Episoder
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“The Storyteller” 30th-anniversary reflections
An uninvited guest menaces a Bajoran village and only one man can save the day: Miles O’Brien. At least that’s what he has been told. There’s just one problem, the solution relies on his storytelling skills, and he’s nowhere near as talkative as his new buddy, Julian Bashir. Can he engineer a yarn to chase away the cloud creature? Meanwhile, Sisko mediates a territorial dispute between two Bajoran villages and Nog flirts with one of the leaders. But the real action is down on the planet. The Sirah has left the building, the Dal’Rok has arrived, and a bucket of oatmeal ain’t gonna chase it away.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “The Storyteller,” how a long-dismissed idea finally found a home on DS9, the search for Bajoran identity, and what the story has to say about the importance of fathers and the power of collective belief.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
TNG Origins (00:04:17)
Figuring Out the Bajorans (00:15:12)
The Power of Collective Belief (00:19:34)
(Dis)Connected Plots? (00:28:47)
Fatherly Influence (00:31:06)
A Bromance Born (00:40:33)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:33)
Closing (00:42:50)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“Battle Lines” 30th-anniversary reflections
A joy ride to the Gamma Quadrant turns deadly for Kai Opaka. At least until she springs back to life. Along with Sisko, Kira, and Bashir, the spiritual leader of Bajor finds herself marooned on some sort of prison colony where it is impossible to die and warring factions fight in an endless cycle of conflict. Die once on this moon and, well, you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. But for Kai Opaka, that’s okay, because she has found a new calling, a new charge from the Prophets.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Battle Lines,” how Opaka’s new calling changes not only her life but also Kira’s, why it was necessary to remove Opaka from her role on Bajor, what the story says about conflict, punishment, and redemption, and more.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Opaka’s Influence (00:03:07)
A Necessary Transition (00:13:14)
The Futility of Conflict (00:16:31)
Fear Leads to Suffering (00:20:37)
Reasonable Punishment (00:24:41)
Ambiguous Redemption (00:28:41)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:32:39)
Closing (00:37:38)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
Mangler du episoder?
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“Vortex” 30th-anniversary reflections
When Miradorn twins arrive on the station and offer to sell a Tamagotchi to Quark, things get weird, and soon two become one. An alien named Croden enters and wants the item for himself. A firefight ensues, but glass Odo intervenes; only not in time. Odo’s subsequent investigation into the matter leads him down an unexpected path, one that reveals tantalizing clues to his origins.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Vortex,” revelations about Odo's people and how the story sets up the Dominion, meeting Morn, validating Vulcans, and why it's important to always keep an extra glass around.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Double Double Your Degra (00:03:17)
Digging into Odo (00:06:27)
Still Figuring It Out (00:10:46)
Armin's Reservations (00:14:41)
An Odo Story (00:20:46)
Morn Is in the House! (00:23:05)
And So Are Vulcans! (00:25:31)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:29:57)
Closing (00:32:36)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“The Nagus” 30th-anniversary reflections
Having heard that some of Quark’s holosuite programs are quite alluring, Grand Nagus Zek, leader of the Ferengi Alliance, pays an unexpected visit to the station. As he shares his plans for Ferengi business expansion into the Gamma Quadrant, he also reveals that it’s time to retire and pass the golden staff to the next Grand Nagus: Quark.
Zek’s sudden death puts a target on Quark’s back as Zek’s son, Krax, teams up with Rom for a power grab. In the end, Zek returns from the dead at just the right moment to save Quark’s life and teach Krax a lesson. And Rom, who understands that a Ferengi should never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity, gets a promotion to assistant manager for policy and clientele as a reward for his treachery.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “The Nagus,” the way in which the DS9 writers reset the Ferengi as tool for telling Star Trek stories at their best, the absurdity of the main story, and the important messages about fatherhood that drive the secondary plot.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Redeeming the Ferengi (00:03:11)
DS9 Does the Best Comedy and Commentary (00:06:49)
Culture Clash (00:09:12)
Subtle Morality (00:14:05)
Benjamin Sisko the Father (00:16:31)
Zek the Father (00:26:32)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:32:42)
Closing (00:34:29)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“Move Along Home” 30th-anniversary reflections
First contact with a race from the Gamer Quadrant … uhm … Gamma Quadrant doesn't go quite as Sisko had hope when it turns out that they obsessed with, you guessed it, games. And also stick tapping. And tatoos. It's all enough to make you want to move along! Move along!
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we reach that monumental signpost of Season 1, “Move Along Home,” and discuss the Wadi, whether budget was really the problem, why the crew should have played more Legend of Zelda, and more. Shap 6!
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Sisko and Jake (00:03:30)
Characterizations (00:06:59)
Could Have Been Better (00:12:06)
Original Higher Stakes (00:15:37)
Blown Budget Matters? (00:21:27)
Play More Legend of Zelda! (00:26:48)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:32:57)
Closing (00:35:07)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“The Passenger” 30th-anniversary reflections
Doctor Bashir’s arrogance is interrupted when the runabout Rio Grande receives a distress call from a Kobliad transport. They find a fire aboard the ship and two people in distress. They rescue one and fail to save the other, or so it seems. When they return to Deep Space 9 with the surviving Kobliad, a security officer named Ty Kajada, they find themselves caught up in a mystery as strange things begin happening aboard the station. Kajada believes the other passenger on her ship, the criminal scientist Rao Vantika, is still alive and responsible.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “The Passenger,” how it works as a Bashir story, the introduction of Primmin, the Odo connection, the original concept, and more.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Obnoxious Arrogance (00:03:29)
Dead Giveaways (00:08:36)
The Original Concept (00:12:13)
Primmin Proper (00:17:20)
The Ending (00:30:15)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:34:23)
Closing (00:37:29)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“Dax” 30th-anniversary reflections
Aliens with an uncanny knowledge of the station and its systems attempt to abduct Jadzia and take her back to Klaestron IV to stand trial. Only it’s Dax they really want, and the crimes were committed 30 years earlier by Curzon. When her crewmates successfully stop the kidnappers from leaving Bajoran space, the accuser, Ilon Tandro, is forced to make his case for extradition. During the ensuing hearing, presided over by Bajoran grouchmaster Els Renora, Sisko must do what Jadzia refuses to do: fight for her life. In the end, he succeeds with the help of Odo, who discovers that the real killer was not Curzon, because at the time of the murder he was in bed with victim’s wife.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss, “Dax,” the complex matter of where the line between host and symbiont begins and ends, how the story helps build the mythos of the Trill, some potential inspiration from Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, and much more.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Two of One (00:03:10)
Struggling to Integrate (00:13:29)
Defending a Friend (00:18:38)
Justice in Quark’s (00:25:25)
Theme of the Traitor and the Hero (00:28:33)
Flanagan and Itzin (00:34:23)
Raktajino Debut (00:37:39)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:00)
Closing (00:42:28)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“Q-Less” 30th-anniversary reflections
The arrival of Vash, whom Dax found in the Gamma Quadrant, brings incredible profit potential to Quark, but great danger to the station. Tagging along with her is none other than Q, seemingly there to deliver his usual brand of havoc. He doesn't hit it off well with Sisko, and that might be why he is blamed for the mysterious graviton pulses that threaten to tear the station apart. Only it turns out that the danger comes not from Q but rather a baby alien being auctioned off by new business partners Quark and Vash—a realization that comes just in time.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss, “Q-Less,” the appearance of John de Lancie’s fan favorite on DS9, the original premise compared with what we got, why it does (and doesn’t) make sense, and how the story makes more sense if you shift how you look at it.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
The Original Premise (00:03:06)
Vash and Quark: The Perfect Pairing? (00:08:31)
She's Got Julian's Attention (00:10:07)
A Deeper Purpose for Q? (00:12:42)
Like Oil and Water (00:17:47)
The Unethical Collector (00:24:52)
A Logical Explanation (00:28:12)
Welcome to Robert Hewitt Wolfe! (00:29:58)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:33:26)
Closing (00:36:54)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing -
“Captive Pursuit” 30th-anniversary reflections
The arrival of an alien from the Gamma Quadrant puts Chief O’Brien at the center of first contact when Tosk, as the reptilian calls itself, requires ship repair. As the mystery of Tosk unfolds, and alien hunters arrive seeking to take O’Brien’s new friend back to be publicly humiliated, the chief finds himself questioning the Starfleet rule of non-interference.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss, “Captive Pursuit,” the first visit by an alien from the Gamma Quadrant, Sisko’s different approach to leadership, O’Brien’s awakening, and how the story challenges the idea of IDIC and Starfleet’s rule of non-interference.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
First Visitor from the Gamma Quadrant (00:03:13)
Tosk and the Jem’Hadar: Common Origins? (00:07:03)
Wild West Town (00:10:16)
Challenging IDIC (00:18:17)
Rules of the Game (00:27:03)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:38:58)
Closing (00:41:17)Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“Babel” 30th-anniversary reflections
When lazy Chief O'Brien gets a hankering for a cup of coffee and triggers a booby trap left behind from the Cardassian Occupation, the crew and residents of Deep Space 9 begin losing their ability to make sense one by one. As aphasia sweeps the station, Kira must find a Bajoran scientists who may hold the key to an antidote and saving everyone before cross barrels, all job appalled, bread … the arrive … seen earlier!
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss, “Babel,” how the story long kicked around for The Next Generation found a home on DS9, how it sets the series apart from its predecessor, and how it tests the limits of the Star Trek formula.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
A Lingering Premise (00:02:57)
A (Not So Well) Thought-Out Plan? (00:06:25)
Testing the Limits (00:10:17)
Depicting Aphasia (00:14:44)
Developing Dax (00:18:54)
Finding Quark (00:25:19)
Life on the Station (00:29:47)
The First Black Captain (00:32:55)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:39:32)
Closing (00:42:36)Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“A Man Alone” 30th-anniversary reflections
When a man is murdered aboard the station, Odo becomes the prime suspect. Kira is certain he couldn't have done it, but Sisko is not so sure. Odo sees that he is being framed, but convinving his new crewmates and unraveling the mystery won't be easy. The only more difficult task might be Julian getting Dax to go out to dinner with him.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss, “A Man Alone,” how the story subverts expectations and charts new paths for Star Trek, the attempt to avoid serialization, and the choice to reverse the airing of the episode with “Past Prologue.”
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Julian and Jadzia (00:02:51)
Alien Perspectives (00:08:19)
Digging into Characters (00:12:37)
Different Views of Justice (00:20:02)
Subverting Expectations (00:26:19)
Narrative Hat Trick (00:31:34)
A TNG Mystery? (00:37:53)
Keiko Starts School (00:40:54)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:46:16)
Closing (00:49:26)Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“Past Prologue” 30th-anniversary reflections
As the Federation begins to settle into its presence aboard the former Cardassian station, now dubbed Deep Space Nine, the arrival of a former Bajoran freedom fighter named Tahna Los puts Major Kira in the uncomfortable situation of protecting an old friend and supporting the new alliance between Bajor and the Federation. When she learns that Tahna has not given up his terrorist ways, she must choose between her past and future. Either way, she says, she must betray someone.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss, “Past Prologue,” the introduction of Garak, ties to TNG, and how the story showers viewers with character development.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Meeting Garak (00:03:06)
The Struggle Continues (00:13:51)
We Have to Evolve (00:22:25)
The Nuance of Resistance (00:26:48)
Kira, Sisko, and the Federation (00:29:37)
Lursa and B’Etor (00:34:09)
THERE'S Your Vaughn Armstrong! (00:40:38)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:42:33)
Closing (00:44:46)Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“Emissary” 30th-anniversary reflections
Commence station log. When Deep Space Nine premiered on January 3, 1993, it marked an unprecedented moment for Star Trek. Not only did Gene Roddenberry capture lightning in a bottle twice, the success of The Next Generation led to a second spinoff of the 1960s classic. But simply putting another crew on another starship to boldly go where no one had gone before wasn’t going to cut it this time. After all, the Enterprise was still busy doing just that. Instead, creators Rick Berman and Michael Piller took the original premise of Star Trek to heart and delivered the Wild West theme on which Roddenberry pitched the adventures of Kirk and Spock. The concept provided the foundation for an incredible exploration of the human condition and stories that have stood the test of time, continuing to teach, warn, and engage three decades later.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing shift from our format of exploring the minutiae of DS9 to begin a 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we begin with the pilot, “Emissary,” as we discuss how it establishes the story and tone of DS9 and sets the series apart from TNG.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Commence Station Log (00:00:53)
Memories of First DS9 Viewing (00:05:42)
Connections Matter (00:09:14)
Consequences Also Matter (00:13:00)
Finding Identity (00:17:53)
Standing the Test of Time (00:31:29)
And Now for Something Completely Different (00:34:21)
Conflict is Okay (00:39:48)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:49:15)
Closing (00:51:53)Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
Dominion Breadcrumbs, Part 2.
While Deep Space Nine may be best known for the Dominion War, getting to that storyline was a gradual process for the writers. After the Gamma Quadrant’s imperial force was finally revealed at the end of Season 2, there were still a lot of mysteries to unshroud as Season 3 began with “The Search.”
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing conclude their Hansel and Gretel-style journey following the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story that would come to define one of Star Trek’s most complex chapters.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Meeting the Jem'Hadar (00:02:33)
Shaping the Vorta (00:05:26)
Cold, Calculating, and Frightening (00:12:41)
Don't Do Deals with the Dominion (00:19:31)
Prepped by the Borg (00:23:07)
The Full Reveal (00:28:38)
Final Thoughts (00:38:26)
Closing (00:42:22)Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
Dominion Breadcrumbs, Part 1.
While Deep Space Nine may be best known for the Dominion War, getting to that story line was a gradual process for the writers. Before its full-on introduction in the Season 2 finale “The Jem’Hadar” and the Season 3 premiere “The Search,” the Gamma Quadrant’s empirical force was hinted at throughout Season 2.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing follow the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story that would come to define one of Star Trek’s most complex stories.
Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
“Hear All, Trust Nothing“
It’s been more than 23 years since we watched Kira Nerys and Jake Sisko stare out of the window at the wormhole, wondering when Benajmin Sisko would come back. And while the Emissary has yet to return, our beloved station has—in animated form—thanks to Star Trek: Lower Decks.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing share how they felt seeing station Deep Space Nine once again and discuss how this humorous installment in the Star Trek franchise successfully captures the feel of the richest and most serious series while also delivering plenty of laughs.
Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
Remembering Louise Fletcher
Few characters in Star Trek elicit such a visceral reaction from fans than Winn Adami. Introduced as a Vedek, she was later chosen as kai—the first elected after the end of the Cardassian Occupation. In that role, rather than working in harmony with the Prophets, she actively worked against their chosen emissary. It is perhaps this friction that made her a fan favorite to hate, but the real reason might lay beyond the story, in the portrayal by actress Louise Fletcher.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing remember Fletcher, who passed away on September 23 at the age of 88. We reflect on how she brought Kai Winn to life, how her skill as an actor led the DS9 story in a different direction than first planned, and why Fletcher’s Winn triggers self-reflection in so many of us.
Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
Dukat’s “Civil Defense”
As central as Dukat was to the overall Deep Space Nine story, he didn't appear so often in the early season. The third-season episode “Civil Defense” marked only his eight appearance—and the first of the season—and the writers took the opportunity to bring his character into focus. With a more sinister, in-it-only-for-me tone, the former commander of Terok Nor went from rather everday bad guy to serious villain—and one that would take his place among Star Trek’s greatest.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing take a closer look at Gul Dukat within the context of “Civil Defense” as they discuss the character’s selfish nature, desire for adoration, hatred of Garak, and lust for anything that puts him on the pedestal. Find out why we feel this is perhaps the most important foundational episode for Dukat. You have two minutes to start listening before we release the hounds!
Host
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
Michael Eddington
At the start of Deep Space Nine’s third season, more than a new ship arrived. A new character also joined the crew, one who was meant to serve as a foil of sorts for Odo and as a fill-in for O’Brien when Colm Meaney was away on a film projects. With the Dominion stirring fear, and concern growing over Odo’s approach to security, Starfleet sent one of its best to the station to ensure that the Federation maintained full control over its own interests. But things didn’t quite play out as the admirals—or the writers—had planned.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing take a closer look at Michael Eddington as they discuss the character from conception to conclusion. Did he serve his initial purpose? Why did he join the Maquis? Why such a beef with Sisko? Join us for a deep dive into the mind of Michael Eddington as he casts himself as the hero of his own story, based on his favorite book, Les Misérables.
Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) -
Top 10 DS9 episodes
Deep Space Nine is best known for the Dominion War but, over the course of seven seasons, the series delivered a wide variety of story arcs, rich character development, and standalone episodes. Which are the best? Some gems are well known fan favorites, while others get lost in the complex tapestry of DS9.
In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing tackle this question to which answers are very subjective. Their Top 10 lists were independently created and not shared before the discussion. How many choices will overlap? Will their top pick be the same? And how did Matthew develop his unique way of showing love for his favorite episodes?
Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProduction
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) - Se mer
