What is Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s legacy 30 years later?

What is Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s legacy 30 years later?

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is one of those shows that just lands right. There are subtle elements of so many various genres all blended perfectly into the show at various points. You have romance with Kira Nerys, you have war with the dominion, you have thrillers and mysteries with Odo, and even good old fashion espionage with Julian Bashir and Elim Garak.

It’s a wonderful show and is one that is constantly at the top of most peoples’ lists when we talk about “greatest Star Trek shows of all time.”. And why shouldn’t it? It told some of the best stories and created some of the single best quotes in franchise history.

Yet, when it came out, some fans believed it didn’t gain the fandom it deserved. It was successful, it got seven seasons. It was a rating hit, and it really helped the booming popularity of Star Trek hit its peak. Was it as big as The Next Generation?

No, but it didn’t need to be. It was plenty popular and good. So good that when it landed on Netflix, fans thought it was this hidden gem. It really wasn’t, not for those who watched it in the 90s. It was the pinnacle of Star Trek.

But, is it still the pinnacle of the brand?

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s reputation exceeds silly debates

I personally, don’t consider it my favorite show. That would be Voyager, yet, Deep Space Nine may have the most elite quality episodes in any franchise going. It also has some of the most painstakingly boring episodes to boot. It is not a perfect show, as there is no such thing.

I think when you look at those four core series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine Voyager, and Enterprise, Deep Space Nine may have the most top-flight episodes of them all. And the episodes that succeeded at the highest of heights are benchmark-making episodes.

I believe completely that Deep Space Nine may have been the show that convinced the higher-ups at Paramount that Star Trek can be more than just tails from the Enterprise, and because of its success in doing so, it became the watermark series of the franchise.

A prove of concept that Star Trek can be anything, as long as it keeps the core values of Trek. Namely a future of hope, while dissecting the bigger questions in life. Due to what it achieved, Deep Space Nine’s legacy will always be that of the show that broke the mold of what Star Trek could, or should be.