The Orb 149: The Most Dangerous Game
“Captive Pursuit” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the first visit by an alien from the Gamma Quadrant and how the story challenges the idea of IDIC and Starfleet’s rule of non-interference.
The Artificial Tango 12: Picard’s Romantic Mix Tape
“The Next Generation.” We kick off our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with the premiere episode, as we discuss the passage of time, how the series is shifting tone while still honoring its first two seasons, and how it is a love letter to fans and the entire franchise.
Warp Five 244: ’Tis a Scary Place
“Canamar” 20th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the frightening encounters humans have with aliens during these early days of deep space exploration, how the story came to be, and what it has to say about attempts to control people and curb crime in real world societies.
The Orb 148: Miles and Miles of Sass
“Babel” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the story long kicked around for The Next Generation found a home on DS9, how it sets the series apart from its predecessor, and how it tests the limits of the Star Trek formula.
The Orb 147: Questioning the Foundation
“A Man Alone” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the story subverts expectations and charts new paths for Star Trek, the attempt to avoid serialization, and the choice to reverse the airing of the episode with “Past Prologue.”
The Artificial Tango 11: Honoring the Saga
Preparing for Star Trek: Picard Season 3. We get ready for Star Trek: Picard Season 3 by looking back at the first two and then ahead to the third, asking what could have been and what is to come as the crew of the Enterprise-D (and E!) reunite.
The Orb 146: It’s Not Easy to Let Go
“Past Prologue” 30th-anniversary reflections. We discuss the introduction of Garak, ties to TNG, and how the story showers viewers in character development.
Warp Five 243: Stop Messing with Time!
“Future Tense” 20th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the story reminds viewers that the Temporal Cold War storyline still exists while saving itself from filler status by delivering important chartacter growth for T’Pol, plus some fun with time along the way.
The Orb 145: Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
“Emissary” 30th-anniversary reflections. We begin a 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time.
Warp Five 242: Toward the Federation
“Cease Fire” 20th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how the story brings the Federation’s founding worlds closer together through a growing relationship and trust among unlikely players.
The Orb 144: How Gullible Is the Federation?
“How Gullible Is the Federation?“ We conclude our discussion of the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story of the Dominion and one of Star Trek’s most complex stories.
The Orb 143: Finding It As They Go
“Finding It As They Go.“ We discuss the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story of the Dominion and one of Star Trek’s most complex stories.