10 Most Rewatchable Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Episodes

Riding a wave of popularity and praise for The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine launched in 1993 to high expectations, yet represented a radical departure from the utopian ideals of its sister series. Deep Space Nine pushed the Star Trek franchise in a new direction that explored serialized storytelling, interpersonal conflict within Starfleet, and corruption at the very heart of the Federation.

While some fans loved Deep Space Nine's darker tone and more cynical message, others considered it a betrayal of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's rose-coloured vision of the future. Initially derided by some critics as the Star Trek family's black sheep, Deep Space Nine has enjoyed a cultural resurgence in recent memory, rightly emerging as the franchise's finest offering.

Deep Space Nine is unique among Star Trek series in that it rewards repeat viewings from start to finish. Despite enduring the rocky start emblematic of most Star Trek series, Deep Space Nine's defining concept and characters were well developed from the outset.

Deep Space Nine's greatest episodes contribute to the show's overarching themes of identity, war, and spirituality or are diversions designed to let the audience breathe. These standouts transcend the Star Trek label and are simply great television.

Here are 10 of the most rewatchable episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Originally conceived as a bottle episode to cut costs as Deep Space Nine's first season concluded, "Duet" instead became an early triumph by helping to develop the character of Major Kira Nerys and establish the show's willingness to tackle traumatic subject matter.

The episode revolves around Kira's interactions with the presumed Gul Darhe'el, a Cardassian war criminal who presided over numerous atrocities during the Occupation of Bajor. Kira's initial belief that all Cardassians present at the labour camp Gallitep were complicit in the occupation is put to the test when she learns this supposed war criminal was a mere filing clerk.

After it's revealed he altered his appearance to resemble Darhe'el, Aamin Marritza explains that he regrets not trying to stop the atrocities he witnessed at Gallitep. Marritza feels his people need to acknowledge their brutal treatment of the Bajorans.

Realizing there are Cardassians so remorseful for the occupation they would lay down their lives to atone for the past, Kira reaches a breakthrough in overcoming her own prejudice against them.

The episode's heartbreaking final scene features a Bajoran murdering the now released Marritza as he leaves custody. When Kira questions the Bajoran's motives for killing Marritza, he answers coldly, "He's a Cardassian. That's reason enough." An agonized Kira replies, "No. It's not," admitting to herself as much as the crowd of onlookers that not all Cardassians deserve punishment.

"Duet" is an emotionally charged and compelling episode throughout that marks one of the first successful efforts at showcasing how Deep Space Nine was intent on following a different path than The Next Generation. Kira's interrogation of the assumed Darhe'el and his chilling responses make for riveting moments, even after repeated viewings when the episode's analogies to the Holocaust and imperialism start to feel rather obvious. This is a landmark episode that shifted Kira from a one-dimensional foil for Commander Benjamin Sisko into the beacon of strength and vulnerability fans would come to love.