1441 – Scone Secret Club Forever | Snore Trek Deep Space Nine S6 E18

Episode 1441 – Scone Secret Club Forever | Snore Trek Deep Space Nine S6 E18

 

SCOOTER: Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time for a visit to some place we’ve never been together before, and a matter of fact, a place I may…I’m not sure if I’ve ever visited before. It’ll be friendly, it’ll be lulling, and it’ll just be barely interesting enough to take your mind off of stuff and put you to sleep. By the way, welcome to Sleep With Me if you're new, or welcome back if you're coming back. I’m so glad you're here. This is a podcast to be your friend in the deep, dark night, to keep you company, to take your mind off of stuff so you could fall asleep or at least feel comforted, maybe even to bring you some sleepy, joyous delight in the deep, dark night. So, the short…well, there’s nothing short here, but my version is I’m just here to hang out with you and to talk for your benefit about something you could listen to but you don't need to listen to. So, if you're new, just try the show out a couple times. It doesn't work for everybody. It’s a different idea.

 

Well, I’ve been doing it a long time, and yeah, I’m kinda like your bedtime companion. If you say, yeah, as long as you stay over there on the other side of the room…or could you, yeah, be my companion but walk…and I say, oh yeah, believe me, I’ll be walking…you want me to walk in front of you or behind you or at your side but not next to you, like ten feet away? Whatever it is, I’m glad you're here. Yeah, just give the show a few tries. See if it works. If you're new, what we got coming up is support. That is optional. Or not even…you don't need to support the show if your new. That’s really for the people that listen all the time. Then there’s a long, meandering intro meant to ease you into bedtime, and then later on we’ll be talking about a episode of Deep Space 9. Never covered it on the podcast before. We're just doing this one episode as a part of themed series of different Star Trek projects. So, yeah, I’m glad you're here, and, yeah, I really appreciate you coming by. If you listen on a regular basis, this podcast has changed your life, continues to change your life for the better, if you could consider supporting one of these sponsors or supporting the show, I’d be so thankful. Thanks.

 

Intro: Hey, are you up all night tossing, turning, mind racing? Trouble getting to sleep? Trouble staying asleep? Well, welcome. This is Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. We do it with a bedtime story. Alls you need to do is get in bed, turn out the lights, and press Play. I’m gonna do the rest. What I’m going to attempt to do is create a safe place where you could set aside whatever’s keeping you awake. That could be thoughts on your mind about the past, the present, the future, things you're thinking about or thoughts that are just appearing, feelings related to those thoughts or feelings that are just there, it could be physical sensations, changes in time, temperature, routine, you could be going through something, you could be getting over something, in the middle of something, maybe you work a different schedule. Whatever it is, I’m glad you're here, and what I’m…what am I saying?

 

Oh, the only reason I kinda talk about some of that stuff is so you get the idea that, yeah, I’m really here to kinda…because I’ve been there. That’s the only reason I kinda list some of that stuff, is so you know…ideally you'll feel at least a little bit seen and understood, even if…we can't obviously…you may say, listen, Scoots, I don't know if you can totally understand why I’m here. I say, well, maybe I could connect to some of the deeper feelings. But even if I can't, the good news is that there’s enough people listening right now that there’s someone listening somewhere in the world who’s been in a similar place to whatever it is that brought you here that really does understand why you're here. Not only that; they're glad you're here. They're like, wow, this podcast helped me when I thought nothing would, so I hope it can help you. But they're so glad you're here 'cause even the show helping you is kinda optional.

 

They're like, well, even if the podcast doesn't help that you get the sleep you need and that the show introduces you to something that helps you fall asleep. But they're rooting for you. There’s people around the world, people that are dealing with the same thing you're dealing with or that came here for a similar reason, and then there’s people going through stuff that’s totally different. But there’s regular listeners and occasional listeners, and this is the part of the show that they look forward to, kind of passively participating in or actively participating in, whatever they're comfortable with, 'cause they get to think fondly of people around the world who kinda deal with the same things they deal with at bedtime and to send you whatever…however you want to call it; good vibes, positive energy, well wishes.

 

They're somewhere in the world rooting for you that you get the sleep you need and you deserve so that your life is more manageable tomorrow and that you could get the sleep you need and deserve on a regular basis, and maybe you could be out there in the world flourishing. They're genuine…just like I am; I say, we're genuinely rooting for you. If you could get the sleep you need on a regular basis and be out there in the world flourishing, that’s awesome, right? That’s a win for the entire world. You're welcome to join in that if you're a regular listener or you're new, or you're welcome to receive that from all the listeners that are sending it out right now, and I just get to be the kinda mouthpiece for it. But that’s really the most important part of the show. You deserve a nice bedtime that you don't have to dread, that doesn't have rigmarole. You deserve some rest and you deserve some of this kindness of…we're not strangers here, either.

 

That’s the kind of phrase, the kindness of strangers or something? Because we're not strangers. On the inside we all get it, 'cause while…we all get what it’s like in the deep, dark night, even if it’s a little bit different for each one of us. We're all glad you're here, I guess is the way of…I’m over-explaining it. The way the show works is I send my voice across the deep, dark night. I use lulling, soothing, creaky, dulcet tones, pointless meanders, and superfluous tangents. So, I go off topic, then I get mixed up, then I forget what I was talking about, then I repeat myself. My voice is not traditionally soothing. When you get here, you're prob…if you're new or you're coming back after a while, you're probably gonna be skeptical, doubtful. What is this? Is this person just gonna talk nonsense for an hour? Well, it’s not exactly nonsense. It’s similar. So, if you're new and you feel like that or you're like, what is happening here, that’s a pretty normal thing. Why wouldn't you be skeptical or doubtful?

 

If you're anything like me or a lot of the other listeners, you probably tried a ton of different stuff to help you fall asleep, and it hasn't been easy, right? So, alls I could tell you is what probably over a million people have e-mailed me about over the past thirteen years, which is that when they first got to the show, they didn't like it, or they were like, I don't know about this. It’s not what I…I thought this was a sleep podcast. This doesn't seem sleepy. How come it doesn't have any bells or ringing, or why are you talking to me like a friend instead of kinda talking in some ethereal manner? They say, Scoots, he does not move in ethereal ways. He’s not even sure he knows what…he probably gets his ethereal and translucent mixed up. I’d say, yeah…well, I’d say, yeah, they're…I think they mean different things, but yeah, they kinda feel similar. Okay, you got me. But, I mean, I don't know, I’ve rarely run out of things to say when it comes to…but I say, well, I like the…whatever…yeah.

 

One day I would…I’m not striving to move in ethereal ways, but I mean, I do…that could be something I hope for at some point in my…this existence or some other existence. They say, now…that would be like…maybe…now he moves in ethereal ways. Maybe that’s the…kinda one of those things where…yeah, I don't even move at all. When I move in ethereal ways, am I moving? I don't know. But when I’m meandering…holy cow, this is one of those tangents that…we're talking about ethereal stuff but we're stuck in ovular logic. This is why a lot of people, when they get here, they're not sure about the show. So, that’s normal. So, just give it a few tries and see how it goes. You really having nothing to lose at all, and hopefully it helps you out. But if it doesn't help you out, you discover you don't like the show or it doesn't help you, I have a website set up. Even if you've discovered it now already…you're like, yeah, no, I don't like you or the pod…that’s fine.

 

I have a website set up, sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou, 'cause you still deserve a good night's sleep. Everything I said up to this point still applies to you whether…even if you have a strong disliking towards me or we're just not a fit, I still want you to get a good night's sleep. So, try some of the other stuff at sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou. But otherwise stick around. See how it goes. For regular listeners, that’s what happened; two or three times into the show, they said, oh, he really does mean that he wishes when he grows up he could be someone that moves in ethereal ways, but he doesn't also know what that is. He’s also…he would also…he wouldn't mind moving in mysterious ways, but he kinda does move in mysterious ways with the podcast. Is that…? Here’s a tip for a giant corporation; just putting it out…I do put a lot of free ideas out for giant corporations. I would love to be…this could be a co-lab, I think, between you and U2. But what was…?

 

Now I forgot what it was, though. Oh, bummer. Oh no, there it is. ‘Cause you have that thing, ways, right? So, could you have a mode…? I mean, I guess it wouldn't be a great mode for…turn on Mysterious Ways. Activate…well, they do have that in that other car, 'cause my brother drives one. One time he had Tron mode on or something. So, maybe you could do it there, or maybe you've already done it; turn on Mysterious Ways. Then you could just have them sing it, like when you go…you know, sing the directions. I don't think this is…this is one of my ideas that’s not terrible. Like, yeah, activate Mysterious Ways. So, I don't know if companies…I don't know if U2 and you are a match, 'cause I don't know anything…I’m not…that’s where I’m not a expert. But it just seems to make sense. How come…? I mean, I’m probably not the first person to think about it. They said, yeah, Scoots, we did that fourteen years ago. Oh, okay, well, that’s probably…it makes sense.

 

So, yeah, it was a great idea when you did it. Okay, what was I saying? How did I get on to Mysterious Ways? Most people don't like the show, give it a few tries, see how it goes, but then you're…mysteriously, if it works for you, it kinda works like that. You're like, oh, wait a second, I fell asleep last night listening to him. What was he talking about? I don't know. Mystery to me. He does mysteries? No, he doesn't strike me as the kind of person that could solve very many mysteries. So, maybe not. I don't know. I just fell asleep. I think he was talking about…I don't remember. Oh, well, you look like you got a great night…oh, thanks, hun. Thanks. You look great, too. Love you lots. So, that’s a idealized version of what happens the morning after listening to the podcast on your third or fourth try when it finally works, but it does…I got a lot of e-mails like that. So, the other thing is this is a podcast you don't really listen to. You kinda just barely listen.

 

It’s a little bit like elevated background noise, a TV on in the other room, a show streaming under your pillow. Yeah, that takes some getting used to, right? It’s like a roommate who’s talking for your benefit, but you don't have to pay attention to them, sand passing through your hands, a out-of-focus picture, something you could listen to but you don't need to listen to. Then this is a podcast…a sleep podcast…I’m not here to put you to sleep. There is no pressure to fall asleep with the show. That’s the reason the episodes are over an hour. That’s the reason the show comes out…three different kinds of episodes come out every single week. We have 600+ episodes you could choose from so that you don't have to worry about falling asleep. There’s people listening who can't sleep at all, who need a break during the day, who are waking up in the middle of the night, who need something to listen to while they work, or that they listen on a regular basis.

 

So, I’m here to keep you company whether you're awake or asleep. I’m here to the very end for those people who can't sleep at all whether it’s long-term or just situational in the deep, dark night. I’m here to keep you company in the deep, dark night, but to be mildly distracting so you don't feel like you have to listen to me if you don't need to. ‘Cause my job is to be your bore-friend, your bore-bae, your bore-sib, your bore-bud, your bore-bruh, your bore-cuz, your bore-bie, your neighbore, your boreman, your Boris Borelaf, your chairman of the boreds, your best bore-friend f’eva to just keep you company and hang out with you while you fall asleep, kinda like a on-demand semi…ideally I’m more than an acquaintance to you, but I’m a friend you don't feel…you say, well, I like being around Scoots, but also…it's a low-pressure situation, I guess is what I’m saying. The other thing I like to explain just in case you're new is the structure of the show, 'cause it can really throw new people off, and that’s okay if it…it's okay.

 

I’ll explain it to you and then you could just see as…if you listen two or three times if it’s a fit. If not, that’s fine, too. So, the show starts off with a greeting; friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, so you feel seen and welcomed in. Maybe I say something silly so you say, oh, okay, I’ll check it out. Then there’s support so that paying for the show is optional. The show could be part of a subscription-only service or only have four episodes available; everything else you gotta pay for or something like that, but it wouldn't benefit the most amount of people it can and it wouldn't be around for people to sample lots of episodes to see if it helps. So, the support and the people that support the show are what make that possible, but you don't have to support the show if you're new or you only listen once in a while. You get to benefit from that. But yeah, the support messages obviously make that possible.

 

Then after the support, totally separate from the support, is a show within a show we call the intro. We're probably fifteen minutes into the intro now. It’s usually somewhere between fifteen to twenty minutes long where I try to introduce what the podcast is, it takes me fifteen to twenty minutes to introduce something that could be introduced in two or three minutes…I mean by somebody else. I don't think I could do it. Or, I could do it once and repeat the intro. But the intro is designed to be familiar but new every time so that it’s reassuring but that whatever part of you keeps you awake has something new every time. I don't know, it’s just one of the things I’ve found with me personally, is variety and unpredictability but with reassurance works. Like, this will be dated by the time it comes out, but I’m reading our friend of the podcast, Stephen Fishbach, AKA Stevie B’s book, and I’m a little bit more than halfway through, and the only reason is 'cause I have dyslexia and I read on a Kindle; I can see my progress.

 

Well, I guess if you were reading a regular book you'd know you were halfway through about, too. I do not know where it’s going. I’m really enjoying it, but I’m like, wait a second, where’s…? It’s at…pretty close to the midpoint where it can go in almost any direction, and I don't know where it’s going. I read that at bedtime, and because I don't know where it’s going, it helps me wind down or makes me look forward to reading it, and I already feel close to the characters and stuff like that 'cause it’s a well-written book. So, that’s Escape by Stephen Fishbach. It’s just a plug of something I like. But that’s something I strive for with the show in a different way so that whatever it is that’s keeping you awake…just like some part…if you're reading something you don't enjoy and you're like, well, I still gotta finish it, I’ve been there before. Maybe…and maybe not looking forward to bedtime as much, or there’s something repetitive you had to read. So, I don't know, that’s why the intro is different.

 

But the reason the intro is fifteen to twenty minutes long is also to ease you into bedtime, not to put you to sleep. So, it’s meant to help you wind down and have a break between the day and falling asleep, to ease you into bedtime. So, some people…while it’s just not meant to put you to sleep, there is a percentage of people that do fall asleep. We do ask if you do fall asleep fast, consider supporting the show, 'cause you're a paradoxical listener. But…or…but anyway, not important. But for most people, they're winding down, in bed getting comfortable, getting ready for bed, or doing some other chill activity, and the intro is kinda the time when we hang out and…like a sleepover or something right before we go to bed to kinda lower the volume on the day. Now, if you decide you don't like…you like the show but you don't like the intros, don't worry, we have a podcast with just the stories from the shows called Bedtime Stories from Sleep With Me, and that’s also listener and sponsor-supported in every podcast app.

 

Or if you support the show directly, you get every episode when it comes out in a story-only version, too. But for most listeners…like I said, the majority of people listen to these shows linearly. So, the intro eases them into bedtime and then at some point during the story they fall asleep, or they're just listening or they re-listen to episodes. Then you get into kind the micro-behaviors, like a thirty-minute sleep timer, forty-five-minute sleep timer, sixty-minute sleep timer, stuff like that. But yeah, so…I mean, that was the whole reason we started the story-only versions, was I saw statistically, yeah, that maybe twenty percent of people started the show at the stories. So, I said, okay, we’ll just put the story-only versions out, and…based on feedback, too. But that’s what the intro does, ease you into bedtime, and we all hang out together indirectly. Then after the intro will be support again so that paying for the show is optional. It’s only for the most rebellious people that would pay for a free podcast.

 

They rebel by…they say, this makes my life so great, I’m gonna rebel and pay for it or support a sponsor. Then, yeah, after that we’ll be talking about a episode of Deep Space 9, kinda in this lightly-themed season of Trek we’ve been doing in 2026 here. Then, what else? Then later on…oh, then the episode will end, yeah. I’ll be talking about that, and we’ll be here a bit over an hour. I’m so glad you're here. Particular tonight’s episode, it’ll be sleepy, but I was really I guess flabbergasted in a good way. This…the quality of the show shone through in this episode. Maybe I’ve seen one Deep Space 9 episode before, but in passing. This one I was riveted by everything. It was…the sum was greater than the whole or whatever. So, really cool to be talking about it, and I’m sure I’ll come up with…it won't sound…you'll be like, that was a recap? That wasn't the same episode. Yeah, no, that’s what I do here. So, I’m really glad you're here. If this is your first time or your 5,000th time you've listened to an episode, I couldn't do it without you. If you decide this episode…these podcasts make your life so much better that you want to support it back, like putting water in the garden or whatever, these are the ways you could do so, either supporting a sponsor or supporting the show directly. Here are the ways. Thanks.

 

Alright everybody, this is Scoots here, and this is the first time I believe we’ve covered…and I think I referred to it earlier, that I’ve…well, this is the first time I’ve definitely deep-watched an episode of Deep Space 9. I think I’ve probably seen episodes in the past, but not paid close attention to them. Podcast aside, this could be my new kind of comfort watch. This is where I wish I had unlimited time and ability to pay attention and not think about all the stuff I gotta do, because I could really…I don't know, I guess that’s my way of saying I really, really enjoyed this episode. Not only that; I think we got really lucky. So, if you've never seen Deep Space 9, I guess technically it’s a Star Trek spin-off. I don't even know the…I know nothing about it, which is…so, I’m coming to it with fresh eyes, and this was…so, if you're coming to it with fresh eyes…I mean, I know it’s a space station. Apparently it’s in deep space; Space Station 9 in deep space? Maybe.

 

There are things referred to that I don't know about and beings or groups referred to that I know nothing about. So, if you're in a similar situation, I would say start with this episode because it references a lot of things, there’s a lot of characters, but it only focuses on a few, or two characters or maybe a third or fourth tertiary character that we're familiar with, and it’s really well-plotted and really enjoyable. So…but yeah, I didn't feel lost or confused. There was just enough exposition that I said, okay, I have a general idea of what they're referring to, so I can understand everything that’s happening in the episode. While I might not have a grasp of the whole underlying thing, I got the general idea. So, let’s get to it. It starts out…oh yeah, let me do one more thing, which is…there may be…or there was gonna be one more episode after this, again, another series I haven't watched. We're unable to take requests just 'cause we're working on shows so far out.

 

By the time you're hearing this episode, I may be working on episodes for late 2025. So, this is early 2025 when I’m working on shows for the spring of 2025. But I do have one more episode picked out, and they're kinda based on this broad theme of research I was doing which was based on the research I was doing for the series Get Besos. If you're big into this, if you're on the Sleep With Me+ Discord or following any of the community tabs there, we could talk about more…I could try to find a way…maybe film a video if people are more interested. It’s not super interesting, but it was a small diversionary rabbit hole I went down as I was trying to do basic research for Get Besos. So, I’m gonna go into this. I mean, I watched this episode multiple times, but I’m gonna go into it with fresh eyes and I’m gonna stick close, where the Grapes of Khan episode I kinda made it more silly and dreamy. Let’s just kinda see. Or maybe I’ll ask what kind of questions…'cause you keep…I kept learning more.

 

But the episode starts off with this delightful gentleman with an English accent. Or, I could be incorrect; space accent. He’s loading stuff onto his pad. He does thank someone that works in the care industry, and he’s getting ready to go, somewhere to present a paper to conference. Someone’s like, where are you going? So, this is…it starts off lighthearted and it refers to Risa, which I believe was where…there was a TNG episode, and that was…or it was constantly referred to as Riker liked to go there. But, I don't know, did Picard go there on captain’s holiday? Or Casperia Prime. It’s like, what…? So, someone’s saying, oh, these conferences, they're not really for work. It’s really a vacation. They say, always at sunny resorts, you know? He says, yeah, it’s not really a break, though. It’s…actually, I’m gonna be working.

 

Then who comes in but Miles O'Brien, which that was one thing I knew, that both Worf and O'Brien…I mean, I had forgotten, though I was pretty…I had forgotten…no offence to Worf; I had forgotten Worf was Deep Space 9, but I had remembered O'Brien from some other research. He’s in a…at first I thought it was a bicycling — and think this is the right word — getup, but it’s not. It’s kind of what you'd expect to see someone in the Tour de Mans or whatever, or whatever they call it. But when you look at it a little bit closer as I am paused, you could see that maybe it’s more of a wetsuit, 'cause he says, yeah, I was kayaking and I got a little bruisey-bruise. Bashir, old Doc Bashir, he says, hey, didn't I tell you not to go paddling? He goes, oh, I love to paddle. The river calls to me. He goes, yeah, you needed a rest from paddling. O'Brien goes, oh yeah. He takes…helps O'Brien, and then he says, please just ignore the calls of the river for a while. I’m your friend.

 

I don't know, you get a good idea or a sense of…that he’s caring, he’s got a good rapport with…at first there’s a joking rapport, then there’s a caring rapport with some lighthearted joking with his crew members. He says, thanks, Julian. Have a good time on Casperia. That’s not a vacation. I’m working. Don't…no paddling while I’m gone. Again, interesting storytelling as we’ll see later. Then we see the outside of the space station, which was cool, and there’s a ship parked there. Then Julian Bashir’s alarm goes off late. At first I was like, is he gonna miss his flight or something? It was 7…0700 hours, eleven seconds. He’s very tired. He’s getting up but he’s not late, though it seemed like it. He refers to something maybe that helps you wake up, like coffee. I thought he said frappuccino. I said, it’s not…then he’s packing for his trip. He’s got a couple…three pads, one outfit, I think. I guess that’s the good thing about uniforms. I wonder if these uniforms are self-cleaning.

 

Oh, also he has a teddy bear, which I’m sure…this is Season 6, Episode 18, so I’m sure the teddy bear maybe has come up before. But again, the writers are laying out some groundwork, too, and for regular watchers, maybe something familiar reminding of a other story. But also, even this late in the season, for someone new like me, very interesting. I think this is how…maybe these long-running syndicated series that now are in a sense syndicated on streaming…but a lot of times on streaming you're watching things in order. When these shows used to be on, you did not watch them in order. They would just come on. But believe it or not, there was a time before digital DVRs or even before platter DVRs, where you just had to watch what you watched. I think this is very similar to what I learned from Scott Aukerman and listening to him, of like, remember, it’s somebody’s first time listening to your podcast. I think that’s another thing they probably keep in mind. Maybe, maybe not.

 

But I would say this is a good point of it, is…'cause characters are revealed through this. He’s got a teddy bear. ‘Cause he’s a little bit snarky. I like him maybe 'cause he’s…I immediately…I mean, I guess 'cause he’s the main focus of the episode. But, I don't know, it adds a layer to that. So, if it’s your first time like it was for me, you say, okay, this guy’s got a teddy bear; interest…it wouldn't…he’s very buttoned-up, I think. Maybe not buttoned-up, but very well put…a seemingly well put-together gentleman. I mean, I know nothing about it, so I could be wrong, but he has a teddy…the point is he has a teddy bear, and it’s a well-worn teddy bear. Again, if you want to spend time…it's like, well, is it his? Is it from an adventure? Whatever. But he says…he talks…oh, also, he talks to the teddy bear. So, he says, see you soon, old chum. Then right as he gets ready to go, they get called to the office, Captain Sisko or Commander Sisko. They say, officers’ meeting. Get over here. He’s yawning.

 

He’s still yawning on the turbo lift and he’s gotta catch a shuttle. There’s a meeting. O'Brien is stiff. He says, I don't know what the meeting’s about. He says, okay, this is not a social visit. Where’s the captain? He’s meeting with somebody in there. He’s not happy. There’s also two other people standing outside. Then the captain comes out with this dude, and the captain says, alright, this is Direct…Deputy Director Sloan. He’s in charge from the Federal Council. He’s looking into something. Full cooperation. The guy is totally lit in a way compared to the captain where you’re like, okay, this guy is not to be…there’s something happening. His face is just lit in an interesting way. He says, yeah, someone’s been telling secrets. Then someone…just like I would, they said, do you know a secret, a secret? Like from Barbie: A Fairy Tale Secret? He says, not that kind of secret. The kind of secret you tell to the Dominion that they're not supposed to know about.

 

So, that’s the first thing for me, is like, ooh, this Dominion sounds…sounds like someone Barbie would be trying…Barbie would try to keep…Barbie could probably keep secrets from the Dominion. These are from the Barbie animated movies that I’ve seen quite a few times. I don't know if Bibble…Is it Bibble? Yeah, it’s interesting that Bibble rhymes with tribble. But anyway, this has nothing to do with Barbie or a fairy tale. Is it a Fashion Fairy…? A Fairy…Barbie: A Fairy Secret? Is that really…? ‘Cause there’s Fashion Fairytale, but that doesn't have anything to do with…Fairy Secret I think it is. Okay, so then he says, with all due…oh, somebody says, what are you talking about? Nobody spreads rumors to the Dominion. This guy says, well, we gotta follow procedures. Everybody’s gotta go to their room and stay in their room. Confined to quarters, Captain Sisko says. Nobody likes it. I’ll be in touch shortly. I’m gonna interview everybody, the Sloan guy says, and you can't talk to each other. Go to your rooms.

 

How long is this gonna take? Oh, well, you won't be making your conference, Doc Bashir. We told them you're not coming. Oh, great. Then he has…his two assistants…take them to their rooms. The guy, he’s got quite a hard stare. How many…? We got six officers. That’s their first break where the episodes…the show starts. Oh, then we see the…he’s pacing around his room. We get a view of the carpet there in his room, and it’s two different…not just two different colors but two different styles of rug, wall-to-wall. Makes sense on a starship. He’s got something like fresh flowers, very modern-esque, a wall sculpture, coffee table. Way more roomy. He has multiple rooms, I guess 'cause it’s a space station. His hands are behind his back. He’s kinda looking around. You can tell he’s like, man, this is not entertaining. Then he’s hungry, so he orders breakfast from his replicator. It doesn't work. He even tries ‘please’. No replication. The replicator’s not working.

 

All of a sudden there’s a ring at his door and…oh no, not yet. He goes to get out stuff to do. He drops a pencil or something or some sort of pencil behind…under his couch. This was the only thing that confused me about all of this, 'cause there is a bit of time taken to show running under the couch and then him trying to get it from under the couch. I think it’s just to set up a small thing that they do better with another way. But anyway, he’s trying to get it from under the couch when his door opens, and one of the assistants says, hey, come with me, Doctor. Time for your interview with Mr. Sloan. He goes, oh yeah, I’m trying to get something out from under my couch. Sorry. I’ll go with you. He even kinda bows. I don't think he was…and he goes, where are we going? Oh, Doctor Sloan’s temporary office. Then we see somebody running through the halls, which is interesting 'cause it never comes up again. Huh, that is interesting. I don't think that ever came up again.

 

But there’s some running in the hallway. He says, what’s going on? She says, don't worry about it. She’s got a mustard-yellow undershirt, where Bashir has a light…a teal green. Then Sloan’s got a red. He’s sitting cross-legged reading a pad, playing casual, sitting at a conference table. He says, hey, bud. Have a seat. Julian? Dr. Bashir? What should I call you? Sorry you’re gonna miss that conference, bud. Then he sits on the table next…has Julian sit down. Sorry about this. It’s all a technicality. But the last conference you went to, the Dominion wanted you to visit them without permission. He goes, yeah. He goes, five weeks you were visiting the Dominion without being asked, huh? What was that like? He goes, not great. There was a report about it, so I don't need to talk about it. That guy could already tell. He’s like, oh man, that would have been so hard on me. Julian says, you would have done fine. You seem nice enough. The guy goes, yeah, I was just reading about it. I was reading that report.

 

He goes, I realize you worked with some…worked on some cutting-edge stuff with cutting-edge people that…people that were not feeling welcome, and you made them feel welcome. Starfleet didn't think that was possible. Julian says, yeah, I’m different, too. I’ve gone through an experience that’s changed me, but that’s my job to make people feel welcome. It’s part of a doctor’s job. This guy goes, oh, I wish I would have done that, considered it. Julian says, you got a good bedside manner, man. He goes, I thought you were gonna come in here and give me…be more stern. You had a stern look on your face earlier. He goes, oh no. Go ahead. You could leave. Anything else? Yeah, my replicator’s not working. I’m hungry. He says, oh, okay, we’ll bring you something. What would you like? He’s very specific; scones and jam and tea I think is what he orders. Let’s see. Well, in that case…you want something? Oh, the replicator’s shut down so nobody can talk to anybody.

 

Communications or anything else…well, I was gonna have breakfast. He goes, yeah, I’ll send it right up; buttered scones, moba jam, and red-leaf tea. Alright, I’ll write it down, bud. He’s very happy, this Sloan. Then he goes, oh, wait, one more thing. Were you…? Did Starfleet ask you to work with those people who needed some comfort or did you volunteer? I volunteered to help them. Oh, okay. Interesting. Bye. Julian goes off, then we zoom on the guy’s face. He’s not…you know. Then we go back. Another good character-revealing thing, 11:23 into the show. Julian’s sitting on his couch and he’s really bored. He’s like, just playing with his hands, waiting for his food. This is typical behavior. He’s about to lie down and take a nap and his doorbell rings. He goes, oh, come on in. One of the assistants brings him his food. He’s like, oh man, I’ve been waiting. Now it’s lunchtime. This is breakfast. He opens it up and it’s gagh, which is something that Worf…or gagh, gaga…gagh, I think.

 

That’s something Worf eats. Level 3, 27…let’s see. Let me rewind that. If anybody wants to know what Worf’s room is, it’s coming up here. Level 3, Section 27, Room 19, Lieutenant Commander Worf. He doesn't do anything about it, which I think was interesting, 'cause it’s like, man, you're supposed to…you gotta have breakfast. So, then he goes back and sits on the couch. Worf’s eating my scones. Bummer. Then he realizes his bag…something’s off about his bag, like somebody was looking in his bag. Then he goes under the couch to get his pen, and he’s looking for it. He finds it, but he looks at it in a strange way. But I guess it’s just one more clue. Then he looks…he says, was somebody in my bag? Then he taps his pen and he notices his teddy bear, who is always sitting up to look at his papa, is on his side. Then he gets a call on his FaceTime from O'Brien. I say, O'Brien, they told you not to call anybody. Even Julian says, Miles, what’s up? We're not supposed to talk.

 

Oh yeah, but I’m…what’s going on with you? Somebody’s been in my room messing with my teddy bear. What about you? Well, it’s…how about you? How’d your interview go? Fine. How about yours, Miles? Two hours. They were just asking me questions about you. About me? Julian says. Yeah, yeah. They want to know everything. Then he goes, they're gonna check this…it's like, yeah, no…come on, O'Brien, of course…you don't think they're gonna know you called him? Now, I think this is all part…again, there was a little bit of the ending I didn't quite understand every time I watched it, but maybe I’ll understand it better this time. But I said, is that O'Brien or was it just a fake call from O'Brien? Then the assistants come. They say, Julian, we need you back in the interview room. He actually bumps his plant, which I can't tell…he has a office and a living room, I think. Now he looks…he’s concerned. He’s like, wait a second, I’m concerned. So, then they go into the office.

 

This was another interesting choice. The guy says, how was your breakfast? He goes, fine. It was good. Which I said, I wouldn't…I mean, I guess I’m a bit of…I’m not as generous as this guy. I would have been yelling at my door; yo, this is Worf’s breakfast. But…and I would have told this guy, no, I’ll talk, but you're gonna have to give me a snack or something. So, me and this Sloan would not have gotten along at all. Then they go back and forth, and then this guy, he’s kinda messing with Miles. He says, okay, so you were at 3371 in the Dominion, Barrack 6, five weeks? Thirty-seven days. You positive thirty-seven days? Yeah. Martok was with you, right? Yeah. The Jem’Hadar, did they take you for a walk to a new room? Yeah, 'cause I said I didn't appreciate…oh, it was about rations, yeah. You sure you didn't talk to anybody or tell any secrets during that time? Yeah. Were you…you had a private room? Yeah. Were you in your room in private? It’s a private room.

 

He goes, are you sure you didn't meet with anybody else and discuss everything the Dominion would want to know about the…? You sure it wasn't five days or seven days? Julian says, five days. He goes, no, I heard it was seven from Martok. No, it was five, but he could have remembered seven. We were there for a while and it wasn’t great, so, we weren't used to living there. Oh, so he wasn't telling the truth? No, I didn't say that. I said he may have misremembered because time passes. Then he goes, oh, so then the two of you figured out an improvisational way to leave the Dominion and head home. Huh. Really. How’d you do that? Ingenuity, collaboration, brainstorming. Oh, okay. So…and then you just left. Your ships was still in its parking spot. Yeah. Well, why would they leave your ship in your parking spot? Were the keys in it? Yeah. These ships don't have keys, but the equivalent of keys, yes. Well, why would they do that?

 

Well, they thought we were staying there, so why would we go get our car if we were staying there? Huh. Why do you think they let you be ingenious and collaborate and brainstorm to leave? Are you sure? I don't know if you guys are really that good at any of those three things. Maybe they allowed you to do that? No. Okay, well, have you ever seen this movie? It’s almost…it's been done so many times it’s kinda like a trope now where you're telling secrets but you don't realize you're telling secrets. You tell them in your sleep, like sleep-talking secrets. Have you heard that movie? Yeah, I’ve heard of that genre of storytelling, yeah. Well, yeah, don't you know that the Jem’Hadar and all them, they're good at that? They get people to talk in their sleep, secrets they're not supposed to tell. Do you talk in your sleep, Julian? No. I don't know, I think you do. You just don't…how would you know? No one ever told me I did? Yeah, I don't believe you. I never remember.

 

Don't you wake up talking every once in a while? I’ve had a lot of roommates. No, I don't think…I think you talk in your sleep and you tell secrets in your sleep. Then he says, by the way, was there ever a Barbie movie like this where Barbie…? He goes, I’m not…we're not here to talk about Barbie. We're here to talk about you. You think you're so great. He goes, no, I don't think I’m that great. Oh, you're different, you have advanced capabilities. Oh no, I have…I’m capable. I never said I had advanced…yeah, you have…you only want to associate with people with advanced capabilities. Yeah, no, I didn't say that. Well, I’m sure that you told the secrets in your sleep, so…he goes…and then he says, is that a song? He goes, you're gonna be singing to me. Take him to a private room. Then they take…go to take him to a private room through the main promenade, and Commander Sisko’s there. He says, what are you doing? They're taking Julian to a private room. Across the main promenade?

 

That’s done intentionally. They say, we're just doing what we're supposed to do. He goes, well, I don't like it. They say, understood, Sisko, but…so, then he goes to the private room section, kinda like a hotel, I think, and his friend’s not even there. Somebody else is working. He says, okay, great. There’s definitely a lot of assistants to Sloan. So, then they bring him to his private room, and they're not…they say, you know, all of us, our secrets have been told by people in their sleep. He goes, but I don't tell secrets in my sleep. They go, well, our lives have been impacted by people that do so, people like you. He goes, but I don't talk in my sleep. I don't know what you're talking about. They even take away his Starfleet badge, communicator, badge thing. He goes in his room. Get a act break to think about it. Then Commander Sisko comes in to visit him in his private…in the common area between the private rooms. He says, I want ten minutes alone now. They say, fine.

 

He says, Julian, what’s going on, man? We looked into this guy, and yeah, he’s got a thing about secrets and sleep and he thinks that the Dominion people tell secrets…get people to do that. Julian goes, I don't know. Then Sloan’s standing there. He goes, yeah, I don't like secret-tellers, especially secrets in their sleep, or the Dominion. Yeah, I’m here to take care of all that, because that’s my job. Sisko goes, I think you take your job too seriously. He goes, no, I take it seriously enough. He goes, what do you want, Sisko? Sisko goes, to talk to one of my crew members. But he goes, no, no, no talking. He goes, I handle all the talking. This is a great one, very great boundaries. Again, you could see why the people that are running…that bubble to the top of Starfleet are the best, 'cause he just says, Sloan, do you have orders that say I’m not in charge of my space station, like that you're in charge of the entire space station?

 

‘Cause there’s only one person in charge of this space station, and that person has orders from Starfleet. So, do you have those orders from Starfleet? The guy goes, ugh, no. He goes, okay, then I can…I’m in command of the entire space station. So, if I want to talk to Doc Bashir, I will, and I’m gonna be in…sitting in on everything from now on, 'cause I don't like this. I don't like what’s happening or your methods. So, hit the road, Sloan. So, Sloan goes, I’ll hit the road when I feel like it, which is right now. But then Sisko turns back and he says, thanks. He goes, yeah, we’ll get this figured out. But don't worry about it. Then they go back to another meeting the next day about Bopak III and…him and O'Brien. This is with Sloan and Sisko. Yeah, that was when you met up with some Jem'Hadar. You visited them? No, no, no. You and O'Brien, right? You were visiting them? You were out on a lark? No, we weren't out on a lark. We were doing work.

 

Yeah, then we noticed them, but then we noticed that they needed help, so we helped them. I’m in the helping business. Oh, so you felt bad for them? No, no, no. They needed help, so I gave them help. Then Sisko’s like, you're acting like this is…this has to do with the Dominion…aiding the Dominion. You’re just helping people that needed help from a carer. Then the guy’s like, yeah, people that…with advanced intelligence or whatever. Is that a thing? You've been…you love people with advanced intelligence? He says, well, I understand them and I want to help some people assimilate better into social groups. And tell them about the Dominion and Starfleet’s plans as small talk? No, engage with them, and it worked, by the way. Oh, also, you wanted Starfleet to give them the plans, right, and to give up with outperforming the Dominion, surrendering in any kind of games against the Dominion? Well, yeah, no…they were asking blue-sky brainstorm. I said, here’s a blue-sky idea; don't try to win.

 

It worked for…and then he says, Sisko, would you recommend that course of action? He goes, no, no. Nobody’s perfect. Yeah, Dr. Bashir has come questionable problem-solving skills and he’s not perfect. He doesn't have a history of being perfect. But what does it have to do with any of this stuff? He even says, that’s a circular argument. ‘Cause he goes, yeah, if you're not perfect, you're probably telling secrets to the Dominion. Absolutely not. That’s a circular argument. This is a pattern of behavior. Imperfection? We're all imperfect, bud. Someone with advanced intelligence is then advanced in their imperfection and has intentional imperfection. Step back and think about it. He didn't even tell you…when he applied for the job he was imperfect on his application. Sisko almost rolls his eyes. Then when he had a job interview with you, he was telling some untruths. He goes, yeah, but he told me that he did that. But then the guy’s like, yeah, 'cause you already got…everybody knew about it.

 

It’s the only reason he told you. Then he says, Julian, why were you honest with your captain? ‘Cause you got…you felt bad or 'cause you got caught? Oh, 'cause I got caught, yeah. I mean, yeah. So, if you didn't get caught, would you have told him that you changed stuff in your interview? You just get a long look on his face as he considers the answer. Yeah, I’m imperfect. He says, I don't know. The greatest answer in the history of Starfleet, the most confident answer. I don't know. Then he just sits there. Then we go back to his private room. He’s definitely feeling down. Sisko’s sighing. He says, oh man, this is not great. That guy’s really argumentative. That guy really has a lot of points to make. I hear you haven't always been honest, but let’s put that behind us for now. We gotta figure out what to do. Julian says, whatever I say, the guy puts it back on me. He keeps saying that I’m either not telling the truth or I don't remember talking in my sleep.

 

Then Sisko says, okay, but is it possible that you've talked in you're sleep but it’s only…no one’s ever heard you other than the people from the Dominion that wanted to hear you? Is that possible? He goes, I guess, but I don't think it’s the case. I don't believe it’s the case. I’m not lying to you right now. Sisko goes, I don't think you're lying, but…then he goes, never mind. Just go to bed. Then I think this is a key moment when you look back at the…what I think is the reveal at the end of the episode, of Sisko trying to introduce doubt with Julian, or he’s just experiencing honest doubt, depending on your…what I understand of the end. But then Julian’s sleeping and then he gets woken up again, and they say, by the way, we're…if we're not in command of this ship, we're gonna take you to a ship where I am in charge, Starbase 53. Does Sisko know about this? Nope. He doesn't need to know. You can't do this, Sloan. Oh, I can do whatever I want. 66715. Starfleet special order. 66715 or whatever.

What is it? 66715, yeah. I could do whatever I want. So…and if you're telling secrets, I need to get to the bottom of it. I’m not Barbie, so…he goes, what does that even mean? You don't have a Bibble. Julian goes, I don't even think you've seen Barbie. Have you seen Fashion…have you seen A Mermaid’s Tale or A Mermaid’s Tale 2? He goes, well, if you want to watch some Barbie movies, I don't think we have them on our pads for you to watch them. So, you won't be entertained while we fly to the next destination in the shuttle. Julian goes, if that iPad has no Barbie film…animated films on there, keep it then. Then all of a sudden he beams out, which is really weird. This was…took me a while to understand what was happening. At first I thought it was his…O'Brien. Then he meets this guy, Weun or something, who says, what’s up, bud? It’s so glad to have you back with the Dominion. We got you just in time. Thanks for all those secrets you told us in your sleep. You're safe here with us.

 

Did they talk to you sternly? He’s like, what? Well, did they talk to you sternly from telling us all your secrets when you were sleeping? I didn't tell you any secrets while I was sleeping. I never slept in your presence before. No, but…yeah, but, you know…yeah, but we had a way to listen to you sleeping. That’s why it worked so well. But I had…I went to…I had multiple roommates. No one’s ever told me I talk in my sleep. Yep, but you do. You talked to me in your sleep, kinda like a fairy secret. You whispered it to me. That’s just the way it is. But you always forget it. We talk about it while you're sleeping and then you say, don't worry, I’ll keep telling you secrets to help the Dominion and not Starfleet. That’s just the kind of guy you are, Julian. I mean, Starfleet can't win anyway, so you're on the winning side. You're just being rational telling us your secrets in your sleep. You gave us the information we needed. It’s peace. Even if Starfleet loses, it’s peace.

 

No more athletic competitions, dance competitions. It was the right thing to do. Saves a lot of resources and time, and that’s what your job is, 'cause somebody could get a bumpy-bump. You'll be remembered. The great sleeping whisperer. History will remember you. Now, your friends at Starfleet won't be happy, but we will. What a visionary, talking, telling secrets in your sleep, the greatest hero the Dominion…he goes, I don't remember any of this. This doesn't make sense. Oh yeah, of course you don't want to remember, 'cause you shouldn’t have done it. But yeah, you did. So, that’s great news. Why don't you have some scones? We got scones for you, not gagh, and red tea, red-leaf tea, jam. This is what I used to feed you before bed. I’d say, if you tell me secrets in your sleep, you'll get scones. That was one of the ways I taught you. Sensory details are key. You anticipating the scones helped you tell the secrets in your sleep. Then he’s even more confused. Like, what?

 

That’s not possible. Then he kinda looks at the scones. He’s like, do you remember our scone talks? Scone secrets, Scone Secret Club forever. He’s staring at the scones. He goes, no, no, no. This is not…I don't remember 'cause it never happened. I don't work for the Dominion, I don't tell secrets in my sleep, I don't talk in my sleep. The guy’s like, we were almost there. Julian almost gets…figures it out. Not quite. He goes, wait a second, why are you so…? If you already know the secrets, why are you so intent on making…connecting the dots? Do I need to connect the dots if…? It doesn't make any sense at all. If you already have the secrets, you don't need to know if I actually did it or not. Are you sure you're not working with Sloan? Is Sloan the one telling secrets to the Dominion? Then they say, wait a second, we got a Starfleet ship approaching. Sisko is in charge. Sisko says, yippee-kay-yay, we're coming to pick you up. They say, don't worry about it, Sisko. We’ll talk to you later about your scones.

 

You don't gotta worry about it. Then all of a sudden, who comes through the door or who energizes in but Worf and somebody else that seems very effective. They say, Julian, man, he bumped his elbow. But they say, hey, let’s go. We're gonna go back to the ship, to the Defiant. They're the away team from the Defiant. So, they go back to the Defiant, which is…Sisko’s commander of that ship. He goes, so, the Dominion took you out of your private room? Julian goes, yeah. I don't know why. I mean, I do know why, but you won't believe it. He goes, well, tell me why. Well, he was asking me the same questions as Sloan. He goes, well, that’s not reasonable. He goes, it is. They wanted to convince me that I told secrets in my sleep, but I think it’s Sloan. Sisko says, I don't think you should be blaming anybody. He goes, I’m not blaming. I’m explaining. There’s some serious confusion. Then Worf goes, I don't believe you, secret-teller. Then Sisko goes, yeah, neither do I. You tell secrets.

 

He goes, you need to go to a room. Then no one believes me. Then he goes up to Miles. Miles, do you benefit me? Miles is like…turns around fast. He goes, huh, is your shoulder okay? He goes, yeah, my shoulder’s okay. He goes, my shoulder? He goes, yeah, when we were playing paddle ball. Oh yeah, paddle ball? It’s fine. Then Julian goes, we didn't play paddle ball. You were paddling in the holosuite. Even though…he goes, you're not Miles. This whole thing is an illusion. You're not Captain Sisko. He wouldn't…he’s a good listener and he’s not as stern as this version of Sisko. This whole thing’s not real. Then everybody pauses. Then he’s in the holosuite with Sloan, who’s in a new outfit, all…like a black latex outfit. He goes, yeah, none of it was real, bud. Congratulations. You passed our test. You didn't tell any secrets in your sleep to the Dominion. He goes, yeah, I’ve been telling you that for hours. Yeah, but I had to be sure. He goes, we just gotta check one more thing on your data bank. He goes, no.

 

They go, yeah, we do need to check one more thing on your data bank. He goes, we're all dressed in these black Spandex suits. We're gonna read your data bank. He goes, you don't just believe me? Well, we believe you. We just want to double-check that we can believe you. Neurosynaptic…neuroelectric…boogie-woogie. I’ll just check the findings confirm what we already know; you don't talk in your sleep. It was some sort of thing that would listen while he was asleep to see if he was talking. He goes, yeah, I told you I never talked in my sleep. Maybe once, but I don't talk…tell secrets. Or maybe I said somebody’s first name or something. They go, oh, okay. Let me just check, double-check. This thing will listen to all the audio instantly. Yeah, they say, the only thing you've said in the last three years is the name of your teddy bear. That’s a good sign. He goes, okay, good. Well, I’m glad you trust me now. Are you sure that’s black Spandex?

 

‘Cause it kinda looks more like some sort of rubber substitute. It must be warm in there. He goes, I don't even know if you still believe me. They go, yeah, well, we kinda…I would have…if you didn't figure out that Miles thing, we probably would have tried to still get you to admit to talking in your sleep just for fun. He goes, that was a lot of work. So, we let you sleep for an hour and then we brought you over here. He goes, yeah, no food, no sleep, that’s not very pleasant. He goes, yeah, well, we were just here to do our jobs. Oh, who are you? What’s your job exactly? Who do you work for? Starfleet. Who do you think? The Federation? Heard of them? Yeah, but I don't believe you 'cause you don't seem to be caring or compassionate or humanist. Oh, we're in the non-humanist department of Starfleet. Wait, there’s no non-humanist department. Yeah, it’s called Section 31. Keeps a low profile. That way we could…Section 31’s trying to find secret-tellers and things like that.

 

Yeah, we do as we wish, and we're kinda contrarians to the whole Starfleet thing. All the values of Starfleet we’re contrarians to. That’s our job. Julian goes, that doesn't make any sense. Why would they have a department…a contrarian department? Oh, well, it helps keep everything…it's…we're autonomous. Who are you authorized? Original Starfleet Charter, Section 31. It was written in invisible ink two hundred years ago, but…so, for two hundred years you've had a contrarian department accountable to nobody? He goes, yeah, you sound like a bad thing, but you're a contrarian, a bit of a contrarian, Julian. Well, you just base it on your own…whatever you think is contrarian to Starfleet…he goes, yeah, it takes a certain personality who can sublimate their own ambition to the best interests of the Federation by being contrarian to it. You have all the…you'd make a good person here in Section 31. He goes, a few minutes ago you were saying I told secrets in my sleep.

 

He goes, yeah, but you're intelligent, resourceful, you're fascinated by…I’ve seen you in Quark’s holosuites. We're on the same team, Julian. We're just on the opposite team to be on the same team. We love the Federation and the principles we stand…we're contrarian to. Julian goes, I don't believe this logic at all makes any sense to anyone ever. He goes, there you go. There’s your…is that…? You’re being contrarian to me. He goes, you know how many people we’ve helped? How many people have you helped? Hundreds, maybe? We’ve helped a lot of people, pretty much everybody in the history of the world and the universe and Starfleet and the Federation. So, I don't know how many people that is in the past two hundred years, but all of them. So, we're…I mean, technically we're more valuable than you and everybody, all through contrarianism. Every once in a while this situation warrants our bad ideas. I think in time you'll agree with me. Julian says, I wouldn't wait for it.

 

Alright, well, just consider it. Consider working with us. He goes, well, what if I tell everybody about it? The guy goes, I wouldn't…I don't care. He goes, you're gonna head back to your ship now, and you'll wake back up, and then you'll have a meeting with everybody. Sisko will be like…and everybody will go over this. Okay, they always thought it was you. They didn't even…they weren't honest with us, but we have no idea who they really are. Yeah. Do they even exist, Captain, Section 31? They don't exist and they don't not exist, according to what I could find out. It’s complicated. So, yeah. Interesting. So, they don't exist and they don't not exist. What does that mean? I asked them and they said they’d get back to me. Well, that doesn't…I can't believe the Federation would do this. Somebody else says, yeah, no, this is the kinda…everybody’s…the Romulans have…Obsidian Order. Shouldn't we keep our principles and not be contrary to our principles if they're good principles?

 

They say, maybe we should keep looking into this and see if Section 31 has been around and what else they're up to. They say, well, we’ll never find them. Well, how would we track them down? Sisko goes, we’ll wait for them to come recruit Julian. Sloan’s gonna come back. I know he will. You turned him down. He doesn't…he really wants you. So, next time he asks you to join up, Julian, you will, and we’ll get to the bottom of this, 'cause we're humanists. We're not contrary to that. This will be like…maybe you should re-watch Barbie: A Fairy Secret a few times to get some ideas of how to handle it. Julian just blinks his eyes and says, huh, do I know a secret? Whoa, I do. Then the episode comes to an end and everybody gets ready for bed, gets comfortable, and drifts off and goes to sleep. Goodnight, everybody.

 

[End of recording]

Transcription performed by LeahTranscribes

Snore Trek

 

Ethereal / Ether

https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/ethereal-2011-12-19

https://www.howwegettonext.com/the-aether/

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2004/feb/12/research.science

 

Deep Space 9

https://www.cbr.com/star-trek-erased-ds9-darkest-sisko-storyline/

https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/star-trek-leprechaun.htm

https://www.cbr.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-serialized-storytelling/

 

Star Trek Deep Space 9 S6 E18

https://sfcq2.com/onscreen/retro-review/no-one-expects-the-starfleet-inquisition-retro-review-inquisition-ds9-s6e18/

https://www.avclub.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-inquisition-1798178975

https://markwatches.net/reviews/2016/12/mark-watches-deep-space-nine-s06e18-inquisition/

 

Section 31

https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine-section-31/

https://atboundarysedge.com/2024/08/08/star-trek-section-31-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/

https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-movies-shows/what-is-section-31-the-star-trek-spy-organization-explained

 

DOWN TO BUSINESS

A visit to someplace we’ve never been together before

But it’ll be friendly and lulling

I’ll be your bedtime companion on the other side of the room

Walking at your side but 10 feet away

An episode of Deep Space 9

 

PLUGS

Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Story Only Feed; Emily Tat Artwork; Crisis Textline

 

SPONSORS

Helix Sleep; Zocdoc; Progressive; Coyuchi

 

INTRO

Thoughts that are just appearing

Hopefully you’ll at least a little bit seen and understood

Even if I can’t understand, someone else listening right now really does

Passively participating and sending good vibes

We’re genuinely rooting for you

Not traditionally soothing

Scoots does not move in ethereal ways

Mixing up ethereal and translucent

I’m not striving to move in ethereal ways, but maybe that’s something I can hope for

sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou

I wouldn’t even mind moving in mysterious ways

Free tips for giant corporations

A Waze x U2 collaboration

Activate Mysterious Waze Mode

How did I get here?

A roommate talking for your benefit that you don’t have to pay attention to

No pressure to fall asleep

My job is to be your borefriend

Ideally I’m more than acquaintance, but it’s a low-pressure situation

Explaining the show structure

I’m reading Stephen Fishbach’s book

Like a chill sleepover hangout

Getting into micro-behaviors

The rationale behind the Story Only version of the show

Only the most rebellious people pay for a free podcast

A lightly themed season of Trek

An episode of DS9

I was flabbergasted by the show’s quality

 

STORY

My first deep watch of Deep Space Nine

This could become my new comfort watch

I really enjoyed this episode

It’s kind of a spinoff, I guess

There’s a lot of references I didn’t get

But start with this episode. It’s a good entry point

We’re unable to take requests at this time

I’m working on this for late 2025 (2026?)

A broad theme of research I was doing for Get Besos

Shout out to the SWM+ Discord

A small diversionary rabbit hole I went down

It begins

A delightful gentleman with an English space accent

Preparing a paper at a conference

It refers to Risa, which I think is a place that Riker liked to go to for holiday

These conferences are really just a vacation

Miles O’Brien comes in

I forgot that O’Brien and Worf are on DS9

In a bicycling get-up

But probably more of a wetsuit

Ol’ Doc Bashir

He was paddling and got a little bruise

Please ignore the call of the river for a while

A good kind of rapport

Julian Bashir has to get to his flight

He’s very tired, but he’s not late

Packing for his trip

Self-cleaning uniforms

When these shows were syndicated, you didn’t watch them in order

Just watching what you watched

They have to write knowing that people might be watching for the first time

But he’s got a teddy bear

Officer Meeting is called

Bashir keeps yawning

No one knows what the meeting is about

The captain is meeting with someone and he’s not happy

Deputy Director Sloan, from the Federal Council

His face is lit in an interesting way

Someone’s been telling secrets to the Dominion

I don’t know what the Dominion is, but it sounds intriguing

Everyone is confined to quarters

Sloan will be interviewing everyone

Bashir can’t go to his conference

Pacing around his room

Furniture report

His room is way more roomy

I guess because it’s a space station, not a ship

Bashir’s replicator doesn’t work, so he can’t get breakfast

He drops a pencil behind his couch and can’t reach it

This is the only thing that confused me

Time for his interview

Someone is running through the halls, and I’m not sure why

Mustard Yellow Undershirt

Bashir has a teal green undershirt

Sloan has a red undershirt

Sloan and Bashir chat

Last conference, the Dominion wanted Bashir to visit against his will for like 5 years

Bashir worked on some cutting edge people

He made them feel welcome, which wasn’t expected

But that’s just a doctor’s job

A routine chat

Bashir gets his very specific breakfast

Buttered scones, moba jam, and red leaf tea

Bashir volunteered to help those people

Another good character-revealing thing

Bashir is bored, playing with his hands

He finally gets his food

But his breakfast is gak!

That’s something that Worf eats

Level 3, Section 27, Room 19 – Worf’s room

Worf’s eating my scones!

Someone was looking through Bashir’s bag…

He notices that his teddy bear has been moved

An illicit FaceTime with O’Brien

They asked O’Brien about Bashir for 2 hours!

I never quite understood this part

Is that O’Brien or a fake O’Brien?

They call Julian back for another interview

He doesn’t make a fuss about getting the wrong breakfast

I would’ve made a fuss

More questions about his stay with the Dominion

Was it 5 or 7 days?

Sloan is trying to catch Bashir with his questioning

Ingenuity. Collaboration. Brainstorming.

Why did the Dominion let you collaborate and also leave?

Have you heard of that movie Sleep Talking Secrets?

The Jem Hadar are good at getting people to tell secrets in their sleep

Julian doesn’t buy it

Sloan keeps putting words in Bashir’s mouth

They take him to a private room through the main promenade

The private room section

Sloan has a lot of assistants

Bashir is confident he doesn’t talk in his sleep

They even take away his communicator badge thing!

Commander Sisko comes to visit Julian. Alone.

What’s going on?

Sloan doesn’t like secret sleep tellers or the Dominion

Sisko and Sloan butt heads

Very great boundary setting

Sisko asserts himself as commander of the space station

Do you love people with advanced intelligence, Julian?

He just wants to help them assimilate better

Blue Sky Brainstorm

Sisko wouldn’t have done what Julian did, but that’s okay

Sloan’s Circular Argument

Sloan doesn’t buy Bashir’s untruths

Julian wasn’t completely honest in this interview

But he’s imperfect!

Sloan is very argumentative

Sisko and Bashir have to figure out what to do

Sloan is going to Julian to a space station where he is in charge

Sloan isn’t Barbie, so…

Bibble rhymes with Trible

If that iPad has no animated Barbie films on it, you can keep it

They beam out

I was confused by this at first

They meet this guy name Weyoun

A guy from the Dominion thanks him for not telling their secrets

Julian is very confused

The Dominion was spying on him??

You whispered your fairy secret!

But Julian never remembers

Dominion will win over Star Fleet

And that will lead to peace

The Great Sleeping Whisperer

History will remember you, but Starfleet won’t be happy

They have Julian’s breakfast for him

They created a pavlovian response through his breakfast?

Scone Secret Club Forever

Julian denies that any of this is true

Wait, why are you so intent on connecting the dots if you already know the secrets?

Is Sloan the one telling secrets to the Dominion??

Sisko’s ship arrives to pick up Bashir

Worf and an effective guy energize in to get Julian

They return to the Starfleet’s ship

The Dominion is asking the same questions as Sloan

Not blaming, just explaining

No one believes Julian

This whole thing is an illusion!

Julian comes to in a holo-suite with Sloan

Black latex outfit

None of this is real. Congratulations, you passed our test!

Time to read your databank, Julian

Neurosynaptic boogie woogie

This other test confirms that Julian doesn’t speak in his sleep

No food, no sleep – it’s not very pleasant

Sloan does work for Starfleet, or does he?

The nonhumanist department of Starfleet – Section 31

They’re contrarians to the whole Starfleet ethos

Section 31 was written in invisible ink 200 years ago

Secret Contrarian Department

Sloan offers Julian a job at Section 31

We’re on the opposite team to be on the same team

This is highly illogical

You’ll head back to your ship now, Julian

No one will believe you if you tell them about Section 31

Julian tells them about Section 31

They don’t exist and they don’t not exist

Maybe we should keep looking into Section 31

We’ll wait for them to come back and try to recruit Julian again

Julian, next time – you’ll say yes, and we’ll get to the bottom of this

We’re humanists, through and through

 

SUMMARY:

Episode: 1441

Title: Scone Secret Club Forever | Snore Trek Deep Space Nine S6 E18

Plugs: Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Story Only Feed; Emily Tat Artwork; Crisis Textline

Sponsors: Helix Sleep; Zocdoc; Progressive; Coyuchi

Notable Language:

• Ethereal
• Translucent
• Activate Mysterious Waze Mode
• Getting into micro-behaviors
• A small diversionary rabbit hole I went down
• Self-cleaning uniforms
• Mustard Yellow Undershirt
• Ingenuity. Collaboration. Brainstorming.
• Blue Sky Brainstorm
• Sloan’s Circular Argument
• Bibble / Trible
• The Great Sleeping Whisperer
• Scone Secret Club Forever
• Not blaming, just explaining
• Neurosynaptic boogie woogie
• Nonhumanist department
• Secret Contrarian Department

 

Notable Culture:

• • “She Moves in Mysterious Ways” – U2
  • sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou
  • Waze
  • Escape! – Stephen Fishbach

• Star Trek: Deep Space 9

• Get Besos

• • Tour de France
  • Scott Aukerman

• Barbie: Fairy Secret

• Sleep Talking Secrets

 

Notable Talking Points:

• Thoughts that are just appearing
• Hopefully you’ll at least a little bit seen and understood
• Even if I can’t understand, someone else listening right now really does
• Passively participating and sending good vibes
• We’re genuinely rooting for you
• Not traditionally soothing
• Scoots does not move in ethereal ways
• Mixing up ethereal and translucent
• I’m not striving to move in ethereal ways, but maybe that’s something I can hope for
• sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou
• I wouldn’t even mind moving in mysterious ways
• Free tips for giant corporations
• A Waze x U2 collaboration
• Activate Mysterious Waze Mode
• How did I get here?
• A roommate talking for your benefit that you don’t have to pay attention to
• No pressure to fall asleep
• My job is to be your borefriend
• Ideally I’m more than acquaintance, but it’s a low-pressure situation
• Explaining the show structure
• I’m reading Stephen Fishbach’s book
• Like a chill sleepover hangout
• Getting into micro-behaviors
• The rationale behind the Story Only version of the show
• Only the most rebellious people pay for a free podcast
• A lightly themed season of Trek
• An episode of DS9
• I was flabbergasted by the show’s quality
• My first deep watch of Deep Space Nine
• This could become my new comfort watch
• I really enjoyed this episode
• It’s kind of a spinoff, I guess
• There’s a lot of references I didn’t get
• But start with this episode. It’s a good entry point
• We’re unable to take requests at this time
• I’m working on this for late 2025 (2026?)
• A broad theme of research I was doing for Get Besos
• Shout out to the SWM+ Discord
• A small diversionary rabbit hole I went down
• It begins
• A delightful gentleman with an English space accent
• Preparing a paper at a conference
• It refers to Risa, which I think is a place that Riker liked to go to for holiday
• These conferences are really just a vacation
• Miles O’Brien comes in
• I forgot that O’Brien and Worf are on DS9
• In a bicycling get-up
• But probably more of a wetsuit
• Ol’ Doc Bashir
• He was paddling and got a little bruise
• Please ignore the call of the river for a while
• A good kind of rapport
• Julian Bashir has to get to his flight
• He’s very tired, but he’s not late
• Packing for his trip
• Self-cleaning uniforms
• When these shows were syndicated, you didn’t watch them in order
• Just watching what you watched
• They have to write knowing that people might be watching for the first time
• But he’s got a teddy bear
• Officer Meeting is called
• Bashir keeps yawning
• No one knows what the meeting is about
• The captain is meeting with someone and he’s not happy
• Deputy Director Sloan, from the Federal Council
• His face is lit in an interesting way
• Someone’s been telling secrets to the Dominion
• I don’t know what the Dominion is, but it sounds intriguing
• Everyone is confined to quarters
• Sloan will be interviewing everyone
• Bashir can’t go to his conference
• Pacing around his room
• Furniture report
• His room is way more roomy
• I guess because it’s a space station, not a ship
• Bashir’s replicator doesn’t work, so he can’t get breakfast
• He drops a pencil behind his couch and can’t reach it
• This is the only thing that confused me
• Time for his interview
• Someone is running through the halls, and I’m not sure why
• Mustard Yellow Undershirt
• Bashir has a teal green undershirt
• Sloan has a red undershirt
• Sloan and Bashir chat
• Last conference, the Dominion wanted Bashir to visit against his will for like 5 years
• Bashir worked on some cutting edge people
• He made them feel welcome, which wasn’t expected
• But that’s just a doctor’s job
• A routine chat
• Bashir gets his very specific breakfast
• Buttered scones, moba jam, and red leaf tea
• Bashir volunteered to help those people
• Another good character-revealing thing
• Bashir is bored, playing with his hands
• He finally gets his food
• But his breakfast is gak!
• That’s something that Worf eats
• Level 3, Section 27, Room 19 – Worf’s room
• Worf’s eating my scones!
• Someone was looking through Bashir’s bag…
• He notices that his teddy bear has been moved
• An illicit FaceTime with O’Brien
• They asked O’Brien about Bashir for 2 hours!
• I never quite understood this part
• Is that O’Brien or a fake O’Brien?
• They call Julian back for another interview
• He doesn’t make a fuss about getting the wrong breakfast
• I would’ve made a fuss
• More questions about his stay with the Dominion
• Was it 5 or 7 days?
• Sloan is trying to catch Bashir with his questioning
• Ingenuity. Collaboration. Brainstorming.
• Why did the Dominion let you collaborate and also leave?
• Have you heard of that movie Sleep Talking Secrets?
• The Jem Hadar are good at getting people to tell secrets in their sleep
• Julian doesn’t buy it
• Sloan keeps putting words in Bashir’s mouth
• They take him to a private room through the main promenade
• The private room section
• Sloan has a lot of assistants
• Bashir is confident he doesn’t talk in his sleep
• They even take away his communicator badge thing!
• Commander Sisko comes to visit Julian. Alone.
• What’s going on?
• Sloan doesn’t like secret sleep tellers or the Dominion
• Sisko and Sloan butt heads
• Very great boundary setting
• Sisko asserts himself as commander of the space station
• Do you love people with advanced intelligence, Julian?
• He just wants to help them assimilate better
• Blue Sky Brainstorm
• Sisko wouldn’t have done what Julian did, but that’s okay
• Sloan’s Circular Argument
• Sloan doesn’t buy Bashir’s untruths
• Julian wasn’t completely honest in this interview
• But he’s imperfect!
• Sloan is very argumentative
• Sisko and Bashir have to figure out what to do
• Sloan is going to Julian to a space station where he is in charge
• Sloan isn’t Barbie, so…
• Bibble rhymes with Trible
• If that iPad has no animated Barbie films on it, you can keep it
• They beam out
• I was confused by this at first
• They meet this guy name Weyoun
• A guy from the Dominion thanks him for not telling their secrets
• Julian is very confused
• The Dominion was spying on him??
• You whispered your fairy secret!
• But Julian never remembers
• Dominion will win over Star Fleet
• And that will lead to peace
• The Great Sleeping Whisperer
• History will remember you, but Starfleet won’t be happy
• They have Julian’s breakfast for him
• They created a pavlovian response through his breakfast?
• Scone Secret Club Forever
• Julian denies that any of this is true
• Wait, why are you so intent on connecting the dots if you already know the secrets?
• Is Sloan the one telling secrets to the Dominion??
• Sisko’s ship arrives to pick up Bashir
• Worf and an effective guy energize in to get Julian
• They return to the Starfleet’s ship
• The Dominion is asking the same questions as Sloan
• Not blaming, just explaining
• No one believes Julian
• This whole thing is an illusion!
• Julian comes to in a holo-suite with Sloan
• Black latex outfit
• None of this is real. Congratulations, you passed our test!
• Time to read your databank, Julian
• Neurosynaptic boogie woogie
• This other test confirms that Julian doesn’t speak in his sleep
• No food, no sleep – it’s not very pleasant
• Sloan does work for Starfleet, or does he?
• The nonhumanist department of Starfleet – Section 31
• They’re contrarians to the whole Starfleet ethos
• Section 31 was written in invisible ink 200 years ago
• Secret Contrarian Department
• Sloan offers Julian a job at Section 31
• We’re on the opposite team to be on the same team
• This is highly illogical
• You’ll head back to your ship now, Julian
• No one will believe you if you tell them about Section 31
• Julian tells them about Section 31
• They don’t exist and they don’t not exist
• Maybe we should keep looking into Section 31
• We’ll wait for them to come back and try to recruit Julian again
• Julian, next time – you’ll say yes, and we’ll get to the bottom of this
• We’re humanists, through and through