captaincrusher:

In Ds9, there’s one thing that so often bothered me. I’ve written about it before but let’s do it again.

Its about the idea of Kira as the hope of Bajor.

Throughout the seasons, but particularly in the first seasons, there was several story lines about some random guys coming forth as the “hope of Bajor”. This particular dude can bring hope and stability, he can unite us and lead us. Kira always defended this dude, stood by his side, supported him, spoke for him. 

Why was never Kira this hope?

The writers always cast Kira as the side character to powerful men. Like Bareil and Shakaar, most noticeably. She was just as capable as any of these guys. She fought in the war, she had contacts in the government, she had ties to the Federation. (I realize that Kira being more closely linked to the government would disturb her place on Ds9, but let’s ignore that for the moment).

The episode “The siege” is such a good example here.

In “The siege” Kira basically saves Bajor. She and Dax fight their way to Bajor to deliver some proof to the chamber of ministers that the bad guy is bad. They use their skill, imagination and power. Here we have Kira, this fighter and actual Bajoran hero, getting to the chamber of ministers and saving the day. And all of this is apparently so that a dude that hasn’t actually done anything can become a legend and a hero.

It is such an anti climax. 

I absolutely feel that if Kira Nerys had been Kira Charlie, she wouldn’t have been repeatedly reduced to a side character in her own story. The fact that the people that were actually hailed as heroes or important were always men says something.

It can be argued that Kira never wanted glory. And sure, that is a perfectly good story line for her. She has always fought in the dirt against the odds, no thought to glory. But then the writers never needed to write the stories that constantly made her the sidekick instead of the main act.