The Most Disliked Episode of DS9 - Season 5...

[Farscape One]

This is a twist on a game that is played here, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Here's the game. The basic idea is your standard elimination game. I'll provide a list of the episodes for each season and you need to eliminate your most favorite or the one you deem the 'best.' Please provide an EXPLANATION for why you are eliminating your choice and be sure to copy and paste the list with your choice removed. Finally, leave at least 2 eliminations by other posters before you eliminate another episode.

No tactical voting! You cannot remove an episode because you feel they would threaten your preferred episode's chance to win. Pretty simple. Enjoy!

Hall of Champions (or Failures?)
2011 - "PROFIT AND LACE"
2018 - "LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN..."
2019 - "THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOAK"

Season Five -

APOCALYPSE RISING
THE SHIP
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE
WRONG PLACES
NOR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG
THE ASSIGNMENT
TRIALS AND TRIBBLE-ATIONS
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
THINGS PAST
THE ASCENT
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
FOR THE UNIFORM
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
IN THE CARDS
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Farscape One]

My first save for season 5 is "THE SHIP".

This was another home run season, filled with awesome episodes. The series' 100th was indeed a special one... a great plot, great character beats, and wonderful ending scenes. I've always been impressed with the fact the writers had the captain really agonize over losing members of his crew... crew that are not leads. And I loved Worf's way of apologizing to O'Brien by performing the Klingon ritual with him. "We will both keep the predators away." Beautiful scene.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE
WRONG PLACES
NOR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG
THE ASSIGNMENT
TRIALS AND TRIBBLE-ATIONS
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
THINGS PAST
THE ASCENT
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
FOR THE UNIFORM
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
IN THE CARDS
CALL TO ARMS

 

[BigDaveX]

Well, I'm going to have no Tribble at all making my first decision - Trials and Tribble-ations, for being an absolute triumph on both a technical and storytelling level.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE
WRONG PLACES
NOR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
THINGS PAST
THE ASCENT
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
FOR THE UNIFORM
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
IN THE CARDS
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Farscape One]

I was torn between "THE SHIP", this episode, and 5 others to start with.

I couldn't decide, so I did the only logical thing... I am going in production order of my 7 episodes I want to save first.

I wonder how many of them will be saved by others first, like "TRIALS AND TRIBBLE-ATIONS".

 

[Sakonna]

"In The Cards" is brilliant. Such a complex manipulation of tone, the silly comedy mixed with the dark portents of ominous war. The best Jake/Nog story of the series, not to mention also being Winn's best material.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE
WRONG PLACES
NOR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
THINGS PAST
THE ASCENT
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
FOR THE UNIFORM
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Farscape One]

And you just picked one of my original 7. That has always been one of absolute favorites of the series.

My next save... "FOR THE UNIFORM". Peter Allan Fields always delivered great episodes, and this was no exception. A simple plot, but the tension was so high. Brilliant acting by Avery, and the banter between Sisko and Eddington was outstanding.

I also love how to this day, Sisko's actions are still highly questioned. (I completely support Sisko's decision, which I mentioned in another thread. Can't remember which one.) That alone is a hallmark of STAR TREK... one episode or action by a character can be hotly debated decades after it airs.


APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE
WRONG PLACES
NOR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
THINGS PAST
THE ASCENT
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Saving The Ascent. PErhaps the best repartee between Auberjonois and Shimerman, and beautiful scenery. The B-story ain't bad either.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE
WRONG PLACES
NOR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
THINGS PAST
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
CALL TO ARMS

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Removing Nor The Battle. Probably the most human war story we see in Trek.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE
WRONG PLACES
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
THINGS PAST
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Armus]

I loved Kurtwood Smith in THINGS PAST, an episode which reminded me of NECESSARY EVIL.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE
WRONG PLACES
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Sakonna]

"Soldiers Of The Empire", for being Trek's best backdoor pilot.

I mean, I know it wasn't really, but when the episode was over I was completely ready to follow this crew every week in "Star Trek: Klingon." Whereas I never needed to spend another second in the world of "Assignment: Earth."

(It's still absolutely maddening -- MADDENING! -- that they set up this crew I was DYING to see more of, then 8 episodes down the line we have another episode set on THIS SAME SHIP -- that picks up none of these characters!)

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
IN PURGATORY"S SHADOW
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
CALL TO ARMS

 

[PSGarak]

"IN PURGATORY'S SHADOW"

This is one of my favorite episodes of the season. We get the revelation of Founder Julian, Worf and Garak having to go on a mission together, Garak convincing Worf he wants to join Starfleet, Tain and all his malice, and so much more.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
EMPOK NOR
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Farscape One]

Since "SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE" was saved, my next save on my original 7 list will be "EMPOK NOR".

A creepy episode, and as always, Garak elevates the show.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
BY INFERNO'S LIGHT
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Seven of Five]

I've missed season four, so I'll take a swing at S5. By Inferno's Light is probably a little fast-paced, but it's still an excellent follow-up to In Purgatory's Shadow. Dukat is in devastating form here by signing over Cardassia to the Dominion.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
FERENGI LOVE SONGS
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Farscape One]

"Soldiers Of The Empire", for being Trek's best backdoor pilot.

I mean, I know it wasn't really, but when the episode was over I was completely ready to follow this crew every week in "Star Trek: Klingon." Whereas I never needed to spend another second in the world of "Assignment: Earth."

(It's still absolutely maddening -- MADDENING! -- that they set up this crew I was DYING to see more of, then 8 episodes down the line we have another episode set on THIS SAME SHIP -- that picks up none of these characters!)

Agreed that it was an excellent potential pilot.

I thunk there are several reasons why the crew was not used again next season in "SONS AND DAUGHTERS". First, it was a split focus episode... the Rotarran and the station. It was already a packed episode. Secondly, those actors might not have been available. Third, given that a fair amount of time passed... a minimum of 3 months passed when "A TIME TO STAND" started, plus however many months between "SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE" and "CALL TO ARMS". Those crew members could have been transferred to other ships, or even killed.

So as maddening as it was, I can let give it a pass.

 

[PSGarak]

"FERENGI LOVE SONGS" It hits all of my favorite Ferengi notes, political intrigue, women's rights (and lack thereof), family relations, and the complications of having an interspecies relationship. It also highlights how bigoted the Federation and Starfleet can be without thinking twice about it, like...telling anyone they're the least whatever example of their race and expecting them to take that well could ever be a good thing? Solid performances all around.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
THE ASSIGNMENT
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Sakonna]

I love a Trek possession ep, and "The Assignment" might be the greatest of them all. I love how Wraith!Keiko opens the episode with a quick deconstruction of how such eps always go, and why it won't work this time.

O'BRIEN: You'll have to be patient. The communications and sensor relays are distributed throughout the entire station.
KEIKO: You know your wife well, Miles, but she knows you even better. I know you're just playing for time until you can get to your friends, Julian, Dax, Captain Sisko, I know they'll all want to help you. The Captain may even allow you to do what I'm asking, at least until someone figures out a way to trap me in some sort of stasis field or some other clever device you're already dreaming up. And you know what? It might work. You might be able to stop me. But I promise you one thing. If you do, Keiko will die. All I need is a split second to cause a massive brain hemorrhage... and she's gone.

The ongoing development of Rom is also handled really well in the B story.

APOCALYPSE RISING
LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Sakonna]

I thunk there are several reasons why the crew was not used again next season in "SONS AND DAUGHTERS". First, it was a split focus episode... the Rotarran and the station. It was already a packed episode. Secondly, those actors might not have been available. Third, given that a fair amount of time passed... a minimum of 3 months passed when "A TIME TO STAND" started, plus however many months between "SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE" and "CALL TO ARMS". Those crew members could have been transferred to other ships, or even killed.

I usually end up rationalizing it with the killed explanation. Then, I get re-annoyed because dealing with the aftermath of that would ALSO be a more interesting story than we get in "Sons & Daughters"!

"FERENGI LOVE SONGS" It hits all of my favorite Ferengi notes, political intrigue, women's rights (and lack thereof), family relations, and the complications of having an interspecies relationship. It also highlights how bigoted the Federation and Starfleet can be without thinking twice about it, like...telling anyone they're the least whatever example of their race and expecting them to take that well could ever be a good thing? Solid performances all around.

I was hoping to save this one, though it wasn't quite my favorite remaining yet! But I love that scene where Quark realizes he's absorbing human values, that is one of the essential Quark scenes for me, fantastic performance from Armin Shimmerman. The ep also does a great job of authentically warming up the Quark/Ishka relationship, which is weirdly heartwarming for me.

Plus, the Ferengi energy whips finally return! On Quark's Marauder Mo action figure.

 

[BigDaveX]

Apocalypse Rising; it's no Way of the Warrior, and I think in retrospect it would have worked better if it turned out Gowron really was a Changeling,, but aside from that it's a fun little season opener, and the award ceremony being basically a night-long party allows for all kinds of neat character moments.

LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
BUSINESS AS USUAL
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
CALL TO ARMS

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Removing Business As Usual. It’s between that and Call To Arms. I love the exploration of Quark’s character, where he really draws the line, and the reason he’s accepted by humans. Also love the almost verbatim quote from The Third Man.

LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY
CALL TO ARMS

 

[Farscape One]

Time to save the last of my original 7 for this season.

"CALL TO ARMS"... a phenomenal season finale. The best one DS9 did. EVERY character got time to shine... great suspense, AWESOME battle, and that final shot... when it first aired, my jaw hit the floor. I cheered out loud, and I was EXTREMELY anxious for season 6 to start.

I put this season finale against ANY of the others in the franchise, and it will beat virtually all.

LOOKING FOR PAR'MACH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...
RAPTURE
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
THE BEGOTTEN
DOCTOR BASHIR, I PRESUME
A SIMPLE INVESTIGATION
TIES OF BLOOD AND WATER
CHILDREN OF TIME
BLAZE OF GLORY