Glen here...

...with two reviews from the long-awaited series finale of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

The first review comes from web presence extrodinaire LEE WHITESIDE (CLICK HERE to access his site).

Lee just attended a special screening of the DS9 series finale at The Museum of Radio and Television in Los Angeles. His initial review contained some fascinating comparisons and contrasts between this episode's script - and what actually ended up in the final cut. In standing with Coaxial's "no spoilage" policy for this finale (don't complain, it won't make a difference) - I've decided to print only Lee's general impression upon seeing the finale.

I will likely run Lee's "things that changed" list...and mine as well...as a Talkback entry in the Reader Reaction that will be opened for the finale early next weekend. So, if you're interested in the evolution of the finale from script to screen - be sure to check out those Talkbacks.

Lee wrote:

I just got back from the DS9 finale screening at the Museum of Radio & Television in LA.

They had a good turnout of main cast members (more than we expected, actually). Present were Rick Berman, Ira Stephen Behr, Avery Brooks, Rene A., Armin Shimmerman, Alexander Siddig, Nana Visitor, Michael Dorn and Nicole deBoer. They all took questions after the screening.

Also in attendance in the audience were a good number of the writing/production staff, most of whom are in the crowd during the scene in Vic's in the finale. It was fun to play "spot the writer", especially with most of them sitting in front of us.

It was also a very good quality video presenation at the Museum, maybe even from a digital master. During some of the scenes on The Defiant, you could made out some of the detail on the ship's plaque in the background.

Overall, I think it comes off well. There's definitely closure but with the opportunity to continue on in some fashion down the road. There's definitely some similarity to the way Babylon 5 ended, but almost any show in that type of setting would have similar things happen.

There's a good amount of humor in it as well, which lightens the mood when it needs it in most cases. If you've been watching the show for 7 years and feel you know these characters, you'll more than likely need a tissue in a few spots.

My good friend TheKJB just posted a review of the series finale at his Backstage Pass website. You can CLICK HERE to access KJB's review directly (it's pretty light on the spoilers, by the way).

As far as my review of the Deep Space Nine series finale? As far as I know, it ain't gonna happen - don't think I'm getting a copy in hand soon enough. None the less, I will happily be printing any (substantive) reviews of the DS9 finale thoughout the coming week. So, if you've seen it and have something you'd like to say about it - send your comments to the e-mail link(s) provided below!

More to come as the countdown marches on...