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: 50

The Orb: A Star Trek Deep Space Nine Podcast
Podcast Episodes
150: Like Oil and Water [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:50
"Q-Less" 30th-anniversary reflections The arrival of Vash, whom Dax found in the Gamma Quadrant, brings incredible profit potential to Quark, but great danger to the station. Tagging along with her is none other than Q,…
149: The Most Dangerous Game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:40
"Captive Pursuit" 30th-anniversary reflections The arrival of an alien from the Gamma Quadrant puts Chief O'Brien at the center of first contact when Tosk, as the reptilian calls itself, requires ship repair. As the myst…
148: Miles and Miles of Sass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:58
"Babel" 30th-anniversary reflections When lazy Chief O'Brien gets a hankering for a cup of coffee and triggers a booby trap left behind from the Cardassian Occupation, the crew and residents of Deep Space 9 begin losing…
147: Questioning the Foundation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:25
"A Man Alone" 30th-anniversary reflections When a man is murdered aboard the station, Odo becomes the prime suspect. Kira is certain he couldn't have done it, but Sisko is not so sure. Odo sees that he is being framed, b…
146: It's Not Easy to Let Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:35
"Past Prologue" 30th-anniversary reflections As the Federation begins to settle into its presence aboard the former Cardassian station, now dubbed Deep Space Nine, the arrival of a former Bajoran freedom fighter named Ta…
145: Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:02
"Emissary" 30th-anniversary reflections Commence station log. When Deep Space Nine premiered on January 3, 1993, it marked an unprecedented moment for Star Trek. Not only did Gene Roddenberry capture lightning in a bottl…
144: How Gullible Is the Federation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
Dominion Breadcrumbs, Part 2. While Deep Space Nine may be best known for the Dominion War, getting to that storyline was a gradual process for the writers. After the Gamma Quadrant's imperial force was finally revealed…
143: Finding It As They Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:02
Dominion Breadcrumbs, Part 1. While Deep Space Nine may be best known for the Dominion War, getting to that story line was a gradual process for the writers. Before its full-on introduction in the Season 2 finale "The Je…
142: In Awe of the Pylons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:15
"Hear All, Trust Nothing" It's been more than 23 years since we watched Kira Nerys and Jake Sisko stare out of the window at the wormhole, wondering when Benajmin Sisko would come back. And while the Emissary has yet to…
141: What She Left Behind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:22
Remembering Louise Fletcher Few characters in Star Trek elicit such a visceral reaction from fans than Winn Adami. Introduced as a Vedek, she was later chosen as kai—the first elected after the end of the Cardassian Occu…