Star Trek Deep Space Nine - The Complete Third Season

Cast members seemed to have hit their stride and played off one another more assuredly than before. For example, Odo's character took several additional interesting twists, especially in his relationship with Kira. Rene Auberjonois had a very good year, directing two episodes to boot. Avery Brooks had begun this trend with the previous year's penultimate show. The real surprise was seeing Jonathan Frakes's name working behind the camera on three occasions, because he also appeared on screen in his alternate rogue Riker role, when Thomas dramatically steals the Defiant. Other welcome cameos that aided the feeling of casual camaraderie included the return of Lwaxana Troi, as well as first appearances by Quark's mother, the spooky Founder Leader, the lovely Leeta, and the sneaky Eddington. Clint Howard--a cult Trek figure--was briefly welcomed back, and with the many faces of Jeffrey Combs another was born. Stories advanced the complicated Bajoran/Cardassian healing process, while simultaneously brewing potential conflicts far worse than the behind-the-scenes ratings war. --Paul Tonks

I highly recommend this DVD set, the two previous seasons and the remaining four seasons, to any and all fans of Star Trek, especially those who didn't quite give DS9 a chance in its beginning because you will find that DS9 represents some of the best Star Trek to date.

Standout episodes of the season: (They all stand out, but space is limited)

The Search Parts I & II - As a grand conclusion to season two's "The Jem'Hadar" and setting up season three through seven in the "epic" of Deep Space Nine, these two episodes are extraordinary. It is from this point you know as a viewer that DS9 has a sense of purpose. Here we find out where Odo comes from and the terrible truth that revelation brings about.

The House of Quark - In this hilarious Quark episode, by a twist of fate, he becomes the head of a Klingon house. Robert O'Reilly makes a return as Gowron, Chancellor of the Klingon Empire. This is another brilliant Ferengi/humor episode.

Equilibrium - In this extremely compelling and captivating episode, Jadzia begins having hallucinations for no apparent reason. Then it becomes clear that she may lose her symbiont, thus her life as well. She finds out that she has not been told of "every" host the Dax symbiont has had. The ending to episode is quite beautiful.

Second Skin - This episode epitomizes why DS9 is such an exceptional series! Kira is kidnapped and altered to appear as a Cardassian and told that she is a deep under cover agent of the Obsidian Order.

Defiant - In this poignant and ominous episode, Thomas Riker makes an appearance, hijacks the Defiant as part of a Maquis operation and then takes her to Cardassian territory intent on uncovering a large fleet of Cardassian warships he "believes" are preparing to head into the DMZ.

Past Tense Parts I & II - This two hour episode is quite possibly the most stunning and moving episode of the entire season. Sisko, Bashir and Dax attempt to transport to Starfleet Headquarters but due to unexpected circumstances are transported to the year 2024 in the midst of one of the most crucial historical reference points for Earth and the Federation.

Heart of Stone - This fascinating episode involves Kira and Odo making their way back to DS9 but they intercept a Maquis ship and follow it down to a moon in the hopes of capturing the solitary occupant. This episode is relatively important in lifting the vale on some of Odo's feelings.

Destiny - This episode is a perfect example of the beauty of the epic "saga" that is DS9 as it brings in Sisko's role as the Bajoran Emissary when the mission of trying to set up a communications array on the other side wormhole has been prophesized some three thousand years ago by a Bajoran prophet.

Prophet Motive - In this uproarious and brilliant Ferengi episode Grand Nagus Zek shows up on DS9 and he's totally rewritten the Rules of Acquisition towards a "not for profit" bent and Quark is beside himself with "grief."

Visionary - This is a brilliant O'Brien episode in which he unexpectedly finds himself time shifting around the station while at the same time, Romulans and Klingons are aboard.

Through the Looking Glass - This is another superb "Mirror, Mirror" episode that became a highly looked forward to annual episode of every season!

Improbable Cause & The Die is Cast - These episodes constitute two of the finest hours of Star Trek. Garak survives what is seemingly an "assassination" attempt and Odo steps in to investigate. Before long, we have the Obsidian Order, the Tal Shiar, the Jem'Hadar and Starfleet involved, setting up what will be the arc that carries this series.

Explorers - In this beautiful episode Sisko decides to build an Bajoran solar sailing vessel to prove that the Bajorans used these ships to get to Cardassia eight centuries earlier..

Family Business - This is another terrific and humorous Ferengi episode in which Quark is shut down by the Ferengi Commerce Authority because his "Moogie" has been earning profit and he must find a way to stop it or he'll be financially destroyed.

Facets - This brilliant episode involves Jadzia and her need to complete her "zhian'tara," a Trill ceremony where her friends temporarily receive the memories of her past hosts. This episode played wonderfully as the main characters assumed the roles of these past hosts.

The Adversary - In this exceptional season finale, Sisko is promoted to Captain and given the mission to attempt to stop a full scale war between the Federation and the Tzenkethi, or are they as they soon find that there is a changeling aboard the Defiant. The beauty of this episode plays out in the last scene. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

The Birth of the Dominion and Beyond

Michael Westmore's Aliens - Season Three
Drew Dossier: Odo
Time Travel Files - "Past Tense"
Sailing Through The Stars: A Special Look at "Explorers"
8 "Hidden" Section 31 Files

Episode list:

The Search, parts I & II
The House of Quark
Equilibrium
Second Skin
The Abandoned
Civil Defense
Meridian
Defiant
Fascination
Past Tense, parts I & II
Life Support
Heart of Stone
Destiny
Prophet Motive
Visionary
Distant Voices
Through the Looking Glass
Improbable Cause
The Die is Cast
Explorers
Family Business
Shakaar
Facets
The Adversary


DS9 Comes Into Its Own   March 1, 2003
Adam Dukovich
24 out of 26 found this review helpful

The third season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a pivotal one in the series. The groundwork for the series was finally laid, and the show finally moved from a TNG-picaresque storytelling style to a true story arc, when we finally get the first taste of the storytelling that would make Deep Space Nine a truly great show.

The season begins with The Search, which formally introduces the Dominion, a powerful empire led by 'changelings' with anymosity for the 'solids'. The episode also features the Starship Defiant being introduced to the station, thus altering the dynamic of the series drastically, and some reticent fans who didn't like the idea of a show about a space station finally jumped on board. There are exciting action episodes, such as Defiant and Civil Defense, a time travel adventure in Past Tense with gentle social commentary, and an astonishingly good Garak two-parter (Improbable Cause, The Die is Cast). Life Support features the departure of Kira's love interest with dignity and honor, and Explorers is the kind of warm character-based story that the show could never make enough of. Also highlights include a trip back Through the Looking Glass and the genuinely suspenseful The Adversary, which has Sisko promoted to Captain, continues the storyline of shapeshifters infiltrating Alpha Quadrant civilizations, and the drama of Odo killing one of his own.

Once again, the acting and character development are exemplary. Sisko becomes interested in Bajoran history, which indicates a possible growing comfort with his unwanted role as the planet's spiritual leader. Jeffery Combs is indespensable as both the antipathetic Brunt and the ingratiating, pleasant Weyoun, the Dominion's mouthpiece. Odo goes through the most turmoil in this season, learning of and turning his back on his people, being constantly frustrated on his affections for Major Kira, and finally killing another shapeshifter. All of this angst is pulled of admirably by Rene Auberjonois. Garak finally gets a storyline revolving around him, and it turns out to be the best two-parter that DS9 ever produced. All of this sets the scene for the rest of the series.


A Federation Ship with a Cloaking Device?   June 26, 2006
Wireless Mike
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I've been buying the DS9 DVD seasons in reverse order because I remembered the later ones being better; however, after watching the third season again I've began to question that decision. The third season is when the Defiant allows the show to be more dynamic allowing the crew to travel through the gamma quadrant and not remain on the station. There are a lot of series changing episodes and episodes plant seeds that prop up later in the series. There are also a lot of exciting two-parters in this season, and the extra features on the last disc are excellent. This is one of the best seasons IMHO; my only regret is not buying it sooner.


Boldly going where no Trek had gone before   January 11, 2004
Jeanne Tassotto (Trapped in the Midwest)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

DS9 is (in my never-to-be-humble opinion) the best of Trek and season 3 is an excellent example of why.

By the third season the series had really begun to hit its stride. The basic premise had been established, main characters and conflicts had been introduced and now new themes needed to be found and developed. The series had been criticized as not having enough action, especially when compared to TNG. Conflict needed to be introduced and it was on many levels. The on-going quest of Odo to find his own people was addressed and expanded to incredible levels. Kira was forced to face her beliefs about her faith, her people and herself. We learn more about the Ferengi and their culture as Quark and him family struggle to evolve with its changes. Sisko deals with changes in the Federation, the Bajoran and his own family. O'Brien faces his own mortality and the ever present conflict in his own family. Jadzia lays to rest her past lives and Bashir enters into new relationships. And those are just the main characters!

The Federation itself recovering from the recent assault by the Borg, and trying to maintain uneasy relationships with Klingons, Romulans and Cardassians now is becoming aware that threats exist from the Dominion.

The groundwork is laid for upcoming seasons including the format of story lines building over a series shows in arcs. The on-going themes already established by this series of making the characters more multi-dimensional than either TOS or TNG by incorporating more of their lives into the story is continued and expanded as are the mirror universe and time travel premises.

The additional features include about 45 minutes of interviews with the producers, writers, actors and others focusing on certain aspects of the show or particular episodes. The 'hidden files' (I found 7) are segments about 2 minutes each appear to be snippets from the interviews but are well worth the effort to access them.


Star Trek Deep Space Nine Season-3 on DVD   February 15, 2003
11 out of 14 found this review helpful

Dear Amazon Customers,
One of the most exciting series of Star Trek returns for it's third season. That series being Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Now in its third season, the show begins to take on a sense of maturity and adventure not before attempted in previous Star Trek universe programs. It is at this time that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine defines itself as a different type of show from predecessor Star Trek programs.

In the third season, we see Benjamin Sisko played by "Avery Brooks" take on more of the role as the father to Jake Sisko played by "Cirroc Lofton". The bonding of these two characters adds a level of domestic humanity to a character typically positioned in previous Star Trek programs as strong, overbearing and in command of matters. Even though Commander Sisko has a duty to Starfleet, he recognizes his duty as a father to his son.

Another aspect not seen in previous Star Trek programs is the introduction of a dominant antagonist force. In this case, the group that calls themselves the Dominion is introduced to the series. For the first time, the Federation faces an adversary that is just as determine to gain power through universal conquest instead of through peaceful negotiations. It is this theme that is the center point for rest of the entire Star Trek: Deep Space Nine series.

In the third season, the audience is treated to a full interaction of all the characters. We see Quark played by "Armin Shimerman" not only take on the rest of the cast of characters in a fierce stance to show Ferengi ingenuity and free enterprise but also takes on the Ferengi commerce structure and it's leaders in order to maintain his way of life.

We get to see Jadzia Dax played by "Terry Farrell" challenge her own society and herself with concept of Trill cohabitation with the symbiont life forms they carry inside of their bodies. Jadzia wanting to live her own life is tormented by the past lives of her previous symbiont's Trill host. This aspect of these multiple lives of the character Jadzia Dax becomes one of the most challenging story developments of the series.

Along with all of the character elements being developed in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, we see the reappearance of the warlike race known as the Klingons. In the third season, the Klingon society is challenged by the concept that their system may not as equitable to all of those who show strength. We see that even other alien races can teach the proud Klingons something about their society and themselves as well.

One of the most challenging aspects of to the Star Trek universe was made in the third season with the introduction of the armored and warlike starship vessel called the "Defiant". In all previous and future Star Trek universe programs, the Federation has insisted that they were a peaceful organization. With the introduction of a true war vessel, this notion was forever shattered. This single aspect alone pushed the writers of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine into areas of themes and plots never before explored in the Star Trek universe.

The bringing together of all these elements lead to a masterful piece of SCI-FI entertainment that is viewable over and over again. The only way you will know for yourself is by purchasing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3 on DVD. Watching the culmination of the previous seasons plots come together in the third season makes season 3 on DVD well worth watching. You will surely enjoy viewing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3 on DVD.