171: Columbodo

171: Columbodo

Author: TFM January 16, 2026 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 centered on a familiar face: Kira Nerys. After seeing her as a prime suspect in the killing of a shop owner named Vaatrik, Odo ultimately dismissed her involvement—in part to protect her from Gul Dukat—but never quite let go of the unsolved case. The presence of Vaatrik's widow aboard DS9 alongside the attack on Quark, together with the discovery of a list of eight Bajoran names, sets Odo into full Columbo mode. And what he ultimately uncovers may change how he sees Kira forever.

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 "Necessary Evil,"how the story brings the history of the station to life, what it says about the Kira–Odo relationship, and more.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Firsthand Occupation (00:02:38)
Full Columbo Mode (00:08:00)
Cardassian Arrogance (00:12:40)
Things Past (00:15:80)
What Makes Odo Tick (00:18:57)
One Must Always Choose a Side (00:21:28)
The Cut Scene (00:26:21)
The Early Odo-Kira Relationship (00:31:18)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:43:54)
Closing (00:46:08)

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
160: Will the Real Lwaxana Please Stand Up? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:29
"The Forsaken" 30th-anniversary reflections When the ambassadors of arrogance visit the station for a fact-finding mission, the crew's hospitality is put to the test. But no one faces a bigger challenge than Odo, who fin…
159: Imagination Station [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:15
"If Wishes Were Horses" 30th-anniversary reflections Bedtime stories are supposed to be fun, but one gets a bit too real for Molly O'Brien when the straw-spinning imp Rumpelstiltskin shows up in her room. Not the kind of…
158: Even the Birds Stayed Away [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:42
"Progress" 30th-anniversary reflections Plans by the provisional government to convert a Bajoran moon into a massive power plant sets Major Kira on a collision course with a stubborn, sweet-talking farmer who refuses to…
157: Dal'Rok Has Left the Building [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:40
"The Storyteller" 30th-anniversary reflections An uninvited guest menaces a Bajoran village and only one man can save the day: Miles O'Brien. At least that's what he has been told. There's just one problem, the solution…
156: Welcome to the Hotel California [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:50
"Battle Lines" 30th-anniversary reflections A joy ride to the Gamma Quadrant turns deadly for Kai Opaka. At least until she springs back to life. Along with Sisko, Kira, and Bashir, the spiritual leader of Bajor finds he…
155: Double Your Danger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:11
"Vortex" 30th-anniversary reflections When Miradorn twins arrive on the station and offer to sell a Tamagotchi to Quark, things get weird, and soon two become one. An alien named Croden enters and wants the item for hims…
154: All About the Greed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:25
"The Nagus" 30th-anniversary reflections Having heard that some of Quark's holosuite programs are quite alluring, Grand Nagus Zek, leader of the Ferengi Alliance, pays an unexpected visit to the station. As he shares his…
153: Down the Wrong Warp Pipe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:10
"Move Along Home" 30th-anniversary reflections First contact with a race from the Gamer Quadrant … uhm … Gamma Quadrant doesn't go quite as Sisko had hope when it turns out that they obsessed with, you guessed it, games.…
152: Dead Giveaways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:43
"The Passenger" 30th-anniversary reflections Doctor Bashir's arrogance is interrupted when the runabout Rio Grande receives a distress call from a Kobliad transport. They find a fire aboard the ship and two people in dis…
151: Who Is What and What Is Where?! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
"Dax" 30th-anniversary reflections Aliens with an uncanny knowledge of the station and its systems attempt to abduct Jadzia and take her back to Klaestron IV to stand trial. Only it's Dax they really want, and the crimes…