One particular episode ofStar Trek: Deep Space Ninewon me over and started the road toDS9becoming my all-time favoriteStar Trekseries. My journey to becoming aStar Trekfan began withStar Trek: The Next Generation.As I learnedTNG,I also went back to simultaneously watchepisodes ofStar Trek: The Original Series. ButStar Trek: Deep Space Ninewas the show that took my infatuation to another level.
I began watchingStar Trek: Deep Space Nineduring its syndication run. In the 1990s, it wasn’t possible to start at the beginning. MyDS9experience began partway through season 3 as the series was amid transitions: the USS Defiant was introduced, the Dominion was ramping up asDS9’s main villains, andCommander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks)would soon grow a goatee and get promoted to Captain. But before the latter occurred,I was dazzled byStar Trek: Deep Space Nineseason 3, episode 14, “Heart of Stone.”
Nog’s Reason For Wanting To Join Starfleet Academy Was A Star Trek Game Changer For Me
I’m Still Genuinely Moved By Nog’s Reason For Wanting To Join Starfleet
Nog’s heartfelt admission disarmed Commander Sisko and me.Aron Eisenberg’s performance was so powerful and genuine that it made me (and Sisko) instantly see Nog in a new light, and I wanted to not just seeNog join Starfleet Academybut succeed. Indeed, this was the trajectoryStar Trek: Deep Space Ninetook Nog. The first Ferengi in Starfleet took to the Academy like a duck to water, and Nog wholeheartedly embraced Starfleet’s every virtue. From the moment Nog told Sisko his truth, he became one of my favoriteStar Trekcharacters.
Odo Admitting He Loved Kira Was A Star Trek Heartbreaker
Simultaneous to Nog’s quest to join Starfleet Academy, the A-story ofStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s “Heart of Stone” was an exploration of Constable Odo’s (Rene Auberjonois) unrequited love forMajor Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor). Odo and Kira were lured and trapped by the Female Changeling (Salome Jens), who kidnapped and impersonated Nerys.The Female Changeling manipulated Odo into confessing his affection for Kira, and it was all a test to convince Odo to rejoin the Founders, which he refused.
Kira eventually reciprocated Odo’s love, and they became a couple until Odo chose to return to his people to cure The Great Link of a fatal disease inStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s series finale.
I was already aware that Odo secretly loved Kira, who was oblivious at that point, but “Heart of Stone” laid bare the depths of Odo’s feelings and fears that Nerys would never love him back. OtherStar Trekcharacters dealt with unrequited love, butOdo onDS9was genuinely suffering and hiding it from Kira.One can’t help but share in Odo’s despair, and loath the cruel way the Female Changeling tried to use it against Odo to force him to choose the Dominion over Kira.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Became Great After “Heart Of Stone”
Season 4 Soft Rebooted DS9
“Heart of Stone” convinced me thatStar Trek: Deep Space Ninewas on another level in terms of character depth, and I was sold. OtherStar Trekshowsare about exploring strange new worlds, butDS9’s mission was the journey within. For me, “Heart of Stone” was revelatory, andDS9became theStar Trekseries I became most fascinated with and invested in.Star Trek: Deep Space Nineonly got better after “Heart of Stone.”
The dual passions of Nog and Odo in “Heart of Stone” still move me with every rewatch.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s reputation as an all-time great series was solidified after season 4 soft-rebooted the series. The addition of Lt. Commander Worf (Michael Dorn), Captain Sisko shaving his head, which infused Avery Brooks' performance with more dynamism, and legendary classic episodes like “The Visitor,” “Far Beyond the Stars,” and “In the Pale Moonlight, cementedStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s legend. Meanwhile, the dual passions of Nog and Odo in “Heart of Stone” still move me with every rewatch.
