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Secrets of Star Trek

SQPN, Inc.sqpn.com
Exploring the hidden layers and deeper meanings of all Star Trek series and movies
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Episodes

Imposters (PIC)

The surprise return of a TNG character gives Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha lots to discuss, plus the evolution of Changelings, Vulcan criminals, and how adherence to duty is not a substitute for morality. The post Imposters (PIC) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Mar 20, 202353 min

No Win Scenario (PIC)

Riker is going through an existential crisis. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Riker's despair, the afterlife, and how Picard and Shaw man up, put aside their differences, and get to work. Is this one of the best Star Trek episodes ever? The post No Win Scenario (PIC) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Mar 13, 20231 hr 7 min

Seventeen Seconds (PIC)

The longest 17 seconds of your life! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Picard, including themes of fatherhood and family; good cop/bad cop Worf; and the return of an old foe in a new form. The post Seventeen Seconds (PIC) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Mar 06, 20231 hr 19 min

Disengage (PIC)

Is it just a reboot of Wrath of Khan? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the second episode of Picard, season 3, including the similarities to a certain movie, scene-chewing villains, and the bigger than life return of another TNG favorite. The post Disengage (PIC) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Feb 27, 202350 min

The Next Generation (PIC)

Season 3 of Picard is here and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss what's good and maybe not as good, including what makes this season different from the first two so far and what they expect from the rest of the season. The post The Next Generation (PIC) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Feb 20, 202359 min

Ship In A Bottle (TNG)

Moriarty is another familiar face in Picard, Season 2, so Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha revisit his last episode on TNG and consider the limits of AI and holograms and Sherlock Holmes' greatest foe. The post Ship In A Bottle (TNG) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Feb 13, 202335 min

Datalore (TNG)

Data's brother, Lore, will play a role in Picard season 3, so Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Lore's first appearance on TNG and the initial setup of his antagonism and personality. The post Datalore (TNG) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Feb 06, 202351 min

Acquisition (ENT)

Ferengi who? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Trek veteran-laden story that sees the Ferengi show up long before Farpoint in a Die Hard-style battle of wits with the Enterprise crew. The post Acquisition (ENT) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Jan 30, 202339 min

Jetrel (VOY)

How do you forgive someone who has something so evil? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that sees Neelix struggle with forgiveness for someone who has done much evil to him and in general and now appears repentant. The post Jetrel (VOY) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Jan 23, 202337 min

Indiscretion (DS9)

Humanizing the monster. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this DS9 episode where Kira is confronted with a humanized view of Gul Dukat, a man who did unspeakable evil to her people and the idea of setting aside old wounds for a common good. The post Indiscretion (DS9) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Jan 16, 202336 min

Who Watches the Watchers (TNG)

Prime directive! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of the advanced alien species being mistaken for gods. What are the ethics of the Prime Directive? Does Picard go too far in what he says about religious belief? The post Who Watches the Watchers (TNG) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Jan 09, 202344 min

Supernova, Part 2 (PRO)

Prodigy season 1 has ended and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the season finale, where the next season might go, and their thoughts on Prodigy as a whole. The post Supernova, Part 2 (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Jan 02, 202348 min

Supernova, Part 1 (PRO)

With the penultimate episode of Prodigy's first season, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story's willingness to leave no easy way out for the heroes and appreciate the deep cuts from Trek lore. The post Supernova, Part 1 (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Dec 26, 202235 min

Mindwalk (PRO)

Freaky Friday! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about this story which features the classic body swap trope and Kate Mulgrew's performance in essentially three roles in this story, plus how the writers have dealt with the twisted plot threads. The post Mindwalk (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Dec 19, 202238 min

Ghost in the Machine (PRO)

What could have been a Star Trek trope becomes a compelling twist. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this holodeck episode that undermines our expectations and presents a conundrum for the crew, another layer of betrayal. Who can they trust? The post Ghost in the Machine (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Dec 12, 202236 min

Preludes (PRO)

Revealed! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Prodigy, which provides new backstories for Rok-Tahk, Zero, Jankom Pog, and the Diviner's race, plus what happened to Capt. Chakotay. The post Preludes (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Dec 05, 202233 min

Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from StarQuest

Dom Bettinelli, CEO of StarQuest, has a special Advent and Christmas greetings for all listeners and an important message about the mission of StarQuest. The post Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from StarQuest appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Dec 01, 20221 min

Masquerade (PRO)

Be yourself. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Prodigy, including its message of self-care and being happy with you are created to be, plus the surprise reveals about several characters and Okona's outrageous behavior. The post Masquerade (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Nov 28, 202234 min

Crossroads (PRO)

Outrageous! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Protostar crew's much-anticipated encounter with Admiral Janeway and her crew that goes horribly wrong and their escape with the help of Thadium Okona, aka the Outrageous Okona. The post Crossroads (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Nov 21, 202222 min

All the World’s A Stage (PRO)

Beware the Gallow! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Prodigy, in which a primitive society has structured itself around its garbled knowledge of the James T. Kirk's Enterprise and the Protostar crew has to help them. The post All the World’s A Stage (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Nov 14, 202227 min

Let Sleeping Borg Lie (PRO)

Resistance is NOT futile. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Prodigy, in which the crew encounters a Borg cube and hope it offers a solution to their problem without making a worse, new one. The post Let Sleeping Borg Lie (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Nov 07, 202229 min

Asylum (PRO)

Prodigy is back! Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the return of Prodigy and the crew of the Protostar, including the emphasis on action and the return of biological Janeway in addition to her holographic counterpart. The post Asylum (PRO) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Nov 01, 202226 min

The Stars At Night (LD)

California vs. Texas! Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the season finale of Lower Decks, season 3; its slightly more serious tone, the state rivalry mined for comedic effect, and the maturation of some of the characters. The post The Stars At Night (LD) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Oct 31, 202249 min

Trusted Sources (LD)

Lower Decks tells us not to trust the media. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha also discuss the story's subtext of a parent having to change how she sees her child, plus the great callback to a TNG episode and a set up for the season finale. The post Trusted Sources (LD) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Oct 24, 202230 min

Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus (LD)

Boimler's holomovie gets derailed by a search for the meaning of life. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha all the Easter eggs and references to nearly every star Trek movie as well as the existential angst over the meaning of life when can seem meaningless. The post Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus (LD) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Oct 17, 202239 min

A Mathematically Perfect Redemption (LD)

When a rogue exocomp stumbles on a primitive world, it can find redemption with Starfleet. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the funny situation that brings up Castaway and Moana, and a multi-layered scheme that's mathematically perfect. The post A Mathematically Perfect Redemption (LD) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Oct 10, 202225 min

Hear All, Trust Nothing (LD)

Back to Bajor! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Lower Decks' return to Deep Space 9, including appearances by Kira and Quark. They also discuss why this episode appeals to Trek fans so much and the many Easter eggs found in it. The post Hear All, Trust Nothing (LD) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Oct 03, 202232 min

Reflections (LD)

In a mirror, funny. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the humorous variation on a Trek mirror episode, but this one has bigger series implications. Who is the sinister power behind it all. Plus, Starfleet recruiting booth! The post Reflections (LD) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Sep 26, 202241 min

Room for Growth (LD)

It's an old-fashioned room lottery! Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the latest episode of Lower Decks in which our vrew faces off with more rivals in a slapstick adventure reminiscent of Galaxy Quest and the captain forces the engineers to take a spa retreat. The post Room for Growth (LD) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Sep 19, 202231 min

Mining the Mind’s Mines (LD)

When you think you've got a bad reputation, but it's the opposite! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest Easter eggs and self-referential nods in Lower Decks, including what the crew thinks is a reputation for being screw-ups. The post Mining the Mind’s Mines (LD) appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Sep 12, 202229 min
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