The Orb of Mail: When Owls and Ravens Collide / by Trek fm

Feedback Show.

Running Time: 50 minutes 53 seconds
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In each episode of The Orb we delve into the minutiae of Deep Space Nine, which generates a lot of feedback from you, our loyal listeners. When the messages start piling up, it’s time to gaze into the Orb of Mail. In this special show we share our thoughts on your thoughts and questions about past episodes. Join us as we discuss which episode is DS9’s most important, the possibility that Sisko’s penance came in “The Reckoning,” more about the IMDb fan ratings list, the post-series Deep Space Nine novels, and we explain just what’s really going on in The Orb’s opening music.

Chapters

The Origin of The Orb’s Opening Music (00:04:24)
The DS9 Post-Series Novels (00:08:32)
Revisiting the IMDb Fan Ratings (00:21:56)
Another Take on Sisko’s Penance (00:29:20)
DS9’s Most Important Episode (00:36:53)

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production

C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ruth Ward (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Associate Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

More recent episodes of The Orb…
The Orb 159: Imagination Station
The Orb 159: Imagination Station

“If Wishes Were Horses” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the story's fun veneer, the wealth of character and social commentary that lies beneath, and why Miles must be feeling like Lando Calrissian.

The Orb 158: Even the Birds Stayed Away
The Orb 158: Even the Birds Stayed Away

“Progress” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the story of a stubborn landowner continues Kira’s incredible character development and focuses the DS9 narrative on everyday people.

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.

The Orb 147: Questioning the Foundation
The Orb 147: Questioning the Foundation

“A Man Alone” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the story subverts expectations and charts new paths for Star Trek, the attempt to avoid serialization, and the choice to reverse the airing of the episode with “Past Prologue.”

The Orb 146: It’s Not Easy to Let Go
The Orb 146: It’s Not Easy to Let Go

“Past Prologue” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the introduction of Garak, ties to TNG, and how the story showers viewers in character development.

The Orb 145: Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
The Orb 145: Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of

“Emissary” 30th-anniversary reflections. We begin a 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time.

The Orb 144: How Gullible Is the Federation?
The Orb 144: How Gullible Is the Federation?

“How Gullible Is the Federation?“ We conclude our discussion of the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story of the Dominion and one of Star Trek’s most complex stories.

The Orb 143: Finding It As They Go
The Orb 143: Finding It As They Go

“Finding It As They Go.“ We discuss the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story of the Dominion and one of Star Trek’s most complex stories.

The Orb 142: In Awe of the Pylons
The Orb 142: In Awe of the Pylons

“Hear All, Trust Nothing.“ We discuss how this humorous installment in the Star Trek franchise successfully captures the feel of the richest and most serious series while also delivering plenty of laughs.

The Orb 141: What She Left Behind
The Orb 141: What She Left Behind

Remembering Louise Fletcher. We reflect on the actor who brought Kai Winn to life, how her skill in portraying the character led the DS9 story in a different direction than first planned, and why Fletcher’s Winn triggers self-reflection in so many of us.

The Orb 140: Gul Facade
The Orb 140: Gul Facade

Dukat’s “Civil Defense.” We discuss Gul Dukat within the context of the episode “Civil Defense,” including the character’s selfish nature, desire for adoration, hatred of Garak, and lust for anything that puts him on the pedestal. You have two minutes to start listening before we release the hounds!

The Orb 139: Swept Up in Revolution
The Orb 139: Swept Up in Revolution

Michael Eddington. We discuss the character from conception to conclusion as we deep dive into the mind of Eddington as he casts himself as the hero of his own story, based on his favorite book, Les Misérables.

The Orb 138: Boxes of Memorabilia
The Orb 138: Boxes of Memorabilia

Top 10 DS9 episodes. We tackle this question to which answers are very subjective. Chris and Matthew independently created their top 10 lists and did not share before the discussion. How many choices will overlap? Will their top pick be the same?

The Orb 137: A Disturbance in the Link
The Orb 137: A Disturbance in the Link

“The Search, Part II.” We discuss the introduction of the Great Link, the quiet threat of the Dominion, the slowly unfolding absurdity of the Founders’ simulation, and the importance of this episode to Odo’s character development over the course of the series.

The Orb 136: Shift in Tone
The Orb 136: Shift in Tone

“The Search, Part I.” We discuss how the arrival of a cloaked starship named Defiant, a new path for Odo, and a growing feeling of family to kick off Season 3 signaled a change which would send ripples through DS9’s storytelling.

The Orb 135: Listening for Personal Gain
The Orb 135: Listening for Personal Gain

Martus Mazer and El-Aurians. We revisit the only appearance of El-Aurians on DS9 and discuss how the original idea would have made Martus Guinan’s wayward son. We also explore the concept of El-Aurians in general and how the three we've spent time with use their skills as listeners.

The Orb 134: Coffee in the Afternoon
The Orb 134: Coffee in the Afternoon

“Armageddon Game”. We discuss the Miles/Jules relationship, the O'Brien's marriage, the original concept for the episode, and the story's warning that is even more relevant in today's world.

The Orb 133: We All Put Our Faith in Something
The Orb 133: We All Put Our Faith in Something

The Emissary’s prophecies. We discuss the events of “Rapture” as we explore the role of faith and spirituality in Deep Space Nine, Roddenberry's vision of the future and how religion has been portrayed throughout Star Trek.

The Orb 132: The Longevity of Memories
The Orb 132: The Longevity of Memories

“Blood Oath” and Trill obligations. We discuss how joined Trill cope with memories that span multiple lifetimes as well as the choice to bring back three of Kirk’s most famous Klingon antagonists and how DS9 pays homage to The Original Series.

The Orb 131: No Easy Answers
The Orb 131: No Easy Answers

The Way of the Warrior, Part 2. We discuss the insidious nature of the Changeling threat, the tough choices faced by Sisko and the Federation, how DS9 offers rich character development amid bigger storylines, Worf finding a new path for himself aboard the station.

The Orb 130: Perfect Storm of Wonderfulness
The Orb 130: Perfect Storm of Wonderfulness

The Way of the Warrior, Part 1. We discuss DS9’s fourth season premiere and what amount to a soft reboot of sorts—one that would propel the series to become what many consider the most complex and interesting installment in the franchise.