Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Dominion War storyline, which sparked into full swing in the 1997 episode “Call to Arms,” marked not only a pivotal point in the series but also the beginning of significant behind-the-scenes disagreements which lasted until the series finale in 1999. This major storyline involved numerous Star Trek factions, including the Dominion, the Federation, Cardassians, Klingons, Romulans, and the Breen. It focused on the devastating impacts of war, challenging characters such as Captain Sisko, portrayed by Avery Brooks, to confront the flexibility of their moral compasses amidst the chaos of conflict.
The seeds of this interstellar conflict were sown from the series’ inception, with full-scale war brewing over the course of five years before executive producer Ira Steven Behr was permitted to flesh out his war narrative. Contrarily, series co-creator Rick Berman was hesitant, believing that Star Trek should emphasize diplomacy over warfare, in keeping with franchise creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision. Berman eventually conceded to a war arc but expected a brief depiction. His views on the matter were clear:
“The whole idea of the Dominion Wars, the idea that Ira wanted an arc that was going to last a season or perhaps longer, he and I had a lot of disagreement about that. And that was all based purely on the fact that Gene had been very specific to me about not wanting ‘Star Trek’ to be a show about intergalactic wars, interspecies wars. He didn’t want it to be about humans fighting wars against other species.”
Despite Berman’s reservations, Behr was determined to take the series in a new direction, potentially altering the trajectory of Star Trek storytelling forever.
FAQs about the Dominion War on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Q: What is the Dominion War?
A: The Dominion War is a major story arc in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” involving multiple star empires such as the Federation, Dominion, and Cardassians, and portrays the complex and often harsh realities of wartime.
Q: Who is Captain Sisko?
A: Captain Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the commanding officer of the space station Deep Space Nine and a key character throughout the series, especially during the Dominion War storyline.
Q: Did Gene Roddenberry want Star Trek to portray war?
A: No, Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, had been specific about not wanting the series to focus on intergalactic wars. He envisioned Star Trek as a platform for showcasing diplomacy and peaceful resolutions.
Conclusion
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s exploration of war, through the Dominion War arc, pushed the boundaries of the franchise’s storytelling and provoked tensions behind the scenes due to its deviation from Gene Roddenberry’s original vision. While conflict in the form of the Dominion War signaled a shift in narrative style for Star Trek, it allowed for deeper explorations of its characters and their moral dilemmas, highlighting the franchise’s ability to evolve while retaining its core themes of humanity and ethical complexity.