The One Thing Deep Space Nine Did That New Star Trek Shows Desperately Need

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As a dedicated Star Trek fan, I’ve found that comparing the series then and now is like contrasting apples with oranges. Though the franchise has consistently championed progressive thoughts and technology, its evolution to accommodate a larger budget and adapt to contemporary streaming trends is undeniable. Yet, the essence of Star Trek remains unchanged.

Streaming Deep Space Nine on Paramount+ has made me notice that the new shows seem to be missing something the old one did exceptionally well.

As more “Star Trek” shows, both familiar and new, gear up for streaming, there’s a valuable lesson to glean from, which some contend was the pinnacle of the “TNG” era. If the upcoming series like “Strange New Worlds” or “Starfleet Academy” wish to follow in the footsteps of “Deep Space Nine,” they should focus on showcasing non-human species much as it did.

Deep Space Nine Thrived On Fleshing Out The Bajoran, Ferengi And Other Species

As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by “Deep Space Nine” – a unique take on the “Star Trek” universe that bucked the trend of endless space exploration. Unlike its counterparts, this series was rooted in one place, orbiting a wormhole rather than traversing the cosmos.

At first glance, this stationary setting might seem restrictive, but it proved to be a strategic move. By remaining fixed, we were granted an unprecedented opportunity to delve deep into the lives of the characters aboard the station and the cultures they represented. This focus on character development added depth and richness to the series that set it apart from its counterparts.

Exploring the Bajoran-Cardassian conflict provided an intimate glimpse into both species, and since the narrative invites it, we naturally learn more about them. Notably, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine delved deeper into the Ferengi than The Next Generation, although this portrayal of Quark may have been off-putting for some fans.

It’s no secret that if you’re a fan of Deep Space Nine, you may have picked up more knowledge about Bajorans and Ferengi than Vulcans across the entire Star Trek universe. This is partly due to the fact that Star Trek primarily explores humanity’s future journey, but also because this series excels at delving into these specific cultures.

Newer Trek Shows Have Introduced Interesting Non-Human Characters, But They Haven’t Gotten That Treatment

Pondering over recent non-human characters introduced in the Star Trek series, such as Saru from Star Trek: Discovery, has sparked my curiosity. Although I appreciate Saru and his contributions within Starfleet, I yearn to learn more about him beyond his professional life. While Star Trek: Discovery provided some insight into his Kelpien species, it leaves me craving for a deeper understanding of their history, as they were primarily characterized by fear throughout their existence.

Compared to the Rules of Acquisition we picked up from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, it’s fascinating to note that the Ferengi we encountered were remarkably diverse. Quark was driven by profit above all else, Rom desired what his brother possessed, and Nog pursued aspirations unconventional for his culture. Essentially, each Ferengi had a unique personality and goals.

In the contemporary era of Star Trek, we’re not experiencing the rich diversity as before, not solely due to fewer Trek shows in 2025 compared to previous years. The series Strange New Worlds is notably sparse in alien species, instead focusing on the backstory of the bridge crew prior to James T. Kirk taking command of the Enterprise. Despite having a descendant of Khan and Number One revealed as an augment on board, there seems to be less exploration of related lore compared to what one might expect.

I’m really optimistic that Starfleet Academy might be the ideal place where this occurs, given its multispecies student body from across the cosmos. Given the series is set far into the future compared to other shows, it presents a unique opportunity to learn about how each significant species has evolved. Rest assured, Robert Picardo will continue his role as the EMH for those who might yearn for the TNG era.

Why It May Be Harder For Newer Trek Shows To Do What Deep Space Nine Did

It’s intriguing to consider if shows like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds or Starfleet Academy could delve deeply into various non-human species given today’s standards. One major challenge I see is the limited number of episodes in a season, typically ten nowadays, which might make it difficult to explore these topics thoroughly.

Beyond eliminating extra episodes, having fewer installments in contemporary Star Trek productions necessitates a stronger focus on the central narrative of the story. While Deep Space Nine effectively integrated Bajoran relations into its core plot, I’m uncertain if Strange New Worlds or Starfleet Academy would be able to achieve the same level of integration. However, it’s possible that I’m underestimating the writers’ creativity and merely considering the shows based on past performances.

To summarize, “Strange New Worlds” seems to have paved the way for Star Trek by successfully combining serialized storylines with episodic adventures. This approach opens up opportunities for exploring various alien species through developed character arcs. If well-crafted plots are implemented in either series, it’s hopeful that we might see more of these intriguing species portrayals.

In essence, many Star Trek productions could learn from the style of Deep Space Nine, yet not many have successfully followed suit substantially. Our most significant nods so far are the crossover episode in Lower Decks and the Dominion War arc in Picard Season 3. However, a new series featuring the same cast is currently just a hope, as no definite plans have been announced by those in charge.

Until that future day arrives, you can stream all episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and additional series from the franchise on Paramount+. Rest assured, new shows are in development too; however, we’re yet to receive news about their release dates or further explorations with Starfleet.

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2025-03-23 01:07