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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'

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!