Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series)

Life Support (1995)

Alexander Siddig: Doctor Julian Bashir

Photos 

Quotes 

• Doctor Bashir : One of my professors at medical school used to say that the brain has a spark of life that can't be replicated. If we begin to replace parts of Bareil's brain with artificial implants, that spark may be lost.

• [Dr. Bashir has managed to revive Bareil, who had been fatally injured] 

  Doctor Bashir : Well, it's a little early to tell, but I'm hoping he'll make a full recovery. He should be back on his feet again in a few weeks.

  Commander Sisko : You say that so calmly. But it's not every doctor that can lose a patient and then have him back on his feet in a few weeks!

  Kai Winn : Indeed, you are too modest. You've performed nothing less than a miracle here. The Prophets must walk with you, Doctor.

  Doctor Bashir : Well, I and the Prophets were lucky.

• Doctor Bashir : [to Kai Winn]  I don't care about your negotiations, and I don't care about your treaty. All I care about is my patient, and at the moment, he needs more treatment and less politics. Now, you can either leave here willingly, or I'll call Security and have you thrown out!

  Major Kira : You won't need to call them. I'll do it myself.

• [Dr. Bashir explains that Bareil's desire to continue supporting Kai Winn in her peace negotiations prevents him from getting the proper treatment for his injuries] 

  Kai Winn : If I'm not mistaken, the decision regarding Bareil's treatment is up to him.

  Doctor Bashir : Yes, as the patient, it is his right to make that choice. But I am asking you to help me change his mind.

• Doctor Bashir : Eminence - you're the Kai. These are your negotiations. Let this be your moment in history. Finish the talks on your own, and you won't have to share the credit with anyone.

  Kai Winn : You say that as though success is guaranteed.

  Doctor Bashir : Of course... If the talks fail, you'll need someone to accept the blame. A scapegoat. You're a coward. You're afraid to stand alone.

  Kai Winn : Bareil's already made his decision, Doctor. I won't interfere. And Doctor - I won't forget what you've said here.

  Doctor Bashir : Neither will I.

• [Bareil has gone into a coma] 

  Major Kira : Julien... You can't give up now. You have to keep going.

  Doctor Bashir : Nerys. If I remove the rest of his brain, and replace it with a machine... he may look like Bareil; he may even talk like Bareil. But he won't be Bareil. That spark of life will be gone, he'll be dead. And I'll be the one who killed him.