The Orb: A Star Trek Deep Space Nine Podcast

Odo on Terok Nor. Long before he was chief of security for Captain Sisko, Odo served in the same position under Gul Dukat during the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor. It was a time when Odo was just beginning his life amongst solids, and as a result his sense of right and wrong were not well developed. He changed a lot in the years that followed, and that change was shared and contrasted with the audience thanks to unusual circumstances that led to Odo reliving key events from seven years prior in "Things Past." In this episode of The Orb, hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss the Odo-specific elements of this story as they delve into Odo's Cardassian background, the line between order and justice, his role in the executions of the Bajorans Ishan, Jillur, and Timor, and how his take on those events changed over time. Hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producers Norman C. Lao, Ruth Ward, Lisa Stevens, and Will Nguyen Chapters Odo's Cardassian Background (3:17) The Line Between Order and Justice (10:06) Looking Back at Things Past (18:40) Ishan, Jillur, and Timor (24:45) Final Thoughts (30:28) Closing (33:47) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

The Other O'Briens: Miles and Kira. When an actress becomes pregnant during the run of a television show, the writers often have trouble figuring out how to deal with it. You can try to hide it with camera work and props, as they did with Roxann Dawson, or you can send the character on a trip somewhere. There are many options, but finding one that truly fits with the show can be difficult. Luckily, science fiction opens up some unique doors, so when Nana Visitor became pregnant during DS9 the writers found away to write the pregnancy into the series by tying it to an existing storyline involving the O'Briens. In this episode of The Orb, hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing take a look at the effect this unique storyline has on the three characters involved—Kira, Miles, and Keiko, the flirtation often cited by fans, the difficult situation Kira and Miles find themselves in, and why Keiko seems determined to be an unwitting matchmaker. Hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producers Norman C. Lao, Ruth Ward, Lisa Stevens, and Will Nguyen Chapters Dealing with Nana's Pregnancy (3:10) Keiko the Matchmaker? (11:28) Final Thoughts (23:45) Closing and Feedback (26:28) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Worf with Earl Grey. Over the course of seven seasons, Worf became a fan favorite on The Next Generation. With Michael Dorn now free from the week-to-week requirements of life aboard the Enterprise-D, he was available to lend a hand on that old Cardassian space station—which those in power felt was just want the young spinoff needed. The idea was praised by some, rejected by many. While it may have initially been viewed as a gimmick, hindsight shows us that not only was the decision to bring Worf to DS9 a good one, the station turned out to be just the environment the character needed to thrive. In this episode of The Orb, hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing are joined by the crew from our TNG show Earl Grey—Phillip Gilfus, Darren Moser, and Daniel Proulx—for the second half of our two-part crossover look at Worf. The TNG gang give us their perspective on seeing one of their own make DS9 home, how Worf meshed with the station's crew, his relationship with Jadzia and Ezri, where he ended up at the end of his two-series arc, and more. Hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing Guests Phillip Gilfus, Darren Moser, and Daniel Proulx Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producers Norman C. Lao, Ruth Ward, Lisa Stevens, and Will Nguyen Chapters Countdown to Worf (4:44) Worf's Arrival on Deep Space Nine (10:59) Meshing with the DS9 Crew (21:59) Being Allowed to Fail (30:52) Worf and Jadzia… and Ezri (35:25) Where Worf Ended Up (48:26) Closing (1:00:18) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

The Final Chapter, Part 8 of 9: The Dogs of War. Through the first seven parts of DS9's final arc, the writers set up an unwieldy number of threads. Some were concluded along the way, but many remained. As a result, a bridge was needed between the bulk of the story and the events of the finale. That bridge came in the form of "The Dogs of War," an episode that spread out the pieces of the puzzle, locked some of them in place, and clarified where the remaining ones would go. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale with the penultimate episode "The Dogs of War." We discuss the replacement of the Defiant, Odo's reaction to learning of his betrayal by the Federation, the endgame of the Bashir-Ezri dance, why Grand Nagus Rom makes a lot more sense than most people think, and why Bonnie Tyler is ultimately responsible for the defeat of the Dominion. Hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producers Norman C. Lao, Ruth Ward, and Lisa Stevens Chapters Replacing the Defiant (3:23) An Odo Betrayed (13:46) Bashir, Ezri, and the Turbolift (26:02) Grand Nagus Quark… or Rom (30:43) Damar's True Source of Inspiration (40:01) It's a Baby! (51:08) Closing (53:49) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

In the Cards Commentary. Just before it all hit the fan, station Deep Space 9 played host to an auction that gave birth to a wild chase for a rare baseball card. It's a unique story within Star Trek that flips the usual format on its head by relegating the serious elements to the B-story whilst focusing primarily on what many might consider the frivilous—a vintage mint-condition 1951 Willie Mays rookie baseball card. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing bring you a commentary for "In the Cards" as they explore the dynamic between Jake and Nog, the rare glimpse of respect for Sisko shown by Kai Winn, the critical sixth-season story elements that are being set up in the background, and speculate on just what happens when you climb inside Dr. Elias Giger's cellular regeneration and entertainment chamber. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producers Norman C. Lao, Ruth Ward, and Lisa Stevens Chapters Commentary Start (4:53) Closing (52:54)

The Battle of the Omarion Nebula. The build up to the Dominion War was a slow one, with hints about the Founders and skirmishes with the Jem'Hadar setting the stage. But it wasn't a one-sided affair. Fearful of the Dominion, the intelligence services of the Cardassian Union and the Romulan Empire—the Obsidian Order and the Tal Shiar—teamed up for a preemptive strike against the Founders' homeworld. It was a bold plan to annihilate the Changelings before they could invade the Alpha Quadrant. What they didn't know was that they were walking into a trap. In this episode of The Orb, hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss the first major battlefield engagement between the Dominion and the Alpha/Beta Powers, the state of cold war between the Dominion and the Federation, and the motivations on both sides of the conflict that led to the battle. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Setting the Scene (5:13) Preemptive Strike (8:41) Cold War Machinations (19:49) Playing Into the Bigger Battle (28:37) Closing (33:43)

Red Squad. Cadet Training Squadron 47, as it is formally known, is an elite group at Starfleet Academy that receives special treatment, and thus is the object of desire for many Cadets. They played a pivotal role in Admiral Leyton's attempted coup on Earth in "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost," and they operated a Defiant-class starship behind enemy lines in "Valiant." Along the way they raised a number of questions about the wisdom of Starfleet Academy establishing and nurturing a group that saw itself as above the rules. In this episode of The Orb, hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss Red Squad, its role in education at the Academy, its seductive nature, the dangers it could pose to the stability of Starfleet, and how it was used in storytelling. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Cadet Training Squadron 47 (3:00) Is Red Squad Good for Starfleet? (7:14) Let's Go On a Joy Ride Around the Federation! (14:57) Premature Responsibility (19:00) The Seduction of Red Squad (25:05) The Arrogance and Ignorance of Office (32:07) A Great Idea for Storytelling (37:31) Closing and Feedback (39:47)

The Final Chapter, Part 7 of 9: Extreme Measures. With the end of the DS9 story looming and the Alpha Quadrant swirling with chaos, the writers gave us a chance to catch our breath with a surprisingly positioned bottle show. With so many threads left to tie up, it would have been a shame not to revisit the bromance between Bashir and O'Brien and the shadowy activities of Section 31 for a final time. Essentially a standalone tale, this journey into the mind of Sloan still connects well with the overall arc and provides a turn of events essential to the Federation's victory in the war. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale with the seventh episode in the story, "Extreme Measures." We discuss the ethics of Bashir's plan to find a cure of the morphogenic virus, the grey nature of Section 31 and their conviction that what they do is for the good of the Federation, the importance of having others in our lives and the regrets of past choices, and why Miles and Jules are the best male friendship in Star Trek. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Ethics and The Plan (5:40) Perspectives: Two Sides, One Federation (19:16) The Reality of the Mind (27:10) Miles, Jules, and the Importance of Others (40:43) Final Thoughts (46:27) Closing (49:48)

Kai Opaka. Religion held a rare position of importance within Star Trek during the seven seasons of Deep Space Nine, and right from the outset Benjamin Sisko was ushered into the world of Bajoran spirituality. Rather than the contentious atmosphere of Kai Winn, however, Sisko was introduced to his role of Emissary by the kinder, gentler hand of Kai Opaka. And while we never truly got to know her, the role that Opaka played in setting up the series is irreplaceable—at least for the DS9 that we came to know. In this episode of The Orb, Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss Opaka, her background and her rise to the position of Kai, her "collaboration" with Cardassians during the final years of the Occupation, and we image a series both with Kai Opaka throughout and with her never existing. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Imagining "Emissary" without Opaka (2:44) Background and The Rise of Opaka (5:24) Collaborating with Cardassians (12:04) Setting Up "Emissary" with Winn or Bareil (16:51) The "Death" of Kai Opaka (24:59) A Deep Space Nine without Kai Opaka (24:59) A Deep Space Nine with Kai Opaka (29:05) Closing (33:32)

Time's Orphan Rewrite. What happens when your reach the end of a season, need another episode, have little money, and dust of a thrice-rejected script? Nothing good, that's for sure. For all the wonderful writing in the sixth-season of Deep Space Nine, not all rises up to the standards of the show. The antepenultimate installment of Season Six is a story about an eight-year-old Molly O'Brien falling through a time portal and returning—almost instantly—at age eighteen. Considered by many to be the worst episode of DS9, the story was doomed from the beginning and salvaged only by the last-minute addition of a B-Story involving Worf and Jadzia. But could this have been a great episode? Are there ways to take the basic premise and turn it into something more fitting of Deep Space Nine? In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing rewrite "Time's Orphan" to make it better serve the characters and arc of the series. At its core the story attempts to address the struggle of feral children and the trauma they experience, the anguish of parents who can't help the child they love so dearly, and provides a glimpse of what could have been for might-be parents. It all sounds like DS9, yet it didn't come together on screen. So how do we make it work? Listen on and find out. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Initial Thoughts (2:49) You've Been Rejected Three Times Already… (7:15) Things We Like (12:23) Things We Dislike (17:24) Quick Fixes (26:00) Chris's Rewrite (28:26) Matthew's Rewrites (32:01) The One Critical Change (38:22) Final Thoughts (40:25) Closing (42:03)

The Orb Supplemental: The Orb of Mail Feedback Show. In each episode of The Orb we delve into the minutiae of Deep Space Nine, which generates a lot of feedback for you, our loyal listeners. When the messages start piling up, it's time to gaze into the Orb of Mail. In this special show we share our thoughts on your thoughts and questions about past episodes. Join us as we expand upon the Breen attack on Earth, Section 31 and how long they had been working on the morphogenic virus, whether it would have been better for the audience to meet Ezri Tigan a season before she became Dax, and the true nature of the Prophets. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters World War II and the Breen Attack on Earth (4:20) Section 31's Wide-Reaching Bioligical Weapons Program (10:30) Getting to Know Ezri Tigan Before Joining (18:04) The True Nature of the Prophets (25:17) How to Send Us Your Feedback and Questions (38:28) iTunes Reviews (44:22) Closing (51:26)

The Final Chapter, Part 6 of 9: Tacking Into the Wind. After "When It Rains…" resolved parts of DS9's Final Chapter and set new ones in motion, the second half of the overall story kicks off with what may be the longest cold open in all of Star Trek. There is no "previously on Deep Space Nine," no explanation of why you are seeing an examination of a Jem'Hadar ship; and you won't see any credits for more than eight minutes. No, "Tacking Into the Wind" throws you right into the middle of DS9's endgame. The title is a perfect description of what takes place over the course of the episode. Like a ship making constant course corrections on the open sea, our characters must adjust to the rapidly changing circumstances around them. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale with the sixth episode in the story, "Tacking Into the Wind." We discuss how Gul Rusot is a temporal mirror for Kira, what finally forces Damar to play his hand, the fall of Gowron, why this story could not be told without Ezri, the plight of Odo, and how it sets up the next part of the story.

The Bajoran Solar System. Deep Space Nine is first and foremost a story about characters. More so than any other Star Trek series, technology, science, and other worlds take a backseat to how events affect our characters on a personal level. So one easily overlooked part of the DS9 framework is the enormous solar system in which the series is set. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing take you on a tour of the fourteen planets and two M-Class moons that make up the Bajoran system, discuss whether these locales should have played a bigger role in the series, speculate on the reality of the spatial relationship between Bajor, the Station, and the wormhole and debate whether Bajor XII, XIII, and XIV should be demoted to the status of dwarf planet just like poor little Pluto. Oh, and of course we get our plasma charged in the Denorios Belt.

You Are Cordially Invited Commentary. From the very moment Worf and Jadzia met in Quark's, it was clear that there was a spark between them. Dax's history with Klingon culture made her a natural for a potential relationship with the new arrival, but that alone can only go so far. The onscreen chemistry between Michael Dorn and Terry Farrell helped lead Ronald D. Moore to revive a plotline he had tried to develop on TNG—the marriage of Worf. On The Next Generation the plan was for him to end up with Troi, but the relationship felt forced and didn't sit well with fans. The relationship between Worf and Jadzia, on the other hand, felt completely authentic and grew naturally over time. So when the Federation finally retook DS9 after the opening arc of the show's sixth season, it was time for a party. And what better way to party than to celebrate a wedding between friends and crewmates? In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing bring you a commentary for "You Are Cordially Invited." We discuss Martok's influence on Worf, Sisko's influence on Jadzia, and Sirella's influence on everyone. We also play with fire, crash a Klingon bachelor party, drool over a baked potato, and learn the latest dance craze, the Bolian Chest Bump.

The Cult of the Pah-wraiths and the Book of the Kosst Amojan. From the very start, the Bajoran religion played a key role in the story of Deep Space Nine. As the story grew more complex in the final seasons, the influence of the Prophets got some competition from their evil counterparts, the Pah-wraiths. With the show's shift deeper into mythology, these two sides were critical to the endgame of the Fire Caves. Following the Occupation, Bajorans unhappy with the Prophets formed the Cult of the Pah-wraiths. At the same time, two power-hungry leaders—Gul Dukat and Kai Winn—turned to a dangerous book not opened for more than seven hundred years. This tome—The Book of the Kosst Amojan—was the key to releasing the Pah-wraiths, and act with serious consquences for the Bajoran people and their Emissary. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing delve into the deep mythology underlying DS9. Despite its importance to many series threads, relatively little is known about the Cult of the Pah-wraiths and the Kosst Amojan. We discuss what we know, how it mirrors our own mythologies and religions, as well as why some Bajorans may have turned to the Dark Side.

The Final Chapter, Part 5 of 9: When It Rains… The first four parts of Deep Space Nine's final arc established many threads and challenges the many players both on the Station and beyond. "When It Rains…" firmly plays the role of middle chapter as it jumps straight into the continuation of "The Changing Face of Evil" without so much as a mention of "previously on." As the name suggests, a deluge of new problems beset our heroes (and villains) as the writers position threads for a final push to the end. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale with the fifth episode in the story, "When It Rains…" We discuss Kira's twist of fate, Odo's plight and Starfleet's role in genocide, Garak's return home, and why Gowron is like your crazy uncle at the family reunion.

Casting DS9 with Larry Nemecek, Part 2. Choosing the actors who will bring new characters to life is one of the many creative challenges in launching a new Star Trek series. The process itself can change the nature of the roles, resulting in adjustments to name, the background story of a given character, and their relationship with others. In this episode of The Orb we bring you the second part of our two-part conversation with Larry Nemecek about the casting of Deep Space Nine and the evolution of the characters.

Casting DS9 with Larry Nemecek, Part 1. One of the many creative challenges in launching a new Star Trek series is casting. Finding the right actors to bring the characters to life takes time and careful consideration. And the process itself can change the nature of the roles, resulting in adjustments to name, ethnicity, background story, and in some cases requiring a completely new character to be created. In this episode of The Orb we're joined by Larry Nemecek for the first part of a two-part discussion about the casting of Deep Space Nine and the evolution of the characters.

The Cardassian Underground. Throughout Deep Space Nine we see Cardassian government and society threatened by several different incarnations of resistance. From early dissidents such as Amin Marritza to later leaders like Tekeny Ghemor and Damar, something running deep inside Cardassians seems to cause dissident movements to continually spring up. In this episode of The Orb we discuss the unique elements of Cardassian society that lead to rebellion. Is it a feature of Cardassian politics or something buried deeper within their psyche? What are some of the characteristics and motivations of the leaders of these movements? How do their actions affect the broader world of DS9? It's a look at the repetitive epic so cherished by Cardassia.

The Final Chapter, Part 4 of 9: The Changing Face of Evil. The first three parts of Deep Space Nine's final chapter set up key plotlines that set the Dominion War's resolution in motion. It also set our characters on courses that would eventually lead them down separate paths. In the final piece of the initial four-episode block, the Dominion turns to The Breen Factor to break a stalemate in the war while the chasm between Cardassia and the Dominion widens—turning Damar into an unlikely object of viewer admiration. Initial plotlines are wrapped up while new threads are laid out. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale with the fourth episode in the story, "The Changing Face of Evil." We discuss how the writers sought to contrast everyday life with the stress of war, the fiery end of the Defiant, Ezri and Bashir's love dance, the unmasking of Dukat, and Damar's gambit.

Moogie. Let's be honest. Ferengi episodes are not amongst the fan favorites—even for die-hard Niners. But even in the midst of ludicrous social customs and the grating laugh of Grand Nagus Zek, the writers found a wonderful vehicle for discussion of women's rights in the character of Ishka. She's better known simply as "Moogie," mother of Quark and Rom, and she threw the lives of her children and everyone on Ferenginar into chaos by… wait for it… earning profit. Egads! In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing take a close look at the woman behind the curtain, the woman with the lobes for business. We discuss how her presence on the show adds depth to Quark and Rom, what her relationship with Zek says about the evolution of societies, and how DS9 was able to deliver comedy with meaning.

Imagining an Abramsverse DS9. It's been five years since the reimagined J.J. Abrams Star Trek landed on the big screen. In that time we've only gotten two movies, but the alternate timeline has expanded greatly off-screen through IDW's Star Trek Ongoing comics. A visit by Q to the Abramsverse in The Q Gambit will send James T. Kirk on quest that will see the Enterprise joining forces with familiar faces from Star Trek lore, beginning with the crew of "a certain space station…" Could this mean DS9? And if so, how would that work? In this episode of The Orb we're joined by Drew Stewart of Standard Orbit and Daniel Proulx of Earl Grey to imagine what a J.J. reboot of Deep Space Nine might look like. How would the storylines change? How big would the station be? Who would play Captain Sisko? And what does Mall of America have to do with it? Join us for this debate that spans eras, timelines, and every part of the Star Trek franchise.

Great O'Brien Episodes. Miles O'Brien 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 and Starfleet's everyman—and the brilliant acting talents of Colm Meaney—really began to shine. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing pick some of their favorite episodes featuring the man who is second only to Michael Dorn for most appearances in Star Trek episodes. Find out if you agree with our picks or if there are other Miles Moments that top your own list.

The Final Chapter, Part 3 of 9: Strange Bedfellows. With the outcome of the war uncertain, The Dominion turned to an unlikely ally in the Breen—a move that set into motion a series of events that would turn out to be their undoing. One such event was the changing face of Damar, whose growing disillusion with the Dominion comes to a breaking point. Meanwhile, back on Deep Space 9, Kai Winn continued her unlikely alliance with Gul Dukat. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale with the third episode in the story, "Strange Bedfellows." We discuss the Breen misstep, trace Damar's change back to actions from long ago, explore the Ezri-Worf resolution, and follow Kai Winn's fall from grace. We also discuss three scenes from the script that didn't make it into the episode, two of which were never even shot.

Jake Sisko. After tri-divisional phenom Wesley Crusher, the writers of Deep Space Nine wanted to let kids be kids and gave us Jake Sisko. Breaking the stereotype that children of Starfleet officers long to enter the Academy themselves, Jake really was just an average child. Star Trek has never really done well with its younger characters. How do you tell stories about children and family on a show about space exploration, diplomacy, and starship battles? At first glance, the gritty nature of the former Terok Nor doesn't seem like a hopeful place to change that. As it turns out, it was just the right setting. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing take a close look at one of DS9's most forgotten and least popular characters to find out why he was critical to making Benjamin Sisko the man and leader he was, how he had a positive impact on Nog and others around him, and why the show would be very different if you removed the Jake.

Our Man Bashir Commentary. From the moment he first encountered Garak, Julian Bashir had a fascination with the mysterious Cardassian. But why? Could it have been a secret fascination with James Bond and the spy games of 1960s Earth? During Deep Space Nine's fourth season, Ronald D. Moore and Bob Gillan brought us a delightful holodeck story with life or death stakes for the station's crew. And like almost all DS9 episodes, the laughs were mixed with some meaningful character development—especially between the resident doctor and tailor. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing bring you a commentary for "Our Man Bashir" and explore the background behind the episode, what it says about Jules, the brilliance of Avery Brooks, and why everyone wants a honey bear.

Trials and Tribble-ations. When the 30th Anniversary of Star Trek rolled around in 1996, Deep Space Nine chose to pay homage to The Original Series with an ambitious episode that would push the computer technology of the time to the limit. Inspired by the revolutionary techniques of Forrest Gump, the DS9 writers set out to pen a story that would insert Sisko and his crew into the middle of one of the franchise's most iconic episodes—"The Trouble with Tribbles." The result was one of the most memorable moments in Star Trek history. In this episode of The Orb we join forces with the hosts of Trek.fm's TOS show, Standard Orbit, as Drew Stewart and Mike Schindler sit in with Chris and Matt to discuss "Trials and Tribble-ations" from a TOS perspective. We pick our favorite moments, debate the hot topics it raises (those are Klingons?!), and perhaps talk a bit too much about Dax. But can you blame us? After all, she lived in that time.

The Final Chapter, Part 2 of 9: 'Til Death Do Us Part. If Sisko had his way, the story of Deep Space Nine would have ended with a happy wedding. Benjamin Lafayette Sisko and Kasidy Danielle Yates would have ridden off into the Bajoran sunset for a life of comfort in their Kendra Province home. But the Prophets had different plans for Ben. So did Dukat. And Winn. And the Pah Wraiths. The list goes on. But in short, the story of the Emissary was not going to come to a peaceful conclusion. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale with the second episode in the story, "'Til Death Do Us Part." We discuss Kai Winn's budding gig as a wannabe wedding planner, the difficulty Kasidy has in accepting Sisko's role in the Bajoran religion, and the evolving relationship between Worf and Ezri. We also examine the battle between the Pah Wraith's and Prophets, Dukat's surprising concern for Damar, and why no one needs to see (old) villain love.

Trill on Trial. The concept of a joined species is an interesting and mysterious one. Two separate beings—each with their own will and identity—come together to form one. If it were a once-in-a-lifetime event for both, the union might be easy to define. But in the case of Trill, one half of this merging gets to do it over and over again—which raises the question of culpability. Can a current host be held responsible for the actions of a previous host? In this episode of The Orb, hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing delve into what it means to be joined, the extent to which one Trill union is unique compared to a previous one, the potential of tug-o-war between host and symbiont, and why this unique aspect of Trill society was unknown even to other Federation worlds until the late 24th century. Is the existence of a symbiont more like the tracks of an album or the movements of a symphony? We challenge our preconceived notions and follow the evolution of Trill within the DS9 story.

Remembering Cliff Bole. Star Trek is known for finding great directors and sticking with them. But few directors had as much influence over modern Star Trek as Cliff Bole. With 42 episodes to his name, Bole is responsible for some of our favorite stories. Seven of those stories were told on Deep Space Nine. Sadly, Bole passed away on February 15. In this episode of The Orb we honor his contributions to the franchise with a look at each DS9 episode that he brought to screen, as well as Bole's overall work on twentieth-century television, which was as prolific as the magic he worked in the 24th century.

Runabouts. On The Original Series and The Next Generation we saw plenty of shuttlecraft moving our heroes around from ship to planet to station. But these craft were really just the space equivalent of a ferry boat. You couldn't travel large distances in them—at least not in a reasonable amount of time—and they were essentially defenseless. Starfleet needed something beefier that could still be treated as an auxiliary craft, and thus the runabout was born. In this episode of The Orb, Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss these tough little ships that made their debut on Deep Space Nine, from their genesis to their specifications to how they were used as a storytelling device.

The Final Chapter, Part 1 of 9: Penumbra When Sisko arrived at his new post in "Emissary," he had no idea that the journey he would go on would turn him into a god. As viewers, we had no idea that the series that felt much like TNG in stationary form at the start would lead us to one of the most epic finales in television history. In fact, the writers didn't even realize what they were creating. But the Prophets? They saw it all… and they knew that all would be as it should. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing begin a series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale. Beginning with part one, "Penumbra," we look at the concept of what was originally billed as "The Final Chapter," how the complex storylines and character development that built up over the course of seven years is brought together, and why the path was a difficult but rewarding one. So come and join us. There are many tasks still ahead of you. Accept your fate. Your greatest trial is about to begin.

Ezri Dax. Normally when an actor decides to leave a show early, it doesn't turn out well. It means either the death of a beloved character or an almost always-failed attempt to continue the role with a different face. When Terry Farrell left DS9, however, the writers seized the moment and used the twist to tell Dax stories that weren't possible with Jadzia. While it took many fans a while to warm up to Ezri (some may still be trying) it all turned out well in the end. In this episode of The Orb, Matthew Rushing and Christopher Jones take a close look at the new face—and old worm—in town, and how Nicole deBoer's portrayal of a counselor who was unsure of herself was the perfect fit for DS9.

Raising Children on the Station. The children we saw on The Next Generation were raised in a very controlled environment. Sure, flying around on a starship is dangerous, but you're surrounded by Starfleet officers, people who have been brought together for a shared goal, and you have all the resources you need. On DS9, the situation was different. This was much more like the real world. Children on the station found themselves in a place that was part frontier town, part cosmopolitan city. There were a lot of opportunities to get into trouble on the station—the danger was more real—but the opportunity to grow into a well-rounded adult may have been greater, too. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss the pros and cons of raising children on the station, compare and contrast life on the Enterprise and life on Deep Space 9, find out how Jake and Nog helped their parents grow, and how exposure to diversity differs between these controlled and uncontrolled environments.

Ferengi Values vs. Federation Values. The stationary setting of Deep Space Nine was a concern in the beginning and has often been criticized by Star Trek fans. But what the premise lacks in terms of discovering strange new worlds it makes up for in getting to know strange new cultures. Forcing Federation personnel and aliens from many different societies to live together day after day allowed the writers to explore important social issues—and to do so on a long scale. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing take a look at one of the starkest contrasts on the station—Ferengi values vs. Federation values. As Robert Hewitt Wolfe said, "The Ferengi are us. That's the gag, the Ferengis are humans." We set out to determine if the Ferengi are in fact the closest analogy in Star Trek to twentieth and twenty-first center humans by examining Ferengi and Federation views of prosperity, labor practices, women's rights, and education.

Move Along Home as a TOS Episode. One of the most infamous episodes of Deep Space Nine, "Move Along Home" is almost universally hated by Niners. The moment of first official contact with a race from the Gamma Quadrant—a moment that Sisko took very seriously—was turned into a night of games. Nothing could be less DS9 than "Allamaraine!" right? Well, in this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing are joined by Standard Orbit's Drew Stewart to present an angle that might make "Move Along Home" a bit easier to swallow. What if this were not a DS9 episode, but rather a TOS one? It might be considered a classic. There are many similarities between these gaming aliens, the struggles of our crew, and 1960s Star Trek storytelling. Join us as we climb the shaps and see if you agree that cries of "Allamaraine!" could have been TOS gold.

Implications of Genetic Enhancement. Ever since "Space Seed" the idea of genetic enhancement has been something that is viewed almost universally as a negative within the Star Trek universe. After the devastation wrought by Khan and his fellow enhanced humans in the Eugenics Wars, genetic enhancement was outlawed by the Federation. But then came Deep Space Nine and Julian Bashir to cast shades of grey on the subject. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing follow up their commentary for "Doctor Bashir, I Presume" with a broader discussion of genetic enhancement and the implications of altering the natural course of evolution. Using the episode "Statistical Probabilities" as a basis for discussion, we delve into both the negative and positive aspects of genetic manipulation, the Asimov-inspired plot that gave us one possible solution to the Dominion War, and whether or not people like Julian Bashir are the likely future of mankind.

Doctor Bashir, I Presume Commentary. What would a Star Trek cast be without a doctor? From Bones to Beverly to Bashir, the first three series brought us great human physicians. Then came Voyager and the concept of medicine in the hands of a hologram. The Holographic Doctor was yet another great character, but the EMH was never intended for extended use. Deep Space Nine picked up the concept and extended it to the logical next step—the LMH or Long-term Medical Hologram. The model? Why Julian Bashir, of course! In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing bring you a commentary for the fifth-season episode "Doctor Bashir, I Presume" and discuss Robert Picardo's guest appearance, Zimmerman's fascination with Leeta, Bashir's friction with his family, his relationship with Miles, and of course the major course change for his character as we learn that he is genetically engineered.

Sisko: Captain vs. Commander. When Deep Space Nine premiered there were a number of things that set it apart from earlier series. It was set on a space station instead of a starship. The crew was made up of many non-Starfleet members. And Avery Brooks was cast as Star Trek's first black captain—only he wasn't a captain. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing examine the decision to start Sisko off as a commander rather than a captain, how that decision impacted both the audience reception and the creative direction of the series, and how the character himself changed along with the number of pips on his collar.

Dominion Invasion Tactics. When it comes to conquering other worlds, the bad guys in Star Trek use many methods. Some use brute force like the Borg. Others scheme like the Romulans. And some play a longer game to quietly suppress unless forced to use violence. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss the invasion tactics of the Dominion, how the Founders use others to do their bidding as they pull the strings from the Great Link, the parallels to the Roman Empire, and what they sought to achieve through their abduction of Sisko and the Defiant crew in the "The Search."

His Way Commentary. Odo spent much of the series brooding over Kira, and it seemed like he was never going make the move. As it turns out, all he really needed was a little jazz and a push from a well-intentioned lightbulb. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing bring you a commentary for "His Way" and discuss how Odo went from a square to a cool cat, how easy holograms make practice perfect, and how Vic Fontaine's premiere on the show was not only the perfect fit for DS9 but also helped the Constable break our of his shell.

Bajoran Prophecies. Life as a religious figure started for Benjamin Sisko almost the moment he arrived at the station. Coming to terms with that life took a bit longer. One of the elements that made Deep Space Nine so rich and unique was the Bajoran belief system. The writers wove elements of spirituality—or mysticism depending on your perspective—into the series in a way that requires a long view to appreciate. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss six specific Bajoran prophecies that led us from the arrival of the Federation in "Emissary" to the final showdown in the Fire Caves in "What You Leave Behind." We also explore how these prophecies eased Sisko into his role as Emissary and helped Kira, Winn, and others accept that he was, in fact, of Bajor.

Time Travel and Alternate Realities. Like all Star Trek series, Deep Space Nine has its fair share of time travel stories. Some, like "Visionary" are your standard trips through time. Others, like "Past Tense," carry strong social commentary. And still others, like "Children of Time," create alternate realities and mind-boggling paradoxes that can send you in search of the aspirin bottle if you try to make sense of them. But through it all DS9 does what it always does best—build characters. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss time travel in general and compare and contrast two specific episodes—"Visionary" and "Children of Time"—as we look at how the DS9 writers utilize one of science fiction's most popular plot devices.

Lwaxana Troi on DS9. During Deep Space Nine's first season, the writers attempted to woo fans of TNG by bringing familiar faces aboard. Picard appeared in "Emissary" while Miles and Keiko joined as regulars transferring over from the Enterprise. So far so good. But then came our beloved Q and Vash. These last two didn't quite work on DS9, and so when Lwaxana Troi, daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed, the Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, and Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed, showed up in "The Forsaken" we braced for the worst. As it turns out, however, the experiment was successful; so much so that she came back two more times. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss Mrs. Troi's appearances on DS9, what she added to the show, how she helped Odo become a more well-rounded character, and why—as it turned out—she is a character that is right at home on the station.

Looking for par'Mach In All the Wrong Places Commentary. Love is in the air aboard Deep Space 9, only it isn't between the people you might expect. Quark has eyes for his Klingon ex, Jadzia has eyes for her Klingon colleague, and Miles and Kira have… well… something neither of them really wants. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing bring you a commentary for the episode that put a Star Trek spin on a classic tale of chivalry and wit—sprinkled with a few of Cupid's misplaced arrows—and planted the seeds for so much to come in the lives of our characters—especially for Worf and Jadzia.

Waltz. Sisko and Dukat have one of the most dynamic relationships of any hero/enemy combination in Star Trek. It transcends even the obvious Starfleet-Cardassian conflict and extends into the spiritual realm. It's enough to be men on opposite sides of galactic politics—who have each commanded DS9 (or Terok Nor)—but as emissaries to opposing sides of Bajoran religion they represent the timeless battle between good and evil. Being Deep Space Nine, however, who is on which side is not always entirely clear. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing are joined by John Tenuto to discuss this relationship, how it comes to a head in the sixth-season episode "Waltz," and how the writers used the moment to wash away the grey and plant Sisko and Dukat firmly on opposing sides of the ethical, moral, and spiritual plains.

Undeveloped Stories. With Deep Space Nine's complex story arcs and extensive cast of characters it was difficult for the writers to explore every story idea they wanted. Many concepts were left on the table, ranging from a visit to Gre'thor to the return of Sito Jaxa in a follow-up to TNG's "Lower Decks." In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss eight undeveloped episodes from DS9 as well as a few others we'd like to have seen. And along the way we resist the urge to break out in song—something Ronald D. Moore once hoped to see happen aboard the station.

Aliens of Deep Space Nine. As the gateway to the Gamma Quadrant—or the Alpha Quadrant depending on where you normally hang your hat—DS9 saw countless alien races walk down its dimly-lit corridors. Some were familiar from TOS and TNG, some were new to Star Trek, and some were possibly from 1980s music videos. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss a few of the key species that turned up on the station, those that made DS9's complex storylines work, and even a few that left us simply scratching our heads. Plus, we hand out awards to recognize some of the more unique contributions to the show.

Sacrifice of Angels Commentary. What appeared to be the culmination of The Dominion War proved to simply be one of several turning points in the conflict. "Sacrifice of Angels," the culmination of a six-part arc, is about as exciting as they come. But beyond these fun superficial elements is a story a love, betrayal, and loss. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing take you through the episode with a commentary track that examines the heart of an evil man, the death of an innocent angel, and whether or not Sisko hit the reset button by seeking the help of the Prophets.

Greatest Sisko Episodes. From "Emissary" to "What You Leave Behind," Deep Space 9's commanding officer had many wonderful character moments. In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing pick some of the best that highlight the passion, drive, determination, and caring that all came together to make Benjamin Sisko a unique leader within Star Trek—to say nothing of a friend and father.