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The Circle (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Circle" is the 22nd episode
of the science fiction
television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
. It is also the second episode in a three-part story arc
.
, Bashir
, O'Brien
, and even Quark
show up at Kira
's quarters, each reacting in his or her own way to her departure. "Is this a joke? Did you plan this?" she finally exclaims, to which Bashir says, "Nobody could have planned this!" Vedek Bareil is the last to arrive and he invites Kira to come to his monastery
on Bajor. She accepts and, reminiscing alone in Ops, realizes both how much she hated her position as the station's liaison officer a year ago and how much she cherishes it now. Li Nalas reassures her and Sisko
that he did not want the job and that he knows no one can replace Kira.
On Bajor, Kira and Bareil grow close and Bareil allows Kira to consult one of the Bajoran Orbs for guidance. She has a vision that includes her and Bareil as lovers, which she conceals from him. Meanwhile, on Deep Space Nine
Quark panics because he believes the xenophobic
"Circle" is taking over. He has heard that the Kressari are arming the Circle, so Odo blackmail
s him to find out more. After conducting several searches of a Kressari freighter, Dax and O'Brien conclude that there is no evidence of foul play. The freighter departs with Odo assuming the form
of a rat and stowing away
.
Sisko visits the commander of the Bajoran militia
, General Krim, and during their exchange he becomes convinced that the military will not stop the Circle's coup
. While on Bajor he also visits Kira. Shortly after he leaves, however, several masked members of the Circle kidnap her. Jaro reveals to Kira that he is the true force behind the Circle and the reason Li Nalas was stationed aboard DS9. He solicits her help, but while she has no love for the provisional government
, she tells Jaro that votes, not weapons, are the way to change a government. Quark eventually learns where Kira is from his "contacts." Sisko and the others mount a rescue mission and take her back to the station.
Sisko and Kira conclude that they must get Li to the Chamber of Ministers because he is the only person capable of rallying enough support to stop the Circle. They know the Circle will try to stop him, and as Odo informs them upon his return, it will be "courtesy of a Cardassian
weapon." Odo has a manifest from the freighter proving that the Cardassians are arming the Circle through the Kressari in an attempt to force the Federation
off Bajor and allow them to reconquer it. Unfortunately, by the time this is revealed all communication to and from Bajor has been cut off.
Jaro goes to Vedek Winn, seeking her support as a spiritual leader in order to legitimize his coup. "The Prophets
are smiling on you today, Minister," she tells him. Several Bajoran assault vessels approach DS9, ordering all non-Bajorans to evacuate. Sisko seeks Starfleet
's help, but the Prime Directive
prevents it from interfering. Regardless, Sisko and the crew refuse to give up without a fight.
Episode
An episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
of the science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
. It is also the second episode in a three-part story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
.
Plot
Odo, DaxJadzia Dax
Jadzia Dax , played by Terry Farrell, was a main character during the first six seasons of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine....
, Bashir
Julian Bashir
Lieutenant Julian Subatoi Bashir, M.D., played by Alexander Siddig, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bashir is the chief medical officer of space station Deep Space Nine and the USS Defiant.-Overview:...
, O'Brien
Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)
Miles Edward O'Brien, played by Colm Meaney, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
, and even Quark
Quark (Star Trek)
Quark is a fictional character in the American television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The character, which was played by Armin Shimerman, was depicted as a member of an extraterrestrial race known as the Ferengi, who are stereotypically ultra-capitalist and only motivated by...
show up at Kira
Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys , played by Nana Visitor, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Backstory:Per Bajoran custom, her family name, Kira, precedes her given name, Nerys. She has two brothers , and her parents' names are Kira Taban and Kira Meru...
's quarters, each reacting in his or her own way to her departure. "Is this a joke? Did you plan this?" she finally exclaims, to which Bashir says, "Nobody could have planned this!" Vedek Bareil is the last to arrive and he invites Kira to come to his monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
on Bajor. She accepts and, reminiscing alone in Ops, realizes both how much she hated her position as the station's liaison officer a year ago and how much she cherishes it now. Li Nalas reassures her and Sisko
Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the main character of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Early life and career:...
that he did not want the job and that he knows no one can replace Kira.
On Bajor, Kira and Bareil grow close and Bareil allows Kira to consult one of the Bajoran Orbs for guidance. She has a vision that includes her and Bareil as lovers, which she conceals from him. Meanwhile, on Deep Space Nine
Deep Space Nine (space station)
Deep Space Nine is a fictitious space station, and is the eponymous primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It serves as a base for the exploration of the Gamma Quadrant via the Bajoran wormhole, and is a hub of trade and travel for the sector's denizens...
Quark panics because he believes the xenophobic
Xenophobia
Xenophobia is defined as "an unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange". It comes from the Greek words ξένος , meaning "stranger," "foreigner" and φόβος , meaning "fear."...
"Circle" is taking over. He has heard that the Kressari are arming the Circle, so Odo blackmail
Blackmail
In common usage, blackmail is a crime involving threats to reveal substantially true or false information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand is met. It may be defined as coercion involving threats of physical harm, threat of criminal prosecution, or threats...
s him to find out more. After conducting several searches of a Kressari freighter, Dax and O'Brien conclude that there is no evidence of foul play. The freighter departs with Odo assuming the form
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
of a rat and stowing away
Stowaway
A stowaway is a person who secretly boards a vehicle, such as an aircraft, bus, ship, cargo truck or train, to travel without paying and without being detected....
.
Sisko visits the commander of the Bajoran militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
, General Krim, and during their exchange he becomes convinced that the military will not stop the Circle's coup
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
. While on Bajor he also visits Kira. Shortly after he leaves, however, several masked members of the Circle kidnap her. Jaro reveals to Kira that he is the true force behind the Circle and the reason Li Nalas was stationed aboard DS9. He solicits her help, but while she has no love for the provisional government
Provisional government
A provisional government is an emergency or interim government set up when a political void has been created by the collapse of a very large government. The early provisional governments were created to prepare for the return of royal rule...
, she tells Jaro that votes, not weapons, are the way to change a government. Quark eventually learns where Kira is from his "contacts." Sisko and the others mount a rescue mission and take her back to the station.
Sisko and Kira conclude that they must get Li to the Chamber of Ministers because he is the only person capable of rallying enough support to stop the Circle. They know the Circle will try to stop him, and as Odo informs them upon his return, it will be "courtesy of a Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
weapon." Odo has a manifest from the freighter proving that the Cardassians are arming the Circle through the Kressari in an attempt to force the Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
off Bajor and allow them to reconquer it. Unfortunately, by the time this is revealed all communication to and from Bajor has been cut off.
Jaro goes to Vedek Winn, seeking her support as a spiritual leader in order to legitimize his coup. "The Prophets
Prophet (Star Trek)
In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Prophets, also known as Wormhole Aliens, are non-corporeal beings who inhabit the artificially constructed Bajoran wormhole which connects a distant point in the Gamma Quadrant to the Alpha Quadrant, near the planet of Bajor and the space station Deep Space...
are smiling on you today, Minister," she tells him. Several Bajoran assault vessels approach DS9, ordering all non-Bajorans to evacuate. Sisko seeks Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
's help, but the Prime Directive
Prime Directive
In the universe of Star Trek, the Prime Directive, Starfleet's General Order #1, is the most prominent guiding principle of the United Federation of Planets...
prevents it from interfering. Regardless, Sisko and the crew refuse to give up without a fight.
Arc significance
- Kira spends time at Bareil's monastery. She has an orb experience in which she and Bareil are lovers.
- Minister Jaro is revealed to be the leader of the Circle.
- Vedek Winn (cf. "In the Hands of the Prophets") agrees to publicly support the Circle's coup in exchange for Jaro's promise that he will make sure she becomes Kai.
- Odo discovers that the Circle is being armed by the Cardassians through a third party. Their goal is for the Circle to get rid of the Federation so they can retake the station and the wormhole.
- The coup begins and Sisko is ordered to evacuate the station.