Best of Star Trek: Deep Space 9---Battle Lines

"Battle Lines" is the 13th episode of the 1st season. It was written by Richard Danus and Evan Carlos Somers.

It begins with a visit from the spiritual leader of Bajor known as Kai Opaka. She asks for a trip to the wormhole with Sisko, Dr. Bashir, and Major Kira. The four embark on a routine voyage into the Gamma Quadrant, or so they think until a satellite in a remote solar system sends out shock waves and disables their shuttlecraft. They make a crash landing on a moon and pull Opaka's body from the wreckage.

The crew then discovers there are two factions at war and the moon is a penal colony. Both factions have been on the moon for a generation and their members have been implanted with a rejuvenating device that activates and rebuilds the body once it is severely injured or killed in an attack.

After an episode involving a rival faction, Opaka appears to a stunned crew. Dr. Bashir is astonished by her health but discovers another property in her body that before he goes to the craft's ship to analyze the findings on the computer, is mystified as to what it is.

Once the rejuvenating device is discovered, Sisko agrees to act as mediator and perhaps get them off the moon and live the remainder of their lives without war. Unfortunately, the rival group's leader isn't trusting of Sisko and the fighting starts again. Leaving the moon now is also out of the question because once they leave, Bashir has discovered, they will die.

Opaka, sensing this is her destiny to remain with the colonists, tells the crew she will remain. O'Brien and Dax locate the satellite signal, destroy it, and proceed to the moons orbit to beam up the remainder of the crew.

One thing that impressed me about this episode is Nana Visitor's performance. Her grief over the body of Opaka, whom she deemed as a mentor and an inspiration, is heartfelt and genuine. She also comes to terms with her violent nature and hatred she's held in for the Cardassians with the help of Opaka. She must recognize it before able to let it go.

This is reminiscent of a TNG episode called "The High Ground" which is very similar in that the Federation is dealing with two opposing factions at civil war. This episode is better in that it offers more hope for a resolution.

It also illustrates how civil wars that last for generations can become merely about something to hate while the original conflict is all but forgotten.