Skip These 5 DS9 Season 2 Episodes and Streamline Your Watch

In the second season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, some episodes can be skipped without losing out on much. This season demonstrates an enhancement compared to its previous year, as the writers find their footing in creating a stationary Star Trek series, and Commander Benjamin Sisko’s (Avery Brooks) team begins to work together more effectively. The foundations for Deep Space Nine’s Dominion War storyline are laid here, with the Dominion mentioned for the first time in season 2, episode 7, “Rules of Acquisition”, and the Jem’Hadar soldiers making their debut in the season finale, “The Jem’Hadar”.

In the shadows of upcoming events, the second season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine heavily emphasizes the topic of identity. It questions and explores who the characters in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are, as well as their beliefs and values. This makes it challenging to single out episodes from season 2 of DS9 that can be skipped, since even those considered weaker often contain significant character development and cultural background information. However, we’re not yet at the peak of DS9 greatness, so if you must, these episodes can be passed over.

5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2, Episode 4 – “Invasive Procedures”

Dax Skips This Brief Host, So You Can Skip This Episode

In the fourth episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s second season, titled “Invasive Procedures,” you can afford to miss it since its events don’t significantly impact the overall storyline. A Trill named Verad (John Glover), who was turned down for joining, exploits DS9’s short-staffed situation during an evacuation to steal the Dax symbiont. Despite the fact that Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) is left with little time to live following the removal of the symbiont, it’s important to note that the stakes are relatively low because Jadzia Dax is a key character and her predicament isn’t particularly dire.

Essentially, the essence of Verad, as the symbiont Dax’s previous host, fails to fully integrate into Jadzia Dax. This is evident at the end of “Invasive Procedures”, where Jadzia clarifies that while she has some of Verad’s memories, the joining process didn’t have enough time to become truly established. In subsequent episodes, such as “Facets” in DS9 season 4, Verad is not among the Dax symbiont’s hosts, and Jadzia Dax does not rely on Verad’s memories or abilities like she did with past hosts such as Torias or Curzon.

4. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2, Episode 9 – “Second Sight”

Commander Sisko Falls For Schrödinger’s Love Interest

Deep Space Nine’s second season, titled “Second Sight,” might be the most easily skipped episode due to its confusing plot about a woman named Fenna (Salli Elise Richardson). Fenna seems real but also not, leading Commander Sisko on a maze-like investigation that often hits walls. Eventually, it turns out that Fenna is actually a telepathic manifestation of Seyetik’s (Richard Kiley) late wife Nidell. However, the episode makes this seemingly straightforward revelation overly complex and convoluted.

The episode “Second Sight” was initially proposed as one focusing on Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig), which might have made it seem more plausible. It appears that Bashir frequently develops feelings for a new woman every few episodes, whereas Captain Sisko’s romantic involvement with a grounded and substantial love interest would fit his character better. Despite Brooks’ convincing performance, finding Sisko instantly smitten with a mystery woman is hard to accept. Even before we discover she’s an illusion, Fenna doesn’t seem authentic enough for Sisko to genuinely fall in love with her.

However, transforming “Second Sight” into an episode focusing on Captain Sisko leads to a significant development in character growth. His affection towards Fenna, despite her being an illusion, signifies that Benjamin has moved beyond his overwhelming grief over the loss of his wife, Jennifer Sisko (Felecia M. Bell). This is crucial to remember as the Prophets previously highlighted how Sisko was emotionally bound by his grief during the Battle of Wolf 359 in the premiere episode of Deep Space Nine. Yet, this development doesn’t compensate for the inconsistencies and confusion found in the remainder of this episode.

3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2, Episode 10 – “Sanctuary”

“Sanctuary” Tries To Be Too Many Stories At Once

In a more relaxed and conversational style, one could say:

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s season 2, episode 10, titled “Sanctuary,” isn’t exactly a home run, but it doesn’t fully deliver the story it sets out to tell either. An unknown alien race, the Skrreeans, arrive through the wormhole with claims of divine guidance to settle on Bajor. Initially, it seems like this episode will focus on Major Kira Nerys (played by Nana Visitor) learning to communicate with the Skrreean matriarch Haneek (portrayed by Deborah May), given their language proves difficult for the universal translator. However, “Sanctuary” takes a different direction, delving into the Skrreean culture instead, suggesting that we’ll revisit this topic later on.

As a passionate cinephile, I must admit that “Sanctuary” missed a golden opportunity to deliver a more impactful Star Trek episode. Instead of diving straight into the narrative, it veered away from the profound political parallels that could have given this story an edge. The Skrreeans are revealed as refugees, stirring empathy within Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) and Commander Sisko for their dire situation. However, the aftermath of the Cardassian Occupation left Bajor bereft of resources to sustain even its own inhabitants, let alone an entire refugee planet. The Skrreeans, alas, reluctantly agree to the Federation’s proposed solution, and their story fades into obscurity without a sequel.

2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2, Episode 11 – “Rivals”

“Rivals” Is A Lighthearted Bit Of DS9 Fluff That’s Okay To Skip

In “Rivals”, the 11th episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s second season, there are appealing aspects to it, but upon closer scrutiny, the main idea seems to falter. The introduction of Martus Mazur (Chris Sarandon) and his Club Martus, a gaming establishment with puzzling games that mysteriously affect the station’s fortune, provides an interesting twist. However, the friendship between Julian Bashir and Chief Miles O’Brien, as portrayed in the racquetball rivalry subplot, is not yet fully developed enough to seamlessly tie into the main storyline through Quark’s betting pool.

The episode ‘Rivals’ in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine isn’t particularly serious and is somewhat implausible if you consider the concept of a luck machine. It mainly serves as a tool to put characters like Bashir, O’Brien, and Quark into scenarios where they experience streaks of both good and bad luck. This episode has less drama than usual for DS9, but it also falls short of being one of Star Trek’s best comedic episodes. If you prefer a more dramatic or comedic DS9 episode, ‘Rivals’ might be skippable.

1. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2, Episode 18 – “Profit and Loss”

Quark’s Single-Episode Love Story Misses The Mark

Intriguingly, “Profit and Loss”, episode 18 of season 2 from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, seems to present Quark in an unexpected light. It’s fascinating to consider that he might have depth beyond his criminal reputation. The story tries to explore this idea by bringing Quark back into contact with his former love, Natima Lang (played by Mary Crosby), a Cardassian teacher and political dissident. Previous episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine hint at the fact that Quark harbors feelings for others in a unique manner, which makes this character arc promising. However, the execution appears to fall short.

It isn’t obvious whether Quark’s intentions are noble or merely an expression of his business-driven nature, guided by the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. While Quark appears to be acting selflessly in aiding Natima’s students, his request for her to remain on the station, despite the risks involved, suggests a more self-centered motive.

Natima has not been previously introduced, and given Quark’s past treatment of women that is notably misogynistic, it feels out of character and insincere at this stage in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to portray Quark as a romantic interest. The episode “Profit and Loss” aims to convey a message, but the execution falls short.

Essentially, the second season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is significantly better than its first. It sets the stage for even greater quality in later seasons, ultimately making DS9 the most intricately plotted and morally complex Star Trek series during the Berman era. However, there are a few wobbly episodes in season 2 that can be skipped to give it a more polished feel, helping it transition smoothly into the excellent show we come to know as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

2025-05-23 00:59