DS9: As it turns out, the kids really ARE all right...

[liz_marcs]

In many ways, “The Nagus” has a very traditional Star Trek spirit.

It’s yet another episode that posits the idea that peace, love, and understanding actually is possible between people from fundamentally different cultures. All it takes is a little trust, a pinch of stubbornness, and the optimism of children who haven’t yet quite caught on that

Comments

[skipp_of_ark]

One of the things I love most about DS9 is how, when the writers did their jobs right, they remembered to let the plot serve the needs of the characters, and thus let the characters shine through, instead of the other way around, and still manage let the characters grow in ways that would surprise you yet still be believable. And not just the cast of regulars, but the ever-growing cast of recurring and supporting characters. I think both the show's producers and the audience owe such early recurring actors as Aron Eisenberg and Max Grodenchik a debt of gratitude for doing such wonderful work in the beginning of the show, as well as showing that a steady recurring cast would be a benefit to the Trek universe. (As well as Andrew Robinson, Marc Alaimo [Best. Three-Dimensional. Villain. Ever.], and Rosalind Chao, who also appeared in the first season. I don't count Louise Fletcher until the second season, in part because her appearance in the first season isn't until the season finale and I had no idea she would return again, and again, nor how important a role she'd play. Nor the guy who played Bareil because, IMO, he was a little wooden, plus after he hooked up with Kira Nerys, it became clear the writers had no idea what to do with him, and so what they did do was ultimately not surprising.)

Another thing I loved about this show was the friendships and interpersonal relationships that developed between characters. Kira's relationship with Sisko was not the same as her relationship with Jadzia which was different from her relationship with Miles, or with Quark, or Jadzia, etc. Over on TNG, Riker's relationships with Picard and Troi were distinct from each other, but I think he related to Data, Geordie, LaForge, and Dr. Crusher all in similar ways. (Oh, and after Jonathan Frakes made his guest appearance in the third season, I was disappointed that he never showed up again -- playing Will Riker's "twin" Thomas Riker convinced me he was a far more underrated actor than I'd given him credit for, and I loved how he played off of Visitor, Farrell, and Brooks.)