Ups & Downs From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 5.26 - Call To Arms 

Kira “protesting” Starfleet not returning the station to her government and then saying “now that’s over, Kira Nerys reporting for duty” really should have been an up

There’s one extra Up in this already awesome episode. Because of the non-aggression pact between Bajor and the Dominion, Kira comes up into Ops just before the battle. She storms up to Sisko and says, “Captain, as the liaison officer to Deep Space Nine, I must formally protest your refusal to turn over control of this station to my government.” Sisko replies, “Your protest is duly noted.” Kira then, without missing a beat, goes “Good! Now that’s out of the way. Kira Nerys, reporting for duty.” It’s such a great moment between the two and even gets a smile out of Sisko at the end.😂

_In The Pale Moonlight_ ♥️😱

Weyoun: "I'll make this quick. We know all about the minefield." Sisko: "I assumed you'd find out sooner or later." Weyoun: "As I see it, you have two choices. Either you remove the mines, or we will take this station from you and remove them ourselves." I love how there's none of Weyoun's usual pretence of diplomacy and subtlety.

This arc in DS9... it never really got better! Some parts of Ent, Disc, Picard, Lower Decks, Prodigy have been *good* and *great* Trek... but the Dominion War arc was the apex of Trek storytelling, for me. Even if it wasn't executed perfectly.

In The Pale Moonlight... the greatest episode of trek ever!

Sisko: "I appreciate your directness. Now let me be direct with you. The mines stay. I will not allow any more Dominion reinforcements through the wormhole." Weyoun: "YOU will not allow?!" Sisko: "You heard me." Weyoun: "Yes sir, sorry to have bothered you sir, we'll be on our way, sir. Nice minefield, by the way!"

Damar: "Sir, the station's shields are holding." Weyoun: "Impossible. Federation shields have always proven useless against our weapons." Dukat: "I've found it wise to never underestimate the Federation's technical skill or Captain Sisko's resourcefulness."

A reminder, Babylon 5 and it's continuing Shadow War storyline is the inspiration for other shows - including ST:DS9 - to start incorporating that kind of storytelling in modern television. But this was a very good video - I enjoyed it. And it has one of my favorite pieces of dialogue at the end: "We should rendezvous with the Federation task force in 48 hours." "And then what?" "And then we make the Dominion sorry they ever set foot in the Alpha Quadrant." "Cadet, you took the words right out of my mouth." - Dax, Bashir, Nog, and Sisko

This is the hardest agree i've ever agreed your commentary at the end. This was one of the greatest, if not the greatest season cliffhanger in all of sci-fi, ever. Deep Space 9 did so so so so much for Star Trek, and tbh I don't think Avery Brooks gets the credit he deserves for just how incredible and multi-layered he made Sisko. If Star Trek doesn't do SOMETHING to bring him back for at least one last episode, they are idiots.

Probably my most-watched episode of Star Trek. It has it all; great dialogue, epic action, unexpected twists, peak political drama, and that banger of a cliffhanger.

It really is one of the best hours of television period.

I kinda like how the whole "Bajor must stand alone!" from the earlier episode comes back here. Like the entire point of Sisco's visions was to protect Bajor from the Dominion during this conflict.

Quark’s quickness to drop the root beer and break out Canar does come back to bite him when the Dominion has to flee from the station, he’s stuck with too much Canar and no one to drink it!

DS9 is full of so many little references, hints and subtlety it makes for fantastic rewatching. I always pick up something new every time.

I guess today I am officially a Trekkie because "Talking about Rachel Garrett in Dolphin" made me laugh out loud

He left a message ⚾

BEST SHIRT EVER!

Garak is always full of sage pragmatic wisdom 😊.

"Out of the way 5s, a 10 is here" ❤

Sean, your Weyhoun impression, is amazing ;)

I need that T-shirt.

Just a bit of context. Babylon 5 was going on at the same time as DS9. It was all serialized stories. Grand multi-season arcs. Huge war themes. Seeing huge praise for doing so. Star Trek was a little slow in following that pattern. But not imitating B5. Doing things in their own Star Trek way. Great episode still.

Probably my runner up favorite episode of the series (second only to "In the Pale Moonlight"). This is the episode they had been building to for 3 years--the inevitable tension between the Federation and Dominion would finally come to a head. I'll never forget the scene (accompanied by perfectly foreboding music) of the Dominion ships approaching the station. Good stuff!

One of the things I enjoyed about the relations between Ben and Jake is the physical affection that Ben always showed Jake - the fatherly hug or kiss on the cheek. I came from a family where we did that, and it make their relationship seem so much more relaxed and organic as opposed to how many other fathers and sons are portrayed on TV and movies. Also on Jake Sisko, your analysis of him staying behind being his redemption for previous actions, is brilliant. I completely forgot about ...Nor the Battle to the Strong.

@ 7:35 Never thought of Manhattan Project until you mentioned it

I loved the way DS9 showed a slow inexorable slide towards war, galactic level events with their own momentum way out of the control of normal people, rather than just a madman or a tyrant or an inexplicable invasion or attack.

The scene between Quark and Rom in the Jefferies Tube where Quark is telling his brother he should be on Bajor wirh his new wife, and Rom says he's needed on the station. Quark then calls Rom an idiot, kisses him on the back of the head, and leaves should have been an up.

That scene of the camera panning to the task force..I still get goosebumps on goosebumps even since the original air date. I can't believe it's coming up on 27 years.

"Speaking of Garak and his boyfriend" I laughed so hard.

DS9 is firmly my favourite of all the trek shows. Such good stories and character development. It would be hard to change my mind because its been my favourite for such a long time.

That, ROM..impression, was perfect..!

Great video. Deep Space was my favorite of the Star Treks. I love that you have all the different uniforms 😊

I am so excited, this is one of my favorite episodes ever

Finally another Ups and Downs on TrekCulture! Love them

"... speaking of Garak & his boyfriend, Bashir..." LOLs, yes, I think the actors will appreciate that.

in the scene when Dukat contradicts Weyoun and implies that he has no peace treaty with Bajor, the JemHadar soldier immediately stands up to Weyoun. To signal to him once again that he actually has nothing to say. Absolutely threatening!!! It was exactly the same when later Damar contradicts Weyoun on the JemHadar ship on the way to the meeting with the Breen! the menacing music as the Dominion ships approach the station was also perfect !

Excellent choice of episodes, one of the best episodes of Trek of all time

This series NEEDS a proper Blu Ray release!

I just watched this episode for the first time this week, what a treat 😂 and great timing with this video

Very well done! This is one of my favorite episodes and you covered it well. Your observation that Starfleet/Klingon task force started the war 18:47 is something that has haunted me for a long time - is the first person to shoot actually the person that started the war? Maybe not always.

You know I've watched thios episode dozens of times, it's one of my favourite DS9 episodes. But watching this has made me see it in a new light! Thank you! Love these!

I am one of those rare Star Trek fans who was less than enthused by the “alien threat of the week” Or “techno trouble of the week” episodes. I always preferred the character interactions, political intrigue and military struggles of the Star Trek universe. That’s why the Dominion war was so fun for me. The only issue I have with Star Trek when it comes to their depiction of an interstellar war, is not getting to see planet based battles.

The moment of Rom and Quark showing how much they care for each other is an up as well: “You’re my brother, whatever happens, we belong together.”…. Loved that scene.

By far the best trek cliff hanger of all time. I remember watching it live. When the defiant and the bird of prey join that task force at the end......longest summer of my life.

Just more proof of why DS9 is the best series.

i swear it's such a crime, that these characters and stories were never touched on again in canon. i grew up on TOS and TNG, but this is easily my FAVORITE ST show of all time, and it has so much to do with the actors just being so GD good!

Rom thinking up the mines, sure can be played up for laughs; but it also shows how when you put people in the right environment to develop they can, they thrive, and they have the scariest ways to progress as well. I knew folks that could think in the strangest of ways, but they solved whatever problems they were given. The chilling part was *how* they did it or how their brain thought through it. Sometimes they go through avenues that make you wonder "How the heck did that work? I mean it works, but just HOW?!"

I watched all of this one, can't say that for the others, but you should still keep doing them and I will pay attention.

Totally inspired me to rewatch this episode

@sean amazing rom dude lol thought it was a sound bite!

Maybe it's just me, but I personally don't see the comparison between the mining of the wormhole and the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was a surprise offensive weapon that not only destroyed things, but left areas radioactive for decades, causing cancer and long painful deaths, etc. The mines blocking the wormhole were a defensive measure to stop ships coming through. They're basically landmines in space. Of course landmines are nasty things, but I'm not sure they're comparable to the devastation and harm caused by nuclear weapons. If a ship doesn't go near the mines, it doesn't get hurt. There is no way to avoid a surprise attack from a nuclear bomb.

"every ferrengi in the room heard that" LOL *UP*!!

Sean, thank you and all the TrekCulture folks for such awesome essays on some of my life long favorite TV shows! This one was a nexus point in all Trek for sure. Looking forward to DISCO Season 5 and your takes!! Peace!

Retro Up & Down suggestions: - Rejoined (DS9) - Relativity (VOY) - Code of Honor (TNG) (just to see how many downs it'll get)

A million thanks from San Diego CA.

This was a very good recap & analysis of a terrific episode. You made several great points I hadn't thought about. One correction though, and I know I'm not the first one to mention this... Babylon 5 was already doing long arcs of serialized story telling. I'm not sure if this is coincidence or not, but it also had a six episode Shadow War arc at the beginning of season 4 (also set up by multiple episodes in season 3 and also with a huge cliffhanger in between). I looked up the dates, and B5 got there first, with 4.01 to 4.06 going from November 1996 to February 1997. DS9's 6.01 to 6.06 ran from September to November 1997. Don't get me wrong, both arcs were very different, so I'm not accusing one of copying, and I love both shows (B5 is my #1 favorite sci-fi show; DS9 & TNG are my #2 & #3, among many). But, I just want to make sure Babylon 5 gets credit for one thing you said DS9 did first (maybe first among Trek but not first among all American sci-fi TV). Again, excellent video & analysis.

Lovely! Thank you.

This episode and many like it make ds9 the best.

thanks for your amazing work ❤❤

Let's also not forget the parallel cliffhanger with the Borg on Voyager. It was a helluva summer...

Oh great! You made me homesick for my favourite space station! Now I have to rewatch the show. That wasn´t planned, you know!😠 😉

29:33 - Perfect moment in the video.

the screen with all the ships did give me goose pumps 25 years ago and it delivered yet again. I love this episode and the next one sooooooo much. so amazing.

Next retro ups and downs regeneration from enterprise

I love Sisko holding the baseball like a pitcher would throw a curveball when he utters, "The Romulans." He's just been thrown a curveball and doesn't want to swing and miss on his next move.

Another Casablanca reference with a Ferengi at the centre. It may not make sense, but I love it all the same

I’ve been force feeding Discovery to my friends for the last 3 weeks I’m preparation for the premiere so this is a welcomed break 😂😂

Feedback: Love it!!!!!

Absolutely DS9 was a sacrificial pawn. Sisko wouldn't tell anyone on the ship for fear of the information leaking out. Alright, MAYBE Worf, but no one else.

Great video as always! I vote for a retro ups and downs for my favorite Trek episode Voyager's Timeless!

This reminds me why i like DS9... Need to rewatch one day

That shirt is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It might not be a popular opinion, but DS9 was always my favorite trek from that era.

"Time's Arrow" is the finale I remember that had me waiting.

What a great episode and a great video as well :) Even in "In the Pale Moonlight" (future Ups and Downs please) the Romulan Senator even calls out Sisko as "The man who started the war with the Dominion". It reminds me of Babylon 5 and how they went to war with their own government on the show because it was killing millions of innocent people and there was simply no other option left. If anything I think Sisko waited too long to do it It reminds me of "A Quality of Mercy" in Strange New Worlds where Pike doomed the future by trying to be too diplomatic during a time that called for aggressive action.

27:00... Wow! I absolutely love this!!❤👍🖖🐬

Damnit, Sean, stop tempting me to rewatch DS9 again.

As far as cliff hangers goes... My favorite isn't actually from Star Trek at all. It's from Stargate. the end of Season 9 of SG-1 leaves you with "Oh crap, the galaxy is doomed, the Ori just destroyed the best defence the milky way has to offer.". Then enter the next episode, the season 3 Final of Atlantis, that ends with "Oh crap, the wraith found a way and are heading for earth!". It really gives you that "Earth is doomed" feeling. This episode of DS9 is a good one, but it doesn't beat the double doomed feeling of Stargate.

So educational. I now know how to say "Rachel Garrett" in dolphinese.

I would suggest at some point doing a retro ups & downs DS9 Season 6 Episode 22 'Valiant'.

Next one - has to be the next episode!

I want that shirt 🤩

In this battle of DS9, the station was a mere speed bump to the Spoonheads and Dominion. Pretty much the second Sisko informed Kira and Worf that they wouldn't be receiving any Starfleet reinforcements we all knew the station would fall.

Guys, you don't know how DS9 filled me up. Especially with the Dominion War. This ever-building threat and the strategic aspects. The acting of every character was so good. I miss DS9. You could expand that show so much more. Hopefully Deep Space Nine will take place again in the future in a series, as a side setting.

This was a very good cliffhanger and I love DS9 more than Next Gen but the Best of both worlds had a bigger impact with it's cliff hanger

Oh Sean , You of all people should know serialized started with Dr Who 😂😂-6/10 mate

I always thought Sisko’s hand gesture to Weyoun after their “diplomacy” was pretty awesome! That and Garak’s tale about the Cardsssian tailor…

And so it begins! Deep Space Nine goes to war

My favorite episode of DS9 is Explorers.

There's a shot (stock from S2E3) of the Bajoran ships arriving at the station's docking ports, so you have your DUNKIRK moment there.

imagine using this episode as what is effectively the season finale for retro ups and downs... Making me wait for sacrifice of angels is just cruel ! :)

DS9, along has always been my favorite, ever since it's debut in 1993! Its always shown us a side of the Star Trek universe that we always hungered for! Its simply the best spin-offs of all of Trek series,the writing and character development was simply amazing and second to none! The original series is in a class all by itself, however DS9 is the rightfully the best after that!!

Garak's line should've been LATINUM UP - LOLOLOLOLOLOL

You spoke of the end of the episode with the fleet. Can't overlook the person who composed the music because they had that just right. It was like "Mr. Worf.....FIRE!!" If you don't have the music to go along with those scenes it really loses something. When I saw it, I just knew they were going back to DS9 right there. Sisko: "Hey Dukat you have something of mine and I want it back." DuKat: The station?" Sisko: Well, yes but I was talking about my baseball." I also notice how Jake changed by the end of the season. "Hey Dad, let me come with you on this very dangerous first offensive into Dominion space. PLEEEEEEEEESE!?" Maybe helping to take back the station helped him get over his fear.

Great review and feedback. I am disappointed the 'cheesy' line got a down. That has always been a favorite of mine, personally.

For retro ups and downs, can you do Storm front Part I and II from Enterprise? So ridiculous yet still fun. When it originally aired in the US, the UPN (network) moved the show to Friday nights. It was clear they knew it was a different audience.

I wish we had seen the minefield in use. A fleet of jem hadar ships already on its way, the wormhole opens and then we just see massive explosions

Sean You have to start sharing where you get the cool gear!

Serial Story Telling started here.😂 Well, there is the B5 elephant in the room. 😊 Nevertheless DS9 still rock's 🎉