Station log: stardate unknown

Airing on 10 January, 1993, this episode, the first one broadcast following the series premiere was written by Katharyn Powers. The episode continues with its world-building as we are introduced to the Cardasssian, Garak (Andrew Robinson) who begins a very enjoyable, and sometimes manipulative, friendship with Dr. Bashir (Alexander Siddig). The young doctor is also suspicious that the Cardassian tailor is in fact a spy.

A former Bajoran terrorist, Tahna (Jeffrey Nordling) arrives on the station, and asks Sisko (Avery Brooks) for asylum. But is there more going on here? Is there a plot to drive the Federation off Bajor once and for all? And how will it test Kira’s (Nana Visitor) loyalties?

The Duras sisters, Lursa (Barbara March) and B’Etor (Gwynyth Walsh) also make an appearance in this episode, stirring up some trouble aboard the station – which all ties in to Tahna and a plan that he believes will liberate Bajor once and for all.

Coming off the pilot episode this is a strong story that shows not everything is perfect in the 24th century, and that there are going to be some severe disagreements between Sisko and Kira, as well as the other characters. And that, will of course, make for some solid drama.

But the biggest kick I get out of this one is the blossoming of the Garak/Bashir friendship. These two are such a great pairing, and I will look forward to seeing more and more of it as the series progresses.

Station log: stardate 46384

Trouble comes looking for the shape-changing Security Officer Odo (Rene Auberjonois) when he ends up the prime suspect in a murder investigation aboard the station in this episode written by Michael Piller from a story by Piller and Gerald Sanford.

The characters also continue to develop as O’Brien’s (Colm Meaney) wife, Keiko (Rosalind Chao) notices that the younger residents of the station including Sisko’s son Jake (Cirroc Lofton) and Quark’s (Armin Shimerman) Nog (Aron Eisenberg) are lacking an school system to keep them out of trouble… so she becomes the station teacher.

Other characters are continued to develop individually as well as their relationships with one another, but it is Odo’s story that takes centre stage as a Bajoran smuggler, Ibudan (Stephen James Carver), considered a bit of a hero by Bajor, ends up dead.

Odo knows the smuggler isn’t as heroic as he appeared to be, but he also maintains his innocence in the man’s death.

As the crew come together to investigate the mystery, and prove Odo’s innocence, Keiko struggles with the idea of putting a school room together that will cater to the different cultures that call the station their home.

The series seems to be off to a solid start so far, and while I know there will be a number of shakey episodes in the first season as the series finds its feet, these are them.

The Human Adventure continues next week as I continue my journey through Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – The Complete Series, now available from Paramount Pictures.