> When Ensign Ro beams onto the Enterprise, Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) orders her to remove the Bajoran earring she’s wearing as it violates Starfleet uniform code. However, the earring isn’t merely ornamental jewelry but a symbol of Bajoran religious belief. Riker’s rigidity on this point is inconsistent, as Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) wears a ceremonial Klingon sash over his uniform, so this is very specific religion discrimination.
I think it's less about the earring, and more about the fact that Ro had been court-martialed, and had been released from her punishment for no reason that he was aware of.
> Picard quickly apologizes, claiming he “didn’t know,” despite his childhood familiarity with Bajor.
Eh. It's easy to have some superficial knowledge of the history without knowing details like that.
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Nitpicking aside: Great essay. I have always thought of the Bajorans as Space-Palestinians, in no small part because of their worship of the Prophet(s).[*] And the resettlement camps. And the terrorism / resistance, depending on which eye you looked with.
[*] Just as the Ferengi are Space-Capitalists because of their worship of the Profits. (I'll show myself out.)
To link the Bajoran situation to the Palestinian situation suggest that the Cardassians originated on Bajor and that Bajor was originally called "Cardassia" as the Jews of Israel originated in... JUDEA before actual colonizers renamed the land "Syria Palaestina." It would also suggest that all throughout the time it was Bajor, Cardassians still lived on the planet, and never were able to enjoy political autonomy until they "invaded and took over." So it's a very poor analogy if it was ever meant to be one.
Right and if the Bajorans are the Palestinians than Bajor is standing in for Palestine, which doesn't work, because it would require then that the Cardassians are largely descended from those who were driven out of Bajor. Then again... canonically in Star Trek... Jews no longer exist by the 24th century so...
This was a brilliant TNG episode. One of the standouts. It turned the lens inward and busted the Perfectly Evolved Society fantasy. And Michelle Forbes nailed it.
(The Perfect Mate; Half a Life: other notable episodes.)
And it takes Picard another 40 years or so to realize that he was still projecting his cultural expectations on her the entire time. Even though Picard himself often crossed the line of legality because of his own moral compass, he still expected her to put loyalty to Starfleet and to himself first.
Kira on DS9 was originally going to be Ro, but Michelle Forbes declined. Interesting to think how DS9 would have been with Ro's backstory as opposed to Kira's.
Meanwhile on this planet, I noticed at the checkout, a collector's edition of TV Guide commemorating Star Trek's 60th anniversary. It says in big letters, The Captains, exclusive interviews with Shatner, Stewart, Mulgrew and Mount. Pictured are three captains, guess who didn't make the cover?
(Found this months later...)
> When Ensign Ro beams onto the Enterprise, Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) orders her to remove the Bajoran earring she’s wearing as it violates Starfleet uniform code. However, the earring isn’t merely ornamental jewelry but a symbol of Bajoran religious belief. Riker’s rigidity on this point is inconsistent, as Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) wears a ceremonial Klingon sash over his uniform, so this is very specific religion discrimination.
I think it's less about the earring, and more about the fact that Ro had been court-martialed, and had been released from her punishment for no reason that he was aware of.
> Picard quickly apologizes, claiming he “didn’t know,” despite his childhood familiarity with Bajor.
Eh. It's easy to have some superficial knowledge of the history without knowing details like that.
----
Nitpicking aside: Great essay. I have always thought of the Bajorans as Space-Palestinians, in no small part because of their worship of the Prophet(s).[*] And the resettlement camps. And the terrorism / resistance, depending on which eye you looked with.
[*] Just as the Ferengi are Space-Capitalists because of their worship of the Profits. (I'll show myself out.)
You might be interested in this recent Substack.
https://rebeccarbibbs.substack.com/p/letting-star-trek-take-me-where-i?r=5dsiiv&utm_medium=ios
The way Gul Dukat wanted credit from the Bajorans for being less oppressive than he could have been is very Zionist.
To link the Bajoran situation to the Palestinian situation suggest that the Cardassians originated on Bajor and that Bajor was originally called "Cardassia" as the Jews of Israel originated in... JUDEA before actual colonizers renamed the land "Syria Palaestina." It would also suggest that all throughout the time it was Bajor, Cardassians still lived on the planet, and never were able to enjoy political autonomy until they "invaded and took over." So it's a very poor analogy if it was ever meant to be one.
Space is very different on TREK though. A planet can stand in for a country, a state, or territory.
Right and if the Bajorans are the Palestinians than Bajor is standing in for Palestine, which doesn't work, because it would require then that the Cardassians are largely descended from those who were driven out of Bajor. Then again... canonically in Star Trek... Jews no longer exist by the 24th century so...
This was a brilliant TNG episode. One of the standouts. It turned the lens inward and busted the Perfectly Evolved Society fantasy. And Michelle Forbes nailed it.
(The Perfect Mate; Half a Life: other notable episodes.)
And it takes Picard another 40 years or so to realize that he was still projecting his cultural expectations on her the entire time. Even though Picard himself often crossed the line of legality because of his own moral compass, he still expected her to put loyalty to Starfleet and to himself first.
Kira on DS9 was originally going to be Ro, but Michelle Forbes declined. Interesting to think how DS9 would have been with Ro's backstory as opposed to Kira's.
"Religious differences were minimized and certainly never a source of conflict."
Until you get to DS9
Loved this piece. Thanks for sharing your voice.
Such a great piece, Stephen. One of your best.
Thanks, my friend!
Meanwhile on this planet, I noticed at the checkout, a collector's edition of TV Guide commemorating Star Trek's 60th anniversary. It says in big letters, The Captains, exclusive interviews with Shatner, Stewart, Mulgrew and Mount. Pictured are three captains, guess who didn't make the cover?
Sisko is often snubbed because he wasn't originally captain of a starship, but he does become captain at the end of Season 3 and has a cool ship.
This is yet another great bit of media meta-analysis and a ton of food for thought.