Chief Miles O'Brien Rules: the most important person in Star Trek history!

Unlike O'Brien, I don't live in a post-scarcity society. While he gets the privileged of choosing to go into space, I instead have to live in closets as an editing goblin and ask for your help via Patreon. I'm also powered by potatoes, but I gotta PAY. Please send potato
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[@GuitarSlayer136]

HE WAS A UNION MAN

[@MateriaMaster]

More than a hero...

[@williamgeorge2580]

Sad this wasn't brought up because the Irish were pretty important for the labour movement.

[@wrathisme4693]

Yeah I don't know why he completely ignored this and even said that he wasn't political lol. He's One of the few Star Trek characters we've actually seen express a political opinion and it was an extremely passionate one at that!

[@marfdasko]

This was what first came to mind when he said O'Brien was a conservative lol...

[@gabagool_and_psychiatry4856]

"a fair days pay for a a fair days work." the most reasonable idea in the history of humanity.

[@VidGamer123]

Omet'iklan: "I am First Omet'iklan, and I am dead. As of this moment, we are all dead. We go into battle to reclaim our lives. This we do gladly, for we are Jem'Hadar. Remember, victory is life." Jem'Hadar troops (in unison): "Victory is life." O'Brien: "I am Chief Miles Edward O'Brien. I'm very much alive and I intend to stay that way." Sisko: "Amen. Let's get it done!"

[@ReinaSaurus]

says the guy taking life into his very own hands everytime he operates a teleporter

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

@@ReinaSaurus it's safe tech, it only deatomizes you and puts you back together on the other side....perfectly safe, no accidents with this tech ever....I swear! [crosses fingers behind back] Hoshi never became a ghost.....that is false!

[@LabTech41]

O'Brien is the guy who's got a wife and kid, he's just trying to do a solid shift of work professionally, and he's not really interested in any high adventure or esoteric mystery. If he's not working or with the family, then all he needs is a pint at the bar, maybe a game of darts, and talking about nothing in particular with a friend. ...it's just that the universe seems intent on raining on his parade, and he spends his time wondering why him, when he's not some alien or super-being.

[@Serahpin]

The Trek writers called them "Miles Must Suffer" episodes, and it was done on purpose.

[@singletona082]

He also seems quite fond of reenactments with his friends. Granted they largely are last stand scenerios where he is on the losing side... Guy'd make one hell of a civil war reenactor.

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

the usiverse rains on anyone's parade who seems to have it figured out....or who just isn;'t into that war concept everyone else likes so much.... I'm the second one.....that's why i got a red ring....my lot in life is to suffer one way or another and now the suffering empowers me!, the angrier i get the stronger my attacks are lol [cries in a corner] i have no heart!

[@Calmputer]

"He's not an emotionally available man, unless you count irritation, then he is *very* available." - Brilliant. 100/10.

[@Zinlain]

21:46 it never fails to amuses me that Cardassian courting traditions are basically "Be Tsundere"

[@GuitarSlayer136]

@Zinlain i think its why they make better villians than the Romulans. A species and civilization where a quintessential buildingblock of existence is serving cunt.

[@singletona082]

Horrifying really, at least to me. However i am not cardassian. garak probably would have found it charming. Or not. Bashir seemed to be more his type to be honest.

[@jameswilkerson4412]

Isn’t that Klingon, too?

[@Zinlain]

​@@jameswilkerson4412 I thought Klingons were honest about their affections, but violently so. Cardassians are closer to Tsundere in that they will verbally berate each other before devolving into a more intimate acts from what I gathered watching DS9.

[@tristanducasse6862]

​@@ZinlainKlingon yandere lol.

[@scevda]

O'Brien tried to walk softly but ended up having to use a big stick. A lot. And his stick is pretty massive

[@benjaminpeterman7223]

Indeed, Miles' shillelagh is legendary. He had to stand behind that transporter console most of the time, because he'd make the bridge crew insecure and ashamed of themselves. And rightfully so.

[@josh-oo]

​@@benjaminpeterman7223 Keiko is a very lucky woman.

[@singletona082]

Often a stick he had to make with whatever was on hand. However as a star fleet engineer. McGuyvering tends to lead into terrifying results.

[@benjaminpeterman7223]

Miles "Have a Party, kill a Cardi" O'Brien, the best character in all of Star Trek.

[@baker90338]

I completely agree about your assessment of miles "melt the spoon to make me swoon" O'brien.

[@jordanetherington1922]

God that episode where he was trapped in that mind-prison was brutal

[@AncelDeLambert]

I hope the Federation put that planet on a "No Contact" list. Fuck them.

[@planguy9575]

I mean, for my own sense of well being I just have to head canon that Julian magic'd up some kind of technobabble serum that allowed Miles to "Fuzz out" those prison memories. Make them less real, somehow. Because jeez.

[@Duskire]

When Picard gets trapped in a mind prison, it gives him a fulfilled life, lingering melancholy and a message for the future. When O’Brien gets trapped in a mind prison, he gets PTSD.

[@saintsinningsword]

Ironically the same technology for the prison would work as a good therapy device with its time distortion. I don't believe the family of murder or grape victims would forgive the murderer or believe he or she is reformed but maybe the same devices help them forgive.

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

@@saintsinningswordso like…a forgiveness cell? I made that in the sims once, where you had no choice but to become friends. Makes it easier to fuck everyone in the neighbourhood, or whatever you wanna do I guess

[@tri3s4life]

"O'Brien? From Setlik III? We called him Silverware, on account of all the spoons he collected."

[@CountJoe1]

I love it in DS9 when something breaks down and he tells Sisko that he needs like, 11 hours to get it working again, and Sisko tells him “you got 30 minutes”. But you know what tho, O’Brien always gets the job done, every time, no matter what.

[@BrandonAzzarella]

He really needs a union.

[@BratacOfChulak]

They bring this up in a voyager episode , that it’s good to give them deadlines so they work their best but what if it’s actually worse than they originally said it would an issue for a tight deadline like the ship exploding . Probably should just listen to the engineers sometimes

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

Best stargate moment where Siler just goes “no sir, it will take as long as I said”

[@GuitarSlayer136]

@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat Personally, the best stargate moment is Teal'c witnessing the eyebrow wire on his human actor. With a close second being O'Neill golfing into the gate

[@samadams2203]

O'Brien knew he could do it in 10 minutes, he was just playing for time.

[@radar54312]

Please dear god make more TNG content, thank you Plague

[@thecatwhisperer2820]

TNG? Nah nah nah. I'm hoping for that DS9 content!

[@VidGamer123]

@@thecatwhisperer2820 For sure, but I'm definitely down for TNG and maybe VOY, when it has those highest highs and lowest lows.

[@VallornDeathblade]

@@thecatwhisperer2820 I would love more ENT content. Despite its rocky start Season 3 is a really excellent show in The Expanse.

[@TimeTravelisBoring]

You forgot the plotline where he encouraged Rom to start a union.

[@Piterdeveirs333]

And fist fights Worf for crossing the picket line

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

@@Piterdeveirs333hey man, they apparently forgot there was a top entrance. Poor planning on their part

[@thishandleistacken]

such a fun episode!

[@RyanPerfect]

Yes . . . but why are you bringing that up. Are you trying to say something without saying it?

[@himwhoisnottobenamed5427]

​@@Piterdeveirs333"Scab!!" -Miles Edward O'Brien (probably)

[@mrwri]

Miles "I'm not racist I just don't like em" O'Brien

[@GuitarSlayer136]

Only good Cardy...

[@GannAinm]

Y'know, it's not racism if it's against a spoonhead.

[@Idontevenwanachannel]

Based

[@avengemybreath3084]

It’s not a race, it’s a different species

[@bustdown22]

​@@avengemybreath3084 please look up allegory

[@RockSoup]

It just hit me. O'Brien is Space Hank Hill.

[@VidGamer123]

"Got dangit Sisko, that station ain't right."

[@GhostLink92]

*sips beer* yep

[@GamingTeacher]

A man who is out of place, but does his best to be a good and kind man.

[@Dabednego]

With a Cotton hill body count

[@Gamesux421]

@@Dabednego Hate myself for thinking this was about sex

[@Warricane]

I always loved how as you watch the series, there's this subtle, creeping reveal as to just EXACTLY how dangerous Miles really is. They tease here and there about his military career... from having some experience, to being a war hero, to having claimed lives somewhere up in the hundreds or even THOUSANDS. He might not be as good as Worf in melee, but wtf does that matter when he can make an IED out of damn near anything. Turn the whole station into a prison of shields. Rig traps, or sabotage any device, any vehicle. He can handle the long haul of a real War too, we know he loves his MRE's when everyone else hates them. He's a good 20 years older than he should be as well, because of Hard Time. Best episode in the series.

[@1337penguinman]

We actually get to see a bit of that in Empok Nor. Goes full Rambo on Garak.

[@ender25ish]

11:40 Can you imagine a US Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class wiping out an encampment of 5,000 soldiers? There's a reason every single Cardassian has heard of him good lord.

[@zeitronic]

It's all fun and games till you start hearing the DOOM music played on a cello.

[@timesthree5757]

So a Navy SEAL cool.

[@copter2000]

For 5,000 Cardassians, it is the biggest day of their life. For the Chief, it's Tuesday.

[@epicstyle1000]

probably a case of writers cant count or dont know what the size of the different formations are

[@ngmajora6986]

Or maybe he's just that good

[@promontorium]

10:02 "Tactical Officer" would be a position. Like "Transporter Chief" or "Chief of Operations" Not a rank. In the U.S. Navy there are enlisted who can stand officer's watches. Especially a chief. Personal story: As a Second Class Petty Officer I once filled in for a First Class who was one of the only non-chiefs/officers qualified to stand the Information Warfare Commander position on a U.S. carrier. The official Information Warfare Commander is the captain of the ship, but outside of general quarters his role is held by watch standers. So, for roughly 30 minutes, once, I got to hold the position of the O-6 Captain of a U.S. carrier as an E-5 sailor. I hosted a trivia round with the fleet in that time and acknowledged SITREPs. That was about it. But a proud moment to be trusted at that level.

[@dandelionv1257]

Don't forget about the time that a "mature" Betazed was leaking psychic horniness vibes all over the station, Miles was having a lover's spar with his wife. That is their kink. Good video Plague but to be critical, avoid using similar pronouns when referring to different subjects unless you break it up with a proper noun. 09:45 "testing himself against him" can sound confusing, while "testing himself against Miles" fits just as well within the script.

[@PlagueOfGripes]

Yup, I think about that a lot. Having to say Miles all the time got to feeling rigid so I started avoiding it.

[@dandelionv1257]

@@PlagueOfGripes I can see that. I didn't remember if Garak called Miles any name in particular during that episode, Mr O'Brien/Chief/etc. You could say that Garak wanted to test himself against The Hero Of Setlek III, as Garak was particularly obsessed with that version of Miles. Though i just mentioned it as general critique for script editing. I do a lot of technical writing, describing who did what, where, and with whom. So it is a small nit to pick in a very competent video essay.

[@manjackson2772]

​@@dandelionv1257I think Garak always called him Chief.

[@bulbus7062]

One of my favorite ds9 jokes is Keiko introducing Miles as her husband, Kira as her girlfriend, Julian as her husband’s boyfriend, and Garak as her husband’s boyfriend’s boyfriend

[@lizstar3630]

*points to Sisko* "Who's that?" Everyone in unison: "That's our dad."

[@vullord666]

​@@lizstar3630 Kira: "That's my religious icon"

[@Thick303]

this is correct

[@bulbus7062]

@@Thick303 yeah, they had a nice little polycule going.

[@DanielMWJ]

​@@vullord666Skydaddy. 🗿

[@MikuMilkErryday]

"Keiko was very pleased" is now a meme.

[@planguy9575]

The idea that Keiko was just really into the idea of Miles being with other women is pretty funny.

[@Rezec75]

@@planguy9575 she is supposed to be a Japanese woman, and they love the NTR stuff, so...

[@jamesdempsey1330]

Some of it's just Mid Writing Over Years, but there's an argument that Keiko is just a hardcore contrarian - She seems to live for some sort of emotional fighting. So the idea of how much conflict Miles is willing to get into? Oh, yeah. Keiko Was Very Pleased.

[@TheMilhouseExperience]

All according to Keiko-ku.

[@JoshuaKevinPerry]

It would be xenophobic not racist?

[@ThumpingThromnambular]

Kira is the only woman to make me feel actually hot and bothered through a television screen.

[@planguy9575]

I mean I don't usually go for tiny dancer builds but yeah, I get it.

[@RobsonRoverRepair]

You just need an eastern European woman. Trust me.

[@completelyferrouschemist6776]

​@@RobsonRoverRepairbenis

[@JamestheKilljoy]

I really like her. Her crossed eyes always bothers me OCD, but I work past it because the character and actress are just great

[@Woodkin007]

I'm on season 4 of DS9 and I keep getting distracted by how Kira manages to have zero sex appeal. Suppose everyone has different types. I'm more of a Hoshi Sato fan.

[@GuyDude-hk8uy]

"A language virus makes it impossible for him to communicate" That's one way of saying he's Irish.

[@morganrobinson8042]

At least he wasn't Welsh. That's terminal.

[@matthewgubbins8515]

​@@morganrobinson8042at least he's not Scottish. That's a fat worse than death

[@M0butu]

Guiness19

[@M0butu]

Guiness19

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

@@morganrobinson8042 Yes, but it;s not as painful as Brummiegititis.

[@SeruraRenge11]

28:56 Fun fact, it was supposed to be a leprechaun. But Colm Meaney put his foot down and said, "Fuck that. I have put up with Irish stereotypes bordering on racism my entire career, I'm not doing it! I have played the role of 'Irish Asshole' in almost every film I've been in." So the leprechaun was changed to Rumplestiltskin because I guess that was the closest child-stealing analouge they could think of. You can imagine what he thought of Up The Long Ladder.

[@1337penguinman]

Which is an extremely O'Brien reaction to be honest.

[@coyoteink]

I always loved the idea that replicated food was "hinted" to recycled poop. Then of course Discovery had to just ruin the long running secret gag and flat out say it.

[@jaysteelsun]

I recently just started watching TNG for the first time, and I can see why he has become a fan favorite despite his limited screen time. Though, being a massive It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fan, I can't help but think, "Hey, it's Charlie's dad" every time I see him.

[@Jalae]

stay tuned for ds9 for more miles o'brien

[@GuitarSlayer136]

@@Jalae and his terrible terrible marriage

[@LordVVar]

For me, every time I see that episode of Always Sunny I always think, "Hey, it's Chief O'Briens ancestors."

[@circleinforthecube5170]

@@LordVVar that means theres a space charlie

[@turbopokey]

14:41 O’Brien; “Wesley, touch the transporter again and I’ll kill you….or tell your mother, whichever you think is scarier.”

[@anjetto1]

My name is CHIEF MILES EDWARD O'BRIEN! Born and raised in Ireland, living there during the tail end of the troubles in the 80s and through the 90s. It was CRAZY to see O'Brien on screen every week.

[@SeruraRenge11]

I should note that while Miles is an enlisted man, he's a Chief Petty Officer. So he is one of the highest possible ranks a man can reach without a commission and is specialized towards a type of command. So while it sounds low in theory, that is a rank that commands a great deal of respect, especially with how decorated he is. As Zach from mikeburnfire said about a Warrant Officer he knew, "no one short of a General was going to tell him 'no' if he suggested something on the base."

[@MiniMackeroni]

Akin to the experienced but underpaid maintenance guy who knows every system, technical or not, inside and out. If he brings something up, everyone listens.

[@Moribis]

The fact that Lower Deck did that fast nod/bit was the most funny and eye opening thing ever. I read their reason and they are right in their perspective. He is the quintessential lower decker and ya he is also the guy of the series.

[@AndDiracisHisProphet]

where did they say their reason?

[@Moribis]

@@AndDiracisHisProphet I can't remember where they do. There's random articles about it but their nomination of Miles is pretty obvious, from the perspective of Lower Decks. They're all the people doing the menial work, which Miles does in TNG and DS9. Sisko may run the station but Miles kept the lights working.

[@otterfire4712]

Listening to Plague talk about a favorite character of his is always a good part of the day

[@planguy9575]

I think Paradise had the implication that the residents (prisoners) of the colony had been indoctrinated to the degree that they refused to leave even after everything was revealed and the opportunity to leave was offered. And we see that the children will be the ones to suffer for the choice their elders have forced on them. I thought it was a good episode with an incredibly tragic conclusion. Also that hot, flirty and cantankerous Cardassian woman who offered her womb to Miles was great.

[@VidGamer123]

I headcanon that after a few more people die of preventable diseases, they say "fuck this noise" and request replicators and medical supplies.

[@wadedewell]

I'd do her

[@bobwish8851]

@@VidGamer123 same. after they got the crazy lady off planet, buried the stupid box and set up the replicators. the planet would be nice place to live on.

[@benjaminbierley2074]

Looking back, the ending scene sort of has the implication with the kids seeing the MCs transporting off the planet that they become aware technology to take them off the planet EASYILY exists, and if they don't end up brainwashed by their parents (which is likely now that the og tyrant is gone) they're going to leave the planet when they come of age the first chance they get.

[@richardmcgowan1651]

People like O'Brien were the backbone of Starfleet. Something you dont see much in Star Trek.

[@SeruraRenge11]

4:53 I always saw replicated food as probably just tasting "off" in a way you can't quite put your finger on if you've never had the real thing. Much like how yes, beyond meat through its chemicals can taste MOSTLY like meat, but if you've had actual meat before you know they're still not quite getting the taste right.

[@MajinMist603]

Like eating fast food compared to home cook …..

[@pisscvre69]

i think the real limit worst of all would be the lack of variety, if you have a piece of chicken then another they’ll be basically the same, but if you had the exact same piece over and over for years, you are gonna be uncomfortably familiar with it you will know every grain where the softest spot is where the everything is, like when you eat to many microwave dinners cuz your to depressed and drained to cook for months till you just cant eat the same thing again, not that i would know anything about that

[@bobjason7540]

Not a good comparison. Plant meat obviously is not meat

[@Artista_Frustrado]

@@bobjason7540 yeah but is marketed as "meat enough to fool people into eating plants"

[@MiniMackeroni]

I always imagined it as being "too perfect." A replicated steak is... uniform. It's perfect. It tastes like steak, but it doesn't have the *_imperfections_* of the real thing. Certain parts of 'natural' steak may have more fat, less fat, an area of more proteins, an enlarged blood vessel or even the tiniest of unpredictable cartilage here and there. Or a stick of replicated celery has the fibers perfectly made, the taste being the perfect example of celery. But a natural one may have thicker fibers in some places, crunchier or softer, be slightly more sour or sweet depending on the soil type, growth time, temperatures, etc.

[@TrampyPulsar]

Despite being a cartoon parody Lower Decks is the most Star Trek thing we've had in decades

[@qwopiretyu]

Since DS9

[@iaredavid02]

sorry to remind you, but that's a 2 decade gap

[@AndDiracisHisProphet]

I agree. Haven't watched Strange New Worlds. But Discovery and S1 and S2 of Picard where made by people who don't understand Star Trek and don't care about Star Trek. S3 of Picard was made by someone who clearly loved Star Trek.....but does not understand it. Lower Decks is a love letter of someone who understands Star Trek

[@janwitkowsky8787]

Alternatively title: Chief Miles O'Brien: Husband of Star Trek's Kinkiest Lady.

[@glorton7119]

Befriender of Tosk

[@SeruraRenge11]

It trips over itself a couple times in the writing but Keiko and Miles unironically have one of the most realistic marriages I've seen on serialized television. Yes, there's drama. Yes, they will have arguments over the pettiest bullshit. But deep down they love each other and work that bullshit out.

[@fluffskunk]

The Rutledge posting and his appearances as a Lt. can be explained by Starfleet having a warrant officer program. Especially during the Cardassian wars.

[@1337penguinman]

Also, Starfleet is kind of a hybrid corporate/military structure so the officer/enlisted distinction isn't quite as rigid.

[@ctrouble2309]

In the middle of a DS9 rewatch, and just finished the Obrien prison episode. Great timing

[@mushroomsamba82]

"I have no idea who that is" Same, Plague, same.

[@Pengu1n111]

I was going through some really tough things when I saw “Hard Time” originally The speech Julian gave to Miles gave me the extra strength I needed to push through it. I’m now out the other side, but I still think of that episode frequently

[@NewbieStarTrek]

He's the only one with a clear career and personal life progression you can follow that isn't just "bigger officer." It's also nice to know that an actor kept getting now opportunities simply because he was a pleasure to work with. It seems so rare for being nice to pay off, especially in the entertainment industry.

[@aziizrocks]

Small correction, Kirayoshi* O'brien. Coming home after a graveyard shift, only to find out there's a 40min vid about DS9. Thank you my man! Ps: Would be awesome if you did a shorter vid on, why Casidy Yates and Benjamin Sisko long relationship also worked.

[@Jibjabberwocky]

He does. Unironically O'Brien is the man.

[@talljoke]

Never watched an entire Star Trek episode in my life. I'm still so excited to see you discuss another fictional character.

[@VidGamer123]

I hope you find the time to watch some. We all could use that early 90's optimism again.

[@talljoke]

@@VidGamer123 TNG is on my watch list. It's just that list is very long!

[@MrSchmeoin1]

​@@talljokeTNG and DS9 are some of the best television ever made. Peerless writing. Can't recommend enough

[@Rynjinivar]

@@talljoke When you get around to it, just keep in mind...it gets better. TNG is one of the original poster children for the "second season glowup" a lot of shows get.

[@talljoke]

@Rynjinivar Haha, thanks! I've had that warning from a lot of people. I think even this very channel mentioned it in a video once.

[@cincymutt]

Last thing I would've expected for you, but I'm here for it. Two of my favorite shows right here.

[@antwan1357]

Thank you for making this as Obrien was one of my favorite characters too bad he never got a spot on PIcard.

[@truenorth1997]

0:37 Not one statue of him on Bajor! NOT ONE!

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

“How long will it take?” “10 hours sir” “You have 5.” “ no sir, that is not how it works. If you want the ship to function, I will see you in about 10 hours.”

[@CallMeMrChainmail]

Inside you there are two wolves... sorry about the transporter accident.

[@Level_1_Frog]

I'm so excited for this. I love Chief Miles O'Brien ❤

[@BrotherVoidBomber]

As someone who knows nothing about star trek i am 100% down to learn.

[@BardBoss64]

It's worth noting that Miles isn't direcly conservative, he's strictly pro-union.

[@leebard9335]

That's not necessarily non-conservative; plenty of blue collar conservatives are union men.

[@copter2000]

​@@leebard9335The definition of conservative nowadays is so wide.

[@MrSchmeoin1]

Unions are undeniably left wing politically though. Colm Meany is staunchly on the left irl too. He talks about how he caused trouble at school for distributing Maos little red book lol. And he supports socialist causes to this day. He's a fecking legend.

[@ASlickNamedPimpback]

@@MrSchmeoin1 "fellas is it politically left to want better work conditions" lmao no bud. its the year 2360 we are way past political wings

[@Hy93Ri0n]

@@ASlickNamedPimpback>fellas is it politically left to want better working conditions. More often then not, yeah.

[@johnbeer4963]

Never knew Nana Visitor was married to Alexander Siddig until today

[@makroza-9380]

I've never watched star trek in any way or form, but i already know i will watch this once and listen to it 2 more times, you are great, plague

[@veronicadredd22]

The Producers had to save face when their day player had a more successful Movie career than the majority of the main cast bar Patrick Stewert he was being wasted as a background character, They had to promote him

[@TheHedgehogsDelimma]

The greatest amount of suffering Chief Miles O'Brien had to endure had one name: Keiko

[@vigilantScrivener]

I’m reminded of Yang Wenli from Legend of the Galactic Heroes and how the journey to pay off school tuition leads unambitious men to the strangest of places.

[@brie488]

Just finishing up my first watch-thru of DS9 ever. thank you for this Plague

[@sasaki999pro]

8:33 Well GOLLY GEE I cant even begin to imagine why someone fitting THAT description would be _Your_ favorite character, Plague. 😏

[@michaelkolano8686]

In one of the star trek game, both of O'Brien's kids end up on starships themselves, in pretty high ranking positions, with a well known of reputation

[@DAFORCEFilms]

The very stability of the galaxy centers around his suffering.

[@Diquez]

I knew I could trust Plague to bring up the Kira pregnancy throuple thing, but I'm surprised he didn't mention the bit in the Pah-Wraith episode where it clearly implies Keiko likes to roleplay as other women (Which was like 2 episodes after the pregnancy bonding episode). Demons indeed.

[@LittleMountain90]

Oh good, I'm not the only one who was seeing the potential for a Miles/Keiko/Kira throuple

[@NoPantsBaby]

O'Brien is a testament of the capacity of the Space Irish. If only the real ones could stay off the booze.

[@zorin234]

Good video. The end part even made me tear up a tad.

[@Piratewaffle43]

I'd vote for Miles O'Brien

[@SilverGarrison]

20:00 the arc of "Let's return her" is always hilarious to me 🤣

[@Forced2DoThis1]

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WHAT A MILITARY CHIEF!!! They are NEVER nobodies!

[@fortknobberdale]

My wife calls him "A-lotta-face-guy"...

[@spicyboi544]

Literally watched the storyteller episode with the cloud thingy last week. that's it, got nothing else to say, just thought I'd mention it.

[@withershin]

My favourite thing about O'Brien is that to be true to canon he just randomly as a Senior NCO put Officer pips on and no one ever called him out on it. Years ago, I worked with some retired CWOs and CPOs - they loved O'Brien.

[@gwgux]

That was one of the most in-depth and complete videos I'm seen about O'Brien. Well done!

[@RobSeib]

Between this and Steve Shive’s video on O’Brien’s suffering, this character that I already loved has become so elevated in my mind.

[@Gunthersby]

My family is of the opinion that the actor behind O'Brien isn't capable of acting more than as, more or less, him, which makes them dislike him as a character. I don't know his acting background but did reply he is great, I love how fundamentally "him" he is

[@Powoga]

This just reminded me of how awful mental healthcare in the Star Trek universe seems to be. Did O'Brien get any sort of treatment after going through 20 years in mind prison? Because from what I can remember, he basically just went back to work. Same thing with Nog when he lost his leg.

[@Buglips_D_Goblin]

Characters don't generally like therapy in ST, but Miles had a specialist counselor for his trauma and Nog had extensive therapy while recuperating at the starbase. This is mentioned in dialogue.

[@DanielMWJ]

Replicated food being "perfect" but also tasting bad makes perfect sense: low fat, low salt, low sugar, etc. It's healthy lite food with perfectly balanced nutrition!

[@Padge112]

It was very Irish in the 50s for familys to fracture as older siblings would go abroad looking for work whislt the youngest inherited the land that was propped up from money sent home. I like how O'Brien echoed that notion by going off to find himself in the Galaxy. It almost felt like that for those left behind back home.

[@behsorcery4552]

Amazing video! The way star trek writes entry points to help include people from different generations or upbringings is such a under-rated aspect of the franchise. It's one of the few topics I can bring up with someone who grew up in the 50's and talk endlessly about.

[@JMonty0100]

Been a while since I watched a Plague video essay. Happy to see you’re talking about one of my favorite characters in Star Trek.

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

29:21 “noooo why aren’t you aliens teaching OUR theology”

[@alexneff]

Separation of church and star fleet

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

It's not widely known, but Mile O'Brien in fact retired to the early 2000's Norfolk and took a job hosting the sleepytime slot on North Norfolk Digital Radio.

[@niceguy60]

O Brien and Scotty were equally my favorite engineers, it was a missed opportunity not having them meet in Relics

[@BrokenCurtain]

Miles O'Brien is one of those characters that was lifted into relevance by the actor playing him, in this case Colm Meaney. You just can't help but notice that guy.

[@KrzysiuNet]

He's Steve Wozniak of ST universum. Mildly recognized, but never enough. And of course the way he looks at machines, is relatable for many of us. And no wonder his dad didn't want him to follow his digital dreams - in the world that everything's machines, it's like "dad, I want to leave home and scrape toilets for the rest of my life!" kind of thing.

[@russellharrell2747]

How much O’Brien is in this video? Miles.

[@signaltome]

Thank you for portraying my favorite Star Trek character with the respect and decency he deserves. Warts and all. 😉

[@QueenFiria]

All this and no mention that Miles comes from a line of union men? I grade this video an A, rather than an A+.

[@buffalodebill1976]

I believe the character grew onto and became beloved by the fans thanks to Colm Meaney's portrayal, in great part stemming from his real-life personality.

[@roboticsmarts6842]

13:02 When you put it like that, The Federation's abysmal performance in the Dominion War makes a ton of sense.

[@Jizzfrosti]

The most tormented man in fiction

[@SpecialAgentBillMaxwell]

That one where O'Brien dies really stayed with me. He didn't die and undo his future to live again. He actually sacrificed himself for the station, and a Miles from another universe replaced him. He should have gotten all the medals for that one.

[@ricardovelchi5760]

In the episode "family" on next generation, Picard's brother Renee didn't allow a replicator in the family home until recently, because he was honoring his father. Apparently the Picard's were killing animals in the late 24th century as well

[@StooDogg]

If Obrein wasnt there, Earth would have been assimilated by Borg. He beamed Worf/Data/Locutus from Borg Cube. The only non academy man in Starfleet!

[@The_Kiosk]

O'Brien and Worf both lasted to the end of DS9.

[@Zlypi]

Damn. Can't even have a nerdy argument. I agree with everything.

[@lesliewong44]

32:17 so he’s like Harry Kim where the real one got sucked out into space and the parallel universe one stayed in the “canon” dimension

[@KosmonautKong]

Famously, the Soviets never accused anyone of being against the state for innocent acts and cruelly punished them.

[@saintsinningsword]

North Korea has so they're more apt.

[@KairuHakubi]

kek I bet they do still say that

[@copter2000]

And if they do, I'm sure a strongly worded letter from Stalin is all they'll receive.

[@Jilktube]

15:40 not just any crew, but some high ranking officers.

[@1337penguinman]

Even before the memes, O'Brien was always my favorite character in the setting. Probably because I saw a lot of myself in him.