11 votes

Bajoran culture is my feminist and queer inspiration

13 comments

  1. [2]
    3d12
    Link
    Interesting read. I'll admit I skimmed after she started talking more about DS9 in particular, as I just started watching TNG for the first time in March and haven't gotten to DS9 yet so I didn't...

    Interesting read. I'll admit I skimmed after she started talking more about DS9 in particular, as I just started watching TNG for the first time in March and haven't gotten to DS9 yet so I didn't want spoilers. But I agree with her points about Ensign Ro. She doesn't feel like a "catty female character who's just catty to be catty," she's written like a more well-rounded person. My wife in particular has enjoyed the episodes where she plays a central part (The Next Phase was one we watched earlier this month we both quite enjoyed) and has already remarked about wanting to see more about Bajorans, so DS9 is already next in the list for us.

    4 votes
    1. mrbig
      Link Parent
      You may want to go back to this article once you watch DS9, because that’s in the core of the argument.

      You may want to go back to this article once you watch DS9, because that’s in the core of the argument.

      1 vote
  2. [10]
    tlalexander
    Link
    The article brushes past Bashir being really creepy towards women. I’m glad to learn (from the article) that this behavior is just in early seasons. But after working my way through most of Star...

    The article brushes past Bashir being really creepy towards women. I’m glad to learn (from the article) that this behavior is just in early seasons. But after working my way through most of Star Trek Voyager I found the male dominated (and in the case of Bashir, almost predatory) cast of DS9 to be pretty off putting. I only watched a few episodes before returning to Voyager, though that show has its own issues. The article is spot on about Ro Laren however and it’s great to see characters and cultures like hers. I’d also recommend Voyager for some great female roles, including Captain Janeway, B’Ellana Torres, and Seven of Nine.

    3 votes
    1. [3]
      mrbig
      Link Parent
      I fail to see any creepiness from Bashir, I’m at the start of the second season. He’s overt in his romantic pursuit but respect other people’s wishes and do takes no for an answer. I find him...

      I fail to see any creepiness from Bashir, I’m at the start of the second season. He’s overt in his romantic pursuit but respect other people’s wishes and do takes no for an answer. I find him highly moral. Is seduction creepy by default?

      3 votes
      1. Wes
        Link Parent
        He makes some rather unprofessional decisions in "Chrysalis" (S7E5). That's the one that stands out for me as Bashir being a creep. Outside of that episode I didn't find him too over-the-top.

        He makes some rather unprofessional decisions in "Chrysalis" (S7E5). That's the one that stands out for me as Bashir being a creep. Outside of that episode I didn't find him too over-the-top.

        6 votes
      2. tlalexander
        Link Parent
        Well that’s good. As a man I’ve never received advances like that but he seemed to be really forward. I assume that could make some women uncomfortable but I don’t know.

        Well that’s good. As a man I’ve never received advances like that but he seemed to be really forward. I assume that could make some women uncomfortable but I don’t know.

        1 vote
    2. [6]
      Algernon_Asimov
      Link Parent
      Bashir was creepy in the early seasons of DS9, but even his main target (Jadzia) understood that this was due to his immaturity and inexperience, rather than an innate character flaw. He...

      Bashir was creepy in the early seasons of DS9, but even his main target (Jadzia) understood that this was due to his immaturity and inexperience, rather than an innate character flaw. He definitely matured over the course of the series, and even looks back at his earlier behaviour, acknowledges that he was creepy, and (I think) apologises to Jadzia.

      3 votes
      1. mrbig
        Link Parent
        If you mean the episode Starship Down, he does not apologize, but they do have an intimate moment in which Jadzia states that Bashir “came on a little strong” and did not give her time to know him...

        If you mean the episode Starship Down, he does not apologize, but they do have an intimate moment in which Jadzia states that Bashir “came on a little strong” and did not give her time to know him better. It also becomes implicit that she actually enjoyed being chased—something Jadzia never made any effort to conceal, IMHO. She was a confident, strong Trill and would have no trouble putting Bashir in his place if she wanted to (like Kira did). That’s my impression at least.

        2 votes
      2. [4]
        tlalexander
        Link Parent
        Good to know! I’m on the 5th season of Voyager and will have to find something new after that. Maybe I’ll give DS9 another shot.

        Good to know! I’m on the 5th season of Voyager and will have to find something new after that. Maybe I’ll give DS9 another shot.

        1 vote
        1. [3]
          Algernon_Asimov
          Link Parent
          Do that! If you feel like watching the core episodes, and skipping some filler, to help you get to the better parts of DS9 faster, here's a helpful guide for you.

          Do that!

          If you feel like watching the core episodes, and skipping some filler, to help you get to the better parts of DS9 faster, here's a helpful guide for you.

          4 votes
          1. [2]
            tlalexander
            Link Parent
            Oh wow thank you! This is great hah I never would have known this exists.

            Oh wow thank you! This is great hah I never would have known this exists.

            2 votes
            1. Algernon_Asimov
              Link Parent
              There are other lists like this, some of them in the Daystrom Institute, and many of them spread across the internet. This is just my version.

              There are other lists like this, some of them in the Daystrom Institute, and many of them spread across the internet. This is just my version.

              3 votes
  3. mrbig
    Link

    Bajoran women are leaders everywhere, from religious orders to military, resistance, and labor rights organizations. Meanwhile, many Bajoran men are more contemplative.