Star Trek: This is what you need to know about the Dominion War, mentioned in Season 5, Episode 3

“Star Trek: Discovery” Season 5 revolves around an artifact that first appeared 800 years ago. It’s about a technology that can create life. In the wrong hands, this can be weaponized, so Discovery must embark on a treasure hunt across the galaxy to find this technology before others do.

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Also mentioned in reference to the ancient artifact and a 24th century Romulan Bird of Prey that was found is the Dominion War that marked the late 24th century. We’ll explain to you what the conflict was all about.

The Dominion War in “Star Trek” history

The Dominion War in “Star Trek: Discovery” was around 800 years ago. The aftermath of the war also recently played a role in “Star Trek: Picard” Season 3. Many episodes in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” in particular are about the Dominion War.

The Dominion War can be divided into a cold war and a fiery conflict. In the year 2371 in the “Star Trek” chronology, the cold conflict between the Federation and the Dominion begins. The Dominion is also a multi-species organization.

As a reference point: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 3 takes place a few years after 2400. The Cold War with the Dominion ends in 2373 and the conflict becomes a military conflict that lasts until the year 2375.

Star Trek: Alpha vs Gamma

The Earth is in the alpha quadrant of the Milky Way, as is the planet Vulcan, for example. The Dominion is a collection of different worlds in the far away Gamma Quadrant. A connection between the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants is created in the year 2369 through a wormhole.

It is the only known wormhole that is stable, and so many spacecraft travel through it to explore the Gamma Quadrant. This ultimately causes a conflict with the Dominion that dominates there. This sees it as an attack and comes as a counter-reaction to the Alpha Quadrant.

Peace can only be made late. The Dominion is assured that the Federation has only peaceful intentions. The losses of the war are enormous, especially for the Klingons who fought alongside the Federation against the Dominion. The Romulans also supported the Federation. The Cardassians initially support the Dominion, but switch sides as the war progresses.

The Dominion is led by changelings. They are the leading species, much like humans are in the Federation. If you want to watch the episodes that revolve around the Dominion War, we have an overview for you here:

Star Trek Deep Space Nine: These episodes are about the Dominion War!

For example, to abbreviate season and episode numbers, we write S01 (Season 1) and E01 (Episode 1), so S01E01 means the first episode of the first season.

• S02E26 “The Dominion Plan”
• S03E01 & 02 “The Search”
• S03E20 & 21 “The Mysterious Garak”
• S03E26 “The Adversary”
• S04E11 “Die Front”
• S04E12 “Paradise Lost”
• S04E26 “The Judgment”
• S05E01 “The Apocalypse Is Coming”
• S05E14 “The Shadows of Hell”
• S05E15 “In the Light of the Inferno”
• S05E26 “To Arms!”
• S06E01 “Time of Resistance”
• S06E02 “Decisions”
• S06E03 “Sons and Daughters”
• S06E04 “Behind the Line”
• S06E05 “A bold plan”
• S06E06 “Victory or Defeat?”
• S06E19 “In the Pale Moonlight”
• S06E26 “Tears of the Prophets”
• S07E01 “The Face in the Sand”
• S07E02 “Shadows and Symbols”
• S07E06 “Betrayal, Faith and Mighty River”
• S07E17 “In the Unknown”
• S07E18 “Till death do us part”
• S07E19 “A Strange Combination”
• S07E20 “In the Face of Evil”
• S07E21 “A misfortune rarely comes alone”
• S07E22 “Fight with all means”
• S07E23 “Extreme Measures”
• S07E24 “In the turmoil of war”
• S07E25 & 26 “What You Leave Behind”

You should be able to follow the episodes largely without any prior knowledge. The classic series of the “Star Trek” universe made sure that viewers could take a break for a week. Once you’ve warmed up to the characters, you’ll be able to get started easily.

“Star Trek: Discovery” is streaming on Paramount+. There you will also find the new episodes every week as well as all new “Star Trek” releases that will be released this year.