The Orb 70: The Reality of the Mind / by Trek fm

The Final Chapter, Part 7 of 9: Extreme Measures.

Running Time: 1 hour 1 minute 21 seconds
Download / RSS / Send us a message / Discuss the show / Support Trek.fm

With the end of the DS9 story looming and the Alpha Quadrant swirling with chaos, the writers gave us a chance to catch our breath with a surprisingly positioned bottle show. With so many threads left to tie up, it would have been a shame not to revisit the bromance between Bashir and O'Brien and the shadowy activities of Section 31 for a final time. Essentially a standalone tale, this journey into the mind of Sloan still connects well with the overall arc and provides a turn of events essential to the Federation's victory in the war.

In this episode of The Orb hosts Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our series of shows that will take you through the entire nine-part, ten-hour Deep Space Nine finale with the seventh episode in the story, "Extreme Measures." We discuss the ethics of Bashir's plan to find a cure of the morphogenic virus, the grey nature of Section 31 and their conviction that what they do is for the good of the Federation, the importance of having others in our lives and the regrets of past choices, and why Miles and Jules are the best male friendship in Star Trek.

Chapters

Ethics and The Plan (5:40)
Perspectives: Two Sides, One Federation (19:16)
The Reality of the Mind (27:10)
Miles, Jules, and the Importance of Others (40:43)
Final Thoughts (46:27)
Closing (49:48)

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) William Murray (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

More recent episodes of The Orb…
The Orb 125: Create Your Own Truth
The Orb 125: Create Your Own Truth

Mob Mentality and “A Man Alone.”. We discuss mob mentality and “A Man Alone” within the context of social media and the troubling state of discourse in today’s world.

The Orb 124: Ferengi for the Win
The Orb 124: Ferengi for the Win

The Mirror Universe, Part 5: The Emperor’s New Cloak. We explore DS9’s final trip to the Mirror Universe, including the choice to center the story on the Ferengi and how the DS9 writers added texture and nuance to the mirror.

The Orb 123: In a Mirror, Reversed
The Orb 123: In a Mirror, Reversed

The Mirror Universe, Part 4: Resurrection. We explore DS9’s fourth trip to the Mirror Universe, including how the reversal of the mirror reflects on our own struggles and why this Kira story isn’t really about Kira.

The Orb 122: An Evilish Tint
The Orb 122: An Evilish Tint

The Mirror Universe, Part 3: Shattered Mirror. We explore DS9's third trip to the Mirror Universe, including the Sisko family connection and whether these are simply playful jaunts or chances to further develop the DS9 story.

The Orb 121: A Totally Different Type of Normal
The Orb 121: A Totally Different Type of Normal

The Mirror Universe, Part 2: Through the Looking Glass. We explore DS9's second trip to the Mirror Universe, including parallels with Discovery, character differences, and why this could be called Star Trek: A Star Wars Story.

The Orb 120: The Ultimate in Narcissism
The Orb 120: The Ultimate in Narcissism

The Mirror Universe, Part 1: Crossover. We explore how DS9 took a seed planted by TOS and breathed life into the Mirror Universe, a place that we now consider an integral part of Star Trek.

The Orb 119: The Other Side of the Glass
The Orb 119: The Other Side of the Glass

DS9 25th Anniversary. We look back at the series we love in a casual chat about why it has come to be our favorite Star Trek, how it opened up the full world of Gene’s vision, and why it has stood the test of time.

The Orb 118: Devilishly Smart
The Orb 118: Devilishly Smart

Rom. When we first met him in “Emissary,” Rom was just another Ferengi; but that quickly changed. We explore how he became one of DS9’s unexpected standouts and key characters.

The Orb 117: A Flashpan Love Affair
The Orb 117: A Flashpan Love Affair

Natima Lang. We focus on the Cardassian professor and dissident who appeared in the second-season episode “Profit and Loss,” and how she influenced Quark and Garak.

The Orb 116: Untitled Bashir
The Orb 116: Untitled Bashir

Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges Commentary. We discuss what happens to the rule of law when nations go to war, as Bashir is once again tapped by Section 31.

The Orb 115: Kind of Like a Jazzcat
The Orb 115: Kind of Like a Jazzcat

Music and DS9. We take a look at the show’s music, why Star Trek rarely uses pop, why jazz fits the series so well, and what it could be like if today’s artists replaced the jazz.

The Orb 114: Life Is Way Bigger Than 140 Characters
The Orb 114: Life Is Way Bigger Than 140 Characters

Past Tense, Part II. We conclude our look at this two-part story, discussing how B.C., Vin, and Sisko reflect the realities of our society, anger vs. reason, and more.

The Orb 113: Path through Hell
The Orb 113: Path through Hell

Past Tense, Part I. In Star Trek’s 2024, America has tucked away undesirables in Sanctuary Districts. We dive into the first part of this glimpse at the humanity’s difficult road to Gene’s future.

The Orb 112: The Goodmiral
The Orb 112: The Goodmiral

Remembering Barry Jenner. In only 12 episodes, Admiral William Ross turned the tide of the war through firm yet thoughtful interactions. We remember the man who brought the character to life.

The Orb 111: Temporal Bluetooth
The Orb 111: Temporal Bluetooth

The Orb of Time. This mystical object offered DS9’s writers a unique way to facilitate time travel; yet they only used it twice. We explore the reasons, how it works, and imagine new stories.

The Orb 110: Sleeping with the Enemy
The Orb 110: Sleeping with the Enemy

Kira Meru. When her mother was ripped away to serve as a comfort woman aboard Terok Nor, Nerys’s life changed forever. We discuss the shocking truth revealed in “Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night.”

The Orb 109: A Spiritual Hat Trick
The Orb 109: A Spiritual Hat Trick

Rapture. When Benjamin Sisko arrived at Bajor, he was told right away that he was the Emissary. He didn’t believe it. By the end of the series he did. We discuss the key turning point.

The Orb 108: Never Turn Your Back on Boushh
The Orb 108: Never Turn Your Back on Boushh

By Inferno’s Light. We delve deep into the second half of the fifth-season duology in which Worf defeats the Jem’Hadar, Garak becomes a hero, and the Klingons set up shop on Deep Space 9.

The Orb 107: A Merit-Based System
The Orb 107: A Merit-Based System

In Purgatory’s Shadow. We delve deep into the first half of the fifth-season duology in which Bashir gets replaced, Dukat switches sides (sort of), and Worf worries about opera.

The Orb 106: Removable Sideburns are Kind of Awesome
The Orb 106: Removable Sideburns are Kind of Awesome

Defiant Commentary. What happens when Riker visits DS9? Sisko’s new toy goes missing. We discussion Tom’s motives, Kira’s needs, and Dukat’s self-absorption.

The Orb of Mail: I’m Just Here for the Free Blood Wine
The Orb of Mail: I’m Just Here for the Free Blood Wine

Feedback Show. In this special show we share our thoughts on your thoughts and questions about past episodes, including Worf’s ship design knowledge, the value of Vic Fontaine, and the origins of Sisko.

The Orb 105: Playing Ouija Board with Troi
The Orb 105: Playing Ouija Board with Troi

Worf’s Journey to DS9, Part 4: Nemesis. We conclude our four-part series by discussing why Worf is back on the Enterprise and why you really can’t go back home again.

The Orb 104: While Running an Errand for DS9…
The Orb 104: While Running an Errand for DS9…

Worf’s Journey to DS9, Part 3: Insurrection. We figure out where on the timeline Insurrection falls, and discuss how Worf’s relationship with Jadzia and Dominion War experience tie into the film.

The Orb 103: A Different Kind of Honor
The Orb 103: A Different Kind of Honor

Worf’s Journey to DS9, Part 2: First Contact. We discuss Worf’s role in the second TNG film, Sisko’s influence on Worf’s character, how his view of honor has changed, and much more.

The Orb 102: An Emotional Malaise
The Orb 102: An Emotional Malaise

Worf’s Journey to DS9, Part 1: TNG and Generations. We begin a new four-part series focused on Worf’s journey from TNG to DS9. Connecting the dots that were never meant to be connected, we find moments that were key to preparing Worf for his assignment to DS9.

The Orb 101: Oh, We’re Movin’ Along...
The Orb 101: Oh, We’re Movin’ Along...

Essential DS9, Season One. One by one, we discuss each episode to determine if it’s truly essential to the DS9 storyline or something you can skip without worry.

The Orb 100: Mistrust in a Microcosm
The Orb 100: Mistrust in a Microcosm

The Ship. As we reach our 100th episode, we mark the occasion with a quiet moment from DS9—one that put our characters under pressure, tested their resolve, and highlighted the rift between the Federation and the Dominion.

The Orb 99: Admiral Denorios and His Ginormous Belt Buckle
The Orb 99: Admiral Denorios and His Ginormous Belt Buckle

Emissary, Part 2 of 2. We conclude our look at the DS9 pilot by discussing the events inside the wormhole, moving the Station, the nature of Orbs, the Prophets retroactively tampering with the timeline, and much more.

The Orb 98: We’re Gonna Do ALL the Consequences
The Orb 98: We’re Gonna Do ALL the Consequences

Emissary, Part 1 of 2. When Deep Space Nine premiered, the idea of a show set on a space station didn’t sit well with all fans, but this was hardly the show’s most unique element. We break down the DS9 pilot. 

The Orb of Mail: When Owls and Ravens Collide
The Orb of Mail: When Owls and Ravens Collide

Feedback Show. In this special show we share our thoughts on your thoughts and questions about past episodes, including the origins of our theme music, a new take on Sisko’s penance, the most important DS9 episode, and the DS9 novels.