Photo from:  http://www.fabuloussavers.com/startrek.html 

DS9 - Exciting to the end!

As I watched the final episodes of DS9, I could only conclude that it is Star Trek's "masterpiece".  I am going to miss it like I would miss a family member who has gone away for good. It has become such a part of my life.  I wanted so badly to see how it would end and the episodes were so riveting and compelling to watch that I couldn't wait for the next one but at the same time I didn't want it to end. I don't want to believe it is over.

Sisko (Avery Brooks) was aptly and excellently characterized by the actor. Brooks portrayed the Starfleet captain with such distinction and the character was so well written that the captain is a well-defined and genuine personality, in short, a great captain. He will be missed.

Isn't Dukat one of the BEST Trek villains ever? Marc Alaimo is such a fine actor. The scene between him and Kai Winn in the finale firmly established Dukat as pure evil, no doubt remains. It is a pity however that the duel between him and Sisko was so short. Nonetheless, Dukat will stand out as one of the greatest Trek villains of all time.

Who wasn't rooting for Damar? He exemplified the tragic antihero, so courageous and resolute. The actor who plays him, Casey Biggs is very talented. As Damar he portrayed the Dominion's puppet so well he had me convinced and then the turnabout as a rebel was so well executed, he had me cheering. It was sad to see the character of Damar die, what a waste.

Garak, (Andrew J. Robinson), the irrepressible Cardassian tailor with a shadowy past turned rebel was carefully performed by Robinson and with great panache. He created a character that is suspect and devious while being honorable and trustworthy all at the same time and certainly the character is one of the favorites of DS9 fans. His last talk with Dr. Bashir in the finale was poignantly honest and heart-rending as he is at last no longer in exile but his beloved homeworld is in ruins.

Kai Winn (Louise Fletcher), a tragic character in the end, who personified the old adage that power corrupts, finally, through excellent character development and magnificent acting, became a powerful centerpiece in the story. It was great to see an older female character so well written.

The Dominion's leader was cold and wickedly shrewd and played with such finesse by a great actress, Salome Jens and yet I cannot help but feel that the female founder was defeated too easily, too quickly for such a powerful adversary.

Weyoun was delicious as the devious yet charming, cutthroat right-hand man of the female founder. His facial expressions were priceless and always convincing as when the Founder suggested she wished she could replace him with a new clone. But then again, Jeffrey Combs is a superb actor. He does a great Brunt too. It shows he could stretch himself as the two characters were so different. As Brunt he played the perfect, slimy liquidator. It was hilarious to see him trying to gain favor with Quark when he thought Quark would be Grand Nagus and even funnier when he tried to do the same with Rom.

Which brings me to Quark, so lovable, so greedy, so always informed and wise and in the end so human. Armin Shimerman created a real person in Quark. I was disappointed but not surprised that Odo in the finale did not want to say goodbye to Quark. I felt so sorry for Quark but then he handled it so well. You've got to love Quark's spirit.

The lovable dolt Rom, Quark's brother, was played with much skill by Max Grodenchik. Who would have thought he would become Grand Nagus, a Nagus with a socialist streak no less?

Grand Nagus Zek (Shawn Wallace) entertained us with his cantankerous wit, while Tiny Ron (real name Ron Taylor), all seven feet of him, served Zek so patiently as the quiet Maihar'du.

And thumbs up to the spunky, feminist Ishka (Moogie) played with such exquisite style by Andrea Martin and later equally well acted by Cecily Adams.

Kira (Nana Visitor), the strong, female character, who was respected for it, was so refreshing and so mischievously treacherous as the Intendant of the mirror world. Kira was endearing in that she was so intense and yet so warm and vulnerable.

Odo, the admirable, gruff character was eloquently brought to life by Rene Aubergonois. His love for Kira was enchantingly romantic and as passionate as their first kiss. It was heartbreaking to see them part in the end but sadly his desire to help his people and the need to maintain a lasting peace took precedence over their love.

Colm Meaney, deftly portrayed the chief of engineering Miles O'Brien and the stalwart Smiley in the alternate universe. His performance in "Whispers", a great mystery episode, was so convincing, he had us guessing till the end. Also Miles' friendship with Doctor Bashir was inspiring and full of fun and added so much to each character's development.

NEXT

Photo Credits

Photos from (unless specified):  http://www.startrek.com

Photo of Sisko from:  http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Benjamin_Sisko

Photo of Maihar'du from:  http://www.angelfire.com/wa/jace/trek/gallery/ron.html

Photo of the Intendant from:   http://www.starfall.net/ds9/

Photo of Kai Winn from:  http://www.littlereview.com/goddesslouise/articles/stency.htm 

Photo of female shapeshifter: http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Female_Changeling

Photo of Weyoun from:  http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Weyoun

Photo of Brunt from:   http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Brunt

Photo of Quark from:  http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Quark

Photo of Rom from:  http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Rom

Photo of Grand Nagus Zek from:  http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Zek

Photo of Ishka from:  http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Ishka

Photo of Kira from:  http://mario.lapam.mo.it/ds9/kira.htm

Photo of Odo from:  http://mario.lapam.mo.it/ds9/odo.htm