Saddle Up! 1: Just a Good Guy
Christopher Pike. We discuss the character as we've since him in The Original Series, the Kelvin films, and Discovery, and how we think he may be portrayed in Strange New Worlds. We also talk about the prospects for the new series overall.
The Orb 137: A Disturbance in the Link
“The Search, Part II.” We discuss the introduction of the Great Link, the quiet threat of the Dominion, the slowly unfolding absurdity of the Founders’ simulation, and the importance of this episode to Odo’s character development over the course of the series.
The Artificial Tango 7: Unstuck
“Monsters.” We talk about Jean-Luc’s view of his father and the realization that things were not as they seemed, Tallinn's revelation that she is actually Romulan, the birth of a new queen, Rios’s voyage home, and the conflict between the Q and El-Aurians.
The Orb 136: Shift in Tone
“The Search, Part I.” We discuss how the arrival of a cloaked starship named Defiant, a new path for Odo, and a growing feeling of family to kick off Season 3 signaled a change which would send ripples through DS9’s storytelling.
The Artificial Tango 6: Shadows of the Night
“Two of One.” We talk about Jean-Luc’s interactions with Renée, the Borg Queen’s interactions with Agnes, Pat Benatar, Adam Soong, a Stargazer spin-off, and what may be happening inside Jean-Luc’s mind as he recalls the struggles of his mother.
The Artificial Tango 5: A Thread of Melancholy
“Fly Me to the Moon.” We talk about what the introduction of Adam and Kore Soong means for the story, speculate on what Q is really up to, and look at the various threads of Star Trek lore which the writers are pulling on to create a unique story built of familiar elements.
The Orb 135: Listening for Personal Gain
Martus Mazer and El-Aurians. We revisit the only appearance of El-Aurians on DS9 and discuss how the original idea would have made Martus Guinan’s wayward son. We also explore the concept of El-Aurians in general and how the three we've spent time with use their skills as listeners.
Warp Five 227: Let No Good Crisis Go to Waste
“Shockwave” 20th-anniversary reflections. We discuss how this story moves the Temporal Cold War toward a hot one, Archer's guilt, the use of time travel, and the repercussions of the efforts of the Suliban and Future Guy to change history.
The Artificial Tango 4: A Bowl of Time Salad
“Watcher.” We discuss why we feel time has been shattered, why Guinan doesn't recognize Jean-Luc, and, of course, the reveal of the Watcher, their apparent connection to Gary Seven, and why their identity means so much to the story.
The Artificial Tango 3: Shatter to Mend
“Assimilation.” We discuss the messages conveyed by Q and the Borg Queen, how the characters are reacting to the situation, a slingshot around the sun, living in a world of contradictions, and much more.
Warp Five 226: Intergalactic Florida
“Two Days and Two Nights” 20th-anniversary reflections. We discuss this fun shore leave story that brings some serious commentary, contrasting Hoshi's experience with that of Trip and Malcolm and discussing the portrayal of language, technology, and the ongoing Suliban plot.
The Artificial Tango 2: Fear Run Amok
“Penance.” We discuss Q's setup for the trial that lies ahead, how a part of Picard is dying, how two sets of characters contrast one another, the Borg connection, who the Watcher may be, and pay homage to Queen Liana of Borg.