I have to disagree. DS9 definitely had some problematic episodes, like any show with that many episodes, but the positives IMO definitely outway the negatives especially in the aspects you mention:
Religion is not shown as one dimensional, positive or negative. It’s clearly shown to be abused as a tool to control populations (the Dominion), and as something that can be abused to wield power including religious leaders that obviously don’t follow their own teachings (Kai Winn).
Re war crimes apologia: I give you that, but I’d attribute that to bad writing of some episodes (For the Uniform is simply an awful episode) or is clearly shown as being problematic (e.g. In the Pale Moonlight, and that episode is simply a masterpiece)
Section 31 is never glamorized. On the contrary, Odo clearly calls out the Federation when they don’t want to counteract the genocide of the founders started by Section 31.
War is not glamorized, DS9 is the first Star Trek show to really show what war does to people. Nog’s PTSD, Quark’s take on humankind just as some examples.
Not to forget when they stop a fear-mongering fueled coup attempt on the federation.
I also disagree that it in any way is “capitalist apologia”. While other Star Trek shows are just hand-waving “post scarcity” around without ever explaining how the monetary system of the Federation actually works, and some weak-ass attempts to criticize capitalism with this one guy who had stocks in the 90s on TNG, DS9 clearly and openly attacks capitalism with their characterization of the Ferengi throughout the whole show.
I have to disagree. DS9 definitely had some problematic episodes, like any show with that many episodes, but the positives IMO definitely outway the negatives especially in the aspects you mention:
Religion is not shown as one dimensional, positive or negative. It’s clearly shown to be abused as a tool to control populations (the Dominion), and as something that can be abused to wield power including religious leaders that obviously don’t follow their own teachings (Kai Winn).
Re war crimes apologia: I give you that, but I’d attribute that to bad writing of some episodes (For the Uniform is simply an awful episode) or is clearly shown as being problematic (e.g. In the Pale Moonlight, and that episode is simply a masterpiece)
Section 31 is never glamorized. On the contrary, Odo clearly calls out the Federation when they don’t want to counteract the genocide of the founders started by Section 31.
War is not glamorized, DS9 is the first Star Trek show to really show what war does to people. Nog’s PTSD, Quark’s take on humankind just as some examples.
Not to forget when they stop a fear-mongering fueled coup attempt on the federation.
I also disagree that it in any way is “capitalist apologia”. While other Star Trek shows are just hand-waving “post scarcity” around without ever explaining how the monetary system of the Federation actually works, and some weak-ass attempts to criticize capitalism with this one guy who had stocks in the 90s on TNG, DS9 clearly and openly attacks capitalism with their characterization of the Ferengi throughout the whole show.