21. The Homecoming

Summary

The situation on Bajor is worsening. Religious riots are breaking out and an extremist xenophobic group called The Circle has been inciting violence to rid Bajor of all non-Bajorans. The Provisional Government is helpless to stop them...and in the midst of this, Kira receives word that Li Nalas, the greatest hero of the Resistance and a legendary leader, is actually alive and in a prison camp on Cardassia 4. After a bit of soul-searching, Sisko allows her to take a runabout to Cardassia 4 and free him, but sends the Chief to accompany her. They are shocked to find a number of Bajoran prisoners still there, considering all prisoners were supposed to have been returned at the end of the Occupation. Li and the others are rescued and Kira returns them safely to DS9, prompting a formal apology from Dukat about the prisoners. Li Nalas, a quietly introspective man, is reluctant to discuss any aspects of his Resistance heroism and seems very uncomfortable with the adulation he receives. Kira is officially scolded by Minister Jaro for taking action against Cardassia, but he thanks her as a private citizen. Sisko tells Li about the unrest on Bajor and their need for a strong leader, a fact only supported when Quark is attacked and branded by the Circle. That night Li is discovered trying to stow away on a freighter bound for the Gamma Quadrant. He explains to Sisko that his heroism is all a fraud...the act that started his reputation, his hand-to-hand killing of an infamous Gul, never actually occurred but he was helpless to stop the legend that sprang up around him. He feels he's done enough for his planet, but Sisko urges him to reconsider...Bajor needs a symbol, someone the people will listen to. Li agrees, and the Provisional Government names him Navarch, a special title created just for him...then Jaro stuns Sisko by telling him that Li will be his new liaison officer and that Kira is being recalled to Bajor.

Analysis

The Circle trilogy is what I'd call moderately successful. What bothers me is that it's so self-contained. This Bajoran xenophobia and unrest aren't foreshadowed in any preceding episodes and never really show up again after the trilogy is concluded...such momentary plot developments are hardly the norm on this show, but it being quite early in the run it can be easily forgiven. Jaro is pretty much a stock sinister-politician part and as such guest star Frank Langella is perfectly cast, seeing as he can do that part in his sleep. The rescue of a legendary Resistance leader is an interesting mission for Kira, and her personal faith in Li...contrasted with Sisko's reserved respect (and somewhat Machiavellian agenda about how Li can help the Federation get closer to Bajor)...is very in character seeing as she was one of those Resistance fighters that was inspired by stories of his heroism. As for Li himself, I really like how fantabulous guest star (and, lest we forget, Twin Peaks alum) Richard Beymer played him...here was a man who wanted nothing more than to do his part in the fight against oppression and ended up with far more than he bargained for. He's caught between his loyalty to Bajor and his desire to help it find peace and his all-too-humanoid desire for a life of his own, which his status took from him. The performance is very understated...and he's cleverly costumed in slightly too-large clothes. Symbolism from the wardrobe department? It's possible. All in all I enjoy the trilogy...I think The Siege is my favorite of the three...but I can't shake the feeling that they were trying to do too much and make too many statements. Racism, political underhandedness, legendary leaders back from the dead...then they throw in the whole Kira element and that takes the story in a whole different direction. For something completely different, I just love any appearance by Boslic captains. They're so cool with their purple hair and their silver outfits, and they're always women. Just another background species we'll never hear much about, yet they still get consistency and maintain a sort of residual presence. Little touches.

Rating: 6.5

Memorable Quote:

"I had done nothing but shoot an unarmed Cardassian in his underwear. I'll never forget the look on his face when he died. He was so...embarrassed." --Li Nalas

Classic Scene:

And so here it is...DS9's turn to use the oldest trick in the book. And by that I do mean the old "posing as a hooker to get into a high-security establishment" trick. But Kira does it so well (perhaps disturbingly well)...O'Brien makes a rather smarmy pimp.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"Really, Constable, sometimes I think there's just no pleasing you." --Quark

The O/K Status Report

Negligible.

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