The Orb 155: Double Your Danger
“Vortex” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss revelations about Odo's people and how the story sets up the Dominion and why it's important to always keep an extra glass around.
Warp Five 250: Popsicle Drones
“Regeneration” 20th-anniversary reflections. We discuss using the Borg at a time long before they were known to Starfleet, how to do a prequel right, how the story sets up Archer and his crew for the challenges of Season 3, and more.
Saddle Up! 21: Break in Case of Gorn
“Hegemony.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss the challenges of creating drama in a prequel, elements of diplomacy in Star Trek, parallels (and not) with “Arena,” and try to make sense of the Gorn.
Saddle Up! 20: Fundamental Harmonics
“Subspace Rhapsody.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss the concept, how they pulled it off, using the musical format to boost communications, advance storylines and clear the deck for the finale, and more.
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.