Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 19, 1995 TAG: 9509190020
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: IAN SPELLING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``It amazes me that we've been at it this long. I see how far we've come,'' says Nana Visitor, who plays Major Kira Nerys, in a telephone interview from her home in Hollywood, Calif.
``This year we're going in new directions, which, although subtle and true to our focus on interpersonal relationships, have the excitement people expect from `Trek,' too,'' she adds.
It all begins with ``Warrior.'' Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) seeks Worf's counsel when the Klingons begin acting hostilely.
Ultimately, the show's events bring the Federation, Klingons and Cardassians to the brink of war and set the stage for the Founders to wreak further havoc.
``It's an incredibly exciting show,'' Visitor says, adding that Nerys and Worf don't exactly hit it off. It seems Worf can't respect Nerys' Bajoran terrorist past.
``We have big problems, and that's dramatically interesting,'' she says. ``Kira is comfortable working with the Federation now, so she'll be professional with Worf, but there will be some antagonism.''
It's no secret Worf was added to the ``DS9'' mix in order to infuse the show with fresh story lines, attract ``Next Gen'' fans and compel Trekkers who hadn't watched ``DS9'' to give it a look.
Visitor says she had trepidations about Worf beaming aboard.
``I love Klingons, but I wasn't sure if it would weigh the show too much on the side of Klingons,'' she admits.
``Fortunately, the first shows haven't proven to be like that,'' she says. ``The Klingons are an added element, and that's perfect.''
Reflecting on the third season, Visitor says that although there were some wonderful episodes and intriguing moments for Nerys, overall it was lagging.
A prime example is ``Life Support,'' a moving episode that ended the Nerys-Vedek Bariel (Philip Anglim) pairing. Killing off the gentle Bajoran elicited howls of protest from some fans, but hardly fazed others.
``I think that was necessary,'' says Visitor of Bariel's demise. ``The idea of this visceral woman and spiritual man together was great, but, for whatever reason, we never fulfilled the relationship's promise.
``It was better that Kira be free to move on to different relationships.''
Might there be a relationship with Odo (Rene Auberjonois), Nerys' would-be paramour?
``I'm dying to see what they do, though I find unfulfilled love intriguing because it's what sometimes happens in life,'' says the recently divorced actress, who spent the off-season moving into a new home with her 3-year-old son, Buster.
``I used to joke that Kira is the most unaware woman in the universe if she doesn't see that Odo is in love with her,'' Visitor says.
``But she probably sees it and is in denial,'' she adds. ``When a dear friend falls in love with you, you're desperate not to hear those words that will put the relationship at risk if you don't feel the same way.
``Of course, it might be more interesting in this case to see it develop romantically,'' Visitor says with a laugh.
All in all, it sounds as if Visitor is still enjoying her ``Trek'' journeys.
``I love it,'' she says emphatically. ``I've been in this business 20 years and this has been, by far, my most fulfilling experience.
``Critical acclaim and fan appreciation would be great, but I'm involved in the work and with everyone on this show.
``We all do a good job here, and that's what I'm proud of most.''
CON CALENDAR
Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Rising Star 4 at the Glenvar High School in Salem, Va., featuring Grace Lee Whitney. Sept. 29-Oct. 1; call (703) 389-9400.
Creation at the Civic Center in Dearborn, Mich., featuring Robert Duncan McNeill and John de Lancie. Sept. 30-Oct. 1; call (818) 409-0960.
by CNB