In the final Kelvin film, Star Trek Beyond, the USS Enterprise is destroyed and the crew stranded on an alien planet. They meet an alien named Krall who intends to destroy the Federation. Star Trek Beyond is not an oft-discussed film, but it's clearly the best of the three Kelvin films. Directed by Justin Lin from a script written by Simon Pegg (Scotty), Beyond works as both a Star Trek film and an action film. In this podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the dynamics of Balthazar Edison, the benefit t...
Jan 23, 2020•1 hr 19 min
Star Trek Into Darkness is the second film from JJ Abrams' Kelvin Universe. Khan returns as an unwilling agent of Section 31. In order to prevent a war with the Klingons, Kirk must stop both Khan and a corrupt admiral from achieving their goals. In this podcast, Wes and Clay discuss going bigger in a sequel, wet eyes, and bringing back Khan! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile....
Jan 20, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Wes and Clay get back to the Star Trek films! This time they've moved on to the JJ Abrams led reboot, "Star Trek" from 2009. The Abrams 2009 Trek film rebooted the franchise and created a new TOS universe (Kelvin) to play in. As such, we get familiar names with brand new faces. In this podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the brilliant idea of creating an alternate timeline, walking the line of old and new, and Spock not getting where he needed to be in time! Are you looking for older episodes? Find th...
Jan 13, 2020•1 hr 18 min
After a devastating attack on the shipyards on Mars, two twelve year old rivals discover that anyone can be a hero. Even if just for one day. Clay and Wes get together to discuss the final episode from the second season of Short Treks. Does it work as something greater than a simple Picard tie-in? Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile.com/links/ • e-mail: thepenskyfilevideo(at)gm...
Jan 11, 2020•27 min
Having finished DS9, Wes and Clay watched the Star Trek DS9 documentary, "What We Left Behind". Directed by showrunner Ira Behr, the documentary tries to explain the legacy of DS9 through the memories of those involved with the show. Is it worth watching? Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile.com/links/ • e-mail: thepenskyfilevideo(at)gmail.com...
Jan 06, 2020•1 hr 17 min
With DS9 over, Wes and Clay get together to give some final thoughts about the series as a whole. Is DS9 better than TNG? Does it matter? The guys try to understand the complexities that make DS9 unique and both amazing and awful (but mostly amazing). Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile.com/links/ • e-mail: thepenskyfilevideo(at)gmail.com...
Dec 30, 2019•1 hr 25 min
This is it. The final episode of DS9. "What You Leave Behind" serves to close out both the Dominion War and the series itself. It has action, drama, comedy and retrospection in spades. It's a brilliant ending to a fascinating series. But it's not perfect. In this podcast, Wes and Clay discuss what the finale does right and what it does wrong. They try to determine if "What you Leave Behind" is a fitting end to the series they've been watching for almost two and a half years. Thanks to everyone f...
Dec 26, 2019•1 hr 35 min
The two year journey through DS9 is almost finished! But before they tackle the DS9 finale, Wes and Clay head back to where it all began by revisiting the DS9 pilot, "Emissary". In this podcast, the guys discuss Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile.com/links/ • e-mail: thepenskyfilevideo(at)gmail.com...
Dec 23, 2019•50 min
In the penultimate episode of DS9, Damar becomes the leader of a Cardassian revolution. Bashir and Ezri hook up. The Siskos get some big news. And Quark gets some exciting, and then upsetting, news. Clay and Wes get together to discuss the choice to involve the Ferengi so heavily in the second to last episode of the show. Plus! They defend their choice of O'Brien as the weakest character in the series, analyze the plots in the "Final Chapter", and look forward to the finale! Are you looking for ...
Dec 19, 2019•1 hr 15 min
Odo is dying. The disease that has infected the Founders has spread to Odo, and he does not look well. To cure him, Bashir and O'Brien lure Section 31's Sloan to DS9. They plan to enter his mind and steal the cure, and hopefully end Section 31 once and for all. In this podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the last Bashir and O'Brien adventure and the end of Luther Sloan. Plus! They talk about the ease of capturing a secret agent, boring "dream sequences", and unrealistic male friendships! Are you looki...
Dec 16, 2019•1 hr
The Short Trek series returns with a double header of animated shorts, "The Girl Who Made the Stars" and "Ephraim and Dot". Wes and Clay discuss how Star Trek works as animated shorts and whether or not it was a worthwhile experiment. Plus! The guys talk about vinyl versus digital and why so many animation studios shut down. Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile.com/links/ • e-ma...
Dec 14, 2019•25 min
In this special episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay are joined by Sean to sample some "Star Trek Wine" which was generously provided by Wines That Rock! In addition to uninformed opinions about fermented grape juice, they guys also provide uninformed opinions about geography, the new Picard series, and The Irishman! We hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation! If the wine interests you, please visit https://winesthatrock.com/ for additional information. https://startrekwines.com/ Are you l...
Dec 13, 2019•59 min
"When it rains, it pours." Things go from bad to worse as Gowron arrives at DS9 and takes command of the Klingon forces. Odo discovers he is infected with the sickness ravaging the Founders. Bashir and O'Brien learn that Section 31 is responsible for the infection. Kira, Odo and Garak are sent to train Damar's soldiers. Dukat goes blind. In this podcast, Wes and Clay discuss an episode with an improved focus and structure and how it reboots the final arc. Plus! The guys talk about why Martok is ...
Dec 09, 2019•1 hr 6 min
The Breen have attacked Earth. Dukat has convinced Kai Winn to review the ancient texts of the Pah-Wraiths. Damar rebels against the Dominion. In this podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "The Changing Face of Evil". Plus! The guys discuss burning the peppers, the abrupt lethargy of the "final chapter", and the failures of the Winn/Dukat story line. Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile...
Dec 05, 2019•59 min
In "Strange Bedfellows", the Dominion and Breen alliance could prove costly for the Federation. Worf and Ezri discover an unexpected ally on Cardassia. Dukat manages to turn Kai Winn to the Dark Side. Wes and Clay discuss an episode that seems like a superior reboot of "Til Death Do Us Part". Plus! The guys explore the potential redemption of Damar, the narrative need for Dukat, and the close out of Worf and Ezri. Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensk...
Dec 02, 2019•48 min
Ignoring the will of The Prophets, Sisko and Kasidy Yates get married. Meanwhile, the captured Worf and Ezri are interrogated by the Breen. On DS9, Dukat works to lure Kai Winn to the Dark Side. Wes and Clay get together to discuss "'Til Death Do Us Part" and how it works as the second hour of the Final Chapter. Plus! The guys talk about the Breen popping up out of nowhere, treading water as a narrative, and Dukat and Winn bumping uglies! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every o...
Nov 28, 2019•56 min
DS9 has entered "The Final Chapter"! In 'Penumbra', Sisko and Kasidy announce their plans to marry, and Ezri tries to rescue Worf. The "Final Chapter" is the series ending run of nine episodes that finish out DS9. in this podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the problems with DS9's serialized storytelling, when characters get "too real", and the series treading water to get to this point! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening....
Nov 25, 2019•49 min
In "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges", Section 31 recruits Dr. Bashir to aid them in making sure that the Romulan Star Empire remains on the righteous" side of the Dominion War. Special guest Darren joins Wes and Clay to discuss the final "regular" episode of Star Trek: DS9. Plus! The three discuss pushing Star Trek to its moral limits, making a fashion statement with leather, and beaming out in the nick of time! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Pod...
Nov 21, 2019•1 hr 20 min
When Starbase 28 is attacked, Cadet Sidhu is given the responsibility of watching a surprise prisoner: Christopher Pike. In this podcast, Wes and Clay get together to discuss the final Enterprise-centric Short Trek! Plus, the guys talk about quoting technical language, supporting brands, and their own dream Short Trek plot lines! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile.com/links/ •...
Nov 18, 2019•28 min
In "Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang", holographic mobsters try to run Vic Fontaine out of town. It's up the crew of DS9 to perform the heist of the century. Wes and Clay discuss being attacked while playing in the holosuite, a heist without much difficulty, and the powerful sexuality of Nana Visitor! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listening. Stay connected: • https://thepenskyfile.com/links/ • e-mail: thepenskyfilevideo(at)gmail.co...
Nov 14, 2019•52 min
A Changeling, Laas, finds Odo returning from a conference. Laas reveals that he is another of the Hundred Changelings. Laas tries to convince Odo to leave DS9 and join him in the search for the other Changelings, but things are not so easy for a "Chimera" such as Odo. In this podcast, Wes and Clay get together to talk about the redemption of DS9's seventh season and the complexities of the Changelings. Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! ...
Nov 11, 2019•57 min
A series of strange murders rock the station. A killer is on the loose. In response, Ezri consults with Joran, a previous Dax host, in order to enter the mind of a serial killer and find out who is responsible before it's too late. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Field of Fire" and find some brilliance amidst a lot of terrible rubble. Plus! The guys discuss a choir of angels for the Trill, solving crimes with no evidence, and shooting melons! Are you looking for older episo...
Nov 07, 2019•54 min
Grand Nagus Zek has gone missing in the Mirror Universe. Quark and Rom, with the aid of Mirror Universe Ezri, head into the "alternate universe" to rescue him. Many hilarious situations ensue! Wes and Clay discuss the final DS9 episode to deal with the Mirror Universe, "The Emperor's New Cloak". Plus! The guys talk about DS9 wasting everyone's time, the logistics of non-hologram Vic, and Ezri being too strong a focus in the final season of DS9! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and e...
Nov 04, 2019•1 hr 1 min
O'Brien has gone missing while looking for the widow of his old friend Bilby, and Ezri heads home to see if her family can help find the chief. Unfortunately, Ezri's family has its fair share of skeletons in the closet. Wes and Clay discuss "Prodigal Daughter" and try to determine if it has the worst script in the entire DS9 series. Plus! The guys talk about Trill not being supportive of being joined, bland descriptions of the murder you've committed, and dialogue centered around a mislabelled g...
Oct 31, 2019•43 min
In "The Siege of AR-558", Nog lost his leg. In "It's Only a Paper Moon" he loses his enthusiasm for life and it's up to Vic Fontaine to pull him out of his depression. Clay and Wes get together to discuss an episode that quietly examines PTSD and phantom pain, as well as the distractions that tear us away from reality. Plus! The guys talk about making an episode without your main cast, getting punchy in a 1960s Vegas lounge, and slamming doors for no good reason! Are you looking for older episod...
Oct 28, 2019•55 min
During a supply run to AR-558, Sisko meets a group of Starfleet officers who have been pushed to the brink trying to hold a vital Dominion communications array. When a group of Jem'Hadar attack, Sisko and his crew experience, first hand, the horrors of front line combat. Wes and Clay discuss DS9 embracing the wretchedness of the Dominion War in "The Siege of AR-558"! Plus! The guys talk about taking Quark seriously, how to under-write effectively, and they wonder why there aren't more Ferengi in...
Oct 21, 2019•58 min
