DS9 Season 3 Recap

Introduction

DS9 lurched into Season 3 with one promising story thread on the horizon - the Dominion. Luckily, instead of going the way of TNG and focusing on characters instead (not a criticism of TNG per se, see below), DS9 actually began to deliver on this promise about halfway through the season.

Stuck... in... middle... of... Season... 3...
Waiting... for... good... part... to... begin.........

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: The Adversary

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"The Adversary"
Airdate: June 19, 1995
71 of 173 produced
71 of 173 aired

Introduction

Sisko and crew are called upon to investigate a coup on the Tzenkethi government, but soon discover that they have been set up by the Founders and that their ship has been turned into a careening harbinger of doom for the fragile peace between their two peoples.

 Does it hurt when I do... THIS?

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Facets

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Facets"
Airdate: May 29, 1995
70 of 173 produced
70 of 173 aired

Introduction

Jadzia Dax undergoes a traditional Trill rite, in which her symbiont's past hosts are embodied by her friends. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, right, something has to go wrong, or else there's no episode.

I'm alive again! First order of business: find some Tang.

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Shakaar

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Shakaar"
Airdate: May 22, 1995
69 of 173 produced
69 of 173 aired

Introduction

The First Minister of Bajor dies suddenly, and the person appointed to take his place is Kai Winn. Kira is not happy about this, but she is even more displeased when the Kai comes to the station asking her to intervene in a dispute with a group of Bajoran farmers headed by Shakaar, Kira's friend and the man who lead her resistance cell. And there's some darts, too.

Beverlyyy... I love you Beverly.... don't make me come after you with this rifle, Beverlyyyy...

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Family Business

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Family Business"
Airdate: May 15, 1995
68 of 173 produced
68 of 173 aired

Introduction

Quark and Rom are called back to Ferenginar when their mother's under the table financial dealings come to light. Meanwhile, Commander Sisko meets someone he'll become quite close to in the years to come.

Usually, a scene like this is a clear-cut indication of a bad episode. Usually, but not always.

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Explorers

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Explorers"
Airdate: May 8, 1995
67of 173 produced
67 of 173 aired

Introduction

Sisko returns from a trip to Bajor with the hand drawn plans of an ancient Bajoran spaceship, one that Bajoran legend holds was able to make it all the way to Cardassia. Sisko wants to try and build the ship to prove it's possible. Meanwhile, an unpleasant reminder from Bashir's past arrives on the station.

Next time.... on Star Trek: Completely Superfluous Side Characters....

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: The Die is Cast

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
The Die is Cast
Airdate: May 1, 1995
66 of 173 produced
66 of 173 aired

Introduction

Odo and Garak find themselves embroiled in a rapidly escalating conflict between the Cardassians, the Romulans, and the Dominion. Garak must decide whether to follow the orders of his mentor, Enabran Tain, who wants him to torture Odo for information.

 But first, the tranya!

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Improbable Cause

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Improbable Cause"
Airdate: April 24, 1995
64 of 173 produced
65 of 173 aired

Introduction

Garak's shop is destroyed in an explosion. It is quickly discovered that it was no accident. Someone tried to assassinate Garak and now it is up to Odo to find out who and why, and that means navigating the murky past of the station's resident tailor/spy.

Bashir does a spit-take at Garak's latest homosexual innuendo.

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Through The Looking Glass

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Through The Looking Glass"
Airdate: April 17, 1995
65 of 173 produced
64 of 173 aired

Introduction

Commander Sisko is drawn into a galaxy spanning conflict when he is kidnapped in Ops. The only problem is, it's not his galaxy, and his kidnapper isn't his Chief O'Brien. No, it's Smiley, back for more hilarious Mirror Universe hijinks!

Think he'll tell the Old Man back home about this one? 

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Distant Voices

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Distant Voices"
Airdate: April 10, 1995
63 of 173 produced
63 of 173 aired

Introduction

Bashir is attacked by a Lethean, a species with telepathic powers and a really self-referential name for themselves. Trapped inside his own mind, he must find away to escape before his body dies around him.

Do they really still sell crappy paper hats and birthday horns in the future?

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Visionary

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Visionary"
Airdate: February 27, 1995
62 of 173 produced
62 of 173 aired

Introduction

While recovering from an engineering mishap, Chief O'Brien is alarmed to discover that he is repeatedly shifting forward and then back in time by several hours. Armed with this foreknowledge, he must try to undo the various calamities he has witnessed, not to mention survive.

Hmm, twin beds. Maybe the O'Briens are worse off than we thought?

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Prophet Motive

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Prophet Motive"
Airdate: February 20, 1995
61 of 173 produced
61 of 173 aired

Introduction

Zek comes aboard with plans to revolutionize Ferengi civilization, and not for the better as far as Quark is concerned. Meanwhile, Dr. Bashir is up for a prestigious award. That's all I got, as far as intros go.

Folks, when Quark licking a book is the highlight of the episode, things are bad.

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Destiny

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Destiny"
Airdate: February 13, 1995
60 of 173 produced
60 of 173 aired

Introduction

An experimental communications array for the wormhole becomes a lightning rod for religious controversy when an apocalyptic prophecy is brought to light, and Sisko must choose between his roles as Starfleet officer and Bajoran religious figure.

The Cardassian Neck Trick?

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Heart of Stone

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Heart of Stone"
Airdate: February 6, 1995
59 of 173 produced
59 of 173 aired

Introduction

While chasing down a Maquis raider, Kira becomes trapped in small fissure filled with a mysterious crystal substance. The crystal begins growing, eventually threatening Kira's life, despite Odo's best attempts to stop it. Meanwhile on the station, Nog has an intersting request for Captain Sisko.

You put your right foot in, you take your... aw, **** this "Hokey Pokey" Bull****!

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Life Support

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Life Support"
Airdate: January 30, 1995
58 of 173 produced
58 of 173 aired 

Introduction

When Vedek Bareil is injured in a shuttle accident, he must decide whether to undergo a dangerous therapy in order to maintain his obligation to assist Kai Winn in delicate negotiations. He must also weigh his love for Kira against his desire to help Bajor.

It was when I realized how boring you are that I knew it was love...

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Past Tense, Part II

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Past Tense, Part II"
Airdate: January 9, 1995
57 of 173 produced
57 of 173 aired

Introduction

Sisko, Bashir, and Dax are still trapped in 21st century San Francisco and Kira and O'Brien are trying to find them and restore the timeline. Sisko must somehow manage to keep all the hostages safe and that history unfolds as he remembers. He's taken Gabriel Bell's place in history thus far. Will that include dying during the crisis as well?

At least they didn't break out into a Vulcan salute...

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Past Tense, Part I

 Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Past Tense, Part I"
Airdate: January 2, 1995
56 of 173 produced
56 of 173 aired

Introduction

On a trip to Earth, a powerfully dumb transporter malfunction sends Sisko, Dax, and Bashir back in time to early 21st century San Francisco. There, they must avoid making changes to the timeline that might destroy the future world they know and love.

Jadzia wonders: has the "mickey" been invented yet?

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Fascination

 Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Fascination"
Airdate: November 28, 1994
55 of 173 produced
55 of 173 aired

Introduction

Lwaxana Troi is aboard to see the Bajoran Gratitude Festival, and her presence on the station heralds the usual respect for her character and the viewer. Take that as you will.

Pictured: the way all right thinking people feel when this episode is on screen.

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Defiant

Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Defiant"
Airdate: November 14, 1994
53 of 173 produced
53 of 173 aired

Introduction

An unexpected visitor claiming to be Commander William Riker visits the station and charms the crew. Things go awry, though, when it turns out that he is in fact Thomas Riker, Will Riker's ersatz twin from a transporter accident, and that he is intent upon stealing the USS Defiant in service of the Maquis rebellion.

So here's a scene that really didn't need to happen...

Deep Space Nine, Season 3: Civil Defense

 Deep Space Nine, Season 3
"Civil Defense"
Airdate: November 7, 1994
52 of 173 produced
52 of 173 aired

Introduction

While working to convert the station's ore processing facility, Sisko, O'Brien, and Jake accidentally trip an old Cardassian security program. Believing the station to be under attack from Bajoran workers, the station's computer begins using increasingly lethal tactics to the subdue the ersatz rebellion. Eventually, the station's self destruct device is activated and the crew seems powerless to stop it. And just when things can't get any worse, Gul Dukat arrives.

It... is green.