Should I watch What We Left Behind docu before or after DS9 re-watch?

[data.lore]

I haven't watched DS9 since '06 or so, despite it being my favourite TV series, and am gearing up for a re-watch after getting back into Trek after a long time away. (I recently finished PIC, LDS, SNW, holding off on S3-5 of DISC and no Netflix for PRO yet. Over the last few years I gradually re-watched TOS and TNG.)

I have not seen What We Left Behind, and the question is, do should I see this first; or work my way up to it by watching the show, and getting the final payoff at the end? Watching it first could spoil some of the anticipation, yet what I learn in the docu could give me fresh insight into show, enhancing my appreciation of it as I re-watch.

To give credence to my DS9 nerdery: I used to own the DS9 Companion book and read it cover-to-cover; have seen all the DVD extras; and I absolutely loved the post-finale series of novels (which I've only read up through The Soul Key).

Discuss!

 

[Lord Garth]

I watched What We Left Behind in 2019, and it had been even longer since I'd seen most of DS9. It worked for me just fine.

I didn't start my own re-watch of the series until six months ago. I'm taking the slow path with it since I'm pretty much done with New Trek.

 

[Michael]

If your last rewatch was this long ago I would definitely recommend diving into the show first before watching the documentary. Obviously a big part of the documentary is the actors and producers reminiscing about episodes and plots from the show, often recounting them for the benefit of the viewers who need their memory refreshed. So I would think it’d be a much more rewarding rewatch of the show if you were to rediscover/relive these episodes and plots on your own without the documentary making you aware of everything again before. I guarantee you, no matter how often I’ve seen the show, on every rewatch there’s new aspects for me to discover and stuff I had completely forgotten about.

 

[somebuddyX]

If you're definitely going to do a rewatch, might as well wait. If not, just watch it now.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Watch Season 1, then watch the documentary. You will be reminded enough of what happens in thr series to appreciate the doc.

 

[Tallguy]

Before AND after!

 

[NCC-73515]

And in between!

 

[fireproof78]

After.


Then at the same time. With the commentary on the DVD going too.

 

[Lynx]

Watch the series first, then the documentary!
I think that it's the best approach to it.

 

[data.lore]

Thanks for the replies, I'm leaning heavily in favour of watching the documentary after.

It's been a long time since I tried to binge a show with 26 episodes per season, just how will I find the time?

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Thanks for the replies, I'm leaning heavily in favour of watching the documentary after.

It's been a long time since I tried to binge a show with 26 episodes per season, just how will I find the time?

Quit your job. Ghost your friends. You’ll be done in weeks.

 

[kkt]

Thanks for the replies, I'm leaning heavily in favour of watching the documentary after.

It's been a long time since I tried to binge a show with 26 episodes per season, just how will I find the time?

Don't binge. Watch one episode per week, just like when it was broadcast.

 

[data.lore]

Don't binge. Watch one episode per week, just like when it was broadcast.

Don't think I can resist once it gets really good. I just watched Emissary and glanced at the rest of S1, it will be easier to not binge this season. If it hadn't been so long since I'd seen the show I would consider skipping the weaker S1 episodes. Strange how every Trek from this era had the same rough patch in the start, modern TV series often seem the opposite--start out strong and flail about near the end.

 

[Lynx]

Thanks for the replies, I'm leaning heavily in favour of watching the documentary after.

It's been a long time since I tried to binge a show with 26 episodes per season, just how will I find the time?

Take it as a long-time project.
Plan at least one or maybe two evenings a week and watch two episodes each evening.

 

[Lord Garth]

I'm juggling two DS9 episodes, two B5 episodes, and one TOS episode per week. On top of whatever else I watch. I usually watch after work, then post a review right afterwards.

At least in theory. Sometimes real life has other plans. But that's generally how I do it.

 

[AntonyF]

I vote after too. It's a nice denoument.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

I say afterwards. Remember watching the documentary a few years ago. If I watch the series again sometime next year - I'll try to remember to watch the doco again.