Is this episode a nuanced tale of political intrigue or b-b-b-boring?  Or both?  Andy sings the praises of Louise Fletcher’s villain who makes Nurse Ratched seem palatable, the boys debate Vedek Bareil’s pecs.  

[Episode discussion begins around 50:00ish]

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It's a trip back to Mirror Town, and one of our hosts loves it and one hates it! But will they be replaced by a reverse version of themselves by the end? Also: what does it take to kill a goo man?

[Episode discussion begins 1:05ish]

A tour de force from recurring character Garak in bizarrely play-like long scenes hooks Andy and Matt, as Mr. Fasc-tastic (Mr. Fascistastic? Mr. Fascistic?) Odo checks the cameras he's hidden all around DS9.

[Episode discussion begins around  58:00, takes a Letterman detour, then actually begins at 1:06ish]

The second part of this Maquis de Sade-centric two-parter, one of the few Treks to follow the possible Best of Both Worlds/Godfather II template of 2 being better than 1.  To Andy's shock, Odo show the Mr. Fantastic powers he always assumed he was hiding, and Dukat starts to live up to his (future) legend.  

[Episode discussion begins around 1:00ish]

Is Bernie Casey a badmiral or a badactor?  Or neither?  And Dax is dating a Ferengi offscreen - is it Quark, who we are led to believe is making a turn from creep to charmer?  Meanwhile, Matt has HAD it with the Maquis.  Even though this is their first episode.  

[Episode discussion start 1:08ish]

Jadzia gets tangled in a Klingon plot with bat'leths and convos about honor galore and Andy loves it!  Matt, predictably, feels otherwise.  Also predictably: Trill Talk!™

[Episode discussion begins around 1:15ish]

Quark falls in love with a Cardassian and Andy tries to give Susan from SEINFELD her due.

[Episode discussion begins around 1:25ish]

Jadzia Dax looks back on Jadzia's experiences, while Jadzia wonders what Curzon Dax was thinking - or is it Jadzia Dax that's wondering what Dax was thinking?  Also, a mini-universe, dead vole puppets, and Jake tries to get with a Dabo girl/woman.

[Episode discussion begins around 52 minutes in]

Get ready for some hot wormhole action as Kira gets busy with a classic weird Trek "handsome man," Dax fixates on another tech monolith but doesn't immediately beam this one up, while Matt and Andy debate if Odo is connecting with an imaginary friend.

[Episode discussion begins around 1:02]

Sisko gets boxed, O'Brien goes Rambo, DS9 introduces us to another loathsome class A psycho fanatic, Matt tries to avoid eviction, and Andy engages in the longest vamp ever.

[VAMP WARNING: Technically the episode discussion begins around 1:03, but at 1:05ish Andy begins the LONGEST VAMP EVER, and when it finally ends, Matt discusses his landlord meltdown, so the episode discussion doesn't begin in earnest until 1:17ish]

This month, as requested, Matt and Andy will be adding a little Christmas bonus in the TNC Patreon stocking with a commentary episode on THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL!

www.patreon.com/startrektnc