Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
The Orb 163: Neither Enemy Nor Devil
“In the Hands of the Prophets” 30th-anniversary reflections. We close out Season 1 by discussing how the story bookends the pilot while setting the series on course for its destiny of richly intricate serialized storytelling.
The Orb 162: Pliable Truths
“Duet” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how a story pitched by interns to save budget broke the dam and unleashed the potential of the young series.
The Orb 161: You Told Me This Story This Morning
“Dramatis Personae” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the writers put a distinctly DS9 twist on a TNG premise to deliver masterful character development.
The Orb 160: Will the Real Lwaxana Please Stand Up?
“The Forsaken” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the writers put a distinctly DS9 twist on a TNG premise to deliver masterful character development.
The Orb 159: Imagination Station
“If Wishes Were Horses” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the story's fun veneer, the wealth of character and social commentary that lies beneath, and why Miles must be feeling like Lando Calrissian.
The Orb 158: Even the Birds Stayed Away
“Progress” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the story of a stubborn landowner continues Kira’s incredible character development and focuses the DS9 narrative on everyday people.
The Orb 157: Dal’Rok Has Left the Building
“The Storyteller” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss 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.
The Orb 156: Welcome to the Hotel California
“Battle Lines” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss 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.
The Orb 155: Double Your Danger
“Vortex” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss revelations about Odo's people and how the story sets up the Dominion and why it's important to always keep an extra glass around.
Literary Treks 370: A Father Talking to His Son
Derek Tyler Attico: The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko. We discuss the framing device, the family, Academy years, early career, Curzon, filling in more details, in the Celestial Temple,, ending with Benny, one last question, where to find Derek and our final thoughts.
The Orb 154: All About the Greed
“The Nagus” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the resetting the Ferengi, subtle morality, the importance of fathers, and more.
Literary Treks 365: A Huge Side Quest
Rebels: The Liberated. We discuss the natives, the Liberated, the past, how bad was it, our ratings and final thoughts.