Vedek Winn (Louise Fletcher) obvious in its attack on modern fundamentalists vacant Kai position
Adding the character Vedek Winn (later Kai Winn) was a wonderful decision. The series needed an infusion of such a deliciously evil person and through the course of the show, Winn (Louise Fletcher) became came more and more entertaining to watch. So, because of this, "In the Hands of the Prophets" is well worth your time.
When the show begins, Vedek Winn is visiting Deep Space 9. However, as she observes Keiko teaching about the wormhole, Winn in incensed that the existence of the wormhole isn't being attributed to the prophets but to some unknown aliens. Winn insists that her religious interpretation of this be taught or else she'll mobilize her followers to resist the Federation. When she does mobilize them, running the station becomes practically impossible. But what's worse is that Winn is also very willing to do ANYTHING to get her point across in this obvious power grab, as she is vying to become the Bajorans' next Kai (sort of like their Pope).
This plot is clearly meant as a parallel to modern fundamentalists in their objections to some things taught in public schools. In the case of Kai Vedek, she exploits all this for her own selfish reasons-- which is what I liked about the show. I did find its attack on fundamentalism today to be a bit obvious, however its connection to Winn was rather interesting. Worth seeing--even if the show did seem a bit too obvious in its attack on fundamentalists today.