Just about to start DS9...where best to begin?

[GlennSTL]

I just finally finished all 7 seasons of Next Generation. I’m also seen all 3 season of the Original Series, including the animated episodes. Finally, I watched all 4 seasons of Enterprise. I’ve also seen both seasons of Discovery.

That said...I decided to start watching DS9. I’ve heard amazing things about it and in my lifetime probably only saw a handful of episodes on TV at the time they came out...I can’t even remember them now.

All this said: where should I begin? I really feel like jumping into the best seasons...which I heard is around seasons 4 and 5.

But I also don’t want to feel lost or miss some great storytelling from earlier seasons.

I’m leaning on just watching it from episode 1, even though it’s going to take a long time.

Can anyone make some suggestions? I’m also new to this board

 

[CRM-114]

About a week and a half ago, I started watching through DS9, and have been maintaining a thread about my experience as a first-time DS9 viewer:

https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/i-am-watching-ds9-for-the-first-time-some-observations.299822/

I say, start at the beginning. A few of the first-season stories do feel like they could've been TOS or TNG stories with varying degrees of rewriting. Once the show really begins to explore its' own premise, that is, doing stories that are unique to its' premise/setting, the show really takes off. Also, there are poltlines that start in Season One that I know will continue through to the end.

 

[Relayer1]

First two seasons are patchy and overall a bit dull. I'd still say start from the beginning though - just be reassured it gets better. Way better.

It's probably always going to be my favourite Trek show.

 

[Lynx]

Start from the beginning and watch all episodes. Otherwise you might miss some very important episode.

 

[USS Firefly]

Start at the beginning, the first two seasons has good episodes.
And you get to know the characters

 

[Bad Thoughts]

DS9's first two seasons are easily better than TNG's. If anything, it takes a little while for the series to develop its own identity. However, if you want to abridge the first two seasons, the essential episodes are:

Emissary
Past Prologue
Captive Pursuits
The Nagus
Battle Lines
Progress
Duet
In the Hands of the Prophets
Homecoming
The Circle
The Siege
Cardassians
Rules of Acquisition
The Alternate
Armageddon Game
Whispers
Paradise
Shadowplay
Blood Oath
Maquis I and II
The Wire
The Collaborator
Tribunal
The Jem'hadar

The mature series comes to fruition largely in season 3. However, there are two episodes that are easily skippable, should you choose: Meridian and Fascination.

 

[Armus]

Season 2 is amazing, my favorite season of DS9, far superior to seasons 3 and 6 in my view. Start with The Emissary and watch the series from start to finish.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Start with "Emissary" and work your way through from there.

 

[BillJ]

“Emissary”

 

[Kitty Worrier]

Start from the pilot and watch them all.

 

[UnknownSample]

I say this to everyone... you'll get bogged down and discouraged if you start at the beginning. It's good start to finish, but it's hard to appreciate the first couple seasons right off, because they throw you into Bajoran politics in depth before actually getting you interested enough in Bajor to care. First time viewers often burn out on DS9 because of this, and never watch again.
--------------------
At first, DS9 suffered from Next Gen type stiffness and reluctance to take risks. Over time, DS9 becomes more vital and challenging, and deals with real emotion better. It builds till by season 6 it's firing on all cylliders, and gets fascinating.
-----------------------
So I always say, start at the beginning of season 3 or 4. Watch all the way through 7, then go back to the start and view seasons 1 and 2 (and 3 if you started at 4) as a prequel. By that point, after you've gone through that journey, you care an awful lot about Bajor and everything to do with it. You're sold. It will all be much more interesting.

 

[GlennSTL]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I really appreciate the advice and opinions for someone new to DS9.

I think I’m going to go with the majority that says start on episode 1. However, if season 1 isn’t doing it for me, I will try some of the later episodes some of you mentioned.

Looking forward to the journey!

 

[kkt]

I also say start at the beginning and watch them all. When you come to the end, take a little break and then start at the beginning again.

 

[Jayson1]

Whatever you do don't skip season 2. It might be the best season of the show. Plus a great deal of stuff really starts getting set up in season 2 in terms of the Dominion and character stuff. Season 1 has some of that stuff as well but season 2 really has lots of it. Also in season 1 don't miss out on the pilot,first Garak episode,,Captive Pursuit,Duet and the season final for sure even if the other stuff isn't working for you. Might also want to check out the Q episode if your a big fan of character. Not a great Q episode but Q is always fun of course.

Jason

 

[Delta Vega]

You've watched every other Trek incarnation in their entirety, so you know that the answer to your question is to watch DS9 from Season 1, Episode 1 and continue until you reach the end.
Personally, I'd skip all the ones with the odious Ferengi characters, and dumb Klingons.
But that might be difficult.

 

[suarezguy]

I recommend you start at the beginning and work through (I think the only particularly weak episode from the first season is "Babel"). I disagree with the common view that it started weak and greatly improved, I think it started pretty good and remained so. The biggest consensus about the first two years, often a criticism, is probably just that they're a little too similar to TNG but if you liked that, even if they're similar but not as good, they should still be pretty enjoyable.

The cast of characters is the best part and it is worthwhile to see the early interactions and how they and their relationships evolve.

 

[lurok]

You'd heard S4 is when starts to get really interesting, and I'd agree. But as other said, don't skip pilot and seasons 1-3. Mixed but really helps build and establish characters.

 

[Defiler-Of-Redshirts]

Start with any heavily-Cardassian episode; one absolute of DS9 is that every one of its Cardassian characters give extravagant, grandiose, ultra-entertaining acting performances. I've never seen a Cardassian actor I didn't like. In any Star Trek incarnation. Talk about chewing the scenery, and I mean that in the most fun way possible! No Cardassian has ever bored me.

 

[Delta Vega]

Start with any heavily-Cardassian episode; one absolute of DS9 is that every one of its Cardassian characters give extravagant, grandiose, ultra-entertaining acting performances. I've never seen a Cardassian actor I didn't like. In any Star Trek incarnation. Talk about chewing the scenery, and I mean that in the most fun way possible! No Cardassian has ever bored me.

The Cardassians would be great for having a few beers with

 

[mlbach]

Definitely start with Emissary, and then you have to watch Past Prologue, which introduces Garak, probably the most interesting recurring character in the series. Also the beginning of one of the most speculated about relationships in Star Trek—Garak and Bashir. Andy Robinson said it himself in the documentary: Garak was omnisexual and wanted a physical relationship with Julian. Plenty of fans picked up on that and are still writing fan fiction about it. Too bad the best they can do in the novels is say “Garak loves Bashir” and then have Julian be in a coma for the entire book (I saw what you did there, Una McCormack).