Star Trek: The Siege

Episode: "The Siege"

Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Season 2, Episode 3

Original Air Date: October 10, 1993

via Memory Alpha

Continuing from last week's episode, the station is evacuated in expectation of an assault by the Bajoran faction known as the Circle.  Well, at least that's what's supposed to happen.  In truth, Commander Sisko and a trusted cohort stick around to prevent the takeover.  Meanwhile, Kira and Dax make their way to the Chamber of Ministers on Bajor to deliver proof that the Cardassians are arming the Circle.

It's time to talk about the Bechdel Test and its application to Star Trek.  Alison Bechdel created the test in her comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For.  In order to pass, a work of fiction must meet the following criteria:

• The story must have at least two female characters.
• Those female characters must talk to each other...
• About something other than men.

While the Star Trek franchise deserves some credit for progress for female characters on television - Nyota Uhura, certainly - the number of TOS, TAS or TNG episodes that pass the Bechdel test is pretty skimpy.  It would be easy to believe, for instance, that Counselor Troi and Doctor Crusher only get together to gossip about boys.  

This failure did not go unnoticed by critics.  Both Deep Space Nine and Voyager were created with an eye towards changing things.  "The Siege" is an especially good episode for the Kira-Dax relationship, passing the Bechdel Test with flying colors.  

Acting Notes

via Memory Alpha

Philip Anglim played the role of Vedek Bareil, Kira's powerful, progressive ally within the Bajoran establishment.  Anglim was born February 11, 1952 in San Francisco.  As a child, he aspired to be a veterinarian but eventually turned to acting.  He graduated from Yale with a degree in English literature.

Anglim is best known for portraying Joseph Merrick in The Elephant Man, a role he performed on both stage and television.  The part won him a Tony nomination in 1979 and an Emmy nomination in 1981.  He also played the title role in Macbeth on both Broadway and television.  Films include Malone, Haunted Summer and Testament.