Tag: Murphy

Deep Space 9 – Episode 29: Character Dynamics and Ethical Tensions in When it Rains

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Post date April 17, 2025
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Get ready for an exciting new season of Because That’s What Heroes Do. This season, they take a deep dive into their favorite episodes of Deep Space 9. In this exploration, Tom and Megan are joined by Star Trek maven Alex Murphy (Murphy) from Montreal, a local historian and a cinema and TV fan who loves weird foreign films, horror, and obscure media. He has been watching Trek since he was a tiny punk, and it’s been a lifelong love. In this episode, the team concludes an exploration of the introduction of a new character for DS9’s final season. Today, they review the episode When it Rains.

The gang is back to look into the complexities of character dynamics and ethical tensions portrayed in the episode ‘When It Rains.’ Our hosts discuss Kira’s appointment as a liaison teaching Cardassians resistance tactics and how this creates a multifaceted web of moral and personal conflicts. We also dive into the tragic reveal of Odo’s disease, the challenges faced by Dr. Bashir in uncovering the truth, and the implications of the Federation’s malfeasance. The episode is rich with character growth and moral dilemmas, compelling and thought-provoking. Highlights include Gowron’s contentious takeover of Klingon forces, the deteriorating intrapersonal relationships, and the unexpectedly poignant moments, such as Quark’s heartfelt gesture to Odo. Join us as we dissect these elements and explore how they resonate with broader loyalty, duty, and ethical complicity themes.

Key highlight

Kira’s Role and Reversal of Fortune
Odo’s Sickness and Government Conspiracy
Klingon Politics and Relationships
Garak’s Return and Kira’s Struggles

Resources:

Megan Dougherty

Tom

Tags Deep Space 9, DS9, Megan Dougherty, Murphy, Star Trek

Because That's What Heroes Do

Deep Space 9 – Episode 28: Analyzing the Changing Face of Evil

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Post date April 12, 2025
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Get ready for an exciting new season of Because That’s What Heroes Do. This season, they take a deep dive into their favorite episodes of Deep Space 9. In this exploration, Tom and Megan are joined by Star Trek maven Alex Murphy (Murphy) from Montreal, a local historian, cinema, and TV fan who loves weird foreign films, horror, and obscure media. He has been watching Star Trek since he was a tiny punk, and it’s been a lifelong love. In this episode, the team concludes an exploration of the introduction of a new character for DS9’s final season. Today, they review the episode The Changing Face of Evil.

In this podcast episode, the gang takes a deep dive into an intense chapter of the Star Trek universe, exploring the escalation of conflict at the far end of the galaxy. There are major space battles, shocking reveals about Kai Winn and the Federation, a disease affecting the Founders, and the activities of the new Cardassian Liberation Front. The discussion touches on the evolving idea of evil, particularly through the actions and motivations of various characters, including Damar and the Founders. They also reflect on a surprising moment where Star Trek invokes sympathy for a Cardassian character, a nod to earlier series episodes, and explore the emotional impact of the loss of the Defiant, which has been integral to the Deep Space Nine series. The episode examines the Founders’ shift in tactics to psychological warfare, the introduction of a powerful new Breen weapon, and the distressing attitudes of the Founders toward their subordinates. Despite the dire situations, the conversation also highlights moments of camaraderie and lighter personal interactions among the Starfleet crew.

Key highlights:

Major Space Battles and Big Reveals
Sympathy for a Cardassian
The Defiant’s Role and Loss
The Founders’ Apathy and Exhaustion
Nog’s First Battle and PTSD

Resources:

Megan Dougherty

Tom

Tags Deep Space 9, DS9, Megan Dougherty, Murphy, Star Trek

Because That's What Heroes Do

Deep Space 9 – Episode 26: Til Death Do Us Part and Unraveling Complex Relationships in DS9

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Post date March 29, 2025
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Get ready for an exciting new season of Because That’s What Heroes Do. This season, they take a deep dive into their favorite episodes of Deep Space 9. In this exploration, Tom and Megan are joined by Star Trek maven Alex Murphy (Murphy) from Montreal. Murphy is a local historian, cinema, and TV fan with a love for weird foreign films, all things horror, and obscure media. He has been watching Trek since he was a tiny punk, and it’s been a lifelong love.

In this episode, the team concludes by exploring the introduction to a new character for DS9’s final season and reviewing the episode Til Death Do US Part. They dive into the intricate relationships and transitional plot points of a particularly romantic yet unsettling episode of DS9. We discuss major developments such as Dukat’s infiltration of DS9, Damar’s new leadership role among the Cardassians, and the complex dynamics between Ezri and Worf following their ill-advised hookup. The conversation touches upon profound moments of character introspection, especially with Kai Wen and her interactions with Dukat. Murphy highlights Quark’s emotional depth and the evolving narrative arcs while exploring the impacts of these character developments within the broader DS9 storyline. Join us to uncover the intertwined fates and emotional struggles that drive this pivotal episode forward.

Key highlights:

Romantic Entanglements and Character Dynamics
Kai Winn and Dukat: A Controversial Pairing
Ezri and Worf: Youthful Mistakes
Sisko and Kasidy: Prophecy and Struggle
Dukat’s Manipulations and Damar’s Downfall
Quark’s Heart and Ferengi Values

Resources

Megan Dougherty

Tom

Tags DS9, Megan Dougherty, Murphy, Star Trek, Star Trek-DS9, Til Death Do Us Part

Because That's What Heroes Do

Deep Space 9: Episode 13 – Sons of Mogh: Worf’s Loneliness and Klingon Culture

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Post date September 21, 2024
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Get ready for an exciting new season of Because That’s What Heroes Do. In this season, they take a deep dive into their favorite 15 episodes of Deep Space 9. In this exploration, they are joined by DS9 maven, Alex Murphy, (Murphy) from Montreal, who is a local historian, cinema and tv fan with a love for weird foreign films, all things horror, and obscure media. He has been watching Trek since he was a tiny punk, and it’s been a lifelong love. In this episode, the discussion centers around an intense installment of Deep Space 9, featuring Worf and his brother Kurn, addressing themes central to Klingon culture and the role of disillusioned warriors.

The story begins with a ritual killing that Worf stops, leading to Kurn’s downward spiral as he struggles with loss of honor and purpose. Highlights include Worf and Kurn’s mission to reveal Klingon mines around Bajoran space and Kurn’s final brain wipe, making him a new person without his past burdens. The discussion also touches on Sisko’s evolving leadership style and his strict reprimand of Worf, as well as the interpersonal dynamics between crew members. Key themes include Worf’s isolation, the contrasts between Starfleet’s ethics and Klingon traditions, and the unfolding tension in the lead-up to the Dominion War.

Key Highlights and Themes:

Kurn’s Struggles and Klingon Culture
Klingon Subplots and Bajoran Space
The Brain Wipe
Worf’s Loneliness and Relationships
Sisko’s Leadership and Moral Dilemmas

Resources:

Megan Dougherty

Tom

Tags Deep Space 9, DS9, Megan Dougherty, Murphy, Sons of Mogh

Because That's What Heroes Do

Deep Space 9: Federation at the Brink – A Deep Dive into Homefront

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Post date August 31, 2024
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Today we take a deep dive into the first of a 2-episode series, Home Front. Next week we conclude with Paradise Lost.

The thematic crux of the episodes, as Megan noted, revolves around the Federation’s response to internal security threats. The conversations between Sisko, his father, and various Starfleet officials mirror contemporary debates about the balance between security and personal freedom. Tom drew parallels to real-world political shifts, likening the Federation’s complacency to historical and modern-day societal shifts.

Murphy’s observations highlighted a broader concern about Earth’s apparent insularity and naivety. Despite the dramatic actions taken by Admiral Layton and the ethical dilemmas posed by Sisko’s temporary promotion, the broader questions about how the Federation can protect itself without losing its core values remain at the forefront of the discussion.

Key Highlights and Themes:

Initial Impressions and Reactions
Character Analysis: Quark and Nog
Themes of Security and Militarization
Sisko’s Promotion and Federation Politics

Resources:

Megan Dougherty

Tom

Tags Deep Space 9, DS(, Homefront, Megan Dougherty, Murphy

Because That's What Heroes Do

Deep Space 9: Episode 3 – Duet

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Post date May 17, 2024
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Get ready for an exciting new season of Because That’s What Heroes Do. In this season, they take a deep dive into their favorite 15 episodes of Deep Space 9.

In this exploration, they are joined by DS9 maven, Alex Murphy, who lives in Montreal, Quebec, where he’s been a cook, baker, and general kitchen grunt for twenty-some odd years. Off duty, he is a local historian, cinema, and TV fan with a love for weird foreign films, all things horror, and obscure media. He has been watching Trek since he was a tiny punk, and it’s been a lifelong love.

Don’t miss out on the exciting new season of Because That’s What Heroes Do! We continue our exploration of DS9 with a review of the 17^th show from the first season, Duet.

This episode is lauded for its emotionally charged content and complex character development. They highlight its successful handling of heavy, relevant issues and its ranking as possibly one of the best in the Star Trek series for tackling such themes through a sci-fi lens. Consider its writing, acting, and thoughtful portrayal of a wide range of emotions and ethical dilemmas.

The discussion touches on character arcs, especially that of Kira Nerys, and her emotional journey dealing with past actions and the realization of her desires for vengeance versus justice. Themes of accountability, reconciliation, and the transformation from violence to peace are explored, paralleling real-world issues such as the Holocaust, apartheid, and various forms of political and social reconciliation processes.

The conversation also delves into the Star Trek universe’s broader scope, contemplating the franchise’s handling of multifaceted characters and societies with diverse, sometimes conflicting, motivations.