Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD, 2003, 7-Disc Set)

After purchasing and viewing the first three seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, there was no way I could resist buying the rest. Like most other television programs, the first season was a little shaky at times. The actors were getting used to their new skins, trying to find their place in the vast, oft-explored Star Trek universe, but that didn't prevent it from becoming the best of the modern Star Trek spin-offs, in my humble opinion. The number of excellent primary characters was unequaled by any other Star Trek series. Sure, TOS had the unbeatable trio of Kirk, Spock and McCoy,TNG had Picard and Data, Voyager was home to Seven of Nine, Tuvok, Janeway, but DS9 beats them all. Sisko, Kira, Dax and O'Brien were all strong characters, and then there are Odo and Quark, my personal favorites. The opening of the fourth season packs one heck of a punch. The Klingon Empire is taking preemptive action against the Dominion whether Starfleet likes it or not. Enter Worf. Sisko recruits the TNG favorite to deal with the new Klingon problems encountered by the crew of DS9. It only gets better from there. As the turning point in the series, Season 4 does a wonderful job of expanding the plot and developing the characters, old and new.

After the death of STAR TREK creator Gene Roddenberry in 1991, writers/producers Rick Berman and Michael Pillar carried on the STAR TREK with the second spinoff television series, DEEP SPACE NINE. Considered by many to be the best of the STAR TREK spinoffs, DEEP SPACE NINE space station orbiting the war-torn planet of Bajor DEEP SPACE NINE is presented in its entirety with this seven-season collection. Which we own now thanks to eBay--saved bundle.. I like how all different cultures live together and get along, most of time, but of my entire favorite is Constable Odo (Rene Auberjonois)

In this season, which is not one of the best in the series, we discover more things about ferengi, klingon and cardassian cultures.

Several conflicts envolving the Federation, the Klingons and the Cardassians take place, with meaningful changes about the political situation of the Alpha Quadrant.

There are some interesting encounters with the Jem'Hadar and the Founders, ad we begin to undestand more about the Dominion. Also, we follow some episodes where the relationship between the Alpha Quadrant and the Gamma Qoadrant starts to blur.

Some characters, like Dr. Bashir and Worf, are faced with the dilemma between their duties and the needs of others, while other characters, like Quark, must decide between their life or the loyalty to their cultures.

Many characters face significant changes in their lives, so that we can understand them better, as well as their roles in the series.

At last, we still can't hear a word from Morn...

The DVD of a series is always a good way to enjoy them, at your own time and speed. My children and I watch the Star Trek series together and I get to share the Star Trek experience with a new generation of Trekkers! Watching something together, since kids are going to watch some degree of tv, video, DVD etc anyway, gives a parent the opportunity to share and discuss. The Star Trek series especially, has always blended science fiction and action with sociological issues. I have always been able to see issues of race, religion, freedoms, etc. come up and be dealt with, (in their own space and time) by the charactors in the story. Highly reccomended by this parent of three.

If you are into Star Trek, there is little that can be said negatively about DS9: The 4th Season. Worf, O'Brien, Kurn from TNG; some TOS surpises, and more of the folks you come to love from DS9. And who can complain about Sisko transitioning into the character mold of Hawke from "Spencer for Hire" to round out the Sisko character. Great Stuff. And I'll be back to eBay for my next installment, The Complete Fifth Season in no time.