If I want to binge DS9 what episodes can I skip?

[Makeshift Python]

Not too long ago I started watching episodes in air date order between TNG and DS9. I was interested in seeing how the two originally played as they aired together. Even writing a list of which episode of the two shows would have the “best” of the week. It was interesting to see “Q-Less” on one week and then the very next week having “Tapestry”. TNG was still on top with its 6th season while DS9 was trying to find its voice. Then on the following 1993-1994 season sees the tables turn with DS9 cranking out solid episodes while TNG was losing gas.

[Yukaphile]

I still think there's many great episodes in Season 1.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

W/ever you do don't skip the baseball episode.

It serves as a really poignant message about Vulcans and their superiority complex with regard to humans. Really touching story.

[Admiral X]

The correct answer is you should skip nothing.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

Yeah if I watched all of it you have to too.

[Makeshift Python]

I still think there's many great episodes in Season 1.

"Duet" is really the one great episode of that season. Everything else ranges from pretty bad to fairly solid. Of all the spin-offs though, it has the best pilot.

[Yukaphile]

I still love "Vortex" (Odo's first solo episode), "The Storyteller" (for the Chief O'Brien/Dr. Bashir stuff), and "Battle Lines" (because the directly shows the fate of Kai Opaka).

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

Also let's get Vic Fontaine episodes off the embargo. Especially the one centering around Nog, but all the others just as importantly.

[Independent George]

Early DS9 does not have much in the way of relevance to the longer Dominion War arc, but it has a LOT of important character moments which pay off over the course of the show. Even a throwaway episode like Rivals helps establish Bashir and O'Brien as bros, and the C-plots involving Jake, Nog, and Rom all build up to the people they become at the end. It's worth watching even the bad episodes just for that character development.

[Yukaphile]

Exactly.