Sun, 23 August 2009 This week the Gamma Quadrant discusses the age old question: War: What is it good for?...and somehow Scandinavians are involved. Also spoilers abound concerning Kai Opaka's future. Comments[7] |
Regarding the Bajoran earrings, they are explained in the fourth season episode Accession. Apparently the Bajorans long ago had a rigid caste system, and the earrings served to identify a person's place in society. Now the earrings just serve as reminders of what caste a person would belong to if the caste system hadn't been abolished.
(The captcha for this comment is "Mr misrule".)
(The captcha for this comment is "Mr misrule".)
posted by: tvindy on Sun, 8/23 01:20 PM EDT
Ah, are you talking about the episode with the return of the 'true' emissary, where he wants everyone to go back to the old caste system they used to have on Bajor? Thanks for the info, tvindy. Bajoran culture is one of the things I love about this show and the more info I get about it, the better.
The Bajoran earring was an elaborate piece of jewelry traditionally worn on the right ear by the Bajoran people as a symbol of their faith. Each person's earring was individualized and bore the symbol of their family. Prior to the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor, these earrings also indicated a person's D'jarra (their social caste). (DS9: "Accession")
Major Kira Nerys wore an earring, which was made for her by Lupaza using diamide-laced beritium salvaged from a Cardassian skimmer ambushed by the Shakaar resistance cell. (DS9: "The Search, Part I", "The Darkness and the Light")
Major Kira Nerys wore an earring, which was made for her by Lupaza using diamide-laced beritium salvaged from a Cardassian skimmer ambushed by the Shakaar resistance cell. (DS9: "The Search, Part I", "The Darkness and the Light")
posted by: Thot Pran on Sun, 8/23 07:44 PM EDT
Ryan, yes, that's the episode I was thinking of. (It looks like Thot has a lot more useful info on the subject, though.) I don't recall the caste system even being mentioned at any time before that season 4 episode, so I doubt that had anything to do with first season earrings. I wonder how often the Bajorans get their earwear snagged on things and wind up with torn ears.
posted by: tvindy on Sun, 8/23 08:22 PM EDT
I think the episode was important in introducing aspects of Kira's character and the importance of prophecy in Bajoran culture. Kira did some nasty stuff...but you find her wrestling with the conflicting violent and spiritual aspects of her nature. Just like unresolved story issues, the moral dilemma and personal struggle with doing bad things for a good cause is a hallmark of DS9. The Bajorans, with their Prophets worship and focus on prophecy, could be seen as religious nuts...were it not for the reasoned demeanor and spiritual authenticity of Kai Opaka. She gives the spiritual nature of the Bajorans and the possible accuracy of prophecy needed credibility. A good character...well acted. I would have liked to see more of Kai Opaka in later episodes.
Unless I am mistaken, I believe we see Kai Opaka in flashbacks when there is some conflict over whether Veddick Berile or Veddick Wynn will become Kai. I know for sure that her previous actions weigh heavily into that episode. I also think that we get to see more of Opaka in the alternate universe episodes.
Yeh...you're right, James. But a little more Opaka time...particularly at the end of the series...would have been nice. I guess keeping Opaka on the corporeal sidelines later allows Wynn...with her partisan maneuvering and questionable motives...do the voodoo that she does so well.
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