Star Trek likes to imagine itself as a franchise that is largely above conflict, but it is defined by it: and how its most idealized heroes in Starfleet and the Federation react to, and become shaped by it. While Trek’s history is littered with devastating battles, few conflicts hold a mirror to Star Trek quite like the bloodiest of them all—Deep Space Nine’s Dominion War.
As one of the most legendary moments in the conflict celebrated its anniversary earlier this week—marking the airing of “In the Pale Moonlight”, where Captain Sisko sells his soul to bring the Romulan Star Empire into the war on the Federation’s side—we’re taking a look back at the longest game a Star Trek show ever played in setting up what would become one of its most memorable arcs, and a story that would forever shape its legacy.
