These Are The Episodes... Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2

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!

Awesome Friday!