why so many unfavourable comments about Bareil? - Page 2

Enterprise is Great · February 21 2013, 10:29 PM

I didn't see him as creepy at all but sort of likable. But bland and boring...oh, yeah he was that for sure. I'm not sure if it was the writing or the actor but I saw him in an episode of "Millennium" and he was pretty bland and boring there as well.

HaventGotALife · February 22 2013, 04:26 AM

I didn't like his relationship with Kira. Call it my Catholic upbringing, but I don't expect a monk to be dating. I liked him more as Kai then I ever liked Opaka or Winn. And that he's not a crazy religious nut really was appealing upon re-watching DS9 knowing what happens.

Dover · February 22 2013, 06:29 AM

HaventGotALife wrote:

Call it my Catholic upbringing, but I don't expect a monk to be dating.

Yeah, I was raised Catholic as well. I don't mind clergy not being celibate (it's probably a better idea), but the whole "you're going through a tough time emotionally, why don't you come to my monastery and relax for a while" turning into him flirting with her, culminating in "look into this orb at visions of us naked together"...

I know he was just following the will of the prophets, but imagine a priest today inviting a troubled young woman to visit his church and then hitting on her and showing her photoshopped pictures of them naked together, and saying "it's God's will that you sleep with me." The fact that we know the prophets exist makes it OK, but it can be OK and creepy at the same time.

JirinPanthosa · February 22 2013, 10:14 PM

I think the power dynamic of the situation you describe is different from the power dynamic between Kira and Bareil. In the case of the priest telling the young naive woman 'God said we have to sleep together', the priest has all the power and is abusing that power.

Between Kira and Bareil, Kira always had the power in the relationship. She's not a naive young woman. She is 'troubled' but not in a way that makes her vulnerable. Bareil had no power over Kira to abuse.

Also given the D'jara system where people take up the vocations of their parents, it makes sense within the Bajoran religion for priests to be able to get married.

February 21 2013, 10:29 PM	#16
Enterprise is Great Rear Admiral	Re: why so many unfavourable comments about Bareil? I didn't see him as creepy at all but sort of likable. But bland and boring...oh, yeah he was that for sure. I'm not sure if it was the writing or the actor but I saw him in an episode of "Millennium" and he was pretty bland and boring there as well. __________________ JJverse Star Trek...is gonna rock again! On May 17, 2013!

February 22 2013, 04:26 AM	#17
HaventGotALife Captain Location: Michigan	Re: why so many unfavourable comments about Bareil? I didn't like his relationship with Kira. Call it my Catholic upbringing, but I don't expect a monk to be dating. I liked him more as Kai then I ever liked Opaka or Winn. And that he's not a crazy religious nut really was appealing upon re-watching DS9 knowing what happens. __________________ To me, Star Trek's stories are about the depth and complexity of human relationships. It studies us and asks us to look within ourselves, to relate, to ask how would we respond to all that is in their world?

February 22 2013, 10:14 PM	#19
JirinPanthosa Captain	Re: why so many unfavourable comments about Bareil? I think the power dynamic of the situation you describe is different from the power dynamic between Kira and Bareil. In the case of the priest telling the young naive woman 'God said we have to sleep together', the priest has all the power and is abusing that power. Between Kira and Bareil, Kira always had the power in the relationship. She's not a naive young woman. She is 'troubled' but not in a way that makes her vulnerable. Bareil had no power over Kira to abuse. Also given the D'jara system where people take up the vocations of their parents, it makes sense within the Bajoran religion for priests to be able to get married.

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