Star Trek: Deep Space Nine concluded in 1999 with the impactful finale titled “What You Leave Behind.”As the third live-action series in the Star Trek franchise, it marked a significant transition for the beloved saga. The story followed then-Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), who was tasked with aiding Bajor’s journey toward joining the United Federation of Planets after enduring the Cardassian Occupation. The pivotal discovery of the Bajoran Wormhole and its elusive Prophets set a distinctive tone for DS9, transforming the space station into a vital outpost against the Dominion, the dominant power of the Gamma Quadrant, and the focal point of the intense Dominion War.
As the narrative progressed toward the series’ final season, the shifting allegiances and competing beliefs among the Alpha Quadrant powers paved the way for the climactic finale of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Captain Sisko’s admonition to maintain neutrality prevented Bajor from succumbing to a Dominion onslaught. In a dramatic twist, alliances were forged between the Klingon Empire and the Federation after both were infiltrated by Changeling agents. Meanwhile, Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo) desperately sought redemption by uniting Cardassia with the Dominion, while Sisko’s darkest moments ultimately swayed the Romulans to join their ranks, creating a formidable alliance against their mutual enemy.
How Captain Sisko & Starfleet Achieved Victory in DS9’s Dominion War
A Surprising Alliance of Former Foes Preserved the Alpha Quadrant
In a tumultuous struggle, Captain Benjamin Sisko and Starfleet secured a pivotal victory for the Alpha Quadrant during the thrilling conclusion of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s nine-part finale. The formation of the Federation Alliance, which included the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Star Empire, marked a turning point, equipping them with the numbers necessary to combat the Dominion’s overwhelming forces. Leading the charge aboard the USS Defiant, Sisko’s crew managed to drive the beleaguered Dominion forces back to Cardassia Prime. Here, Colonel Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) and Elim Garak (Andrew Robinson) played crucial roles in aiding Damar’s (Casey Biggs) Cardassian Rebellion, undermining the Dominion’s stronghold in the Alpha Quadrant.
The climax of this hard-fought battle resulted from Constable Odo, who brought forth a cure to a devastating morphogenic virus created by Section 31, offering it to the Changeling leader in exchange for peace. This act compelled the female Founder (Salome Jens) to surrender, effectively decapitating the Dominion’s leadership. In the ensuing chaos, the Jem’Hadar and Breen soldiers retaliated harshly against the Cardassian Rebels, but the tide had decisively turned.
Captain Sisko’s Transformation into a Prophet of Bajor
“The Sisko Is Of Bajor.”
In the aftermath of the Federation Alliance’s victory, Captain Sisko was summoned to embrace his identity as the Emissary of the Prophets, taking on the mantle of a Prophet of Bajor. During this final spiritual confrontation, Sisko was the chosen representative of the Prophets, while Gul Dukat was aligned with the pah-wraiths after their rejection of Kai Winn Adami’s (Louise Fletcher) attempted sacrifice. The ensuing clash between Sisko, the Prophets, and the forces of Dukat and Winn solidified Benjamin’s new destiny.
Revealed in Season 7, Episode 1, “Image in the Sand, ”Sisko’s mother, Sarah (Deborah Lacey), had been embodied by a Prophet to ensure that Benjamin would serve as a bridge between the divine beings and the Bajoran people. Rather than removing him from existence entirely, the non-linear Prophets understood that Sisko needed the chance to say farewell to his loved ones. He vowed to return one day to his wife, Kasidy Yates-Sisko (Penny Johnson); their unborn child; and his son, Jake (Cirroc Lofton).
The Fate of DS9’s Characters Post-Series
Continuity for Most of Deep Space Nine’s Crew
The conclusion of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ushered in a new era for the characters who remained on the station following the Alliance’s triumph. Deep Space Nine continued under a shared command of Starfleet and Bajoran military personnel, with Colonel Kira Nerys at the helm after Sisko’s ascension. Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) and Lieutenant Ezri Dax (Nicole de Boer) maintained their roles on the station while exploring a budding relationship. Meanwhile, Quark (Armin Shimerman) expanded his enterprise by establishing franchises of Quark’s Bar and Grill throughout the Quadrant, while still managing the original bar on DS9.
Lieutenant Commander Worf (Michael Dorn), a character from Star Trek: The Next Generation, experienced a particularly rich storyline post-DS9. After slaying Chancellor Gowron (Robert O’Reilly), Worf ascended to lead the Klingon Empire before ultimately passing this mantle to General Martok (J. G.Hertzler).He then transitioned to serve as the Federation’s ambassador to the Klingon Empire, morphed into the Captain of the USS Enterprise-E, and later re-emerged as a “subcontractor” for Starfleet Intelligence in Star Trek: Picard.
DS9 May Not Have Had a Movie, But It Received a Documentary
What We Left Behind Offered Insight into the Creation of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Unlike its predecessor, Star Trek: The Next Generation, which expanded into movies after concluding, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine did not follow suit. However, in 2019, the executive producer and showrunner Ira Steven Behr released a documentary titled What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. This documentary utilized archival footage alongside fresh interviews from the cast and crew, illuminating the behind-the-scenes challenges faced during the production of Deep Space Nine, including initial resistance to serialization, doubts about TNG’s Worf, and unfulfilled character arcs.
Additionally, the documentary disclosed that a high-definition version of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine would be exceedingly costly, as all computer-generated imagery was originally designed for standard definition and would need to be completely recreated.
By following several writers, including René Echeverria, Ron Moore, Hans Beimler, and Robert Hewitt Wolfe, What We Left Behind illustrated how typical storylines were developed. It even broke down a hypothetical first episode of an eighth season, exploring a scenario where Captain Benjamin Sisko returns 20 years post-series finale, sparking a reunion among the main characters. Although this narrative isn’t canon, it provides fascinating insights into the creative minds behind the series.
DS9 Characters Make Appearances in Star Trek: Lower Decks
Lower Decks Features the Most Canonical Returns from DS9 to Date
In Season 3, Episode 6 entitled “Hear All, Trust Nothing, ”Star Trek: Lower Decks marks the franchise’s first return to Deep Space Nine following the series finale. The episode confirms that Colonel Kira remains in command of the station in 2381, while Quark continues to engage in his traditional Ferengi schemes. Furthermore, new developments in Ferengi business are introduced by Grand Nagus Rom and First Clerk Leeta in Season 4, Episode 6, “Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place, ”as the USS Cerritos examines the prospects of Ferenginar’s potential membership in the Federation.
Additionally, Lieutenant Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) is known to have served on Deep Space Nine during the Dominion War. In a unique episode, Season 5, Episode 9 titled “Fissure Quest, ”fans are treated to a glimpse of Bashir and Garak as a married couple, even though these versions of the characters are multi-dimensional variants from the original series. There’s also an appearance of the much-discussed Curzon Dax, depicted by voice actor Fred Tatasciore.
Why a DS9 Reunion Similar to TNG’s in Star Trek: Picard Isn’t Feasible
The Sad Loss of Some Key DS9 Actors
While Star Trek: Picard Season 3 successfully reunited the main cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a similar reunion for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is hindered by the unfortunate passing of actors Rene Auberjonois and Aron Eisenberg in 2019. Although several veteran cast members are still capable of gathering for a reunion, Avery Brooks has distanced himself from acting and the Star Trek franchise. Nevertheless, modern Star Trek should not overlook the significant contributions of Deep Space Nine.
Ultimately, the ambitious storytelling and exploration of complex themes in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine have significantly enriched the franchise. The series displayed an unapologetic willingness to tackle pertinent issues regarding religion, politics, and morality’s boundaries, moving past The Next Generation’s rigid constraints on interpersonal conflict. This approach allowed for a deeper examination of diversity and tolerance. The series has proven to be more relevant now than ever, exemplifying why Star Trek: Deep Space Nine retains a critical place in the Star Trek legacy.
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