Battle Lines

DVD, DS9 S1 (Battle Lines)

Perhaps the most violent episode to this point, and if it were merely concentrated on some Starfleet officers trying to survive on a battle-ravaged planet of hate, it wouldn't have been as interesting. The extra dimension of Kai Opaka, and Kira's story, makes the episode something a bit more. From the pilot episode you would probably have guessed at least one storyline that would be continued would be Opaka's. She played a simple, but integral part in beginning Sisko's journey, with her grounded wisdom and wholehearted faith. She had so much presence with so little stature and so few words. She seemed like someone you could trust fully and relate to, and she fulfils much the same function in this episode.

This time Kira is the one confronted with herself, a past of violence which has shaped her. The Kai helps her to admit who she is, and understand her peace and that of her world is of high importance. Yet the Kai serves the Prophets will to help the people of the abandoned moon upon which the Runabout crashes, above her own ideas and desires. She wants her people to be healed, but though she may not understand, she realises through prophecy that she will not be the one to do it. The growing storyline of Bajor, which has pretty much lain dormant since the pilot episode, is set to return to prominence. Without their great religious leader what will become of the people? Only political and religious maneouvring will tell us...

Opaka wasn't really serving the Prophets, of course. She was serving the needs of the writers and the series itself, because having a stable person on Bajor; an ally of such import and influence, on the side of Sisko, would not have given as much opportunity for strife and upset. Conflict is the word, and conflict is something that would sum up the series. So although her departure is sad, especially for Kira, it was necessary, logical, and, let's face it, provided a good story to boot!

There are technical constraints that prevent this episode being the classic it could have been. No matter how good it is, I did feel there were things missing. Things that would have made it a little more impressive visually. The shuttle crash takes place mostly in the character's reactions, with some nice clouds and land rushing towards them from a viewport, but an exterior shot would have improved it. Likewise, the satellites guarding the moon would have been something worth seeing, as would their destruction of the probe, or even O'Brien sending out all those probes in different directions. Also, the cave set, while used to the full, isn't a substitute for a larger landscape that a quarry might have given.

The crash is noteworthy for being the first Runabout to bite the dust. Certainly not the last! And it's nice to see O'Brien and Dax teamed up, I think for the first time. It's always good, and helps set an episode apart, if a new combination of characters is used. The standout performance is Kira's, crying into the Kai's robes, her bitter hardness broken down with gentle words, and as the Kai says, the beginning of her journey. The Ennis and Nol-Ennis always seem to me a bit lacklustre, and undeveloped. But I suppose that's the point. When Shel-La rants about the possible 'cure' Bashir had suggested, his twisted nature rises, ugly and revealing, to the surface. Their hate is so great that they would use the cure as a weapon itself, and neither side will ever relinquish anything to the other, though they don't even remember what they're fighting for. But one person cares enough to remain with them. Opaka's calm acceptance of her situation, should give the crazed fighters the hope they need. We never found out what happened on this planet I believe, but if anyone could help them it would be her.

Amazingly Quark isn't in this at all, and Odo only fleetingly (but he gets a really nice camera shot seen from inside the Turbolift as Dax talks to him as it descends). Sisko shows what a dangerous fighter he is, really putting all his considerable physical strength into the fight, the first hand to hand mass brawl seen on the series. Not the last, though usually Klingons are involved. So, an action-oriented episode for a change; brutal, nasty and (since it moves so quick), short. But one that is surprisingly emotional. And at least the promise is given: one day Opaka's and Sisko's pagh (soul), or even path, will cross again...

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