First of all, I might have gotten a bit mixed up when counting the episodes. This is because, during my research on Memory Alpha, there are always two numbering systems: one referring to all episodes and the other to the episodes within the season itself. This can get confusing in the first season since the two pilot episodes are sometimes counted as one and sometimes as two separate episodes.
The episode In the Hands of the Prophets at the end of the first season features an important debut: for the first time, we see Estelle Louise as Vedek Winn (who is later elected Kai). She can certainly be considered an antagonist, particularly when it comes to Bajoran matters with a religious background. Her character is opaque and difficult to describe, though I once came across a meme referring to her as “Space Karen.” Honestly, that fits better than you might think. Sadly, the actress passed away in September 2022.
Toward the end of the season, we also get another glimpse of the O’Brien family. I mention this because it feels a bit strange to see Rosalind Chao as Keiko, as her role as Ye Wenjie in The Three-Body Problem has stuck firmly in my mind. Perhaps this is also a sign that I’ve watched DS9 a few too many times. But I also bring it up because we see Molly for the first time. Molly’s actress, Hana Hatae, recently gained a bit of internet fame after appearing on social media, surprising many with how much she has grown into a beautiful young woman. Why people were so surprised, I honestly couldn’t tell you!
Overall, we’ve covered a lot in this season! We’ve gotten to know some of the characters more deeply, and political and societal themes have been explored.
I especially enjoyed the episode Dramatis Personae. Here, it becomes evident that the actors have become very comfortable in their roles and can effortlessly vary their performances. This creates interesting dynamics and new combinations between characters.
You can also see how the technology has progressed. The CGI effects for Odo, which looked a bit odd at the start, are gradually becoming more distinctive. It no longer looks quite so much like a poor imitation of the “liquid metal” effect from Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
That said, there is some cost-saving going on, which is understandable given the massive set and large cast of protagonists. For example, we’ve already seen repeated shots of ships docking and the Runabouts launching. I don’t view this as a negative at all. In fact, I find it interesting when I notice it. For the Runabouts, it even makes sense—they’re always in the same shuttle bay and usually launch from the same position.
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