The character arcs - as opposed to the story arcs - are there from the start. They are admittedly, old fashioned, in that characters gradually change and don't suddenly become dead alcoholic terrorist androids. It's just Kira getting over her past, Bashir and O'Brien gradually bonding, Sisko looking to the future. If…

Judging by Gul Dukat's behaviour, it was more of a whore refinery.