167: World-Building through Worm-Building

167: World-Building through Worm-Building

Author: TFM May 5, 2025 Duration: 46:33

"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)


For nearly a decade, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing have been guiding listeners through the intricate universe of The Orb: A Star Trek Deep Space Nine Podcast. This isn't a general Star Trek show; it's a deep, sustained focus on the station at the edge of the final frontier. For years, the conversation revolved around the finer details and hidden layers of DS9's rich narrative. Now, marking a significant milestone, the podcast has embarked on a fresh journey. Starting in January 2023, the hosts launched a comprehensive 30th-anniversary retrospective, a project designed to revisit the entire series from the very beginning. Each episode of the television show becomes the subject of its own discussion, creating a methodical and celebratory walk through what many consider the franchise's most complex chapter. You'll hear thoughtful analysis, personal reflections on decades of fandom, and a clear appreciation for how the show's themes continue to resonate. It's a perfect time to join this long-running podcast, whether you're a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, as it systematically unpacks the story of Emissary Sisko, the Bajoran wormhole, and the lasting impact of a station that was much more than a setting-it was a character itself. TFM's dedication ensures this remains the definitive audio companion for all things Deep Space Nine.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Orb: A Star Trek Deep Space Nine Podcast
Podcast Episodes
171: Columbodo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:38
"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…
170: Secret Latinum Man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
"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…
169: Defying Gravity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:03
"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,…
168: A Father's Choice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:33
"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…
166: Off the Hook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:41
"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…
165: A Warm Wind Blowing in from Minicoy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:38
"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 gr…
164: We Don't Need No Galacticization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:08
"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…
163: Neither Enemy Nor Devil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:23
"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 W…
162: Pliable Truths [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:53
"Duet" 30th-anniversary reflections When a Cardassian named Marritza arrives seeking medical help, Kira claims he is the notorious Gul Darhe'el and wants to punish him for his war crimes. But this case of possible mistak…
161: You Told Me This Story This Morning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:00
"Dramatis Personae" 30th-anniversary reflections A Klingon survey ship returning from the Gamma Quadrant brings back something unexpected: drama! A telepathic virus has infected the crew and led them to revolt. How do we…