Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is famous for its large cast of compelling characters from all different walks of life who have different relationships to the United Federation of Planets. Nowhere in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's cast, however, are any prominent Bolians. Still, without the heroic actions of the Bolian Lieutenant (Stephen Davies) aboard the USS Saratoga, Deep Space Nine could not have existed. Although he never even gets a name, the Bolian Lieutenant is the unsung hero of Deep Space Nine's opening scene.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's series premiere, "Emissary," introduces Lt. Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) on the doomed USS Saratoga during Star Trek: The Next Generation's Battle of Wolf 359. Once it's clear that there is no hope for the Saratoga, Sisko tries to rescue his son Jake (Cirroc Lofton) and wife Jennifer (Felecia M. Bell) from the flaming ruins of his cabin. Tragically, Jennifer is already dead when he arrives. Only the intervention of the Bolian Lieutenant, who literally drags Sisko out of the flames, saves both Benjamin and Jake.
The Saratoga's Bolian Lieutenant Is The Real Hero Of Deep Space Nine's Opening Scene
Benjamin And Jake Sisko Owe Their Lives To The Unnamed Bolian Lieutenant
In the middle of the fire and chaos of the Saratoga in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's premiere, the Bolian Lieutenant chooses to save Lt. Commander Sisko and his family instead of getting himself to safety. The Bolian Lieutenant, who was the Saratoga's tactical officer, runs into the flaming wreckage of Sisko's cabin and carries an unconscious Jake to safety. He tries to help Jennifer as well, but when he realizes she is beyond saving, the Bolian pivots to saving Sisko, literally hauling him out of the cabin.
Most crew members on the doomed USS Saratoga were, reasonably, focused on self-preservation above all else. Sisko is no different as Ben's sole focus is on saving his family. Yet the Bolian Lieutenant heroically risks his life to get Sisko to an escape pod. Without that selfless act, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine could not have happened. Although he never even gets a name, the Bolian Lieutenant is the unsung hero of Deep Space Nine's opening.
What Star Trek Has Revealed About Deep Space Nine's Bolian Lieutenant
We Don't Know Much But There Are Clues About The Bolian Lieutenant's Fate
Despite this undeniable heroism, after Star Trek: Deep Space Nine opening theme plays for the first time, the Bolian Lieutenant is never explicitly shown on screen again. Nevertheless, there are clues in those first few minutes to make an educated guess about what the rest of his career might be. Firstly, we know that he was a lieutenant, meaning that he was eligible for promotion to the command level in Starfleet. Secondly, we know that the Bolian was quick thinking and brave, suggesting that he would be well suited to leadership.
Other young officers who survived Wolf 359 went on to greater Starfleet careers, such as Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick) in Star Trek: Picard season 3. During Wolf 359, Liam Shaw was an ensign on the USS Constance. Like the Bolian lieutenant, Shaw barely escaped the Constance with his life. Shaw's life story and promotions suggest that Starfleet held veterans of Wolf 359 in high regard, so although it is never shown on screen, there's a chance Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's heroic Bolian lieutenant is still in Starfleet.
