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Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)
Encyclopedia
Miles Edward O'Brien, played by Colm Meaney
, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter
chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation
. O'Brien is the only major Star Trek
character described as both ethnically Irish
and born in Ireland
.
, Ireland
, Earth
in September 2328. He claims descent from Irish King Brian Boru
(the founder of the O'Brien
Clan). His father, Michael O'Brien, wanted him to play the cello, so he pursued this and was eventually accepted into the Aldebaran Music Academy (revealed in DS9 episode "Shadowplay
"). However, a few days before he was scheduled to start classes there, he enlisted in Starfleet
. O'Brien can also be seen playing the Cello as part of Data's string quartet early in the TNG episode "Ensigns of Command".
In the DS9 episode "Invasive Procedures
", it is revealed he has two brothers.
The TNG episode "The Wounded
" establishes that O'Brien served as tactical officer aboard the USS Rutledge during the Cardassian War and that he was emotionally scarred by the Cardassian
s' massacre of hundreds of civilians on Setlik III. In this episode, it is clear that the classic Irish tune The Minstrel Boy
plays a major part of his journey as a character: an innocent man thrown into the destructive nature of war. He sings the song in this episode, and much later, in the final episode of DS9 "What You Leave Behind
", The Minstrel Boy is the first musical theme to be heard in the flashback sequence.
In the DS9 episode "Bar Association
", O'Brien jokingly claims to be a direct descendant of real-life Irish High King Brian Boru
(according to Irish tradition, all people with the surname "O'Brien
" are descendants thereof). Later, he speaks more seriously of fictional ancestor Sean Aloysius O'Brien, (perhaps a reference to the supposed birth name of John Ford
) a major player in one of the first United States workers' unions, who participated in the Coal Strike of 1902
in Pennsylvania
, and was shot, then dumped into the Allegheny River
. In the episode "Rules of Engagement
" we learn that during O'Brien's 22 years in Starfleet he had fought in 235 separate battles and had been decorated by Starfleet on 15 occasions and was considered to be an expert in starship combat.
In 2367, he confronted Capt. Benjamin Maxwell, his former commanding officer on the USS Rutledge, when Maxwell attacked Cardassian ships and outposts without authorization and threatened the peace between the Federation and the Cardassian Union (TNG: "The Wounded").
During the Klingon Civil War, O'Brien is assigned to the bridge as tactical officer due to Worf's resignation from Starfleet and the temporary reassignment of officers to other ships in a fleet led by Capt. Picard (TNG: "Redemption Part II").
O'Brien marries Keiko Ishikawa aboard the USS Enterprise-D in the TNG episode "Data's Day
". They have a daughter, Molly, who is delivered by Worf in "Disaster
".
to DS9
at the beginning of the latter show. In the story, Miles O'Brien transfers from the Enterprise-D
to Deep Space Nine
, in the DS9 premiere episode "Emissary
", to serve as the station's chief of operations. With the help of Jadzia Dax
, he devised a way of moving the station from orbit around Bajor to the site of the newly discovered wormhole, allowing Bajor to take possession. He would later assume an additional role as chief engineer of the USS Defiant
, which is assigned to Deep Space Nine in the episode "The Search
".
Here he meets Dr. Julian Bashir
, who initially irritates O'Brien (Episode: "The Storyteller"), but the two characters eventually become best friends. In particular, they frequently play darts
and fight historical battles in the holosuites.
Miles was reprimanded for violating the Prime Directive
when he helped an alien from the Gamma Quadrant referred to as "Tosk", escape from other aliens who had been hunting him in "Captive Pursuit".
In 2370, he is arrested by the Cardassians
and charged with supplying weapons to the Maquis
. The charges were dismissed when it was revealed to be part of a conspiracy to discredit the Federation (Episode: "Tribunal").
After an accident aboard the station in 2371, O'Brien was temporarily shifted forward in time by a few hours. He died when he deliberately contaminated himself in order to determine the cause of events he had witnessed. He sent his future counterpart back in his place "Visionary".
Miles was temporarily relieved of duty after a visit to the planet Argratha. O'Brien had been falsely accused of espionage and was given the simulated memory of a 20-year prison sentence. O'Brien became paranoid and emotionally distressed upon his return to the station and attempted suicide "Hard Time".
In 2373, he has a son, Kirayoshi, delivered by surrogate Kira Nerys
in episode "The Begotten
".
At the end of Deep Space Nine, O'Brien and his family depart the station to move back to Earth
, where Miles is to serve as an engineering professor at Starfleet Academy. The soundtrack accompanying these moments on screen is to the tune of "The Minstrel Boy
".
When Smiley met a Julian Bashir from another universe in the ore processing center, he initially thought that Bashir's "wild" tales of his counterpart being Chief of Operations was simply a ruse to get him to help Bashir. However, Bashir was able to persuade him to help after he realized that anything had to be better than being a slave. Smiley agreed to help Bashir try to escape from the station only if he could go back with him to the other universe. When Captain Sisko defied Intendant Kira Nerys who commanded the station, Smiley changed his mind and decided to join Sisko's crew, deciding that there was something worth staying for after all (Episode: "Crossover").
When Mirror Sisko was killed by the Alliance in early 2371, Smiley took charge of the Terran Rebellion. In order to complete Sisko's last mission, he recruited Benjamin Sisko to take the place of his deceased counterpart long enough to convince Jennifer Sisko to leave the Alliance and start working for the Rebellion (Episode: "Through the Looking Glass").
While he was aboard Deep Space 9, Smiley took the opportunity to download a large portion of the station's database, including the schematics for the USS Defiant. Smiley used the stolen specifications to build a warship, which they named Defiant. After the rebels managed to capture Terok Nor from the Alliance, the Alliance prepared to recapture the station. Smiley once again recruited Sisko in order to help them finish construction of the Defiant in time. After successfully defending the station, Smiley sent Sisko back home (Episode: "Shattered Mirror").
In 2375, Smiley was in command of the Defiant when it pursued Brunt's ship as it stole a cloaking device from the station, and later negotiated Regent Worf's surrender and capture (Episode: "The Emperor's New Cloak").
" (TNG) but he had referred to in previous episodes as Lieutenant. Eventually, O'Brien receives a distinct senior chief petty officer's insignia and his rank is emphatically identified in "Hippocratic Oath
" (DS9).
While there has never been an official explanation from the Star Trek producers as to why the character's rank was adjusted, two groups of fans have offered competing theories on the subject.
The first is that it was a reduction in rank and was possibly punitive, since as a Lieutenant, O'Brien had already graduated from Starfleet Academy.
The second is that O'Brien had most likely been a lower ranking Petty Officer who had received a field promotion to Lieutenant during the Cardassian Conflict. Once the conflict was clearly over, O'Brien had been offered two competing choices concerning his career. (1) He could remain an officer and be promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In accepting this option, he would have taken on a high degree of command responsibility. (2) He could revert to being a non commissioned officer and accept a position as a Chief Petty Officer. As the senior enlisted person on a ship or station, C.P.O. O'Brien would have enjoyed the privileges and duties of a senior commissioned officer while functioning as a technical specialist rather than part of the general command structure.
Because of his rank, O'Brien must address even an Ensign as 'sir' -- a fact that he dryly comments to Bashir upon hearing of Nog's enrollment in Starfleet Academy. He also dislikes being called 'sir', often admonishing crewmen and P.O.s for doing so. However, once Nog did become an ensign in "Favor the Bold
", O'Brien is clearly his superior in the hierarchy of the Defiant crew.
The producers would routinely put O'Brien under intense psychological pressure in episodes jokingly dubbed 'O'Brien must suffer'. O'Brien was regularly chosen for such storylines because it was felt people could empathize with him.
Colm Meaney
Colm J. Meaney is an Irish actor widely known for playing Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is second only to Michael Dorn in most appearances in Star Trek episodes. He has guest-starred on many TV shows from Law & Order to The Simpsons...
, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter
Transporter (Star Trek)
A transporter is a fictional teleportation machine used in the Star Trek universe. Transporters convert a person or object into an energy pattern , then "beam" it to a target, where it is reconverted into matter...
chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
. O'Brien is the only major Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
character described as both ethnically Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Casting
According to Colm Meaney, at first O'Brien "was just there, not really established as a character, and that went on for a bit." He can be seen as the battle bridge's Ops operator in the first episode (Encounter at Farpoint: TNG). Appearing on and off in more TNG episodes, it wasn't until the fourth season episode "Family" that Meaney's character was finally given a first name. However, Meaney came to like the arrangement of being hired on an episode-by-episode basis, and was hesitant to sign on as a regular on DS9. O'Brien is one of only three TNG characters to move onto DS9, the others being Worf and Keiko.Back story
The back story of the character states that Miles O'Brien was born in KillarneyKillarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
in September 2328. He claims descent from Irish King Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
(the founder of the O'Brien
O'Brien
The O'Brien dynasty are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland...
Clan). His father, Michael O'Brien, wanted him to play the cello, so he pursued this and was eventually accepted into the Aldebaran Music Academy (revealed in DS9 episode "Shadowplay
Shadowplay (DS9 episode)
"Shadowplay" is the 36th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Overview:Odo and Dax investigate why a village's residents are disappearing; Major Kira and Vedek Bareil become personally involved.-Plot:...
"). However, a few days before he was scheduled to start classes there, he enlisted in Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
. O'Brien can also be seen playing the Cello as part of Data's string quartet early in the TNG episode "Ensigns of Command".
In the DS9 episode "Invasive Procedures
Invasive Procedures (DS9 episode)
"Invasive Procedures" is the 24th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Plot:At a time when Deep Space Nine is all but empty, an unjoined Trill and his crew, a pair of Klingons and a former prostitute named Mareel, overpower the crew of the station. The Trill,...
", it is revealed he has two brothers.
The TNG episode "The Wounded
The Wounded (TNG episode)
"The Wounded" is the 85th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Overview:In this episode, the crew of the Federation Starfleet Starship USS Enterprise cooperates with the Cardassians to track down another Starfleet vessel, the Nebula-class USS Phoenix,...
" establishes that O'Brien served as tactical officer aboard the USS Rutledge during the Cardassian War and that he was emotionally scarred by 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' massacre of hundreds of civilians on Setlik III. In this episode, it is clear that the classic Irish tune The Minstrel Boy
The Minstrel Boy
"The Minstrel Boy" is an Irish patriotic song written by Thomas Moore who set it to the melody of The Moreen, an old Irish air. It is widely believed that Moore composed the song in remembrance of a number of his friends, whom he met while studying at Trinity College, Dublin and who had...
plays a major part of his journey as a character: an innocent man thrown into the destructive nature of war. He sings the song in this episode, and much later, in the final episode of DS9 "What You Leave Behind
What You Leave Behind (DS9 Episode)
"What You Leave Behind" is the series finale of the television show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and is the twenty-fifth episode of the seventh season. Much of the episode is set on Cardassia Prime, the home world of the Cardassians and the headquarters of the Dominion in the Alpha Quadrant...
", The Minstrel Boy is the first musical theme to be heard in the flashback sequence.
In the DS9 episode "Bar Association
Bar Association (DS9 episode)
"Bar Association" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the fifteenth episode of the fourth season.-Plot:After suffering for weeks with an ear infection without a day off, Rom finally collapses in Quark's bar and is taken to the Infirmary. Bashir is outraged that Quark refuses to give any...
", O'Brien jokingly claims to be a direct descendant of real-life Irish High King Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
(according to Irish tradition, all people with the surname "O'Brien
O'Brien
The O'Brien dynasty are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland...
" are descendants thereof). Later, he speaks more seriously of fictional ancestor Sean Aloysius O'Brien, (perhaps a reference to the supposed birth name of John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
) a major player in one of the first United States workers' unions, who participated in the Coal Strike of 1902
Coal Strike of 1902
The Coal Strike of 1902 was a strike by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coal fields of eastern Pennsylvania. Miners were on strike asking for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union...
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and was shot, then dumped into the Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. In the episode "Rules of Engagement
Rules of Engagement (DS9 episode)
"Rules of Engagement" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the seventeenth episode of the fourth season.-Plot:Worf is put on trial after the Defiant destroys a Klingon civilian transport. One by one, Worf's friends are forced to testify, either bolstering Worf's defense or damaging it...
" we learn that during O'Brien's 22 years in Starfleet he had fought in 235 separate battles and had been decorated by Starfleet on 15 occasions and was considered to be an expert in starship combat.
Story on The Next Generation
O'Brien's first appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation is as the battle bridge flight controller in The Next Generation premiere episode "Encounter at Farpoint." In almost all of his subsequent TNG appearances, however, he is a transporter operator. In the TNG episode "Where Silence Has Lease" when Riker and Worf prepare to beam to the USS Yamato, Riker refers to him as a "lieutenant" and the character is wearing lieutenant collar pips. In later episodes, the collar symbol has changed and O'Brien is referred to simply as Chief. (See "Rank" below).In 2367, he confronted Capt. Benjamin Maxwell, his former commanding officer on the USS Rutledge, when Maxwell attacked Cardassian ships and outposts without authorization and threatened the peace between the Federation and the Cardassian Union (TNG: "The Wounded").
During the Klingon Civil War, O'Brien is assigned to the bridge as tactical officer due to Worf's resignation from Starfleet and the temporary reassignment of officers to other ships in a fleet led by Capt. Picard (TNG: "Redemption Part II").
O'Brien marries Keiko Ishikawa aboard the USS Enterprise-D in the TNG episode "Data's Day
Data's Day (TNG episode)
-Overview:Data records the events of a single day of his life, which include Chief O'Brien and Keiko's pre-wedding jitters, learning to dance and the investigation of the loss of a Vulcan Ambassador in a transporter accident.-Plot:...
". They have a daughter, Molly, who is delivered by Worf in "Disaster
Disaster (TNG episode)
"Disaster" is a season 5 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode has an average rating of 4.4/5 on the official Star Trek website .-Overview:...
".
Story on Deep Space Nine
The character of Miles O'Brien was transplanted from TNGStar Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
to DS9
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
at the beginning of the latter show. In the story, Miles O'Brien transfers from the Enterprise-D
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
to 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...
, in the DS9 premiere episode "Emissary
Emissary (DS9 episode)
"Emissary" is the 1st and 2nd episodes, comprising the pilot, of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Overview:...
", to serve as the station's chief of operations. With the help of Jadzia Dax
Jadzia Dax
Jadzia Dax , played by Terry Farrell, was a main character during the first six seasons of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine....
, he devised a way of moving the station from orbit around Bajor to the site of the newly discovered wormhole, allowing Bajor to take possession. He would later assume an additional role as chief engineer of the USS Defiant
USS Defiant
The USS Defiant is a fictional starship in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the feature film Star Trek: First Contact...
, which is assigned to Deep Space Nine in the episode "The Search
The Search (DS9 episode)
"The Search" is the title of a two-part episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the first episode of the third season. It marks the first appearance of the starship USS Defiant, which plays a large role throughout the rest of the series...
".
Here he meets Dr. Julian 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:...
, who initially irritates O'Brien (Episode: "The Storyteller"), but the two characters eventually become best friends. In particular, they frequently play darts
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
and fight historical battles in the holosuites.
Miles was reprimanded for violating the Prime Directive
Prime Directive
In the universe of Star Trek, the Prime Directive, Starfleet's General Order #1, is the most prominent guiding principle of the United Federation of Planets...
when he helped an alien from the Gamma Quadrant referred to as "Tosk", escape from other aliens who had been hunting him in "Captive Pursuit".
In 2370, he is arrested by the Cardassians
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...
and charged with supplying weapons to the Maquis
Maquis (Star Trek)
In the American Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Maquis are a 24th Century paramilitary organization or terrorist group first introduced in the 1994 episode "The Maquis" of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, who subsequently also appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation and...
. The charges were dismissed when it was revealed to be part of a conspiracy to discredit the Federation (Episode: "Tribunal").
After an accident aboard the station in 2371, O'Brien was temporarily shifted forward in time by a few hours. He died when he deliberately contaminated himself in order to determine the cause of events he had witnessed. He sent his future counterpart back in his place "Visionary".
Miles was temporarily relieved of duty after a visit to the planet Argratha. O'Brien had been falsely accused of espionage and was given the simulated memory of a 20-year prison sentence. O'Brien became paranoid and emotionally distressed upon his return to the station and attempted suicide "Hard Time".
In 2373, he has a son, Kirayoshi, delivered by surrogate Kira Nerys
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...
in episode "The Begotten
The Begotten (DS9 episode)
"The Begotten" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the twelfth episode of the fifth season. It has an average fan rating of 4.7/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September 2009.-Plot:...
".
At the end of Deep Space Nine, O'Brien and his family depart the station to move back to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
, where Miles is to serve as an engineering professor at Starfleet Academy. The soundtrack accompanying these moments on screen is to the tune of "The Minstrel Boy
The Minstrel Boy
"The Minstrel Boy" is an Irish patriotic song written by Thomas Moore who set it to the melody of The Moreen, an old Irish air. It is widely believed that Moore composed the song in remembrance of a number of his friends, whom he met while studying at Trinity College, Dublin and who had...
".
Mirror Universe
Miles O'Brien of the Mirror Universe was a Terran slave who worked for the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance aboard station Terok Nor. In 2370, O'Brien was working in the station's ore processing center. O'Brien was also occasionally recruited to repair Benjamin Sisko's raider when it was docked at the station. Sisko claimed he hated the name Miles, and instead nicknamed O'Brien "Smiley". Miles was known on the station for being an excellent "tinkerer and putterer".When Smiley met a Julian Bashir from another universe in the ore processing center, he initially thought that Bashir's "wild" tales of his counterpart being Chief of Operations was simply a ruse to get him to help Bashir. However, Bashir was able to persuade him to help after he realized that anything had to be better than being a slave. Smiley agreed to help Bashir try to escape from the station only if he could go back with him to the other universe. When Captain Sisko defied Intendant Kira Nerys who commanded the station, Smiley changed his mind and decided to join Sisko's crew, deciding that there was something worth staying for after all (Episode: "Crossover").
When Mirror Sisko was killed by the Alliance in early 2371, Smiley took charge of the Terran Rebellion. In order to complete Sisko's last mission, he recruited Benjamin Sisko to take the place of his deceased counterpart long enough to convince Jennifer Sisko to leave the Alliance and start working for the Rebellion (Episode: "Through the Looking Glass").
While he was aboard Deep Space 9, Smiley took the opportunity to download a large portion of the station's database, including the schematics for the USS Defiant. Smiley used the stolen specifications to build a warship, which they named Defiant. After the rebels managed to capture Terok Nor from the Alliance, the Alliance prepared to recapture the station. Smiley once again recruited Sisko in order to help them finish construction of the Defiant in time. After successfully defending the station, Smiley sent Sisko back home (Episode: "Shattered Mirror").
In 2375, Smiley was in command of the Defiant when it pursued Brunt's ship as it stole a cloaking device from the station, and later negotiated Regent Worf's surrender and capture (Episode: "The Emperor's New Cloak").
Rank
During the story progression of TNG and DS9, O'Brien wears black silver-rimmed insignia, or lieutenant junior grade (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint"), lieutenant insignia ("Redemption, Part II") and then black gold-rimmed insignia (DS9: "Emissary"). Sergey Rozhenko calls him a Chief Petty Officer in "FamilyFamily (TNG episode)
"Family" is the second episode of the fourth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This episode takes place several weeks after the Borg attack on Earth shown in the episode "The Best of Both Worlds", and is sometimes considered to be a third part to the "Best of Both Worlds" story arc,...
" (TNG) but he had referred to in previous episodes as Lieutenant. Eventually, O'Brien receives a distinct senior chief petty officer's insignia and his rank is emphatically identified in "Hippocratic Oath
Hippocratic Oath (DS9 episode)
"Hippocratic Oath" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the fourth episode of the fourth season. It is rated 4.1/5 on the official Star Trek Website.-Plot:...
" (DS9).
While there has never been an official explanation from the Star Trek producers as to why the character's rank was adjusted, two groups of fans have offered competing theories on the subject.
The first is that it was a reduction in rank and was possibly punitive, since as a Lieutenant, O'Brien had already graduated from Starfleet Academy.
The second is that O'Brien had most likely been a lower ranking Petty Officer who had received a field promotion to Lieutenant during the Cardassian Conflict. Once the conflict was clearly over, O'Brien had been offered two competing choices concerning his career. (1) He could remain an officer and be promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In accepting this option, he would have taken on a high degree of command responsibility. (2) He could revert to being a non commissioned officer and accept a position as a Chief Petty Officer. As the senior enlisted person on a ship or station, C.P.O. O'Brien would have enjoyed the privileges and duties of a senior commissioned officer while functioning as a technical specialist rather than part of the general command structure.
Because of his rank, O'Brien must address even an Ensign as 'sir' -- a fact that he dryly comments to Bashir upon hearing of Nog's enrollment in Starfleet Academy. He also dislikes being called 'sir', often admonishing crewmen and P.O.s for doing so. However, once Nog did become an ensign in "Favor the Bold
Favor the Bold (DS9 episode)
"Favor the Bold" is a sixth-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It has an average fan rating of 4.5/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September 2009....
", O'Brien is clearly his superior in the hierarchy of the Defiant crew.
Fan reception
O'Brien's character is unique in the Star Trek universe. As well as being a non-commissioned officer, he is also a family man with a wife and children. He is often portrayed as being less patrician, and more pragmatic, than his colleagues.The producers would routinely put O'Brien under intense psychological pressure in episodes jokingly dubbed 'O'Brien must suffer'. O'Brien was regularly chosen for such storylines because it was felt people could empathize with him.
External links
- Miles O'Brien at StarTrek.com