Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Ranking Every Major Character Worst To Best

27. Vedek Bareil

Poor Bareil Antos. He really did care about the Prophets and about Bajor. So much so, that he stood aside and let a monster take over. Well played, Bareil. Well played.

Taking the fall for Kai Opaka, he was forced to step down from the running to be the next Kai, clearing the path for Winn Adami to take the top job. Considering what she nearly brought about for Bajor, this was most certainly not the best decision.

His political failings aside, Bareil also never quite seemed to be the right fit as Major Kira's love interest. There was little to no chemistry between them and his peaceful manner seemed at odds with Kira's short fuse. However, his eventual death left a wound in her that would last for some time to come.

Potentially not that much time though, as later that season she would begin a relationship with Shakaar.

Vedek Bareil seems to have been conceived as something of a 'cool priest' character. While Philip Anglim did the best that he could with that, there was very little room to navigate those restraints. When he returned in the sixth season as Bareil's mirror universe counterpart, he was able to have a little bit more fun with him - yet even that episode ranks as one of the weakest of that season.

Poor Bareil. Go with the Prophets. And stay there.