The Orb
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.
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.
The Orb 153: Down the Wrong Warp Pipe
“Move Along Home” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the Wadi, whether budget was really the problem, why the crew should have played more Legend of Zelda, and more. Shap 6!
The Orb 152: Dead Giveaways
“The Passenger” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how it works as a Bashir story, the introduction of Primmin, the Odo connection, the original concept, and more.
The Orb 151: Who Is What and What Is Where?!
“Dax” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss 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.
The Orb 150: Like Oil and Water
“Q-Less” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss 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.
The Orb 149: The Most Dangerous Game
“Captive Pursuit” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the first visit by an alien from the Gamma Quadrant and how the story challenges the idea of IDIC and Starfleet’s rule of non-interference.
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.