The Orb 132: The Longevity of Memories / by Trek fm

“Blood Oath” and Trill obligations

Running Time: 48 minutes 16 seconds
Download / RSS / Send us a message / Discuss the show / Support Trek.fm

A struggle with past lives is something all Trill must face. How much a joined Trill owes to past hosts is an ongoing question that is addressed from time to time in Deep Space Nine. In the second-season episode “Blood Oath,” Dax comes face to face with three old friends—the Klingon warriors Kor, Koloth, and Kang—and feels an obligation to uphold a promise made 80 years earlier. Only the person who must carry out the actions is not Curzon but rather Jadzia, and this puts her at odds with Commander Sisko and her duty as a Starfleet officer.

In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing explore “Blood Oath” and what it says about how joined Trill cope with memories that span multiple lifetimes. Does a Trill have an obligation to uphold promises made by past hosts? How much of the choice falls on the current host and how much on the symbiont? We also discuss the choice to bring back three of Kirk’s most famous Klingon antagonists, as well as the original actors, and how DS9 pays homage to The Original Series.

Chapters

Intro (00:00:00)
Jadzia’s Decision (00:02:47)
Connected to Past Lives (00:08:54)
Two Paths, One Dax (00:13:12)
Symbiont Obligations (00:16:05)
The Return of Kor, Kang, and Koloth (00:20:25)
Times Change (00:28:48)
Jadzia the Counselor (00:31:17)
Seeking Kira’s Advice (00:35:30)
Final Thoughts (00:40:05)
Closing (00:40:44)

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production

C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

More recent episodes of The Orb…
The Orb 157: Dal’Rok Has Left the Building
The Orb 157: Dal’Rok Has Left the Building

“The Storyteller” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how a long-dismissed idea finally found a home on DS9, the search for Bajoran identity, and what the story has to say about the importance of fathers and the power of collective belief.

The Orb 156: Welcome to the Hotel California
The Orb 156: Welcome to the Hotel California

“Battle Lines” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how Opaka’s new calling changes not only her life but also Kira’s, why it was necessary to remove Opaka from her role on Bajor, what the story says about conflict, punishment, and redemption, and more.

The Orb 155: Double Your Danger
The Orb 155: Double Your Danger

“Vortex” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss revelations about Odo's people and how the story sets up the Dominion and why it's important to always keep an extra glass around.

The Orb 154: All About the Greed
The Orb 154: All About the Greed

“The Nagus” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the resetting the Ferengi, subtle morality, the importance of fathers, and more.

The Orb 153: Down the Wrong Warp Pipe
The Orb 153: Down the Wrong Warp Pipe

“Move Along Home” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the Wadi, whether budget was really the problem, why the crew should have played more Legend of Zelda, and more. Shap 6!

The Orb 152: Dead Giveaways
The Orb 152: Dead Giveaways

“The Passenger” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how it works as a Bashir story, the introduction of Primmin, the Odo connection, the original concept, and more.

The Orb 151: Who Is What and What Is Where?!
The Orb 151: Who Is What and What Is Where?!

“Dax” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the complex matter of where the line between host and symbiont begins and ends, how the story helps build the mythos of the Trill, some potential inspiration from Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, and much more.

The Orb 150: Like Oil and Water
The Orb 150: Like Oil and Water

“Q-Less” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the appearance of John de Lancie’s fan favorite on DS9, the original premise compared with what we got, why it does (and doesn’t) make sense, and how the story makes more sense if you shift how you look at it.

The Orb 149: The Most Dangerous Game
The Orb 149: The Most Dangerous Game

“Captive Pursuit” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the first visit by an alien from the Gamma Quadrant and how the story challenges the idea of IDIC and Starfleet’s rule of non-interference.

The Orb 148: Miles and Miles of Sass
The Orb 148: Miles and Miles of Sass

“Babel” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the story long kicked around for The Next Generation found a home on DS9, how it sets the series apart from its predecessor, and how it tests the limits of the Star Trek formula.