MovieFreak.com - Star Trek: Deep Space 9 - The Complete Fifth Season DVD Review

Paramount presents Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in standard 1.33:1 fullscreen format. The transfer is not without its flaws, but overall the presentation is fresh and updated. The print image looks healthy, and the quality is pretty good. However, noticeable grain occurs in even the slightest of dark scenes. Dark tones and black levels are inconsistent, but it’s not a major issue. Colors are fresh and at times quite vibrant. The use of colors on the show is remarkable as each set and form of clothing includes a variety of colors. Color detail is at times inconsistent. The special effects shots look obvious sometimes, but they make a nice impression, especially during the battle sequences. The overall video presentation is very good and maintains the same type of quality from the previous three seasons. [Taken from my DS9 Season Four review.]

Paramount presents Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Not a lot of surround sound occurs as the front speakers are mostly hard at work. The speakers put out enough bass and balance to make dialog clear and easy to understand. This presentation creates a welcome environment for the show’s sound effects, which at times penetrate the rear speakers. The score comes across quite nicely as well in this 5.1 soundtrack; it is composed and used appropriately. Overall, the audio presentation is pretty good. [Taken from my DS9 Season Four review.]

This 7-disc set may not be very affordable to most people, but the episodes and the following extras display highly recommendable quality. All special features are located on disc 7, so here we go:

First up are two documentaries dealing with the fun Trials and Tribble-ations episode. Trials and Tribble-ations: Uniting Two Legends outlines the origins of the episode with cast and crew interviews and runs roughly 17 mins. The writers of the episode have a lot to say about it and most of the discussions and on-set footage is interesting. Meanwhile, the 17-minute Trials and Tribble-ations: An Historic Endeavor examines the technical challenges to make the episode look terrific and accurate. The discussions here are also interesting, but probably the coolest aspect of this documentary is seeing some of the test footage and blue screen work.

Next up is Crew Dossier: Miles O'Brien, an 11-minute discussion with Colm Meaney, Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and others about the character and a few highlights of the famous O'Brien episodes. For some reason Paramount or the producers did not invite Colm Meaney for an all-new interview session or perhaps he did not care to participate, I don't know. Instead they use one from four years ago. The interview serves its purpose, but feels dated nonetheless. Overall, this crew dossier is good, but not as good as previous editions.

Inside Deep Space Nine with Michael Okuda offers viewers a tour of Quark's bar, Odo's security office, and the Promenade from August 28, 1996. Inside this 7-minute featurette Okuda, the show's Scenic Art Supervisor, also reveals some funny inside jokes. Next is the 7-minute Michael Westmore's Aliens goes to explain the Jem'Hadar, Trills, and the Klingons (in regards to Sisko, Odo, and O'Brien in Apocalypse Rising). This extra is a nice addition, but not something I'll watch again, though it gets the job done.

And last but not least is the Section 31 - Hidden Files part of the special features. As I've said in my Season Four review, the arrangement of the 10 segments/files is unpleasant as you have to move your arrow keys in all directions in search of hidden spots (!) located somewhere on the station's outer construction. They're generally easy to find, however. Some of the things discussed in the segments is Robert Hewitt Wolfe leaving at the end of the season, Nana Visitor dealing with her real-life pregnancy during shooting, Armin Shimerman discussing make-up and other things, and Rene Auberjonois remembering and reflecting on The Ascent and The Begotten.

Also available is a trailer for the upcoming Indiana Jones DVD Movie Collection. You know, I don't think it will happen with the two remaining seasons, but I'd love to get a commentary for at least one episode. I mean, it can't be incredibly hard to get one of the producers to sit down or get some of the cast to record a track or two. Oh well.

You can select to view the episodes with optional English subtitles. The DVD’s menus are interactive and easy to navigate. Each episode runs approximately 45 minutes and is organized into 8 chapters.

You know, in all my reviews of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine I have said the show gets better every season and evidently Season 5 is the best one yet. The quality of the episodes is top notch. Performances are great, too. Video/audio quality is pretty good. Special features are pretty good, too, but the Crew Dossier is not as good as the previous editions. With all said and done, this 7-disc DVD set comes highly recommended. Seek it out as soon as possible to avoid spending $129.99 at list price. Many outlets will have it on sale and depending where you look you might get it for only $90.

THE SEASON/SHOW	9
THE VIDEO	8
THE AUDIO	8
THE EXTRAS	6
OVERALL (not an average)	9