168: A Father's Choice

168: A Father's Choice

Author: TFM June 14, 2025 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 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)


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…