Watch Deep Space Nine

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Those weren't awful, it was nice to see how a secular society like the federation learnt to deal with and see the positive side of religion. Quite red pilled, for star trek anyway.

Again only bad if you just think back to the highlights, everyone wants instant payoff these days but those kind of episodes did important character development and world building that made you care more when they did something cool.

Dax always sucks, still the one with the three ancient klingons on a planetwide massacre was awesome. Also she made an interesting foil for the egotistical Bashir in the early series. Her character would have been much better had they pulled a role reversal once he revealed his true genetically engineered power level.

GUIDE TO DS9 FOR DUMMIES!

Skip first episode, skip season finales, skip 2 parters not about klingons, skip anything with "profit" in the title, and skip "move along home".

What are the good DS9 episodes that focus on combat and intrigue? I can't be bothered to wade through all the Star Trek shit to get to the good part.

Well first thing you should understand is that DS9 is one of the more episodic Trek series.
But if I had to name a couple stand alone ones that even a first time viewer could probably get into?

Combat,
Empok Nor 5x24
The Way of the Warrior 4x1
Blood Oath 2x19 (second best Dax episode, only second best because she's still alive)

Intrigue,
Q-Less 1x7 (if you love some Q, it's the only Q episode in DS9)
The Nagus 1x11
Duet 1x19

Just keep in mind some of these will have spoilers towards the entire plot.

I've watched through DS9 for the most part, mostly skipping "one off" episodes, those that I knew were gonna be shit and the boring parts so I have a general grasp of the plot, and don't much care about spoilers.

I'm just trying to find what good episodes I missed.

But thank you anyway for making an effort.

Season 4's finale is one of the best episodes in the series.