DS9 S1 Unused Character Outline - Setek -
Played by Ryan Rhys-Davies, youngest son of SF/F vet John Rhys-Davies. The son of Sisko's Captain on The Saratoga, he is a counterpoint in Sisko's life. Just as he cannot shake his own association of Picard with the actions of Locutus, so Setek feels towards Sisko about the death of his father at Wolf 359.
But since Setek is not supposed to have or harbor such emotions, it
takes a much darker turn. He is also a counterpoint to Kira, who
originally wanted Terrans and the UFP off the station. Whereas she
refuses to help terrorists such as her old comrades, he does so in
secret, wishing to bring down at any cost the man he holds responsible
for his father's loss.
All efforts on Sisko's part to reconcile with the Vulcan are fruitless.
As Starfleet's security man on the station, he also casts seemingly
logical aspersions on Odo and his sanity/loyalty. Jake and Nog's
friendship develops when both agree he's no Surak, but no one will hear
them. Sisko's guilt over Saratoga and Jennifer prevent him from seeing
that Setek is truly dangerous.
This was to play out in the S1 finale when he cooperates with Kai Winn
and Neela's efforts to assassinate Bareil. Tragedy was to strike when a
suspicious Keiko held Neela fast before she could fire. Seeing his plans
to destroy Sisko falling apart, Setek kills Keiko, but Miles arrives to
stop Neela. Setek is taken into custody as well, but in S2 would have
returned supposedly rehabbed by a Vulcan Pangloss-type. Ultimately, an
even grander betrayal awaited either in the Maquis or Dominion arcs.
But problems arose even as the first ep was filmed. Rosalind Chao had
been promised a semi-regular status, and the premise of her probable
death called up memories of an old conflict on AfterMASH. Nana Visitor
wanted more meat to Kira's character, and felt that at least for S1,
Kira's loyalties should be placed in doubt. Ira Behr felt that Jake and
Nog's detective work on Setek was too Wesley-esque and could evoke fan
ire. Brooks felt that the Prophet encounter in 'Emissary' cleared up
most of Sisko's latent guilt, and that any residual would stay with him,
corrupt Vulcan or no.
The final nail in Setek's coffin came in the form of public comments by
Leonard Nimoy to the effect that a psychotic vengeful Vulcan was 1000%
counter to everything the recently-passed GR stood for.
So it was that Rhys-Davies appeared in exactly one scene, as an unnamed Vulcan who handed Sisko a report, raised an eyebrow and then left in an
unexplained huff. His father told Ryan to take it in stride, and when
Prof. Arturo had an alternate Earth son on an ep of 'Sliders', Ryan
played the young man as an obsessive Trek fan--who dressed up as a Vulcan.
Submitted for your approval on this first day of April.
Played by Ryan Rhys-Davies, youngest son of SF/F vet John Rhys-Davies. The son of Sisko's Captain on The Saratoga, he is a counterpoint in Sisko's life. Just as he cannot shake his own association of Picard with the actions of Locutus, so Setek feels towards Sisko about the death of his father at Wolf 359.
But since Setek is not supposed to have or harbor such emotions, it
takes a much darker turn. He is also a counterpoint to Kira, who
originally wanted Terrans and the UFP off the station. Whereas she
refuses to help terrorists such as her old comrades, he does so in
secret, wishing to bring down at any cost the man he holds responsible
for his father's loss.
All efforts on Sisko's part to reconcile with the Vulcan are fruitless.
As Starfleet's security man on the station, he also casts seemingly
logical aspersions on Odo and his sanity/loyalty. Jake and Nog's
friendship develops when both agree he's no Surak, but no one will hear
them. Sisko's guilt over Saratoga and Jennifer prevent him from seeing
that Setek is truly dangerous.
This was to play out in the S1 finale when he cooperates with Kai Winn
and Neela's efforts to assassinate Bareil. Tragedy was to strike when a
suspicious Keiko held Neela fast before she could fire. Seeing his plans
to destroy Sisko falling apart, Setek kills Keiko, but Miles arrives to
stop Neela. Setek is taken into custody as well, but in S2 would have
returned supposedly rehabbed by a Vulcan Pangloss-type. Ultimately, an
even grander betrayal awaited either in the Maquis or Dominion arcs.
But problems arose even as the first ep was filmed. Rosalind Chao had
been promised a semi-regular status, and the premise of her probable
death called up memories of an old conflict on AfterMASH. Nana Visitor
wanted more meat to Kira's character, and felt that at least for S1,
Kira's loyalties should be placed in doubt. Ira Behr felt that Jake and
Nog's detective work on Setek was too Wesley-esque and could evoke fan
ire. Brooks felt that the Prophet encounter in 'Emissary' cleared up
most of Sisko's latent guilt, and that any residual would stay with him,
corrupt Vulcan or no.
The final nail in Setek's coffin came in the form of public comments by
Leonard Nimoy to the effect that a psychotic vengeful Vulcan was 1000%
counter to everything the recently-passed GR stood for.
So it was that Rhys-Davies appeared in exactly one scene, as an unnamed Vulcan who handed Sisko a report, raised an eyebrow and then left in an
unexplained huff. His father told Ryan to take it in stride, and when
Prof. Arturo had an alternate Earth son on an ep of 'Sliders', Ryan
played the young man as an obsessive Trek fan--who dressed up as a Vulcan.
Submitted for your approval on this first day of April.
You actually had me fooled for a moment. But mark my words: Just for a moment! 
