In the midst of the space race he gave us a vision of the future.
This was a future full of optimism.
They would seek out other life forms and gather knowledge for the sake of knowledge.
Gene Roddenberrys optimistic vision has enchanted audiences over the course of almost 50 years.
This optimism is what has attracted so many people to the franchise.
So no wonderDeep Space Ninehas always felt like black sheep ofStar Trek.
It is a much darker, and arguably more realistic vision of the future.
It is a vision of the future unobstructed by rose-colored glasses.
Maybe thats why people have always had such strong opinions about it.
The series is more grounded in reality than any other series inStar Trekhistory and here is why.
But its even more arrogant to think that there isnt a cure just because you couldnt find it.
This is wonderful and optimistic, but its not something shared byDeep Space Nine.
In fact, Julian Bashir shows limitations of medicine very realistically.
Throughout the entire series, he never really knows how to treat Odo for virtually any medical problem.
And why should he?
Sure, Dr. Mora knows a little but certainly not enough to actually help with medical conditions.
And so Julian does what he can but hes often at a loss to help Odo.
A specific episode that really highlights the limitations of medicine and science is The Quickening (S:4 E:24).
Julian Bashir is an incredible physician, but medicine isnt magic.
He works hard and still never finds a cure for the disease ravaging the planet.
And it isnt his fault.
But I couldnt bear to hear those horrible screams.
You have no idea what its like to be a coward.
To see these horrors… and do nothing.
Duet (S:1 E:19)
One of the things that makesDeep Space Nineso unique amongStar Trekseries is its location.
It is a space station that, for the most part, remains immobile.
It is easy to think of Gul Dukat as a megalomaniac.
I was like you once, but then I opened my eyes.
Open your eyes, Captain.
Why is the Federation so obsessed about the Maquis?
Weve never harmed you.
And yet were constantly arrested and charged with terrorism.
Not what would you would call realistic.
But Major Kiras experiencesare.
Though she is no longer a terrorist, Kira wrestles with the things she has done.
Was she justified in her violence against Cardassisa?
But that doesnt make her past any easier for her.
She has to reconcile her actions to herself.
Michael Eddington is quite the opposite.
He goes from respectable Starfleet Officer to Maquis terrorist.
And what is the difference between Major Kira and Eddington?
We view Major Kiras actions as justifiable while we view Eddington as power hungry.
But the reality is that they both exist in the space between terrorist and freedom fighter.
It just depends on who you ask.
So then I went back to my office.
And there was a new casualty list waiting for me.
People are dying out there, everyday!
In the Pale Moon Light (S:6 E:19)
War is hell.
AndDeep Space Ninenever shies away from this reality.
And no one gets out of the war with clean hands.
The war is full of alliances, betrayals, interplanetary tension, and war crimes.
And it isnt always clear that the Federation is going to win.
And the Dominion War is not a glorious war.
It makes the show much darker than otherStar Trekseries and it should.
Isnt it, Captain?
Because you knew I could do those things that you werent capable of doing.
Well, it worked.
One of the major critiques thatStar Trekreceives is that is has an overly optimistic view of future politics.
Yes, Federation values are still held in high regard.
Perhaps it isnt the values that are flawed, it is the people carrying them out.
This can be seen throughout the Dominion War.
It is in the ethical dilemmas that realism comes into play.
Should Sisko allow the Klingon Empire to attack Cardassia without warning?
The Federation has an alliance with the Klingons but allowing Cardassia to be attacked without provocation is wrong.
Is it wrong to allow this to happen?
Is it wrong to allow your allies to attack another planet without warning?
Deep Space Ninealso doesnt pretend that Federation values are the end all and be all of political diplomacy.
All this talk of gods strikes me as nothing more than superstitious nonsense.
Damar:You believe the Founders are gods, dont you?
Weyoun:Thats different.
Damar:[Laughs] In what way?
Weyoun:The Foundersaregods.
But it is important to look at it for what it is: a spiritual and religious debate.
Or is he both?
For every moment that can be explained away via the Prophets, there is always a purely scientific explanation.
Captain Sisko himself is often on the fence regarding his belief in the Prophets.
And what of the comparison between Bajorans belief structures to the Dominions?
There are no easy answers, which is what makes it so realistic.
Besides philosophical gray areas, there is also an intense amount of political backstabbing involved in spiritual matters.
Kai Winn uses spirituality as an excuse to grab power.
Her corruption makes her, unfortunately, a realistic character.
Were at war with your people.
This is no time for a Changeling Pride demonstration on the promenade.
Chimea (S:7 E:14)
Gene Roddenberry was optimistic in his vision of racial and species relations.
But its also easy to get along with other species that are relatable.
Almost every species the Federation encounters onStar Trekis humanoid.
Not so withDeep Space Nine.
Often it is Odos presence on the ship that brings out the still lingering xenophobia.
He doesnt eat, sleep, or breathe.
He only exists as a solid for fit in with everyone on the ship.
Hes very clearly an outsider.
His differences become more and more apparent as he attempts to fit in with both worlds.
And yes, there are several incidents where it is apparent that people are uncomfortable with him.
And beyond uncomfortable, there is always a distance between himself and solids.
They could care less about all the good things that Odo has done.
Hes just another changeling.
Sons and Daughters (S:6 E:3)
Almost every version ofStar Trekdeals with family in one way or another.
Deep Space Ninehas the upper hand however due to its emphasis on interpersonal relationships.
These relationships are really what the show is based on.
There is something oddly refreshing about the depiction of the family units on the show.
For instance, Keiko and Miles read like a married couple that have moved past their honeymoon phase.
They fight about the things that all couples fight about: jobs, children, moving.
But they also get along with one another in a way that rings true for long-term married couples.
It is always clear that they love each other but they also lead independent lives.
Another realistic, although sometimes humorous relationship, is between Moogie and Quark.
Moogie and Quark dont get along because they are so similar in their behaviors.
It is no surprise that when Quark is feeling down he shows up to Moogie for comfort.
Gul Dukats relationship with his daughter Ziyal is dysfunctional, unhealthy, and abusive.
It is clear that Dukat loves Ziyal in only the way that Dukat could love anyone.
And when hes not trying to kill her hes a good father.
And Ziyal desperately wants to believe that he father is not a monster.
Their relationship seems forged together through a desperate need on both of their parts to belong to a family.
You were the one man who stood apart from everyone else, the one man who stood for justice.
MostStar Trekseries are filled with heroes and villains and not a whole lot of ambiguity.
Almost every character shows their capability for good and their capability for evil.
Some of the clearest examples of this ambiguity are Odo, Kira, Garak, Quark.
IfDeep Space Nineexisted in the world ofDungeons & Dragons(and wouldnt that be fun?
), Odos alignment would be lawful neutral.
Which is exactly what makes him morally ambiguous.
He believes in justice and for him, that means enforcing the law.
And it doesnt matter whether that law may be moral, intelligent, or right.
People are good or they are evil.
They are with the resistance or they are collaborators.
Quark and Garak, conversely, exist only in gray areas.
Both of them act in a manner that is completely self-serving.
Sometimes those actions are moral and sometimes theyre not.
Thats what makes them both complicated characters.
Yes,Deep Space Ninesometimes dwells in the darkness.
But that doesnt mean it isnt without its hopeful moments.
In fact, one might argue that it is the most hopeful of all.
Yes, they go through the horrors of colonialization, war, and genocide.
For all of the evils depicted in this show, it ends withhope.
In their alliances they find their strength.
And finally, the Dominion may finally find itself at peace.
Deep Space Nineends on a note of optimism.
Not the kind of optimism that is found inThe Original Series,The Next Generation, orVoyager.
But it is an optimism earned by diving into darkness and surviving.
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