A Federation Admiral informs Sisko that they cannot interfere with internal Bajor matters and that DS9 must be evacuated. The evacuation begins with, however, a few volunteering to stay behind in order to give Kira and Dax enough time to inform the Bajor Assembly that it is the Cardassians who are supplying the Circle with weapons - with the express purpose of getting the Federation to leave and thus leaving Bajor defenseless. There are many good scenes in this episode, one of the best is how quickly Vedek Winn drops Jaro when she sees which way the wind is blowing regarding his future. We're sure to see more of her - she is so smooth and nasty. There's even a small bit of humor when Rom astonishingly outwits Quark much to the audience's amusement and Quark's annoyance. The special effects are good as are the action scenes. The conclusion including Li Nalas' fate is logical and was really the only way it could end. It was nice seeing Steve Weber as Bajoran Colonel Day; Wings is one of my favorite comedy shows. One thing I can't figure out is why Frank Langella as Jaro wasn't credited.
10 Reviews
The final course of the meal.
thevacinstaller15 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Keiko ---- I love ya, i mean you gave birth to the most adorable girl in starfleet but come on girl. You married a guy in Starfleet who is brought up in a structure of loyalty and can't expect Miles Edward O'Brien to walk out on Ben Sisko like that.
We get a glimpse into Li Nalas 'playing the role' in soothing the Bajorans wanting to board the transport. Ben Sisko and those inspiring conversations leave a lasting impact obviously.
This was an excellent episode in terms of building up a sense of DS9 as being more then a space station ---- It's a home for these people and they fight to protect it and the potential future it represents for the federation and bajor.
Sisko is not afraid of playing his hand and purposely left the baseball on his desk for the Krim to find. There's some action scenes that take place but the defining moment comes when Li Nalas rises above his guilt for being 'lucky' and sacrifices himself for Sisko --- 'off the hook' indeed.
Winn is fine form again as she completely throws Minister Jaro under the bus after the revelation about the Cardassian involvement is presented.
Overall this arc was great. And a shout out to Rom for ditching Quark. I bet he gets 2 slips of gold pressed latinum at next week's profit meeting.
We get a glimpse into Li Nalas 'playing the role' in soothing the Bajorans wanting to board the transport. Ben Sisko and those inspiring conversations leave a lasting impact obviously.
This was an excellent episode in terms of building up a sense of DS9 as being more then a space station ---- It's a home for these people and they fight to protect it and the potential future it represents for the federation and bajor.
Sisko is not afraid of playing his hand and purposely left the baseball on his desk for the Krim to find. There's some action scenes that take place but the defining moment comes when Li Nalas rises above his guilt for being 'lucky' and sacrifices himself for Sisko --- 'off the hook' indeed.
Winn is fine form again as she completely throws Minister Jaro under the bus after the revelation about the Cardassian involvement is presented.
Overall this arc was great. And a shout out to Rom for ditching Quark. I bet he gets 2 slips of gold pressed latinum at next week's profit meeting.
Breaking the Circle
Tweekums3 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
As the three part story comes to a close the action increases; as the Bajorans forces approach DS9 most non-Bajorans are evacuated although Sisko and the senior staff hide away in the crawl-spaces and await the arrival of the Bajorans. Meanwhile Kira and Jadzia are dropped off on one of Bajor's moons to find an old Bajoran spacecraft left over from the time of the rebellion. They need this as a Federation ship wouldn't be able to get near Bajor and the need to get there to present the evidence that The Circle was armed by the Cardassians.
As the Bajoran forces take an apparently empty station the various teams of Federation personnel prepare to lure them into areas of their choosing where small numbers can be captured. Flying to Bajor Kira and Dax are intercepted and shot down but luckily they are near Vedek Bareil's monastery. Although Kira is injured she insists on being taken to Chamber of Ministers to present her evidence.
The action scenes in this episode were pretty good and there were a few fun scenes too such as when Quark learns that his brother has sold his seat on the evacuation shuttle to a dabo girl and Dax's reaction to flying in the obsolete Bajoran ship. It was interesting to see Vedek Winn distancing herself from Jaro when she saw that his revolution was over and she'd need somebody else to advance to the role of Kai.
As the Bajoran forces take an apparently empty station the various teams of Federation personnel prepare to lure them into areas of their choosing where small numbers can be captured. Flying to Bajor Kira and Dax are intercepted and shot down but luckily they are near Vedek Bareil's monastery. Although Kira is injured she insists on being taken to Chamber of Ministers to present her evidence.
The action scenes in this episode were pretty good and there were a few fun scenes too such as when Quark learns that his brother has sold his seat on the evacuation shuttle to a dabo girl and Dax's reaction to flying in the obsolete Bajoran ship. It was interesting to see Vedek Winn distancing herself from Jaro when she saw that his revolution was over and she'd need somebody else to advance to the role of Kai.
The End of a Four-Part Arc, beginning of an Elevation in Conflict
XweAponX18 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Which actually began with S1E20 "IN the hands of The Prophets"-where Vedek Ratchet-Winn attempts to assassinate Vedek Bariel. These arcs were premonitions of story to come: First we have The Circle, then we meet "The Maquis," Followed by The Jem Ha'Dar, The Vorta, The Dominion, and The Founders. Where "The Circle" were easily defeated, The Maquis was not, and The Dominion was a threat elevated even higher. Even The Kosst Amojan (The Pag'h Wraiths) were hinted at, in Season 1 "The Nagus" where The Sisko tries to get Jake-o to go with him to "The Fire Caves"-Which Keiko visited later, and got possessed by Kosst Amojan.
This was a tapestry which was carefully thought out as they were making the show, and it paid off in spades, or, a Full Consortium (to use Tongo rather than Poker).
In this part of the ark, Li Nalas (Richard Beymer from west Side Story) stays with The Sisko on The station, which is under siege by The Circle. The Circle was being supplied weapons by "The Bloody Cardassians" - Which if The Circle even knew about, would have stopped them cold, as it would have put Bajor back into the hands of The Cardies.
But even the leader of The Circle (Minister Jaro - Frank Langella) does not know of the Cardassian Involvement, but nobody can tell him, he's got Bajor blocked off. So it is up to Kira and Jadzia-Dax to GET the proof of Cardassian Involvement to Bajor-If they can survive a flight with a Pre- Impulse ship.
This is one of the highlights of the season, Kira and Jadzia's flight to Bajor, which has some of the best special effects of trek ever, we really feel like we are in the cockpit with Kira and Jadzia, flying with "Seat of the Pants" technology.
Li Nalas is challenged by The Sisko, not to be "Let off The Hook" (meaning, being killed). In the end, Nalas gets himself off the Hook by taking a Disruptor blast aimed at The Sisko.
There is one other thing that happens in this episode which is one of the best moments of Ds9: As Jake and Nog part ways, Nog asks Jake if there have ever been two people, so different, that have ever been such good friends, in the history of their two perspective peoples. That was a nice touch, that, and it was not used just once and forgotten, Jake and Nog's friendship lasted to the last episode of the Series - And Beyond that I hope, "Far Beyond all those distant stars."
This was a tapestry which was carefully thought out as they were making the show, and it paid off in spades, or, a Full Consortium (to use Tongo rather than Poker).
In this part of the ark, Li Nalas (Richard Beymer from west Side Story) stays with The Sisko on The station, which is under siege by The Circle. The Circle was being supplied weapons by "The Bloody Cardassians" - Which if The Circle even knew about, would have stopped them cold, as it would have put Bajor back into the hands of The Cardies.
But even the leader of The Circle (Minister Jaro - Frank Langella) does not know of the Cardassian Involvement, but nobody can tell him, he's got Bajor blocked off. So it is up to Kira and Jadzia-Dax to GET the proof of Cardassian Involvement to Bajor-If they can survive a flight with a Pre- Impulse ship.
This is one of the highlights of the season, Kira and Jadzia's flight to Bajor, which has some of the best special effects of trek ever, we really feel like we are in the cockpit with Kira and Jadzia, flying with "Seat of the Pants" technology.
Li Nalas is challenged by The Sisko, not to be "Let off The Hook" (meaning, being killed). In the end, Nalas gets himself off the Hook by taking a Disruptor blast aimed at The Sisko.
There is one other thing that happens in this episode which is one of the best moments of Ds9: As Jake and Nog part ways, Nog asks Jake if there have ever been two people, so different, that have ever been such good friends, in the history of their two perspective peoples. That was a nice touch, that, and it was not used just once and forgotten, Jake and Nog's friendship lasted to the last episode of the Series - And Beyond that I hope, "Far Beyond all those distant stars."
The final installment of the Bajoran trilogy...and the best of the three shows.
planktonrules16 December 2014
As this final portion of a three-part series on those annoying Bajorans begins, 'The Circle' is set on taking control of Deep Space 9 and their unknown benefactors turn out to be the Cardassians! What an odd alliance. However, despite Sisko learning this, Admiral Chekote has forbidden intervention--so, Sisko is planning on intervening anyway! I like this side of Sisko and he is much more assertive and interesting in part three! Can the small company of Starfleet staff manage to resist this takeover? Well, perhaps if Kira can get the proof of the Cardassian involvement to the provisional government. However, communication with the planet are blocked and it appears as if The Circle will be ready to kill anyone trying to bring the truth to the planet. So, Sisko and his troops will just need to be incredibly tricky, won't they?
This is by far the best of the three parts of this series--mostly because it does have a decent amount of actions--something oddly missing in parts one and two. Well worth seeing.
This is by far the best of the three parts of this series--mostly because it does have a decent amount of actions--something oddly missing in parts one and two. Well worth seeing.
A Really High Point
Hitchcoc29 September 2018
This is a highly entertaining conclusion to the first triad of DS9. Here all the forces that have been moving forward finally meet. Kira was remarkable. I especially enjoyed her trip in the old shuttle with Dax. It is comedic but serious as well. I also enjoyed the effort to confront the Circle invaders with a really good plan. Well done.
Strongest of the three-parter
thepkhunter24 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Ok I complained that Dax had been pushed into the background and needed more to do in the last episode... I'd like to retract that. With the rest of the cast really in their stride at this point, good grief her range is, uh, challenged.. to be polite.
That said, this was definitely the strongest of the three-parter episodes. We open with some calm before the storm, tension rising stuff and it's all great. Jake and Nog's goodbye was surprisingly heartfelt considering how little we've actually seen them interact over the series so far - they play it perfectly, and i bought it wholesale. O'Brien and Keiko's stuff here was perfect too, and giving time to the human stakes of the situation is what sets a great episode apart from a good one.
Terry and Nana go off to find an old Battlestar Galactica fighter ship, and if you ignore Terry's acting it's all really strong stuff. The palukoo spider might be the best thing i've ever seen in trek. Please tell me it gets a tophat and a cane and becomes part of the regular cast. Nana gets to go all Han Solo and she's absolutely loving it - both character and actress. This is Kira in her absolute element. Use the force, Dax.
Back on the station, we've got all the cast crawling around in the ducts and honestly, i could have happily put up with an entire episode of Home-Alone-esque antics to capture the landing force of The Circle. Great back and forth with Bashir, O'brien and Sisko... I suppose by law that means I have to ring my Good Bashir Bell - and actually to be fair, he's great throughout the episode which is confusing for me to write.
I know I should hate the Quark stuff, but I don't. It hits the right level of silly for me, and even though the character is arguably regressing past some growth he made in season 1, I can't help but love it.
We don't get the villain turn i predicted from Bareil, which i guess means he's just a good dude - upcoming love interest for Kira going forward? Trek has a habit of introducing these characters and then forgetting to ever write them in again, so i'll be interested to see if he makes a reappearance.
Bit more fog-filled action, a mandatory totally irredeemable character who lies to the Circle general to keep the conflict going, and then another fatal phaser shot that Bashir on any other day really should have been able to heal. Is he just not a very good doctor?
Aaand then the episode ends. It's a pretty unsatisfying ending and more was sort of yadda-yadda'd away than I would have necessarily liked. There's been a bit of a theme of rushed third acts in DS9 up to this point, and I get that they want to give plenty time to the action, but maybe lose a Quark scene or two for the sake of expanding the resolution to, you know, the massive abuse of religion to influence global politcs on Bajor... no? Ok then.
Good ep.
That said, this was definitely the strongest of the three-parter episodes. We open with some calm before the storm, tension rising stuff and it's all great. Jake and Nog's goodbye was surprisingly heartfelt considering how little we've actually seen them interact over the series so far - they play it perfectly, and i bought it wholesale. O'Brien and Keiko's stuff here was perfect too, and giving time to the human stakes of the situation is what sets a great episode apart from a good one.
Terry and Nana go off to find an old Battlestar Galactica fighter ship, and if you ignore Terry's acting it's all really strong stuff. The palukoo spider might be the best thing i've ever seen in trek. Please tell me it gets a tophat and a cane and becomes part of the regular cast. Nana gets to go all Han Solo and she's absolutely loving it - both character and actress. This is Kira in her absolute element. Use the force, Dax.
Back on the station, we've got all the cast crawling around in the ducts and honestly, i could have happily put up with an entire episode of Home-Alone-esque antics to capture the landing force of The Circle. Great back and forth with Bashir, O'brien and Sisko... I suppose by law that means I have to ring my Good Bashir Bell - and actually to be fair, he's great throughout the episode which is confusing for me to write.
I know I should hate the Quark stuff, but I don't. It hits the right level of silly for me, and even though the character is arguably regressing past some growth he made in season 1, I can't help but love it.
We don't get the villain turn i predicted from Bareil, which i guess means he's just a good dude - upcoming love interest for Kira going forward? Trek has a habit of introducing these characters and then forgetting to ever write them in again, so i'll be interested to see if he makes a reappearance.
Bit more fog-filled action, a mandatory totally irredeemable character who lies to the Circle general to keep the conflict going, and then another fatal phaser shot that Bashir on any other day really should have been able to heal. Is he just not a very good doctor?
Aaand then the episode ends. It's a pretty unsatisfying ending and more was sort of yadda-yadda'd away than I would have necessarily liked. There's been a bit of a theme of rushed third acts in DS9 up to this point, and I get that they want to give plenty time to the action, but maybe lose a Quark scene or two for the sake of expanding the resolution to, you know, the massive abuse of religion to influence global politcs on Bajor... no? Ok then.
Good ep.
What heroes are made of
bkoganbing9 November 2019
In this conclusion of a three part opener it looks very much like the Federation is
scuttling their Deep Space 9 project. Avery Brooks is delaying implementation
and he and the staff are fighting a rear guard action while Nana Visitor and Terry
Farrell try to get to the provisional government of Bajor to give evidence of
Cardassian complicity in the rebellion.
This was a fine ending and also it reaffirmed that Richard Beymer whose rescue by Major Kira and Chief O'Brien started this story. Indeed in the end Beymer shows he has the right stuff.
This was a fine ending and also it reaffirmed that Richard Beymer whose rescue by Major Kira and Chief O'Brien started this story. Indeed in the end Beymer shows he has the right stuff.
He was with a Dabo girl
snoozejonc23 January 2022
The Bajoran military occupy DS9.
This is an enjoyable episode with some decent moments for all the main characters.
For me the best of the various plot threads involved Kira and Dax getting the evidence to Bajor. The production values are strong, particularly during the flight sequences as they enter the atmosphere of the planet. The banter between the two is quite amusing too. Nana Visitor and Terry Farrell have strong chemistry and perform well.
I also liked the humour around Quark and his capitalist tendencies around the seating arrangements of the shuttle evacuations.
The DS9 scenes focussed around the military takeover are reasonably good but you never get any sense of a credible threat. The one fatality that does occur is a bit frustrating as it involves a character that feels like he is being killed out of convenience to the TV show.
Frank Langella and Louise Fletcher have less screen time but when they are centre stage they stand out.
This is an enjoyable episode with some decent moments for all the main characters.
For me the best of the various plot threads involved Kira and Dax getting the evidence to Bajor. The production values are strong, particularly during the flight sequences as they enter the atmosphere of the planet. The banter between the two is quite amusing too. Nana Visitor and Terry Farrell have strong chemistry and perform well.
I also liked the humour around Quark and his capitalist tendencies around the seating arrangements of the shuttle evacuations.
The DS9 scenes focussed around the military takeover are reasonably good but you never get any sense of a credible threat. The one fatality that does occur is a bit frustrating as it involves a character that feels like he is being killed out of convenience to the TV show.
Frank Langella and Louise Fletcher have less screen time but when they are centre stage they stand out.
Bajoran Trilogy, Part 3
Nominahorn14 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
2.03 "The Siege"
The forces of the Bajoran coup occupy DS9, where Sisko and he crew have remained to delay them from gaining complete control of the station. Meanwhile, Kira and Dax try to reach the Bajoran Council of Ministers to present proof of the Cardassians' involvement in this plot to overthrow the government.
The three episode arc wraps up here with no real consequences. All the new characters introduced for the arc are written out and things go back to the status quo, which makes the entire storyline feel rather pointless, unfortunately.
THE GOOD
-Dax is charmingly awkward in dealing with the world of Kira's resistance life. Their banter is the best part of the ep. "I know, aim by the seat of my pants." "No you aim with your eyes not your pants!"
THE BAD
-The pacing of this ep is bad. It feels like some sequences are too long or unnecessary, while the ending feels very rushed.
-All of the scenes with Sisko's crew waging guerilla warfare on the station were pointless. Nothing they did there affected the outcome of the story (except conveniently get Li Nalas killed). It seems like those scenes were written simply to fill time and give the actors other than Visitor and Farrell something to do.
-Lack of consequences. We get no idea of what happens to Jaro. And there definitely should have been severe consequences for Sisko disobeying orders and violating the Prime Directive, yet none of those or any other likely consequences of this ep are addressed. Add in Jaro's absence from future eps and Li Nalas's death and the ending feels way too tidy, like a 90s sitcom ending. Plus it retroactively makes the previous three episodes feel pointless.
THE UGLY
-Odo shapeshift count: 2 -- a wall and a tripwire. 12 total shifts for the series.
-Runabout roster: Back to 3. The Yangtzee Kiang's replacement is officially named in this ep: the Orinoco, keeping with the trend of DS9 runabouts being named after Earth rivers.
-Rule of Acquisition quoted: 31 -- "Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother."
The forces of the Bajoran coup occupy DS9, where Sisko and he crew have remained to delay them from gaining complete control of the station. Meanwhile, Kira and Dax try to reach the Bajoran Council of Ministers to present proof of the Cardassians' involvement in this plot to overthrow the government.
The three episode arc wraps up here with no real consequences. All the new characters introduced for the arc are written out and things go back to the status quo, which makes the entire storyline feel rather pointless, unfortunately.
THE GOOD
-Dax is charmingly awkward in dealing with the world of Kira's resistance life. Their banter is the best part of the ep. "I know, aim by the seat of my pants." "No you aim with your eyes not your pants!"
THE BAD
-The pacing of this ep is bad. It feels like some sequences are too long or unnecessary, while the ending feels very rushed.
-All of the scenes with Sisko's crew waging guerilla warfare on the station were pointless. Nothing they did there affected the outcome of the story (except conveniently get Li Nalas killed). It seems like those scenes were written simply to fill time and give the actors other than Visitor and Farrell something to do.
-Lack of consequences. We get no idea of what happens to Jaro. And there definitely should have been severe consequences for Sisko disobeying orders and violating the Prime Directive, yet none of those or any other likely consequences of this ep are addressed. Add in Jaro's absence from future eps and Li Nalas's death and the ending feels way too tidy, like a 90s sitcom ending. Plus it retroactively makes the previous three episodes feel pointless.
THE UGLY
-Odo shapeshift count: 2 -- a wall and a tripwire. 12 total shifts for the series.
-Runabout roster: Back to 3. The Yangtzee Kiang's replacement is officially named in this ep: the Orinoco, keeping with the trend of DS9 runabouts being named after Earth rivers.
-Rule of Acquisition quoted: 31 -- "Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother."
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