Matthew Rushing
The Orb 58: The Woman Behind the Curtain
Moogie. We take a close look at the woman behind the curtain, the woman with the lobes for business, none other that the mother of Quark and Rom, Ishka. We also discuss how DS9 was able to deliver comedy with meaning and why the Ferengi are perfect for commentary on women's rights.
Literary Treks 60: Hierarchy Over Hippocrates
Seasons of Light and Darkness. Early in The Wrath of Khan, Doctor McCoy visits Admiral Kirk. The conversation isn't the most cheerful, and Bones asks why everyone is treating Kirk's birthday like a funeral. We discuss Michael A. Martin's novella that tells what happened next.
The Orb 57: Keiko Fell Into a Lens Flare
Imagining an Abramsverse DS9. It's been five years since the reimagined J.J. Abrams Star Trek landed on the big screen. We imagine what a J.J. reboot of Deep Space Nine might look like with the help of Drew Stewart of Standard Orbit and Daniel Proulx of Earl Grey.
Literary Treks 59: The Rough Seas of Love
Mission Gamma: Twilight. We continue our look at the DS9 relaunch series and kick off discussion of the four-part Mission Gamma, covering the character stories involving Bashir and Ezri, Vaughn and Prynn, how Kira is dealing with the Attainder, and what the future holds for Bajor and the Federation.
The Orb 56: The John McClane of Deep Space Nine
Great O'Brien Episodes. Miles was always a likeable character even when he did little more than man a transporter room on the Enterprise-D. But when the Chief came over to DS9 he took center stage. We pick some of our favorite Miles Moments.
Literary Treks 58: You're a Baby Daddy, Sulu!
The Captain's Daughter. Star Trek Generations brought us a number of shocking moments, one of which was the reveal of Demora Sulu. We discuss Peter David's backstory to this moment and each of the story's five main points—Death, First Date, Memorial, Parenthood, and Life After Death.
The Orb 54: Jake and the Amazing Technicolor Jumpsuit
Jake Sisko. After tri-divisional phenom Wesley Crusher, the writers of Deep Space Nine wanted to let kids be kids. We take a close look at one of DS9's most forgotten and least popular characters to find out why the show would be very different if you removed the Jake.
Literary Treks 57: Semi-United and It Feels So Good
Rise of the Federation: Tower of Babel. We discuss the second book in the series and explore the internal debate over what form the Federation should take and the external challenges that threaten to destroy the young union before it can spread its wings.
Literary Treks 56: An Orion West Side Story
Alien Spotlight, Part II. We conclude our look at the first Alien Spotlight series with four more stories about Orions, Vulcans, Romulans, and Gorn. Where do you hide something when you have no pockets? How do you react when a Gorn wants to help you, not eat you? We find out.
Literary Treks 55: We Are Bleeding Blue Tonight
Alien Spotlight, Part I. We all have our favorite alien races, and in 2007 IDW turned the spotlight on some of Star Trek's most famous aliens with a series of comics that told stories unique to each. We take you through the Borg, Cardassian, and Andorian installments.
Literary Treks 54: We Never Use the B Word
No Time Like the Past: Greg Cox. We're joined by Greg to find out what it was like writing Seven for the first time and to blend TOS and Voyager.
The Orb 51: To Come As an Angel of Light
The Final Chapter, Part 2 of 9: 'Til Death Do Us Part. continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour DS9 finale with the second episode in the story, discussing Sisko's marriage, Worf and Ezri, Dukat and Damar, and why why no one needs to see villain love.