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In the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode "The Magnificent Ferengi", Quark (Armin Shimerman), one of the franchise's best characters, learns that his mother Ishka (Cecily Adams) has been captured by the evil Dominion. At first, Quark wants to assemble a team of crack Ferengi commandos, consisting of his brother Rom (Max Grodénchik), his nephew Nog (Aron Eisenberg), his cousin Gaila (Josh Pais), and a fighter named Lek (Hamilton Camp) to get her back, but soon comes to understand that his "crack squad" kind of sucks at military maneuvers. Instead, he arranges a meeting on an abandoned Cardassian space station called Empok Nor where he, with a Vorta prisoner in tow, will negotiate a prisoner exchange, using his keen sense of Ferengi deal-making.

On Empok Nor, Quark meets a Vorta general named Yelgrun, a smooth-talking creep with every intention of...

Star Trek is all about Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, but most fans will argue that the best of all the series is The Next Generation. Many of them will die on that hill. I am here to make the case for Deep Space Nine. To me, it is the darkest, most-risk-taking, most thought-provoking show.

Allow me to state my case.

The Next Generation launched with a killer pilot, but seasons one and two more or less lurched along, with slow, talky episodes and not much character development. Sure, there were standout episodes but early on, there were too few to support the premise that Tng was great from the start. I found the sets gorgeous and sleek, but also sterile and too brightly lit.

The show found its footing in season three and gave us several terrific episodes each season, none more than in season six, when we got the “Chain of Command” two-parter,...

Red Squad, the elite Starfleet Academy cadets in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, were so much worse than their Star Trek: The Next Generation counterparts, Nova Squadron. In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 5, episode 19, "The First Duty", Nova Squadron members are investigated after attempting the dangerous Kolvoord Starburst maneuver that results in the death of their teammate, Joshua Albert. Nicholas Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill) pushes Nova Squadron members Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill), and Jean Hajar (Walker Brandt), to cover up their involvement, and the fact the maneuver had been Locarno's idea.

Although Nova Squadron disbanded after Wesley came clean about Josh's death, Red Squad takes Nova Squadron's place in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's season 4 2-parter, "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost". Starfleet Academy's Red Squad is enlisted by Admiral Leyton (Robert Foxworth) to sabotage Earth's power grid, enabling Leyton to enact martial law. Leyton resigns,...

Star Trek's best engineer was Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney), and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine proved that. Originally a recurring character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Miles O'Brien served in the Cardassian War before being assigned to the USS Enterprise. O'Brien moved from helmsman to the Enterprise's transporter chief, giving him hands-on knowledge of Starfleet's flagship. Chief O'Brien had experience with sophisticated Federation engineering and a working knowledge of Cardassian technology, making O'Brien the perfect choice to head up the Starfleet engineers on the former Cardassian station Deep Space Nine.

In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 6, episode 15, "Honor Among Thieves", Deep Space Nine's crew are dealing with far more technical malfunctions than usual. Dr. Julian Bashir's (Alexander Siddig) infirmary technology, the fire suppression system at Quark's (Armin Shimerman) Bar, and Constable Odo's (Rene Auberjonois) security sensors are all unexpectedly glitching. Even the turbolift in Ops is being a jerk.

Twenty-four years before Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had a lower decks episode of its own. Technically, Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7, episode 15 was the first "Lower Decks" episode that broke away from the classic cast of bridge crew and chief officers to focus instead on a few junior officers on USS Enterprise-d. That popular reversal inspired Star Trek: Lower Decks and its cast of low-ranked officers.

Part of what has makes Star Trek: Lower Decks so popular across its five-season run is the loving attention it pays to all the Star Trek that's come before. Star Trek: Lower Decks brings back characters whose shows ended years ago and references popular fan theories in almost every episode. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in particular, has been referenced several times on Lower Decks. Years before Lieutenants Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) and Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Deep Space Nine...

Star Trek will never have a cast as expansive as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's again. At the heart of Star Trek are the scores of beloved characters that generations of fans have come to adore. From noble Captains like James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), and Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), to the multitudes of Starfleet Officers and alien characters populating Star Trek's ever-growing universe, it's the people and their stories that keep audiences coming back for more. No Star Trek show, however, could match the impressively massive cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ran for seven seasons in syndication from 1993-1999. The first spinoff of Star Trek: The Next Generation, DS9 broke Star Trek's established mold centering on the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Deep Space Nine was set aboard the eponymous space station led by Commander...

One of the best things about "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was that its space station setting meant there were more opportunities for alien characters to take on major roles. Some of the most beloved and interesting characters on the series are non-human, like Cardassian tailor/spy Garak (Andrew Robinson) and Ferengi bar owner Quark (Armin Shimerman). In fact, there are a couple of fun Ferengi folks that live on Deep Space Nine, and over the course of the series they gained some depth and the Ferengi became more than just money-obsessed villains with huge ears. 

Just as Michael Dorn, who played Klingon warrior Worf, helped shape Klingon culture, Shimerman was able to influence Ferengi culture. He had originally played an evil Ferengi named Letek on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and he hoped that by playing Quark, he could evolve the Ferengi into a more complex, complete people and wipe out past portrayals.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Elim Garak (Andrew Robinson) predicted Seven of Nine's (Jeri Ryan) future Starfleet career in Star Trek: Picard. Seven joining Starfleet seemed unlikely during Seven's time on Star Trek: Voyager, but Star Trek: Picard revealed that Seven had actually attempted to join Starfleet. Even with Captain Kathryn Janeway's (Kate Mulgrew) sponsorship, Starfleet turned Seven down on account of being an ex-Borg drone. In Star Trek: Picard season 2, Seven of Nine earned a field commission from Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), with 20 years of Fenris Ranger experience qualifying Seven for the rank of Commander.

In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 5, episode 14, "In Purgatory's Shadow", Lieutenant Commander Worf (Michael Dorn) accompanies "plain, simple tailor" Garak on a trip to the Gamma Quadrant. On the way, Garak asks if Worf would be willing to sponsor Garak's admission to Starfleet Academy. Worf is understandably skeptical, but Garak points...

Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) came of age on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and here's how old the son of Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) was throughout DS9's 7 seasons and beyond. Jake was a series regular Star Trek: Deep Space Nine cast member, although he only appeared in 71 episodes. Wary of the mistakes Star Trek: The Next Generation made with Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), DS9's writers carefully developed Jake, turning him into a lovable, bright, and well-adjusted teenager who found his niche as a writer.

As a boy, Jake came aboard Deep Space Nine with his father, then-Commander Sisko, following the death of his mother, Jennifer Sisko (Felecia M. Bell) during Star Trek: The Next Generation's Battle of Wolf 359. Jake is the only human main character in a Star Trek series who never joined Starfleet. Instead, Jake became a reporter from behind enemy lines during Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...

Andrea Martin has spent the past four years playing Sister Andrea, a nun on the horror drama, Evil. She takes care of business by dealing with the demons in whatever manner is required to rid the world of their presence. Her job isn't an easy one, but she makes it look like fun. It's all part of acting. In an interview with Cbr, Martin said the same thing about her short time on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Ishka, Quark and Rom's mother.

To the Star Trek fans, it did look like Martin was having a lot of fun playing Ishka, but in reality, it wasn't fun at all. In fact, that one episode was why Martin didn't return to the show. It was all about the make-up and prosthetics with Martin revealing that she "really was too claustrophobic with all the makeup."

Though she enjoyed her time...

Five years ago, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine teased season 8, which, unfortunately, can't happen. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ended in 1999 after seven seasons, wrapping up the saga of the space station commanded by Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks). Unlike Star Trek: The Next Generation, DS9 did not move on to become a movie franchise. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's cast went their separate ways, but the series lives on in streaming and found an even greater appreciation from audiences 30 years after it first aired.

In 2019, 455 Films released What We Left Behind: Looking Back At Deep Space Nine. The documentary was spearheaded by DS9's showrunner Ira Steven Behr and reassembled most of the show's actors and creative team to look back on the triumphs and controversies of Deep Space Nine. What We Left Behind's centerpiece was Behr gathering his core writers, Rene Echevarria, Hans Beimler, Robert Hewitt Wolfe,...

Before Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Armin Shimerman and Max Grodnchik made their franchise debuts as other Ferengi characters in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Shimerman and Grodnchik are most famous for playing the sibling duo Quark and Rom on Deep Space Nine. Quark was part of DS9's main cast of characters, appearing in almost every episode, while Rom was a recurring character who first appeared in the pilot episode "Emissary." Together with Rom's son, Nog (Aron Eisenberg), the trio made up the bulk of Ferengi representation on DS9.

As the first Ferengi main characters on any Star Trek TV show, Quark and Rom expanded Star Trek's Ferengi history and lore, making the species more sympathetic and complex. This was no small feat, as when the Ferengi were created for Star Trek: Tng, they were meant to be the series' main villains. Despite some of the Ferengi's less likable qualities,...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ended in 1999, but was it canceled? The first spinoff of Star Trek: The Next Generation from executive producer Rick Berman, Deep Space Nine aired for 7 seasons in syndication from 1993-1999. Deep Space Nine was the first Star Trek series not to be set on a starship, but rather, a space station. DS9 also made history by casting Avery Brooks as Commander (later Captain) Benjamin Sisko, the first Black lead of a Star Trek series. As showrunner of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ira Steven Behr spearheaded heavily serialized storylines and character arcs, pioneering what would become a television standard in the modern streaming era.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's main cast was supported by a vast ensemble of fascinating ancillary characters who became immensely popular. These included the Cardassian tailor/spy Garak (Andrew Robinson), Nog (Aron Eisenberg), the first Ferengi in Starfleet, Klingon General...

Quick Links Nog, Airiam and the Borg Are Two Kinds of Biosynthetic Beings in Star Trek Data and Jean-Luc Picard Are Now Officially Biosynthetic Beings There Are Many Star Trek Beings Who Use Organic Technology The Purpose of Biosynthetic Beings and Technology in Star Trek

While most fans love Star Trek for the iconic characters and their relationships to one another, the science fiction technology in the universe is also a big draw. However, as the universe Gene Roddenberry created six decades ago entered its second and third waves, storytellers started figuring out how to blend sci-fi technology with life itself. There are a lot of biosynthetic beings in Star Trek, which helps to further the universe's motto of "infinite diversity in infinite combinations." Of course, these stories are told in our real world, meaning most aliens have to be played by human actors.

Star Trek: The Next Generation and...

Quick Links Aron Eisenberg Was Forever Grateful for His Continued Role on Star Trek Hollywood May Not Have Appreciated Aron Eisenberg, but Fans Did Aron Eisenberg Was on the Front Lines of the Battle Against Toxicity Five Years After His Passing, Aron Eisenberg's Legacy Looms Large

Of the all the big names and personalities that are responsible for Star Trek and its enduring presence over six decades, its best ambassador was an actor diminutive in stature. In fact, that's how Aron Eisenberg won his role as Nog, the adolescent Ferengi on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine despite being 23 at the time he was cast. On the fifth anniversary of his passing, to his collaborators, friends and the fans, Aron Eisenberg remains an immortal giant, and the best ambassador Star Trek ever had.

While other Star Trek alumns like the late Nichelle Nichols helped recruit women and people of color to NASA,...

Children of the 1960s might recognize the late actor James Darren from his role as Moondoggie, aka Jeffrey Matthews, from the hit 1959 beach party movie "Gidget." Darren reprised his role in "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" and "Gidget Goes to Rome." Darren, however, was massively prolific in film, TV, and music, and his decades-long career was only cut short this week when the actor passed away at the age of 88. He left behind a sizable body of work that includes 14 studio albums, dozens of appearances in TV shows, and movies beyond Gidget. He shared the screen with future "Gilligan's Island" stars Bob Denver and Tina Louise in "Those Who Think Young," popped up in Jess Franco's 1969 version of "Venus in Furs," and most recently appeared in the Harry Dean Stanton film "Lucky" (one of the best films of 2017).

To Trekkies, Darren is best known for playing Vic Fontaine, the holographic Rat...

The late James Darren, who played Vic Fontaine on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, is remembered by William Shatner and their fellow Star Trek actors. Darren passed away on September 2, 2024, at the age of 88. A former teen heartthrob and star of Gidget, The Time Tunnel, T.J. Hooker, and numerous other films, TV series, and stage performances, Darren was a beloved actor, singer, and director. James Darren is survived by his wife Evy, his sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren, and Tony Darren, five grandchildren, and one goddaughter.

On X, William Shatner paid tribute to his T.J. Hooker co-star, James Darren, calling him "a wonderful man - so talented; so loving." Check out Mr. Shatner's X post below:

Nana Visitor, who played Major Kira Nerys on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, also fondly remembered her co-star, James Darren. Check out Nana's X post below:

Robert Picardo, who played The Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager,...

Jake Sisko's DS9 season 2 camping trip in the Gamma Quadrant didn't solely start the Dominion War. The Dominion's hostility towards outsiders made the war in Star Trek: DS9 inevitable. Encroachment in the Gamma Quadrant by Alpha Quadrant characters led to conflict with the Dominion.

Did Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) accidentally start the Dominion War in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2? Early in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's run, the Dominion were known to only a few Star Trek: Deep Space Nine characters who had political dealings with the Gamma Quadrant. The Dominion were first mentioned as the mysterious power that drives the Gamma Quadrant in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2, episode 7, "Rules of Acquisition", when Grand Nagus Zek (Wallace Shawn) sends Quark (Armin Shimerman) to the Gamma Quadrant to open trade routes on behalf of the Ferengi Alliance.

In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2, episode...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Ferengi episodes provide a fresh and funny perspective on Starfleet's mission, balancing comedy with darker themes. Quark and Rom's comic capers offer a unique contrast to the serious tone of Star Trek, showcasing a different side of the universe. The balance of light and dark in DS9's Ferengi episodes serves as a valuable lesson for modern Star Trek, which sometimes lacks in comedic elements.

I've never understood why people hate Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's brilliant Ferengi comedy episodes. Criticisms leveled at DS9's Ferengi episodes over the years state that they're too overtly comic or that characters like Quark (Armin Shimerman) or Rom (Max Grodnchik) don't deserve the limelight. Interestingly, those same critics praise Nog (Aron Eisenberg) as the most interesting Ferengi, presumably because he made history as a Starfleet Academy cadet. If Nog's Starfleet career makes him more important...

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy set in 32nd century, first group of cadets since the Burn. Nog from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the first Ferengi in Starfleet Academy, influences new series. Nog's journey from academy cadet to officer showcases determination and adaptation.

Although they're set 800 years apart, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's greatest cadet casts a long shadow over Paramount+'s upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy show. Set in the 32nd century timeline introduced by Star Trek: Discovery, the spinoff will center on the first group of prospective cadets in almost a century, as Starfleet Academy opens its doors for the first time since the Burn. It seems that Paramount is putting a lot into Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, from the casting of Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti to the announcement that the Starfleet Academy location is Star Trek's biggest-ever set.

Set 800 years after the events of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,...

Star Trek: DS9's growth starts in season 3 with character arcs and continuity. Relationships and friendships become more important in season 3. Season 3 sets up key storylines for the Dominion War in later seasons.

I think Star Trek: Deep Space Nine actually gets good before Lt. Commander Worf (Michael Dorn) shows up in DS9 season 4. Challenges like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's inevitable comparison to Star Trek: The Next Generation and uncertainty about DS9's space station setting mean it takes time before Deep Space Nine figures out the type of show that it wants to be. Besides successes like Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) meeting Bajor's Prophets in DS9's pilot episode, "Emissary", and DS9 season 1, episode 19, "Duet", which examines Major Kira Nerys' (Nana Visitor) prejudices against Cardassians, the first season of Deep Space Nine can be forgettable.

Common advice to new viewers is that the first three seasons...

Nog's journey from criminal to war hero is a highlight in Star Trek history, with Idw's Sons of Star Trek #3 delving into his post-Dominion War assignment. Nog, the first Ferengi at Starfleet Academy, faces internal struggles despite his hero status, as seen in his latest assignment aboard the USS Alemany. Nog's character development showcases themes of diversity and tolerance, challenging prejudice and family opposition along his inspiring path.

Warning: contains spoilers for Sons of Star Trek #3!Nog was a hero of Star Treks Dominion War, and now his fate after that conflict has been revealed. Nogs character arc throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a high mark of the franchise. In seven seasons, Nog went from petty criminal to war hero, and he once again takes center stage in IDWs Sons of Star Trek, and issue three confirms his post-Dominion War assignment.

Sons of Star Trek #3 is...

Nog proves his engineering prowess in Sons of Star Trek #3, showcasing skills on par with Montgomery Scott. Nog's lineage as an engineer, inherited from Rom, shines through in his creative solutions in the story. Despite being seen as a war hero, Nog's true passion lies in engineering, making him a standout character.

Warning: contains spoilers for Sons of Star Trek #3!

Few engineers in the Star Trek universe can rival Montgomery Scott, but Nog has proven himself worthy of Scottys legacy. Nog, the nephew of Deep Space Nines Ferengi bartender, went from zero to hero in the Star Trek franchise. Nogs service record in the Dominion War has come to define him, but in Sons of Star Trek #3, he demonstrates his engineering prowess.

Sons of Star Trek #3 is written by Morgan Hampton and drawn by Angel Hernandez. Nog is trapped in an alternate universe where the Federation is at war with the Breen.

In the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Initiations", Chakotay (Robert Beltran) undertakes a personal mission on a shuttlecraft only to be attacked by a Kazon teenager named Kar (Aron Eisenberg), an adolescent out on his first mission. In the brief battle, Chakotay accidentally destroys Kar's ship, but takes the time to rescue him. Kar explains that the Kazon are an honor-bound species and that Chkotay, in rescuing him, robbed him of his ability to prove his worth to his elders. Kar is furious and embarrassed. Kar's superiors find Chakotay and explain that the only way to restore Kar's honor is for Chakotay to kill him or for Kar to kill Chakotay. The Starfleet officer and the Kazon go on the lam, trying to find a solution to their plight that doesn't involve murder.

Aron Eisenberg was already known to Trekkies as Nog, the Ferengi teen on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,...

Both Star Trek: DS9 and Tng's second seasons introduced new existential threats that set up major conflicts in season 3. DS9 showed the effect of the Dominion threat on its civilian crew, unlike Tng that carried on with civilian families in danger. Tng had families aboard due to a peaceful work-life balance policy in the 24th century that DS9 highlighted the consequences of.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine did something that Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) was unable to do on the USS Enterprise-d in Star Trek: The Next Generation. With its space station setting and combination of Starfleet and non-Federation crew members, DS9 was specifically designed to stand apart from Tng. However, for all their differences, there's an interesting similarity between DS9 season 2 and Tng season 2. Both Star Trek TV shows' second seasons introduced new existential threats to the Federation, that set up major conflict in season 3.

Star Trek: The Next Generation...

Quark's confrontation with Sisko in Star Trek: DS9's season 2 finale challenged the perception of Ferengi as failed villains. The pivotal moment in "The Jem'Hadar" highlighted the unique insights and challenges Quark and the Ferengi offer. Sisko's realization and acceptance of Quark's viewpoints signify a broader critique of Starfleet's moral superiority.

A fight between Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and Quark (Armin Shimerman) in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's season 2 finale represented a major turning point for the Star Trek franchise. In DS9 season 2, episode 26, "The Jem'Hadar", Quark takes advantage of a scientific field trip for Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) and Nog (Aron Eisenberg) to try and sell Deep Space Nine's commanding officer on his plans to use the station's screens for advertising purposes. Quark's presence on the trip does not go down well with Sisko. Tensions between the two Star Trek: DS9 characters only worsen when they're captured by the Jem'Hadar.

Ops and the Promenade on Deep Space Nine had unique designs influenced by Cardassian architecture. The Ops turbolift had manual operation and posed potential safety hazards due to its jerky movement. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continues to be referenced in newer series like Lower Decks and Picard.

There was a real jerk on the set of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, if you can believe it. Because Star Trek: Deep Space Nine took place on a Cardassian-built space station, DS9's sets needed to be demonstrably different from the locations that Star Trek audiences expected to find on Star Trek: The Next Generation's USS Enterprise. The sprawling Promenade set was unique to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, with three levels and stairs providing access to upper balconies, where Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) and Nog (Aron Eisenberg) frequently sat to watch passersby. And although Jake and Nog might think so,...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah".

Commander Jett Reno reveals a surprising new talent in mixing cocktails, including her signature "Seven of Limes" drink. The legacy of Seven of Nine lives on in Star Trek's 32nd century, with a nod to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine at USS Discovery's bar. Star Trek: Discovery season 5 continues to honor the past with references to Voyager, hinting at an exciting future for Captain Seven.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah", reveals that Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) has left her mark on the 32nd century in a surprising way. Even though Discovery is set 800 years after the events of Star Trek: Voyager, there have been several references to the show so far in season 5. Voyager's Krenim villains created the time bug that caused havoc for Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) in "Face the Strange". Three episodes later,...

The greatest love of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Quark (Armin Shimerman) may have been gold pressed latinum, but the Ferengi bartender did have a handful of genuine romantic connections across DS9's seven seasons. Quark was instrumental in changing how the Ferengi were presented following their fumbled introduction as Star Trek: The Next Generation villains. Through Quark, his brother Rom (Max Grodenchik) and his nephew Nog (Aron Eisenberg), the Ferengi characters in Deep Space Nine were multi-layered members of an alien species and not two-dimensional stock bad guys.

Star Trek: The Next Generation's Ferengi were sleazy misogynists who saw women as objects, but that wasn't the case for characters like Rom in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Quark's brother Rom fell in love with Leeta (Chase Masterson), and the two went on to have a hugely positive impact on Ferengi culture. While Quark certainly wasn't above objectifying women like his Tng counterparts,...

Jake Sisko's choice to become a writer over joining Starfleet Academy was a deliberate and refreshing departure from fandom expectations. Nog's surprising path to becoming a Starfleet officer subverted viewer expectations and added depth to DS9's storytelling. By exploring Jake's career as a writer, DS9 was able to delve into new aspects of life in the Federation, enriching the show's narrative.

There was never a serious chance of Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) joining Starfleet Academy in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and an episode from season 2 proves it. As the young son of the widowed Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), Jake Sisko was set up as DS9's answer to Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) from Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, Jake took a very different path to Wesley in DS9, choosing a career as a writer and journalist over a place at Starfleet Academy. During DS9's Dominion War arc,...

In the "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" episode "Under the Cloak of War", a Klingon ambassador named Dak'Rah (Robert Wisdom) comes to visit the U.S.S. Enterprise on a diplomatic mission. "Strange New Worlds" takes place immediately after the Klingon War, and several of the ship's crew remember the conflict vividly, expressing prejudice and consternation to see a Klingon on board. Captain Pike (Anson Mount) reminds his officers to keep an open mind, but Dr. M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) cannot. 

Through flashbacks, audiences learn the horrible wartime conditions that both Dr. M'Benga and Nurse Chapel (Jess Bush) served under, and they were bleak. There weren't enough medical supplies to go around, and Dr. M'Benga had taken to storing injured soldiers inside a transporter pattern buffer, hoping to rematerialize them when more could be done. He also secretly develops a rare and dangerous steroid called Protocol 12 which temporarily increases strength and...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery season 4, episode 3, "Jinaal".

"Jinaal" has multiple DS9 references from the Trill zhian'tara ritual to a Ferengi bartender. A Ferengi officer in USS Discovery's bar references Quark from DS9. Discovery's USS Nog is a tribute to actor Aron Eisenberg. Alex Kurtzman hopes it will continue Nog's legacy.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 3, "Jinaal" returns to Trill, but that's not the episode's only big connection to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In "Jinaal", Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) participates in a Trill zhian'tara ritual, embodying Jinaal Bix to lead Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) to the next clue in their treasure hunt. This ritual first took place in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, episode 25, "Facets", in which Lt. Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) conducts the ceremony, to meet the previous Dax hosts.

Interestingly, the subplot of "Facets" is...

Star Trek: Discovery reveals Nog's impact on the future of Starfleet, with more Ferengi officers present in the 32nd century. Nog's influence extends beyond Ferengi, with a starship named after him and a Cardassian captain in Starfleet, showing his lasting legacy. Rom, inspired by Nog, made it easier for Ferengi to join Starfleet, ultimately leading to a more diverse and progressive organization.

Star Trek: Discovery has proved the important role that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Nog (Aron Eisenberg) has played in shaping the future of Starfleet. Set 800 years after DS9's 24th century, Star Trek: Discovery reveals how much, and how little, has changed when it comes to the Federation and Starfleet. In the 32nd century, the Federation is still at threat from aliens like the Breen, who made a game-changing impact on DS9's Dominion War, while also revealing that positive changes made by Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...

In the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode "The Siege of Ar-558," the U.S.S. Defiant is dispatched to a remote outpost where Federation soldiers have captured a Dominion communications relay. This was deep into the seasons-long Dominion War story ark, and "Deep Space Nine" was becoming increasingly bleak. When the Defiant arrives, they find that over 100 Federation soldiers have been killed in trying to keep the array out of the hands of encroaching enemies. 

Ensign Nog (Aron Eisenberg) is part of the Defiant's team, and he has never seen combat before. The phaser fire and landmine explosions terrify him, and Nog ends up losing a leg in the battle. In "Star Trek," medical science is advanced enough to grow new legs without any issue, but Nog's sudden limb loss was horrifying. Two episodes later, in "It's Only a Paper Moon," Nog was back on Deep Space Nine, recovering with his new leg.

Naomi Wildman, the half-Ktarian daughter of Ensign Samantha Wildman, quickly became a fan favorite on Star Trek: Voyager. Despite complications with her half-Ktarian biology, Naomi forges a close friendship with Seven of Nine and becomes part of the Voyager family. The character of Naomi Wildman highlights the importance of family, education, and friendship in the Star Trek universe.

Who is Naomi Wildman (Scarlett Pomers), the youngest hero of Star Trek: Voyager? Naomi Wildman in the cast of Voyager continues a trend of including children on Star Trek shows that started with Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and continued with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton), Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks)'s teenage son; and Nog (Aron Eisenberg), the son of Rom (Max Grodénchik). Although the USS Voyager was not designed for families, Star Trek: Voyager found a way to attract...

Rom in DS9 started as a typical Ferengi but grew into an engineer, a good father, great husband, and Grand Nagus. "Necessary Evil" hinted at Rom's intelligence, setting him up to escape Quark's shadow with a career in engineering. "Necessary Evil" was key to shaping Rom's character in DS9, showing a more nuanced and conflicted side.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine turned Rom (Max Grodénchik) into a very different type of Ferengi to his brother Quark (Armin Shimerman). When DS9 began, Rom was a fairly typical Ferengi, who was obsessed with profit and coveted the bar owned by his brother. Quark treated Rom terribly, and the poor Ferengi became something of a punching bag in his early appearances. However, while Rom began as a peripheral Star Trek: Deep Space Nine character, he became a hugely important character, who would go on to shape the future of the Ferengi in Star Trek.

The reason that many Ferengi characters wear veils on the back of their heads is not just a cost-cutting measure, as previously believed. The veils were actually a design element distinctively created by the makeup supervisor Michael Westmore. While the practical explanation for the veils is a communication error cover-up turned costuming tradition, there is no official in-universe explanation for why Ferengi wear headdresses.

Armin Shimerman, who played Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, reveals the real reason that so many Ferengi characters wear veils on the back of their heads. Quark is one of the few Ferengi characters to go without a headdress, and also a main character in the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, so the long-standing practical explanation for Ferengi veils is that they're a cost-cutting feature. Veils allegedly save DS9's makeup department from creating full-coverage prosthetics like Quark's for every Ferengi from...

Star Trek's Ferengi characters were supposed to be villains, but became comic relief, largely because their depiction on The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. The late Aron Eisenberg's Nog started out as one of the silliest Ferengi, but by the end of Deep Space Nine, he became one of Star Trek's greatest heroes. Nog's larger series arc, from Ferengi to Starfleet officer, gets to the core of what Star Trek is all about.

When franchise creator Gene Roddenberry was bringing back his storytelling universe for its second wave, he wanted the show to focus on near-perfect Starfleet characters. Thus, it's ironic that one of the characters who most exemplified his ideal for this utopian future came from the series many fans said dishonored it. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine questioned the idea of the Federation and sent Starfleet to war, but the Ferengi character Nog is...

Star Trek actors praise Cirroc Lofton's naturalistic and standout performance in "Move Along Home", with Armin Shimerman crediting Avery Brooks for making Lofton feel at home on set. Benjamin and Jake Sisko's father-son relationship was relatable and evolved throughout the series, with Benjamin becoming a father figure to Cirroc Lofton off-screen. Cirroc Lofton skillfully navigated the acting challenges in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, undoubtedly aided by Avery Brooks' mentorship and guidance.

Star Trek actors give credit to Commander Benjamin Sisko actor Avery Brooks for the "great" performance given by Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 1, episode 10, "Move Along Home". The primary story focuses on Quark (Armin Shimerman) playing Chula, an unusual game brought to DS9 by the first Gamma Quadrant delegation since the discovery of the Bajoran wormhole, while the episode's B-plot revolves around the relationship between Commander Sisko and Jake, with...

Armin Shimerman, who played Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, is grateful that his makeup didn't come down as far as Rene Auberjonois' makeup for Constable Odo, as it made eating messy for Auberjonois. Shimerman brought back his Ferengi teeth for his animated return as Quark in Star Trek: Lower Decks, ensuring consistency between his live-action and animated performances. Quark's Ferengi teeth were the least fussy part of Shimerman's makeup in Deep Space Nine and could be easily inserted and removed, allowing for a smooth filming process.

Armin Shimerman, who played Ferengi bartender Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, says he's "grateful" for one aspect of his old Ferengi makeup. The makeup process to turn Shimerman into Quark took about two hours, and involved whole-head prosthetics, fingernails, and makeup applied to the face and hands. As a series regular, Quark's makeup also extended to the back of Shimerman's head,...

Deep Space Nine's commitment to ongoing serialized storytelling, with characters remaining in one place, allowed for rich character development and evolving relationships. Family connections played a vital role in both Deep Space Nine and Picard, testing the characters' true values and showcasing their growth. The compelling family relationships seen in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine paved the way for the emphasis on family in Star Trek: Picard, expanding the definition of family beyond Starfleet.

Quark actor Armin Shimerman says that one of the things that made Star Trek: Deep Space Nine so compelling for audiences is repeated by Star Trek: Picard nearly thirty years later. DS9 was ahead of its time in many ways, as one of the first Star Trek shows to commit to ongoing serialized storytelling, owing largely to the fact that characters remained in one place instead of leaving to venture to the next planet. The...

Quick Links 'In the Pale Moonlight' Comes from Batman and Real-World Wartime Deceit Benjamin Sisko's Slow-Dance with the Devil 'In the Pale Moonlight' Did Captain Sisko Know Garak Was Going to Commit Murder? Captain Sisko Did the Wrong Thing for the Right Reasons Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a broad series that balanced heavy emotion, social allegory, and the silliness and humor the franchise is known for. The episode "In the Pale Moonlight" is a classic, but what it says about Captain Sisko's character makes it the show's most important. Starfleet captains are paragons of virtue, but Sisko is put in an impossible position and how he reacts to it defines his character and the show.

Despite running for seven seasons and telling dynamic stories with myriad tones, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine earned the reputation as the "dark" show in the franchise. While this reputation is a bit overblown,...

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Fans of a storytelling universe are often dedicated and loyal, but perhaps none more so than those who love Star Trek. With only a handful of seasons for its first ten years of existence, Trekkers were rapacious for any behind-the-scenes stories or tidbits. Today, nearly 60 years later, there are volumes of books, and now, hours of podcasts and shows detailing Star Trek history, including some hosted by the actors themselves. Along with entertainment, these projects are vital repositories of the history of Gene Roddenberry's universe. With only 78 episodes, fans of Star Trek turned to these stories because they offered them "more" of a show that was,...

The Kazon were introduced as antagonists in Star Trek: Voyager but failed to make a lasting impact due to their one-note portrayal and similarities to the Klingons. Despite a guest appearance by popular actor Aron Eisenberg, who played a complex Kazon character, the Kazon storyline lacked substance and failed to make them likable. The attempt to delve into the Kazon's cultural background in season 2 did not make them more interesting or appealing, leading to their abandonment as villains in later seasons.

Star Trek: Voyager season 2 featured one great franchise guest star, but this wasn't enough to fix the show's Kazon problem. The Kazon were first introduced in Voyager's pilot episode, "Caretaker" and went on to become a recurring villain throughout seasons 1 and 2 of the show, until the USS Voyager moved out of their space at the start of season 3. A warrior-like, territorial race with short tempers and limited technology, the...

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies elevated the importance of Starfleet Academy in the franchise. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series focuses on young cadets, while previous shows only briefly mentioned the institution. J.J. Abrams' Star Trek finally realized a canceled Tos movie idea, emphasizing Kirk's journey from youth to leadership.

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies made Starfleet Academy truly important in a way that the franchise had previously failed to do. The prestigious educational establishment will take center stage in the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series, but the institution had largely been side-lined until J.J. Abrams' 2009 movie. With one or two notable exceptions, Star Trek's regular or recurring characters have long since graduated from Starfleet Academy before their story truly begins.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will be all about the adventures of the young cadets, with serving officers playing minor roles as educators or visiting lecturers.

The self-sealing stem bolt is a recurring gag in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine that remains unexplained throughout the series. The creator of the self-sealing stem bolts, Peter Allan Fields, admitted he had no idea what they were used for and invented them as a meaningless cargo for a storyline. The self-sealing stem bolts have become a tribute to Fields and have made appearances in other Star Trek series, including Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Discovery.

The self-sealing stem bolt is a long-running gag in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but nobody can figure out what it's used for. Introduced in Star Trek: DS9 season 1, episode 15, "Progress", the self-sealing stem bolt would be regularly referenced during the show's seven-season run. However, despite all these references, DS9 has never explained what they are or how they work beyond the fact that they seal themselves. They became such a notorious...

Star Trek: Lower Decks reminds fans of how Ensign Nog was saved on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with similar medical technology. Biosynthetic limbs in Star Trek are not simple plug-and-play attachments and require counseling and physical therapy for recipients. Biosynthetic body parts, like the leg grown for Nog and Asif, are more common in Star Trek than cloning for spare parts.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 8 - "Caves"

Star Trek: Lower Decks reminds fans how Ensign Nog (Aron Eisenberg) was saved on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine when a similar 24th century medical technology is referenced. While Lieutenants Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid), D'Vana Tendi (Noel Wells), and Samanthan Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) are trapped together in a cave on an away mission to study alien moss, they pass the time by recounting previous missions when they were also trapped in caves,...

A potential revival of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine would benefit from the return of key characters such as Benjamin Sisko, Kasidy Yates, Jake Sisko, Jadzia Dax, Gul Dukat, Elim Garak, Dr. Julian Bashir, Ezri Dax, Miles O'Brien, Rom, Leeta, Quark, Colonel Kira Nerys, and Worf. While some original actors may not be able to reprise their roles, recasting or animated versions could still allow for their characters to continue in the story. The appearances of Deep Space Nine characters in recent Star Trek shows indicate that a revival is possible and that fans haven't seen the last of the beloved series.

If Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is revived for the modern era of Star Trek, its most important characters must return. Modern Star Trek shows hint at an updated Deep Space Nine, or at least a spiritual successor in the works, such as Star Trek: Prodigy is to Star Trek: Voyager.

Patrick Stewart reveals that Jonathan Frakes loved to mock Captain Picard's famous line "The line must be drawn here!" from Star Trek: First Contact. Picard's iconic line became a pop culture trope, often quoted and parodied, proving Jonathan's recognition of its potential impact. The line was parodied in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, showcasing its lasting influence in the Star Trek universe.

Patrick Stewart reveals how Star Trek: First Contact director Jonathan Frakes hilariously loved to mock Captain Jean-Luc Picard's most famous line. First Contact was the most popular and successful Star Trek: The Next Generation movie, and its lasting impact factored heavily into the story of Star Trek: Picard season 3, which reunited the entire Tng crew to face the Borg Queen (Alice Krige) once more. But the heart of First Contact was Jean-Luc's relationship with Lily Sloane (Alfre Woodward), a 21st-century woman trapped on the USS Enterprise-e with...

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 6 - "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place"

Grand Nagus Rom's love for baseball is not a ruse - he genuinely loves the game and it holds a special place in his heart. Baseball brought Rom closer to his Starfleet friends and allowed him to form a bond with his son, Nog, outside of Quark's bar. Rom's return to Star Trek: Lower Decks signifies a historic step forward for the Ferengi Alliance, as he plays a key role in their formal intent to join the Federation.

Grand Nagus Rom's (Max Grodénchik) love of baseball on Star Trek: Lower Decks began with one of the funniest episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In Lower Decks season 4, episode 6, Rom and his wife, First Clerk Leeta (Chase Masterson), negotiate the Ferengi Alliance joining the United Federation of Planets with the USS Cerritos' Captain Carol Freeman...