The Emissary ofStar Trekwas the bearer of both great news and deep suffering in their connection with the Prophets, but what does it mean to be such a pivotal part of Bajoran spirituality? For Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), carrying such a burden ultimately led to him giving up everything for a way of life that he’d only recently begun to believe in when he left his familyto fulfill his celestial prophecy. Theoretically, he couldn’t have been the only Emissary. Bajorans were worshiping the Prophets long before Captain Sisko was even a twinkle in his parent’s eyes. Yet, all signs point to him being the promised Emissary. The one destined to lead Bajor out of suffering and into a new age of spiritual advancement.
The Prophets even involved themselves in his conception to ensure he was born, would grow up to be a Starfleet officer, and eventually make his way to Bajor when the planet needed him most. If that sounds a little creepy, it’s best not to consider all the times they impersonated his deceased wife just to get his attention. There might’ve been another before him. One such person even stepped up to try and replace him. But since Captain Sisko is the only one known to carry the title throughout the franchise, fans largely understand the role of Emissary by seeing how it impacted him personally. One thing for sure is that stepping into the role is bigger than just one person – even one as determined and impactful as Captain Sisko.
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The Bajoran Prophets
Thousands of years prior to their debut inStar Trek, Bajorans started worshiping the inhabitants of the wormhole located in the Alpha Quadrant. To the more logic-minded, they were simple-minded folks who didn’t understand that they were worshiping aliens. To Bajorans, however, these celestial beings were capable of performing miracles, providing guidance, and – more importantly – existing as a great source of hope. They held celebrations and honored their dead in a way that always managed to pay homage to the Prophets. The Emissary, in this case, was the one who resided over most of these holy events such as the giving of funeral rites, the Gratitude Festival, the Days of Atonement, and the Time of Cleansing.
It’s a lot like any real-life holy figure where they’re responsible for connecting Bajorans with the celestial beings they worship. The Emissary represents the will of the Prophets and in return, they grant the Emissary certain powers even as they aren’t always something to write home about. In season 5, episode 10, “Rapture”, for example, the Prophets started sending Captain Sisko visions to warm him against allowing Bajor to finally join the Federation. While this revelation nearly killed him, it was a good thing he got the message when he did. Otherwise, Bajor would’ve lost the neutrality they needed as protection against the Dominion.
Orbs of Communication
On its face, communicating with the Prophets may seem like the easiest of tasks given to the Emissary in theStar Trekuniverse. They often reach out to impart wisdom, offer guidance, and even ask for help understanding what it means to exist in a corporeal body. In season 1, episode 1, “The Emissary”, Captain Sisko is given the impossible task of explaining death to celestial beings and not only manages to do so successfully but also leaves them with a renewed appreciation for those operating under the ticking clock of time (which he also has to explain). Reaching out to the Prophets can be a vague and confusing process.
That’s where the Orbs of the Prophets, also known as Tears of the Prophets, come in! When Captain Sisko went to visit Vedek Bareil Antos (Philip Anglim), Kai Opaka (Camille Saviola) had him use the Orb of Prophecy and Change to receive his true calling as the Emissary. The Orbs provide wisdom and contemplation, while often being the source of very poignant moments inStar Trek: Deep Space Nine. These hour-glass-shaped energy fields even prove to have a silly side, though, like when the Orb of Time sent Captain Sisko andLt. Commander Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell)on an impromptu time travel adventure that ends with them meeting the legendary crew ofStar Trek: The Original Seriesin season 5, episode 6, “Trials and Tribble-ations”. Like the Emissary, the Orbs are in an endless pursuit of responding to a higher calling which sometimes involves hilarious hijinks.
Sacrificing for the Greater Good
Sisko’s entire world was turned upside down when he became commander and, later, captain of Deep Space Nine. He was still grieving the death of his wife Jennifer (Felecia M. Bell), the mother of his son Jake (Cirroc Lofton). He was stepping into the controversial role of leader on a space station that had only just been wrestled from thegreedy hands of the Cardassians. Then Kai Opaka assessed his pagh by rubbing his right ear to read his life force and revealed to him his true destiny as an Emissary. He was reluctant at first since he didn’t want his spiritual duties to put him at odds with his Starfleet loyalties.
By the time he’s on a desperate journey to find the Orb of the Emissary, he’s already accepted his fate as somewhat of a Bajoran Messiah figure. Fans were also realizing that the more he stepped into this role, the less likely he was to survive his own story. Captain Sisko spends 6 years making a lot of little sacrifices, like all of the times he put his own position in Starfleet at risk to accommodate the spiritual needs of the Bajorans or live up to his own obligations as the Emissary. All the little ways he gives himself over in the name of the Prophets eventually add up and at the end of the series, he disappears on his final quest to find the home of the Prophets known as the Celestial Temple.
Navigating one road as a Starfleet officer and another as the Emissary is tough enough. Captain Sisko learned to manage them both at the same time, but certainly not without his fair share of mistakes. He was by no means a perfect person. He could be impatient, hot-headed, and even a little dramatic. Yet, he always sought to be the best version of himself (at least, when it was possible). Is this a common trait among all Emissaries, or specific to Captain Sisko? The closest fans got to an answer was in season 4, episode 17, “Accession” when Akorem Laan (Richard Libertini) falsely claimed to have been the Emissary only to have the Prophets swiftly return him to the time period in which he actually belonged.
While Captain Sisko’s spiritual responsibilities often clashed with his Starfleet loyalties, he learned along an arduous path to carry both with charm, tenacity, and full transparency. The growth he achieved by seeking balance meant that he became enmeshed with the title of Emissary; so much so, in fact, it’s easy to forget that there was anyone else who might’ve once carried this holy torch. Luckily for fans, author Derek Tyler Attico is releasingThe Autobiography of Benjamin Siskoon October 10th this year.Star Trekfans might finally get the answers they’ve been so boldly seeking.
