10 Star Trek Questions That Always Confused You

7. Are The Prophets Actually Gods?

Sisko Deep Space Nine
CBS

Star Trek is at its best when it's asking big questions of the audience. There are many examples littered throughout the franchise, yet Star Trek: Deep Space Nine wore one of these questions on its sleeve for the full seven-year run. What actually are the Prophets? Are they gods, or are they simply aliens?

In a very real sense, both answers are correct. When Sisko and Dax encounter them in the Wormhole in Emissary, they are beings who exist outside of linear time. Though they communicate openly with Sisko, they send Dax away, while hiding Dukat's warship to prevent anyone else from entering their home.

For the Bajorans, the appearance of the Wormhole is confirmation of the legend of the Celestial Temple. The belief system that the Vedeks and the Kais have built is based on the adheraence to trust, rather than responses from the Prophets themselves. However, the biggest example of their godlike status comes in the sixth season episode Sacrifice of Angels. Here, they directly interfere for the second time in Bajoran history. A Dominion warfleet is banished to parts unknown, though they inform Sisko that there will be a price for this.

Is it not the true nature of a god to take payment?

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Seán is the host and head writer/presenter for TrekCulture, as well as a writer/presenter on WhoCulture and WhatCulture Horror. He has authored two novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of articles for WhatCulture. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. As part of his work with TrekCulture, Seán has been invited to participate in collaborations with Roddenberry Entertainment, as well as contributing to several Star Trek community projects. An avid fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and the horror genre at large, Seán's expertise has helped develop these channels to the successes they are today. As host of the Ups & Downs series on TrekCulture, Seán has become internationally recognised for his positive yet critically informed approach to reviewing every episode of modern Star Trek, ensuring he is one of the go-to voices in the Trek community. Favourite Quote to describe himself: "I'm serious about what I do, just not always about the way that I do it"