There are many reasons why I love Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and why it remains my favorite of the Star Trek franchise.
Reason #83: Babel
“Babel” is one of the early episodes of the series where the relationships of the characters were still in flux. Kira (Nana Visitor) was still getting to know Sisko (Avery Brooks) and hadn’t yet come around to truly accepting the Federation’s presence on the station.
While working on one of the replicators O’Brien (Colm Meaney) accidently sets off a device set by Bajoran terrorists that was set during the time of the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. The Chief starts showing signs of aphasia (in inability to communicate as his brain is no longer able to translate his thoughts into coherent speech). The condition slowly spreads across the station eventually effecting everyone except for Odo (Rene Auberjonois) and Quark (Armin Shimerman). Meanwhile, Kira takes a runabout to Bajor, kidnapping the closest thing to an expert she can find and bringing him back to the station to find a cure.
This is actually one of the creepier episodes of Deep Space Nine as various characters panic at the loss of their ability to communicate (or watch helplessly the loss in those they love). The knowledge that at any minute your brain could start failing you and you would be uttering gibberish to all those around you is a terrifying thought.
The show manages to also work in a couple of recurring jokes, such as Sisko’s impatience with the Cardassian replicators and O’Brien loosing his cool at the amount of work he’s put in to the station only to be met with complaints.
