"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" final episode airs 1999

The final episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, What You Leave Behind, aired June 2, 1999.  The show ran for seven seasons starting in 1993.  It won four Primetime Emmys: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series (1995) for the episode Distant Voices; in 1993, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Main Title Theme Music; Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series for the episode Captive Pursuits; Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects.

Its phenomenal cast included Avery Brooks as Commander Sisko, Nana Visitor as Major Kira, Rene Auberjonois as Odo, Terry Farrell as Jadzia Dax, Cirroc Lofton as Jake, Alexander Siddig as Dr. Bashir, Colm Meaney as Chief O'Brien and Armin Shimerman as Quark.

Michael Dorn joined the cast as Worf in 1995. 

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" premieres 1993

January 3, 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine premiered, the third live-action series in the Star Trek franchise.  The first episode, Emissary, introduced us to a new cast of heroes: Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), Major Kira (Nana Visitor), Odo (Rene Auberjonois), Dr. Bashir (Alexander Siddig), Lt. Dax (Terry Farrell), Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton), Chief O'Brien (Colm Meaney) and Quark (Armin Shimerman). 

It is the only Star Trek series that is based in a stationary setting.  Many of my friends cited this as a reason for not liking it, but their loss.  I liked it as much as Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The show lasted for 7 seasons, but it ended in such a way that there won't be any Deep Space 9 movies.  Bummer!

Star Trek: Deep Space 9 episode "Rejoined" airs 1995

Star Trek has never shied away from dealing with issues that might make some people uncomfortable.  I mean, come on!  A black woman in a non-stereotypical role?  The first interracial kiss on the TV screen? 

Star Trek: Deep Space 9 continued this streak of enlightening themes when it aired Rejoined, Episode 5, Season 4 on October 30, 1995.  Lenara Kahn (played by Susanna Thompson [Moira Queen in Arrow]) is the new host of Jadzia Dax's (Terry Farrell) former host Tobias and she arrives at the station with a group of trills.

Trills are forbidden from reassocating with former lovers/partners, but there is still a spark between them.  It might not have been the first lesbian kiss on TV or even the first woman/woman kiss, but it was a first for Star Trek: Deep Space 9. 

Happy birthday, Jake Sisko!

Handsome Cirroc Lofton, born August 7, 1978, is best known by Trekkies as his portrayal of Jake Sisko, son of Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) on Star Trek: Deep Space 9.

I don't remember this scene where an evail Pah-Wraith has possessed Jake and is doing battle with a prophet who has possessed Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor).  Also appearing, Avery Brooks as Capt. Sisko, Terry Farrell as Jadzia Dax and Louise Fletcher as Vedek Winn.  A truly stellar cast!

Happy birthday, Jadzia Dax!

I was glad when I found out that it wasn't Terry Farrell's idea to leave "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."  The new Dax wasn't nearly as likeable.  But she was excellent in "Becker".