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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 4 Review

The fourth season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continues the show’s upward trend in quality as this is the best season of the series so far.

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“You know what I like about Klingon stories?

Nothing. Lots of people die and nobody makes a profit“

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The Way of the Warrior is such a stellar two-part opening that sees Klingons trying to expand their empire at the expense of the Cardassians. This is a fantastic story that emphasizes so well on the character of Worf who is really becoming great on this show. The Visitor is a pretty moving episode that focuses on a wonderful father-son relationship. Hippocratic Oath is less memorable, though very well crafted in terms of plot and its overall mystery.

Clearly the best episode of this show is Indiscretion, an episode that features everything that I adore most about this show – strong emotional connection and great character drama. Kira and Dukat go on a mission together, but he holds in himself a great secret. The episode builds to a great crescendo, and I particularly loved its great pacing, fantastic dialogue and such a well utilized sandy setting.

Rejoined is a lost opportunity at a true lesbian romance, though points must be given to the show for even attempting it all the way back in the nineties. Starship Down is too action-heavy while Little Green Men takes us to Roswell and the results are suitably charming and entertaining with for once greatly used Quark.

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The Sword of Kathless is a solid Klingon episode, but the one that focuses too much on the less interesting things about their mythology such as overly fantastical items. Our Man Bashir is utterly forgettable, but Homefront and Paradise Lost constitute a terrific two-parter that focuses on the Changelings infiltrating Starfleet. The results are very suspenseful in the best way possible as it acts as a great sci-fi thriller of sorts.

Crossfire once again deals with Odo’s feelings for Kira, but again he represses them. I wonder if she will ever learn about his feelings for her. Return to Grace and Sons of Mogh both have its moments, but are ultimately not that memorable. Bar Association is one of the worst episodes of this season that focuses on Quark and his men protesting for their bar with decidedly unnecessary results and low stakes.

Accession is an episode that is very much concerned with religion in an intriguing manner. It’s also a great Sisko episode where he finally realizes that he should be the Emissary. It’s a great character drama for sure. Rules of Engagement is only okay while Hard Time is a somewhat familiar O’Brien caper. Shattered Mirror is another wonderful episode that only further exemplifies how great this season is when it comes to exploring Sisko and Jake’s relationship.

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The Muse is a mediocrity that makes a poor use of Jake. It’s one of the weakest episodes of this season undoubtedly. Everything that I have said above also applies in the case of For the Cause, an episode that is overly concerned with dull romances. To the Death is a fine story that utilizes the Jem’Hadar solidly. The Quickening is an interesting episode focusing on a past disease while Body Parts is a surprisingly solid Quark episode. Broken Link focuses on Odo’s changeling form in a very dramatic, emotional manner.

In the end, the fourth season of Deep Space Nine has its weaker episodes, but it also has some true dramatic, character-rich gems. The characterization continues to be the best aspect about this show, but the action-heavy episodes continue to be its weakness.

Worst Episodes: Bar Association and The Muse.

Best Episodes: The Way of the Warrior, Homefront, Paradise Lost and Indiscretion.