Summary
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s writers hardened their Cardassian villain, Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo), because, as one actor put it, he was “Hitler”. Given Gul Dukat’s dark past during the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor, it was unlikely that he could ever be fully redeemed. This is partly why, of all the recurring villains in thecast ofDeep Space Nine, Gul Dukat became the most unrepentant, as he was consumed by bitterness and delusions of grandeur. However, early inDS9season 3,the show’s writers and cast members began to feel that Dukat was becoming too soft.
InStar Trek: Deep Space Nineseason 3, episode 7, “Civil Defense”, Chief Miles O’Brien (Colm Meaney) inadvertently activates a dormant security program that threatens to blow up the formerCardassian space station. Amid the chaos, Gul Dukat shows up to bargain with Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor), and tries to negotiate for a Cardassian presence on DS9. However, despite “Civil Defense” re-establishing that Dukat was not a good man, Nana Visitor wanted the script to go further, telling theStar Trek: Deep Space Nine Companionthat:
“To Kira, Dukat is Hitler. She’s not ever going to get over that. She canneverforgive him, and that is important to me. Kira may have started to see Cardassians as individuals, but she willalwayshate Dukat.”
All 6 Star Trek Characters Played By DS9’s Marc Alaimo
Marc Alaimo played four different characters on TNG before he began portraying one of Star Trek’s best villains on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Why Star Trek: DS9 Made Gul Dukat More Of A Villain
Nana Visitor’s assessment of Gul Dukat was in line withStar Trek: Deep Space Nineshowrunner Ira Steven Behr’s desire not to turn Marc Alaimo’s character into “the friendly neighborhood Cardassian.” Even before Gul Dukat arrives in the flesh in “Civil Defense”, the recorded message reminds viewers of his role in theCardassian Occupation of Bajor. As Prefect of Bajor, Gul Dukat oversaw the brutal enslavement and torture of countless Bajorans. Gul Dukat also abused his power to have multiple sexual relationships with Bajoran women, and oversaw the execution of dissidents.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nineseason 6, episode 17 revealed that Major Kira’s mother was one of Gul Dukat’s mistresses during the Occupation.
Given the extensive list of Gul Dukat’s crimes, it’s understandable that Ira Steven Behr was concerned about softening the character too much. Previous episodes likeStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Maquis two-parter depicted Dukat as too amiable, lacking the edginess he had in season 1. “Civil Defense”, therefore, marked a significant moment by reminding viewers just how despicable a tyrant Gul Dukat was. The scene where Dukat refuses to deactivate the death trap until he’s given what he wants is a chilling reminder of whom this man actually is.
“Civil Defense” Proved DS9 Couldn’t Escape Its Cardassian Origins
Star Trek: Deep Space Nineseason 3, episode 7, “Civil Defense” emphasizes that, despite how far they’ve come, the crew of DS9 couldn’t completely escape the shadow of Cardassia. Gul Dukat’s murderous security program means that the place they call home is literally trying to kill them. As Major Kira observes to Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig), “Your home was built by Cardassians, doctor. Don’t ever forget that.” While “Civil Defense” was acomplexDS9episode to write, the finished result is a crucial moment in the overall story of Dukat and the station’s Cardassian background.
When Gul Dukat arrives on the station, he enters the office of Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and flicks his baseball off the desk and on to the floor. It’s a statement of intent from Dukat, firmly establishing to both Kira, and the audience, that he intends to take back Deep Space Nine from Sisko, the Federation, and the Bajoran government. It would be another two seasons ofStar Trek: Deep Space Ninebefore Gul Dukat got his wish, but the dark road for his character is established in this underrated season 3 episode.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Cast
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, also known as DS9, is the fourth series in the long-running Sci-Fi franchise, Star Trek. DS9 was created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, and stars Avery Brooks, René Auberjonois, Terry Farrell, and Cirroc Lofton. This particular series follows a group of individuals in a space station near a planet called Bajor.
