The funniest episode in the franchise. Star Trek is most known as a morality play/drama series with action/adventure and sci-if. But not many people would describe Trek as a comedy. Nevertheless, there are a notable number of episodes that go for full-blown humor. Phillip recently tweeted a question about the funniest episodes and fans responded with their picks. The trio goes thru the list - which is the funniest episode of Trek?
This month, as well as this year, has been a turbulent but significant moment of the 21st Century. We don’t know how it will affect our future. In the third season of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” the writers imagined how a significant moment in the 2020s could lead to the creation of Starfleet and the Federation. The trio look at Sisko, Bashir, and Dax’s unplanned adventure in 2024 in the two-parter “Past Tense.” How did Ben and Julian’s experience in the so-called sanctity district contrast to...
In Focus: Harcourt Fenton Mudd There are a special few characters who have made multiple appearances across the Star Trek franchise. Harry Mudd, con artist, has appeared in three various series, as well as being name-checked in "Star Trek into Darkness." How has the character evolved? Is he consistent? Is he villain or lovable rogue? The trio look at Mudd in the original series of "Star Trek," the animated series, and "Star Trek: Discovery" (including a Short Trek!).
A new Star Trek series will join the franchise! As fans celebrate the announcement of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” the trio reflect on another series being set around The Original Series era. Eric Berry of the podcasts “Ranger Command Power Hour” and “The StarFleet Escape Podcast” joins to compare how the Power Ranger franchise gravitates to the original “Mighty Morphin’” era with how Trek keeps returning to its Kirk/Spock-time origins. Is the TOS-era filled with unexplored facets? Do the fa...
For Star Trek fans, the franchise is about science, optimism, and a future to strive for. But there are antagonistic elements that show a darker path for humanity in the 22nd century and beyond. Section 31 was introduced in DS9 as a faction of Starfleet that put security first, and all other considerations second. Other series probed further into this secretive organization, as well as feature films. The trio each choose an episode or movie that features Section 31 - what is their history? What ...
BridgeMates When Star Trek fans are stuck in quarantine, what better time than to play the only podcast Star Trek game show hosted by Phillip - BridgeMates! Darren and Daniel face off against fellow podcasters from The Nerd Party, Tristan and Char. However, will these two teams survive a challenge from the Roddenberry Network's "Women at Warp" team of Sue and Jarrah? It's Trek trivia mixed in with some 1970s "Newlyweds" questions - and which team will face the dreaded "Netflix summaries" Bonus R...
Quarantine Episodes With the world keeping safe from COVID-19, what guidance does "Star Trek" offer about dealing with potentially deadly illnesses? The trio tackles two episodes from the franchise: "For the World Is Hollow And I Have Touched the Sky" focuses on Dr. McCoy contracting a terminal illness and "Resolutions" leaves Captain Janeway and Lt. Cmdr. Chakotay quarantined on an unexplored planet. How did these characters treat these life changes? What does that tell us about today? Let us k...
Space Battles. When comparing science fiction franchises, there are many movies and series that concentrate more on special effects, specifically space battles. However, the Star Trek franchise does not shy away from ships trading phaser blasts or torpedo volleys. The trio look at the memorable space battles of Starfleet and beyond. Which series did it the best? Which movies contain the best ship choreography? Let us know your favorite Trek space fight.
Star Trek: Picard Season One Round-Up There's no new Star Trek for now, so let's talk about "old" Trek! "Star Trek: Picard" has concluded its inaugural season - what did it all mean? Daniel, Darren, and Phillip look at their favorite moments, their not-so-favorite moments, and what this all means for season two. What do you think is the most memorable aspect that "Picard" brought to the "Star Trek" franchise?
“Star Trek: Picard” Season Two TNG Pitches. Season one of “Picard” has ended, which means it’s time to start speculating about season two! The trio does a round-robin selection of episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” that would serve as future stories. What episode would help explore Jean-Luc’s synthetic nature? How would Seven deal with planet Picard has visited before? What TNG “sequel” would you like to see on “Picard”?
"Et in Arcadia Ego" Part 2 Review. All good storylines must come to an end. "Star Trek: Picard" ends its first season with a variety of characters coming together (or meeting their end...). Is the end fulfilling? Does it tease elements for the second season? What would we say the overall theme of the series has been? The trio figures out what it all means. What was your favorite part of "Picard" season one?
"Et in Arcadia Ego" Part 1 Review. The end has arrived for the first season of "Star Trek: Picard." Jean-Luc and his crew, both new and old, face the grand drama of the Zhat Vash fleet on its way, the "synths" home planet, and what more is to be revealed. As the final pieces fall into place, the trio look at the journey of eight episodes to get here, what the pay-offs have been, how the plot has complicated, and what will come in the final episode.
"Broken Pieces" You want answers? You want the truth? You can't handle the truth ... about the synth's attack on Mars and what motivates the Zhat Vash. "Star Trek: Picard" sets up its final journey of the first season with characters setting a final course for what's to be a memorable season finale (with two episodes to go). What questions do you still have remaining for this season?
“Nepenthe” Review. The trio gather around the ready room table, er, dining room table for some pizza, Data memories, and the joy of visiting the Troi-Riker’s in the latest episode of “Star Trek: Picard.” We jump along three storylines but ultimately find ourselves home with Will, Deanna, and Kestra, as Picard and Soji take a moment to refocus their paths. What was your favorite moment?
"The Impossible Box" Review It's all starting to come together for season one of "Star Trek: Picard" ... we think? Jean-Luc and the La Sirena crew arrive at the Borg cube, ending the search for Soji. But can Hugh lead Picard and the synthetic to safety? And what about the Romulan plot - the ploy to find the origins of the Maddox synths? There are a lot of emotional beats in this story - what's your favorite part?
“Stardust City Rag” Review. Put that extra umbrella in your drink and join the trio as they beam down to Freecloud for episode 5 of “Star Trek: Picard.” This Seven of Nine-based episode runs the gambit of horror, revenge, and lost friends (lovers?). What do you think of Seven’s story? Did you appreciate the look into Raffi’s family life? Let us know!
"Absolute Candor" Review In the spirit of the latest episode of "Star Trek: Picard," there are is excitement of the arrival of a Trek favorite at the end, appreciate for the new chateau-ready room, and an interesting use of Picard staging a sit-in. Also, this RPG group picks up their warrior-class character to complete their party! The trio explore what this episode means for the rest of the "Picard" story and what is to come. What was your favorite moment from the episode?
"The End is the Beginning" Review. There are some who are calling the first three episodes of "Star Trek: Picard" the actual pilot of the series. If so, this third installment finally gets former Admiral Picard into space. on a ship, with his chosen crew -- "Engage!" The trio look at the Picard and Borg site storylines that are, for the moment, separate. What more will we learn in future flashbacks to the time of Admiral Picard and Commander Raffi? How many holograms can there be on a ship? When...
"Maps and Legends" Review It's all shaping up as the "Star Trek: Picard" continues to introduce us to the world of the 25th Century. The trio is joined by Sarah Gulde, of the new Trek fanzine Star Trek Quarterly ( www.facebook.com/startrekquarterly) to talk about Romulan caretakers, admiral, bad-mmodores, and the fraternization policies of Borg cubes. What questions are you waiting to be answered this season?
All Good Things ... Begin. “Remembrance” Review. A new series enters the Star Trek franchise with the debut of “Star Trek: Picard.” This first series set at the dawn of the 25th Century introduces new characters, new challenges, and what as changed since we last saw Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: Nemesis.” The trio take the first episode of “Picard” step-by-step, as they explore the mysteries that are introduced, the familiar characters and props we see, and what comes next in this new journey....
Star Trek: Voyager at 25 "Star Trek: Picard" is the newest entry into the Trek franchise in 2020 - and this year also marks the 25th anniversary of "Star Trek: Voyager." The seven year saga arrived on the air waves on January 16, 1995 and introduced us to characters that we would long remember. The trio talks about their favorite characters, episodes, and moments that would ensure "Voyager" would remain a permanent part of the Trek legacy. As Seven continues her journey on "Picard," what other "...
“Star Trek: Captains” Story Pitches. As we eagerly await the premiere of “Star Trek: Picard,” the trio imagine similar TV series starring the other captains of the Star Trek franchise. What would “Star Trek: Sisko” look like, as the Emissary of the Prophets travels across time and space? What would Kirk be up to if a series was set after his “death” in the film “Generations”? Join us in this journey of TV series never-to-be and let us know your favorites.
The Star Trek Toys That Weren't With the beginning of 2020, the Star Trek franchise is exploding and will no doubt expand their merchandise in the coming year. But what about the Playmates line and all the toys that weren't made? The trio brainstorm what a Founder's Planet playset would be like, a floor mat Discovery bridge layout, and why would be happy with a simple Next Gen quarters for our existing toys. Let us know your idea for the toys that never were.
Trek 2020/Bynars. We all know that 2020 begins a new era for the Star Trek franchise. We will see the debut of new Trek series ("Star Trek: Picard" and "Star Trek: Lower Decks") and the continuation of "Star Trek: Discovery." The trio discuss what they are looking forward to the most and what questions they have. They also examine what little is known of the Bynar species, as introduced in the TNG episode "11001001." As Daniel asks, "Do they make sense?" Let us know any of your New Trek Resoluti...
René Auberjonois (1940-2019) Star Trek, and the world, lost a good man with the passing of Deep Space Nine's Odo, René Auberjonois. The trio talk about the characters René portrayed and how they evolved and, ahem, changed shape over the years. Let us know your favorite Odo moment.
In Remembrance: D.C. Fontana One of Star Trek's brightest stars, Dorothy Catherine Fontana (1939-2019), left a lasting legacy for the franchise. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip pick their top D.C.-penned episodes of Trek and how they moved the series forward. From TOS to TAS to TNG and more, Fontana's left an imprint on Star Trek that will guide future generation of writers and showrunners.
Betazed Society. Star Trek: The Next Generation first introduced the telepathic alien race of Betazeds - and we never got much more from them. Certainly the Trois showed up in other Trek series, and an occasional Betazed character would pop up elsewhere. But viewers never learned all that much about the planet, its people, and the society. Daniel, Phillip, and Darren examine what a telepathic species would be like in the 24th century and how often one really has to be naked. What’s your favorite...
Galaxy Quest "The Best Star Trek Movie!" Whether you agree with that assessment about the 1999 film "Galaxy Quest," there's no denying its deep ties to the Star Trek franchise. Phillip, Darren, and Daniel look at how this movie made fun of Trek while also showing a deep appreciation to the fandom, before that was "cool." What are your favorite "Quest" lines?
Trek Tech Economic Destruction. Fans often speculate about the nature of the 24th century economy and society - but what would happen today? The trio looks at the various bits of Trek technology and how it would affect society if it was introduced today. How would phasers change things? Would transporters make cars obsolete? Would there be a gaming industry if we had Holodecks? Let us know what you think!
Requiem for Data. The death of Data in Star Trek: Nemesis remains controversial. Some see it as a logical end to his story. Others see it as a random checklist event that leaves a bitter after taste. No matter your opinion, fans know that Brent Spiner and his android character will be returning to the franchise in Star Trek: Picard. What form will it take? What has happened in the intervening years? Do we all acknowledge B4? Join the discussion as we dive into the legacy of Data’s death.
