Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by Dennis McCarthy
01/03/2007 . Source: Sue Davies 
CD: GNP Crescendo GNPD 8034. 18 tracks. Price: $12.98 (US- if you buy direct off them). Buy Star Trek Deep Space Nine in the USA - or Buy Star Trek Deep Space Nine in the UK  check out website: www.gnpcrescendo.com/www.gnpcrescendo.com
The opening episode is a crucial point for any new TV series. The point at which the viewers tune in and don't switch off. Coming after the success of 'The Next Generation', the Star Trek guys must have hoped that DS9 would be a shoe-in. They kept the original composer and the continuity for the series Dennis McCarthy so you can pretty much guess that you get more of the same.
The creators were also taking the show in a new darker direction. The peace and harmony and touchy-feely sensibilities of TNG was broken by the new setting. Suddenly the universe was dark dangerous and menacing again, back on the frontier with no Councillor to suss out the 'feelings' of the opposition. There are unknown aliens and a wormhole in space to contend with. The Bajorans who happen to live on the planet below the Space Station have only just escaped from the yoke of Cardassian oppression and there are many bridges to build.
As an opening episode, DS9 'The Emissary' had to introduce all the reoccurring characters and set up the premise for the season and hopefully more than one. It has quite a task and was to feature length to cope. Luckily, the cover notes of the CD describe the episodes and each track to the CD has its own title. One track is called 'Cucumbers In Space'!
This is film quality music and anyone who is a fan of the series will enjoy the familiar mixture of strings, horns giving the galactic scope that made Star Trek the Franchise so memorable. After all, some films would kill for a decent score and TV seems to do it with less time and money. According to the cover notes McCarthy was given a week to compose the theme and another two to write the score for the opening episode, so no pressure then.
I admit I prefer this music in the context of the series but after a while the composition disconnects from its original form and becomes enjoyable in its own right reflecting its semi-spiritual and occasionally martial content.
Sue Davies |
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