Favor the Bold


"Favor the Bold" is the 129th episode of the television series , the fifth episode of the sixth season. Various science fiction factions of the Star Trek universe are featured: Deep Space Nine has fallen under control of the Dominion alliance and The United Federation of Planets makes plans, as the people of the station struggle under new leadership.
This had Nielsen ratings of 6 points, which equaled about 5.9 million viewers for its debut.
This science fiction television show, is set on a 24th-century space station, the titular named Deep Space Nine. The overall content is the traditional Star Trek science fiction universe, but in this case the wayward outpost proves to be the flashpoint for a Galactic war that breaks out between the franchise's alien species.
This episode aired on television on October 27, 1997.

Background

This brings together many of the narratives that continued over the previous episodes, including the situation at Deep Space Nine station and the Federation forces trying to stop the Dominion. The next episode, "Sacrifice of Angels" is a sequel to this two-parter.

Plot

decides to retake Deep Space Nine in order to bolster sagging Federation morale. He plans a large force in order to do so but it will take some time. The Klingons are unwilling to commit a large force, so General Martok and Worf must leave to convince the High Council.
Rom faces execution for attempting to foil the plan to destroy the self-replicating mine-field. This field is the only thing keeping Dominion reinforcements from showing up through the wormhole. It will take about a week before the field can be eliminated.
While Kira and Quark work on a plan to warn the Federation of the pending destruction of the minefield, Jake reveals to them how he gets messages out: through Morn, who delivers the message as he is going home to visit his mother. Sisko realizes he must take the station now, though his fleet is nowhere near large enough.
While all this is going on, Odo's loyalties become confused and Tora Ziyal, daughter of Gul Dukat becomes entangled in station politics and policy decisions.
With a fleet consisting of 600 vessels, Sisko arrives near Deep Space Nine facing a Cardassian-Dominion fleet of 1254 ships. He turns to his crew and says "There's an old saying: 'Fortune favors the bold'. I guess we're about to find out." as the operation begins.

Reception

Favor the Bold had some of the highest Nielsen ratings in Season 6, along with "Sacrifice of Angels" and "You are Cordially Invited...".
io9 ranked "Favor the Bold " when paired with "Sacrifice of Angels", as the 88th best episodic presentation of Star Trek in a 2014 listing. They note this as featuring a special effect sequence depicting a large space battle for Star Trek.
A 2015 binge-watching guide for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by W.I.R.E.D. recommended not skipping this essential episode.
In 2015, Geek.com recommended this episode as "essential watching" for their abbreviated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine binge-watching guide.
In 2016, The Washington Post called the Dominion war story arc possibly the "richest narrative" of the Star Trek universe.
In 2018, SyFy recommend this episode for its abbreviated watch guide for the Bajoran character Kira Nerys. They recommend it as part of sequence of seven episodes including a "Call to Arms |Call to Arms," "A Time to Stand," "Rocks and Shoals |Rocks and Shoals," "Sons and Daughters |Sons and Daughters," "Behind the Lines |Behind the Lines," "Favor the Bold," and "Sacrifice of Angels"; this includes from the season finale of season 5 and the first six episodes of season 6 of the show.
In 2018, CBR rated "Favor the Bold" paired with "Sacrifice of Angels", as the 3rd best multi episode story arc of all Star Trek.