#mirror bareil

[images © CBS/Paramount] 

Caitlin – Join the resistance

Kira Nerys

Winn Adami

Tora Ziyal

On Caitlin’s list we see three characters with backstories so rich that it opened up possibilities for Deep Space Nine to have the rich, serial, heart-wrenching plots that it was known for. These three women built and built over the seasons, from Kira’s place within the Bajoran resistance to her promotion to colonel in the militia, from Winn’s overly ambitious ascension to Kai to her downfall in the fire caves, and from Ziyal’s tragic upbringing in a Breen prison camp to her reunion with her father and finally to her sacrifice in the fight against the Dominion.

—

Jake – The d’jarra of badasses

Kira Nerys

Ro Laren

Sito Jaxa

Jake so frequently picks out the most badass characters for his lists, and this time is no different. Kira Nerys was so hardcore that she even taught her former enemies how to be better rebel fighters. Ensign Ro put up with shit from neither  Cardassians nor Starfleet and went so far as to join the Maquis because she stood for what was right. And the young cadet Sito Jaxa made up for mistakes made in the Academy by learning from the experience, standing up for herself, and ultimately martyring herself for Starfleet’s cause.

—

Ames – Building more than just a kiln

Ro Laren

Shaxs

Mullibok

My three Bajoran characters bring out the best in their respective series. TNG was not only severely lacking in female characters before Ensign Ro came along, but also got some excellent story fodder by introducing her Bajoran race. Lower Decks excels at creating characters with contradictory traits for some of their better jokes and drama, and the big angry teddy bear Shaxs may be the best example. And DS9 starts off the clusterfuck that is Bajor with the moon tenant Mullibok who tests Kira’s mettle with his matching stubbornness.

—

Chris – Welcome to the Gratitude Festival

Ro Laren

Winn Adami

Kira Nerys

Be grateful for Chris’s picks because, without them, the Bajorans wouldn’t be the race we know today. We’ve seen all three of these women in the other lists, and that just serves as a testament for how excellent they are and what they do to help Star Trek depict their race. From their stories, we understand how the Bajora survived a brutal occupation, how they built themselves up on both the strength of their faith and the strength of their rebellion, and how (regardless of how often we joke that they’re a mess) they sum up to the best of sci-fi.

—