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“Whispers” 30th-anniversary reflections When Chief O’Brien returns from a security briefing on Parada, he finds everyone on the station acting strangely toward him. Keiko and Molly pull away, Bashir insists on an unscheduled physical, and his own repair assignments seem designed to keep him out of the loop. The more he investigates, the more it looks like a conspiracy has taken over Deep Space 9—until he flees the station and uncovers a truth he never suspected. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Whispers,” the effective simplicity of the story, and how it all hinges on nuanced acting and consistent character-building. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Bad Luck O’Brien (00:02:28) Replicating Miles (00:07:57) Rewatch Value (00:12:27) Consistent Character (00:16:53) Missing Pieces? (00:20:55) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:24:25) Closing (00:27:09) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Armageddon Game” 30th-anniversary reflections Sometimes, a good cup of coffee can save the day. It sure does for Miles O'Brien and Julian Bashir when a mission to help two formerly warring civilizations destroy their stockpiles of deadly weapons goes awry. Taking no chances, Kellerun soldiers storm the lab and massacre the science team the moment the last weapon is neutralized. And while Miles and Julian escape, they are reported dead to Deep Space 9. It's only when Keiko notices on security footage that her husband is drinking coffee in the afternoon—something she believes he never does—that Sisko mounts a mission to find out what is really going on and ultimately rescues his officers. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Armageddon Game,” how it brings Miles and Julian together for their first real buddy adventure, how Keiko saves the day, spiky hair, and more. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) A Miles and Jules Joint (00:03:09) Almost Dax (00:11:01) Keiko's Hunch (00:17:42) Kill All the Scientists (00:23:25) The Original Concept (00:29:44) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:33:05) Closing (00:37:37) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“The Alternate” 30th-anniversary reflections When the Bajoran scientist who first studied Odo—and whose hairstyle the changeling unconsciously adopted—arrives at Deep Space 9 with a potential clue to his origins, their reunion is anything but warm. Dr. Mora Pol's patronizing manner rekindles old resentments, even as his discovery drives them together through the wormhole to investigate a planet in the Gamma Quadrant. What they bring back threatens the station: a mysterious silicate-based life-form that escapes its containment and begins attacking crew members in the night. As Odo leads the investigation, the evidence points in a direction no one anticipated—and the truth forces him to confront the scientist who shaped him, in more ways than one. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “The Alternate,” how the story fills in Odo's background, explores parent-child relationship, plants seeds for the Dominion, and more. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Literally Malleable (00:02:53) Communication through Mirroring (00:06:31) Father and Son (00:10:34) The Original Concept (00:18:02) Jekyll and Hyde (00:24:19) More Dominion Breadcrumbs (00:26:20) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:32:01) Closing (00:34:43) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Rivals” 30th-anniversary reflections War isn’t always fought with phasers. Sometimes the weapons of choice are drinks, dabo tables, and an extra dose of charm. That's how El-Aurian Martus Mazur sees it. Being a listener also helps. As a rival to Quark, Martus gives DS9 residents and visitors an alternative way to be bamboozled. But this isn't the only rivalry brewing on the station; Miles O'Brien and Julian Bashir have their own battle going on the space racquetball court. With strange things happening all around, the outcome of it all may just come down to the laws of probability. Let's just hope no sperm whales or bowls of petunias are harmed in the process. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Rivals,” how casting impacted the final results, the surprise guest who wasn't, what the story does for the Miles–Julian relationship, and more. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Highly Improbable Filler (00:02:57) Guinan's Wayward Son (00:07:24) Is the Story Rewatchable? (00:11:03) The Martus Problem (00:17:26) The Better Listener (00:20:58) Miles and Julian (00:23:03) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:26:52) Closing (00:28:58) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Sanctuary” 30th-anniversary reflections When a group of refugees from the Gamma Quadrant come through the wormhole, Sisko naturally extends Federation hospitality. These aliens, the Skrreeans, flew through what they call the Eye of the Universe in search of their fabled homeworld, Kentanna. According to their sacred texts, Kentanna was a place where they would plant seeds of joy. There's just one problem; the planet turns out to be Bajor. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Sanctuary,” the story's Dominion connections and social commentary on cultural concerns and immigration that remains relevant three decades later. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Cultural Communication (00:02:41) Story Origins (00:06:29) Immigration Policy (00:13:21) Cultural Concerns (00:20:44) Reassessing Bashir (00:21:16) Dominion Breadcrumbs (00:29:30) Creepy Makeup (00:31:29) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:33:53) Closing (00:36:57) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Second Sight” 30th-anniversary reflections On the anniversary of the Battle of Wolf 359, Benjamin Sisko finds himself surprised that such an important date could almost slip by. Four years have passed since he lost his wife, and life without her is becoming routine. That may be why he is open to the possibility of a relationship with someone else when he encounters a beautiful woman on the Promenade. But smiles give way to puzzlement when the woman keeps disappearing. And when she turns out to be the wife of a visiting scientist, things get really awkward. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Second Sight,”how the episode humanizes Sisko, casting saves a forgettable story, and more. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Time Heals All Wounds (00:02:42) Story Origins (00:06:29) Station (and Life) Matters (00:10:14) Humanizing Sisko (00:14:41) Reassessing Bashir (00:21:16) The Lady in Red (00:23:34) Saving a Forgettable Episode (00:26:47) The SF Premise (00:32:34) GENESIS!!! (00:35:00) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:41:04) Closing (00:44:15) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Necessary Evil” 30th-anniversary reflections When someone attempts to kill Quark, Odo starts down a path that leads him to reopen a five-year-old murder investigation. Dating back to the days of Terok Nor, that mystery centered on a familiar face: Kira Nerys. After seeing her as a prime suspect in the killing of a shop owner named Vaatrik, Odo ultimately dismissed her involvement—in part to protect her from Gul Dukat—but never quite let go of the unsolved case. The presence of Vaatrik's widow aboard DS9 alongside the attack on Quark, together with the discovery of a list of eight Bajoran names, sets Odo into full Columbo mode. And what he ultimately uncovers may change how he sees Kira forever. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Necessary Evil,”how the story brings the history of the station to life, what it says about the Kira–Odo relationship, and more. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Firsthand Occupation (00:02:38) Full Columbo Mode (00:08:00) Cardassian Arrogance (00:12:40) Things Past (00:15:80) What Makes Odo Tick (00:18:57) One Must Always Choose a Side (00:21:28) The Cut Scene (00:26:21) The Early Odo-Kira Relationship (00:31:18) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:43:54) Closing (00:46:08) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Rules of Acquisition” 30th-anniversary reflections Word is there’s profit o’ plenty in the Gamma Quadrant, and the Grand Nagus wants a piece of it. And who better to send as chief negotiator than Quark? But never forget the 48th Rule of Acquisition: “The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.” Quark’s new waiter, Pel, thinks Zek is setting him up to take the blame if a deal for the totally reasonable ask of 100,000 vats of tulaberry wine falls through. Thankfully for Quark, he won’t be alone at the table, because Pel turns out to be more than a waiter. He’s a skilled entrepreneur. And a she. Despite their combined negotiating prowess, Quark and Pel return without the wine. But they aren’t entirely empty-handed. They have the memory of an awkward kiss and information about some group called The Dominion. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Rules of Acquisition,”what the story says about identity, how it sets up The Dominion, and how DS9 makes the Ferengi matter. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Making the Ferengi Matter (00:03:31) Finding Common Ground (00:10:33) Hiding Your Identity (00:15:45) Originally a TNG Story (00:21:26) A Rom Regression? (00:25:38) Dominion Breadcrumbs (00:27:54) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:43:54) Closing (00:46:08) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Melora” 30th-anniversary reflections Doctor Bashir and Chief O’Brien prepare for the arrival of a new cartographer, Ensign Melora Pazlar. She is the first Elaysian to join Starfleet. Why? Her homeworld has low gravity, which makes it difficult for her people to function in environments common to Starfleet operations. She generally must use a wheelchair to move around, and Bashir has modified a special one for her to use while aboard Deep Space 9. When he and Melora start to fall for one another, Bashir begins searching for a treatment that could allow her to walk. But there’s a catch: she would never be able to return to her homeworld for more than a short visit. Meanwhile, some other stuff is happening with Quark. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Melora,”what the story says about challenges and limitations, becoming comfortable with yourself, and how the character connects to the original concept for the series. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Part of the Original Series Concept (00:03:50) We All Have Limitations (00:10:56) Firsthand Experience Matters (00:12:50) The Melora Problem (00:19:53) Becoming Comfortable with Yourself (00:25:00) Not Your Doctor Anymore (Still Your Doctor) (00:29:51) Manatee Idea Balls B-Story (00:36:12) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:43:04) Closing (00:48:26) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Cardassians” 30th-anniversary reflections A biting boy in the replimat presents a mystery that leaves Garak’s arm in pain and puts the tailor’s suspected spy skills to the test. Teaming up with Bashir, he helps uncover the background behind this young Cardassian wearing a Bajoran earring. The boy turns out to be an orphan, left behind after the Occupation and adopted by a Bajoran family. But there is much more to the story than it first seems, and when it is discovered that the boy is actually the son of one of Gul Dukat’s opponents, Sisko’s decision to allow him to remain on Bajor or be returned to his father becomes all the more difficult. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Cardassians,”how the story expands the rich world created for the series, the return of Garak, and the difficult questions around culture and identity. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Plain Simple Garak (00:03:40) Complex Cardassians (00:10:30) Impacting the Innocent (00:17:34) All in the Family (00:22:08) Oversimplifying Issues? (00:25:32) Culture and Identity (00:27:12) Misguided Assumptions (00:35:06) A Father’s Choice (00:42:03) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:47:48) Closing (00:52:37) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Invasive Procedures” 30th-anniversary reflections With the station all but abandoned due to a plasma storm, a skeleton crew of Sisko, Kira, Jadzia, Bashir, Odo, O’Brien, and Quark are easily overpowered by an unjoined Trill hell-bent on sticking the Dax symbiont in his belly. This feeble man named Verad feels that he has been condemned to a life of mediocrity because he wasn’t chosen for joining. If he could only have a symbiont of his own, all would be well, and his girlfriend would especially love him. Doing his research, he found that Dax was the ideal match, and so he has come to the station with the help of Klingon mercenaries to take what he thinks is rightfully his. He almost succeeds, but made one fatal mistake: “never call me Benjamin.” In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Invasive Procedures”how the intimate story sheds light on Trill society and the relationship between symbiont and host. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) A Dark and Stormy Night (00:03:23) An Intimate Story (00:07:13) Verad's Motivations (00:12:18) World-Building Trill Style (00:18:29) Characters On and Off Target (00:28:01) Quark Consequences (00:33:10) Tuvok Alert! (00:36:29) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:28) Closing (00:43:02) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“The Siege” 30th-anniversary reflections With civilians evacuated, Sisko, Li Nalas, and the station’s crew prepare for the arrival of the Bajoran militia and their Vidal Sassoon salon-perfect hair. Missing from the gang are Kira and Dax, who have gone to the Bajoran moon Luna V to ask the local palukoo spider-dogs if they can borrow an abandoned raider from the days of the Occupation. They plan to crash the Chamber of Ministers and reveal evidence that the Cardassians are supplying The Circle with weapons. General Krim and his sidekick, Colonel Day, easily succumb to the crew’s guerrilla tactics and hand the station back over to Sisko. But things don’t turn out so rosy for the Navarch. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “The Siege,”Li Nalas's fate, what the story has to say about family and community, and how Trek's first TV trilogy ends. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Sisko's Stand (00:02:36) Community Connections (00:06:51) Jake and Nog (00:10:05) Family (00:13:16) Kira, Dax, and the Spider-Dogs (00:19:57) Soft and Naive? (00:25:31) Navarch No More (00:31:53) Was It a Good Threesome? (00:38:11) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:42:16) Closing (00:46:15) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“The Circle” 30th-anniversary reflections The plans of the Bajoran group known as The Circle become clear thanks to an unexpected source—Quark—who has been newly christened Odo’s number-one deputy (Quark’s words). The group is being supplied with weapons by another unexpected source, the Cardassians. Who’s running The Circle? Well, that’s also a bit unexpected. But one thing that is clear from the start is that Vedek Bareil has the hots for Kira. It’s all setup in the middle part of Star Trek’s first three-parter. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “The Circle,” how the Kira/Jaro story mirrors the start of Season 1, the timeless commentary, our fondness for middle stories, and Vedek Bareil's disturbing gaze. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Timeless Commentary (00:02:41)  Blinded by the Light (00:06:20) Mirroring Season 1 Kira (00:09:53) Major Bye Bye? (00:13:46) Counting on Quark (00:16:29) Bareil's Gaze (00:20:50) Winn and Jaro Got It Goin' On (00:28:26) A Fondness for Middle Stories (00:32:39) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:36:58) Closing (00:54:20) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“The Homecoming” 30th-anniversary reflections Life on the station seems to be back to normal as we head into Season 2. People are enjoying dabo. Quark is up to something. Odo is investigating. Jake has a date. But things quickly go sideways with the arrival of an earring. Recognizing a legendary resistance fighter’s insignia on the jewelry, Kira leads a mission to retrieve him from a Cardassian prison camp, potentially starting a war in the process. Thankfully, Gul Dukat prefers to cover his butt rather than start shooting. Factions on Bajor, however, have less peaceful intentions as they first tag the station walls before moving on to Quark’s head. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we jump into Season 2 as we discuss “The Homecoming” and how this story of Bajoran isolationism transforms storytelling in Star Trek and rings true three decades after it aired. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) A New Style of Storytelling (00:02:55) Remembering the Mission (00:07:49) An Enduring Relevance (00:15:36) The Danger of Isolationism (00:19:37) Originally a TNG Story (00:26:38) Full-Throttle Kira (00:30:36) Character Matters (00:33:39) Dangling Threads (00:43:48) A Telling Twist (00:46:52) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:51:21) Closing (00:54:20) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“In the Hand of the Prophets” 30th-anniversary reflections When Keiko O'Brien decides to teach the children aboard DS9 about the Bajoran wormhole, she takes a scientific approach. Word soon reaches the planet and Vedek Winn is having none of it. The religious leader sees Federation influence and its secular teachings as a threat to her people’s beliefs. Seeing a chance to exert influence on the station and advance her own standing in the upcoming selection of a new Kai, she hatches a plan to assassinate a fellow Vedek and turn the tide of opinion against the Federation. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we wrap up Season 1 as we discuss “In the Hands of the Prophets” and how the story bookends the pilot while setting the series on course for its destiny of richly intricate serialized storytelling. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Bookending Emissary (00:02:40) Science vs. Religion (00:07:35) Going Where No Star Trek Has Gone Before (00:16:44) Room for ALL Philosophies? (00:20:19) Louise Fletcher Nails Winn (00:26:16) Broadening Star Trek (00:31:36) Would the Real DS9 Please Stand Up? (00:41:36) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:42:49) Closing (00:47:39) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)