Apocalypse Rising
This stellar season premiere is packed with intrigue and a hefty dose of those always-dicey Klingon politics. Sisko, Worf, Odo and O'Brien go undercover in an attempt to prove that Gowron is really a Changeling. Yes, it's great fun to see a whole gang of fine Trek actors in Klingon make-up, but the deceit-laden storyline is even more engaging. It also sets up many of the ongoing plotlines for what would become on of the series' best seasons.

Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places
This episode first wins us over with the return of Grilka, Quark's Klingon lady love interest from "House of Quark." As odd as it sounds, she and the shady Ferengi share a tender chemistry, despite all of their obvious cultural differences. The episode raises the bar by giving us even more than that, however — Worf pines for Grilka as Dax pines for Worf, and over the course of the hour, yet another intriguing romantic relationship is born. It's gratifying to see Worf and Dax finally find each other, and to see DS9 commit to an ongoing relationship between two regulars.

Trials and Tribble-ations
An historic episode that could have been nothing more than a gimmick — Sisko and Co. go back in time to Kirk's era, thereby re-living one of the original Star Trek's most popular episodes. They must keep Klingon Arne Darvin from killing Kirk and altering the timeline. The episode is a visual marvel, but it's also got a great, fun story, and makes for a most welcome spot of warmth in this rather serious season. And how cool is it that Sisko gets Kirk's autograph?

Rapture
When Sisko begins having mysterious visions, he recommends that Bajor refrain from joining Federation. This episode neatly explores the captain's role as Emissary, and his struggle with said role. It also highlights the conflicted dynamic between Sisko's role as Bajoran spiritual figure and his familial role as father to Jake and potential partner to Kasidy Yates. Especially touching is Jake's response to his father's growing obsession with his Emissary position — one of the final scenes, in which the younger Sisko goes against his father's wishes in order to save the latter's life, is heartbreaking.

For the Uniform
This is perhaps the best of the Eddington-as-traitor episodes, and has Sisko obsessively tracking his old nemesis in the Defiant. It's riveting to see these two face off and Kenneth Marshall seems to be having a lot more fun playing a bad guy (well, not completely bad ... this one falls squarely into DS9's shades-of-gray territory). There are also some nicely nuanced scenes between Sisko and his old friend Dax, who counsels him on how to ensnare Eddington. The final face-off is a corker and has Sisko employing high-risk tactics in an effort to finally outsmart his former officer.

In Purgatory's Shadow
Worf and Garak head out in search of Enabran Tain, former head of the Obsidian Order. Tain has sent a coded distress call to DS9, and Garak means to find him. Instead, they're caught and imprisoned in a Dominion detention center, where they find several individuals who have been replaced on the outside with Changelings: Tain, Martok and Bashir. This episode offers excellent character interaction and really gets the Dominion War arc going. Worf and Garak make a fine pair, and it's touching to see Garak finally confront Tain as his father, making for a rare intimate glimpse into a character that usually prefers to remain mysterious.

By Inferno's Light
This hour is a great conclusion to "In Purgatory's Shadow," escalating the Dominion conflict and orchestrating a grand escape for those trapped in the detention center. Garak gets his fair share of the spotlight again, as he's forced to confront his claustrophobia and spend hours in a tiny crawlspace. There's also plenty of explosive action, as the Bashir back on DS9 is finally revealed as a Changeling. In keeping with the epic scope of DS9, the ending of this episode doesn't leave everything resolved — Gul Dukat sends Sisko a message, telling him that the battle has only just begun.

Ties of Blood and Water
We're always up for a good Kira episode, and this one fits the bill nicely. In this outing, Kira sits at the deathbed of Tekeny Ghemor, a Cardassian dissident who thinks of her as something of an adopted daughter (they first met in "Second Skin"). As Ghemor reveals his secrets, Kira recalls her own father and his death. This episode demonstrates many things while enriching the character of Kira even further. For one, we see how far Kira has come in her feelings towards Cardassians. For another, we learn more about her family and her relationship with her father. It's a touching hour that gives us more insight into the always-intriguing Kira Nerys.

Children of Time
Oh, no, you say. Another time travel/paradox episode! Oh, yes, we say. But this one's well-thought-out and quite original. An investigation of an energy barrier leads to an accident, and the crew of the Defiant is stranded 200 years in the past where they found a colony. Our current crew encounters the grown-up members of this colony — their descendants. It's fun to explore this possible alternate timeline, but the heart of the episode lies with a much older and wiser Odo, who is finally able to confront his love for Kira.

Call to Arms
The Dominion's closing in — and they want DS9. This episode still ranks among the best of the Dominion War arc, encompassing action, character and that trademark epic scope in one fell swoop. So much happens — Leeta and Rom get married! Martok battles the Jem'Hadar! But perhaps most dramatically of all, Sisko and his Starfleet cohorts are forced to leave the station, their home for the past five years, while Kira and a few others stay behind. This split of the cast marks a daring creative move and sets up the excellent first arc of Season 6. On most shows, the crew would immediately re-claim the station within the next episode. Not so on DS9 — just another example of how the show takes epic risks and sticks by them.