10 Greatest Star Trek Cave Episodes

Did Steve tell you, perchance, who really started the Dominion War? Jake Sisko and Nog, that's who! And where did their dad and uncle end up whilst they were having a jolly in the Runabout? A cave! Perhaps, like Boimler, we've been spending too much time with Lieutenant Levy. In reality, to rephrase Commander Riker from another cave-esque mission, this is geology and malevolence.

It's all about the family trip halfway across the galaxy until it isn't. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine made some bold moves from the get-go, and the Dominion was one of its boldest. It is no doubt appropriate, then, that the series' daring (and successful) departure from Star Trek form incorporated an element as 'traditional' as the cave as its springboard.

This time, the cave provided the setting for the Vorta (Eris) ruse scenario, a way to get up close and personal with those from the other side of the wormhole. Quark and Captain Sisko are trapped inside a deadly forcefield with a Jem'Hadar guarding the cave entrance. Eris is there with them, but she is pulling the strings (presumably with the then-unknown Changeling higher-ups somewhere in the background). As first introductions to a mortal enemy go, lest we forget the battle in orbit, it's a powerful one, and did Quark just save the day there last minute by being the businessman?