There are some odd details that you only notice in the first few episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine on a rewatch. Like Star Trek: The Next Generation before it, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine took some time to find its footing and establish its characters. DS9 eventually embraced serialization in a way that was new for the Star Trek franchise, so the differences between Deep Space Nine's early episodes and its later stories are stark. More than any other Star Trek show of its era, Deep Space Nine's characters and setting went through significant changes over its seven seasons.
Some differences in early DS9 are just starting points for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's character arcs that were always intended to be part of the story. Commander Benjamin Sisko's (Avery Brooks) journey from not accepting his role as Emissary of the Prophets to embracing his status as a Bajoran spiritual figure is central to Deep Space Nine's overall arc. The change from the benevolent Kai Opaka (Camille Saviola) to the viscerally terrible Kai Winn (Louise Fletcher) is also notable but planned. These weird details are things I noticed that probably weren't supposed to change, but did.
5Star Trek: DS9's Main Characters Look Different
Kira, Odo, And Quark Get Their Signature Looks After DS9's Premiere
Some visual differences in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 1 are particularly striking. In Deep Space Nine's premiere episode, "Emissary", the hair and makeup looks for DS9's series regulars haven't quite been finalized. Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) sports a longer hairstyle inspired by Star Trek: The Next Generation's Ensign Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes).
DS9 used a new Starfleet uniform in its first four seasons before switching to the gray-shouldered Star Trek: First Contact-style uniform in its second half.
4Lieutenant Jadzia Dax Is Unusually Reserved
Dax's History With Klingons Hasn't Been Invented Yet![Lt Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) in TNG style uniform with Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) in DS9 Emissary]()
Deep Space Nine references Ambassador Curzon Dax as a raucous carouser with a zest for life, but those qualities weren't yet apparent in an unusually reserved Lieutenant Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell). While this is likely because Dax's personality hadn't been solidified in the writers' room, it also works in-universe.
Later, Lt. Ezri Dax (Nicole de Boer) takes a while to absorb the symbiont's memories, so Jadzia being recently joined could mean Dax's adventurous side just hasn't taken hold yet. That doesn't happen until DS9 season 2, episode 19, "Blood Oath", when Dax reunites with 3 Star Trek: The Original Series Klingons.
3Major Kira Hates Everyone
But Kira's Anger Is Also Justified
2DS9's Ferengi Characters Are Different
Quark, Rom, and Nog All Change Fairly Quickly
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Ferengi characters are very different early in DS9's run. Quark (Armin Shimerman) is a little more slimy, a lot more criminal, and just plain mean. Even Shimerman has gone on record saying Quark "should have gone to jail" for some of the dastardly deeds he committed in DS9 season 1. There's not much indication that Quark actually has a conscience until DS9 season 1, episode 10, "Move Along Home", when Quark realizes that the game pieces in the Chula game are actually DS9's senior staff, and Quark holds their lives in his hands.
It's clear that one of the Ferengi waiters in the bar is, in fact, Rom (Max Grodénchik), but there's no indication that he's Quark's brother. Grodénchik hasn't yet developed Rom's signature voice, and Rom's personality fits the mold of generic Ferengi instead of the lovable, independent goofball that he becomes. Nog (Aron Eisenberg), too, is far from the first Ferengi Starfleet officer that he will become. Instead, Nog aims to follow in his uncle's footsteps by causing mayhem on the Promenade, mistreating his date, and generally being a bad influence on Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton).
1Chief O'Brien Hates Doctor Bashir
And With Good Reason, Because Bashir Was Annoying At First
Chief Miles O'Brien and Doctor Julian Bashir may be the best friendship in Star Trek, but when Star Trek: Deep Space Nine started, O'Brien couldn't stand Bashir—and Miles wasn't alone. In DS9's first season, Bashir is an over-eager, over-sharing, fresh-faced young doctor who insists on being called by his given name. Early Bashir is an incorrigible flirt whose crush on Dax borders on obsessive. Most of DS9's senior staff find Bashir's enthusiasm hard to stomach, but it's kind of funny that O'Brien is especially frustrated by Bashir, knowing how close they'll be in the future.
O'Brien and Bashir's friendship doesn't really begin in earnest until Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2's "Armageddon Game". Their joint mission to tend to a dying village elder on Bajor in DS9 season 1, episode 14, "The Storyteller", hints that Miles might change his mind about Julian eventually. The fact that O'Brien and Bashir start off so rocky, before basically becoming chosen family, is really indicative of how willing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was to explore change.
