137: A Disturbance in the Link

“The Search, Part II“ When it comes to that moment when Deep Space Nine shifted in tone and became the more complex series that set it apart from the rest of Star Trek, fans most often point to “The Way of the Warrior” and the start of Season 4. But it was actually the arrival of a cloaked starship named Defiant—Sisko’s little surprise for the Dominion—to kick off Season 3 that signaled a change which would send ripples through DS9’s storytelling. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing conclude our two-part exploration of “The Search” with a focus on the second half. 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. We also ask whether this two-parter is the best episode of DS9. Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)