After a slow first season of world-building and character development, the second season of Deep Space Nine begins to really lay the groundwork for the continuing overreaching plot that would continue through the rest of the series. We continue to learn about our characters’ backgrounds, and at the same time, some of the defining relationships of the series, such as Bashir and O’Brien’s friendship, begin to take shape.
Tensions with the Cardassians mount as well, causing friction with not only the Bajorans but also Federation citizens who find themselves on the other side of a redrawn border with the Cardassians (a story thread introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation). Furthermore, the history of the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor is explored, and throughout this season, we start to hear rumblings about an as-yet unencountered power in the Gamma Quadrant: The Dominion.
Structurally the storytelling becomes more serialized, starting with a story arc that spans the first three episodes; a first in Star Trek.
These are the episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2.
Reminder:
- Must See episodes feature the main plot or primary character development. These are required viewing to understand everything at the end.
- Should See episodes feature secondary plot elements or character development, and while they aren’t required, they will give you a more complete experience with the show. If you have watched the should-see episodes so far, you should continue watching them now.
- Take It or Leave It episodes are all one-offs and filler.
It’s worth noting that must-see episodes aren’t necessarily good and take it or leave it episodes aren’t necessarily bad and that ideally, you’d just be watching all of them. Season 2 has 26 episodes. Fourteen must see, seven should see, and you can take or leave the remaining 5.
2×01 “The Homecoming“
- Must See
- Note: First of a three-part story continuing in episodes 2×02 and 2×03
- Relevant to Bajorans, Cardassians, Cardassian Occupation of Bajor, Bajor and The Federation
- Relevant to Kira
- Guest Star Frank Langella
- Guest Star Richard Beymer
2×02 “The Circle“
- Must See
- Note: First of a three-part story started in episode 2×01 and concluded in 2×03
- Relevant to Bajorans, Cardassians, Cardassian Occupation of Bajor, Bajor and The Federation
- Relevant to Kira, Benjamin Sisko, Bareil Antos
- Guest Star Frank Langella
- Guest Star Richard Beymer
- Guest Star Louise Fletcher
2×03 “The Siege“
- Must See
- Note: Concludes three-part story started in episodes 2×01 and 2×03.
- Relevant to Bajorans, Cardassians, Cardassian Occupation of Bajor, Bajor and The Federation, Jake and Nog are Bros
- Relevant to Kira, Benjamin Sisko, Bareil Antos, Jake Sisko, Nog
- Guest Star Frank Langella
- Guest Star Richard Beymer
- Guest Star Louise Fletcher
2×04 “Invasive Procedures“
- Take It or Leave It
- Relevant to Dax
- Relevant to “Dax is really old.”
- Guest Star John Glover
2×05 “Cardassians“
- Must See
- Relevant to Dukat, Benjamin Sisko, Garak
- Relevant to Bajorans, Cardassians, Cardassian Occupation of Bajor
2×06 “Melora“
- Take It or Leave It
- Relevant to Bashir.
2×07 “Rules of Acquisition“
- Must See
- Relevant to Ferengi, The Dominion
- Relevant to Quark, Rom, Zek
2×08 “Necessary Evil“
- Should See
- Relevant to Kira, Odo
- Relevant to Bajorans, Cardassians, Cardassian Occupation of Bajor, Kira and Odo
2×09 “Second Sight“
- Take It or Leave It
- Relevant to Benjamin Sisko
- Guest Star Richard Kiley
2×10 “Sanctuary“
- Must See
- Relevant to Bajorans, Cardassian Occupation of Bajor, Weird Stuff Comes Through The Wormhole, The Dominion
- Relevant to Kira
2×11 “Rivals“
- Take It or Leave It
- Relevant to Quark, Ferengi, Bashir, and O’Brien are Bros
- Guest Star Chris Sarandon
2×12 “The Alternate“
- Should See
- Relevant to Odo, Changelings
- Relevant to Wierd Stuff Comes Through The Wormhole
2×13 “Armageddon Game“
- Must See
- Relevant to Bashir, O’Brien
- Relevant to Bashir and O’Brien are Bros
2×14 “Whispers“
- Should See
- Relevant to O’Brien
2×15 “Paradise“
- Take It or Leave It
- Relevant to Benjamin Sisko, O’Brien
2×16 “Shadowplay“
- Must See
- Relevant to Odo
- Relevant to The Dominion
2×17 “Playing God“
- Should See
- Relevant to Jadzia Dax, Trills
- Relevant to “Dax Is Really Old.”
2×18 “Profit and Loss“
- Must See
- Relevant to Quark, Garak
- Relevant to Cardassians
2×19 “Blood Oath“
- Must See
- Relevant to Jadzi Dax
- Relevant to Klingons
- Callback to Star Trek (The Original Series) (Kang, Koloth, Kor)
- Guest Star Michael Ansara
- Guest Star William Campbell
- Guest Star John Colicos
2×20 and 2×21, “The Maquis” Part 1 and Part 2
- Must See
- Relevant to Benjamin Sisko, Dukat
- Relevant to Cardassians, The Federation, The Maquis
- Callback to Star Trek: The Next Generation (Episode “Journey’s End“)
2×22 “The Wire“
- Must See
- Note: This episode is a series-best
- Relevant to Garak, Bashir
- First Appearance of Enabran Tain
- Relevant to Garak and Bashir are Bros, Cardassians, The Obsidian Order
2×23 “Crossover“
- Should See
- Relevant to The Mirror Universe
- Callback to Star Trek (The Original Series) (Episode “Mirror, Mirror“)
2×24 “The Collaborator“
- Must See
- Relevant to Kira, Winn Adami, Bareil Antos
- Relevant to Bajorans, Cardassian Occupation of Bajor
2×25 “Tribunal“
- Should See
- Relevant to O’Brien
- Relevant to Cardassians
2×26 “The Jem’Hadar“
- Must See
- Relevant to Benjamin Sisko, Jake Sisko, Nog
- Relevant to The Federation, The Dominion, Jake and Nog are Bros
- First Appearance of species The Vorta
- First Appearance of species The Jem’Hadar
Conclusion
Following on from season one, we now know our characters well, and we have a good idea of what each one brings to the table and at least some of the details of their past rights and wrongs. Knowing this, the season-long set up of The Dominion as a major new power culminated in the finale with a major show of force that any fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation would have (and did) find shocking at the time.
The season doesn’t end on a cliffhanger per se, but it leaves the show in a place of confusion and upheaval and with a lot of new unanswered questions looking towards the third season, which we will visit together next week! See you then!
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Season One Viewing Guide
- Season Two Viewing Guide
- Season Three Viewing Guide
- Season Four Viewing Guide
- Season Five Viewing Guide
- Season Six Viewing Guide
- Season Seven Viewing Guide
- The Top 14 Episodes
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