Only Kira Nerys would risk going to war over an earring. With the witty and wise second-season opener "The Homecoming," the writers started taking chances with the direction of Deep Space Nine--and the payoffs are immediate and far-reaching. It's the first episode in a complex trilogy involving the fate of the tenuous Bajoran Provisional Government, an extremist group called the Circle, and a legendary member of the resistance whom Sisko believes might be able to unite Bajor.

Continuing its blend of action, mystery, intergalactic politics, and religion, the second season gave prominent parts to Jadzia Dax ("Invasive Procedures," "Playing God," "Blood Oath"), Kira Nerys ("The Collaborator," in which Odo gives the first sign of his feelings toward her), the Cardassian Garak ("Cardassians"), Odo ("The Alternate"), Chief O'Brien ("Whispers," "Tribunal"), Commander Sisko ("Paradise"), and Quark ("Profit and Loss"), and Dr. Bashir developed relationships with both O'Brien ("Armageddon Game") and Garak ("The Wire").

Involving , Beautiful & Disturbing

This volume starts out with a three part episode that is easily watched in one sitting. After that, more character developement and some analogies that are presented in a way that doesnt offend, yet opens doors. Racial differences, religious fanaticism, terrorism, xenophobia among others are dealt with in the classic Star Trek style.

The show has much humor and feeling, populated with characters one can relate with, no matter how different they appear. This can easily become one of may favorite T.V. shows of all time! The season finally packs a punch and sets up the course of the rest of the show.

An Improvement Over Season One

Season Two of ST:DS9 was a vast improvement over the first season. Characters were more fleshed out, relationships became stronger and more developed, and above all the introduction of Star Trek's best villain since the Borg: the Jem'Hadar. I also enjoyed the political and religious sub-plots that wove their way through most of this season. Of those episodes, The Collaborator was by far the best. Louise Fletcher as Vedek/Kai Winn and Philip Anglim as Vedek Bareil were excellent in their roles. I know some did not like this aspect of the show, but I always thought the writers' excellent development of the Bajorans over the life of the show was one of the things that made DS9 so good.

This season also introduced the Maquis, again one of the better creations in the Star Trek universe. The two episodes featuring the Maquis during this season were not that great, but over time the writers developed them into an interesting group for which you sometimes felt empathy.And of course we have to mention the Dark Universe episode, Crossover. The Dark Universe comes from the Classic Star Trek series, but you have to give credit to the DS9 writers and producers. They took a near 30-year-old idea and developed a much more interesting Universe. In addition to Crossover, season two featured homage to Classic Trek with the Klingon-centered episode, Blood Oath. This was a great Jadzia Dax episode and gave viewers the return of three Classic Trek characters and actors: Michael Ansara as Kang, William Campbell as Koloth, and John Colicos (the original Battlestar Galactica Baltar) as Kor.

For anyone who is a fan of Star Trek, and in particular DS9, this set is a must-have for the collection.

Vender for the Military

Hey guys i would highly recommend using this vender, he is true to his word and will go the extra mile to help us who are stationed oversea. You know how it is to wait months for something to arrive. This vender will pay at no cost to you faster mailing, getting you your order 3 times as afst as other venders. The DVD set arrived fast, it was what he said it would be but the new DVDs skip in places. I know this is not the fault of the vender. Otherwise i would had given him 5 stars.