The pointlessness of war writ planet-sized

Jim’s Take on Episode 12: “Battle Lines”

There are definitely tropes and traditions that Star Trek always comes back to over and over again, partly because they work and partly because they form an essential piece of the show’s underlying philosophy. Or sometimes both! “Battle Lines” is a perfect example because it brings to the fore a major recurring Trek truism: “War is pointless and stupid, there should always be another way.” It is doubly interesting for DS9 to reinforce this message so early in the series, because this is a show whose characters will be drawn, very much against their will, into several wars in the years ahead.

This is also an important episode for Kira, who experiences some painful revelations and a great deal of personal growth in this story. This starts with the comedic scene where she is deeply offended by the discovery of a Cardassian file that dismisses her as “a minor operative,” who ran errands for more important resistance leaders. I’m inclined to believe this might just be Gul Dukat messing with her, knowing her ego all too well, but it is rather revelatory that she would, before the events soon to follow, prefer to have been remembered as a vicious killer of Cardassians!

Kai Opaka unexpectedly arrives on the station, taking Sisko up on his offer of a tour, and her presence immediately has a profound effect on Kira. Opaka is so wonderfully played by Camille Saviola! She doesn’t say much, but she exudes calming wisdom that soothes everyone around her and creates an atmosphere that almost demands introspection. The frequently impatient and tetchy O’Brien is clearly unsure how to respond to her tranquil and appraising gaze. It is very telling to watch Kira, always so unconcerned about how others might judge her (Remember how she reacted to Sisko’s arrival on the station), being so obviously desperate to impress Kai Opaka. She’s suddenly like a little kid meeting a cool older cousin!

In her quiet way, the kai makes it clear that she wants to leave the station to see the wormhole first hand. No one, not even Commander Sisko, is immune to her subtle powers of persuasion, so he quickly volunteers to take her himself. Of course, Kira is going to want to look after Opaka, so she’s up for the trip. And the ever-enthusiastic Dr. Bashir is having a “slow day” so he pushes his way onboard as well! So, three of the most important regular characters on the show are leaving the safety of the station in a runabout with a fourth character onboard? Uh-oh. 

If you have watched a lot of Star Trek, you probably know where this is going. (Again, these tropes recur for reasons!) OF COURSE, they crash land, with some “help” from a murderous satellite, onto an inhospitable moon with the single most important person on all of Bajor onboard, and, of course, they get her killed. The most beloved, and honestly loveable, figure in Bajoran culture dies in their care. Sisko is going to have some serious explaining to do! His Federation bosses are going to be less than thrilled, and the Bajoran people? As Odo puts it when he is fielding all the demands for information about where she is, “You have no idea what the kai means to them!”

This is where things really get tough for Kira. Her abject despair at the loss of Kai Opaka reveals both the depths of her devotion and also just how vulnerable she truly is. Her “untouchable” persona is clearly revealed as a front that covers a great deal of damage and pain. As our heroes find themselves caught up in an unending war with combatants who are revived after death to continue their futile battle unendingly for eternity, Kira is forced to come to grips with her feelings about her own war and what it has cost her. When the same technology that has cursed the Nol and Nol-Ennis soldiers to never-ending combat on this moon renders the kai not quite as dead as expected, this gives Kira a chance to open up to this woman who means so much to her spiritual and emotional life.

As our heroes find themselves caught up in an unending war … Kira is forced to come to grips with her feelings about her own war and what it has cost her.

Kira goes from being irritated with the lackluster quality of their war effort, to being horrified when Opaka forces her to recognize herself in these people and their futile cycle of death and destruction. While Kira desperately tries to convince Opaka, and herself, that she is nothing like these people, Opaka immediately cuts through her obfuscation, “Don’t deny the violence inside of you. Only once you accept it can you move beyond it.” Kira’s tearful admission that she is afraid she can’t be forgiven for the things she has done is the first step on a pretty important journey for the Major that will definitely be revisited in the future.

Sadly, the message that war and violence are fruitless and foolish may seem like an obvious one, but there sure is never any end to the pointless violence and conflict going on in virtually every country on Earth right now. Until the day when we all learn these lessons well enough to overcome our inherent violence, it seems vital for Star Trek to keep reminding us that we can be better. Kira takes an important step towards learning this in “Battle Lines,” so maybe there is hope for the rest of us!

Continue to Rhonda’s Take: “A Master Class in Filmography to develop themes of faith and the damages of war”

Skip to Ray’s Take: “Planet of the living Kai”

Skip to Matt’s Take: “Bad Ideas will lead to Bad Times for Bajor”

Skip to Adam’s Take: “A ‘godless future’?”

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