Changes: The Circle (episode)

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The Circle redirects here; for the group known by the same name, please see Alliance for Global Unity.

Sisko and Odo work to reveal the real force behind the Circle's coup. (Part 2 of 3)

Summary

Teaser

Benjamin Sisko discusses Kira Nerys's transfer with Minister Jaro Essa, who assures Sisko that this is a promotion, and that Li Nalas will be safer on Deep Space 9 than in the capital with everything going on with the Circle. Just then, Jake Sisko calls his father to their quarters to show him that the Circle has painted their emblem on the door.

Act One

Kira is packing in her quarters, when Odo shows up to protest at her departure. She admits she doesn't want to leave, but says she'll go where she's ordered. Odo refuses to accept this, telling her to do "what she does best," which is fight for what she wants. She reassures him that Li Nalas is a great man and will do an even better job than her as Sisko's liaison officer.

Their conversation is interrupted by Dax, Bashir, O'Brien, and even Quark showing up at her quarters in quick succession on various pretexts, 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!" When the door chimes yet again, she sarcastically tells whoever it is to "come on in... join the crowd!" but is taken aback to see Vedek Bareil. He apologizes for interrupting, but she tells him not to worry, the people in the room (she realizes even as she says it) are her friends. Bareil invites Kira to come to his monastery on Bajor to have some time to herself and reflect on her next step. She accepts gratefully.

Reminiscing alone in Ops, she realizes how she hated her assignment to DS9 when she was first given it; now, a year later, there is nothing she wants more. Li Nalas reassures her and Sisko that he did not want the job and that he knows no one can replace Kira. Finally she is ready to leave, and Sisko promises her that he will get her back.

Act Two

On Bajor, Kira has let her hair down and changed her uniform for a simple dress, but is still unable to relax at the monastery. Bareil finds her as she is adjusting, for the umpteenth time, a stepping stone over a stream on the monastery grounds. He asks her why she is so concerned with having something to do, and she replies that, from her earliest girlhood, she has always tried to be useful wherever she is or whoever she is with. Bareil invites her to try being "useless" for a little while - to stop expecting so much of herself and start to reflect on who she really is and what she really wants. For help, he allows Kira to "encounter" one of the Bajoran Orbs for guidance. She has a series of visions in which she is denounced in front of the assembly of vedeks by Winn Adami as a blasphemer, and then she and Bareil embrace as lovers.

Meanwhile, on Deep Space 9 Odo is conferring with an old friend of his in the Bajoran security forces, who says that the violence in the capital city is escalating, and that the Circle's gangs seem to melt away as soon as the security forces start looking for them. This suggests that they have powerful friends in the government. Odo's friend tells him the Bajoran Provisional Government is bringing military troops into the capital to impose martial law and put a final end to the Circle. He advises Odo to keep his eyes open. Odo reassures him, "I always do," and ends the transmission.

Quark has entered his office. At first, Odo thinks he is checking on the progress of the investigation into the assault on him, but Quark is in a panic. He says the Provisional Government is on the verge of toppling, and the Federation on the verge of being expelled from Bajor, and they have to evacuate the station as quickly as possible. Odo scoffs at the idea that the Circle, "a bunch of hooligans" could cause any real trouble, but Quark has learned from his contacts that the Circle has enough weapons and supplies to mount an army. Odo, stunned, asks where the weapons are coming from, and Quark replies, from Kressari traders. Odo is baffled, since the Kressari don't even have a standing military, but Quark is confident that his information is solid. Odo asks him to find out where the weapons are going on Bajor. Quark refuses, telling Odo that he plans to leave Bajor at the first opportunity, so Odo blackmails him, offering him a choice between acting as Odo's deputy or being thrown into a cell on some trumped-up charge.

On Bajor, Kira and Bareil are walking together on the grounds of the monastery. Bareil confides that, the last time he encountered the Orb, Kira was part of his vision. He asks, hesitantly, whether he appeared in her vision, and she – lying through her teeth – says no. They are interrupted by the sound of distant artillery in the city, warning that the violence is getting worse. Vedek Winn appears, claiming to be delighted at having Kira as a guest, and encourages her to stay for as long as she needs – "even a week" she finishes, making it clear, without outright saying it, that Kira is not welcome.

Act Three

On DS9, the crew interdicts a Kressari freighter and closely inspects its cargo, but without finding any weapons on board. Appearing to give in to the captain's angry protests, the Ops crew allows the vessel to depart, with Odo stowing away as a rat.

On Bajor, Sisko visits the commander of the Bajoran Militia, General Krim, and during their exchange he becomes convinced that the military will not support the Provisional Government if the Circle attempts a coup.

While on Bajor, Sisko also visits Kira. She says she heard the gunfire in the distance, and he warns her to keep her ears open down there. Shortly after he leaves, however, several masked members of the Circle kidnap her.

Act Four

Kira regains consciousness in the Circle's underground headquarters. Jaro appears, revealing himself as the true force behind the Circle, preparing to mount a coup d'etat and take control of the Bajoran government. Li Nalas, a popular hero, might have objected to his plan, hence his assignment to DS9.

Jaro says he shouldn't have to explain his reasons to Kira, since she shares his contempt for the Provisional Government - "provisional" being just another word for "powerless." He refuses to let the Bajoran people be powerless, and wants all alien influences, be they Cardassian or Federation, expelled from Bajor. What he wants to know from her, he explains, is what Sisko, and the Federation, will do when the coup is revealed. Kira refuses to talk, and he replies that, for all the hatred he has of the Cardassians, they have taught him a few useful interrogation techniques. She is led away.

Aboard the Kressari freighter, Odo watches from the shadows as a shipment of weapons is beamed on board, along with a Cardassian gul, who signs off the shipment with a thumbscan on the captain's manifest pad.

Aboard DS9, Kira's disappearance is being discussed by the crew. Quark appears, protesting at Odo's blackmail, but revealing that his underground contacts have located the Circle's headquarters for him: the caverns beneath the Perikian Peninsula. Sisko orders a security team to meet him at a runabout pad, and Li insists on coming along, since he owes Kira for rescuing him from the Cardassians' labor camp.

Slipping into the caverns, Sisko, Li, Bashir, and a team of Bajoran security guards are drawn by the sound of Kira's screams of pain. In a brief firefight with the heavily-armed terrorists, the rest of the party holds them off, while Bashir pins a Starfleet combadge on Kira, allowing them all to be transported to safety.

Act Five

In the infirmary aboard DS9, Bashir is treating Kira's wounds, as she insists to Sisko that Li is the only person who can convince the Chamber of Ministers to take action against Jaro. At that moment, Odo returns, having "borrowed" the Kressari captain's manifest pad, and informing them that the Cardassians are secretly arming the Circle (though the Circle is unaware of who they are really getting their weapons from). Once the Circle takes power, and the Federation is expelled from Bajor, the Cardassians will return and re-occupy the planet. Li says he has to do something, but Sisko contacts Dax in Ops, who says that all communications to Bajor have been cut off, and a squadron of Bajoran assault vessels are coming up from the surface, carrying an occupation force. "Then it has started..." Kira remarks somberly.

Jaro pays a visit to Vedek Winn, asking for her public support for his movement. Winn insists that he provide her with favor in return. Jaro promises that he will make her the next kai, suggesting that their shared orthodox views make them a "match made by the Prophets." Winn agrees to Jaro's suggestion, but demands a greater role in the forthcoming government, suggesting shared leadership with Jaro.

In his office, Sisko confers with Starfleet Admiral Chekote over subspace communication, informing him of the situation and warning him that if the Circle is allowed to take power, they will effectively be handing the Cardassians control of the wormhole. Chekote is troubled, but is forced to conclude that the Prime Directive applies: the Bajorans' power struggle is entirely internal to Bajor, even if the Cardassians are fanning the flames. He orders Sisko to keep out of the conflict, and evacuate the station.

Outside, in Ops, Sisko asks how long it will take to evacuate the station. O'Brien says, maybe a few hours; when Sisko clarifies that he means a complete evacuation - a total removal of the Federation's entire presence - O'Brien says that that could take as long as a week, but the assault vessels will be docking with the station in only seven hours. Sisko notes gravely, "Then I guess some of us won't be gone by the time they get here..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Memorable quotes

"If she doesn't care, why should we?"
"Have they given you any reason yet?"
"Did they give you any alternative?"
"I do care, no they haven't, no they didn't. I– I really oughta finish packing!"

- Odo, Bashir, Dax, and Kira

"What's that?"
"A bottle of my favorite synthale, I think. That's very thoughtful, Quark."
"It's also very small."

- Odo and Kira

"If I stay here much longer, I'm sure I could destroy your entire arboretum."

- Kira, to Vedek Bareil

"We gotta leave! Well, I do, anyway! You can just turn into a couch!"

- Quark

"Where would the Circle be getting so many weapons?"
"The Kressari."
"The Kressari? That doesn't make any sense, the Kressari don't even have a military. They're botanic DNA traders."
"Well, they're not delivering flowers these days!"

- Odo and Quark

"Quark, I hate to do this, but–"
"That's not fair!"
"I haven't done anything yet."
"Whatever you're about to do, it's not fair."
"You're a deputy."
"IT'S NOT–! What?"

- Odo and Quark

"It's your choice – you're a deputy or you're a prisoner."
"I'm a deputy."

- Odo and Quark

"How long will you be with us major?"
"I'm not sure."
"Feel free to stay as many days as you'd like... even a week if necessary."

- Vedek Winn and Kira

"Commander Sisko... you told me about the Kressari before you asked the favor regarding Kira. You could have tried to trade that information... for the favor."
"I wouldn't do that."
"I'll remember that about you."

- General Krim and Sisko

"If we withdraw, we'll be giving Bajor and the wormhole back to them!"

- Benjamin Sisko, referring to the Cardassians

"Chief, how long will it take us to evacuate Deep Space 9?"
"I'd say we could have all our people out and away in... three hours."
"I mean a complete evacuation... I intend to take all Starfleet instruments; matériel... in fact, all Federation property of every kind. How quickly can we do that?"
"Sir, that'll take days... a full week, for all I know. But those assault ships will be here in seven hours."
"Then, I guess some of us won't quite be done by the time they get here."

- Benjamin Sisko and Miles O'Brien

"They've got more firearms than a Galaxy-class starship."

- Benjamin Sisko, on the Circle

Background information

Story and script

Writer Peter Allan Fields feels that the character of Li Nalas became somewhat lost and superfluous in this episode and "The Siege", and that there was no real character arc for him; "Originally, he was supposed to be this regular guy, not a coward, but a regular guy who had fought some battles. And then, by the time we got to the third episode, this guy would stand up and be counted. But for various reasons, he never really changed his tune. He was an okay guy in part 1, part 2 and part 3. There was no arc in the character whatsoever." Ira Steven Behr concurs, "He did get a little lost in parts 2 and 3." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
Writer Peter Allan Fields based the scene in Kira's quarters, where everyone comes to say goodbye to her, on a scene in the 1935 film A Night at the Opera, starring the Marx Brothers. Director Corey Allen shot this scene in one continuous uninterrupted take. When the episode was edited together, the scene was intercut with various close-ups and reverse angles, but the master shot of the scene was one long take, something of which Allen was extremely proud. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)

Trivia

"The Circle", along with "The Homecoming" and "The Siege", comprises the first Star Trek three-parter.
Sisko's baseball is seen on his desk for the first time.
Odo's thin monitor screen on his desk in the security office is never seen again in the series after this episode.
Vedek Bareil's name is misspelled as "Bariel" in the opening credits.
In the scene where the away team is beamed up, all members are beamed up at once. In the previous episode, "The Homecoming" it is stated that a runabout can only beam up two people at one time.

Video and DVD releases

UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 11, 7 March 1994
As part of the DS9 Season 2 DVD collection

Links and references

Main cast

Avery Brooks as Commander Benjamin Sisko
Rene Auberjonois as Constable Odo
Siddig El Fadil as Doctor Julian Bashir
Terry Farrell as Lieutenant Jadzia Dax
Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko
Colm Meaney as Chief Miles O'Brien
Armin Shimerman as Quark
Nana Visitor as Major Kira Nerys

Guest stars

Special guest star

Louise Fletcher as Vedek Winn

Co-stars

Previous episode:
"The Homecoming"

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Season 2

Next episode:
"The Siege"

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 |                 wsDate = ''Unknown'' ([[2370]])
 |     aNextReleasedInAll = Interface (episode)
-|     aPrevReleasedInAll = The Homecoming (episode)
+|     aPrevReleasedInAll = Liaisons (episode)
 |  aNextReleasedInSeries = The Siege (episode)
 |  aPrevReleasedInSeries = The Homecoming (episode)
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 |        nArc0PartNumber = 2
 |         nArc0PartCount = 3
+}}
-}}{{Disambiguate|the group known by the same name|Alliance for Global Unity|The Circle}}
+{{disambiguation|the group known by the same name|Alliance for Global Unity|rd=The Circle}}
-----
-Sisko and Odo work to reveal the real force behind the Circle's coup. (Part 2 of 3)
+Sisko and Odo work to reveal the real force behind the Circle's ''coup''. (Part 2 of 3)
 ==Summary==
 === Teaser ===
-[[Benjamin Sisko]] discusses [[Kira Nerys]]'s transfer with [[Minister]] [[Jaro Essa]], who assures Sisko that this is a promotion, and that Li Nalas will be safer on Deep Space Nine than in the capital with everything going on with the Circle. Just then, [[Jake Sisko]] calls his father to their quarters to show him that the Circle has painted their emblem on the door.
+[[Benjamin Sisko]] discusses [[Kira Nerys]]'s transfer with [[Minister]] [[Jaro Essa]], who assures Sisko that this is a promotion, and that [[Li Nalas]] will be safer on [[Deep Space 9]] than in the capital with everything going on with the Circle. Just then, [[Jake Sisko]] calls his father to their quarters to show him that the Circle has painted their emblem on the door.
 === Act One ===
-[[Kira Nerys|Kira]] is packing in her [[crew quarters|quarters]], when [[Odo]] shows up to protest at her departure.  She admits she doesn't want to leave, but says she'll go where she's ordered.  Odo refuses to accept this, telling her to do "what she does best," which is fight for what she wants.  She reassures him that [[Li Nalas]] is a great man and will do an even better job than her as Sisko's [[liaison officer]].
+Kira is packing in her [[crew quarters|quarters]], when [[Odo]] shows up to protest at her departure.  She admits she doesn't want to leave, but says she'll go where she's ordered.  Odo refuses to accept this, telling her to do "what she does best," which is fight for what she wants.  She reassures him that Li Nalas is a great man and will do an even better job than her as Sisko's [[liaison officer]].
-Their conversation is interrupted by [[Jadzia Dax|Dax]], [[Julian Bashir|Bashir]], [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]], and even [[Quark]], showing up at her quarters in quick succession on various pretexts, 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''!"'' When the door chimes yet again, she sarcastically tells whoever it is to "come on in... join the crowd!" but is taken aback to see [[Vedek]] [[Bareil Antos|Bareil]].  He apologizes for interrupting, but she tells him not to worry, the people in the room (she realizes even as she says it) are her friends.  Bareil invites Kira to come to his [[monastery]] on [[Bajor]] to have some time to herself and reflect on her next step.  She accepts gratefully.
+Their conversation is interrupted by [[Jadzia Dax|Dax]], [[Julian Bashir|Bashir]], [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]], and even [[Quark]] showing up at her quarters in quick succession on various pretexts, 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''!''" When the door chimes yet again, she sarcastically tells whoever it is to "''come on in... join the crowd!''" but is taken aback to see [[Vedek]] [[Bareil Antos|Bareil]].  He apologizes for interrupting, but she tells him not to worry, the people in the room (she realizes even as she says it) are her friends.  Bareil invites Kira to come to his [[monastery]] on [[Bajor]] to have some time to herself and reflect on her next step.  She accepts gratefully.
-Reminiscing alone in [[operations center|Ops]], she realizes how she hated her assignment to DS9 when she was first given it; now, a year later, there is nothing she wants more. [[Li Nalas]] reassures her and [[Benjamin Sisko|Sisko]] that he did not want the job and that he knows no one can replace Kira.  Finally she is ready to leave, and Sisko promises her that he will get her back.
+Reminiscing alone in [[operations center|Ops]], she realizes how she hated her assignment to DS9 when she was first given it; now, a year later, there is nothing she wants more. [[Li Nalas]] reassures her and Sisko that he did not want the job and that he knows no one can replace Kira.  Finally she is ready to leave, and Sisko promises her that he will get her back.
 === Act Two ===
+On [[Bajor]], Kira has let her hair down and changed her uniform for a simple dress, but is still unable to relax at the monastery.  Bareil finds her as she is adjusting, for the umpteenth time, a stepping stone over a stream on the monastery grounds.  He asks her why she is so concerned with having something to do, and she replies that, from her earliest girlhood, she has always tried to be useful wherever she is or whoever she is with.  Bareil invites her to try being "useless" for a little while - to stop expecting so much of herself and start to reflect on who she really is and what she really wants.  For help, he allows Kira to "encounter" one of the Bajoran [[Orb]]s for guidance.  She has a series of visions in which she is denounced in front of the assembly of [[vedek]]s by [[Winn Adami]] as a blasphemer, and then she and Bareil embrace as lovers.
-On Bajor, Kira and Bareil grow close, and Bareil allows Kira to consult one of the Bajoran [[Orb]]s for guidance. She has a vision that includes her and Bareil as lovers, which she conceals from him. Meanwhile, on [[Deep Space 9]], Quark panics because he believes the anti-[[alien]] [[Alliance for Global Unity|Circle]] is taking over. He has heard that the [[Kressari]] are arming the Circle, so Odo blackmails him to find out more. Meanwhile, Kira and Bareil run into [[Vedek]] [[Winn Adami|Winn]], who makes it clear, without outright saying it, that Kira is not welcome at the monastery.
+Meanwhile, on Deep Space 9 Odo is conferring with an old friend of his in the Bajoran security forces, who says that the violence in the capital city is escalating, and that the Circle's gangs seem to melt away as soon as the security forces start looking for them.  This suggests that they have powerful friends in the government.  Odo's friend tells him the [[Bajoran Provisional Government]] is bringing [[Soldier|military troops]] into the capital to impose martial law and put a final end to the Circle.  He advises Odo to keep his eyes open.  Odo reassures him, "''I always do,''" and ends the transmission.
+Quark has entered his office.  At first, Odo thinks he is checking on the progress of the investigation into the assault on him, but Quark is in a panic.  He says the Provisional Government is on the verge of toppling, and the [[Federation]] on the verge of being expelled from Bajor, and they have to evacuate the station as quickly as possible.  Odo scoffs at the idea that the Circle, "a bunch of hooligans" could cause any real trouble, but Quark has learned from his contacts that the Circle has enough [[weapon]]s and supplies to mount an army.  Odo, stunned, asks where the weapons are coming from, and Quark replies, from [[Kressari]] traders.  Odo is baffled, since the Kressari don't even have a standing military, but Quark is confident that his information is solid.  Odo asks him to find out where the weapons are going on Bajor.  Quark refuses, telling Odo that he plans to leave Bajor at the first opportunity, so Odo [[blackmail]]s him, offering him a choice between acting as Odo's [[deputy]] or being thrown into a cell on some trumped-up charge.
+On Bajor, Kira and Bareil are walking together on the grounds of the monastery.  Bareil confides that, the last time he encountered the Orb, Kira was part of his vision.  He asks, hesitantly, whether he appeared in her vision, and she &ndash; lying through her teeth &ndash; says no.  They are interrupted by the sound of distant artillery in the city, warning that the violence is getting worse.  [[Vedek]] [[Winn Adami|Winn]] appears, claiming to be delighted at having Kira as a guest, and encourages her to stay for as long as she needs &ndash; "even a week" she finishes, making it clear, without outright saying it, that Kira is not welcome.
 === Act Three ===
+On DS9, the crew interdicts a [[Kressari]] [[freighter]] and closely inspects its cargo, but without finding any weapons on board.  Appearing to give in to the captain's angry protests, the Ops crew allows the vessel to depart, with Odo stowing away as a [[rat]].
-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 stowing away as a [[rat]]. Sisko visits to the commander of the [[Bajoran Militia]], [[General]] [[Krim (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.
+On Bajor, Sisko visits the commander of the [[Bajoran Militia]], [[General]] {{dis|Krim|General}}, and during their exchange he becomes convinced that the [[military]] will not support the Provisional Government if the Circle attempts a ''[[coup]]''.
+While on Bajor, Sisko also visits Kira.  She says she heard the gunfire in the distance, and he warns her to keep her ears open down there.  Shortly after he leaves, however, several masked members of the Circle kidnap her.
 === Act Four ===
+Kira regains consciousness in the Circle's underground headquarters. [[Jaro Essa|Jaro]] appears, revealing himself as the true force behind the Circle, preparing to mount a ''[[coup d'etat]]'' and take control of the Bajoran government.  Li Nalas, a popular hero, might have objected to his plan, hence his assignment to DS9.
-[[Jaro Essa|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 [[Bajoran Provisional Government|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.
+Jaro says he shouldn't have to explain his reasons to Kira, since she shares his contempt for the Provisional Government - "provisional" being just another word for "powerless."  He refuses to let the Bajoran people be powerless, and wants all alien influences, be they [[Cardassian]] or Federation, expelled from Bajor.  What he wants to know from her, he explains, is what Sisko, and the Federation, will do when the coup is revealed.  Kira refuses to talk, and he replies that, for all the hatred he has of the Cardassians, they have taught him a few useful interrogation techniques.  She is led away.
+Aboard the Kressari freighter, Odo watches from the shadows as a shipment of weapons is beamed on board, along with a Cardassian [[gul]], who signs off the shipment with a [[thumbscan]] on the captain's manifest pad.
+Aboard DS9, Kira's disappearance is being discussed by the crew.  Quark appears, protesting at Odo's [[blackmail]], but revealing that his underground contacts have located the Circle's headquarters for him: the [[cavern]]s beneath the [[Perikian Peninsula]].  Sisko orders a security team to meet him at a [[runabout pad]], and Li insists on coming along, since he owes Kira for rescuing him from the Cardassians' labor camp.
+Slipping into the caverns, Sisko, Li, Bashir, and a team of Bajoran security guards are drawn by the sound of Kira's screams of pain.  In a brief firefight with the heavily-armed terrorists, the rest of the party holds them off, while Bashir pins a [[Starfleet]] [[combadge]] on Kira, allowing them all to be transported to safety.
 === Act Five ===
+In the [[infirmary]] aboard DS9, Bashir is treating Kira's wounds, as she insists to Sisko that Li is the only person who can convince the [[Chamber of Ministers]] to take action against Jaro.  At that moment, Odo returns, having "borrowed" the Kressari captain's manifest pad, and informing them that the Cardassians are secretly arming the Circle (though the Circle is unaware of who they are really getting their weapons from).  Once the Circle takes power, and the Federation is expelled from Bajor, the Cardassians will return and re-occupy the planet.  Li says he has to do something, but Sisko contacts Dax in Ops, who says that all communications to Bajor have been cut off, and a squadron of [[Bajoran assault vessel]]s are coming up from the surface, carrying an occupation force.  "''Then it has started...''" Kira remarks somberly.
-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 [[Cardassia]]n 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 re-conquer it. Unfortunately, by the time this is revealed all [[communication]] to and from Bajor has been cut off.
+Jaro pays a visit to Vedek Winn, asking for her public support for his movement. Winn insists that he provide her with favor in return. Jaro promises that he will make her the next [[kai]], suggesting that their shared orthodox views make them a "match made by the [[Prophet]]s." Winn agrees to Jaro's suggestion, but demands a greater role in the forthcoming government, suggesting shared leadership with Jaro.
+In his office, Sisko confers with Starfleet [[Admiral]] [[Chekote]] over [[subspace communication]], informing him of the situation and warning him that if the Circle is allowed to take power, they will effectively be handing the Cardassians control of the [[Bajoran wormhole|wormhole]].  Chekote is troubled, but is forced to conclude that the [[Prime Directive]] applies: the Bajorans' power struggle is entirely internal to Bajor, even if the Cardassians are fanning the flames.  He orders Sisko to keep out of the conflict, and evacuate the station.
+Outside, in Ops, Sisko asks how long it will take to evacuate the station. [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]] says, maybe a few hours; when Sisko clarifies that he means a ''complete'' evacuation - a total removal of the Federation's entire presence - O'Brien says that that could take as long as a week, but the assault vessels will be docking with the station in only seven hours.  Sisko notes gravely, "''Then I guess some of us won't be gone by the time they get here...''"
-Jaro goes to [[Vedek]] [[Winn Adami|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 vessel]]s 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.
 '''[[The Siege (episode)|TO BE CONTINUED...]]'''
-==Memorable Quotes==
+==Memorable quotes==
 "''If she doesn't care, why should we?''"<br />
 "''Have they given you any reason yet?''"<br />
 "''Did they give you any alternative?''"<br />
 "''I ''do'' care, no they haven't, no they didn't. I&ndash; I really oughta finish packing!''"
-: - '''Odo''', '''Bashir''', '''Dax''' and '''Kira'''
+: - '''Odo''', '''Bashir''', '''Dax''', and '''Kira'''
@@ Line 84: / Line 106: @@
-"''...You can just turn into a couch!''"<br />
+"''We gotta leave! Well, I do, anyway! [[Odo|You]] can just turn into a couch!''"<br />
 : - '''Quark'''
-"''... The Kressari don't even have a military.  They're botanic DNA traders.''"<br />
+"''Where would the Circle be getting so many weapons?''"<br />
+"''The Kressari.''"<br />
+"''The Kressari? That doesn't make any sense, the Kressari don't even have a military.  They're botanic DNA traders.''"<br />
 "''Well, they're not delivering flowers these days!''"
 : - '''Odo''' and '''Quark'''
-"''Quark, I hate to do this, but&mdash;''"<br />
+"''Quark, I hate to do this, but&ndash;''"<br />
-"''It's not fair!''"<br />
+"''That's not fair!''"<br />
 "''I haven't done anything yet.''"<br />
-"Whatever ''you're about to do is not fair.''"<br />
+"Whatever ''you're about to do, it's not fair.''"<br />
 "''You're a deputy.''"<br />
-"''IT'S NOT&mdash;!  What?''"
+"''IT'S NOT&ndash;! What?''"
 : - '''Odo''' and '''Quark'''
-"''It's your choice &mdash; you're a deputy or you're a prisoner."''<br />
+"''It's your choice &ndash; you're a deputy or you're a prisoner."''<br />
 "''I'm a deputy.''"
 : - '''Odo''' and '''Quark'''
@@ Line 113: / Line 137: @@
-"''Commander Sisko...you told me about the Kressari before you asked the favor regarding Kira.  You could have tried to trade that information...for the favor."''<br />
+"''Commander Sisko... you told me about the Kressari before you asked the favor regarding Kira.  You could have tried to trade that information... for the favor."''<br />
 "''I wouldn't do that."''<br />
 "''I'll remember that about you.''"
 : - '''General Krim''' and '''Sisko'''
+"''If we withdraw, we'll be giving Bajor and the wormhole back to them!''"
+: - '''Benjamin Sisko''', referring to the Cardassians
 "''Chief, how long will it take us to evacuate Deep Space 9?''"<br />
 "''I'd say we could have all our people out and away in... three hours.''"<br />
-"''I mean a complete evacuation... I intend to take all Starfleet instruments; material... in fact, all Federation property of every kind.  How quickly can we do that?''"<br />
+"''I mean a complete evacuation... I intend to take all Starfleet instruments; matériel... in fact, all Federation property of every kind.  How quickly can we do that?''"<br />
 "''Sir, that'll take days... a full week, for all I know.  But those assault ships will be here in seven hours.''"<br />
 "''Then, I guess some of us won't quite be done by the time they get here.''"
@@ Line 128: / Line 156: @@
 "''They've got more firearms than a ''Galaxy''-class starship.''"<br />
-: - '''Benjamin Sisko''', on The Circle
+: - '''Benjamin Sisko''', on the Circle
-==Background Information==
+==Background information==
+===Story and script===
-* "The Circle", along with {{e|The Homecoming}} and {{e|The Siege}}, comprises the first ''Star Trek'' three-parter.
-* Sisko's [[baseball (object)|baseball]] is seen on his desk for the first time.
 * Writer [[Peter Allan Fields]] feels that the character of [[Li Nalas]] became somewhat lost and superfluous in this episode and {{e|The Siege}}, and that there was no real character arc for him; "''Originally, he was supposed to be this regular guy, not a coward, but a regular guy who had fought some battles. And then, by the time we got to the third episode, this guy would stand up and be counted. But for various reasons, he never really changed his tune. He was an okay guy in part 1, part 2 and part 3. There was no arc in the character whatsoever''." [[Ira Steven Behr]] concurs, "''He did get a little lost in parts 2 and 3''." (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
 * Writer [[Peter Allan Fields]] based the scene in Kira's quarters, where everyone comes to say goodbye to her, on a scene in the 1935 film ''[[A Night at the Opera]]'', starring the [[Marx Brothers]]. Director [[Corey Allen]] shot this scene in one continuous uninterrupted take. When the episode was edited together, the scene was intercut with various close-ups and reverse angles, but the master shot of the scene was one long take, something of which Allen was extremely proud. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
+===Trivia===
+* "The Circle", along with {{e|The Homecoming}} and {{e|The Siege}}, comprises the first ''Star Trek'' three-parter.
+* Sisko's {{dis|baseball|object}} is seen on his desk for the first time.
+* [[Odo]]'s thin monitor screen on his desk in the [[security office]] is never seen again in the series after this episode.
+* Vedek [[Bareil Antos|Bareil]]'s name is misspelled as "Bariel" in the opening credits.
+* In the scene where the away team is beamed up, all members are beamed up at once. In the previous episode, {{e|The Homecoming}} it is stated that a runabout can only beam up two people at one time.
 ===Video and DVD releases===
-* UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 11, <!--catalogue number x, -->{{d|7|March|1994}}.
+* UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 11, <!--catalog number x, -->{{d|7|March|1994}}
-* As part of the [[DS9 Season 2 DVD]] collection.
+* As part of the [[DS9 Season 2 DVD]] collection
-==Links and References==
+==Links and references==
-===Main Cast===
+===Main cast===
 *[[Avery Brooks]] as [[Commander]] [[Benjamin Sisko]]
 *[[Rene Auberjonois]] as [[Constable]] [[Odo]]
@@ Line 151: / Line 185: @@
 *[[Nana Visitor]] as [[Major]] [[Kira Nerys]]
-===Guest Stars===
+===Guest stars===
 *[[Richard Beymer]] as [[Li Nalas]]
 *[[Stephen Macht]] as [[Krim (General)|Krim]]
 *[[Bruce Gray]] as Admiral [[Chekote]]
 *[[Philip Anglim]] as [[Vedek]] [[Bareil Antos|Bareil]]
-*[[Steven Weber]] as [[Colonel]] [[Day Kannu]]
+*[[Frank Langella]] as [[Minister]] [[Jaro Essa]]
-===Special Guest Star===
+===Special guest star===
 *[[Louise Fletcher]] as [[Vedek]] [[Winn Adami|Winn]]
-===Co-Stars===
+===Co-stars===
 *[[Mike Genovese]] as [[Zef'No]]
 *[[Eric Server]] as [[Unnamed Bajoran Militia personnel#Bajoran Peace Officer|Peace officer]]
 *[[Anthony Guidera]] as [[Unnamed Cardassians#Cardassian gunrunner|Cardassian]]
-===Uncredited Co-Stars===
+===Uncredited co-stars===
 *[[Majel Barrett]] as Narrator
 *[[Ivor Bartels]] as a [[Unnamed Deep Space 9 personnel#Security Crewman|security officer]]
@@ Line 173: / Line 207: @@
 *[[Judi Durand]] as [[Deep Space 9]] [[computer voice]]
 *[[Randy James]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Jones (Lieutenant)|Jones]]
-*[[Frank Langella]] as [[Minister]] [[Jaro Essa]]
 *[[Joe Murphy]] as a [[Unnamed Bajorans#Bajoran Circle members|Bajoran "Circle" member]]
 *[[Spiro Razatos]] as a [[Unnamed Bajorans#Bajoran Circle members|Bajoran "Circle" member]]
@@ Line 186: / Line 219: @@
 ===References===
-[[Alliance for Global Unity]]; [[ambassador]]; [[arboretum]]; [[architecture]]; [[art]]; [[Bajor]]; [[Bajoran]]; [[Bajoran assault vessel]]; [[Bajoran Capital]]; [[Bajoran Executive Committee]]; [[Bajoran Foreign Affairs Building]]; [[Bajoran Provisional Government]]; [[Bajoran Regional Comm Network]]; [[Bajoran War Room]]; [[bicycle]]; [[blasphemy]]; [[bodyguard]]; [[botanic DNA]]; [[bridge (structure)|bridge]]; ''[[Calondon]]''; [[candle]]; [[Cardassian]]; [[Chamber of Ministers]]; [[Circle]]; [[civil war]]; [[combadge]];  [[computer inventory system]]; [[couch]]; ''[[coup]]''; [[curfew]]; [[dagger]]; [[daydream]]; [[deputy]]; [[docking bay]]; [[Earth]]; [[epidellic lotion]]; [[fingerpainter]]; [[force field]]; {{ShipClass|Galaxy}}; [[graffiti]]; [[graviton generator]]; [[gul]]; [[hammer]]; [[handkerchief]]; [[hooligan]]; [[kai]]; [[Kressari]]; [[Kressari freighter]]; [[Kressari Government]]; [[labyrinth]]; [[liaison officer]]; [[manifest interface]]; [[meditation]]; [[Minicoy]]; [[monastery]]; [[monk]]; [[nail]]; [[navarch]]; [[northeast quadrant]]; [[Operations center|Ops]]; [[orb]]; [[Orb of Prophecy and Change]]; ''[[pagh]]''; [[party]]; [[patriot]]; [[Perikian Peninsula]]; [[Prime Directive]]; [[Prophet]]s; [[rat]]; [[recreation]]; [[Runabout pad|runabout pad C]]; [[skin lotion]]; [[space station]]; [[Starfleet]]; [[Starfleet Command]]; [[Starfleet Intelligence]]; [[storm]]; [[synthale]]; [[thumbprint]]; [[thumbscan]];  [[thunder]]; [[turbolift]]; [[vacation]]; [[Vedek Assembly]]; [[woodcrafts]]
+[[Alliance for Global Unity]]; [[ambassador]]; [[arboretum]]; [[architecture]]; [[art]]; [[Bajor]]; [[Bajoran]]; [[Bajoran assault vessel]]; [[Bajoran Capital]]; [[Bajoran Executive Committee]]; [[Bajoran Foreign Affairs Building]]; [[Bajoran Provisional Government]]; [[Bajoran Regional Comm Network]]; [[Bajoran War Room]]; [[Bajoran wormhole]]; [[bicycle]]; [[blasphemy]]; [[bodyguard]]; [[botanic DNA]]; {{dis|bridge|structure}}; ''[[Calondon]]''; [[candle]]; [[Cardassia]]; [[Cardassia IV]]; [[Cardassian]]s; [[caterer]]; [[Chamber of Ministers]]; [[Circle]]; [[civil war]]; [[combadge]]; [[computer inventory system]]; [[couch]]; ''[[coup]]''; [[curfew]]; [[dagger]]; [[daydream]]; [[deputy]]; [[docking bay]]; [[Earth]]; [[epidellic lotion]]; [[Federation]]; [[fingerpainting]]; [[force field]]; {{class|Galaxy}}; [[graffiti]]; [[graviton generator]]; [[gul]]; [[hammer]]; [[handkerchief]]; [[hooligan]]; [[kai]]; [[kilometer]]; [[Kira Meru]]; [[Kira Taban]]; [[Kressari]]; [[Kressari freighter]]; [[Kressari Government]]; [[labyrinth]]; [[liaison officer]]; [[manifest interface]]; [[meditation]]; [[Minicoy]]; [[monastery]]; [[monk]]; [[nail]]; [[navarch]]; [[northeast quadrant]]; [[Occupation of Bajor]]; [[Operations center|Ops]]; [[orb]]; [[Orb of Prophecy and Change]]; ''[[pagh]]''; [[party]]; [[patriot]]; [[Perikian Peninsula]]; [[Prime Directive]]; [[Prophet]]s; [[rat]]; [[recreation]]; [[runabout]]; [[Runabout pad|runabout pad C]]; [[skin lotion]]; [[space station]]; [[Starfleet]]; [[Starfleet Command]]; [[Starfleet Intelligence]]; [[storm]]; [[synthale]]; [[thumbprint]]; [[thumbscan]]; [[thunder]]; [[turbolift]]; [[vacation]]; [[Vedek Assembly]]; [[Voodai]]; [[woodcrafts]]
 ===External links===
-* {{NCwiki|The Circle}}
+* {{mbeta-quote|The Circle}}
 * {{Wikipedia|The Circle (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)}}
+* {{IMDb-ep|tt0708618}}
-* [http://www.twiztv.com/scripts/ds9/season2/ds9-202.txt "The Circle"] script at [http://www.twiztv.com TwizTV.com]
 {{DS9 nav|season=2|last={{e|The Homecoming}}|next={{e|The Siege}}}}
@@ Line 197: / Line 230: @@
 [[de:Der Kreis]]
 [[es:The Circle]]
-[[fr:The Circle]]
+[[fr:The Circle (épisode)]]
+[[ja:帰って来た英雄・パート2（エピソード）]]
 [[nl:The Circle]]
 [[Category:DS9 episodes|Circle, The]]