the review site with a difference since 1999
Paramount Studios presentsStar Trek: Deep Space Nine—The Complete Sixth Season
(1997-1998)
"The war changed us—pulled us apart...I want my friends in my life, because someday we're going to wake up and we're going to find that someone is missing from this circle. On that day, we're going to mourn, and we shouldn't have to mourn alone."- Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney)
Stars: Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Colm Meaney, Nana Visitor, Alexander Siddig, Terry Farrell, Armin Shimerman, Michael Dorn, Cirroc Lofton
Other Stars: Marc Alaimo, Robert O'Reilly, J.G. Hertzler, Max Grodenchik, Chase Masterson, Andrew J. Robinson, Aron Eisenberg, Penny Johnson, Louise Fletcher, Melanie Smith, Jeffrey Combs, Barry Jenner, Marc Worden, Shannon Cochran, Philip Angim, Casey Biggs, Tim Ranson, Cecily Adams, Iggy Pop, Chase Masterson, Mark Allen Shepherd, Brock Peters, Nick Tate, James Darren, Stephen McHattie, Williams Sadler, Leslie Hope, Paul Popowich, Rosalind Chao, Debra Wilson
Director: Various
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for violence, mild language
Run Time: 19h:36m:00s
Release Date: 2003-11-04
Genre: television
| Style Grade |
Substance Grade | Image Transfer Grade | Audio Transfer Grade |
Extras Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | A | A | A- | B- |
DVD Review
Deep Space Nine's sixth season opens in the midst of war. The Federation and the Klingons have endured three months of bitter conflict against the Dominion, consisting of the Cardassians, Jem'Hadar, their Vorta overseerers and the Founders. Things are not going well. The Romulans, and most notably, the Bajorans have signed a non-aggression pact with the Dominion, sheltering them from the fighting. DS9 has been occupied by Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo), Vorta Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs) and countless Jem'Hadar. The entrance to the wormhole has been mined, preventing any more Dominion forces from entering the Alpha quadrant. Major Kira, Odo, Nog and Jake are attempting to resist collaboration, trying to keep the resistance alive. Captain Sisko and the crew of the Defiant are engaged in an endless chain of combat missions. Worf has taken his place as first officer under General Martok, who commands the bird of prey Rotarran. The characters we have come to know and love are scattered across the cosmos, attempting to survive, resist and weather the storm.The follow-up to the stunning fifth season is no less entertaining, but suffers slightly from a bit less substance. There are fewer of those "moral explorations" we have come to love from Trek and more action and adventure. Did you ever want to see those luxurious Federation starships get down and dirty in some major battles? You'll certainly get your fill here with some of the best VFX to ever grace television. Still, this storyline is fantastic, ripe with complex characters and relationships that have had 5 seasons to develop. There is still a nice smattering of humor throughout. Season 6 is one of my favorite Trek seasons, hands down.
Get those quantum torpedoes ready for Star Trek's greatest long-term story arc:
Disc One:
Episode 1: A Time to Stand
Stardate: Unknown
"Engage, retreat, engage, retreat..."-O'Brien
While the Federation continues to take heavy losses, Sisko and the Defiant are called to Starbase 375 for reassignment. The illustrious Captain is sent to destroy the main storage facility of ketracel white, the narcotic used by the Vorta to control their naturally violent Jem'Hadar shock troops. Without it, the soldiers will begin to mindlessly kill each other, crippling their ability to fight. Sisko must take a Trojan Horse (a captured Jem'Hadar warship) deep into enemy territory. Things do not go according to plan. On the station, Kira is attempting to maintain dignity while being surrounded by mortal enemies. Things get going right away with this stunning opener. Tension is high, and the story ends with a cliffhanger—a common practice this season.
4.5 stations:
Episode 2: Rocks and Shoals
Stardate: 51107.2
"Victory is life."-Jem'Hadar soldier
Sisko and crew are forced to crash land on a remote planet. They soon discover they are not alone: Jem'Hadar troops begin hunting them, but they are in no better shape. Their Vorta has been critically wounded, and their supply of white is dangerously low. A game of cat and mouse ensues. Crew members are captured, and battles break out, leading to a shocking sacrifice. Rumblings of a resistance against the Dominion begin on DS9. This episode is a fine exploration of the admirable honor and integrity among Jem'Hadar soldiers, even if they are fighting for the wrong side. The Vorta are revealed to be more treacherous than anyone believed. In war, some consider life to be expendable.
The game's afoot. 4 stations:
Episode 3: Sons and Daughters
Stardate: Unknown
"Stop pretending to be a warrior. We both know you do not belong here." -Worf
As the Rotarran takes on new replacements, Worf is shocked to find his son, Alexander (Marc Worden), among them. Last time he spoke with him, Alexander expressed no desire to become a warrior. Clearly, things have changed. Alexander must not only prove himself to his threatening shipmates, but must bridge the gap between himself and his father if he is to survive. The Jem'Hadar prove to be a worthy adversary, giving the young man his chance at redemption. On DS9, Dukat's daughter Ziyal (Melanie Smith) returns, creating further discomfort for Kira, who must choose to maintain her friendship with Ziyal, or distance herself out of spite for Dukat's violent history with her people. Once again, when relationships are front and center, this series shines. It's interesting to see how Worf's connection with his son has evolved since the youngster's naïve years on The Next Generation.
Klingons like eating some dastardly thing called Bregit lung. 'Nuff said. 4 stations:
Episode 4: Behind the Lines
Stardate: 51149.5
"With any luck, we'll be sending the Defiant on a lot of missions, and you're going to have to get used to it."-Admiral Ross
Admiral Ross (Barry Jenner) decides to reassign Captain Sisko to fleet duties on Starbase 375 before a vital mission. Dax must take the Defiant to destroy a vital Dominion sensor array while Sisko is forced to sit back and watch from afar. Meanwhile, a Founder has arrived on DS9, making Odo initially uneasy. Eventually, he becomes more curious about his people and begins to link with the fellow shapeshifter, causing his loyalties to wander. This distraction causes Kira's plan to foil the Dominion's attempt to dismantle the minefield to fail. At the end, Kira and Odo, two dear friends, find themselves on opposite sides. Emotions run high as Odo slowly slips away from reason. Some of the best moments come when Sisko realizes his crew is all grown up, and his position behind the lines may be for the best.
Another fine entry into the arc. 4 stations:
Disc Two:
Episode 5: Favor the Bold
Stardate: Unknown
"Fortune favors the bold."-Sisko
The Federation continues to take heavy losses, bringing morale to an all time low. They need a major victory soon, and Captain Sisko hopes to provide it for them. He proposes a bold plan to retake DS9. Sisko realizes the wormhole is the key to the Alpha Quadrant, and whoever controls DS9, controls the wormhole. As Odo continues to struggle with his loyalties, he neglects his security duties, threatening the lives of his friends. Kira and her resistance cell learn that the Dominion is close to destroying the minefield, and use our favorite bar patron Morn (Mark Allen Shepherd) to get a message to Sisko. Unprepared and undermanned, the Federation fleet sets out for DS9, coming head on with thousands of Dominion ships. Things really heat up. This is simply great, adventurous, operatic storytelling, steeped in character moments, tension and suspense.
I just love those shots of the Federation fleet! 4 stations:
Episode 6: Sacrifice of Angels
Stardate: Unknown
"I always thought the Dominion was crazy."-Nog
The Federation and Dominion meet in fierce interstellar combat, hoping to break thorough to DS9 before Dukat destroys the minefield, allowing thousands of Dominion reinforcements to enter the Alpha quadrant. Rom, Leeta, Kira and Jake have been incarcerated for questioning on the station, and are unable to help the effort. Paying a heavy price, the Defiant makes it through, but they are too late—the mines are destroyed. Sisko take his crew on a suicide mission into the wormhole, ready to dispatch the Dominion fleet. However, all is not lost. Sisko's place as the Emissary of the prophets gives hope to a hopeless situation. One phase of the Dominion War ends with another thrilling entry. The multiple threads layered throughout this episode showcase the strength of the storytelling, which reaches near Shakespearean proportions, including an obligatory tragedy. Marc Alaimo gives yet another standout performance as Gul Dukat.
Simply amazing VFX, and a powerful conclusion. 4.5 stations:
Episode 7: You Are Cordially Invited
Stardate: 51247.5
"I'm going to kill Worf."-Bashir
Time for a breather. After a series of dramatic, gut-wrenching episodes, we have the pleasure of attending the wedding of Worf and Dax. Worf's insistence on having a purely traditional Klingon wedding causes infinite problems. Dax must endure many trials to satisfy Sirella (Shannon Cochran), Lady of the House of Martok, who must approve of the marriage before it can proceed. At first, Dax is receptive and respectful to their traditions, but as the heat rises, her confidence in the marriage wanes. Meanwhile, Worf hosts a Klingon bachelor party. What goes on? Well, use your imagination. Honestly, it's not nearly as fun as it may sound. Like any other Klingon ritual, pain and suffering are in order, creating some great comedy and character moments. Seeing Morn dance (more like spasm) to Polynesian band is priceless.
Why don't we have simulated fights in human wedding ceremonies? 3.5 stations:
Episode 8: Resurrection
Stardate: Unknown
"What's that old saying? 'Once a thief...'"-Kira
Kira's former love interest, Bariel (Philip Angim), returns from the dead. However, he is the Bariel of the mirror universe, in which he is a petty thief, not a universally respected Vedek (a Bajoran religious leader). Even though Kira knows he is a different man, she cannot help but falling in love with him. In a not-so-shocking turn, Bariel's true motives are revealed. This is a below average outing with a cop out ending, and an overall weak plot. The mirror-universe episodes have been hit or miss throughout the series, and this one defiantly falls into the latter category.
Nana Visitor plays a good femme fatale, though. 2 stations:
Disc Three:
Episode 9: Statistical Probabilities
Stardate: 51149.5
"He's a mutant, just like us."-Lauren
Bashir is forced to work with a group of genetically enhanced humans, like himself. However, where the Doctor was able to blend in to normal society, these four individuals have had to deal with debilitating side effects from their respective genetic alterations. They are a group of brilliant eccentrics who soon use their talents to analyze the Dominion war for the Federation. Their long term projections do not sit well with Sisko. This is a fine episode with some interesting characters, aimed to address the dangers of genetic manipulations. In this fictional universe, such activities led to the Eugenics War, led by the tyrannical Khan.
3.5 stations:
Episode 10: The Magnificent Ferengi
Stardate: Unknown
"Mother has been taken prisoner..."-Quark
Quark gets a disturbing message from the Grand Nagus: His mother, aka Moogie, has been abducted by the Dominion. It's up to him and a ragtag team of Ferengi, including Rom, Nog, Gaila, Brunt and a psychopath to rescue her. There is some excellent humor here, as always. The Ferengi are notoriously greedy, and the way to appeal to them is not with offers of heroic honor, but with your pocketbook. Armin Shimerman, Max Grodenchik and Aron Eisenberg are great here. There are even some clear homages to spaghetti westerns, especially the work of Sergio Leone. Look for an odd guest appearance by Iggy Pop.
FYI: Two slips of latinum is enough to make any Ferengi run. 4 stations:
Episode 11: Waltz
Stardate: 51413.6
"I fear no evil."-Sisko
While Sisko visits the incarcerated Gul Dukat on a Federation starship, the vessel is attacked and destroyed by the Cardassians. The pair crash land on an alien planet. Sisko is injured and Dukat remains insane from his recent loss of power. While they wait for the Defiant to rescue them, Sisko must put up with Dukat's confessions, hallucinations and megalomania. Things get very heated, and the truth is revealed between these two enemies. I usually don't care for episodes that strand two conflicted characters on some far away rock to setup a fight to the death, but it works very well here, mainly due to the bravado acting by Avery Brooks and Marc Alaimo. These two are simply in top form.
Shakespearean visions abound. 4 stations:
Episode 12: Who Mourns for Morn?
Stardate: Unknown
"Ever watch him eat? It was a beautiful thing."-Quark
Everyone's favorite bar patron, Morn (a jumble of Norm, from Cheers), is reported dead. While all his dear friends mourn his accidental departure, Quark learns Morn left his entire estate to him, which includes a reported 1,000 bricks of gold pressed latinum. Before long, old associates of Morn begin to come out of the woodwork, wanting their own piece of the pie. Deception and trickery is around every corner. Morn's not as dumb as he may seem—his cunning even extends beyond the grave. There is great humor throughout this fun romp. Mark Allen Shepherd's brilliant mime-like performance as Morn continues.
Who know Morn was such a great sparring partner for Worf? 4 stations:
Disc Four:
Episode 13: Far Beyond the Stars
Stardate: Unknown
"Write the words, Brother Benny."-Preacher
This is one of DS9's finest hours. Through a series of visions, Sisko is sent back in time to 1950's earth, where he is an up and coming science fiction author. In a world that still harbors bitter racism toward people of his descent, Sisko must struggle through hardship to write his stories about an African American captain on a space station called Deep Space Nine. This is a simply stunning, powerful episode that showcases this cast's diverse acting talent. No longer are our favorite actors hidden behind thick prosthetics. We see them in all their glory, giving the powerhouse performances they are so consistently capable of delivering. Skillfully directed by Avery Brooks, this is Season 6's best and most important entry.I'd give this one 6 stations if I could, but I'll have to settle for 5:
Episode 14: One Little Ship
Stardate: 51474.2
"This is the story of the little ship that took a little trip."-Worf
In a clear homage to shrinking science fiction films such as Fantastic Voyage, Dax, O'Brien, Bashir and their runabout are shrunk to the size of a toy in order to investigate an interstellar phenomenon. Before the Defiant can pull them out, returning them to their normal size, she is attacked by a Jem'Hadar warship and boarded. As the Dominion troops try to repair the ship by forcing Sisko and crew to help, the amazing shrunken crew flies into the crippled vessel and uses ingenious methods to sway the odds in their favor. Some great special effects make this episode enjoyable, including a set of a circuit compartment that effectively dwarfs Bashir and O'Brien. There is little story to be had here, but it is a fun premise.O'Brien still looks a bit short. 3 stations:
Episode 15: Honor Among Thieves
Stardate: 51474.2
"Family...nothing is more important."-Bilby (Nick Tate)
O'Brien is sent to infiltrate the Orion Syndicate. His mission: To expose a Federation informant that has given the Syndicate the identities of Federation agents throughout the Quadrant. Before long, Syndicate member Bilby takes O'Brien under his wing, forming a close bond. When the Dominion complicates matters, O'Brien must choose between Starfleet plans and his loyalty to Bilby, who, while guilty of many crimes, is a family man who simply wishes to go home. A fine performance from Colm Meaney as everyman O'Brien marks this episode. There are some decisions on his part that seem out of step with his character, but they were necessary for setting up the final, powerful plot points.
3.5 stations:
Episode 16: Change of Heart
Stardate: 51597.2
"You made the wrong choice."-Sisko
The marriage of Dax and Worf faces the ultimate test. After receiving a desperate message from a Cardassian informant inside the Dominion, the pair is forced to go behind enemy lines to rescue him. To rendezvous, they must land on a treacherous planet and trek several miles through thick jungle. In the process, Dax is injured, and Worf must decide between protecting his wife and completing the mission. Back on DS9, O'Brien and Bashir have taken it upon themselves to break Quark's Tongo winning streak. A weak entry marked by endless montages of Worf and Dax clawing through an alien jungle, there is little to be had here. It marks an important change in Worf as a character, but the episode seems like pure filler.
2 stations:
Disc Five:
Episode 17: Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night
Stardate: Unknown
"She did what she had to do to save her family."-Sisko
Kira learns from Dukat that, during the occupation, her mother was the lover of the dethroned Gul. Intitially dismissing it as a lie, she takes it upon herself to find the truth. Using the Orb of Time to travel to the past, she meets and befriends her mother, who is forced to be a "comfort woman" of the Cardassians in exchange for the protection of her husband and children, one of which is the young Kira Nerys. However, she eventually begins to enjoy the luxuries of her new position, catching the eye of Gul Dukat. To Kira's disgust, she falls in love with the Cardassian, seemingly driven by selfish desires. Kira must deal with the harsh reality of her mother's decision and discover the real reason for her apparently willing collaboration. This script seems to neglect if and how Kira's presence will affect the timeline. Another fine performance from Nana Visitor makes this worthwhile, but it is still a lesser entry.
3 stations:
Episode 18: Inquisition
Stardate: Unknown
"You function as judge, jury and executioner and I think that's too much power for anyone!"-Bashir
Sloan (Williams Sadler), a Federation investigator, arrives at DS9 to weed out a traitor. Doctor Bashir comes under suspicion of unknowingly supplying information to the Dominion. Sloan thinks Bashir was brainwashed during his incarceration by the Dominion and has been secretly passing intelligence ever since. Bashir and his colleagues are not willing to believe this theory, which is backed up by a disturbing amount of evidence, albeit circumstantial. Before the truth is revealed, Bashir must face several trials, tests and probings, all of which are meant to reveal his true allegiance. This is an interesting yarn that introduces the Federation equivalent of the Men in Black, dubbed Section 31. Look for a particular set from Voyager toward the end.
More utilitarians try to justify their actions. 3.5 stations:
Episode 19: In the Pale Moonlight
Stardate: 51721.3
"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."-Sisko
The war is going badly. If the Federation hopes to succeed, the Romulans must join the fight against the Dominion. However, their non-aggression pact with the enemy is secure. Sisko takes it upon himself to convince the Romulans that it is only a matter of time before they are conquered by the Dominion, but he knows they will need proof. Utilizing the assistance of the very capable Garak (Andrew J. Robinson), Sisko makes deals, breaks rules and rationalizes moral violations in order to obtain the ultimate prize: A forged holorecording of a secret Dominion meeting on the invasion of Romulus. Will the recording be discovered as a fraud, or will the Romulans take the bait and join the war? This is a thrilling, gut-wrenching episode that clearly addresses the thin line of morality that exists during war. Great performances from Avery Brooks and Andrew J. Robinson make this an unforgettable, powerful exploration.
Narrated effectively by Sisko's soliloquy, this is an easy 5 stations:
Episode 20: His Way
Stardate: 51597.2
"Come fly with me..."-Vic Fontaine (James Darren)
We get another welcome breather, this time in the form of the always smooth, always talented James Darren as lounge lizard Vic Fontaine, an advanced, self-aware holographic program procured by Doctor Bashir. Odo decides to use Vic's knowledge to break his "Nanook of the North" tendancies, and teach him how to properly woo Major Kira. Kira has known about Odo's feelings for some time, but the shapeshifter has chosen not to act on them out of fear. Through songs, life lessons and a little practice with holographic women, Odo is ready to take on the real McCoy. I've always enjoyed the Vic Fontaine episodes, which are infused with a great sense of style by some excellent production design and the superb James Darren. A fun romp with some great comedy.
Odo sure can tickle the ivories. 4 stations:
Disc Six:
Episode 21: The Reckoning
Stardate: Unknown
"You defied the will of the Prophets..."-Kira
The Emissary is called to investigate a newly found Bajoran artifact. After studying it against the will of Kai Winn (Louise Fletcher), Sisko is driven to release the two unseen forces imprisoned within the stone tablet: One good and one evil. Kira is possessed by the good prophet, and Sisko's son Jake, by the evil Pah-Wriath. A battle of between the two is waged aboard DS9, the consequences of which will be felt on Bajor for centuries to come. Some of the Bajoran religious episodes are touch and go, but this one is relatively solid. Its plot is important in the current story arc, foreshadowing the trials to come. I do like how DS9 seriously explores forces of good and evil, the power of which cannot be detected by 24th Century scientific technologies.
3.5 stations:
Episode 22: Valiant
Stardate: Unknown
"We're Red Squad, and we can do anything!"-Watters (Paul Popowich)
Nog and Jake are rescued from destruction by the Valiant, a Federation ship not unlike the Defiant. However, her crew is an elite band of Starfleet cadets known as Red Squad. On a training mission, their captain was killed in a battle with the Dominion, forcing the cadets to fend for themselves. Led by Cadet Watters, Red Squad has taken it upon themselves to complete their original mission: To gather intelligence on a new Dominion battleship. After doing so, the crew finds a weakness in the ship's design, prompting the young, ambitious crew to attempt to destroy it. Jake sees this as a suicide mission, but Nog becomes caught up in the Red Squad ideology. Youthful arrogance and misjudgment motivates these recruits—it may very well be their undoing. Action and adventure returns with some great SFX, but this episode also has some clear cut, important messages. Once again, Cirroc Lofton shines as Jake, whose outsider status provides an objective view of the situation.
4 stations:
Episode 23: Profit and Lace
Stardate: Unknown
"Females? A valuable resource?"-Quark
Here we go again. Another Ferengi episode comes our way, and far too soon. These are usually funny and enjoyable, but they need to be utilized sparingly. This time around, Grand Nagus Zek has been stripped of his title after passing a law allowing Ferengi women to wear clothing and consequently, make profit. This is a scandalous, revolutionary idea that gives Brunt the momentum he needs to take power. Zek and Quark's mother, Ishka (the source of these radical ideas) come to DS9 to enlist the bartender's help in regaining the throne. A meeting is arranged with the influential head of Slug-O-Cola, who wishes to meet the brilliant female mind behind the revolution. However, Ishka has a sudden medical problem, forcing Quark to masquerade as a woman in an attempt to sway the powerful Ferengi. There are some funny moments, but ultimately, this seems like an excuse to dress Quark up as a woman (with some scary results, I might add).
Remember, Slug-O-Cola is the "slimiest cola in the galaxy." 3 stations:
Episode 24: Time's Orphan
Stardate: Unknown
"I know you lived there a long time, but this is home, too."-O'Brien
During a family picnic, O'Brien's daughter Molly falls into a time portal that transports her into the past. They are able to retrieve her, but not at the exact time she entered. Instead of a rambunctious young girl, Molly is now a savage, brutal 18 year old who has had no personal contact for many years. O'Brien and Keiko try to educate her and break her of her primal ways, with mixed success. Eventually, they realize she will never be comfortable on DS9, and decide she must be returned to her jungle home. Meanwhile, Worf begins to explore his parental skills with the O'Briens' other child, Kirayoshi, with humorous results. There is some great drama to be found here, along with some fine performances from Rosalind Chao and Colm Meaney. The elder Molly is an interesting suggestion of what humans would be like without any kind of formal upbringing or education.
Kirayoshi takes quite well to Klingon rattle rituals. 3.5 stations:
Episode 25: The Sound of Her Voice
Stardate: Unknown
"Tell her, her 'heroes' are on the way..."-Sisko
The Defiant picks up a distress signal from Captain Lisa Cusak (Debra Wilson), whose ship was destroyed, forcing her to crash on a remote planet. Her time is short however, since the planet's atmosphere has an excess amount of carbon dioxide. She has medication to counter the effects of hypoxia, but not enough to last her until Sisko and crew arrive. While they race to the planet, the Cusak converses with different members of the crew, acting as a counselor to some, and simply a friend to others. Relationships are forged over the comm line, and confessions are made, all in the process of keeping a lonely, stranded woman company. Back on the station, Quark tries to use Odo's love for Kira to his advantage. This is an interesting episode that harkens back to TNG's Pen Pals. The end contains an unexpected twist. Debra Wilson, star of Fox's Mad TV gives a fine vocal performance. 4 stations:
Episode 26: Tears of the Prophets
Stardate: Unknown
"Starfleet has chosen you to plan the invasion of Cardassia."-Admiral Ross
Here comes the big finale. The Federation and its allies begin to go on the offensive against the Dominion, led by Captain Sisko. Dax is left to command DS9. Gul Dukat attempts to enlist the forces of Bajoran spirituality to turn the tide of the war, but is possessed by a Pah-Wraith in the process. He goes on a destructive rampage that leads to the ultimate tragedy. I won't go too in depth about this episode in order to avoid spoilers, but this is a thrilling end to an amazing season. Performances and technical merits are first rate. The VFX here are simply stunning.
A staggering, must-see conclusion. 5 stations:
Rating for Style: A+
Rating for Substance: A
Image Transfer
| One | |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 - Full Frame |
| Original Aspect Ratio | yes |
| Anamorphic | no |
Image Transfer Review: If you approved of the picture quality on previous sets, you'll do so again. Paramount has assembled a series of gorgeous transfers, exhibiting fine contrast, and excellent detail. Grain is minimal, but can become noticeable during darker scenes. Of course, some of the VFX can look a bit edgy, since they were mastered on video, but overall, these episodes are beautiful to look at.
Image Transfer Grade: A
Audio Transfer
| Language | Remote Access | |
|---|---|---|
| DS 2.0 | English | yes |
| Dolby Digital 5.1 | English | yes |
Audio Transfer Review: The Dolby 5.1 remix is passable, but not as great as it could be. Some episodes utilize the format very well, incorporating starship flybys into the split surrounds, but during later episodes that have grand space battles, such as Tears of the Prophets, the mix is very front heavy. Directional effects could have greatly enhanced these scenes, but the ball was dropped. LFE is minimal, but occasionally kicks in. The surrounds are used to enhance ambient sound and the musical score to great effect, but it could have been better.
Audio Transfer Grade: A-
Disc Extras
Full Motion menu with musicScene Access with 208 cues and remote access
Subtitles/Captions in English with remote access
1 Other Trailer(s) featuring Indiana Jones Trilogy
1 Documentaries
4 Featurette(s)
Packaging: unknown keepcase
Picture Disc
7 Discs
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: dual
Extra Extras:
- 10 "Hidden Files" which feature very brief interviews with cast and crew members about memorable episodes and characters.
First, we are given a short piece on one of Trek's very best. Mission Inquiry: Far Beyond the Stars (8m:49s) includes interviews with cast and crew about this amazing episode. Themes, origins and production elements are discussed.
24th Century Wedding(10m:54s) takes a look at the wedding between Dax and Worf. The writers sure had a great time with this one! One of the highlights of this piece is Aron Eisenberg (the Ferengi Nog) discussing his impromptu growling dance he performed during Dax's bachelorette party—pretty funny stuff.
Crew Dossier: Julian Bashir (14m:21s) takes an in-depth look at the good doctor. Originally a character with little background or direction, actor Alexander Siddig helped transform him into a successful figure. Several topics are explored, including Bashir's friendship with O'Brien, Garak, his guest appearance on TNG, romance and more.
Our favorite Ferengi bartender is dissected in Crew Dossier: Quark (16m:00s). Before his character is examined, we get a fine background on the Ferengi race, which actor Armin Shimerman pioneered in TNG in the form or a brutal, viciously greedy character. On DS9, he looked to give the Ferengi a more 3-D quality, mirroring the good and bad of humanity. More topics include the Ferengi family and Quark's love/hate relationship with Odo.
Sketchbook: John Eaves (9m:16s) gives us an insider's look at some of the extensive design work that went into the sixth season. John Eaves is one of the central production designers for Star Trek—and his talent shows. We see concept sketches for several starships, props, the drawings from Far Beyond the Stars and we hear about the challenges of designing for such a demanding show, which, in the case of Time's Orphan included coming up with convincing children's drawings!
Finally, we are given a photo gallery of 40 images. There are some nice photos of candid moments on set, including several of the actors during their directing stints.
Extras Grade: B-
Final Comments
One of Star Trek’s best seasons gets a fine treatment on DVD. The a/v quality is very good, but the extras are subpar yet again. Despite some setbacks, this is some of the best television ever made, period. I can't recommend this series highly enough.Matt Peterson 2004-03-18