Series 7, Episode 2 - "Nice, light topics that are nothing to worry about these days..."

In the second instalment of our ongoing exploration of Cardassian and Bajoran stories across Star Trek, we turn our attention to one of Deep Space Nine’s most powerful and emotionally resonant hours: the acclaimed episode Duet. Returning to the mic is the ever-insightful Cardassian Queen herself, Vean, and joining the crew for the first time on this feed is Thomas Labanick—Trek podcast rookie, but no stranger to us thanks to his prior appearance on our Jurassic Park review over on the Silver Screen Podcast. We kick things off with Tommy’s Trek credentials: when he first beamed aboard the fandom, what series he vibes with most, and who earns a place on his personal Mount Trekmore. Then it's warp speed into the latest Hit or Miss segment, where we parse through DS9 and VOY two-parters, grieve a tragic character arc, and celebrate a surprisingly ancient newcomer to the canon. But the heart of the episode lies in our deep-dive review of Duet. We honour the recent passing of the incredible Harris Yulin, whose performance left an indelible mark on Trek history, and unpack our differing takes on Nana Visitor’s equally complex portrayal. Along the way we dig into the real-world parallels, discuss the bold writing choices, and reflect on how a cost-cutting bottle episode transformed into a searing, unforgettable piece of television. Warning: contains scenes of intense dialogue, heavy guilt, and podcast hosts just about maintaining emotional composure.

Links:

• Follow Vean on BlueSky - @LadyVean

• Follow Thomas on BlueSky - @tlabanick

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"Not only do I love to speak, I love being listened to."