"Destiny" (season three, episode fifteen; 13 February 1995): Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: "Destiny" presents a twist on the classic predestination paradox (causing an event by trying to prevent it from happening) by introducing an ancient prophecy from the Bajoran religion. This is rationalized by explaining that the Prophets of the Bajoran religion are non-corporeal lifeforms that do not experience linear time; thus, past, present, & future are all the same to the Prophets, allowing them to give Bajorans in the past glimpses of our present (their future), which were then recorded as prophecies. A renegade Bajoran vedek presents Commander Sisko & Major Kira with an ancient prophecy that he claims spells doom for Bajor if Starfleet goes ahead with a joint Federation-Cardassian project to establish a communications link with the Gamma Quadrant through the Bajoran Wormhole (A.K.A. the Celestial Temple of the Prophets). Sisko & Kira clash as they interpret the events around the communications relay through the lens of the prophecy, second-guessing their every move.
In the end, the prophecy is fulfilled, just not in the way the vedek had interpreted. He's big enough to admit his error, & Kira & Sisko both have a new appreciation for Sisko's role as the Emissary of the Prophets. Deep Space Nine broke new ground by treating the Bajoran religion with respect, after the unsophisticated & aggressive secular humanism of The Next Generation.
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