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🖖Star Trek DS9 S01E05 Full Length Reaction

S01E05 Babel

Another ep with our DS9 crew and I'm still getting used to the vibe of the show. Luckily this was a classic virus-takes-over-the-ship story so it really felt like Trek to me. I'm excited to get to know these characters more as we go. Make it so! 🖖

** We're following this watch order: STAR TREK EPISODE GUIDE BY AIRDATE
** See THIS COLLECTION for episodes posted in airdate order!

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🖖Star Trek DS9 S01E05 Full Length Reaction

Comments

Its a little bit of revision or addition to the canon - usually stories focus on officers (aka, people who attended the Academy), but I think the writers wanted to add a little working class dynamic so started focusing on 'enlisted' crewmembers who didn't attend the Academy but still serve in Starfleet. I'm guessing they either didn't take to the more regimented structure of study and instead trained on the job or maybe signed up later in life. Chief Petty Officer is a bit of an odd rank - technically an Ensign outranks O'Brien, but no Ensign would think to boss him about due to his experience and life of service. We see him often giving orders to people who are his superiors on paper, but as he's posted as the Chief Engineer he's got more pull within the station crew. Its a bit like a Sergeant Major or Master Sergeant - is outranked by any commissioned officer and will salute and address them as sir/ma'am but has more 'soft power' in practical affairs, often being able to 'suggest' things officers should do that are carried out as if they are orders.

Laura Thornley

Miles' rank is confusing, for the most part until DS9 there's isn't much of a rank structure for statfleet beyond Navy Officer equivalents, He's called a chief petty officer (can't remember the episode it comes out) which is a navy senior enlisted rank. As best to my recollection, this is the first time I've even heard of an enlisted rank of any kind. Previously the low man was usually an ensign.

Bubba Fett

The theme is hard to get used to at first it does get better

Harmony through Time

Showrunners on DS9 were so much more "mature" than TNG. The DS9 retrospective documentary was so interesting.

All your patrons are belong to us.

She’s pretty cool

Anthony Picard

I believe you are correct, Jen, in that the DS9 characters feel more well defined after five episodes than after five episodes of TNG. The creative staff was constantly changing in the first two seasons of TNG, but by the time they had gotten to DS9, things were pretty stable. Also, the aim of this era of trek was to explore characters through science fiction, whereas when they started TNG, it was reversed.

Anthony Picard

I love TNG, that being said, the DS9 excels at showcasing that people are people no matter what alien race they are more than any other Star Trek property. I think you will like where the show goes.

Just another Red Shirt

I feel like some of the show's earliest episodes have very typical Star Trek plots that you may find on the different "ship" series.

Joe Concepts

Well, he always remains an idiot in some ways.

Joe Concepts

Yeah, her reaction vids are entertaining and she’s easy on the eyes

Michael Tuffin

Yeah, that got retconned lol

Michael Tuffin

Jen, you hit the nail on the head with the difference between TNG and DS9. In DS9, there are various main and recurring characters who are not members of Starfleet or even Federation citizens. They don't necessarily have the same beliefs and values that are dominant in the Federation (democratic, post-capitalist, secular, etc.). It makes for great storytelling.

Stephen Kronfeld

"Rom's an idiot."??? Wait, what...?

Michael Jung

You'll get it. I still get an image of you conducting and singing the TNG theme every time I hear it.

Michael Jung

Who doesn't? :)

Michael Jung

I went to the Star Trek Experience twice before it closed -- it was great! Quark's was fun. I hope they let people experience the two 4-D rides (maybe through an Occulus program or something).

Michael Jung

If I remember correctly, the word babel originates from the story in the bible: In a city in Mesopotamia, a united human race builds a tower trying to reach Heaven. In order to stop this, realizing the people's power, God makes it so people speak different languages so they can't understand each other. He scatters the people throughout the world, leaving the tower unfinished. This is where the phrase "to babble" or "babel" came from, as well as the language teaching service called Babbel.

Zapp Rowsdower

If I remember correctly, the word babel originates from the story in the bible: In a city in Mesopotamia, a united human race builds a tower trying to reach Heaven. In order to stop this, realizing the people's power, God makes it so people speak different languages so they can't understand each other. He scatters the people throughout the world, leaving the tower unfinished. This is where the phrase "to babble" or "babel" came from, as well as the language teaching service called Babbel.

Zapp Rowsdower

I was gonna say, does this count as the first O'Brien Must Suffer episode?

Fr. Brench

Yeah, she's the love interest for Dangerfield's son and the dick on the swimming team. It's one of my fave, too; I remember seeing it in theaters with my dad...I'm an older dude too.

Michael Tuffin

Rewatching this episode kinda gave me unpleasant memories of my stroke-induced aphasia. It was temporary, but very unnerving when I tried to talk to my coworkers and all that came out was gibberish. It's very scary to lose control over one's body.

Over50Gamer

Yes Quark’s. I really regret never visiting The Star Trek Experience before it closed in 2008. I would have liked going to Quark’s and having a Warp Core Breach drink.

ArtemusPrime137

As all good Ferengi should be! 😃 They're not proper Ferengi if they don't have a sense of shrewdness.

Over50Gamer

I have to rewatch that! It's one of my fave comedies and I didn't know Terry was in it!

Over50Gamer

Have you tried following along on the sheet music? Star Trek Deep Space Nine theme (simplified leadsheet) https://search.app/8zrhWqdVCk8XNtVCA

spacious_recroom

Yeah like the Tony Stark says to Loki in the Avengers it take a while for this show to get some traction. But when it does it hits the gas

Brett Whittaker

She’s also in the Rodney Dangerfield movie, Back to School.

Michael Tuffin

So much good special episodes ahead. yeah the first two seasons are a bit ... slow. but when it takes off - it goes big :D

sash830

Da-Da-Da-Daaaaaaaaa Daaaaaaaaa-Da-Da-Da-Daaaaaaaa Da-Daaaaaa-Da-Da-Da-Daaaaaaaa Daaaaa-Daaaaa-Da-Daaaaaaaaa 🙂

Ryan Fisher

babel as in speech not babel as in bible the theme it takes a while to get used to it

scott osborne

Quark's establishment is called Quark's Bar, Grill, Gaming House and Holosuite Arcade. Or just Quark's, if you're into the whole brevity thing.

Lee

The first two seasons are a slow burn, but season one holds one of the show’s best episodes. The reason the shoe improves greatly ny S3 is that TNG writers started writing for DS9

Michael Tuffin

Terry Farrell is much, much, much better looking than Katie Holmes.

Michael Tuffin

COFFEE, BLACK, DOUBLE SWEET! IIRC I think we hear O'Brien's coffee order for the first time in TNG's Rascals 😆

Carlos Perez

Just like any species. There are good and bad Ferengi. Although the good Ferengi are still devious.

TigerMyth

You will learn everything you need to know about the Ferengi on DS9. I don't think they had any clue what to do with Ferengi on TNG. Especially the first episode with them. I would say the TNG Ferengi were almost a caricature of the Ferengi on DS9. Instead of having a small outline of their beliefs in TNG, they are well thought out and developed in DS9. Ferengi = PROFIT!

TigerMyth

In my humble opinion, both DS9 and Voyager have much better opening seasons than TNG. However, to be fair, TNG developed a pretty good framework for both of those series.

Fanchman

At what point do we get to start pushing for Jen to re-watch Galaxy Quest?

Kristin D

? I just don't know how to sing it? Not sure what I've done to make u think I don't like it

Jen M

Exactly. When it first came out, I didn't care much for it, where is the Trek on a space station so I didn't really give it a chance or watch much of it. Later as the other shows ended and I wanted more I turned my attention back to DS9 and it became my favorite of all the series and still is.

Chris Miller

Either Jen has watched too many Star Trek shows that is beyond healthy, or she is a genius. Or both. She keeps guessing the plots correctly as well as how the show could encounter problems in the future. BTW, a lot of Trekkies took some time to get used to DS9 too. It wasn't an easy transition, if I recall correctly.

Nate Gavin

Trust me—Quark and the Ferengi, you will learn to appreciate them in time. Of course, in TNG, they were just... shady little gremlins you couldn't trust, but DS9 changes everything. Quark becomes so much more than that—he's clever, layered, and somehow even endearing. And honestly, his dynamic with Odo? Pure gold. They're one of the best duos in all of Star Trek, hands down. Unmatched. I love Quark and Odo. That said, the DS9 crew as a whole is incredible. Each of them brings so much to the table, and you'll see how they evolve in ways that will surprise you. But yeah, no matter how much I love DS9, the TNG crew will always hold the top spot for me, but honestly, I enjoy and love every Star Trek crew in their own way. And, oh man, poor Chief O'Brien. The man cannot catch a break. Lol. 😊

The Star Treker (aka Michael)

Be careful with DS9 station maps if you go looking - they may have spoilers.

Martin Nicholls

Not a spectacular episode in any way, but completely fine. The funnest parts are the interactions between Quark and Odo, which lamp insist acceptance crossing replacement, mention soap.

Opti_Frog

It may take some time but worth the journey

DMoney

If you don't like the theme, it's okay to say so... lol. 😂

The Uber Geek

I love jen

Michael Tuffin

O'BRIEN MUST SUFFER.

Jack O

Agreed. The season 2 finale especially is a personal favorite of mine for a multitude of reasons.

Julian San

A person is not a people.

Joe Blankenship

I like Quark. These shows need somebody colorful to break up the stuffed shirts of the Federation.

Joe Blankenship

Crayon spill the flower, bring glowing boating. AVAST!

D Jammers

This is awesome rewatching DS9 episodes that I haven't seen in 30 years and don't remember. "O'Brien left the Enterprise to become the Chief Engineer on Deep Space Nine, marking a significant career advancement from his role as transporter chief on the flagship [Enterprise], allowing him to utilize his engineering skills more prominently and take on greater responsibility."

Clay F

One thing you mentioned in your review at the end about Quark. Obviously he is a main character, and one thing that DS9 does is teach you a lot more about the culture of Ferengi's, Bajoran's, and of course Cardassians in more detail than TNG.

jon bolton

About Odo and Quark, they're what you'd call frienemies. And imo one of the best duos in all of Star Trek, as you'll see over the course of the show. Your uncertainty about the Ferengi is also quite justified, but I'd advise you not to paint them or any other race on the show in broad strokes since as you'll discover, things are more complex on DS9 than they might seem at first. A lot more shades of gray. As G'kar, an incredible character from another classic sci-fi series (Babylon 5, which I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend you watch) said, "No one here is entirely how they appear."

Slate

The back end of two is where it gets good

Phil Ken Sebben

I love this one, one of my favourites of the first season.

jon bolton

I think Babel is just an okay episode overall, but I appreciate the TOS/early TNG feel it has. I think my favorite thing about it is that we get a much better look at Quark. We're really starting to see the kind of character he is.

Jeff Seely

Yeah, aphasia is what Bruce Willis has. So sad. And as for the show, I would agree the show really kicks off starting in season 3. But season 1 & 2 are a hell of a lot less cringe than some of TNG’s TOS-esque season 1 & 2 episodes.

Julian San

While it may not have really found its footing in this season, its a lot more even than the 1st season of TNG. It really starts to figure itself out at the end of this season but theres plenty of entertainment to be had in the rest of this season!

Nathan Koga

Once ds9 get in it's rhythm it's has bagger after bagger episodes ready looking forward to jen seeing the episodes we all know she will love

john reed

My most favorite kitty, an orange tabby, was named Quark. :D We've had other star trek cats: Spock, Tribble, Saavik, and currently two kittens, Scotty and Kirk.

Kristin D

Its not that I'm not interested in TNG its that there are so many eps for me to catch up on its nice to have a show I can follow week to week with DS9. So thanks for posting them separately.

Ashley

Great to see you in uniform 🍻

Manny

It took a while for the show to find its footing. It gets much better.

Tom W.


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