Watch Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine sits within the Star Trek franchise, premiering in 1993 and concluding in 1999. It takes place after the events of Star Trek: The Next Generation, within the first two years of the Galactic Dominion War, though the show focuses on the daily operations of a space station called Deep Space Nine.

Deep Space Nine is located near the planet Bajor, which is recovering from years of brutal occupation by the Cardassian Union. Bajorans look to the Federation for help and support, and the Federation sets up a space station to aid the planet, which is still trying to find its feet.

Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), is assigned to command the station, in a role where he is tasked with diplomat duties and relationships with Bajor and the surrounding regions. The arrival of Captain Sisko is significant because he is the first-ever African-American captain in the Star Trek universe.

Deep Space Nine has a diverse cast with René Auberjonois, Colm Meaney, Armin Shimerman, Nana Visitor, Terry Farrell and Michael Dorn, among others. A meta-premise of the show sees some popular Star Trek staples altered, like the Federation not just being perfect but as flawed and imperfect as any human organization. Deep Space Nine puts emphasis on character development, so audiences will see Charles Haid, who plays the wise Dr. Julian Bashir, blossom from a first-season caricature quickly into someone much more fantastic, deep and three-dimensional.

In Paramount's previous series, the primary action revolved around spaceships, and Deep Space Nine's setting provides many opportunities to build brand new alien civilizations and introduce new characters to the Star Trek universe. The presence of several alien species adds to the depth and originality of the show.

Deep Space Nine also takes time to explore the gray areas in morality and ethical decisions, prominently through the character of Odo, Chief of Security, played by Rene Auberjonois. Odo is a shape-shifter who can take any form or shape desired, but there is a past he can’t remember or access. With his human demeanor painted over, the daily challenges of surviving in a universe that doesn't accept his existence, Odo contends with existential queries, a quandary that Vash, played by Jennifer Hetrick, would only encounter briefly as a guest character.

The recurring antagonists in Deep Space Nine are the Dominion, an empire advanced enough to only destabilize the delicate balance of power established on the space station. The Dominion’s influence is felt very early on in the show, but it doesn't become an overtly focal point until later. This is because Deep Space Nine takes its time allowing the audience to connect with the characters, the station and the planet Bajor to understand the impact of the Dominion.

The diverse group of characters operating Deep Space Station 9 doesn’t all get along at first but soon form a tight-knit crew that works in harmony to keep the peace and protect their community. The writers do an outstanding job developing the cast and bringing depth to their stories by focusing on backstory and a day-to-day approach where friendships and loyalty form the backbone of the show.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continues to be celebrated as one of the best in the Star Trek franchise because of its uniqueness not just within the established world of Star Trek but across the media landscape. Star Trek fans love it because it remains faithful in its approach to storytelling while challenging its primary element: its characters.

The space station environment offers a new angle for Star Trek storytelling, where the crew focuses on their shared goal, but there is no direct destination. Of course, Deep Space Nine doesn’t entirely obscure the franchise's essential practices—like long-form episodes, stand-alone episodes, and action set pieces—the approach to practical effects and makeup work put a whole new spin on what special effects could achieve in television.

In summary, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a groundbreaking science fiction television series with an exciting dynamic universe and relatable characters. It is an essential in the Star Trek franchise and a must-watch not just for sci-fi enthusiasts but any audience craving great television.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a series that ran for 7 seasons (179 episodes) between January 3, 1993 and on Syndicated