If The Next Generation (TNG) was completely better than the Original Series, then Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9) is completely different. I wouldn't say it was better - it just depends on what you personally like.
It's now 30 years since DS9 opened. TNG & DS9 overlapped by a couple of seasons. All of those who, like me, flocked to DS9, had high expectations based on the experience of watching TNG - which by 1993 had been at its peak for a few years. (also see my other Star Trek reviews here)
I didn't get what I was expecting.
DS9 is much more political. It's much more realistic about how the future might be - sadly, in the end, not much different to how we are now. Squabbles, intrigue, internecine warfare, diplomacy and actual war are all here. We see the characters grow together - although IMO they don't gel as well as in TNG. I didn't feel any particular affection or affinity towards any of the characters of DS9 in the way that I did towards those in TNG, for example: Jean Luc Picard.
DS9 is darker. The future isn't jollier or nicer and it's far from perfect.
High quality sets and special effects (for its time) - the usual high Paramount production values. Some good but not memorable scripts and episodes.
In the final analysis, for me at least Deep Space Nine didn't set new standards like Original Series and TNG did. And my test of how good a series is whether I'd watch it again. I have watched TNG twice through because it's excellent. I wouldn't watch DS9 again, not because I'd have to wade through 176 episodes, but because its time has gone.
It's now 30 years since DS9 opened. TNG & DS9 overlapped by a couple of seasons. All of those who, like me, flocked to DS9, had high expectations based on the experience of watching TNG - which by 1993 had been at its peak for a few years. (also see my other Star Trek reviews here)
I didn't get what I was expecting.
DS9 is much more political. It's much more realistic about how the future might be - sadly, in the end, not much different to how we are now. Squabbles, intrigue, internecine warfare, diplomacy and actual war are all here. We see the characters grow together - although IMO they don't gel as well as in TNG. I didn't feel any particular affection or affinity towards any of the characters of DS9 in the way that I did towards those in TNG, for example: Jean Luc Picard.
DS9 is darker. The future isn't jollier or nicer and it's far from perfect.
High quality sets and special effects (for its time) - the usual high Paramount production values. Some good but not memorable scripts and episodes.
In the final analysis, for me at least Deep Space Nine didn't set new standards like Original Series and TNG did. And my test of how good a series is whether I'd watch it again. I have watched TNG twice through because it's excellent. I wouldn't watch DS9 again, not because I'd have to wade through 176 episodes, but because its time has gone.