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UNCUT - Explorers (DS9 S3E22) | Star Trek Journey 362 (Patreon)

Published:
2026-03-27 14:00:21
Edited:
2026-04-02 14:04:23
Imported:
2026-09
Tags:
stj

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Matchstick Jose

One of my sneaky favorites of DS9. The ultimate low-stakes hangout episode.

Laura Thornley

Heck of a thumbnail! I guess you liked it. *watches*

Matchstick Jose

Armin with the classic Patron "DS9 gets good in season 4” comment. Et tu, Armin?!?

Laura Thornley

One little thing to mention: technically the Bajorans culturally appropriated Sisko directly into their religion. So its pretty fitting that he'd take an interest in their history. I imagine the Bajoran government was delighted when he decided to take on the project and supplied him with resources (namely the wood).

Laura Thornley

Also regarding how they launched the ship - presumably they launched in a rocket initially and deployed it from there. Bajorans were relatively advanced in the past, just with a different priority on development - and were not remotely ready for the Cardassians to rock up on them.

Darren

Lovely episode and the perfect way to follow up a big story. That final scene is one that I love.

Darren

When some fans say the show starts here it’s not always the big episodes they refer to (for some it is) but sometimes just how confident the show feels, how much better Avery Brooks gets, for many late s3 is when things start to click together

Chuck A. (Tngfanatic)

Great to see your photos from the convention, guys. I've talked 14 Ds9 actors at Conventions.

STEMBOB

I enjoyed this one, chill and relax episode.

Zenlike Creature

Ah, the Sisko beard. Fun fact: "Paramount executives and producers specifically requested that he look different from his previous, well-known character, Hawk, from Spenser: For Hire and A Man Called Hawk." That's not all but *Spoilers* ;) I really enjoy this episode, it gets away from the overarching narrative and does something more lighthearted and heartwarming. Look forward to hearing your thoughts at the end

TalynOne

Not really a fan of this one. Nothing of interest really happens. Don't hate it, just don't much like it either. Mostly just boring. C for me. I skip it on rewatches.

THE Fans

Oh. ... Oh. I um think I get it now. You guys were 100% serious when you said you wanted to see Jake and Ben go camping. Like, really serious. LOL i get it now.

Sam Langanke

When I saw this on first watch I was like Jake at the beginning. "A roadtrip with the old man while I could get laid? No thanks!" Times changed and so did I. I really like this little excursion.

Gary Willig

It's easy to forget that Sisko was the guy who designed the Defiant, so he knows a thing or two about building ships.

James H

Remember Sisko building the clock in "Dramatis Personae"? Maybe that wasn't "exactly him," but it at least foreshadowed him as a builder. We saw both a real Andorian and a fake Andorian in "Journey to Babel." Shras (played by Reggie Nalder) was the real one.

Better Watch Trek

Well, I've been sporting a goatee myself ever since that episode aired and someone told me it would suit me too. This had to be said, later I'll watch the reactin ;) :grin

River Acheron

I know I said I love high stakes world building best, and I do! However, if you're doing a small-stakes character-piece, this is exactly how you do it. I have no big complaints at all and it's an easy episode to re-watch. A small thing, but If I were to re-write it, I would have preferred to have no B Plot and have the majority of the episode take place on the solar-ship. But then again, we wouldn't have gotten that GOATED drinking scene. So I dunno lol. Also, this has been some of Avery's best acting thus far. I will say A+ PS: I promise not to keep Ira-fanboying for the rest of the series, but from what I know, as a showrunner, I think the reason he was so successful is, he let his writers do pretty much what they wanted and was more hands off than most other showrunners. This was also the period where the studio began having a hands-off mindset with DS9 as they focused on Voyager. So we see some really original, sometimes ballsy, and unique plots. And chances! The show takes chances now and I think that matters so much.

Ryan

My headcanon is that your complaints about Ira Steven Behr's writing traveled back to 1995, and Ira sat in his new showrunner's chair stroking his goatee and said "Then why don't we try this," and he put out the perfect low-stakes episode of Star Trek. So thank you for doing that, because I love this one. Avery Brooks was reportedly adamant about making Sisko a present, involved father, and offhand I can't think of a better way to show that. This is also a great early example of DS9's instinct for lightening the tension when the series is starting to get too heavy. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but it's an S from me.

Summer

So many great moments in this one

River Acheron

The Occupation was 50 years ago from their present time. The ancient Bajorans made contact with the Cardassians 800 years ago. So for centuries, the Bajorans and Cardassians presumably had a pretty decent friendship. The Occupation must have been the ultimate betrayal. This must have been when the military took over Cardassia as Gul Madred tells Picard in Chain of Command. Prior to that, it was said that the Cardassians were an artistic, gentle, peaceful society. It makes sense why the ancient Bajorans would have found such a kinship with them. Then the Bajoran's close neighbor, and presumably best friend changed government, and stabbed them in the back. Thinking about it like that, it makes the Occupation way WAY worse. In a very weird way, this episode reveals a lot more when you read between the timeline of events.

TC Green

Cozy is a good way to put it. And Space Dad Sisko is always great.

Philbot

Bareil does suck I wonder if he’s ever been in anything else?

Philbot

You guys could change your name to reckless speculation!

River Acheron

Ya, it's a vibe. That and the behind-the-scenes changes can literally instantly change a show's, well....vibe. lol Not one thing really, just...vibe. So yeah. I'll go with vibe.

THE LORE!!!

(only saying this because you acknowledge you know how he looks later). Avery Brooks was essentially forced to have the hair and be clean shaven at the start of the show. Berman and the powers that be claimed they wanted him to look different than a character Brooks was heavily associated with and that Picard was bald and they didn't want two bald leads in a row. Others have speculated his main look was "scary" to white audiences and they wanted to make him look more friendly. Regardless, this was a step for Avery going towards the look he wanted now that Ira was in charge.

River Acheron

See!? We were NOT lying! And I consider this the spiritual beginning of season 4 in terms of the changes. And ya, the real season 4 is even BETTER than this. Armin says it. And would a Ferengi lie? :)

Goddess of Empathy

Data's Day is definitely in my top 5 cosy trek list! The others I can't reveal yet. I literally finished work early when I saw you had posted this episode, loved the reaction!

River Acheron

Yeah I didn't wanna say anything prior to this, but for me, he looks so odd without the beard and with hair. lol. It makes the early episodes sorta strange. This is sorta like the werewolf mid-transformation. :P

Troubled Tribble

DS9 so far has the least Twilight Zone flavor that the other series are able to explore. Being on a station and more serialized sets a different tone. Sisko 3:16

Lt Dan I Scream

I watched this the other night and thought oh yeah the guys are going to be all over this one.. great moments .. no big here comes the plot moment. and Drunk Chief and Julian .. ding ding ding only would be better for them if they get some emotional blow that could draw the tears

Loot Narsbaar

Yes, continued from Destiny, this is a lowkey an Emissary episode that explores furthering Sisko being a champion of Bajor.

Jonathon Tsagris

Much like an anime character; Sisko goes through a series of hair based transformations to become more powerful.

Brer

Sisko, who has never shown any interest in building or engineering ever, all of a sudden out of the blue decides to build an ancient unique spacefaring vehicle all on his own based on blueprints in an ancient foreign language ''for fun'' and he succeeds?!?!?! With ease too! This one goes far beyond my suspension of disbelief unfortunately despite all the good jake and dad scenes and the surprisingly endearing doctor subplot I had forgot. This kind of project would require weeks of full time effort too but he builds it in what seems like a quiet weekend? i'm sorry it's just completely ridiculous to me it would be like if I went to a museum in Greece and found plans to make some ancient greek boat and decided I could build it all on my own and not just that but then sail it across the atlantic all on a whim And then there's the whole Bajorans actually had spaceflight before anyone else but just forgot about it for some reason? This episode really irks me, I know it's petty though

Erik L Jerks

One of the best feel good episodes in all of Trek. I was Jake's age when I first watched the show, and now I'm older than Sisko. Different levels of feels now as my son is getting older.

Doctor Pulaski

This. The distance between the surface of a planet and orbit is massive compared to San Franisco to New Orleans.

Doctor Pulaski

Avery Brooks was already known to audiences for playing a character named Hawk, and his bald head and goatee were part of his signature look. Lore has it (no pun intended, The Lore), that Avery was very unhappy with the studio enforced "Cosby-fication" of his look, and supposedly Ira called Rick Berman on the phone and was like "What the F, let the man shave his head and grow a beard".

Marko

Just in case bridge crew hasn't already informed you, transporter range is 13 times the distance between SF and New Orleans. Don't worry he was good :) And Jake's Bajoran girlfriend appeared in Life Support, where Nog insults her friend on their double date.

Matchstick Jose

Sisko did build that clock when he was possessed in Dramatis Personae that is still in his office. Perhaps it awakened something in him. Also, this from Defiant: “I was in charge of the shipyard where the Defiant was built. I helped design it.”

Matchstick Jose

I tend to think this dialogue coming from an officer serving on a starship in one of Ira’s first episodes as show runner is not a coincidence: “I really envy the opportunity you have to work on that kind of long-term project. On the Lexington, it was collect your samples and then on to the next system.” I also kind of wonder if Rene was voicing some of his own initial feelings about moving to DS9 instead of Voyager. I know specifically Ron Moore had said he was excited about the prospect of helping create Voyager, but it was Rick Berman who thought that working under Ira would be more beneficial to him. I believe both Rene and Ron had clauses in their contracts that they could move to Voyager after one season of DS9 if they weren’t happy.

Summer

I am afraid the crew saying the show starts blank, a usually would mean more coming from Armin, however, I suspect they wanted to avoid spoilers especially from DS9 people who might know things you don’t even about the first three seasons

Loot Narsbaar

Sisko designed the Defiant and ran a shipyard. His background is literally starship design.

Trekkie74205

You boys need to quit worrying so much about the near future. There is no big crash coming. Don't worry about DS9. Don't worry about VOY. And I will even say don't worry about ENT. There are many episodes you will adore all the way through these shows.

Purple

It's not an "S", the symbol of the House of El means "Hope"! Hope for more great episodes in the future!

Brer

finished watching the discussion and as so often happens my attitude has lightened on an episode I previously had overly negative memories of I'll give you he helped design the Defiant I forgot about that you're right, I won't give you the possession thing though as no one else had anything long term awaken in them, but when has he ever talked about having a background in starship design other than then? I could just as easily have forgotten other lines I suppose. Still though I guess my real issue is that he does it all by himself, it's not like man was on his hands and knees with the laser welder putting the defiant together was he? it takes a team to do something like this why have him build it himself? It's just a bit of a stretch to me

Prof Moff

DS9 sex scoreboard We have some scores tonight. They are assumed but we feel good about the conclusions. Bashir climbs the list. The sex score board Quark 5 Jadzia 3 Bashir 3 +2 new Sisko 2 Chief 1 Keiko 1 Odo 1 Kira 1 Jake 1 GUEST: Leta +1 new Smart dr chick +1 DETAILS: 1st Bashir bashes Leta. No doubt (according to the sex scoreboard assumption rules). Why are we so sure it is easy. If a woman walks up to you, says I wanted to meet you, then fake coughs in order to get “examined”. It is a no brainer. Now here is a huge question. Should we count a Bashir / Chief drunken hook up? It is a tough call. We believe Bashir would be up for it. He almost begged for the Chief to admit after he said he hated him when they met “but now…..”, that he loved him. Hubba-bubba. But would the Chief. After all, Bashir is almost as pretty as Keiko. That is not a know on Keiko, it is just Bashir has a pretty face. However, would Chief cheat on Keiko? We have made the call as no. Chief has turned down even better offers in previous eps. One more consideration. Did Bashir interject some T-cells to the (I can’t remember her name) smart dr chick. Answer YES. We are going to credit it. It does meet all the assumption requirements. Conversation with some seeming sort of attraction. One having some admiration for the other (in this case for each other). Something that could happen off screen. Do we think Bashir has enough game, yes, refer to Leta earlier. So Bashir smashes after he bashes. As always if you agree or disagree leave a comment explaining why (especially if you disagree)

Marko

I do agree that you'd need some suspension of disbelief to buy him doing it all by himself. But to be fair we are not exactly told what level of tech Bajor had at the time they were exploring space. We assume it's similar to Earth's late 20th or early 21st century but we don't know for sure, because exact development variations could be very significant. There could be some advanced techniques he used. I assume he replicated a lot of the stuff and later assembled it together by hand/welding, like an IKEA. And he was doing it for 3 weeks, because that is the timeframe given at the beginning of the episode when the Lexington would dock. Agreed, they're pushing it, but I'm willing to let it slide.

Prof Moff

Alex: Not a glass half full or half empty kinda a guy. He is more of a seeing a half glass of water and saying: "Oh my god there is a hole in the glass and half the water leaked out and the rest is going to leak out too."

Target Audience

Oh, she didn’t ghost him after that? Jake must’ve had a legendary recovery text

Target Audience

I always figured transporting down to a planet wasn’t easy and that’s why they need literal officers trained to do so on ships, but I see your point, and I guess there could be an officer at the academy running a transporter.

River Acheron

I don't see an issue because it's not an important streching of belief. Situations like this are why "suspension of belief" exists.

Loot Narsbaar

He and the other doctor likely banged imo

Loot Narsbaar

It’s more plausible than Geordi being made chief engineer with zero mention of background. Also, based on him having a gravity net installed he clearly is taking some 24th century shortcuts

Sam Langanke

He is an aspirational writer after all.

Doctor Pulaski

So what you are saying is, he is a glass completely empty and what even is water kind of guy

Doctor Pulaski

I still maintain Jake is a low key rizz lord

Doctor Pulaski

Yeah, designed the Defiant probably qualifies you for building an hobby ship

Steven Linden

Yeah, they have to use another method to get the solar sail craft into space - so with the real ones that have been done, they go up on a rocket and then are deployed from there.

reactive1

This episode is a big ❤️❤️❤️.

Brer

Interesting point about Geordi, I guess I always took his position for granted as it happened early enough in the show and S1 is kind of like a fever dream where things aren't quite in their right place just yet I'm not sure why this particular suspension of disbelief bothered me so much tbh, I'm not one who is usually overly concerned with it, for example I've no problem with the set up for an episode like genesis typically so idk why i got so annoyed by this one but i did lol

Doctor Pulaski

Two things got introduced on DS9 and Voyager this season that imply the "Post Scarcity Economic" model of Star Trek (i.e. no money) is not infinite. We learn of transporter credits, which convey that yes, the massive amounts of energy required to convert matter into energy and back again is not unlimited, and as Josh suggests probably has a human resource cost. Then over on Voyager, we learn that when you don't have access to the rest of Starfleet, things we take for granted like Replicators come at an extraordinary energy cost. Life on say, a Galaxy Class Starship, for example, might not actually reflect what life on earth for an average person actually looks like.

Loot Narsbaar

If I have to head canon Geordi, I’d say he went to school for engineering but enjoyed being a pilot more. It explains the difference between he and Scotty’s enthusiasm for their job

Loot Narsbaar

@TA that’s why they make such a big deal about “site to site” transports in S1 of TNG, beaming is now much less tricky than it was in TOS

Altariel

I think it's also connected to Avery filming for the Spenser TV movies around this time. He needed the Hawk look for them, and so I think the studio had to accepted it.

Duncan McDonald

Great episode with a LOT of heart. Sisko really got to shine here too and his relationship with Jake goes from strength to strength.

Altariel

Armin isn't always right. :) I like the guy, but listening to the Delta Flyers podcast shows that he's sometimes wrong.

John M.

I will accept breaking even on my quatloos. I have a Target Audience S trifecta for next season, but obviously I'll save it for then. (Explorers is a B+ for me. The fact I can make a good guess of what you like before we get there shows how consistent and honest you are, even if I disagree often.)

Trent Bowles

I would think beaming matter through an atmosphere in an unfamiliar location probably has a high chance for something to go wrong, which is why a transporter chief is necessary. Intraplanet transporting on Earth would likely have a lot of unseen infrastructure allowing it to be a more mundane activity. Would be a shame to have such an amazing technology and still have to commute to work.

Doctor Pulaski

Only on Star Trek can flying through space in a ship made from lumber be considered low stakes

Matchstick Jose

Dukat would have never let anything happen to his bestie.

Doctor Pulaski

I assumed rocketry was involved, and assembly took place in orbit. Probably a space station not unlike our own ISS

Scribe31oz

If I'm not mistaken, the Vulcans were first modern space faring race in Star Trek.

David Felgate

There was, in fact, a Vulcan member of the Enterprise-D crew. You're forgetting Dr. Selar, played by Suzie Plakson in "The Schizoid Man". She appeared only in that one episode, but the character was name-dropped at least once in a later season. Also, you did see real Andorians in "Journey to Babel". Only one member of their party was an Orion disguised as an Andorian.

River Acheron

One of the first. There's much we don't know about other races and especially other quadrants. Unless it was ever established that the Vulcans were the de-facto first race in the galaxy to utilize warp.

River Acheron

While I have no doubt the Chief and Bashir would drunkenly hook-up if the Chief was single, he would NOT cheat on Keiko, so yeah ima say no on that one as well. Bashir and Garak though? I believe it happened at least once.

Philbot

Bald Goateed is Avery’s true appearance.. They wanted him to look more clean cut as Sisko. He played Hawk! Who was a bad ass! “Angry” character..

Collin Freeman

Another show worth checking out, if just for the TV movies if nothing else.

tyranusfan

Commander Sisko stole my solar sailer!

Prof Moff

@River .... While we can't see any moment that we can call a "it's going to happen", you are right. It is close given our assumption rules. So the next time we see something close to a Bashraking ( or would it be a Garshiring )((double damn I know there is a funny tasteless use of words there but I got nothing) we will count it. Good call!!! That is unless you can point to particular earlier ep where you think show it (obviously we are saying enough hints). we are happy to go back and review and are always willing to adjust scores.

Collin Freeman

This is a good representation of why I like the Star Trek shows: variety. Every episode, you could tune in, and like a box of chocolates, you never knew what you were going to get: action, drama, comedy, romance, philosophy, relationships, whatever. As you both are fond of saying, as long as the execution was good, I am down for it.

Sykonee

It's honestly astounding comparing Chief and Bashir in 'The Storyteller' to where they are now, and how the evolution of their friendship seemed to occur so naturally and effortlessly. I struggle to think of many other shows pulling that off.

Collin Freeman

There was also an Andorian inmate helping Garth of Izar in the Whom Gods Destroy TOS episode.

tyranusfan

We saw Andorians in Journey to Babel (and TMP, and The Offspring, as you mentioned).

tyranusfan

Of the modern races, I think the Romulans would be the first, as they left Vulcan thousands of years ago. (assuming they didn't use "generational ships" and limp all the way to Romulus)

Paul

Something funny happened for today's reaction. In my mind going into this, I knew you'd both absolutely love it, A-S tier guaranteed. It's exactly what you want more of from Trek. For me, on past rewatches, it was always solid. But nothing earth shattering. However, because I both knew you'd love it, I took a ride on your sails, so to speak, and enjoyed it far more than I normally would. That's such a fascinating trip. I knew I would love an episode more than I did from knowing you'd both love it. The episode itself is such a positive vibe, even Dukat going all out with fireworks. Nice. Happiness is infectious!

Sunny

Ok, now we can say DS9 has really arrived, for the beard has made its entrance!

Thicketdweller🦊

It’s not that they mentioned the bathroom in Star Trek before, but in Star Trek five the final frontier. When McCoy Spock and Kirk are in the brig Kirk opens the Briggs toilet and sits on it. It’s a small knot but it’s the actual first confirmation of bathrooms in Star Trek. Although in the Star fleet technical manual 1975 edition bathrooms are accounted for in the enterprise schematics

Loot Narsbaar

Generational ships would explain the head bones

Loot Narsbaar

This explains the love of no plot episodes. No plot = no anxiety

River Acheron

cant they....you know...transport the waste out of the body. One would think? lol

Robert Boykins

This episode was great 👍🏿 But ! Next episode is 🔥🔥🔥imo made me love the main characters even more😌

Matchstick Jose

Spoilers. They haven't watched beyond this episode.

Jonathan Llyr

When you guys started DS9, there were a couple of things I was waiting for you to react to - Sisko’s goatee and the O’Brien/Bashir drunk scene. You did not disappoint. Such a wonderful episode. So many more to come. Go Ira!

paultardspambot .

Alex mentioned the gravity/ Sisko installed a gravity net, they mention over and over there was no gravity. They had air they had to recycle. This was all mentioned in the dialogue. As far as how it got into space, probably the way we send things into space, attack it to a rocket then detach when it gets into space.

paultardspambot .

"strange sisko is into this" Not really. Hes been getting more and more invested in Bajor. He's the Emissary.

paultardspambot .

I believe at that point Vulcans had warp, but only 'slow warp". Thus requiring the suspensended animation. Klingons got their warp drive from the Hurq.

paultardspambot .

Leanne is the girl from, the one Jake went out with Nog Life Support. She kind of looks like "Iisa" from Saved By The Bell. (Edit- Because it's the same actress, Lisa Vorhees. IMO, looks better here.)

Elizabeth N

I love this episode. Not just for the Jake/Sisko stuff which is a cool little adventure with great character moments, but the Bashir/O'Brien stuff. The evolution of their friendship is amazing and one of my favourite things about DS9.

Aaron Thorpe

Kirk the Explorer. Picard the Diplomat. Janeway the Scientist. Sisko the Builder.

Aaron Thorpe

There have definitely been plenty of signs that Sisko is a builder, certainly including that he spent several years at Utopia Planitia (Emissary) and helped build the Defiant (The Search Part 1). I think it helps a bit that the building montage takes place over several weeks, too. Dax says that the Lexington will be arriving in three weeks.

Thicketdweller🦊

I can already see the chief O’Brien‘s on breaker vacation and a junior officer comes in and instead of removing the waist there’s just no longer an intestinal tract

Robert Boykins

Jake already said her name on the ship . I thought they caught that 🤔 mybad

Matchstick Jose

The general rule of thumb Josh has laid out is that if you couldn't make the comment/observation at the time the episode aired, best to wait. You can still edit your post.

paultardspambot .

So this isn't a comment about this episode specifically, it's about the dynamics this season exist under, because I don't think people are connecting all the dots here. In another thread, someone asked why Starfleet doesn't just destroy the wormhole. They're thinking about it, but by the Federation's definition that would be an act of Genocide because of the Prophets. Remember they value "strange new life" equal to humanoid life. It's a big deal the Dominion knows Sisko WOULD do it. It creates the possibility that the Dominion after that didn't invade not because they are just responding, but because they realize that Starfleet would collapse the wormhole. To the Founders, this just proves STarfleet's calues about other lifr are false as they are willing ti kill the prohets to protect themselves from the Dominion. And the Founders probably value Prophets type life above "solids." This is actually an important plot point people miss. Since the Search Part 2, We've had a plausible reason why the Dominion might intend to invade but not do it, because they realize starfleet would destroy the wormhole before enough ships got through. So it creates the question- Will they leave us alone if we leave them alone, or are they just figuring out a way to ensure they CAN invade without the wormhole closing? That adds this tension to everything, because Sisko wants to prevent a war. but he realises the invasion may still be inevitable, just delayed. As in, from after "The Jem'Hadar" where rhey were ready for an invasion. "The Search 2" manaages to drag that uncertainity out. Starfleet has one trump card, a last resort. The Dominion MAY just be waiting to figure out how to remove that trump card.

paultardspambot .

Alex said they were "OP" in the introduction, but everything serves to build up how their "OP" in everyway. They have genetically engineered supersoldiers. They are shapeshifters who gave them a brutal warning, then when they refused, instead of just invading, captured and simulated a response to an invasion. They saw they would close the wormhole. So, they infiltrate, not just the Federation, but other governemtns, to help neutralize threats. They are not just technologically powerful, they outplayed the two evil CIA groups at their own game by encouraging their mission into a trap. It's every level they are "OP" in. It makes you think, in "The Jem'hadar" they knew so much about the alpha quadrabt. So you have to start getting paranoid. Is it possible the order to go into the Gamma Quadrant in The Search, where they already have equipment set up, could be from a Founder? What Else might they be up to?

Philbot

He did Build that Bajoran clock

Bob smith

This genuinely might be my favorite episode of DS9; which is honestly saying a lot considering how good the show continues to be overall. I just really like the plot, the story, the character acting, the way they mix sci-fi and wooden sailboat tropes.... Overall a 10/10 ep.

Loot Narsbaar

The 1701-D bridge had a bathroom with a door opposite the observation lounge. You rarely saw extras going in and out.

Loot Narsbaar

You have it backwards: Sisko looks weird without the beard I think the Chris Carter anology works

John M.

In Matter of Honor, the range was 40,000 km, which is almost exactly the circumference of the Earth.

Ryan

And no wonder: Can you imagine wrecking that bathroom and then having to come back out and face everyone on the bridge?

Loot Narsbaar

I would hope that 340 years in the future there's amazing bidet technology, sound proofing, smell proofing, and hand sanitization

Loot Narsbaar

He's building a friendship with the Bajorans to help their petition for Federation membership along

Loot Narsbaar

My only qualm is the light ship was a little too low tech. To actually work that thing would have to have some kind of computer considering light sail technology is still futuristic today.

Scott Woodward

2:59 Season four in TNG was the Best of Both Worlds, where they really started to explore the character's pasts and relationships and got more comfortable telling stories about the characters. I think the same is true of DS9. They also allowed the cast to let their hair down a little....no pun intended in Sisko's case.

Katie Jackson

Hey Josh, wanted you to know that on the Calendar where you have the Star Trek Journey and your uncut reactions library, you forgot to add Voyager.

StonyD

And then Worf goes in....

StonyD

And he built starships before coming to DS9. Didn't he build/design The Defiant?

Deep Red

Finally decided to pull the trigger and upgrade my membership lol. This was probably a long time coming. I just really like this episode, and I love what you gentlemen do. Cheers

John A

I think this a a good episode, all the pairing in this one are great. We see growth in how they are now interacting with each other. Really good.

Tim Nikiforovs

I mean, the lumber was clearly for interior trim components, not anything structural, hence all the welding.

Tim Nikiforovs

Depends on the orbit of course. The distance between SF and New Orleans is many times greater than from say the ISS to the nearest point on the surface. I think 120km or so. Regardless, either distance is trivial for 24th century transporters

Ramen Nudels

Damn had to slip in Meridian when mentioning the writer.😂

Tim Nikiforovs

I think "cozy" is just the right word to describe this episode. Always enjoyed this one. Solid A tier episode. As others have said, the Bajorans either launched the ship on top of a fairly large rocket, or assembled it in orbit. Solar sails are a real thing, and some probes have used them, though to propel a ship that size at a meaningful velocity, those sails would need to be absolutely gigantic. I also don't really buy the ship being accelerated into warp by tachyons or whatever. Either they have too little mass and don't affect it, they rip the sails off, or they atomize the entire ship with the sudden acceleration. All that said, this is a very minor nitpick that really doesn't affect the episode for me. Regarding the B plot, while the drinking scene and O'Brien's "not hate you anymore" bit is the best part of that story, I also appreciate the continued theme of Julian learning to accept himself. He outright dismissed the idea of winning the Carrington award, and by the end of the episode developed enough respect for his own work to hope that he could actually win. In Distant Voices he was miserable about turning 30, and by the end he's fine with it. Here we see him questioning what everyone thinks of him. He acts like the mistake that cost him 1st place is some horrible mark against him that everyone judges him for, when in fact only 1 student in his class barely edged him out of 1st place, and she still has a ton of respect for him. He worries about whether the Chief respects him, but as awkward as he was about it, Miles just finished getting drunk and singing songs with Julian, so he must think he's alright. And finally he worries that his choice to take the posting on DS9 was a mistake, and now comes to find out the post on the Lexington would have been a boring choice. And to top it all off, bro has dabo girls throwing themselves at him to the point he's willing to tell Jadzia to piss off. Dude just needs to accept it. Life is good. Dukat actually has a good showing here IMO. It's easy to think he has some nefarious motive of covering up ancient Bajoran achievements, and certainly the Cardassian govt only admitted to the truth after Sisko proved it was possible. Still, I do think Dukat genuinely respects and relates to Sisko. Not only because they both serve in their respective militaries and have worked together(The Maquis, Defiant), but also because both are fathers. I think Dukat genuinely was concerned that Sisko would get himself killed flying around in that flimsy Bajoran contraption. I also like to think the fireworks were a personal touch on his part. The govt already issued a statement about the crash site. The secret is out. I honestly think he was just proud of Sisko for pulling off the trip. And of course at the heart of the episode is a story of a father and son going sailing. I still don't think a season finale is the place for something like that, but I certainly understand the appeal of such a story. Certainly, a decidedly positive father/son relationship is a big selling point of DS9 to me. Also, Jake isn't going to be a kid forever. In a year and a half or so he'll be 18, and he's starting to chart a path into adulthood. If he really wants to be a writer, choosing to spend another year on DS9 to experience life on the frontier is a wise decision. However if he ends up leaving to go to school on Earth, there's won't be many more opportunities to spend time with his dad like this. At least he and Nog will be on the same planet. And yeah, Sisko is definitely better with the beard. I don't mean he looks better, he IS a better character post beard. It felt like Avery was able to relax into the role after they let him switch to his desired look. Excellent episode. Low stakes, life happens, everyone's better for it in the end. What's not to love?

Tim Nikiforovs

As for who developed warp first, of the races we know it was likely the Vulcans/romulans. Romulans split off 2000 years prior to this. Romulus isn't crazy far from Vulcan iirc, but still dozens of light years. Making that trip at sunlight would be pretty implausible. They'd probably still be traveling. It's possible the dominion developed warp around this time as well. We know they've been around a while. Humans have had warp for 300 years, making them relative newcomers. The cardassians nor bajorans had it 800 years ago, and I doubt any solar sailers made a round trip. Who knows how long the borg have been around. The Delta Quadrant seems more backwards in general, with a couple exceptions. So Vulcans and maybe Dominion, unless you want to start digging into TOS factions like the first federation or preservers, or the aliens from The Chase, or the Tkon or Iconians, in which case its way longer than 2000 years.

Ca$hWednesday

Ah yes, Explorers! First appearance of Sisko's beard.

clone1138

This isn't even his final form!

Numinous2019

Wouldn't it have been much easier for Dukot to just have the 3 Cardassian cruisers open fire on Sisko's retro Bajoran spaceship? Even with the peace treaty now in place?

Paul

I don't think so, plenty of people on DS9 knew of the trip. An investigation could easily prove Cardassian malfeasance, and that'd be a very quick catalyst for war.

Scarpad’s Domain

Avery first rocked the look in The tv show spenser for Hire as Hawk. But it definitely changed his personality

Numinous2019

Guys, Behr was showrunner on DS9 since about the middle of season 2. Piller was already involved in pre-production on Voyager. Piller wanted a further year before a 3rd show, but Paramount insisted on the schedule. Behr is only now formally acknowledged as show runner. (Auto-correct is a complete pain in the ass. I had to keep over-riding it in this comment).

Numinous2019

Yes. But as with some other aspects of DS9, Sisko is never explicitly referred to as an engineer for some weird reason.

jon bolton

The drunk scene is my favourite moment in this. I really like the episode, a solid B from me, but i suspected it might get S from you.

jon bolton

It's been a while since I've been to a convention, but the twice i met Terry Farrell she was just the same as you described.

Scarpad’s Domain

Sisko is the emissary of the Bajorans whether he likes it or not and in the back of his mind I think he respects it, so it makes perfect sense. Also the first toilet was probably in the brig in Star Trek V

BN13

That was Marta. We never saw Leanne.

Numinous2019

Yes, but besides Sisko's transmission back to DS9 (before the Cardassian welcoming committee appear), the Bajoran ship has apparently travelled far beyond (and at far greater speed) its known capabilities. Who is to say that it didn't just disintegrate by greatly exceeding its structural tolerances.

JHVJ

I adored this episode on my first watch. All that father son talk I though was so brilliantly written, really hit me in the feels. Even Dukat seems relatively amiable (for his standards), acknowledging the achievement in the end, sure he was probably just covering his ass, but still, it kinda even gave me hope, that the Cardassians could become friends with Starfleet eventually. I loved this episode so much on first view, it was the very first episode ever I gave an S+ to, and 1st place in my season top10. Excited to see how the rewatch goes, and if it works even slightly as well for you as it did for me. Wish I could have written this in the Patron Takes, but I keep seeing them too late for some reason :D.

BN13

Funnily enough, this lines up exactly with Keirsey's Four Temperaments. Some books even call Guardians and Artisans "Builders" and "Explorers," and Idealists "Negotiators." It's interesting that whenever you get 4 people in media that someone aims to make very distinct from each other, you almost always get Keirsey's Four Temperaments.

Brandon Blume

Apparently Avery Brooks preferred a bald/goatee look but the producers didn't want him to have that apparently? So when Ira had the power he gave him what he wanted. That's the story I heard anyway.

Ca$hWednesday

That's basically it. They go into it in the "What We Left Behind" documentary.

Numinous2019

You will notice a clear change in focus and style from the last 3rd of season 2. DS9 moved away from being quasi-TNG.

Ca$hWednesday

It's funny when Josh and Alex joked about Ira giving Sisko his goatee. In my mind, i was picturing Sisko slowly turning into ISB over the next 4 seasons, until in season 7, it's literally Ira playing Ben Sisko with no explanation.

BN13

I was wrong, my bad. That was Leanne. I forgot she existed. I thought she was just a one off and wanted nothing to do with Jake after that episode?

Paul

I think if they were heading anywhere else but in the direction of Cardassia you'd have a point. But given they knew the intent and what this would mean to Cardassian, I still think suspicions would be too high to risk it. After all, it only hurt their prides and egos. Not worth risking war to shield from that alone.

SoundGuy0db

Re: Sisko the builder reference. Sisko it was mentioned earlier in the series that he worked at the Utopia Plenetia shipyards on earth, and that he was also part of the team who designed the Defiant.

Morgan Garrett

Sisko upgrade now 50% complete - bring on that razor! P.S As someone else with a 'father issue' episodes like this and some notable others that visit definitely seem to hit me harder than nearly any other emotional episode.

Aaron Wells

One of my favorite episodes in all of Trek.

Drake

Leetas actress first did the casting for jakes first girlfriend Mardah, but she did not get the role because she was "to old" and they took the 19 year old girl (that you guys thought was 30 and way to old for jake xD) but tehy liked her so much they later offered her this role

paultardspambot .

i guess the station commanders son is a hot date

Lorne Pribbeno

I love the last scene with Bashir and Lense. You got to see how little they really understood each other because as it turns out they never really had a conversation with each other back then. And their rivalry was practically from a far. Then for Lense to first confirm Bashir's fears about his assignment but immediately show interest in his work was so refreshing. Plus, it was so hilarious to see how everyone is all up in Bashir's business. I mean he was pestered by Dax, Quark, O'Brien, and even Odo. DS9 is a small community

SetsunaYuki

You guys actual are the 2nd result under wikipedia (the generic term) for "target audience", at least for my google. So you guys are doing pretty well I think.

Kirkinson

Yep, they didn't want him to have the same look as his previous TV character, Hawk. But Hawk's look was essentially just Avery's look, and that's what he felt most comfortable with. I have my own crazy personal theory that part of what makes some of his performances earlier in the show kind of awkward is that he was used to having a much more striking and dramatic look to go with his acting style, and he actually struggled to adjust that style to his "new" face.

Lovok

Have always really enjoyed this episode. Cozy, character-driven, optimistic, good-hearted. So much to like. Solid A.

KingPin124

Great episode, reaction and discussion. Stop worrying, stop worrying, stop worrying. Also, just to reference a couple things. Sisko has a direct background in starship design and it's not just a hobby. He's more technical than Kirk, Picard or Janeway when it comes to actual starship engineering. Picard and Janeway are more scientific types. The Borg killed Ben Sisko's wife at Wolf 359. He then spent the next 3 years working at the Utopia Panitia shipyard on Mars in order to build better starships to combat the Borg. He helped design the Defiant prototype. He's no amatuer when it comes to that stuff. They mention all of these things in the show, but all those little things can get missed.

Nolan

Regarding Sisko as a Builder, something I think might've been glossed over for you guys is that after Sisko's wife died and in the three years before getting assigned to DS9, Sisko was in charge of the Starfleet shipyards of Mars. Where he designed and built the Defiant to kick Borg butt. To the point he gave it so much power it nearly blew itself up. Because the Borg killed his wife. Man was so pissed he built a ship that nearly blew itself up just so it could kill Borg. Anyways, Sisko's got some experience building ships. As to Alex's questions about resources, he mentioned installing a Gravity Net because weightlessness makes him queasy, and that he was getting shipments from Bajor. And I'm sure Bajor was quite happy to send him stuff since he's a religious figure for them - likely why Kira was okay stepping back and not participating in all of this.

Loot Narsbaar

Episode Pitch: Melora except it’s a about a new a potential new member of the Federation being incompatible with Federation restrooms

sword bard

I love this one. My second favorite of the season (my actual favorite is yet to come and I'm super curious to see if that one hits you the same). The drunk scene is perfection. It seems to be really hard for most actors to be believably drunk AND be believably still their character. Both of them absolutely nail it.

Magnatempus

Just google an image of Avery Brooks playing Hawk on Spenser For Hire and you'll understand why he wanted to have that same look on this show.

Jason Aud

We see an Andorian in Star Trek 4 as well and also in TNG Captain's Holiday briefly. Nice episode, figured you guys would like this one haha. Hadn't really thought about it before but I think as you say "Family" is a good comparison. Also as for how did it leave planet I assumed like our space capsules it launches into orbit and then ditches the rocket stage proceeding with the capsule.

HeatheЯ

Sisko the Fighter.

JoeMama47

I knew they wouldn't understand my Kon Tiki reference. It's a bit of an obscure reference these days.

JoeMama47

I used to think that a switch flipped after Armageddon Game, but on this watch I realized that it's still more gradual than that.

Doctor Pulaski

Orbital ranges vary significantly, ISS isn’t very high up. A starship would enter a looser more distant orbit typically

Avaria

Either that or it was built in orbit.

Avaria

I'm sure other people have brought up that Sisko's posting prior to DS9 was at the Utopia Planetia Shipyards on Mars. This also not the first inkling we've had of his builder inclinations. He helped design the Defiant as an anti-Borg ship at the Shipyards, and there is the clock he built from scratch in Season 1's "Dramatis Personae" that's still on display in his office. Current Space Tech Tie-In: The Integrity, the crew module for the Artemis II mission that launched on Wednesday has a solar array that they've deployed for power conservation on their 10-day trip around the moon.

Todd

I wish the Cherry Dr. Pepper Zero had a better flavor. Jadzia didn't get much here, but every scene she was in was delightful. I commented for the last episode Alex would enjoy this one. I'm glad you both did. I'm even more curious about the next.

HeatheЯ

Alex, I totally agree, the drunk O'Brien/Bashir scenes is one of the best in Trek. I always have to rewind it and watch it again :) Regarding Avery's new look, so my understanding is they were trying to get the network to allow him to wear his hair (or lack there of) and goat) from the beginning. Avery had mentioned it's how he felt the most comfortable and I think it shows in his acting when he finally was able to look the way he wanted to. I always felt like something new about Sisko came to life from this point forward.

Numinous2019

DS9 though hadn't really made that clear. We get one single line of dialogue in Emmissary and then it is The Search before any follow up at all regarding engineer Sisko. The show does fail to properly state a number of things, including zero statements from Odo as to WHY he is in love with Kira (apologies for dragging my own bugbear into this).

Avaria

Re: building the ship. The blueprints for the Bajoran Solar Ship were part of the cache of historical documents at the Library/Archive Sisko went to Bajor to witness the dedication/opening ceremony for, as mentioned in his first scene this episode. (Just for the sake of completeness, since you deftly touched on everything else 😉)

TrekinJenn

This episode is comfort food.

Carl Williams

And the one Andorian in the mental institute in Whom Gods Destroy

sword bard

It's a very old joke that there aren't any toilets on Federation ships - you just have to go where no man has gone before.

Zerocooleo

This episode contained so many heartfelt clip able moments, you could make so many shorts. Once you are in love with the show and the characters you can watch them do anything and it is still entertaining. it's an S from me.

#MaxwellDidNothingWrong

I liked this episode more than I remember. I'm trying not to let the opinions of a pair random nobodies influence me, but yeah, definitely more cozy and less do-nothing than I had recalled. Points all well taken, however, when I think of DS9 and cozy this episode doesn't even make my top ten.

#MaxwellDidNothingWrong

Imagine not simply transporting the waste straight out of your intestines. My head-canon is that Jake was mortified over the thought of actually having to push it out himself and then.. clean? How do you clean down there? And won't there be a smell? Where the hell is the door even?

Boggle

This was always one of my favorite DS9 episodes. I love the bonding between Jake and Sisko the most, but the whole episode is just superior stuff. The Cardassian bit at the end was perfect.

Sainjl

Sisko: the Sisko

Carsten Bergner

If you have the chance meeting actor Christopher Heyerdahl talk to him about his fathers cousin Thor. He loves that. ;-) #KonTiki

Anonymous Science

More than once I have noticed Alex mention that people should cough into their elbows. Back in the 90s, the recommended thing to do from medical professionals was to cough into your hands. Only in 2003, in response to the SARS epidemic, was the medical recommendation updated. At the time, all these people coughing into their hands were thinking they were doing the right thing by not coughing directly into the open air.

MJBull

Ok, not a camping trip, but how about a sailboat trip?

MJBull

There was one actual Andoran in "journey to Babel". He was older than the undercover agent.

Naglfarius

Yeah, also on the fence between A and S. Th drunk Scene is so wholesome, i lov... ah don't hate it.

uberelder

where are people getting the idea that ds9 is based on characters? it's literally all about big huge politics and big huge ship battles.