"Dukat is Hitler" - Why Star Trek: DS9 Hardened Their Cardassian Villain
Gul Dukat's sinister past during the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor made it improbable that he could ever be totally forgiven. Gul Dukat became the most unrepentant of all the recurrent villains in Deep Space Nine since he was driven by resentment and grandiose fantasies. But early in DS9 season 3, cast members and writers started to believe Dukat was getting too soft.
In season three of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, episode seven, "Civil Defense," Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) unintentionally triggers a dormant security mechanism poised to explode the old Cardassian space station. Gul Dukat turns up among the turmoil to negotiate for a Cardassian presence on DS9 with Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor). But Nana Visitor wanted the script to go beyond, stating the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion that "Civil Defense" re-establishing Dukat was not a good man did not go far.
Why Star Trek: DS9 Designed More Of A Villain?
Nana Visitor's evaluation of Gul Dukat aligned with the ambition of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine showrunner Ira Steven Behr to avoid turning Marc Alaimo's character into "the friendly neighborhood Cardassian." The recorded message reminds viewers of Gul Dukat's part in the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor even before he shows up physically in "Civil Defense." Gul Dukat, Prefect of Bajor, supervised the cruel mistreatment and slavery of many Bajorans. Gul Dukat also oversaw the killing of rebels and mistreated his authority to have several sexual contacts with Bajoran women.
Season 6 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's episode 17 disclosed that Major Kira's mother was among Gul Dukat's mistresses during the Occupation. Given the long litany of Gul Dukat's atrocities, it makes sense that Ira Steven Behr worried about too much softening of the character. Maquis two-parter from past shows like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine showed Dukat as overly friendly, devoid of the edge he possessed in season 1. "Civil Defense" therefore represented a turning point by reminding audiences exactly how horrible a despot Gul Dukat was. A sobering reminder of whom this man really is is the scene where Dukat refuses to turn off the death trap until he receives what he wants.
"Civil Defense" Found DS9 Unable to Escape Its Cardassian Origin
The third season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "Civil Defense," highlights how far the crew of DS9 could not fully escape the shadow of Cardassia notwithstanding their progress. Gul Dukat's ruthless security program means that their hometown is physically trying to kill them. Major Kira notes to Dr. Julian Bashir, "Your house was built by Cardassians, doctor. Never forget that completely. Although "Civil Defense" was a difficult DS9 episode to create, the final product is a pivotal point in the whole Dukat and Cardassian history.
Gul Dukat walks into Commander Benjamin Sisko's (Avery Brooks) office on the station, then fllicks his baseball off the desk and onto the floor. Dukat is expressing his intention to retrieve Deep Space Nine from Sisko, the Federation, and the Bajoran government, thereby firmly establishing to both Kira, and the audience. Before Gul Dukat fulfilled his dream, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine would have another two seasons; nonetheless, this underappreciated season 3 episode marks the dark route for his character.
Gul Dukat's Past
Writers of Deep Space Nine hardened their Cardassian Villain, Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo), as one actor described him as "Hitler". Gul Dukat's sinister past during the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor made it doubtful that he could ever be atone. Gul Dukat became the most unrepentant of all the recurrent villains in Deep Space Nine since he was driven by resentment and grandiose fantasies. But early in DS9 season 3, cast members and writers started to believe Dukat was getting too soft.
Dukat is Hitler to Kira, not She is never going to overcome that. Important to me is her inability to forgive him. Nana Visitor wanted the script to go further and told the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion that Kira might have begun to view Cardassians as people but she will always despise Dukat."
Examining Deeper Into the Series
The fourth series in the venerable Sci-Fi run is Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, or DS9. Rick Berman and Michael Piller developed DS9; stars Avery Brooks, René Auberjonois, Terry Farrell, and Cirroc Lofton. This particular series tracks a group of people living in a space station close to a planet known as Bajor.
The show's superb stories and nuanced characters as well as its openness to investigate political and social issues are well-known. Watching will help one to completely grasp the events of this series.
