“Q-Less” 30th-anniversary reflections.
Running Time: 41 minutes 50 seconds
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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, seemingly there to deliver his usual brand of havoc. He doesn't hit it off well with Sisko, and that might be why he is blamed for the mysterious graviton pulses that threaten to tear the station apart. Only it turns out that the danger comes not from Q but rather a baby alien being auctioned off by new business partners Quark and Vash—a realization that comes just in time.
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, “Q-Less,” 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.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
The Original Premise (00:03:06)
Vash and Quark: The Perfect Pairing? (00:08:31)
She's Got Julian's Attention (00:10:07)
A Deeper Purpose for Q? (00:12:42)
Like Oil and Water (00:17:47)
The Unethical Collector (00:24:52)
A Logical Explanation (00:28:12)
Welcome to Robert Hewitt Wolfe! (00:29:58)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:33:26)
Closing (00:36:54)
Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing
Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)
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“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.
“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.
“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 Nagus” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the resetting the Ferengi, subtle morality, the importance of fathers, and more.
“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 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.
“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.
“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.