Kai Opaka (played by Camile Saviola) appeared in the first episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in what looked like a fairly important role, but was then written out in her next appearance (‘Battle Lines’).
Whilst this set up the succession storyline, it seems a bit odd. Did Saviola get another job? Did the writers have a change of heart? Or was her exit planned from the pilot? I haven’t been able to find any reports of what happened there.
Answer
Best I could find was this note on the Memory Alpha article for Battle Lines:
The writers had also considered creating a new character to be killed and resurrected (see redshirt) but this was changed to Kai Opaka as she was considered to be the most expendable recurring character. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
I'm not complaining, though. It created more of an impact than a redshirt would have, the choice to stay fit her personality pretty well, and it opened the door for the conflict between Winn and Bareil.
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