I have to admit that when DS9 first came on the air, I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to like it. I remember well that first night, sitting on the floor mere inches in front of the TV with my family in the background sworn to silence under penalty of death by wet noodle-lashing. When the teaser came on, followed by the theme music, I knew I was going to be a fan. DS9 became my favourite of the Trek venues.

It's always sad when an era comes to an end. This is made less palatable when all your favourites are killed off or otherwise banished in the last 2 hour episode. I seem to have a talent for admiring those characters the writers doom to dire fates. It seems to be that the best thing I can do for a character is hate his/her guts. It's a conspiracy, I swear.

Imagine living aboard a station in the outer reaches of Federation territory. It's not like serving aboard the Enterprise. The uniforms are different, though I honestly can't tell you why... except that it keeps the wardrobe people happy; the officers you interact with on a daily basis are different; and Earth is just a twinkling light in the darkness of space.

This is my shrine to my favourite DS Niners, most of which have met with unpleasant ends. (And you just KNOW I'm going to gripe about that in the appropriate spots!)

Click the station for a midi file of the show theme -- and drop me a line if you find a better one!

Cardassians are my absolute favourite species. And of those wonderfully complex reptilian people, Legate Damar is tops. (If I had to choose one character as my absolute favourite from all Trek venues, it would be Damar. Hands down.) I thoroughly enjoyed his brusque comments and sneers. From the first time he appeared, I was completely hooked. I began watching the opening credits with fins crossed, hoping to see Casey Biggs among the guest stars.

Damar has come a long way from that almost anonymous officer aboard Dukat's renegade ship. He literally went to the top and became Cardassia's leader. It certainly wasn't an easy ride. He made his share of mistakes and had his own troubles to deal with -- like that of being the direct cause of his mentor's psychological breakdown. Not surprising, the writers were unkind to this man. They allowed him to wallow in Cardassia's misery under the Dominion, spending most of his off-time with a bottle of kanar and talking too much with a certain Ferengi bartender. But, one bright day, they decided to give him back his Cardassian strength and pride. Damar became Cardassia's hero, delivering them from the Dominion's hold. Naturally, he had to die while doing so. After having Weyoun execute his wife and son, The Powers That Be then robbed him of a hero's death by having him charge madly into enemy fire. Definitely a grand disappointment for me and all other Cardiphiles. Hope you didn't blink during that scene or you'd have missed it. I'm still in shock over that -- how could they kill him so abruptly and literally forget about him by the end of the last 2 hour episode?! Because it's a Federation world -- didn't see them do that to Jadzia, did we?! Click the pic for a classic Damar quote.

Ah, the cool, calculating, always in control Gul Dukat. He's been described as the "devil" by many. Personally, I don't think the "devil" could ever have this much charm. Dukat exudes elegance and poise, traits which allow him to slither his way into anything he likes. He is a study in opposites -- stern and cruel at times, tender and caring at others, but always charming. He has the unique ability to take mistresses from the very culture his people are oppressing, and truly care for them. He even managed a fling with Kira's mother. Simply put, Dukat loved Bajoran women.

Dukat's swaggering self-assurance was cut down by a bout of "temporary insanity", brought on by Damar's hasty actions. Everything was taken from him -- Cardassia, Terok Nor, his seven children on Cardassia Prime, and his daughter on the station. I thought he was gone for good at that point. However, he returned seeking revenge in later episodes.

As fits the pattern inevitably set for all my favourites, Dukat is dealt with at the end of the series. He is banished forever into the realm of the Pagh Wraiths. Unlike Damar's sudden, uncalled-for demise, I can understand why Dukat meets such an end... but it doesn't mean I have to like it! Click the pic for a classic Dukat quote.

Gul Dukat's daughter, and the product of his relationship with a Bajoran woman, Ziyal was caught between two worlds. She knew nothing of Cardassia and did not feel truly accepted by Bajoran culture. Her home was the station.

Ziyal was a sweet young woman who really wasn't given much of a chance. Kira befriended her, but tossed her aside relatively easily when annoyed with Dukat. Ziyal's talent and personality were just starting to bloom when she was written out of the show -- testament to Damar's short fuse and misguided efforts to protect his mentor. (She was so short-lived, I don't have a quote for you.)

Just a simple tailor... who just happened to be a member of the Obsidian Order and Enabran Tain's son. The mysterious Garak was always entertaining. He excelled at keeping everyone guessing about him, and managed to win young Ziyal's heart.

Garak proved very useful to the DS Niners more than once and was a key player in the final overthrow of the Dominion. But wait... can it be? He was still alive at the end of the last episode! He was finally released from exhile, able to remain on Cardassia Prime -- though he, himself, admitted that it was not "his" Cardassia he was returning to. I won't complain though; he managed to survive to the end even if he has a lot of unpleasant work ahead of him. Click the pic for a Garak quote.

Sisko is my favourite of all the Starfleet captains we've met.. He's decisive, articulate, and more than capable of working under the most extremely unfavourable circumstances, He's Starfleet through and though, but he's also not afraid to be human. Sisko is a demonstrative father, something we haven't seen before in the Starfleet realm. Nice to know that you can be an officer and a parent.. Click the pic for a Sisko quote.

Not content to leave my precious Captain alive and well at the end of the series, the writers had to whisk him off to join the wormhole aliens for heaven knows how long. Let's hope Jake and Cassidy live long enough to see him again. I shouldn't really complain -- at least he survived to the end of the series.

I instantly adored Vedek Bareil. A wise, serene, kind-hearted, and all-around good guy, he would have been the perfect choice for Kai. Bajor would have profited from his guidance (pun intended!). Instead, he sacrificed his running to protect then Kai Opaka. As a result, Bajor came under the rule of self-centred Kai Winn.

The Powers That Be weren't content to leave him in the background for long. No, soon he was sacrificing his health to give Winn counsel in the role which was far too big for her to fill. Bareil chose the good of Bajor over his own life. Naturally, we had to witness his steady decline throughout an entire episode. I think the tissue companies made a fortune that night....

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