Nana Visitor's performance was the highlight and saving grace of this episode. Imagine if she was killed on the station via a Cardassian assassination? What if Vedek Winn's crafted a plot to kill Opaka herself? Or that Winn's schemes led to an 'accidental' death of Opaka? Instead, Opaka is forever stuck on some alien-of-the-week planet that we never see or hear of ever again. If this planet COULD regenerate cells and keep people alive, wouldn't the entire Gamma Quadrant want to flock there and somehow steal, learn, and/or reap the god-like benefits that this planet offers?Īlso, I think it would have been more powerful to have killed off Kai Opaka in ways that related to the Bajoran/Cardassian storyline. I think it has to do with me not being able to look beyond the implausible immortaility backdrop. I, too, don't think 'Battle Lines' deserved its 3-star rating. I'd have to agree with Van_Patten on this one. (I'd argue Season 2's 'the Collaborator' is more about Bareil than Opaka) I've been critical of Nana Visito's performance but here she is in fine form, perhaps foreshadowing an even better performance in a few episodes time.Īll in all, the interminability of the scenes involving the Aliens and the shakiness of the concept do undermine what could have been a season highlight. I liked the Kira/ Opaka dynamic, and it's a shame they didn't return to this story later in some ways. Unquestionably the highlight are the scenes between Nana Visitor and Saviola. I confess to not recognising under the make-up the usually superb Jonathan Banks as Shel -La, but the script here doesn't do much to flesh him out. As Jammer says, although it's high concept, the idea of 'perpetual war' where no one can die seems far-fetched. The story goes somewhat off the rails in the second part of the story. The opening, with Opaka visiting the station does promise much and I like Kira's reaction when given the details of her intelligence file (Odd how Dukat is not mentioned by name) - Indeed for me the various conversations involving Sisko/ Odo/Bashir and Kira in the Captain's Office are some of the most memorable parts of DS9's Freshman season. I found it seemed to drag, especially the battle scenes on the Moon. Not sure I think this is as good as Jammer does. Like this site? Support it by buying Jammer a coffee.įollowing an impromptu visit to DS9, the Crew take Bajor's Spiritual Leader Kai Opaka (Camille Saviola) through the wormhole and tragedy ensues. The final line of dialog hints that we may see a follow-up to the storyline, which I definitely would welcome (even if it turns out to be five years down the road). Running alongside the Kira storyline, this makes a lot of sense.

It shows a character who has a new mission ahead of her, and it also promises to bring about sweeping changes on Bajor as a result of the important figure's absence. Opaka's subsequent decision to remain among the prisoners with the hope of helping them end their conflict and beginning their healing uses the foreshadowed idea of 'destiny' rather well. The most interesting character aspect is the focus on Kira's violent past and how, with the Kai's help, she comes to realize this internal conflict and decides to begin the journey of leaving her violent impulses behind. When the same condition that gives the prisoners their immortality brings Opaka back from the dead, the episode wisely uses her character as a symbol of non-violence.

The episode's relevant theme is the prisoners' error of continuing the pointless violence neither faction can put aside their hate and think their situation through. Ambitious production design stands out, as do some above-average fight scenes. Once you accept the implausibility of immortality in this sort of warfare (couldn't you sever your enemy's head to kill him?), this story's premise is intriguing. The twist: no one on this colony dies their cells have been re-engineered to keep them fighting a futile battle with no possible victory for either side. Meanwhile, the survivors find themselves in the middle of two warring factions of a penal colony. Opaka is killed in the crash in a surprising, tragic twist of fate.

Sisko, Kira, and Bashir take Kai Opaka (Camille Saviola) through the wormhole for a brief excursion, but their Runabout is shot down by an automated satellite system when investigating a nearby planet. Teleplay by Richard Danus and Evan Carlos Somers Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 'Battle Lines'

Deep space nine battle lines