This is the second in a three part storyline. Major Kira is fired as Bajor liaison to DS9 and replaced by Li Nalas - a position he does not want and is not comfortable with. It is obviously done to keep him off Bajor where he might act as a calming and uniting influence. Kira, at Vedek Bareil's invitation, goes to the monastery where he is the spiritual leader to come to terms with leaving DS9 and to figure out what she will do next. The Circle grows ever stronger and more violent and Odo investigates where they are getting their arms from. Kira is kidnapped from the monastery and Sisko leads a team that includes Li Nalas to rescue her. This is an exciting episode with two especially good scenes. The first is when Kira's DS9 comrades (even Quark) stop by Kira's quarters to wish her well - in some cases in a rather stumbling but endearing fashion and she fully realizes then how much she'll miss her friends and DS9. The second scene is the political machinations between Vedek Winn and the Bajoran political leader. Louise Fletcher is just wonderful as the ambitious and manipulative wannabe Kai.
9 Reviews
Bajor for the Bajorans!
Tweekums3 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
As the middle episode of a three part story it is not surprising that this is darker in tone than most early episodes of DS9. Having been replaced on DS9 Kira is unsure what to do with her life so when Vedek Bareil invites her to come to the monastery for a time and contemplate what she should be doing with her life. Back on the station Li Nalas is feeling out of place as Kira's replacement knowing that he is only there because the politicians back on Bajor don't want a popular war hero there who might unify the people behind him. Odo is investigating The Circle and gets a lead concerning their arms supplier from a rather unexpected source... as he follows the lead he finds that the weapons are coming from Cardassia, at first it seems strange that they would be arming Bajoran nationalists but it makes sense; if the Bajorans expel all non-Bajorans they will lose Federation protection. When Kira is kidnapped from the monastery by The Circle Sisko mounts a rescue mission where he is accompanied by Li Nalas who is glad to get a chance to do what he does best.
This episode does what DS9 does at its best; successfully combining action, character development and political machinations in one good story, it also foreshadows later episodes as Vedek Winn manoeuvres for a promotion to Kai, the Bajoran's spiritual leader, I'm not sure if it was planned at the time or just because Louise Fletcher did so well in the role that the show's creators wanted to use the character a lot more.
This episode does what DS9 does at its best; successfully combining action, character development and political machinations in one good story, it also foreshadows later episodes as Vedek Winn manoeuvres for a promotion to Kai, the Bajoran's spiritual leader, I'm not sure if it was planned at the time or just because Louise Fletcher did so well in the role that the show's creators wanted to use the character a lot more.
Solid middle part to the trilogy
snoozejonc18 January 2022
The Circle makes a play for power on Bajor.
This is an enjoyable second part to the Bajoran story with more of strong political scenes.
It does a great job of turning the potential whine-fest that is Kira leaving DS9 into a humorous situation where everyone piles into her room to bid her farewell.
I enjoyed the political manoeuvring from certain characters and although certain revelations are easily telegraphed it all makes good sense. That is as much as I will share about the plot not to spoil anything.
All performances are strong, particularly Frank Langella, Louise Fletcher, Nana Visitor and Rene Auberjonois.
For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
This is an enjoyable second part to the Bajoran story with more of strong political scenes.
It does a great job of turning the potential whine-fest that is Kira leaving DS9 into a humorous situation where everyone piles into her room to bid her farewell.
I enjoyed the political manoeuvring from certain characters and although certain revelations are easily telegraphed it all makes good sense. That is as much as I will share about the plot not to spoil anything.
All performances are strong, particularly Frank Langella, Louise Fletcher, Nana Visitor and Rene Auberjonois.
For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
It's a War
Hitchcoc28 September 2018
The Circle is a self serving group of terrorists led by a man everyone initially trusted. The goal is to drive the Federation and all non-Bajoran persons out. This, of course, would make the average Bajorans vulnerable once again to the Cardassians. Kira is a soldier. I didn't like her at first, but she is a formidable entity. Due to political reasons and the Prime Directive, the Federation finds its hands are tied. But Sisko will do what he can without disobeying orders. This is a real thriller and I believe it goes on for a couple more episodes.
Second course of the meal.
thevacinstaller15 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It was almost Cardassian of Minister Jaro to recall Kira to bajor and install Li Nalas in her place to avoid potential popularist movements during the attempted coup de'etat.
It was delicious to view a homegrown 'terrorist' organization on Bajor attempting to gain power to oust 'foreign' influences. I like that DS9 has the brass to tackle a plot line like this ---- It is well within the realm of possibility that an insular movement would take hold in Bajoran society after 50 years of foreign occupation. It went a bit far into the 'hot for power' motivate and moved away from genuine belief but I suppose the allure of power can do that.
Vedek Winn is so loveably evil in this episode. In her sly fashion she suggests to Vedek Bareil that he has brought down Kira solely to have intimate relations with and the line, "Stay as long as you like ---- even a week if necessary" is a great recap of Winn's overall character. What I enjoy about Winn is that she's smart and I can't get enough of her sly political maneuvering and sacrificing people on her chess board of life to get ahead.
Ben Sisko is in fine form in this episode as well ---- He is going to follow admiral Chakotay's (no, not that one) order about preserving the prime directive ---- ------ eventually.
My cold heart was warmed by Odo's display of aggressive affection for Kira's dismissal from DS9. This is Odo's version of a love sonnet at this point and definitely feels like a seedling of something greater. Poor Kira though --- She gets kidnapped and then TORTURED by fellow Bajorans. Thankfully Ben Sisko is not going to let that slide and calls in the cavalry to get her back.
Cardassians show off a unique cleverness in terms of how they planned to regain control of the wormhole/bajor. You have to respect that type of chess master move. I enjoy smart characters and societies and true effort is put into making the Cardassian society intelligent despite being barbaric.
A real treat of an episode to dig into.
It was delicious to view a homegrown 'terrorist' organization on Bajor attempting to gain power to oust 'foreign' influences. I like that DS9 has the brass to tackle a plot line like this ---- It is well within the realm of possibility that an insular movement would take hold in Bajoran society after 50 years of foreign occupation. It went a bit far into the 'hot for power' motivate and moved away from genuine belief but I suppose the allure of power can do that.
Vedek Winn is so loveably evil in this episode. In her sly fashion she suggests to Vedek Bareil that he has brought down Kira solely to have intimate relations with and the line, "Stay as long as you like ---- even a week if necessary" is a great recap of Winn's overall character. What I enjoy about Winn is that she's smart and I can't get enough of her sly political maneuvering and sacrificing people on her chess board of life to get ahead.
Ben Sisko is in fine form in this episode as well ---- He is going to follow admiral Chakotay's (no, not that one) order about preserving the prime directive ---- ------ eventually.
My cold heart was warmed by Odo's display of aggressive affection for Kira's dismissal from DS9. This is Odo's version of a love sonnet at this point and definitely feels like a seedling of something greater. Poor Kira though --- She gets kidnapped and then TORTURED by fellow Bajorans. Thankfully Ben Sisko is not going to let that slide and calls in the cavalry to get her back.
Cardassians show off a unique cleverness in terms of how they planned to regain control of the wormhole/bajor. You have to respect that type of chess master move. I enjoy smart characters and societies and true effort is put into making the Cardassian society intelligent despite being barbaric.
A real treat of an episode to dig into.
Bajoran Trilogy, Part 2
Nominahorn14 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
2.02 "The Circle"
The political unrest on Bajor has turned to open violence on the streets. Kira has been replaced but not reassigned, so she goes to Vedek Bareil's monastery to gain some peace and direction. Meanwhile on the station, Odo, Quark, and Sisko have been uncovering a plot to overthrow the Bajoran government, a plot that has been orchestrated and supplied by none other than the Cardassians.
Things pick up a bit in this ep. The plot moves a much better clip and ends on a more suspenseful note than the first part.
THE GOOD
-I really like Odo and Kira's friendship. What they become later, not so much. But their friendship is really nice.
-The scene where the members of the crew come in to Kira's quarters one-by-one and are having overlapping convos is great. It feels a little scripted and might have been better if the actors had been allowed to ad lib their dialogue more, but overall it's a fun scene with both funny and touching moments.
-Watching the crew try to unravel the web of conspiracy and intrigue is suspenseful and holds your interest well.
-The addition of Winn to the plot.
THE BAD
-I don't feel that the scenes of Kira in the monastery were necessary. Maybe it's because I don't like her romance with Bareil, of which the seeds are planted in those scenes. But I found the intergalactic political intrigue way more interesting than watching Kira stand awkwardly in the middle of a pond talking to people.
-Jaro is way too cartoonish of a bad guy. Winn and the Cardassians make the plotting interesting, but Jaro does not.
-Even without him knowing that the Cardassians were supplying him, I still find the stupidity of Jaro's plot to be too much to swallow. In season 1 it is stated repeatedly that if Starfleet left, the Cardassian would immediately reoccupy Bajor. Nothing has changed on that front, so his plot is blindingly, incomprehensibly stupid.
THE UGLY
-The room where Kira has the orb experience looks like the same room Kai Winn later uses as her office.
-Odo shapeshift count: Rat. 10 total shifts for the series.
The political unrest on Bajor has turned to open violence on the streets. Kira has been replaced but not reassigned, so she goes to Vedek Bareil's monastery to gain some peace and direction. Meanwhile on the station, Odo, Quark, and Sisko have been uncovering a plot to overthrow the Bajoran government, a plot that has been orchestrated and supplied by none other than the Cardassians.
Things pick up a bit in this ep. The plot moves a much better clip and ends on a more suspenseful note than the first part.
THE GOOD
-I really like Odo and Kira's friendship. What they become later, not so much. But their friendship is really nice.
-The scene where the members of the crew come in to Kira's quarters one-by-one and are having overlapping convos is great. It feels a little scripted and might have been better if the actors had been allowed to ad lib their dialogue more, but overall it's a fun scene with both funny and touching moments.
-Watching the crew try to unravel the web of conspiracy and intrigue is suspenseful and holds your interest well.
-The addition of Winn to the plot.
THE BAD
-I don't feel that the scenes of Kira in the monastery were necessary. Maybe it's because I don't like her romance with Bareil, of which the seeds are planted in those scenes. But I found the intergalactic political intrigue way more interesting than watching Kira stand awkwardly in the middle of a pond talking to people.
-Jaro is way too cartoonish of a bad guy. Winn and the Cardassians make the plotting interesting, but Jaro does not.
-Even without him knowing that the Cardassians were supplying him, I still find the stupidity of Jaro's plot to be too much to swallow. In season 1 it is stated repeatedly that if Starfleet left, the Cardassian would immediately reoccupy Bajor. Nothing has changed on that front, so his plot is blindingly, incomprehensibly stupid.
THE UGLY
-The room where Kira has the orb experience looks like the same room Kai Winn later uses as her office.
-Odo shapeshift count: Rat. 10 total shifts for the series.
What a web of intrigue
bkoganbing9 November 2019
In this second part of the 2nd season opener we find Nana Visitor at Vedek Philip
Anglim's retreat and Prime Minister Frank Langella tightening his grip on Bajor.
Louise Fletcher as head of the fundamentalist sect is busy working herself into Langella's confidence. There is enough intrigue in here for about six episodes.
An encounter with a Bajoran orb gives Visitor some interesting insights into who is behind what. It gets her taken prisoner by the nativists.
And Avery Brooks gets an order from StarFleet that this Bajoran internal matter might necessitate abandoning Deep Space 9. Not an order he likes.
This is a stay tuned episode for the 3rd installment.
Louise Fletcher as head of the fundamentalist sect is busy working herself into Langella's confidence. There is enough intrigue in here for about six episodes.
An encounter with a Bajoran orb gives Visitor some interesting insights into who is behind what. It gets her taken prisoner by the nativists.
And Avery Brooks gets an order from StarFleet that this Bajoran internal matter might necessitate abandoning Deep Space 9. Not an order he likes.
This is a stay tuned episode for the 3rd installment.
The annoying Bajoran saga, part two.
planktonrules16 December 2014
This is the second episode in a three-part series about the Bajorans and their power struggles. It is also the first three-part series in Trek history.
When the show begins, Major Kira is spending time with Vedek Bareil. She hates meditating and he introduces her to the 'third orb' and she has some goofy visions. Then, the scene switches back to DS9 and Quark, oddly, is quite helpful in uncovering a plot by someone to arm Bajoran dissidents and help perpetuate chaos on Bajor--and considering how annoying and unlikable the Bajorans generally are on the show, this will NOT be hard to do! When the action (such as it is) switches back to Bajor, Kira learns who is behind some of the plotting against the provisional government (hint: he has a really cool voice).
Overall, while I did dislike the Bajorans (as usual), it was a better episode than episode two--mostly because the Commander and his Starfleet staff began to behave sneaky and proactive. Interesting and it does start to get interesting here...that is apart from the silly religious visions at the beginning of the show.
When the show begins, Major Kira is spending time with Vedek Bareil. She hates meditating and he introduces her to the 'third orb' and she has some goofy visions. Then, the scene switches back to DS9 and Quark, oddly, is quite helpful in uncovering a plot by someone to arm Bajoran dissidents and help perpetuate chaos on Bajor--and considering how annoying and unlikable the Bajorans generally are on the show, this will NOT be hard to do! When the action (such as it is) switches back to Bajor, Kira learns who is behind some of the plotting against the provisional government (hint: he has a really cool voice).
Overall, while I did dislike the Bajorans (as usual), it was a better episode than episode two--mostly because the Commander and his Starfleet staff began to behave sneaky and proactive. Interesting and it does start to get interesting here...that is apart from the silly religious visions at the beginning of the show.
Nearly great
thepkhunter9 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Fairly strong continuation from the previous episode. The scale of the situation builds really well, and Avery, Colm and Rene work their magic and sell the crap out of every scene they're in. Some fun Quark stuff was also welcome, and the double act with Odo is getting stronger.
Maj. Kira was actually pretty under-utilised considering how much of the plot affects her, and some of her scenes crept further into cheesy than compelling.
I really hope we get a villain turn from Bareil because if he's legit the good-guy that the series has set him up to be, using the prophet orb to sexually manipulate kira is creepy as hell.
I find Winn and the leader of the circle to be really boring villains. They're so one-note and they both talk with this affected Shakespearian drawl that results in all their scenes feeling. Very. Slow. It dampens the political intrigue a lot, and the story should be a lot more interesting than it ends up being. The abuse of the church being used to affect political power is a really strong premise.
The Cardassian involvement is a nice touch and gives some great Federation stakes that Sisko has to wrestle with, although i don't quite buy that the Prime Directive gets in the way of defending Bajor when they have evidence of the Cardassians arming the uprising.
Just as a matter of record, Bashir in the caves fight was poo, and they seem to have basically removed Dax from having any story involvement at the moment - she was noticeably pushed into the background.
Surprised to see another to-be-continued. Can't think of many other three-parter serialised episodes in Trek history.
Maj. Kira was actually pretty under-utilised considering how much of the plot affects her, and some of her scenes crept further into cheesy than compelling.
I really hope we get a villain turn from Bareil because if he's legit the good-guy that the series has set him up to be, using the prophet orb to sexually manipulate kira is creepy as hell.
I find Winn and the leader of the circle to be really boring villains. They're so one-note and they both talk with this affected Shakespearian drawl that results in all their scenes feeling. Very. Slow. It dampens the political intrigue a lot, and the story should be a lot more interesting than it ends up being. The abuse of the church being used to affect political power is a really strong premise.
The Cardassian involvement is a nice touch and gives some great Federation stakes that Sisko has to wrestle with, although i don't quite buy that the Prime Directive gets in the way of defending Bajor when they have evidence of the Cardassians arming the uprising.
Just as a matter of record, Bashir in the caves fight was poo, and they seem to have basically removed Dax from having any story involvement at the moment - she was noticeably pushed into the background.
Surprised to see another to-be-continued. Can't think of many other three-parter serialised episodes in Trek history.
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