DS9 Premiere, "Emissary," Aired 22 Years Ago This Week

It was 22 years ago today -- January 3, 1993 -- that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine debuted in first-run syndication with the two-hour premiere, "Emissary." It was, particuarly compared/contrasted with The Next Generation, the dark Trek, an angry, gritty, contentious twist on Gene Roddenberry’s Wagon Train to the Stars concept. A commander with no desire to be there? Who had a young child on board with him? Characters who disliked one another other? A space station that boldly went… absolutely nowhere? Religion? Politics?

Was it even Star Trek at all? Twenty two years later, most fans would say, yes, DS9 was Trek. Actually, many fans consider DS9 their favorite of the five live-action Trek series precisely because it was so different. Others appreciate it more now in retrospect, as it grew on them over time. And, yes, there are those Trek fans who, to this day, still detest the show.

To celebrate the 22nd anniversary of DS9, we've gathered together “Emissary”-centric facts, figures and anecdotes...

Paramount Pictures boss Brandon Tartikoff, according to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, put the notion of “a man and a boy in space” in the ear of Rick Berman, longtime TNG producer. Berman then teamed with Michael Piller to create DS9.

“Emissary” launched into production on August 18, 1992.

Dr. Julian Amoros? As late as August 11, 1992, while “Emissary” was still in the pre-production phase, Dr. Julian Bashir was named... Dr. Julian Amoros.

Terry Farrell was the final series regular cast, She arrived on set after production started on “Emissary.” Remarkably, she shot her first scene on day 11.

David Carson directed the well-received “Emissary.” His reward? The much-sought-after director's chair on Star Trek Generations.

Patrick Stewart received Special Guest Star billing for portraying Captain Picard/Locutus.

It goes without saying that DS9 boasted the biggest and best ensemble of recurring guest stars of any Trek show. “Emissary” alone introduced Aron Eisenberg as Nog, Marc Alaimo as Gul Dukat and the uncredited Mark Allen Shepherd as Morn, while John Noah Hertzler (who came to be known as J.G. Hertzler) appeared as the Vulcan Captain and Max Grodenchik portrayed a character credited as Ferengi Pit Boss. As the series evolved, viewers were introduced to such frequent returnees as Robert O’Reilly, Brock Peters, Louise Fletcher, Frank Langella, Jeffrey Combs, Andrew Robinson, Casey Biggs, Chase Masterson, Penny Johnson, Salome Jens, Barry Jenner, Rosalind Chao and Wallace Shawn, among others.

The Air Date Schedule provided to the media by Paramount in advance of DS9’s debut referred to “Emissary” as Episode #721, with the pilot to be delivered to stations on December 23, 1992. Later, when the pilot was repeated on March 1 and 8, 1993, it was split in half and referred to as “Emissary Pt. I (#401)” and “Emissary Pt. II (#402).”

Paramount's official “Emissary” press material provided to the media suggested that newspapers, radio stations, TV publications, etc., introduce the series as follows:

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE: “Emissary” – On a distant outpost at the edge of the final frontier, an untested crew embarks on an unprecedented journey in the two-hour series premiere of STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE.”

ADVERTISING COPY

IT WAITS…

At the edge of the final frontier for an untested crew to being an unprecedented journey.

TV LOG LISTINGS

Tonight, the wait is over. STAR TEK: DEEP SPACE NINE Series Premiere!

“Emissary” captured 18.8 percent of the syndicated audience, according to the Deep Space Nine Companion, ranking #1 in all major markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

“Emissary” received Emmy Award nominations in the following categories: Outstanding Sound Mixing, Outstanding Sound Editing, Outstanding Art Direction and Outstanding Special Visual Effects. It took home the award for Outstanding Art Direction, with the Emmy honor shared by Herman Zimmerman, Randall McIlvain and Mickey S. Michaels.