The Circle (episode)

This page is about the DS9 episode, "The Circle". The Circle is also the nickname for the Alliance for Global Unity.

"The Circle"
DS9, Episode 2x02
Production number: 40512-422
First aired: 3 October 1993
←  21st of 173 produced in DS9  →
←  21st of 173 released in DS9  →
←  282nd of 911 released in all  →

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

Summary

Odo, Dax, Bashir, O'Brien, and even Quark humorously show up at Kira's quarters, each reacting in his or her own way 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 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 9, Quark panics because he believes the anti-alien Circle is taking over. He has heard that the Kressari are arming the Circle, so Odo blackmails 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 stowing away as a rat.

Sisko visits to 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.

Jarro 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.

Memorable Quotes

"Please, feel free to stay as many days as you'd like... even a week if necessary."

- Vedek Winn to Kira

"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; materiel... 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, Miles O'Brien

"Quark, I hate to do this, but--"
"It's not fair!"
"I haven't done anything yet."
"Whatever you're about to do is 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

Background Information

• "The Circle", along with "The Homecoming" and "The Siege", comprises the first Star Trek three-parter.

Links and References

Guest Stars

• Richard Beymer as Li Nalas
• Stephen Macht as Krim
• Bruce Gray as Chekote
• Philip Anglim as Bareil Antos

Special Guest Star

• Louise Fletcher as Winn Adami

Co-Stars

• Mike Genovese as Zef'No
• Eric Server as Peace officer
• Anthony Guidera as Cardassian

Uncredited

• Frank Langella as Minister Jaro Essa
• Chuck Borden as Bajoran Security Deputy #1
• Mark Riccardi as Bajoran Security Deputy #2

References

Alliance for Global Unity; Bajoran Regional Comm Network; Galaxyclass; Kressari

External links

• "The Circle" script at TwizTV.com

Previous episode: "The Homecoming"

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 2

Next episode: "The Siege"