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As a fan / supporter of the “Federation is post-capitalist” theory I actually found that moment a bit disturbing in context. Pelia is ancient and, although clearly eccentric, I think we’re certainly meant to understand her as being a “wise woman,” so for her to comment that the whole post-scarcity thing may just be a “fad” to me came across as questioning more than supporting, although maybe I’m just being a bit defensive.
Bashir and O’Brien did not just have what the official startrek.com website refers to as a “homosocial” relationship.
I think the writers did kind of start off with a bromance, and then the
slashfic writersfans got a hold of it, and then this game of “chicken” ensued where the innuendo got more and more explicit.There are many, many such moments: one comes from Field of Fire
The moment is even odder because we know from episodes like A Simple Investigation and Badda Bing Badda Bang that O’Brien and Bashir did go to the holosuites with others, including Jadzia Dax, for fun – but when they went alone, together, they did not want anyone else to be there.
…But to me the real finishing piece is from Extreme Measures:
The dialogue doesn’t even really do it justice, I don’t see how you can watch that scene and conclude something other than that they had a romantic relationship.