Station log: stardate unknown

Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler pen the season six opener, that picks up shortly after the end of the events in season five. It first debuted on 29 September, 1997.

Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks) and his crew, now without a station, as the Cardassians have reclaimed it, use a stolen Jem’Hadar ship as they put an ambitious plan into action… take out the entire supply of ketracel-white (the drug the Vorta use to keep the Jem’Hadar controlled) for the Alpha Quadrant. A plan that would definitely cause a disruption to the invasion.

But things aren’t going to go according to plan…

There are fun and insightful character beats, that insert important plot points, and reminders of other relevant character bits. Everyone gets them. O’Brien (Colm Meaney), Worf (Micheal Dorn), Dax (Terry Farrell), Odo (Rene Auberjonois), Bashir (Alexander Siddig), Garak (Andrew Robinson), Kira (Nana Visitor)… it seems every person gets their moment in the season opener.

And that’s a good thing because there is lots going on in this episode, so much so that it sends us reeling towards a cliffhanger ending, and sets up a mult-episode story as the Federation is plunged into all out war with the Dominion.

The Jem’Hadar ship that Sisko and his stalwart crew have been using is damaged in their sneak attack, and leaves them stranded in space without warp drive.

Station log: stardate 51096.2

Ronald D. Moore pens this episode that first aired on 6 October, 1997. O’Brien has the Jem’Hadar ship as repaired as it can be after three days, but an attack by Dominion forces causes them to crash land in an ocean.

They aren’t alone, however. It seems a Jem’Hadar ship has crashed as well, and they are almost out of ketracel-white. There are hostage exchanges, battles, injuries, and everything that will bring the horror of war home to the Starfleet crew and the viewer.

Back on the station, Kira is having a lot of difficulty working with the Dominion and dealing with Dukat (Marc Alaimo) and the rest of the Cardasssians. Odo is trying to make headway as well, and because of his changeling status, Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs) is a little easier to deal with.

But while things are developing for Sisko and his team, Odo and Kira begin to organize a resistance.

I’m already loving how this season is setting up, and I love the fact that I can binge it all at my leisure thanks to The Complete Series on DVD from Paramount Pictures.

The Human Adventure continues Thursday with more Star Trek: Voyager until then, boldly go…