Saddle Up! 19: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
“Under the Cloak of War.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss the impact of war, atonement, responsibility for one’s actions, the DS9 feel of the episode, and more.
Saddle Up! 18: This Historical Saddle
“Those Old Scientists.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss blending live action and animation, bringing animated characters to life, poignant moments in the midst of silliness, and how the casts of Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks work together.
Saddle Up! 17: Schrödinger’s Mixed Bag of Story Elements
“Lost in Translation.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss humor in Star Trek, writing in a modern vernacular, overshadowing important commentary, character arcs, and more.
Saddle Up! 16: Mental Gymnastics
“Charades.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss humor in Star Trek, writing in a modern vernacular, overshadowing important commentary, character arcs, and more.
The Orb 154: All About the Greed
“The Nagus” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the resetting the Ferengi, subtle morality, the importance of fathers, and more.
Saddle Up! 15: Definitely Not the Oatmeal
“Among the Lotus Eaters.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss the story’s perhaps overlooked social commentary, connections to Homer's Odyssey and past Star Trek, the TOS feel of the presentation, Spock’s choices, and a puzzling Prime Directive moment.
Warp Five 249: Linguistic Games
“Cogenitor” 20th-anniversary reflections. We discuss first contact, equal rights, cultural relativism, missed opportunities, and why we wish this important story had been expanded and revisited.
Saddle Up! 14: Seams in the Bunny Suit
“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss how the story evolves, La’an’s struggles with identity, Paul Wesley's Kirk, playing with history, Khan’s pivotal role, shifting the timeline, and more.
Saddle Up! 13: An Illyrian Enigma
“Ad Astra per Aspera.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss a story that questions the Federation’s commitment to IDIC, examine real-word struggles to avoid discrimination, and debate how the case against Illyrians fits into the existing story of genetic modification within Star Trek.
Saddle Up! 12: Kung Fu Juice!
“The Broken Circle.” We kick off Season 2 with a look at the unexpected start, character moments, the writers’ flirtation with canon, some confusion at the very top over where the series falls on the Star Trek timeline, and why it doesn't really matter when you have stories that are so much fun.
The Orb 153: Down the Wrong Warp Pipe
“Move Along Home” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the Wadi, whether budget was really the problem, why the crew should have played more Legend of Zelda, and more. Shap 6!
The Artificial Tango 21: Bye Bye Borgie
“The Last Generation.” We conclude our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 10, as we discuss character paths, how the story was resolved, why the writing goes well beyond nostalgia, the potential of a spinoff, ships named Enterprise, and why everything comes back to ALF.