Both loved and reviled by Star Trek fans, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a spin-off of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a series which faced its own crucible of criticism from fans who weren't ready to see a new crew aboard the Enterprise. That DS9 didn't feature space exploration and focused solely on the interpersonal relationships of characters aboard a space station meant that it would be shaped by different circumstances than its peers.
As fans warmed up to Commander Sisko and his colleagues, they found new characters to root for, like the shapeshifting Constable Odo. They also found some to loathe, like any member of the occupying Ferengi race. Whether fans ultimately accepted DS9 as a worthy contribution to Trek canon couldn't discount its accomplishment of establishing nuance and compelling melodrama into the Star Trek franchise.
MOST LIKABLE: BENJAMIN SISKO
The stonefaced commander of Deep Space Nine was one of the most compelling authority figures in Trek canon, who understood that sometimes the ends needed to justify the means. He wasn't afraid to get his Starfleet uniform dirty because life was a shade between black and white.
While he took more time to warm to than Captain Picard, Sisko's flair for the dramatic, combined with his resourcefulness, made him a shrewd leader. He preferred bold actions that didn't always adhere to a moral path, and that made for a powerful screen presence.
CAN'T STAND: JAKE SISKO
Jake Sisko was the Wesley Crusher of DS9 and suffered similarly. His storylines always revolved around adolescent problems that seemed largely inconsequential next to conflicts with the Cardassians, Klingons, Bajorans, and the Dominion.
Jake may not have been as annoying as a certain holier-than-thou boy-genius, but his constant rebellious streak in order to get his father's attention wore thin on viewers over time. He was just getting interesting as a war correspondent towards the end of the series when there were too many loose ends to tie up and he was given less attention.
MOST LIKABLE: ODO
The no-nonsense constable of Deep Space Nine proved that even piles of goo that slept in buckets were capable of passion and that sometimes a cold exterior simply hides sadness and a willingness to connect with others.
Odo became the trusted head of the station's security, and in between providing law and order, he uncovered the great mystery of his origins and found love in the most unlikely of places. No matter who made the laws -the Cardassians, the Federation, or the Dominion- he felt one thing remained the same - justice.
CAN'T STAND: JADZIA DAX
Jadzia Dax was an enigma when she first appeared; a young female humanoid host concealing an ancient Trill symbiont, a joining which gave her memories that made her wise beyond her years and inspired many unorthodox storylines.
Dax became for better or for worse an amalgamation of several popular Star Trek characters, possessing the candid logic of Spock, the self-seriousness of Worf, and the curiosity of Data. As a result, a once fascinating character became very rote.
MOST LIKABLE: KIRA NEYRS
The former major -then colonel- in the Bajoran military wasn't designed to be a likable character, but despite her best efforts to be a salty soldier who didn't have time for feelings, as soon as she became the liaison officer between Bajor and Deep Space Nine, she became a lovable leader.
Kira Neyr's struggle to maintain her identity as a member of the Bajoran Resistance and loyal Starfleet officer, as well as her duty to Bajor and to the Federation, made her complex and compelling. She understood the ambiguities of command and the meaning of sacrifice, which is why Commander Sisko made her second in command of the station.
CAN'T STAND: QUARK
The caustic and curmudgeonly owner of Quark's Bar aboard Deep Space Nine became the mascot of his race, and arguably the most memorable Ferengi outside of Rom and Nog. While occasionally amusing, his disposition was mostly obnoxious, and his storylines reinforced horrible gender and racial stereotypes.
That the Ferengi were reduced to one-dimensional comic relief was a phaser to the face of the nuanced world-building that Trek canon was known for. Quark and his avarice made the whole Star Trek Universe feel somehow less immersive.
MOST LIKABLE: GARAK
The unflappable and fabulous Garak, a "plain and simple tailor" aboard Deep Space Nine, could be found either dressing the station's denizens out of his garment shop in the Promenade or gossiping with Dr. Bashir at Quark's. Whether or not he could be a spy for the Obsidian Order was just a bonus, because what really kept fans' attention was the fact that everything he said was not what he meant.
Everything about Garak was a mystery, right down to his orientation, politically, sexually, and everything in between. He was capable of both the foulest deception as well as the most earnest heroism.
CAN'T STAND: JULIAN BASHIR
Initially ingratiating and eventually just grating, Dr. Julian Bashir began his stint on the series as a jovial and charming young doctor who was different than the typical Trek medical practitioner. Neither overly sarcastic nor overbearingly sweet, he had his own brand of bedside manner, and he had a truly unique relationship with Garak.
Bashir was given some rather outlandish plotlines in later seasons that seemed to retcon a lot of his character development. Fans felt cheated in some way, like the Bashir they'd gotten to know wasn't the genuine article, and they carried that resentment with them.
MOST LIKABLE: MILES O'BRIEN
Miles O'Brien was a dependable member of the Enterprise-D when he was transferred -along with his family- to Deep Space Nine. There, he was made an essential member of the crew, responsible for keeping the station in an optimal condition at all times.
Not only was O'Brien given more to do, but his character was given greater depth, with featured storylines that ended up being some of the best DS9 had to offer. There wasn't a better person to become "Star Trek's Everyman".
CAN'T STAND: EZRI DAX
After Jadzia Dax was unceremoniously killed off, a new host was needed for the Dax symbiont, and Ezri was selected and given a place on Deep Space Nine. Fans of Jadzia Dax never warmed up to her, and even viewers who didn't like Jadzia Dax would have preferred her continued presence to Ezri's.
The character suffered from not only being brought in late to the series, but being given no prominent storylines to participate in, and no narrative arcs to instigate. She was a passive member of a tight-knit crew and felt uninspired in her creation.