Emissary (OB 3 Jan. 1993) score: 9

"Emissary" is probably the best (aired) Trek pilot, a blink ahead of "Where No Man Has Gone Before."

On first viewing, I considered this "very promising."  Like TNG's debut "Encounter at Farpoint," it's entertaining despite a diffused storyline.  Hallucination sequences recall "The Cage" (the original TOS film later folded into "The Menagerie"): "Emissary" appreciates franchise lore.  Sisko's flashbacks to Wolf 359 might imply a coded Vietnam veteran.

In 2003, I added:

"Kira's a one-note character, but Brooks is brilliant, as is David Carson's direction.  Takes Trek cliches (like the godlike alien) and makes them new.
The Cardassians and Bajorans could be read as Iraq and Kuwait, or Israelis and Palestinians."  

In outline, the introduction of Ben Sisko is routine, similar to that of Hawk in 1980's "Time of the Hawk" (the Season 2 premiere of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century).  In both, the ethnic Other blames the (audience's) white hero for the death of his wife, and in a broader sense for abuses suffered by his people.  The ensuing story is structured for forgiveness, but this pacification achieves dignity through treatment and performance (Thom Christopher in the prior case).  A key difference: unlike Hawk, Ben has son Jake to carry the line. 

Brooks's theatrical vocalizations are remarkable, variously expressing horror, grief, joy, excitement, etc.  These may not have been well-received (never again as prominent), but they help make "Emissary" a classic of mainstream science fiction.