In the two-part season opener, "The Search", Commander Sisko returns from Starfleet Headquarters on Earth with a "Defiant"-class prototype starship, the USS "Defiant". Executive producer Rick Berman had to be convinced that the introduction of the "Defiant" would not distract the audience from the main starship of the latest "Star Trek" production, "". The decision was made on the basis that a ship was needed to provide an avenue for stories set off the Deep Space Nine space station and that such a vessel would need the potential to oppose the Jem'Hadar, who had already been portrayed obliterating large ships. Audience research had also suggested that young male viewers were hoping for more action-oriented episodes with greater jeopardy.