Season 6 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine followed the excellent example set by Season 5, gifting us with epic plotlines and bold, serialized storytelling. There was the war. There was the wedding. There was ... Morn. Yes, even that big lug got his own episode — and it's a good one. Key relationships were illuminated and developed and even more intriguing pairings were formed. Alliances, deception and romance all figured in there somewhere as well. And of course, the first six episodes represent a Dominion War arc that is matched only by the final episodes of the series.

Here are ten great episodes from Season 6. ["The Magnificent Ferengi" is a runner up for no other reason than Iggy Pop starring as a Vorta. – Ed.]

Favor the Bold
The first six episodes of the season are generally great, but the final two — this one and "Sacrifice of Angels" — stand out because they bring all of the swirling war-related conflicts to a head. In this arc, DS9 takes a big risk and mixes up its settings — the cast is split up, the Starfleet-ers are off the station and Kira is running her own "resistance cell" featuring those that stay behind. These opening episodes are as good an example as any of DS9's serialized storytelling. This particular outing is especially great because of Odo, who finds himself in conflict when his loyalties are torn between Kira and the Female Shapeshifter.

Sacrifice of Angels
The final episode of the opening arc has it all — dazzling action and incisive character development. As Sisko struggles to re-claim the station, we get a fascinating little twist involving the Prophets. Odo's storyline is also resolved, but perhaps best of all is the complex interplay between the three prominent Cardassian characters: Dukat, Damar and Ziyal. Who would have guessed that Dukat would grow so attached to his daughter? That Ziyal would become a war casualty? Or that, in future episodes, Damar would eventually come back from such a damning turn of events to become a hero?

You Are Cordially Invited ...
Dax and Worf have always been one of our favorite couples, and their wedding episode should prove immensely satisfying to anyone who's enjoyed watching their courtship. Naturally, there are bachelor and bachelorette parties (Dax's looks a whole lot more appealing, at least from a human perspective), last-minute problems (Sirella disapproves of Dax! The wedding's off!) and symbiont-related conflicts for Dax herself, who is annoyed when she is forced to prove herself to Sirella and the House of Martok. After all, as Curzon Dax, she never had to face such indignities. Naturally, the newlyweds come out of it all just fine — we still cry in our blood wine during the ceremony scene.

Resurrection
Vedek Bareil was a character killed before his time. Luckily, this is Star Trek, so there are more than a few creative ways to bring him back. Here, DS9 goes the ever-popular Mirror Universe route, with touching results. After a series of high profile episodes, it's nice to settle into a character study, and that's essentially what this is. It focuses tightly on Kira and brings out the emotional side of the character, which is always welcome. As Bareil's unscrupulous thief Mirror counterpart, Philip Anglim is a kick and appears to be having a lot of fun. His emotional awakening is well-nuanced and gratifying.

Who Mourns for Morn?
It's a gimmick episode, but the gimmick is hilarious — silent, large-headed alien Morn has been around since the beginning of DS9, yet we've never heard him utter a word or learned much about him. This episode finally gives us some background on the big guy via a group of scheming associates. In a brilliant touch, Morn himself is barely featured in the hour, having recently faked his death. Still, he does put on an appearance in the end — and demonstrates yet another new talent. You've gotta love the way the DS9 writers take what is essentially a gag character and build a great episode around him.

Far Beyond the Stars
This hour does what Trek does best — details a dramatically moving story infused with social relevance. In this one, Sisko has visions of Benny Russell, a 1950s sci-fi writer. Issues of race and discrimination are nicely explored, and by episode's end we are presented with a neat little sci-fi conundrum: is Sisko having visions of Benny or the other way around? Plus, it's just fun to see the regular DS9 crew out of make-up and in period costume.

Change of Heart
This is another good Worf and Dax outing that has our newly-married duo on a mission to the Badlands. When Dax is injured, Worf must either leave her behind or risk the mission and the life of an undercover operative. Though previous incarnations of Trek hinted at the difficulties Starfleet poses to marriage and family, not many episodes highlight the emotional issues as well as this episode does. Worf has a true dilemma here, and unlike some of his more by-the-book counterparts, he can't simply give everything up for the sake of his mission. His actions may very well mean he'll never make captain, but in his heart, he makes the right choice.

Wrongs Darker than Death or Night
One of the most fascinating things about the last two seasons of DS9 is watching Kira — formerly all-encompassing in her absolute hatred of Cardassians — come full circle. Yet another wrinkle is added here as she learns that her mother was Dukat's mistress. It's a thorny issue for Kira, especially considering her own checkered past with Dukat, and it brings up further issues that prove equally complicated.

In the Pale Moonlight
A great Garak episode that once again provides ample shading to those gray areas that DS9 thrives on. In this case, Sisko enlists the "simple tailor" to aid him in bringing the Romulans into the war. How does the complex Cardassian do it? Why, through lies, cheating and deception, of course! Garak even goes so far as to plant a bomb in the shuttle of a Romulan senator. The move infuriates Sisko, but brings about the desired result, leaving our captain to wonder if the ends always justify the means.

Tears of the Prophets
Sisko's roles as Emissary and Starfleet captain come into direct conflict with each other, with explosive and dramatic results. But of course, the most important and emotionally resonant part of this episode is the death of Jadzia Dax, killed by a Pah-wraith-possessed Gul Dukat. It's pretty much impossible to keep from sniffling as both Worf and Sisko bid her farewell. Dax's death is well-rendered and fitting — it makes for a moving, gut-wrenching finale to this exemplary season and sets us up for DS9's explosive final year.