Rapture.

When Benjamin Sisko arrived at Bajor, he was told right away that he was the Emissary. He didn’t believe it. By the end of the series he did, but it took some time. The writers marked several turning points, such as “Destiny” (season three) and “Accession” (season four). But it wasn’t until the fifth season episode “Rapture” that Sisko reached the point of no return. His discovery of the lost Bajoran city of B’hala left no doubt that he was an instrument of the Prophets.

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss Sisko’s long spiritual journey, what triggered the discovery, whether or not he is violating the Prime Directive, and why he is willing to die to see the visions to the end. We also discuss whether or not the Federation is a homogenous union, Deep Space Nine’s un-Star Trek-like presentation of faith, and whether the Prophets are pulling the strings throughout “Rapture.”

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) A Moses-type Figure (00:05:56) A Homogenous Federation (00:09:09) Turning Toward a Position (00:13:02) A Technological Trigger (00:16:22) Prophet Intervention? (00:19:19) Sending Kasidy (00:23:57) Sisko Knows Bajor (00:26:37) A Violation of the Prime Directive? (00:33:01) Worf and Faith (00:40:22) Something Worth Dying For (00:44:19) Final Thoughts (00:50:49)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ruth Ward (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Associate Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) William Murray (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

By Inferno’s Light.

Beginning in season three with “The Die Is Cast,” it was revealed that the Founders were infiltrating the Alpha-Beta powers by replacing key figures. In the fifth season two-parter comprising “In Purgatory’s Shadow” and “By Inferno’s Light,” this is taken to a new level when a member of DS9’s own crew is replaced. The revelation that the Doctor Bashir with whom everyone had been interacting for a month was actually a Changeling was shocking to viewers, and it sent ripples backward on the timeline—to say nothing of what it meant for the present and future.

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss the second half of this duology, focusing on the ever-changing nature of Garak, whether or not Changeling Bashir was acting on orders or just making things up as he went, Dukat’s motivations, and whether going to warp in a solar system is really a bad thing. We also discuss the similarities between the Jem’Hadar and the Klingons, why Ikat'ika decided to play his yield, and how movie night works on Cardassia Prime. Plus, just when you think the Khitomer Accords are history, your crazy uncle Gowron drops by!

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Jem’Hadar, Klingons, and the Yield (00:03:58) Martok and Worf: Building Respect (00:11:39) The Khitomer Accords (00:13:41) Dukat’s Motivations (00:22:58) The Ever-changing Garak (00:30:53) Bashir: Grand Plan or Lone Wolf? (00:39:07) Going to Warp in a Solar System? (00:47:03) Final Thoughts (00:49:36)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ruth Ward (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Associate Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

In Purgatory’s Shadow.

Beginning in season three with “The Die Is Cast,” it was revealed that the Founders were infiltrating the Alpha-Beta powers by replacing key figures. In the fifth season two-parter comprising “In Purgatory’s Shadow” and “By Inferno’s Light,” this is taken to a new level when a member of DS9’s own crew is replaced. The revelation that the Doctor Bashir with whom everyone had been interacting for a month was actually a Changeling was shocking to viewers, and it sent ripples backward on the timeline—to say nothing of what it meant for the present and future.

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss the first half of this duology, focusing primarily on character stories. Does Dukat really care about the safety of Ziyal? Why does Ziyal love Garak? Why can’t Worf just download new copies of his operas from Qo'noS Music? And, of course, we delve deep into the motivations of the Dominion in aligning with Cardassia and the replacement of Doctor Bashir.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Why the Cardassians? (00:03:27) Does Dukat Love Ziyal? (00:10:50) Why Does Ziyal Love Garak? (00:16:30) The Internment Camp (00:23:21) Garak, Worf, Jadzia … and Qo'noS Music (00:26:23) Replacing Bashir (00:32:24)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ruth Ward (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Associate Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Defiant Commentary.

What happens when William Riker drops by to check out Sisko’s new toy? We don’t know, because that didn’t happen. But when his transporter-created twin Tom drops by, that toy goes missing.

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing bring you a commentary for the third-season episode “Defiant,” which provides a sequel or sorts for TNG’s “Second Chances.” Airing just 18 months after we first met Thomas Riker and just three days after Generations premiered in theaters, this DS9 episode effectively pulled the wool over the eyes of fans in first run. Join us with or without your TV as we discuss Riker’s motives, Kira’s needs, and Dukat’s self-absorption.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Commentary Start (00:03:30) Final Thoughts/Closing (00:50:22)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ruth Ward (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Associate Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Feedback Show.

In each episode of The Orb we delve into the minutiae of Deep

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Worf’s Journey to DS9, Part 4: Nemesis.

When it was announced that Michael Dorn would join the cast of

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew

Okay, there’s more than one, but does Worf really need to be

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Worf’s Journey to DS9, Part 3: Insurrection.

When it was announced that Michael Dorn would join the cast of

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew

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Worf’s Journey to DS9, Part 2: First Contact.

When it was announced that Michael Dorn would join the cast of

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew

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Worf’s Journey to DS9, Part 1: TNG and Generations.

When it was announced that Michael Dorn would join the cast of

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew

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Essential DS9, Season One.

The episodic television format has its strengths and weaknesses. The advantage is that the viewer can tune into just about any episode, any time, and enjoy it without having to know what happened in previous installments. The downside is that it’s harder to build momentum with self-contained episodes. That means that some episodes will shine, while others will fall into the shadows.

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing join our sister shows Standard Orbit and To The Journey in determining which episodes of Star Trek are required viewing … this time for Deep Space Nine, a series that—more than any other—builds upon itself story after story. One by one, we discuss each episode to determine if it’s truly essential to the DS9 storyline or something you can skip without worry.

ChaptersChoosing the Essentials (00:03:00) Emissary (00:04:20) Past Prologue (00:06:25) A Man Alone (00:08:48) Babel (00:14:29) Captive Pursuit (00:15:34) Q-Less (00:20:48) Dax (00:24:11) The Passenger (00:25:57) Move Along Home (00:26:57) The Nagus (00:28:11) Vortex (00:30:33) Battle Lines (00:34:52) The Storyteller (00:37:05) Progress (00:40:46) If Wishes Were Horses (00:43:05) The Forsaken (00:44:13) Dramatis Personae (00:47:08) Duet (00:48:11) In the Hands of the Prophets (00:50:10) Recap (00:54:04)

HostsC Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

ProductionC Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ruth Ward (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Associate Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)