In DS9, the ultimate goal of a Ferengi was to own one or more of your own planet(s). It was considered the ultimate sign of wealth. Plus, in the TREK universe, there was no actual money, only credits and a supposed gift based economy. One that frustrated many a writer when it became obvious such a concept doesn't really work. So they used the Ferengi as an 'out' to have actual commerce on the show. Since no Federation systems could do what ever they wanted. Much to the consternation of the hardcore Trek faithful. (Me not being one of them, hehehe).

Similarities, yes, copy? No. It was Paramount at the time, before CBS bought them. Trek was always syndicated until the last one "Enterprise". The guy who created B5 is also the guy who created the hit series Murder She Wrote, and B5 was very much along the lines of a 5 year whodunit. Not that that is a bad thing, but DS9 was more about the characters themselves and how the Federation wasn't so 'perfect' as it was portrayed in previous series. Part of the enjoyment I got from the series was how it pissed off all the Trek Nazis, er faithful who felt it betrayed Roddenberry's vision of an atheist Utopian gift based economy. I enjoyed both series. I think the mid to late 90's was sort of the golden age of episodic sci fi. But just like westerns in the 60s, it all got over done, over exposed and the general public got tired of the genre. The low budget crap the gets on the scifi network not with standing. (with the exception of Warehouse 13).

DS9 was arguably the best of all the series. TNG was just an extension of Roddenberrys 'hippies in space' archetypes. Always doing the politically correct thing and solving all problems with a quick sub routine. blah. Voyager was just bad writing, even after the borg got involved. And the finale was possibly with lamest of any scifi series. Enterprise? I think most people simply had had enough Trek for awhile. By the 3d season when the writing finally got good, it was too late So yes, it's just you..

I agree, as long as the world buys their products we finance tyranny. Free Tibet. Free Tibet. Free Tibet.

Is this Yahoo or AOL? Now I'm confused.