“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 Rushing

Production 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 Rushing

Production 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 Rushing

Production 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 Rushing

Production 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 Rushing

Production 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 Rushing

Production 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 Rushing

Production 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 Rushing

Production 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 Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)