Star Trek: Deep Space Nine — 2x24 — The Collaborator

Aired 1994-05-22

SpaceOpera.com rating:4

Average reader rating:5.61

Synopsis

Kira must investigate the man she loves when she learns he may be the Cardassian collaborator responsible for the massacre of 43 Bajorans.

Filler rating: not filler

The Kai election is decided in this episode.

Remarkable scenes

Kira insulting Vedek Winn.
Kira and Odo talking to the collaborator.
Vedek Winn's meeting with Sisko.
Kira and Odo waking in on Quark. Kira: "Don't be so defensive!" Quark: "I can't help it, between the two of you I'm developing a persecution complex!"
Rules of Acquisition; 285 (last rule). No good deed ever goes unpunished.

Review

Vedek Winn manipulates Vedek Bareil to get him to withdraw his candidacy for the next Kai. An interesting idea, but drowns under the weight of slow plot development. The consequences are profound though, as it leads directly to Winn becoming Kai, which will surely lead to some interesting drama down the road.

5 reader comments

I'm amazed this only got a 4. Some good drama, and the election of a new Space-Pope is hardly "zero plot development". In hindsight, it may seem obvious that Kai Winn will be elected, but it's an enormous change for those watching the episodes in order.
The episode had me believing that Bareil had been a collaborator, in the sense of sacrificing the few for the benefit of the many. The double turnaround made for some good emotional responses from Kira.
by carsonist | 01/24/2009 at 11:44 pm

10/10
The religious politics combine with the social repercussions and aftermath of an occupation. This story was consistently exciting through every minute.
Plus we get to see some more hotness from Keera Narees.
by Tallifer | 03/20/2011 at 10:06 am

Another strong outing involving Bajoran politics!
This is a well constructed episode with good performances from Kira, Winn and Bareil.
I'd give it an 8.
by Bernard | 10/22/2011 at 6:43 pm

In context of the political development of Bajor the plot develops not zero but close to 100%! Also, the recent history of Bajor is well integrated with a very tough decision: is it justified to let a small number of people die so that much more can live? Indeed, it could be expected that Vedek Winn eventually prevails in the Kai competition. However, it was a surprise that Kai Opaka was the "collaborator" and not Bareil. His relationship with Kira: her doubts and inner conflict are well acted. A really good episode, deserving rating 8.
by peterwolf | 11/09/2011 at 7:28 am

I could see how you might find this slow but I found it full of tension and felt that the plot developed at an adequate pace the whole way through, making it a solid episode. Not the most thrilling, but it raised a good moral question and developed some interesting religious politics on Bajor.
by Christopher Alexander | 07/20/2020 at 11:51 pm