“The Circle” 30th-anniversary reflections.

Running Time: 46 minutes 38 seconds
Download / RSS / Send us a message / Discuss the show / Support Trek.fm
The plans of the Bajoran group known as The Circle become clear thanks to an unexpected source—Quark—who has been newly christened Odo’s number-one deputy (Quark’s words). The group is being supplied with weapons by another unexpected source, the Cardassians. Who’s running The Circle? Well, that’s also a bit unexpected. But one thing that is clear from the start is that Vedek Bareil has the hots for Kira. It’s all setup in the middle part of Star Trek’s first three-parter.
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 “The Circle,” how the Kira/Jaro story mirrors the start of Season 1, the timeless commentary, our fondness for middle stories, and Vedek Bareil's disturbing gaze.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Timeless Commentary (00:02:41)
Blinded by the Light (00:06:20)
Mirroring Season 1 Kira (00:09:53)
Major Bye Bye? (00:13:46)
Counting on Quark (00:16:29)
Bareil's Gaze (00:20:50)
Winn and Jaro Got It Goin' On (00:28:26)
A Fondness for Middle Stories (00:32:39)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:36:58)
Closing (00:42:47)
Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing
Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)
“The Circle” 30th-anniversary reflections. We jump into Season 2 as we discuss how the Kira/Jaro story mirrors the start of Season 1, the timeless commentary, our fondness for middle stories, and Vedek Bareil's disturbing gaze.
“The Homecoming” 30th-anniversary reflections. We jump into Season 2 as we discuss how this story of Bajoran isolationism transforms storytelling in Star Trek and rings true three decades after it aired.
“In the Hands of the Prophets” 30th-anniversary reflections. We close out Season 1 by discussing how the story bookends the pilot while setting the series on course for its destiny of richly intricate serialized storytelling.
“Duet” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how a story pitched by interns to save budget broke the dam and unleashed the potential of the young series.
Dramatis Personae ” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the writers put a distinctly DS9 twist on a TNG premise to deliver masterful character development.
“The Forsaken” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the writers put a distinctly DS9 twist on a TNG premise to deliver masterful character development.
“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.
“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 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.