The Ten Smartest Things the Powers That Be Did to DS9
The powers that be in charge of DS9 made many smart moves over the years in making DS9 stand out from the rest of the Trek universe. These are my picks for the ten greatest moves made by those folks behind the scenes.
1. Making Starfleet/Humans a minority.
Every other Trek show has been set on a Starfleet ship filled with Starfleet officers--mostly humans with the token alien here and there. DS9, set on a Cardassian station in Bajoran space, broke that unwritten rule when it made the Starfleet officers a minority population to the Bajoran majority. In doing so, DS9 was free to present a long-term, in depth look at cultures outside the Federation. In seven years, we saw more of and learned more about the Bajorans, the Cardassians, and the Ferengi than we ever would have had Deep Space Nine originally been a Federation space station.
2. Sisko, the Starfleet Emissary.
One of the more intriguing aspects of Sisko's story was his role as the Emissary of the Prophets. Having the position foisted on him by the Bajorans, for years he played the role with great reluctance, complete with the disapproval of a Starfleet officer in the religious position coming in from Starfleet Command. Slowly, Sisko adjusted to the role and eventually grew to accept and then embrace it over the course of several years much to the dismay of his Starfleet superiors. This mix of Starfleet and religion was one of the strongest pillars of the series.
3. "Duet"
In a previous article, I called "Duet," the best of the best in regards to DS9's greatest episodes. "Duet" will always serve as the crowning jewel of outstanding achievement in the DS9 universe. Even if the show had gone on to fall on its face and never do another noteworthy episode in its entire run--which, thankfully, was not the case--the producers and the fans would always have been able to look upon "Duet" with pride.
4. Not afraid to make viewers laugh.
Most shows mix the humor in with the rest of the context, not applying it too liberally for fear of overdoing it. DS9, however, routinely tossed entire episodes on the altar of comedy. Some of these were brilliantly funny like "Trials and Tribble-ations," and "In the Cards." Others were bombs, case in point "Profit and Lace." Humor is a difficult thing to pull off, especially in an hour long science-fiction drama. Having success with even one humorous episode can be considered an achievement. DS9 managed more than just one, and the audience got a lot of good laughs along the way.
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