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DS9 Chronicles

These are 1-minute intros that were taped by several of the regular cast members. 40 episodes were chosen by the producers, and the intros were included in the reruns shown by some TV stations that run DS9 in a strip syndication package (i.e., five days a week). These intros, however, were only made for episodes in the 1st through 4th seasons.

Here are transcripts of the intros, for those of you who may not have a chance to see them. Each one is done with "Okudagram"-style graphics around the actor as he/she speaks, with a rotating image of the station, and the DS9 theme music playing in the background. The paragraphs in italics describe clips that were shown.

Emissary, Part I (Avery Brooks)

Hello, I'm Avery Brooks. You're about to experience the very first episode from the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Chronicles, entitled "Emissary". Have you ever noticed how much time and effort it took to launch this series? Well, let me throw out a few interesting facts.

For the two-hour premiere, 250 special-effects shots had to be created, twice the number for an average Star Trek feature film. It cost over $200,000 to build a highly-detailed space station model. Three enormous soundstages on the Paramount lot were needed to film the pilot. And in the end, it took almost 200 people over 5 months to complete just 85 minutes of film. But all that hard work paid off. When this episode debuted, in January 1993, it became the highest-rated premiere in syndication history. So sit back and enjoy the very beginning of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: "Emissary".
 

Emissary, Part II (Michael Dorn)

I'm Michael Dorn for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. Welcome to Part 2 of "Emissary", the conclusion to the two-hour movie that launched the series back in 1993. When the producers were coming up with the idea for this new show, a lot of Western comparisons were made.

The DS9 station was called "the Fort Laramie of outer space", and similar in setting to Dodge City. Benjamin Sisko was likened to television's The Rifleman, because he was a single father playing a sheriff in a remote, townlike setting.  Even Dr. Bashir practiced "frontier medicine". But the Western references go way back to the very beginning of Star Trek in the 1960's. At that time, Western dramas were very popular, so series creator Gene Roddenberry thought he might fool the NBC executives into buying the show by pitching it as a "Wagon Train to the Stars". Is there any wonder why they call it "the final frontier"? So get ready, because Sisko and the gang are getting ready to circle the wagons in the conclusion of "Emissary".
 

Captive Pursuit (Alexander Siddig)

Do you like aliens? Well, here's a tale about one of the most extraordinary creatures ever to come to Deep Space Nine via the wormhole. Now, the alien in question was described in the script as reptilian, so Star Trek's Emmy Award-winning makeup designer, Michael Westmore, needed to come up with a unique look. So where did he turn to for inspiration? Well, luckily, he happened upon a copy of Smithsonian magazine. From just looking at the front cover, he literally found the new alien's skin, texture, coloring, and design. The picture was that of a menacing-looking alligator. 

But here's an interesting side note: after enduring long hours in the makeup chair to play this creature, actor Scott MacDonald was promised a less demanding role in the future. Well, he did get hired again -- twice, in fact. Unfortunately, he was asked to play a Romulan and a Jem'Hadar, two aliens requiring plenty of makeup. I'm Alexander Siddig from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. Watch "Captive Pursuit".
 

The Nagus (Armin Shimerman)

Armin Shimerman here, to introduce a classic episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, entitled "The Nagus". And in one portion of this show, the producers thought it would be fun to reenact The Godfather, Ferengi style. If you take a close look, you'll notice they mimic the same opening scene from the motion picture in many ways.

For instance, Brando has a pet cat; Quark also has a pet...alien. At one point Brando scratches his ear; Quark scratches his very large ear.  They even matched the same mood lighting, complete with a special Venetian blind effect made famous in the film. It all stems from a storyline that involves Quark becoming the next Grand Nagus, which in Ferengi terms is a syndicate kingpin. So, sit back and enjoy one of the most amusing episodes in the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, "The Nagus".
 

Duet (Terry Farrell)

I'm Terry Farrell, and welcome to a classic episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. This show centers around Kira's discovery of an alleged Cardassian war criminal, and her search for vengeance.

It's the first episode that truly probes the volatile relationship between the two races that figure prominently in this series: the Bajorans and the Cardassians. It reveals the tragic backstory of Kira's people, who were tortured in barbaric prison camps, and what results is another timeless Star Trek drama examining human nature, much in the same way classic films like Schindler's List and Judgement at Nuremberg dealt with the same subject. The Cardassian suspect in our episode is played by veteran actor Harris Yulin, who has starred in such films as Clear and Present Danger and Ghostbusters II. From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's first season, we present one of our finest episodes, "Duet".
 

In the Hands of the Prophets (Armin Shimerman)

Welcome, I'm Armin Shimerman. You're about to see an episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles called "In the Hands of the Prophets". It's a story that features Academy Award-winning actress Louise Fletcher as spiritual leader Vedek Winn, whose influence could destroy the tenuous alliance between the Federation and the Bajoran people.

Since we're on the topic of Bajorans -- they're the ones with those cute washboard noses -- I'm reminded of an incident that happened a few years ago. One day while filming, Nana Visitor, who plays Major Kira Nerys, accidentally fell down some stairs offstage and injured her ankle. She was rushed to a hospital, where the doctor stared at her in a state of shock. He thought her apparent injury was going to make medical history. He was not staring at her ankle, though, but at her nose. To his dismay, Nana had to tell him she was still in makeup. Now, we hope you'll enjoy the dramatic finale of our first season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, entitled "In the Hands of the Prophets".
 

The Homecoming (Armin Shimerman)

You're about to see an episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles that made the final frontier history books. That's because it's the first 3-part episode in the Star Trek legacy. And Part One has plenty of high drama, from Kira risking life and limb to rescue a forgotten national hero, to a very strong threat of civil war looming throughout the station and the planet below.

But you'll meet a very recognizable guest star whose name was intentionally left out of the credits: Frank Langella, famous for such films as Dracula, Junior, and Dave, who plays Minister Jaro, a mysterious political leader who could undermine the entire peace process in the quadrant. Rumor has it that Mr. Langella took the job at the behest of his children, who were big fans of the show. I'm Armin Shimerman. We hope you enjoy Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "The Homecoming".
 

The Circle (Cirroc Lofton)

Welcome to Part Two in the first-ever three-part installment of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. If you thought the French Revolution was a big deal, wait until you see what's about to unfold in outer space. The fate of the crew of Deep Space Nine and a whole section of the galaxy is up for grabs. 

This episode is extra special because it features a slew of famous guest stars: Frank Langella, whom you might remember from the films Dracula and Dave; Richard Beymer, who starred in West Side Story; Philip Anglim, Broadway's original Elephant Man; and last but not least, the Academy Award-winning actress from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Louise Fletcher. This is one of her many guest appearances as Vedek Winn, a spiritual leader with mysterious [???, can't make out this word]. I'm Cirroc Lofton. We hope you enjoy this star-studded episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, entitled "The Circle".
 

The Siege (Armin Shimerman)

Hello, I'm Armin Shimerman. Many is the time when the Deep Space Nine writers will struggle to cram a great big story into one small hour. When that happens, the producers have often opted to create a two-part episode. So, what you're about to see is extremely rare: Part 3 of the first-ever DS9 trilogy. If you haven't seen the first two parts, I'll do my best to get you up to speed.

Revolution is imminent; the station is being evacuated; Sisko and company are about to make one last heroic stand against the enemy, when all of a sudden...well, I'm not going to spoil it for you. What I can tell you is that this episode features several special guest stars, including Stephen Macht, who was once a prime consideration for the roles of both Captain Picard and Commander Riker on The Next Generation; and Steven Weber from the hit comedy series Wings, who happens to be a big Star Trek fan. Now, from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles comes "The Siege".
 

Necessary Evil (Rene Auberjonois)

If you love a good mystery, you're going to love this episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, entitled "Necessary Evil". Security Officer Odo becomes a real gumshoe as he tries to find clues to a five-year-old murder. But what's really interesting is that the tone of the entire show resembles an old-fashioned detective story, with Odo narrating his investigation like Sam Spade, people double-crossing each other, and the inclusion of the always-popular femme fatale.

In addition, this episode is notable for using several flashbacks which enable us to see the very first meetings between Kira, Odo, and Quark. And as one of the inside jokes the producers added, when Odo investigates a suspect named Ches'so, he refers to a small computer PADD featuring the man's face. The real person in the photo is Dan Curry, who just happens to be Star Trek's longtime special effects producer. I'm Rene Auberjonois. We hope you enjoy "Necessary Evil".
 

Whispers (Cirroc Lofton)

Have you ever had one of those days when you thought you were losing your mind? Or suffered a momentary lapse of reason? Well, that's what happens to Miles O'Brien in this episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. And as the story progresses, he really starts going off the deep end. Now, rumor has it that the producers and writers loved to put O'Brien through these kinds of emotional rollercoasters.

For instance, he's been the victim of grisly torture by the Cardassians, suffered the worst kind of family squabbles in the galaxy, and was a tormented slave laborer in an alternate universe. I gotta tell you, it's no bed of roses for this guy. But the producers were very intent on designing this character as a kind of everyman, who can bring these futuristic tales from the final frontier right down to earth. The end result: thought-provoking stories about the human spirit, which has been the cornerstone of Star Trek from the beginning. I'm Cirroc Lofton. I hope you enjoy this episode, entitled "Whispers".
 

Blood Oath (Terry Farrell)

Klingons -- formidable, unstoppable, and the most popular race of villains Star Trek has ever created. They are the prime subject of this episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, entitled "Blood Oath". What makes this show extra special is the return of three guest stars who played Klingons in the original Star Trek series. 

John Colicos, William Campbell, and Michael Ansara reprised their roles in this saga that brings them to Deep Space Nine. Dax talks them into taking her with them on a quest for revenge. But don't think it was easy for them to step back into uniform after all those decades. The actors were subjected to long hours, more elaborate makeup designs than their previous Klingon roles demanded, and some strenuous battle scenes. After filming this episode, William Campbell admitted that it was the toughest job he had ever undertaken, and one of the toughest jobs he would ever beg to do again. I'm Terry Farrell. It's my pleasure to present "Blood Oath".
 

The Wire (Alexander Siddig)

Hi, I'm Alexander Siddig. One of the most interesting characters ever created for this series is an enigmatic Cardassian tailor named Garak, played by Andrew Robinson.

In this story, he takes center stage when Dr. Bashir tries to remove an addictive brain implant that's slowly killing him. It's interesting to note that in the fifth season of Deep Space Nine, Andrew Robinson joined the list of actors who have gone behind the camera to direct a Star Trek episode. The list includes Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, and LeVar Burton from The Next Generation; Robert Duncan McNeill from Voyager; and Avery Brooks and Rene Auberjonois from Deep Space Nine. Also, you may recognize an actor from the popular television series Grace Under Fire: Paul Dooley, who guest stars as Garak's former Cardassian mentor. Now, from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, we present "The Wire".
 

Crossover (Alexander Siddig)

Welcome to the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. I'm Alexander Siddig. When you watch this next episode, you might think you're seeing double. Don't worry; it's because the crew is thrown into an alternate universe where they meet their strange alter egos. It's also an episode that fast became a cult classic among the viewers. Why? Well, for one, the storyline is derived from an original Star Trek episode entitled "Mirror, Mirror". In that one, Captain Kirk and company were also thrown into an alternate universe.

Now, some one hundred years later in the Trek chronology, the story picks up where Kirk left off. This also happens to be one of the most challenging productions ever shot on the Deep Space Nine series, because the Promenade and station sets had to be changed dramatically. Big spotlights and fences were included to create the look of a prison yard; special smoke machines were brought in; steam blew up from the floor vents; the whole place looked like a futuristic Hades. But as you can see, it all paid off to great effect in this episode, called "Crossover".
 

The Collaborator (Avery Brooks)

Drama, passion, mystery, murder. All that and more can be found in this provocative episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. In this story, Kira discovers that her lover could be responsible for the massacre of dozens of her fellow freedom fighters. 

And it features two familiar guest stars in the DS9 legacy: Philip Anglim, famous for his Broadway role in The Elephant Man... ...and Camille Saviola as Kai Opaka, whom viewers may recognize from her many appearances in Woody Allen's films. The title of the episode, "The Collaborator", can also be interpreted as the way many of the DS9 scripts are written. The story was dreamed up by Paramount promotion executive Gary Holland, who in turn worked with writer/producers Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe. Now that's what I call collaboration. I'm Avery Brooks. We hope you enjoy "The Collaborator".
 

Tribunal (Avery Brooks)

Hello, I'm Avery Brooks. In this episode, Miles O'Brien's plans for a vacation getaway are spoiled when he's taken prisoner by the evil Cardassians. As a result, his brief escape from the wormhole becomes the vacation from hell.

Now, since the wormhole is one of the essential story ingredients in many of the episodes, you might be wondering from where the idea first came. Albert Einstein, to be exact. He coined the phrase to describe a theoretical offshoot of his theory of relativity. Dr. Stephen J. Hawking also speculated that wormholes and quantum fluctuations could link together multiple universes. Wormholes have been used before in Star Trek lore. One swallowed up a pair of Ferengi in The Next Generation. Now from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles comes "Tribunal", my television directorial debut.
 

The Jem'Hadar (Cirroc Lofton)

I'm sure you've heard the word "insectomorphic", right? Well, in Star Trek terms, it means a spaceship designed with insectlike features. And in this episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, you'll see what I mean.

New vessels were specially designed for a group of nasty aliens called the Jem'Hadar.  Oh, and when you see these guys, you'll think they're rhinomorphic, because some people think they look like two-legged rhinos. This episode was the dramatic season finale from our second year, with the threat of a new alien power ready to wipe out the crew. And you'll see the crew hiking and camping in a breathtaking forest, supposedly a new planet discovered on the other side of the wormhole. They actually Trekked out the Desconzo [sp?] Gardens near Los Angeles, California. I'm Cirroc Lofton. There's plenty of thrills coming your way, in "The Jem'Hadar".
 

The Search, Part I (Terry Farrell)

Hi, I'm Terry Farrell, and you're about to see an episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles that took the series to a bold new level at the start of its third season. Audiences were introduced to a powerful warship called the Defiant.

Benjamin Sisko uses the ship to defend the space station from the dreaded Dominion. Adding a starship to the series created a lot of new storytelling possibilities. First, it meant the crew could have a different set of adventures off the station. It also made it easier to shoot scenes with more people inside a bigger vessel, rather than in the cramped quarters of those little runabouts. And finally, it allowed Sisko to truly live up to those immortal words spoken by two other famous captains before him: "to boldly go where no one has gone before." See for yourself in "The Search, Part I".
 

The Search, Part II (Rene Auberjonois)

Odo is definitely one of the most unusual characters ever created in the Star Trek legacy. He can change into any shape he wants to, from a chair to a spinning top to an ugly rat.

And in this episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, he's about to discover his mysterious shapeshifting roots. But what you may not know is that creating these fluid movements takes the efforts of a very specialized effects team working with state-of-the-art equipment and the latest computer technology. And the whole process can change dramatically every time they do a different morphing effect. The actor must be shot against a blue screen, carefully performing the movements of the morphing effect. A visual effects company constructs a 3-D image of the footage and composites the various elements. Then...well, believe me, it's a lot of work, so don't ever take those blobby images for granted. I'm Rene Auberjonois. I hope you enjoy Part II of "The Search".
 

The House of Quark (Armin Shimerman)

Ready for a shotgun wedding? Hello, I'm Armin Shimerman, and in this episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, my character, Quark, is about to walk down the aisle with none other than a Klingon bride.

How he gets there makes for a wonderfully tall tale of comedy and heroism. In addition, this is another show that features the popular Ferengi Rules of Acquisition, which in Earth terms translates to something like "how to succeed in business without really lying and cheating". For instance, Rule Number One states: As the series progressed, these rules became very popular with Star Trek fans. As proof, the best-selling Rules of Acquisition book can now be found throughout the country, featuring Quark, and written by DS9's executive producer, Ira Steven Behr. I guarantee you, you'll like "The House of Quark". It's one of our finest.
 

Civil Defense (Cirroc Lofton)

This episode, called "Civil Defense", features a great performance by a regular bad guy, Marc Alaimo as Gul Dukat, who savors every moment of the crew's predicament. 

This bottle show -- an episode that saves money by using existing sets and limited extras -- also featured Colm Meaney, who at the time had been rumored by the fans to have left the show. Marc Alaimo now holds the honor of having played more characters on Star Trek than any other actor. [note: this is not true; a couple of frequent bit players in TOS played more roles, and one might also count Jeffrey Combs, if the different Weyouns are considered] For instance, he played the dog-faced creature on the Next Generation episode "Lonely Among Us". He starred as one of the first Cardassians ever to be seen in the Star Trek legacy; and he also was the first Romulan to appear on the Next Generation, breaking a 20-year hiatus for that race of highbrowed aliens. I'm Cirroc Lofton, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Defiant (Michael Dorn)

There are a lot of people who wonder why Deep Space Nine brought on the Defiant warship. Some think it was to make DS9 more like The Next Generation. Some think it was to give Sisko a ship of his own.

Well, the truth, however, was much more simple: the sets of the runabout were always too small to shoot large scenes with many crewmembers.  Guest starring in this episode is Jonathan Frakes, who played Riker on The Next Generation.  When "Defiant" aired, Star Trek: Generations had just been released, so in order to keep the continuity of the Star Trek universe intact, the creators felt obliged to mention the destruction of the Enterprise in this episode [note: no, they didn't; the Enterprise-D's destruction wasn't mentioned on DS9 until "The Way of the Warrior"]. Also starring in this episode is Tricia O'Neil, who has the honor of playing the first female captain of the Enterprise in an episode from The Next Generation, called "Yesterday's Enterprise". I'm Michael Dorn, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Past Tense, Part I (Terry Farrell)

Sometimes the things we imagine are more real than we think. When the writers on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine decided to confront a political issue head-on, they sunk their teeth into a real-life controversy that was just beginning to heat up. This episode, "Past Tense, Part I", throws my character of Dax, as well as Sisko and Bashir, into Earth's past, the not-so-distant future for the viewers.

In this time period, the homeless situation is dealt with by confining those people in fenced-off sections of San Francisco, known as "sanctuaries". While the episode was being shot, an article appeared in the Los Angeles Times proposing that a large industrial area downtown be closed off and used for the same purpose. Real life can mirror fiction more than we'd like. I'm Terry Farrell for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Past Tense, Part II (Alexander Siddig)

What if two characters from Deep Space Nine were on Earth at precisely the same time as Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock? Well, it happened. I'm Alexander Siddig for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. In this episode, "Past Tense, Part II", there's a scene where Kira and O'Brien beam down to Earth's past. They land in San Francisco in the '30's, and if you look closely, there's a poster on the wall for a boxing event.

It's the same poster seen in the original series episode, "City on the Edge of Forever". While Kira and O'Brien search for their friends in San Francisco, Kirk and Spock attempted to repair the timeline a few thousand miles away in New York. There's another link to Star Trek's past in this episode: one of the crazy homeless men who insists he keeps seeing spacemen is played by Clint Howard, director Ron Howard's younger brother. We first saw Clint in "The Corbomite Maneuver", playing a childlike alien. Some more fascinating trivia from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Through the Looking Glass (Terry Farrell)

Be careful where you go. You never know when you might stumble into a mirror universe, an alternate reality where the people are the same, only different. Star Trek went there the first time back in the original series, in the episode "Mirror, Mirror".

This episode, "Through the Looking Glass", is the second time Deep Space Nine crossed over. Now Sisko must step into the shoes of his alter ego and lead the rebels to victory. You'll also see Voyager's Tim Russ making a guest appearance. Tim has the distinction of being the only actor who's appeared in all of the current Star Trek series, as well as the feature films [note: not true; others include: Jonathan Frakes, Thomas Kopache, Gwynyth Walsh, and Patricia Tallman (if you count stunt work)]. If you're wondering why, in this mirror universe, there's no sign of Odo or Quark, they were bumped off the last time Deep Space Nine ventured there. And someone's gonna get taken out this time, too. I'm Terry Farrell for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Improbable Cause (Avery Brooks)

This episode, called "Improbable Cause", is a classic fish story: one that keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. You ask, "How can a tale about terrorism, espionage, and deceit be compared to a fish story?" Easy. It started as a simple premise about what would happen if Garak covertly blew up his own shop.

But as the story grew, it got too big for its own britches. In the very last scene, the thundercloud of tension and intrigue was impossible to end. With the great, if still unresolved, episode weeks away from shooting, time was running out. The episode with no ending had to be shot or scrapped. Then, the answer came: To Be Continued. And so it came to pass that this story had bought another week. I'm Avery Brooks, and I had the privilege of directing this episode from the Deep Space Nine Chronicles, "Improbable Cause".
 

The Die is Cast (Rene Auberjonois)

I'm Rene Auberjonois for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. What you're about to see is "The Die is Cast", one of Deep Space Nine's most exciting episodes, with some of the greatest battle scenes ever filmed.

One effect, the Defiant slamming through Jem'Hadar ship debris, took four days to shoot. "The Die is Cast" is the second part of a double-header that was intended to end with the first episode. Fortunately for us, the writers couldn't end it, and a Part II became necessary. The script called for Garak, the subversive Cardassian, to torture Odo by locking him in one shape. The makeup department had to show Odo drying up. To do this, they put adhesives all over his face, so as he talked, it would appear as if his skin was flaking off. Definitely one of our creepier effects. We hope you enjoy "The Die is Cast".
 

Explorers (Cirroc Lofton)

"To boldly go where no one has gone before" can also mean "to boldly go where some have been", only it may be harder to get there.

Retracing the footsteps of an historical journey is what Sisko takes on in this episode, "Explorers". Using an ancient space sailboat designed by Industrial Light & Magic, and inspired by the writings of Jules Verne, Sisko and Jake try to prove that a trip could have been made centuries before. Also in this episode, there's the first mention of a bathroom in Star Trek history. We always wondered about that. Listen closely when O'Brien and Bashir have a few too many and sing an old English anthem called "Jerusalem". Colm Meaney selected this song himself, but it wasn't their first choice. They unsuccessfully tried to get the rights to "Louie, Louie", "Rocket Man", and "Major Tom". I'm Cirroc Lofton, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

The Adversary (Rene Auberjonois)

The episode you're about to see stands out for several reasons. First, it was the climactic season ender for Year 3. Designed as a cliffhanger, it was filled with action, intrigue, and enough special effects to thrill the 12-year-old kid in all of us.

The closing scene, a hand-to-hand struggle between Odo and another Changeling, played by Lawrence Pressman, needed to be shot over and over again, with the actors matching their movements precisely in a variety of different shots. The surprise ending changed the course of Deep Space Nine's future in ways that are still being realized... ...not to mention the introduction of the Tzenkethi, a hostile race who joined the Tholians and Breen as the aliens you never see. This also was the only show that was unnamed right down to the very end, when a contest was held, and "The Adversary" was finally selected. I'm Rene Auberjonois for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

The Way of the Warrior, Part I (Michael Dorn)

After watching this episode, you'll know why the Klingons are the villains everyone loves to hate.

This is the show that may be noted for bringing Worf on board Deep Space Nine as part of the crew. Thankfully, it resulted in a phenomenal response from the fans. You'll also see some incredible special effects with some of the highest production value on television today. Take a close look at those shots of the Klingon fleet hanging in space. Impressive. But a lot of those ships should be hanging from Christmas trees, since they're actually Star Trek ornaments used as background layers. Still others are Star Trek toys redesigned for this episode. Go figure. This episode is called "The Way of the Warrior", the show that dared to be different. I'm Michael Dorn, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

The Way of the Warrior, Part II (Michael Dorn)

Bringing the Klingons to Deep Space Nine surprised everybody, even the writers.

"The Adversary", which ended Season 3, was a cliffhanger meant to be continued in a two-parter, but with Worf joining the crew, the emphasis had to be shifted, and the breakdown of the Klingon peace treaty opened the door to one of the most exciting conflicts ever imagined. It was this episode that marked the first time in the history of Star Trek that the Klingons and the Federation were formally at war. Although the Klingons have been called the best alien race ever created on Star Trek, you may not know that they were featured in only a handful of episodes from the original series. Yet they left an indelible mark that was aggressively explored on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Loaded with some of the most fabulous special effects ever created for the series, this episode called "The Way of the Warrior, Part II" set the tone for the most exciting season yet. I'm Michael Dorn, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

The Visitor (Cirroc Lofton)

Considered by many fans to be one of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's best episodes, "The Visitor" was nominated for a Hugo award, science fiction's highest honor. When Sisko gets lost in time, his young son Jake grows old before his very eyes.

This show features Tony Todd as the grown-up Jake. Tony appeared several times as Worf's brother Kurn, both on The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. This is also the first DS9 episode set in a possible distant future, where Nog becomes a Starfleet captain. And you'll never guess who ends up running Quark's bar. If you guessed Rom, you're not even close. How about Morn? Morn, by the way, was named in honor of the famous Cheers barfly, Norm. Plus, the young writer-to-be is played by Rachel Robinson, the daughter of Andrew Robinson, who played spy-turned-tailor Garak. I'm Cirroc Lofton, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Rejoined (Terry Farrell)

Hello, I'm Terry Farrell for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles. When the original Star Trek series was created, Gene Roddenberry's intent was to take very specific social commentary and slip it past the censors by masking it as science fiction.

Perhaps that's why Star Trek has survived all these decades. In the tradition of television's first interracial kiss between Captain Kirk and Lt. Uhura... ...this episode, called "Rejoined", features a same-sex kiss between two characters very much in love. Sexual orientation issues had never been explored this frankly on a Star Trek series. Some stations actually wanted to cut out the scene when the episode was originally broadcast, while others put up parental advisory warnings. But if Star Trek didn't challenge the frontiers of human acceptance, what show would? "Rejoined" was sensitively directed by series star Avery Brooks.
 

Little Green Men (Armin Shimerman)

It's July of 1947. In a place called Roswell, an event shook the world. The first reported flying saucer crashlanded in New Mexico, and the government recovered the wreck, deceased aliens and all. Now, no one knows if this is actually true, but if it were, could it be possible that those aliens were not Martians at all, but Ferengi?

According to this episode, "Little Green Men", Star Trek proposes that's precisely what occurred. But "Little Green Men" is much more than a comical spoof. It was conceived as an homage to all the great science fiction films of the '50's, the B-movies that played to packed drive-ins around the country. Watch this episode closely and you'll be aware of countless tributes paid to those movies. Even the character names are chosen to mirror many celebrated B-movie stars of the day. So, put down your Hula Hoop, grab a box of popcorn, and take a trip back to the days of old sci-fi. I'm Armin Shimerman, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Our Man Bashir (Alexander Siddig)

Imagine your ultimate fantasy at your very fingertips. Well, on Deep Space Nine, our unique holosuites can make that possible. With three-dimensional holographic technology and transporter beams, we not only see pure fantasy, but can touch it as well.

And scientists at the University of Illinois want to make it a reality. They've created a virtual reality simulator called "the Cave" that tricks the mind into a myriad of alternate realities. Who knows? Before long, we could all have holosuites in our own living rooms. On this episode, "Our Man Bashir", my character gets trapped with Garak in a holosuite fantasy with all the trappings of a great James Bond movie. In fact, when this episode originally aired, it coincided with the release of Goldeneye. Many elaborate new sets were built for this episode, creations which 007 himself would have felt at home in. I'm Alexander Siddig, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Hard Time (Michael Dorn)

This episode features Miles O'Brien, who made his first appearance in the two-hour premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation, along with yours truly.

It was such a small role that he only had a title, no name. But over time, that would change. In fact, it was the fans, bless their hearts, that begged the show to give him a full name. When he came aboard Deep Space Nine, he soon became the character the writers loved to torture. From "Tribunal" in the second season to this episode, "Hard Time", O'Brien has met his share of personal anguish. The idea for "Hard Time" had been around since the first season, and each time the premise was suggested, it got rejected. But thanks to the persistence of the writers, the idea of a character being punished for a crime he didn't commit with implanted memories of incarceration was finally presented in the fourth season, and after seeing this episode, you'll be glad it was. This is Michael Dorn, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Shattered Mirror (Michael Dorn)

Welcome to that old tricky mirror universe again, where anything is possible, and anything could go wrong. I'm Michael Dorn for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.

In this episode, "Shattered Mirror", the alter ego of Sisko's deceased wife comes back for Jake, and a mirror universe Defiant must save the day, if only Sisko can show them how to use it. There's a strange tradition in these alternate universe stories, and if you're a Ferengi, it's not very pleasant. It began in "Crossover", when dear old Quark met an untimely demise, and continued in "Through the Looking Glass" when Rom was killed.  That left only one Ferengi alive, and good money says Nog's days are few and far between. This is also an episode featuring Felecia M. Bell, who makes her third appearance as Jennifer Sisko, despite the fact that her character was killed off in the series premiere. How's that for resilience? We hope you enjoy "Shattered Mirror".
 

To the Death (Michael Dorn)

[holding a Jem'Hadar gun] This is a weapon of war, used by those ruthless warriors, the Jem'Hadar. I'm Michael Dorn for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.

This episode has our crew working hand-in-hand with the enemy they most fear; and if you're curious, the name Jem'Hadar was not made up out of thin air. Jem'Hadar is a rank in the Indian National Army, equivalent to that of Lieutenant. Also in this episode, you'll see a very familiar actor. The lead Jem'Hadar soldier is being played by Clarence Williams III, who played Linc of The Mod Squad. You also may have seen another character in this episode very familiar to DS9: Jeffrey Combs, who played Herbie West in the feature film Reanimator, plays the evil Vorta, and played Brunt, the Ferengi Commerce Authority agent, in several episodes. I guess that means versatility is an alien strong point. Now, look for lots of new weapons like this [holds up gun again], created especially for this action-packed episode, "To the Death", directed by LeVar Burton.
 

The Quickening (Alexander Siddig)

A society plagued by disease -- incurable, fatal. A grim premise. This episode, called "The Quickening", is precisely that. Now, all the producers sought to create was a decimated society unlike any other seen before, but what they ultimately found, after an intensive location search, was a space-age testing facility called Rocketdyne in Los Angeles.

Much of "The Quickening" was shot at the base of a rocket-testing plant, where the intense heat and flames of booster rockets burned out the concrete. The special effects department then optically matted in more extensive ruins to flesh out the scene. This episode also marked the return to Hollywood of a popular '60's and '70's film actor, Michael Sarrazin, star of They Shoot Horses, Don't They? "The Quickening" is directed by our own Rene Auberjonois. I hope you enjoy it. I'm Alexander Siddig, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

Broken Link (Rene Auberjonois)

This episode, "Broken Link", was the season finale for the fourth year. It tied up story elements introduced in the previous year's ender, "The Adversary".

In "Broken Link", Odo is called back home by his people to be judged for killing another Changeling in "The Adversary", something no other Changeling has ever done. This show also marked the second time that Deep Space Nine shot a nude scene. A nude scene on Deep Space Nine? Well, when you play a shapeless character, sometimes clothes get in the way. So in one of the final moments on the Founders' homeworld, a scene had to be shot with Odo wearing nothing but his makeup. Salome Jens makes her third appearance as the female shapeshifter, and Robert O'Reilly appears once again as Gowron -- or does he? The surprise ending of "Broken Link" will keep you guessing. I'm Rene Auberjonois, for the Deep Space Nine Chronicles.
 

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