Rating: 
Summary: DS9 Season Three - The series suspense is building...
Review: DS9's third season proved to be quite a pivotal season and a great buildup to the following seasons. Throughout the course of the season, several questions were answered and several new ones were introduced, leading up to an instrumental and somewhat ominous season finale in which a Founder tells Odo "you're too late, we're everywhere." That one sentence made for a long summer at that time, leaving fans in throes of anticipation for the fourth season. Important developments of the third season were the addition of the Defiant, additional back stories on the Dominion and its makeup, to include finding out who Odo's people are and the series taking on a more "serialized" tone.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
Rating: 
Summary: Enter, stage left Defiant and the Dominion
Review: For the first two season, one of the critical barbs thrown at the show was this series was not living up to Roddenberry's idyllic setting of no conflict with the peoples of the Federation. And that because DS9 was set in one location and the stories had to come to them instead of the crew going out "where no one has gone before", that the late creator would be saying all of it was wrong. So of that was true, as most of the key demographics -young males -felt DS9 did not measure up to TNG -especially in the action and excitement department. And while Odo and Quark where by far the most popular characters, most felt Sisko was too low-key and by being that way, viewers were not embracing the political and religion stories on the whole. And because of the events in the season two finale, "Jem'Hadar", the crew were going to need more than three runabouts to stop a possible invasion from the Gamma Quadrant. The arrival of the Defiant solved two problems off the bat. The ship would be give the crew the chance to travel beyond the space station, and with the ever-increasing threat from the Dominion, it would ramp up the action quotient. "The Search" introduced us to the Defiant and the Founders, the rulers of The Dominion. And, surprise, they turn out to be Odo's people. The two-part episode revealed much of Odo's past and it began to set up the conflict that would become so much part of the series in later years. Highlights of the season included the opener, "The Search" to be followed by "The House of Quark", "Second Skin", "The Abandoned", "Defiant", "Past Tense, parts 1 & 2", "Improbable Cause", "The Die is Cast", another journey to the mirror universe in "Through the looking Glass" and "The Adversary". Along the way, even the episodic episodes began to take on the running story of the Dominion. Quark and his Ferengi family, while used as comedic results, grew deeper, becoming something TNG never could do, make them interesting. And unlike its sister series, DS9 never really ended on a big cliffhanger. As a matter of fact, it liked to leave you on a more threatening note. The final lines delivered by Odo -the last words from a dying changeling Odo killed in self-defense -left you feeling that a large conflict with the Dominion was coming. "He said 'you're too late, we're everywhere'"
Rating:
Summary: ???
Review: Heck it's just the shows. If you like the shows, then here you are.
Rating:
Summary: director or producer commetary on futrure editions needed...
Review: I like the third season because it introduced the Defiant ship which changed the whole tone of the show. Now they can truly explore the depths of space beyond the wormhole. Without the limits of a Rio Grande shuttle ...which was a juiced up version of the shuttlecraft...the series could go for more action flavored Trek style stories. I liked the extras but again director and producer commentaries on key episodes would be welcome. At a hundred dollars each why not? The other episode collections have them. I don't see how much more it would cost to make them. A good commentary by the producer or directors of the show would convince someone to buy this set who otherwise wouldn't.
Rating: 
Summary: Be aware of problems with the dvd's
Review: I love this series and the DVD's are great ....except for one major issue... Series 3, the first episode.. the sound and video are not in sync. The whole first episode is messed up. I also found one small same issue on series 2.
It deserves 5 stars if there were no problems. These problems are major and better be fixed. and replaced!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Some comments about the DS9 boxed sets
Review: Instead of analyzing each season's merits or demerits I wanted to comment on the overall quality of the DS9 box sets themselves - the things that a DVD collector may want to consider when deciding on whether to purchase the sets or not - especially since these sets are not cheap. 1. Video/Audio quality - Excellent, especially compared to the Star Trek: Next Generation series. If I have one slight quibble, it's that the picture has a slightly 'hazy' quality - but this can be seen in the broadcast version of the earlier seasons too. Otherwise the colors are clean, there is no noise, and on a big-screen TV it looks excellent. The 5.1 surround sound is very nice - much better again than for TNG - you can really hear the ships flying around/behind you in battle scenes. 2. Menus and extras - The menus have the look and feel of the control panels in Ops on DS9. A nice touch is that while on the season 1 and 2 main menu a runabout flies by, on the season 3 menu the Defiant flies by. The extras are numerous and really worthwhile, including indepth looks at individual characters, comments on special episodes, special effects/makeup, and so on. 3. Packaging - This is the one thing I am rather disappointed with. The US release of these boxes are packaged in rather cheap-looking plastic cases that look ready to split at the seams at any time. Compared to the European or Japanese releases these boxes look well, rather nasty. The redeeming feature is that the design is quite nice. Overall however, these box sets are worth almost every penny for any Trek or sci-fi fan. Kudos to Paramount for releasing them all in one year instead of making us wait for months for each box too.
Rating:
Summary: DS9 Gets Defiant
Review: Just as the third season of The Next Generation, proved to be a creative turning point for that series, the same could be said for DS9's third year. By this time, TNG had left the air for the big screen, and Voyager was being readied for launch mid season. With the Dominion and Jem Ha'dar threats, hinted at in year two, Starfleet gives Sisko (Avery Brooks) a promotion to Captain (finally). He also gets to command the starship U.S.S. Defiant, docked at the station, this lean mean ship comes with a Romulan cloaking device. By giving the show its own starship, the producers were answering critics who felt the crew never went anywhere. The Search Part I & II starts the season as security chief Odo (Rene Auberjonois) learns the shocking truth of his origins. The two parter would continue to have an impact on the series until its conclusion 4 years later. Defiant saw the return of Enterprise First Officer Riker (Jonathan Frakes). In The House Of Quark station bartender Quark (Armin Shimmerman) gets involved in Klingon politics; While in Family Business, we get to meet his "moogie", or mother (Andrea Martin). The 2 parter Past Tense takes Sisko and crew back in time in a clever story. Major Kira (Nana Visitor) gets to face off against the Cardassians in Second Skin: she also loses a love and Bajor loses a spiritual leader in Life Support (my personal favorite from year 3). This forces the cunning Vedek Winn (the great Louise Fletcher) to return. Dax (Terry Farrell) loses her Equilibrium and fans of the character get to see her many Facets. Explorers allows Sisko to bond with his son (Cirroc Lofton) The season also sees the return of Trek vets Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) Gowron (Robert O'Reiley), Garak (Andrew Robinson), Tain (Paul Dooley), The Nagus (Wallace Shawn seen in Prophet Motive) and marks the first appearance of Dabo girl Leeta (Chase Masterson). This was a very busy year that ended with The Adversary, a great set up to year 4 Behind the scenes, the show's greatest boon in year 3, came in the form of former TNG writer Ronald D. Moore, coming on board as a writer producer. His respect for Trek is clear. He fit into the show like a baseball fits a glove. The DVD box set features all 26 episodes of season three, as well as some solid extras. These extras are set up in the same fashion as the previous sets for the series. The featurette The Birth of the Dominion and Beyond is my favorite of this set. In it series Executive Producer Ira Steven Behr and others discuss the development of DS9's arch nemesis and how this impacted the series. There's also a look at award winning make-up man Michael Westmore's alien designs for season three. It includes a detailed look at Ferengis, Kira as a Cardassian, Bashir's aging process, and several dramatic changes for Odo The Crew Dossier this time out spotlights Odo. It features a "new", exclusive interview with Rene Auberjonois on his character The time travel 2 parter "Past Tense" is discussed The final featurette, entitled Sailing Through the Stars a look at "Explorers", allows for production designer Herman Zimmerman and others to talk about the creation of the award-winning ship design piloted by Siko and Jake, the episode, including rarely seen still photos and illustrations of the unique flier. Season three has it all. Bold new changes greatly enhance the show. The cast seems more comfortable as well. Season 3 is a must have set if you are a fan of the show...if you are not, now is the time to give it a shot
Rating:
Summary: Beginning of SCIFI greatness
Review: Just one sarcastic line from the episode "The Die is Cast" should reveal the great writing this series had: "Ohhh, your going to torture me!!..oh how I've been dreading this!" Superior action, great effects and brilliant storytelling with masterful acting made the 3rd thru 7th season, Star Trek at its highest. Unfortunately the 7th season was a little off on the anticipation (mainly after the series pinnacle 6th episode of season 6 "The Sacrifice of Angels". Season 3 starts with a bang and ends with one too. The Dominion plot grabs ahold of the viewer and brings in a sense of total mystery and intrigue that eventually comes full-circle and then some throughout the series' run. The third season truly began with the second season's final episode "The Jem-Haddar", and with the Dominion story arc that would grow into the war arc so many would follow, DS9 excelled at being able to produce independent stories that would capture the true nature of sci-fi forever. Now we can only hope DS9 gets its long deserved big screen treatment as the only Trek series meant to be on it. Bring on the Dominion!
Rating:
Summary: Not all goody-two-shoes
Review: Ok, what can I say -- it's got all the episodes -- and it seems pointless to rehash them here.
Rating:
Summary: Jem'Hadar, Vorta, and Founders OH MY!
Review: Season 2 of Deep Space Nine was an exceptional season and slightly better than the first but Deep Space Nine started busting out of the television set in this season with surprises from start to finish. The season itself is far better than the other two thanks to Season 2's set-up in "The Jem'Hadar." When that show premiered science fiction changed. Star Trek was about to become more epic than ever. Babylon 5 had been a show toying with the idea of an epic storyline but Deep Space Nine set it in stone for the television set. Starting out with the "Search Parts I and II", Deep Space Nine set us up for a season of thrills like no other.
Season 2 sometimes had me guessing the future because of its common similiarities to season 1 though they were still enjoyable. Season 3 began to change the look and feel of Deep Space Nine before it would be renovated for the future in Season 4. Season 3 is action-packed but also very character driven which is a part of science fiction I like. After the revealing "Search" we have four straight episodes of strong character development for Quark, Dax, Kira, and Odo. After that we have a little bit of engaging filler episodes including an exceptional one called "Defiant" with Jonathan Frakes starring as his "brother" Tom Riker. After an interesting episode with Lxawana Troi of TNG fame Season 3 hits its stride with some of the most outstanding episodes they ever did. "Past Tense parts 1 and II" are the best of the season and do a fantastic job with social commentary and showing how heroic Sisko is and how insecure but heroic Bashir can actually be. Not long after that Kira and Odo are built to higher levels of characterization as well as the other best episodes, "Visionary", "Distant Voices", "Explorers", and "Shakaar." The season ends with a huanting and "Das Boot" like atmosphere in the suspcious based episode "The Adversary". The season as a whole is a addictive force of nature that in one box set will be consumed quickly. Season 3 broke new ground and said to the world that Star Trek is not just Vulcans and Klingons...we can stretch.
The DVD is fair in its special features, not growing much from season to season. The interview with Rene Auberjonois is pretty interesting but is too footage heavy. The section 31 files are smaller in number this time around but the featurette on Explorers is very cool and is best when watched after or before viewing the episode.
This is a great buy and is, thus far in the series, the best set of episodes Star Trek had ever made for Deep Space Nine AND the Star Trek universe. "WE ARE EVERYWHERE!"
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