, it was just FUN and we cared for these characters.

      I’m a bit envious of you watching it on your first go around. Hope you get to enjoy it as much as I and my friends did.

      Thanks Wil for your career and sharing your life. Been following both you and Anne for years but never piped up. Enjoy DS9!!

  17. I was honestly surprised you hadn’t seen it before, but your reasoning makes perfect sense. I hope you enjoy your time with the show enough that eventually you want to go back and watch the whole thing including the uneven episodes. just to see how it changed and grew. All I can really add to this is to say, enjoy the ride!

    Personally I love all the pre-2009 Treks despite the occational flaws, and there’s only one episode I skip when rewatching, Voyager’s ‘The thaw’. The antagonist just hits a nerve with me. It’s not about the clown/carnival aesthetic, it’s more about the sheer joy the villain takes in the psychological torment. It’s still a good story with a strong message, but watching it just sends me into anxiety that I don’t need. TNG’s ‘Frame of Mind also wigs me out, but Frakes is just so good in it!

    Even ‘Code of Honor’ has a single enjoyable point in it’s favor that I believe is unique among all of TNG and later Treks. That episode’s musical score is presented in the same tone and placement as the music of the original series.

  18. This is wild; I’m just now starting DS9 too! What a watching buddy to have; I hope you’ll keep us updated with your thoughts.

  19. Funny that I did my own watch-through recently. It popped up on Netflix and it had been years since I’d watched. I tend to work late into the night and sometimes a show or movie running on the other monitor is my companion for the night as I trudge through work. DS9 is definitely uneven and there are times when I just couldn’t wait to get through an episode (I really don’t like skipping or fast-forwarding through anything unless it’s truly dismal).

    DS9 is definitely up there (though I still prefer TNG overall). I loved the flawed characters as mentioned and something about running a station and having all these people passing through with all their requisite stories made for a more dynamic environment and more opportunities for interesting stories (even if there has to be an episode that moves the station for the sake of story).

    My favorite of all the characters is actually Garak, the tailor. Something about the combination of hidden intrigue and wisdom behind a character that tries to find peace (of sorts) in a trade that no one would’ve expected him to.

    Sorry to make this comment about me (bad habit). Just trying to say, in an unfortunately selfish way, I’m glad you’re enjoying the series and hope you get more out of the rest of the seasons. I agree the actors did a great job of expanding their characters beyond the initially one-dimensional setup that you get with a character of a particular prosthesis or outfit. Kira definitely evolves well as does Sisko and the others. I felt the Dominion arc was annoying but one great thing that does come out of it (sort of) is Odo’s journey. There’s one particular episode I at first didn’t like but in retrospect kinda of loved that isn’t on Max’s list in Season 5: Children of Time. Not a favorite but I loved Odo’s epiphany and I have a general love for episodes that let the characters see what life could’ve been like which in turn grows them in different ways (see Inner Light in TNG).

    So enjoy the run through and do take the time to savor the episodes. Glad you’re able to enjoy them now.

  20. If they’re not already on the guide, I’ll recommend watching “Nor the Battle to the Strong” and “The Sound of her Voice” when you get to them. If I remember correctly, they’re in seasons 5 and 6 respectively and are both excellent examples of what made the show great. In particular, since the late seasons focus on the Dominion War in terms of space battles and politics, these episodes are wonderful for showing the human side of things.

  21. DS9 is my favorite series. The later episode is called “Into the Pale Moonlight”, it shows a different side of Sisko and in my opinion, a different side to your typical Starfleet captain. I hope you enjoy it.

  22. Thanks for sharing Wil. While I love all things Trek, DS9 has been my favorite series. I am happy that you have reached a point in your journey where you are able to sit back and enjoy this with a fresh look. I hope your share additional thoughts as you traverse the different season and get more of your perspective.

  23. DS9 is great. I love that show. I personally think it’s worth watching the whole series because I promise you there are more than 80 eps worth watching (although I agree it’s uneven early on)… but hey, whatever works for you. Enjoy it. We watched the entire series several years ago now with my son, who hadn’t seen it before, and it was a total blast. The end of that series is a total gut punch every time I see the finale. And Aron Eisenberg did a great job with Nog’s character arc, which was one of the most surprising and great arcs on any Star Trek series ever.

    1. Also, when we watched the first season of Discovery with him, he piped up frequently about how much better both TNG and DS9 were…

  24. I still hate Voyager with a passion for consciously rejecting DS9 and actively trying to undo where DS9 had taken Star Trek thematically and stylistically. It’s ridiculous and unfair, but I still turn Voyager off irritably whenever I catch an ep of DS9 on H&I and Voyager comes on after.

  26. I envy you the experience to watch all this for the first time. I must have watched and rewatched the entire series a dozen times or more, and still love to.

  27. Now lets see what you think about Andrew Robinson’s Garak. Again, a side character that could have been depressingly one-sided, and instead becomes the most powerful and impressive character of the entire Trek saga.

    I understand watching now for Aron’s wonderful work and the love he put into it. But as Kenobi once said, “your first step into a larger world.” enjoy!

  28. I am so glad that you are finally able to watch and enjoy the magic of this show. Well done on the emotional healing. Keep it up!

  30. Wil, I’m glad to see you get to enjoy this after all the hard work you’ve done in the last few years to get to this point. It’s been a pleasure to see you seem to be more comfortable in your own skin, and really nice for those of us trying to get there. I really enjoyed the show when it came out, but dropped off watching it later. Maybe I can grab that guide and circle back.

  31. Wonderful show. I’m envious you’re getting to see it for the first time. I wish I could go back and experience it again.

    It’s tragic to hear of Aron’s passing. I had the great pleasure of teaching him one of our card games back in the day, when I was working the Gen Con demo pit for Alderac Entertainment Group. He was so kind and so excited to be there. That half hour or so is still among my favorite con memories. Aron will be sorely missed.

  33. I’m hoping you make some post giving your thoughts on your favorite episodes as well as some of the Fan favorites . I would be interested in hearing what you think of episodes like “far beyond the Stars” and “In the pale moonlight”

  35. I’ve been watching DS9 too by coincidence. Love all of the episodes featuring Ferengi shenanigans. Or Klingons! Just watched “Once More Unto the Breach” and loved it. And of course Garak’s character is one of the best in Star Trek. (Although I haven’t figured out why people need tailors in the 24th century – wouldn’t there be computers that do all the measurements for you?)

  36. I’m so glad you get to fan boy something Treky! I’m glad you get the joy of being on this side of the screen!

    I only watched ds9 for the first time recently. I watched the whole thing, sometimes binging, sometimes waiting weeks between episodes. TNG will always be my favourite, but DS9 is right up there. The over arching story lines and character arcs were interesting. I felt challenged in a way I enjoyed.

  37. This is a wonderful post, Wil. I’m so glad that you have reached this point. It’s been a journey for sure. Also, as some have said, welcome to the dark side. I’ve only watched DS9 start to finish once, and I feel it’s my weakest point in Trek knowledge, but I loved it. I have been wanting to rewatch for a while. Perhaps now is the time.

    Also, agreed. Binge watching is far less satisfying than not. As a rule: no, thank you.

  38. I liked DS9 the first few seasons, but it got kind of convoluted for me in ways TNG didn’t. I loved the characters though, and I always enjoyed the Hologram story lines with James Darren. I’m glad you’re seeing them now and I hope you enjoy!

  40. I envy the fun you’re going to get out of this. TNG is my favorite because it was something my father and I shared when I was very young and I think it had the best cast of characters. However, because of the advancement in technology and the fact that DS9 didn’t have the awkward “finding itself” start that TNG had, I must admit that it is definitely the best series. That being said, how stoked are you about Picard (or how sad are you that CBS is holding it hostage for streaming dollars?)

  42. It’s great to be able to disconnect and simply enjoy something for what it is. There are a lot of great actors who surprisingly say they’ve never watched their own work. It seems like they are missing out on enjoying something special and also missing out on connecting with why many of them have fans. It’s not just the acting, or the writing, or the cinematography. It’s the complete product and how they all mesh together to make a memorable experience enjoyed by people all across the world. These little bits of “entertainment” help us bond.

  43. Will, not sure if you read all these comment but I’ll give this a shot. I am a mental health counselor in Kansas City, MO. and so appreciate your candor and honesty about depression and anxiety that you struggle with. I have used your video on Youtube to help others know they are not alone. I work with a lot of clients that struggle with what you have endured and your story and others have given them hope. They also learn mindfulness techniques such as visualization exercises that help them. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story. On you acting side. I loved your Big Bang Theory. Must be odd playing you but not you. And I have to say DS9 is my favorite trek show. Duet is one of the best episodes in Trek history but the show really got going in season 2. I do enjoy the TNG episodes and looking forward to Picard. I like them all but Voyager is probably my least favorite. Anyway, would enjoy dialoging with you if you are willing. I would like to find out more of what is working with you and your health. Not because you’re a celebrity but because of your honesty. Best wishes to you. My email is [email protected]

  44. DS9 is what broke Trek for me.

    I kept clinging and clinging and clinging waiting for it to turn the corner, but it didn’t. Since then I haven’t watched any of the Trek shows and am probably going to skip Picard. Only a Sparks McGee vehicle set in the original series’ “A Piece of the Action” timeline will sate me. Kind of like Knight Rider meets Time Cop meets I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang meets Ash Vs. Evil Dead. The series should be directed by Mitch McGee (no relation) of Mister Glasses fame. Short of that, I wander. Waiting. Ever waiting. I am the Watcher. Just not of Trek.

    Here’s what has been amusing me of late: Lodge 49, Peaky Blinders, The Righteous Gemstones, Preacher, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. There’s great stuff available out on the periphery.

    I’m Spudnuts. Ask your mom.

  46. I started my first ever watch of DS9 a few weeks ago. I’ve nearly finished. Everyone was right. It is good. I always dismissed it because I couldn’t understand how a space station could live up to being a Trek. I’m so glad you are able to watch it. I completely understand how associations can cause us to avoid something. I’ve lived with anxiety and depression nearly my entire life. Two years ago I completed treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and since then so many of the things that seemed so immense have just fallen into the category of “life is too fucking short!” Thank you for always telling us so much about your struggle. Reading you and Jenny Lawson makes me happy.

  47. I’m glad you’re watching the show. Maybe watch all the episodes if you get a chance sometime.

    Yes, DS9 REALLY gave depth to the Ferengi–so much more than the ridiculous time we first saw the Ferengi onscreen, where a couple of the sniveling little money grubbers “defeated” Worf with their little energy whips that were never to be seen again.

    Rom, Nog and Leeta really made for some great B stories as they battled the ambiguous Quark–and Nog’s PTSD therapy was amazing.

    Anyway, I had just bought all the DS9 DVDs in early 2006 and was watching 2-4 episodes per night after work. I had just started the 6th season when I found out I had cancer. Had to move to Houston with my mom to get the cancer treated. It was really boring in the apartment we rented. Then dad mailed us a box with some of my things to keep me sane, and in there were the DS9 seasons 6 and 7 that had been forgotten the second I heard the doc say, “Scott, it’s osteosarcoma.” So then I finished up the DVDs, and mom, who isn’t really a Trekkie, watched them with me.

  48. Welcome to the DS9 fan family! I’m currently rewatching the show with my wife (I’ve seen it all before, twice; she never has) and I’ve been so pleased to find it holds up.

    I’m happy for you that you’re loving it, and I think you’re right that you’re going to keep loving it. Congratulations on the start of the journey!

  49. Although TNG will always have my heart, DS9 is so special in its own way. The complicated world and intricate storylines that were created were simply amazing. I had this conversation with someone not too long ago.

  50. Over the time I got many people to watch DS9 for the first time. And each time I am envious. What I would give for watching it for the first time.

    I am envious and glad that you started watching it. Consider watching all episodes though.

    1. Good for you, it is a great show, as faith coskun intimated, I’m jealous, wish it was my first time ; ) Enjoy!
      R.I.P Aron Eisneberg. I loved that guy!

    2. Signed up for Netflix specifically so I could watch all of DS9. Restarted recently, still teriffic the third time through.

Comments are closed.

Related Posts

Recent Posts