Life Support (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"Life Support " is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
, the 13th episode of the third season.
Quick Overview: During pivotal negotiations with the Cardassian
s, Vedek Bareil Antos is fatally injured.
transport carrying Kai Winn and Vedek Bareil suffers a mishap, and Bareil is left injured. He is brought on board Deep Space Nine
, where he is treated by Dr. Bashir
. They soon, however, find that he is braindead
. Because Bareil was in the midst of negotiations with the Cardassians, the talks would collapse without him, so Bashir suggests a radical procedure – replacing the damaged part of his brain with a positronic matrix.
The surgery is a success, except for the fact that Bareil is still severely brain-damaged and can live only for several months, just enough time to hopefully conclude his negotiations with the Cardassians. His lover, Major Kira
, speaks with him, but he barely recognises her. He is no longer the man she fell in love with.
Bareil is kept alive long enough to aid in completing the negotiations, and the treaty is formed between Bajor and Cardassia. As Bareil's condition worsens, Kira insists Bashir replace the remainder of his damaged brain with positronic matrices, but Bashir refuses on the grounds it will remove any 'spark of life' Bareil has left. The episode closes with Kira sat at the bedside, regaling a slowly dying Bareil with the tale of how she first fell in love with him.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
, the 13th episode of the third season.
Quick Overview: During pivotal negotiations with the Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
s, Vedek Bareil Antos is fatally injured.
Plot
As the show opens, a BajoranBajoran
In the Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Bajorans are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor. They were first introduced in the 1991 episode "Ensign Ro" of Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequently also featured in episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and...
transport carrying Kai Winn and Vedek Bareil suffers a mishap, and Bareil is left injured. He is brought on board Deep Space Nine
Deep Space Nine (space station)
Deep Space Nine is a fictitious space station, and is the eponymous primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It serves as a base for the exploration of the Gamma Quadrant via the Bajoran wormhole, and is a hub of trade and travel for the sector's denizens...
, where he is treated by Dr. Bashir
Julian Bashir
Lieutenant Julian Subatoi Bashir, M.D., played by Alexander Siddig, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bashir is the chief medical officer of space station Deep Space Nine and the USS Defiant.-Overview:...
. They soon, however, find that he is braindead
Brain death
Brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity due to total necrosis of the cerebral neurons following loss of brain oxygenation. It should not be confused with a persistent vegetative state...
. Because Bareil was in the midst of negotiations with the Cardassians, the talks would collapse without him, so Bashir suggests a radical procedure – replacing the damaged part of his brain with a positronic matrix.
The surgery is a success, except for the fact that Bareil is still severely brain-damaged and can live only for several months, just enough time to hopefully conclude his negotiations with the Cardassians. His lover, Major Kira
Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys , played by Nana Visitor, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Backstory:Per Bajoran custom, her family name, Kira, precedes her given name, Nerys. She has two brothers , and her parents' names are Kira Taban and Kira Meru...
, speaks with him, but he barely recognises her. He is no longer the man she fell in love with.
Bareil is kept alive long enough to aid in completing the negotiations, and the treaty is formed between Bajor and Cardassia. As Bareil's condition worsens, Kira insists Bashir replace the remainder of his damaged brain with positronic matrices, but Bashir refuses on the grounds it will remove any 'spark of life' Bareil has left. The episode closes with Kira sat at the bedside, regaling a slowly dying Bareil with the tale of how she first fell in love with him.