Well, well, well. What a couple of years it’s been for Star Trek fans. Last year saw the DVD release of the entire seven season run of “Star Trek: Next Generation.” Now as we come to the close of 2003, the release of the seventh (and final) season of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” is imminent. Where most studios are releasing various TV series at the rate of about one or two seasons per year, Paramount has been extremely ambitious by doing complete series runs in that same time frame. And next year, I understand they are going to top themselves by releasing not only the entire seven season run of “Star Trek: Voyager”, but also all three seasons of the original “Star Trek” series. (Which, if true, will be a big improvement over the original 2-episode DVD releases already available). The thing that strikes me about the speed at which the Star Trek shows are being released is the fact that there seems to be nothing lacking in the area of quality.

Everything about these sets is top-notch, from the packaging to the actual presentation on disc. The transfers of these episodes look and sound awesome, the menus are quite complex and include chapter selections, and to top it all off each set is loaded with entertaining and informative special features.

I never really had the opportunity to take a good look at the sets for “ST: TNG”, but these “Deep Space Nine” sets are some of the most efficiently packaged of any TV show released to DVD. First, you slide off the plastic slipcover, which is emblazoned with the show’s title over a star field background. The outer closed edge of the cover has a wraparound blueprint of the station. This part is see-through, which allows it to line up with the color version of the floor plan on the box itself. The box has a tri-fold cover that opens up to show the first disc, along with a listing of the episodes on each disc. Once you’ve opened up this part, you can flip through the plastic ‘pages’ like those in a book, with a disc on each page.

I’m looking back over the seven seasons of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and actually find it hard to believe that I’ve crammed the entire run into just one year. But I have to say I feel as though I appreciate the series a lot more by not spreading it out over years. Plus, instead of overlapping my viewing of the various Star Trek series as I did when they first aired, I was able to devote my time this year solely to “DS9.”

What I liked the most about this often-maligned series was the fact that it took chances. The main characters were not always likable and the complex story arcs became multi-seasonal. Granted, the series had its share of stand-alone episodes, but as it moved into it’s third and fourth seasons the rumors and actuality of war became more and more pervasive. “DS9” was much darker than it’s predecessors, which also added strongly to its rich atmosphere.

The seventh season brought many changes to the series. The void created by the loss of Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) was filled by Dax’s new host, Ezri (Nicole De Boer). The war with the Dominion is finally resolved. And most fulfilling was the fact that all of the character’s had an opportunity to bring this chapter of their lives to a satisfactory close. The only questionable resolution was that of Benjamin Sisko. There are several ways it can be viewed, I’m just not sure it fit within the confines of the Trek universe.

Speaking of satisfaction, the extra features included on this set will certainly please even the most discerning Star Trek fan. Foremost is a lengthy featurette about ending the series. Through interviews, we hear from most of the cast and crew as to their feelings about what is was like to end something they had worked on for so long. It also takes a look behind the scenes of the final 2-part episode.

There is a continuation of the Crew Dossier series with a look at Benjamin and Jake Sisko. In a new interview, Avery Brooks speaks at length about the character of Benjamin Sisko and how he changed over the course of the series’ run. At times he can come off a little self-absorbed, but it is certainly interesting to see how he viewed his character. In the second dossier, Cirroc Lofton talks a bit about Jake, but more so what it was like growing up on the set and his relationship with the other actors.

Finally we have a look at some more behind the scenes goings-on during the filming of the lounge scene in the last episode. We get a more intimate look at the actors last time together on the show, and a little reminiscing from various members of the cast and crew. We even get to see a little bit of footage from the final cast party.

Well, I guess that wasn’t really the final feature on this set. There are also some Easter Eggs called the “Section 31 Hidden Files.” They’re really easy to find and are mostly comprised of interviews with the cast, but they’re worth searching out.

“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” is still one of my favorites of the Trek universe. Of course I say this not having seen much of “Star Trek Voyager.” I caught the first couple of seasons, but right about the time “DS9“ ended, personal circumstances caused my TV watching to taper off quite a bit. I’m really looking forward to catching up with “Voyager” next year to see what I missed.

Episodes:

Disc 1:
Image in the Sand
Shadows and Symbols
Afterimage
Take Me Out to the Holosuite

Disc 2:
Chrysalis
Treachery, Faith and the Great River
Once More Unto the Breach
The Siege of AR-558

Disc 3:
Covenant
It’s Only a Paper Moon
Prodigal Daughter
The Emperor’s New Cloak

Disc 4:
Field of Fire
Chimera
Badda-Bing Badda-Bang
Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges

Disc 5:
Penumbra
‘Til Death to Us Part
Strange Bedfellows
The Changing Face of Evil

Disc 6:
When it Rains…
Tacking Into the Wind
Extreme Measures
The Dogs of War

Disc 7:
What You Leave Behind

Starring: Avery Brooks, Nana Visitor, Alexander Siddig, Rene Auberjonois, Nicole de Boer, Colm Meaney, Michael Dorn, and Armin Shimmerman
Extras: “Ending an Era” – A Look at the Wrap up of the Seven Year Run, Crew Dossier: Benjamin Sisko, Crew Dossier: Jake Sisko, “The Last Goodbyes” – A Behind the Scenes Look at the Lounge Scene from the Final Episode and Final Cast Party
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and Dolby Surround
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 12/2/2003
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Star Trek Deep Space Nine - Season 7 an A.