Unraveling the Overlooked Star Trek Role of a Breaking Bad Icon
Discover the captivating connection between Breaking Bad's Mike and Star Trek as we unveil the forgotten role that Heisenberg's enforcer played opposite Sisko Explore the intriguing link with Jonathan Banks that ties these two iconic series together
Article Overview
In a powerful episode highlighting the futility of war, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine welcomed notable guest star Jonathan Banks, recognized for his role as Golin Shel-la in Breaking Bad.
Banks, renowned for his portrayal in the crime series Wiseguy, infused the character with raw intensity, contributing to the overarching allegorical theme of the episode.
Breaking Bad and the Star Trek universe exhibit various interconnections, such as the presence of shared actors and the participation of creator Vince Gilligan, who had previously been associated with The X-Files.
Years before Breaking Bad became a TV sensation, one of its beloved characters faced off against Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) in a forgotten episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Star Trek, which has been around since 1966, has attracted numerous talented actors who have taken on roles because of their love for the franchise. For instance, Whoopi Goldberg joined Star Trek: The Next Generation after her Academy Award-nominated role in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple, purely out of her admiration for the original series.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine also had its share of notable guest stars, including Academy Award-winning actress Louise Fletcher as Kai Winn and Wallace Shawn from The Princess Bride as Grand Nagus Zek. Season 1 of Star Trek: DS9 also featured other actors with impressive resumes, and this trend of high-quality guest stars continued throughout the show's seven seasons. Interestingly, one of the actors who appeared in DS9 went on to achieve stardom in Breaking Bad, a series that embraced the innovative storytelling techniques pioneered by DS9.
Breaking Bad's Mike's Forgotten Star Trek Role Explained
Commander Sisko and his away team find themselves trapped in an eternal war on a horrifying planet in episode 13 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 1, titled "Battle Lines". They encounter Golin Shel-la, leader of the Ennis faction, portrayed by Jonathan Banks from Breaking Bad. Sisko persuades Golin to attempt a peace negotiation with their rival faction, the Nol-Ennis. Unfortunately, their efforts prove fruitless as both factions continue their endless war despite recognizing its futility. "Battle Lines" serves as a poignant Star Trek allegory for the senselessness and horror of war, enhanced by Jonathan Banks' gripping performance.
This significant role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was not a breakthrough opportunity for Banks, as he had already established himself as a professional actor since the 1970s. Prior to his appearance on the show in 1993, Banks gained recognition for his portrayal of Frank McPike in 74 episodes of the crime drama Wiseguy from 1987 to 1990. Additionally, he had notable roles in iconic cult movies of the 80s such as The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension, which also starred Peter Weller, known for his future role as an evil Star Trek admiral and his performance in Robocop.
Jonathan Banks Isn't The Only Link Between Breaking Bad And Star Trek
There are numerous connections between Star Trek and Breaking Bad that extend beyond Jonathan Banks' guest role as Shel-la. Notably, actor John de Lancie played the tragic character Donald Margolis in Breaking Bad seasons 2 and 3, whose daughter Jane (played by Krysten Ritter) meets a devastating end due to Walter White's scheming. Another actor, Mark Margolis, known for his role as Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad, also had a part as Dr. Nel Apgar in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3, episode 14 titled "A Matter of Perspective."
The correlation between Star Trek and The X-Files likely explains why Breaking Bad creator and X-Files veteran Vince Gilligan included many Star Trek actors in the show. This trend continued in Better Call Saul with appearances by Ed Begley Jr. and Michael McKean, guest stars from Star Trek: Voyager. Breaking Bad even featured a notable reference to an episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, where drugs lead to a pie eating contest and a malfunctioning transporter, resulting in both horrifying and humorous consequences. All of these connections highlight that Jonathan Banks' appearance in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was not a one-time occurrence.
All episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are available to stream on Paramount+.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of both Star Trek and Breaking Bad, I was thrilled to learn about the connection between these two iconic shows. Jonathan Banks' portrayal of Golin Shel-la in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a captivating performance that added depth and intensity to the episode. His character's struggle to find peace in a seemingly endless war resonated with me on a personal level, as I have always been a strong advocate for peace and understanding.
The fact that Banks went on to achieve stardom in Breaking Bad only adds to the intrigue of his Star Trek role. It's fascinating to see how an actor can bring such different characters to life, and it's a testament to Banks' talent and versatility as an actor. Overall, I believe that the connection between Star Trek and Breaking Bad is a fascinating one, and it's a testament to the enduring legacy of both shows.
