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Darth_Rasputin32898's guide to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (startrek.website)
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Serialized Deep Space 9 Episode Guide

- /u/Darth_Rasputin32898

Introduction

The goal of of this guide is to provide an episode order to watch Deep Space 9 (DS9) that will deliver maximum impact of the series' overall story arcs in a minimum of episodes. My personal motivation in this matter was to introduce someone I know to Star Trek, a person interested in Star Trek who overwhelmingly favors non-episodic story-telling (a fan of HBO's Game Of Thrones). As such, I decided DS9 would be most appropriate.

Put another way, the purpose of this guide is enable new viewers to quickly 'rush' through the DS9 series without losing the benefits of essential plotlines or character development. No prior Trek experience is required, though reference to the 'Background' section may be helpful initially. All you need is simply the patience to sit through about the first and/or second seasons, which are quite abbreviated in this guide (since they're more episodic and generally considered lower quality).

The total number of episodes by my count is 125.

About Spoilers

This is a non-spoiler guide. Spoilers for any given episode will not be used in the Key Points for that episode. Spoilers for episodes may be included in the Key Points for episodes after that episode. These details will be contained in the spoiler code. Here is an example:

SeasonXEpisodeY

So, if you'd seen episode Y of season X, you'd be able to view that spoiler.

Background

The year is 2369. Humans have, over the past three and a half centuries, have made contact with aliens and helped form an interstellar government, the United Federation of Planets (simply, Federation) that is at the time of DS9 one of the major powers of the known galaxy. It is a post-scarcity, democratic, idyllic society dedicated peaceful to contact with other species and other inter-species governments. Its 'navy,' so to speak, is Starfleet, a 'peacekeeping and humanitarian armada,' jointly operated by its members. It is an exploratory organization, and the main focus of all Star Trek.

Unfortunately, most other known interstellar governments are not as peaceable. The chief rivals of the Federation at present are the Klingon Empire, Romulan Star Empire, and the more recently encountered Cardassian Union. All of these are expansionist military powers, and all of them have been at war with the Federation at some point. (However, the Klingons are now allied with the Federation.)

Anything else important is quite clearly shown in episode 1.

Episode List

Right! On to the episodes at last!

Season 1

Episode Title Key Points
1&2 Emissary This is the pilot of the series. It is often cut as a single feature-length episode, so don't panic if it's only shown as one. This episode does have spoilers for one of the best Star Trek: The Next Generation two-parters, but addressing those would far overcomplicate things.
3 Past Prologue Introduction of Garak: a very important character. More development of Cardassian-Bajoran history.
4 A Man Alone Keiko begins a school at DS9, and Odo deals with an odd murder case.
11 The Nagus Background on the Ferengi and Quark. Introduction of Zek.
12 Vortex Odo character development and background and more visitors from the Gamma Quadrant.
13 Battle Lines One of the best early DS9 episodes. Changes up the dynamic in the Bajoran government for future seasons.
19 Duet This is often considered the best episode of season 1. It's more development of Kira and the Occupation of Bajor.
20 In The Hands Of The Prophets Tensions mount between traditionalist Bajorans and the Federation citizens on DS9 regarding Keiko's school. Important episode in the SE1EP13.

Season 2

Episode Title Key Points
1 The Homecoming Bajoran extremism and history with the Cardassians. The first multi-part episode of DS9.
2 The Circle A continuation of the story begun in Homecoming.
3 The Siege A continuation of the story begun in Homecoming and continued in The Circle.
5 Cardassians More Dukat development and Cardassian/Bajoran history. An excellent dilemma regarding orphaned Cardassians left on Bajor.
7 Rules of Acquisition First mention of the 'Dominion.' Pay close attention to the Gamma Quadrant developments.
8 Necessary Evil Odo and Dukat development and background; includes flashbacks to the Occupation.
10 Sanctuary More visits from the Gamma Quadrant and mentions of the 'Dominion.'
12 The Alternate Great Odo background and character development. Some more exploration of the Gamma Quadrant.
20&21 The Maquis This is a two-part episode and is hugely important. It establishes a new political force and a new source of conflict between the Federation and the Cardassians.
22 The Wire Garak gets a headache...
24 The Collaborator It all comes down to this: SE1EP13.
25 Tribunal One of the first 'O'Brien must suffer' episodes. Development of Cardassian culture and background.
26 The Jem'Hadar The title is self-explanatory: the Jem'Hadar species is introduced. More about the Dominion is revealed.

Season 3

Episode Title Key Points
1&2 The Search The DS9 crew gets a new toy, and a new officer, Michael Eddington. More development for Odo, the Founders, and the Dominion.
5 Second Skin A really mindbending Kira episode. More Cardassian background and development.
6 The Abandoned Extensive background on the Jem'Hadar, Founders and Dominion.
9 Defiant Commander Will Riker (from the Enterprise in The Next Generation) pays DS9 a visit. The Maquis story progresses, and Federation-Cardassian politics become more tense.
13 Life Support The winner of the election for Kai needs the runner-up's help in important negotiations with the Cardassians.
14 Heart of Stone Odo, Kira, Founder, and Nog development.
20 Improbable Cause Further advancement of the Alpha-Gamma Quadrant tensions.
21 The Die Is Cast The second part to 'Improbable Cause.'
22 Explorers This episode is more stand-alone then most, but introduces an important new character (Kasidy Yates), has more background on the Bajorans and Cardassians, and has more Sisko relationship development, like in the Visitor.
24 Shakaar Shakaar is introduced. The election for First Minister of Bajor begins.
26 The Adversary Sisko development, and advancement of Founder-Federation tensions.

Season 4

Episode Title Key Points
1&2 The Way of the Warrior An old friend arrives on DS9 as the new Strategic Operations Officer. Tensions with the Klingons and the Founders escalate.
4 Hippocratic Oath More development of the Jem'Hadar, O'Brien, and Bashir.
5 Indiscretion Kira/Dukat development. Introduction of Tora Ziyal. Kasidy moves to DS9.
11 Homefront Founders step up interference in the Alpha Quadrant. The crew goes to Earth. Brilliant 9/11 terror allegory, even though this episode is from 1996.
12 Paradise Lost Continuation of Homefront.
13 Crossfire Odo, Kira, and Shakaar development. Follows up on SE3EP24.
14 Return to Grace Further development of Cardassian-Bajoran SE2EP24 and tensions with the Klingons.
15 Sons of Mogh Except for a bizarre and off-putting decision by Bashir and Sisko, this is a very good Klingon-centered episode.
16 Bar Association Rom takes a stand against Quark's exploitative business practices.
17 Accession Development of Bajoran culture, the Emissary, and Miles O'Brien.
22 For the Cause Is a member of the DS9 crew a Maquis? Garak/Ziyal development.
23 To the Death Introduction of Weyoun. Jem'Hadar tensions escalate. Further development of the Jem'Hadar.
25 Body Parts Quark, Kira, and O'Brien family development.
26 Broken Link Odo and Founder development. Essential advancement of the Klingon plot.

Season 5

Episode Title Key Points
1 Apocalypse Rising The DS9 crew's response to what they learned at the very end of Broken Link. Advancement of the Klingon plot and tensions with the Gamma Quadrant.
10 Rapture Is Bajor ready to join the Federation?
12 The Begotten Odo development and plot advancement.
13 For the Uniform Further development of the Maquis.
14 In Purgatory's Shadow Dominion tensions advance. Development of Garak.
15 By Inferno's Light The continuation of In Purgatory's Shadow.
16 Doctor Bashir, I Presume? As the title indicates, Bashir development. Very important Bashir development.
19 Ties of Blood and Water Kira and Cardassian development.
21 Soldiers of the Empire Worf, Martok, and Klingon development.
23 Blaze of Glory Maquis and Dominion plot advancement.
24 Empok Nor More of a standalone episode than most, this still sets up a plot device which becomes important later on. Cardassian development.
25 In The Cards Advancement of Dominion tensions.
26 Call to Arms Advancement of Dominion tensions.
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Algernon_Asimov's guide to Star Trek: The Next Generation (startrek.website)
submitted 1 year ago by M_5@startrek.website to c/daystrominstitute@startrek.website
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#Algernon_Asimov's guide to 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'

I've compiled an episode guides for 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. This shows major milestones and character development - hopefully without giving away too many spoilers.

Whether you want to track the development of Worf during Next Generation, or skip the Wesley-heavy episodes, this is the page for you!

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Season 1

Episode Title Key points / milestones Characters featured Essential?
1 & 2 Encounter at Farpoint Captain Picard takes command of the Enterprise-D. The new crew faces a dilemma at Farpoint Station, and an unknown adversary called "Q". All Engage!
3 The Naked Now The Enterprise crew is infected with a virus which causes drunk-like symptoms. Data proves himself "fully functional" to Tasha. All meh
4 Code of Honor The leader of the Ligonians wants Yar as a wife. A fight to the death ensues between Yar and the Ligonian's First Wife. Yar Avoid
5 The Last Outpost The Enterprise deals with some Ferengi, and both get caught on a random planet. Introduction of the Ferengi. meh
6 Where No One Has Gone Before A Starfleet engineer arrives to upgrade the Enterprise's engines. We meet the Traveller. Picard appoints Wesley an Acting Ensign. Wesley Traveller Engage!
7 Lonely Among Us An energy creature takes over various Enterprise crew. Avoid
8 Justice Paradise has thorns. Wesley is sentenced to death. meh
9 The Battle The Ferengi present Picard with the wreckage of his old ship, the USS Stargazer. Picard Engage!
10 Hide and Q Q returns, and gives Riker the power of the Q. Q Riker Just for fun
11 Haven Troi has to fulfil her duty - an arranged marriage. First appearance of Lwaxana Troi (Deanna's mother). Troi Lwaxana meh
12 The Big Goodbye Picard plays detective Dixon Hill on the holodeck. Naturally, the holodeck malfunctions. Picard Just for fun
13 Datalore The Enterprise crew find another android, identical to Data: his "brother", Lore. Some background on Data. Data Lore Engage!
14 Angel One Riker has some sexy time in a female-dominated society. Riker Avoid
15 11001001 The crew has some downtime while the Bynars upgrade the Enterprise computer. Riker creates a fantasy woman on the holodeck: Minuet. Riker Just for fun
16 Too Short a Season The Federaton negotiator, Admiral Jameson, seems to be getting younger... Avoid
17 When the Bough Breaks The Aldeans kidnap some children from the Enterprise during negotiations. Wesley meh
18 Home Soil Terraformers discover unexpected life on a supposedly barren planet. Just for fun
19 Coming of Age Wesley sits the exams to enter Starfleet Academy, while an Admiral is investigating the Enterprise. Wesley Picard Engage!
20 Heart of Glory Enterprise takes some Klingons on board. Lots of background on Worf. Worf Engage!
21 The Arsenal of Freedom An automated weapons-selling demo. LaForge in command. Picard and Crusher have a moment. LaForge Picard Crusher Just for fun
22 Symbiosis Two planets and their medicine trade tests the Prime Directive. Worst anti-drug speech EVER. Picard Crusher meh
23 Skin of Evil Data learns about grief after a crew member dies on an away mission. Data meh
24 We'll Always Have Paris Picard meets an old flame, while experiments with non-linear time go awry. meh
25 Conspiracy Picard investigates a conspiracy at the top levels of Starfleet. Engage!
26 The Neutral Zone The Enterprise is sent to investigate what is destroying outposts along the Romulan Neutral Zone. Three humans from 20thC are unfrozen. Engage!

Season 2

Episode Title Key points / milestones Characters featured Essential?
1 The Child Troi gets impregnated by an alien. Staff changes: Dr Crusher gone, Dr Pulaski arrives; Worf is Chief of Security; LaForge becomes Chief Engineer; Guinan runs Ten-Forward; Riker grows a beard. Data: "One is my name; the other is not." Uniform change: no collar stripes. Troi meh
2 Where Silence Has Lease A curious energy entity toys with the Enterprise. Musings on death. Just for fun
3 Elementary, Dear Data LaForge challenges the holodeck to create an adversary to match Data's Sherlock Holmes. It does: Moriarty. Data Moriarty Engage!
4 The Outrageous Okona A charming rogue inspires Data to investigate comedy. Data Just for fun
5 Loud As A Whisper Troi is attracted to a deaf negotiator. Troi meh
6 The Schizoid Man The man who mentored Dr Noonian Soong, Data's creator, tries to take over Data's body. This is the only time we see Doctor Selar. Data Engage!
7 Unnatural Selection Pulaski catches an old-age disease from genetically engineered children. The Transporter Chief, who we've seen five times before, finally gets a name: O'Brien. Pulaski meh
8 A Matter of Honor Riker serves aboard a Klingon ship. Riker Engage!
9 The Measure of a Man A hearing to determine Data's personhood. Widely acknowledged as the best episode of the first two seasons of TNG, and one of the best of the series. Data Picard Engage!
10 The Dauphin Wesley falls in love with a girl who's destined to rule a planet. Wesley Avoid
11 Contagion Enterprise infected by a computer virus. Discover Iconian gateways. First mention of 'Earl Grey'. Just for fun
12 The Royale Crew discovers a real-life replica of a hotel from an old book. Riker Avoid
13 Time Squared A duplicate Picard from six hours in the future arrives and "present" Picard must prevent the destruction of the Enterprise. Picard Engage!
14 The Icarus Factor Riker is offered a promotion. His estranged father visits. Worf celebrates anniversary of his Rite of Ascension. Riker Worf Just for fun.
15 Pen Pals Data corresponds with a young girl from a doomed planet. Prime Directive. Data Engage!
16 Q Who Q transports Enterprise to meet... the Borg! Picard Guinan Q Engage!
17 Samaritan Snare Picard and Wesley bond while on a shuttle together. Enterprise and Pakleds. Picard Wesley Just for fun
18 Up The Long Ladder ~~Irish~~ Bringloidi refugees help a colony of clones. Avoid
19 Manhunt Lwaxana has a hyperactive sex-drive, and is looking for a man. Picard hides in the Dixon Hill holodeck program. Lwaxana Just for fun
20 The Emissary Worf meets an old flame, K'Ehleyr, and old feelings re-ignite. Worf Engage!
21 Peak Performance Picard versus Riker in war games. Data out-competes someone in a table-top game: "I 'busted him up'!" Data Riker Just for fun
22 Shades of Grey Worst! Episode! Ever! Due to a writers' strike: a clip show. Riker AVOID!

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