Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Saddle Up! 11: The Alternate Terror
“A Quality of Mercy.” We explore how this new story reinforces the importance of TOS as the foundation of Star Trek as we know it, how it highlights the pivotal roles of Kirk, Spock, and Pike, and ask whether the series is leading us to a soft reboot.
Saddle Up! 10: Hulk Spock and Hemhura
“All Those Who Wander.” We explore the reimagining of the Gorn and Star Trek as a platform for horror, as well as the added emotional texture for Spock and the departure of Hemmer.
Saddle Up! 9: A Cloud Called Debra
“The Elysian Kingdom.” We debate going to this Trek trope so early in the run of a series limited to 10 episodes per season, delve into the resolution of the plotline involving Doctor M’enga’s daughter Rukiya, and discuss the choice to make Benny Russell a real person in the Star Trek universe.
Saddle Up! 8: Vulcan Affairs
“The Serene Squall.” We explore Spock’s struggle with identity, the rich world building of Vulcan affairs that will transform how viewers read “Amok Time” and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and the trajectory of the Spock–Chapel relationship. We may also do pirate imitations.
Saddle Up! 7: Hotel Majalan
“Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach.” We explore the important messages in the story about our own complacency in society, the exploitation of children, and the importance of strong father figures, along with the structural flaws in the story.
Saddle Up! 6: Spock and T’Pring’s Freaky Friday
“Spock Amok.” We discuss the importance of humor in Star Trek, finding balance between comedy and social commentary, Nurse Chapel's crush on Spock, and, of course the body swap that delivers both laughs and insight.
Saddle Up! 5: Gorn to Die
“Memento Mori.” We get to know more about La’an and how her past experiences with the Gorn shaped who she is today, contrast that Pike’s future trauma, and debate whether it is too soon for the Gorn to be making a prominent appearance.
Saddle Up! 4: The Light Fantastic
“Ghosts of Illyria.” We get to know more about Number One and delve deep into the issue of genetic engineering. We also talk about the value of simplicity in plot, allowing Star Trek to do what it has always done when at its best: shed light on important issues and develop characters.
Saddle Up! 3: Musical Escape Room
“Children of the Comet.” We get to know more about Uhura, have a beer with Captain Pike, join voice training with Spock, and get punked by Ortegas. We also explore the big existential questions raised in this story about fate, faith, and free will.
Saddle Up! 2: A Little Less Mountain Man
“Strange New Worlds.” We discuss the pilot episode of the new series, how Pike’s experience on the Klingon moon Boreth may impact how he is portrayed, the tenuous nature of the warp bomb story, the social commentary, and the new cast of characters.
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 Ready Room 225: Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album
Picard Recap and Strange New Worlds. We look back at the full season of Star Trek: Picard and take a first look at the recently announced Captain Pike series.