DS9 Rewatch S1-E16: O'Brien vs. The Goblin

This week on The Omega Particle, Lwaxana Troi arrives on Deep Space Nine, takes one look at Odo, and immediately becomes a security threat he has no idea how to handle. We're reviewing "The Forsaken," where a broken turbolift turns into Odo's worst nightmare: prolonged social interaction. Meanwhile, Bashir gets stuck babysitting Federation ambassadors, and O'Brien discovers the station's computer needs less technical support and more emotional support. Join us as we unpack unwanted attention, a surprisingly tender moment behind Lwaxana's larger-than-life personality, and why the hardest part of being a shapeshifter might be letting someone see you fall apart. Another excursion into podcasting excellence, but please keep all solids and liquids inside the turbolift.

What if the Federation isn't the utopia we've been told it is? This week on Omega Particle, we're asking the forbidden question: Is Starfleet…the baddies? From the Prime Directive letting entire civilizations die in the name of "non-interference," to the shadowy assassins of Section 31 operating with almost zero accountability, to the uncomfortable reality that "peaceful exploration" often looks a lot like colonial expansion with better uniforms, we're diving deep into Star Trek's moral gray areas. Was first contact really about diplomacy…or was it about bringing worlds into the Federation's sphere of influence? Is Starfleet's mission of exploration enlightened idealism, or humanity convincing itself it has the right to shape the galaxy?  This episode is equal parts philosophy debate, conspiracy rant, and love letter to the franchise that dared to ask whether good people can still build flawed systems. Because maybe the real final frontier…is realizing the Federation might not always be the hero.

This week we ask the important question: what happens when Deep Space Nine turns into a fever dream? On this episode we review "If wishses were horses", where imaginary friends become real, Miles O'Brien gets tormented by a goblin, and a dead baseball player appears because… sure, why not. We unpack one of DS9's strangest early episodes, defend its weirdness, roast its logic, and maybe discover this odd little episode has more charm than people give it credit for.  

KHAAAANNN! This week we recap an unforgettable evening with William Shatner! Watching Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on the big screen and then spending a few gloriously unfiltered hours inside Shatner's orbit. We're talking movie reactions, behind-the-scenes stories, unexpected comedy, philosophical tangents, and peak Shatner energy. Plus, we discuss the 60th anniversary of Star Trek and reflect on how there's no shows in production, hows that for an anniversary present! There is some hope as we go over the future of the movie franchise with what was unveiled at CinemaCon 2026. Nostalgia, laughs, and maybe a few dramatic Kirk impressions included in this episode!  

There was a time when Star Trek wasn't something you searched for...it was just always on. From constant syndication to an unprecedented 18-year run of back-to-back series, Trek lived in the background of everyday life and quietly shaped an entire generation. In this episode, we look back at the so-called "Golden Age" of Star Trek and ask why the franchise feels smaller today, even though there's technically more of it than ever. We explore the power of 26-episode seasons, the loss of syndication, the rise of streaming, and how those shifts changed Trek's place in popular culture. This isn't a rant, but a love letter, it's a funny, thoughtful reflection on what we lost, what we gained, and why Star Trek still feels like home.

This week on The Omega Particle, we're heading back to Bajor for an emotional gut-punch disguised as a zoning dispute. In Deep Space Nine's "Progress," Major Kira just wants to do her job (relocate a few people, save the planet, maybe not cry before lunch) but instead she ends up in a one-woman standoff with Mullibok, the galaxy's most stubborn grandpa. We break down the episode where progress means literally burning down the past, discuss why Kira's emotional range deserves its own warp core, and explore how DS9 manages to make soup, guilt, and fire into peak science fiction storytelling. Meanwhile, Jake and Nog accidentally invent capitalism, Luna the intern tries to understand Bajoran property law, and Jonathan asks the big question: Is progress really worth it if it means hurting someone who reminds you of your grandma? (Spoiler: Yes, if she refuses to move off government land.) So grab your ladle, light your metaphorical match, and join us for a hilarious and heartfelt review of DS9's most morally complicated stew.

This week we're diving into Starfleet's creepiest corners! Where tribbles multiply faster than your ex's bad decisions, and the Gorn make every away mission feel like Predator with phasers. From salt vampires to evil exxon oil spills, we're counting down the monsters that made us scream, laugh, and question the Federation's HR policies. So grab your tricorder, dim the lights, and prepare for a transporter malfunction straight into the Monster Mash of the Final Frontier. It's spooky, it's slimy, it's Star Trek at its weirdest...and we love it.

This week on The Omega Particle, we tackle Deep Space Nine's most aggressively fog-based episode: "The Storyteller." What happens when Miles O'Brien is forced to LARP his way into being a spiritual icon? Absolute confusion, a lot of yelling, and possibly a new career in motivational speaking. Jon breaks it all down: The cloud monster with bad vibes and worse lighting, Bashir being clingier than a Ferengi credit collector, And a village that defeats evil by listening to bedtime stories with life-or-death stakes. Meanwhile, Jake and Nog try their hands at government diplomacy… and accidentally teach a Bajoran teen how to negotiate peace using casino games. Classic. There's trivia, deep dives, bad fog puns, and a full analysis of why Miles O'Brien should never be put in charge of anything spiritual, ever.

Strap in, space nerds — this week we're beaming aboard the USS Voyager for a full-throttle review of the documentary To the Journey, aka "Set Phasers to Feelings: A Voyager Love Letter" We dive warp-core deep into the love letter to Star Trek: Voyager that has more nostalgia than a '90s cereal commercial. Expect heartfelt tributes, behind-the-scenes gossip, and just enough Neelix talk to keep you questioning your life choices. Was Janeway the true GOAT of Trek captains? Did Chakotay ever actually do anything? And why does everyone have opinions on Kes all of a sudden? Also: we ask the hard-hitting questions like, "Would you rather be stuck in the Delta Quadrant for 70 years or sit through a Chakotay-centered bottle episode twice?" (Spoiler: it's closer than you think. We're going full impulse on this tribute to the show that brought us space coffee, Borg trauma, and a holographic doctor who never stopped complaining.

In this episode of OPP, we dive into Deep Space Nine's Battle Lines, where the only thing more endless than the war is Kai Opaka's new lease on life. Join us as we unpack Kira's emotional gut punch, Sisko's failed attempt at peace talks, and a Gamma Quadrant groundhog day that goes spectacularly sideways. Is this episode a haunting meditation on the cost of violence? Or just a sci-fi version of a family reunion gone wrong? And seriously, does anyone really want to live forever if it means reliving the same grudge match day after day? We're breaking down the good, the bad, and the painfully repetitive in Battle Lines – the one where even death isn't a good enough excuse to call it quits. Hit play, buckle up, and prepare for eternal conflict… Starfleet style.