Star Trek Deep Space Nine Ruminations S2E11: Rivals

[@earlwatt7677]

I wouldn't say O'Brien is "extremely average" guy. Maybe physically. But he has been in battle, he comes up with creative solutions to the challenges faced by the station and other spacecraft, and he shows an extreme conscience and moral fiber. He puts his career on the line several times for a higher purpose. Not very average.

[@michaelcolfin8464]

"Old man, turned 98, won the lottery...died the next day...Isn't it ironic, don't you think?" Alanis Morrisette 1996.

[@Dogshow9000]

This was a fun episode. The reason for why people were lucky or unlucky didn't make much sense but I quickly looked passed it because it was still pleasant to watch. I do agree that Miles' and Julian's friendship is the best in Star Trek with Data and LaForge being right behind them.

[@williamozier918]

Whoanalysis! You're point at 17:31 fits in PERFECTLY with O'Brien's speech to the Cardassian in "The Wounded".

[@nickokona6849]

I enjoyed this episode. Has my favourite rule of Acquisition in it.

[@libman2006]

Thank you. The Princess Bride, I knew I knew that guy from somewhere.

[@Spawnfreak]

I was not expecting commentary on polyamory on this.

[@TheInimitableMissP]

One of my favourite episodes; think it’s important to mix in some more lighthearted stories with the deep and dramatic. Chris Sarandon is awesome in this role - also thought the Norsigan did a great job!

[@gnomesaiyan1680]

If you asked me a week ago, I wouldn't have agreed on the O'Brien/Bashir friendship being the best in the franchise. But then, last night I watched Hard Time for the first time. I get it now.

[@permeus2nd]

you can get the luck thing in STO for 30 of there gem things. this actor (Chris Sarandon) i actually think of in connection to the horror film fright night (1985 version) when you said princes bride i actually when hu i don't remember anyone from that film been in DS9? it took several second for me to go oh yer he plays the ""bad guy"" in that.

[@Norvo82]

I have only watched a handful of these comments, but a recurring theme seems to be not knowing the names of actors/characters/episodes that always appear rather integral to what is being discussed. Is that a conscious decision or do you just need better notes or an open IMDB page when you record?

[@athrunzala6919]

"The Physics of Star Trek" by Dr. Lawrence Kraus mentioned this episode. Dax finds the particle and that it only spins in one direction (not a 50/50 split of two directions like all other particles) which is odd to her -- this in turn is odd to physicist because that particle really only does spin in one direction in the real world (for reasons which still baffle physicist), so why was it strange to Jadzia?

[@Spartanj42]

I always liked how this episode handled the quantum probability stuff because you're right that could easily have been almost as stupid as something like Threshold. I always enjoy this episode a great deal and it's because the actors sell it (and the guy from Princess Bride is fun).

[@tee_es_bee]

I was with it, the luck machine didn't bother me at all. Good execution on the overall idea of the episode. 🧡💛🧡

[@crimsonking440]

I'm loving the ruminations on trek and have been watching along to the videos. UNRELATED QUESTION: I know you have a schedule and have many shows you want to ruminate on in the future. Have you ever watched breaking bad? I would love analysis of your quality on that series. You know, in like 15 years when your done with all these other awesome shows.

[@dancingbearandkoala9743]

I thoroughly enjoyed giving thisbepisode a rewatch it not only planted the seeds of a very strong friendship between O'Brien and Bashir but a good insight on Ell'aurion lore if I've spelt that right. By the way lore I know your probably extremely busy but I was wondering if you could give me some advice see I'm reviewing the Stargate franchise fairly soon and would appreciate your advise.. appreciate any feedback..keep up the good work 😊

[@SchneeflockeMonsoon]

Realizing he couldn’t get by in the modern Galaxy, he then went to a primitive, pre-industrial planet, masqueraded as the Prince of a strange nation, and promptly got himself thrashed by a peasant, his dearest love, a Spanish fencer, a gentle giant, and the incompetence of a six-fingered man. He then called his mother to come get him, as he decided he was done trying to scam people, and just wanted to let the Borg take him now.

[@mr51406]

Was it that the neutrinos were spinning in one direction the method how the orb affected luck or just another effect? I thought that neutrinos being somehow magically the reason for good or bad luck fascinating. On Red Dwarf they had a good luck virus, which was also an awesome idea. But I agree luck manipulators would probably be the only way to stop the Borg... 😜

[@mr51406]

Also it’s not surprising that Bashir and O’Brien, the 2 Europeans, would become mates. In a strange place we gravitate towards similar even if technically we have different personalities.

[@DerBeppone]

I like these kind of episodes, what are effectively slice of life things. Also, there is a little tid bit on Replicators in there. Obviously you can also replicate machines, that are turned on, by default. Seems a bit OP to me. Like: Wanna replicate a replicator?

[@ChocolatierRob]

1 _Why would the unscrupulous conman cheat on the older, richer lady for the young, beautiful dabo girl?_ Are you being serious there? You do know how affairs work right? Let's just say the answer is in the question (my phrasing of it anyway)... 2 I'm surprised you did not bring up how stupid this new 'game' is. Just like in Move Along Home there was no thought put into it at all. It's just basically a coin toss in electric form, you press a button and either win or lose, there is no skill (just like dabo), there is no system to play or logic to apply, just *press* = win/lose yet everyone treats it like the best thing since 3D chess. The gambling establishments of the future are decidedly unimpressive, Dabo = roulette, Move Along Home = Simon says, This week's gizmo = coin toss, I can only assume that if I look up tongo it will bear a striking resemblance to happy families. Maybe I can revolutionize the system by introducing snap or rock paper scissors. 3 I did kinda expect you to drop the spoiler warning so you could discuss later revelations about Bashir and how much his skill at racquetball goes against his regular 'don't stand out' mentality.

[@EnvisionerWill]

Didn't know about the Guinan thing; I thought it was neat that they focused on another El-Aurian (although it still bothers me that, just like the Betazeds, this is a race of "aliens" who have special mental powers that make them better than humans, but look exactly like humans without even bothering to slap on a rubber forehead). But aside from that, this episode felt to me as though they had drawn the name of it out of a hat, and then sat down and forced themselves to write an episode around the title, and it didn't entirely make sense and wasn't very good. I got very sick of hearing the word "probability" in this one.

[@wratched]

Chris Sarandon. Aka Susan Sarandon's ex.

[@setojurai]

Nobody has commented on this... *Orson Wells voice* Then it pleases me to be the first.

[@Enkarashaddam]

Agree that this episode is kinda boring, somewhere between comedy and menace with Martus. The Bashir / O'Brien thing was interesting given what we learn in the future. It's really an "ah-ha" episode. Oh, and he's Chris Sarandon. His name is Chris Sarandon. Of Fright Night and Princess Bride fame. And the characters name is Martus, not Marcus. Martus Mazur. Sorry but my inner nerd is going nuts.

[@jeffborowiak8992]

Elvis who?

[@rexremedy1733]

its a quantum de-randomizer... :-) it distorts the equilibrium of quantum randomness, most probably by harmonizing and de- harmonizing energy exchange patterns on the quantum level. basically a quantum noise reducer. since neutrinos are part of quantum energy exchange in the nucleus of atoms, it is actually somehow accurate. if this quantum energy exchange of the nucleus and the electron clouds of the atom hull can be manipulated with neutrino flows, it could have an impact on randomized patterns upscale to the atomic level. as for every event, atoms/photons are involved. i actually thought the "neutrino explanation" is quite smart and accurate. or maybe its just by accident... :-) i would love to write the science part of science fiction movies and series... :-) or maybe I am just insane.

[@EnvisionerWill]

Don't much care for the quantum luck thing...it strikes me as a justification for lazy storytelling, that you take something that is by definition completely random, say that it's been distorted, and use that to justify any damn thing that you want to do, no matter how improbable, by saying that "probability was altered!". The way they lampshaded it with some pseudoscience about neutrinos in this episode was almost interesting, but overall I rolled my eyes at this somewhat hackneyed trope. (Interestingly, my mother would probably buy the whole thing more than I do, since she fancies herself a magician and thinks she can alter probability with her mind. I've never seen much evidence to support those beliefs, but then I've never seen the Holy Spirit take the form of a dove either, so whatever.)

[@SchneeflockeMonsoon]

Realizing he couldn’t get by in the modern Galaxy, he then went to a primitive, pre-industrial planet, masqueraded as the Prince of a strange nation, and promptly got himself thrashed by a peasant, his dearest love, a Spanish fencer, a gentle giant, and the incompetence of a six-fingered man. He then called his mother to come get him, as he decided he was done trying to scam people, and just wanted to let the Borg take him now.