Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

The Orb 148: Miles and Miles of Sass
“Babel” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss 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.

The Orb 147: Questioning the Foundation
“A Man Alone” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss 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.”

The Orb 146: It’s Not Easy to Let Go
“Past Prologue” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the introduction of Garak, ties to TNG, and how the story showers viewers in character development.

The Orb 145: Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
“Emissary” 30th-anniversary reflections. We begin a 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time.

The Orb 144: How Gullible Is the Federation?
“How Gullible Is the Federation?“ We conclude our discussion of the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story of the Dominion and one of Star Trek’s most complex stories.

The Orb 143: Finding It As They Go
“Finding It As They Go.“ We discuss the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story of the Dominion and one of Star Trek’s most complex stories.

Literary Treks 353: Exchanged the Truth for a Lie
Warped. We discuss early DS9, a Bajoran coup, a license of freedom, the truth will set you free, a spiritual side, the voices our ratings and final thoughts.

The Orb 142: In Awe of the Pylons
“Hear All, Trust Nothing.“ We 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.

The Orb 141: What She Left Behind
Remembering Louise Fletcher. We reflect on the actor who brought Kai Winn to life, how her skill in portraying the character led the DS9 story in a different direction than first planned, and why Fletcher’s Winn triggers self-reflection in so many of us.

The Orb 140: Gul Facade
Dukat’s “Civil Defense.” We discuss Gul Dukat within the context of the episode “Civil Defense,” including the character’s selfish nature, desire for adoration, hatred of Garak, and lust for anything that puts him on the pedestal. You have two minutes to start listening before we release the hounds!

The Orb 139: Swept Up in Revolution
Michael Eddington. We discuss the character from conception to conclusion as we deep dive into the mind of Eddington as he casts himself as the hero of his own story, based on his favorite book, Les Misérables.

The Orb 138: Boxes of Memorabilia
Top 10 DS9 episodes. We tackle this question to which answers are very subjective. Chris and Matthew independently created their top 10 lists and did not share before the discussion. How many choices will overlap? Will their top pick be the same?