Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Ceti Alpha 3: A Star Trek Podcast

Lower Decks Season 5 Catchup

The final season of "Star Trek: Lower Decks" began this month - a bittersweet moment for the animated series.

The trio look at the first four episodes - looking at what made them laugh and what portents may have been dropped about how this show will end. They  focus on each character, their remaining storylines, and whether the remaining episodes will be more in the spirit of "The Next Generation" or "Deep Space Nine."

It's so hard to say goodbye - but join them as they enjoy "Lower Decks" final episodes.

Mirror Universe - Star Wars: Andor Overview

The trio enter the Mirror Universe to become a dedicated Star Wars group - looking back at the first season of "Andor."

With season two of Andor expected in 2025, three years after the first, the trio looks back at this revivial of Star Wars on TV. Disney+ brought Star Wars to streaming with "The Mandalorian". It was then followed up with "The Book of Boba Fett" and "Obi-Wan Kenobi". Some fans felt that there was still something missing - and then came "Andor" in 2022, a perhaps unexpected prequel series to the film "Rogue One."

This 12-episode series centered on Cassian Andor and his reluctant entry into the Rebellion. The trio look at the stories, characters, and structure of this series that earned critical acclaim. Does "Andor" live up to all the hype? How is it different from both the series that came before and after? What were the most memorable parts? Join us in this ... Star Wars? ... discussion.

Star Trek: Prodigy Season Two Overview

The kids are back! "Prodigy" has been on a wild road - there was a substantial break between the first and second halves of the first season, then it was unexpectedly cancelled and then dropped from Paramount+, and then there was a quest to find someone to host a second season (which had already mostly been completed). But Netflix finally took on this young audience-targeted Trek animated series in 2024 and premiered the second season (after an errant French slip-up). What do we think?

The trio look at how the kids are doing, from new storylines, returning Voyager-era characters, new enemies, and how a bigger number of episodes (compared to other 21st Century shows) allows for different storytelling. From the Voyager-A to the temporal headaches of a returning USS Prodigy, from two-parters to a shocking way to end the season (series??) ... and then there's Wesley Crusher! There's a lot to cover and more to hope about the future of this series. 

If we were in charge of Star Trek...

It's not the new year yet, but the trio are ready to look to the future. With the sale of Paramount still not quite official until 2025, and the renewal of some series, the cancellation of others, and the development of even others - it's time for a brief thought experiment.

What if we ran Star Trek?

As the helm of the franchise has gone from Gene Roddenberry to Rick Berman and now to Alex Kurtzman, it's now our turn. Do we keep current projects going or start from scratch? What platform will the future of Star Trek be carried on? Should we concentrate on movies or TV series? What new ideas will keep the franchise going for the next generation?

Join us as we sit in the big chairs and imagine our own version of Star Trek's future.

Whittling Down Season Four (VOY) to 10 episodes

The trio continues their series of chopping down the longer 1990s seasons of Star Trek into the 2020s average ten-episode limit. This time "the victim" is season four of "Star Trek: Voyager," also known as "when Seven of Nine joined the show."

The season begins with battling Species 8472 with the Borg in "Scorpion, Part II" and ends with "Hope and Fear," when the surprising (and suspicious) new starship Dauntless appears to take them home. These episodes also feature the Paris/Torres romance, the introduction of the Hirogen, and begins Seven's journey into humanity. Will your favorite episode make the cut? Will two-parters be split up? And how many episodes does "The Killing Game" count as???

Join us as we whittle down season four of Voyager!

Change in Star Trek Shows

It is not a suprise that many shows in the Trek franchise evolve in style and tone from their very first episode. But what about during their entire span - which series changes the most during its run? 

The trio discuss every show in the franchise from TOS to Lower Decks, determining which show changed the most over time. Is it TNG with its introduction of new uniforms and Rikers' beard? Is it DS9 with Worf and the Defiant? What about Enterprise with its pre- and post-Xindi War stories? How different are the three season of Picard? What about time jumping Discovery?

Join us as we discuss what changes and what stays the same in the Trek franchise.

Star Trek Comic Con News

The past few weeks have brought many updates for the Star Trek franchise that the trio jump into:

• The release of teasers/trailers for "Star Trek: Lower Decks," "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," and "Star Trek: Section 31."
• Cast news about the upcoming Starfleet Academy series
• News about a new live action Star Trek comedy series in development

The sale of Paramount Global to Skydance, though still not official until 2025 (pending regulataroy approval and other considerations), also leads to further speculation about how the future of the franchise will be shaped.

What upcoming Star Trek are YOU most excited about? 

 

Star Trek Collectables

There is no shortage of "merch" when it comes to Star Trek. From action figures to playsets, 3D-printed accessories to uniforms, there is so much to choose from. Which ones have been most meaningful to the trio during their fandom? 

They explore what they bought or acquired from their younger years to what "adult money" has helped them enjoy in their current period of Trekdom. Let us know your favorite items - or ones that are still on your list!

Building Series Off of Guest Ships

The Star Trek franchise is led by our different heroes and their ships (or station). During the course of their many adventures, they encounter other ships and crews, sometimes for just one episode, that nevertheless prove memorable. The trio pick the most interesting "guest ships" throughout the franchise that could lead their own series.

Join us as we go round-robin style, pitching what a 23rd. C. based story of the all-Vulcan crew of the U.S.S. Intrepid would look like or how we could follow the continuing voyages of the I.K.S. Pagh through letters to Commander Riker. 

Catch-up with Prodigy S3E1-E3

"Star Trek: Prodigy" is back! After an unexpected "cancelation" on Paramount+, season two finally found its way to Netflix (after a brief French detour). The entire season dropped at once, but the trio is taking itheir time to enjoy it - they chat about the first three episodes, encompassing the two-parter "Into the Breach" and "Who Saves the Saviors." 

The trio talk about re-introducing the crew, the unexpected places they've gone, new characters and ships, and all the other twists and turns that have occurred. These new Trek epsiodes continue to build on the franchise, not only referencing contemporary series, but serving as a mini-Voyager sequel with Admiral Janeway, the EMH, the Voyager-A, and Captain Chakotay. Is this really a kids' show or just a great Trek series for all ages? 

Animated TNG series

A lifetime ago (in another Star Trek podcast), the trio, along with some help, created the idea of a zany late 1990s animated version of The Next Generation. Since then, real Star Trek animation has evolved, with the arrival of both "Lower Decks" and "Prodigy." As the crew of "Prodigy" begin their second season, the trio revisits "Star TreXtreme", adding to what modern animated Star Trek can look like. This includes revisiting some of original pitches from their prior podcast episode - seeing how they either predicted the future or just made some ridiculous ideas.

Grab your skateboard, put on some sunglasses, and revisit the 1990s era of cartoon with Star TreXtreme! 

Celebrating Captain's Day

Fans were introduced to the concept of "Captain Picard Day" in the seventh season of The Next Generation. Since then, it has taken a life of its own, with references in later shows like "Picard" and "Lower Decks", as well as real life celebrations of Captain Picard Day (typically June 16). 

The trio get into the holiday spirit to look at how Captain Picard Day may have started on the USS Enterprise-D and how it could have spread across the Starfleet to celebrate other captains (or station commanders). What would be the best entries in a student competition? What are other ways to celebrate? How much is children-led and how much is enjoy by other members of the crew?

Get your papier-mâché ready for a nice sculpture of Jean-Luc's head as we celebrate Captain Picard Day. 

New 90s Trek Show Pitch

Welcome to the late 1990s. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" has been off the air, entering the universe of feature films. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" is ending, having found its voice and identity. "Star Trek: Voyager" has taken its first steps, and now carries the weight of continuing the franchise.

What's next?

In the original timeline of TV, Berman and company, under the auspcies of UPN, begin development of a 22nd Century prequel series that will become "Enterprise." But what if ... the next series had continued the story of the 24th Century?

The trio imagine what series will now air contemporareously with "Voyager" in the late 90s. Enter "Star Trek: Starfleet Command," which takes a "higher decks" (if you will) approach to the operations of Starfleet and the Federation. See how planetside environments and Earth Spacedock provide unique settings to continue Trek adventures, spanning the post-Dominion War era. How will the Fleet be rebuilt? What scientific discoveries and explorartion have been ignored during combat? Can the admirals actually agree about the future? And where does the real decision-making take place??? (HInt: Welcome to future golf!). 

Join this exciting new installment in the Trek franchise that never happened, with "Star Trek: Starfleet Command."

TOS plots in TNG

Trek has experimented with either re-visiting older episodes with new crews, as in DS9's "Trials and Tribble-ations" or SNW's "A Quality of Mercy", or recycling plots with TNG's "The Naked Now." The trio look at how exact stories from The Original Series would play out with The Next Generation crew. How would "Galileo Seven" work in Next Gen? Which Enterprise-D crew member would be forced back home in "Amok Time"? How would the classic episode "The City on the Edge of Forever" work in the 24th century?

Join us as TOS stories play out in TNG - which combination of crew members can replace the triad of Kirk, Spock, McCoy?

TNG First Season Stories for Trek Games

The game, "Star Trek: Resurgence", came to various platforms in 2023. It introduced several new characters (as well as some old favorites) in its post-Nemesis 24th Century storyline. At the heart of the game's story was a sequel to the first season Next Gen episode "The Last Outpost." Since the trio are revisiting the beginnings of TNG, they look at what other episodes could be mined for stories for new Trek games.

Join this round-robin pitch of ideas that takes one first season episode, one of its storylines, and applies it to a new Trek game based on an existing (or entirely new) Trek series. How does "Home Soil" continue in game form? How can "Lower Decks" go further into the ideas of "Haven"? Grab your console of choice and let us know your favorite Trek game pitch.

TNG's beginning

Is it possible to view something from long ago in the Trek canon as a new viewer might? The trio attempt to make the old come to life again by re-examining the pilot episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

It is hard to begin a Star Trek series re-watch. Which one? Where to start? Do you go 20th or 21st Century shows? After a mix of picking their own series recently, the trio come together for a TNG rewatch. That means starting with that two-hour special "Encounter at Fairpoint." The introduction of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D, its crew, the look and feel of the 24th Century ... and Q! There is a lot to take in, even if we ultimately know what production approaches (and characters) don't make it very far. 

They try to imagine all questions and mysteries this first episode would bring to either a new viewer or die-hard TOS fan. So join them and revisit 1987 with the re-birth of a Star Trek TV series!

Starfleet Uniforms

Fans enjoy cosplaying the many costumes in Star Trek. Starfleet uniforms in particular have been represented onscreen in a variety of ways, from the 22nd century fightsuits of "Enterprise" to the colorful and innate unforms of the 32nd century in "Star Trek: Discovery." 

The trio go into the costuming department to evaluate the myriad of Starfleet uniforms, from looking at what translates best on screen to what seems the most comfortable. They review some of the more unique choices made, e.g., Seven of Nine and T'Pol, to wondering about the Starfleet clothing that must exist, but is never shown.

Join this tour of fashion of starships and spacestation, letting us know who wore it best.

Ship Profile: NCC-1701-A

The history of onscreen Enterprises is rich in detail for some and scant for others.

Then there's the U.S.S. Enterprise-A.

First introduced in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home as a reward for our TOS-era heroes saving Earth once again, we saw this Constitution refit-class in the next two movies (Star Trek V and Star Trek VI). The trio looks at this ship's origins and purported ending, discovering more mysteries about it than first thought.

They look at the largely non-canon origins of the ship, and ask if the U.S.S. Yorktown, then recommissioned as the Enterprise-A, was a new or quite old vessel? What about the history of the Constitution-class and its refits in general? What are the differences, if any, between the refit NCC-1701 and the NCC-1701-A? What was the A's mission in between its malfunctioning introduction in Star Trek V and its scheduled decommissioning in Star Trek VI?

Join us as we discuss all things about the first Enterprise to add a letter to its registry and the last with Captain Kirk in command.   

Whittling Down Season Four (DS9) to 10 episodes

Love it or hate it, today's Trek means less episodes than the 20th Century series. For some, it's a sign of tighter storytelling, focusing on quality plot and themes. For others, it means missing episodes that are more "day in the life," outside of one season's particular villain/mystery. Or maybe it's just show business wanting to spend less money!

Whatever the reason, the trio is going back in time and translating old series of Trek into today's franchise format. What if season four of Deep Space Nine were made today? They look at the initial 25(!) episodes and chop it down to a 10-episode season. Will it be one coherent theme or random episodes? Will it be all about the Klingon-Cardassan war or the rise of the Dominion threat? Or will it just be a series of character-focused stories? Take a listen and find out what episodes made the cut!

What If? Features in Pilot Episodes Never Changed

In most Trek series created in the 20th century, the pilot episodes often have obvious differences from the rest of the series. From a character's make-up to their voice to their actions, change is inevitable. Even the music or look of the show itself can alter from the very beginning. Most of the times, these changes are seen as improvements. But what if they never changed?

The trio look at how first episodes of shows, even from current Trek series, were different in tone, style, and specifics from what came later. How different would the shows be if those improvements were never made?

A New Series of Star Trek: Enterprise

Star Trek: Enterprise was the first TV series of the franchise to be unexpectedly cancelled since the 1960s. With the resurrection of the TNG story in "Star Trek: Picard", the trio open up their pitch meeting to map out a new season for the NX-01 crew in the 22nd Century.

Twenty years have passed since we last saw the voyage of Enterprise in "Terra Prime." The United Federation of Planets has survived its first few formative years. As for retired Admiral Jonathan Archer, for whatever reasons, he allowed the leadership of the future of the Federation to pass him by. However, he still remains active to the cause as one of Earth's representatives to the Federation Council. As the time to decide about re-election comes, Archer finds himself caught in a brand new adventure, with past friends as foes, and the lingering question of "has Archer's time gone by?"

Join the trio as we revisit what happened to the NX-01 crew, featuring Captain Reed of a refit Enterprise, Starfleet Academy Commandant Sato, last of the cargo fleet Captain Mayweather, Ambassador T'Pol of Vulcan, and proud father Phlox whose son is challenging Archer in the election. And will a long-dead familiar face from the past show up...in another form?

Whittling Down Season Four (TNG) to 10 episodes

Love it or hate it, today's Trek means less episodes than the 20th Century series. For some, it's a sign of tighter storytelling, focusing on quality plot and themes. For others, it means missing episodes that are more "day in the life," outside of one season's particular villain/mystery. Or maybe it's just show business wanting to spend less money!

Whatever the reason, the trio is going back in time and translating old series of Trek into today's franchise format. What if season four of The Next Generation were made today? They look at the initial 26(!) episodes and chop it down to a 10-episode season. Will it be one coherent theme or random episodes? Will it be all about the Borg or Klingon politics? Will there be a focus on characters or "just vibes"? Take a listen and find out what episodes made the cut!

Character Codas

With the ending of "Star Trek: Discovery" upon us, it's time to look back at the untold endings of our favorite Trek characters. From TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, and (arguably) Picard, there are still futures for the main characters that have never been explored. While fans have gotten a few "post-series" peeks at characters, such as Tom Paris and Tuvok, we still don't know what their lives looked like once their series finale ended.

The trio hit the random number generator and create codas for main Trek characters from the 20th and 21st century TV shows. What happened to Commander Chekov? Where did Travis Mayweather end up? What does Captain Tuvok do now? Join us in this round of untold stories in Trek.

Pitching a New Trek Series: Enterprise-C

There are "gaps" in Trek history, mostly between the launch of the Enterprise-B and the start of the continuing voyages of the Enterprise-D on "The Next Generation." The trio dives into creating a new series based during the earlier part of the 24th Century with the crew of the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-C.

Just like Captain Christopher Pike, fans already know the tragic ending for Captain Rachel Garrett, Lieutenant Richard Castillo, and the Ambassador-class ship (and alternate universe Tasha Yar!). But even though the episode "Yesterday's Enterprise" tells us the end of the story, what were the missions and untold stories of this crew?

In this proposed new series, Captain Garret leads a senior crew of commanders from various alien worlds, along with some familiar faces along the way. A young, wild, and close-to-losing-his-job junior diplomat Curzon Dax helps the Enterprise-C in its mission of patroling Klingon and Romulan space, with a new class of starship that seems more equipped for combat than diplomacy. Will the ship's communications officer be the last one in Starfleet? What lower deck shenanigans are occuring? And why does the Ambassador-class ships become less common in the later part of the 24th Century?

All these questions and more are explored in the pitching of a Enterprise-C TV series!

Species Focus: Vulcans

Vulcans are everywhere in Star Trek - from the first appearance of Spock to later iterations with Tuvok, T'Pol, and T'Lyn. But how much do we really know about them? And does what we know actually raise even more questions about the way the Federation works?

The trio braves the high heat of the desert planet and dives into all things Vulcan. Are they the only major Federation race to maintain their own Fleet? What do the Vulcans do outside of Starfleet? How do we think we'll see them in future Trek series?

Suppress your emotions and join us in logically examining Vulcans.

Species Focus: Cardassians

They are the villains of the Alpha Quadrant, the occupiers of Bajor, the makers of Terok Nor, the torturers of Picard ... the Cardassians!

Introduced in "The Next Generation," fans learned more about this militaristic society in "Deep Space Nine" through characters like Garak and Gul Dukat. But is there more to this species than first meets the eye? Are they only the military and the Obsidian Order? What are "everyday" Cardassians like? What do we know about the history of the Cardassian Union? And what will be their future, following the disaster of the Dominion War?

The trio grab a bottle of kanar and investigate what we know about Cardassians.

Games in the Franchise: Star Trek: Resurgence

It's been a few months since the release of the adventure game "Star Trek: Resurgence" from Dramatic Labs. Players control two different characters in this story-driven game: Commander Jara Rydek, a Kobliad first officer just joining the USS Resolute, and Petty Officer Carter Diaz, a young but experienced engineering technician. Players decide what actions these characters take in this epic story featuring Ambassador Spock, Captain Riker, other (surprisingly) familiar aliens, new species, and choices that could lead to deaths or saving lives.

The trio talks about how this game is more story than game, but how the exciting events makes this (relatively inexpensive) game worth playing. From how to loyal be to a brink-of-retirement captain to how you might choose to sacrifice your friends or yourself. They talk about where someone might get stuck in the game to what parts marveled them as they played. And spoilers: They discuss the random Star Trek episode that serves as prolouge for this story.

So step aboard the USS Resolute, brave the ion storm, and set course (via the gaming platform of your choice) for "Star Trek: Resurgence."

Discovery and Series Finales

Fans have said goodbye to many Star Trek series during the life of the franchise. Some shows ended more suddenly than others, e.g., The Original Series and Enterprise, whilst others had time to plan their ending, e.g., the seven-year series of The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. In the 21st Century, "Star Trek: Picard" has been the first show to say goodbye with a planned series finale. Given all this experience, how do we think Discovery will end?

The trio looks at how planned the 2024 Discovery series finale was, what traditions of Trek "goodbyes" are available to use, and what they think are the possibilities of how to end the five seasons show.

How will Captain Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery ride into the sunset? Let us know your thoughts!

What's to come in Star Trek

It's been a long road ... from 2023 to what we look towards next year for Star Trek.

This past year saw the ending of "Star Trek: Picard", the continuation of "Star Trek: Strange New, Worlds" and "Star Trek: Lower Decks." There was the controversy around "Star Trek: Prodigy", a series that now lives on Netflix. The trio look at what the franchise will bring in 2024.

How will we literally watch Star Trek in the months and years to come? They look at the worries about the future of Paramount Plus, and streaming in general, as well as the diminishing ability to purchase "hard media" of Star Trek series and movies.

Next year promises the final season of "Star Trek: Discovery," a theoretical "Section 31" movie, as well as season two of "Star Trek: Prodigy," and possibly more "Lower Decks" and "Strange, New Worlds." Will we get more news about the announced Starfleet Academy-based series? And who knows what other surprises are in store?

Join us as we look into the crystal ball of Trek 2024.

Computer Operations in Starfleet

There is a lot that goes on aboard starships and starbases that we never see. There is no question that one of the most important systems in Starfleet is the computer - it runs all systems and yet we never meet the team who are in charge of maintaining it. Who is the master/mistress of the LCARS? The trio reviews the many computer malfunctions in Trek, and why the IT department was surely ignored by the command team. Who is the ultimate commander of the computer?

Characters' Holodeck Preferences

In the Trek franchise, fans have seen our favorite characters enjoy many programs in the Holodeck (including those that try to kill them). But for time (and copyright) reasons, we know that there are more holographic programs in the starship or space station catalog than we ever see on screen. The trio hits the random character generator button and guesses what are the real Holodeck programs that people use during their recreation time periods. From debating whether the choices from Starfleet Holdecks are the same as commercial Holosuites, they look at all there is to offer in holo-tainment.

Season Four - Star Trek: Lower Decks

The season four finale of the second Trek animated series provided endings, new beginnings, and some mystery for our USS Cerritos crew. The trio looks at what happened with the unexpected return of Nick Lacarno (and how he looks ... familiar ...), the story arc of Lt(jg) Beckett Mariner, and what the future holds for everyone else.

This era of Star Trek tends to have season-ending stories with galaxy-wide consequences, impressive battle sequences, and final answers to lingering questions. Even in the cartoon world, "Old Friends, New Planets" brings that same structure, but with lots of jokes and Trek-references thrown in. But how did we get here? How does "Lower Decks" deal with season arcs, compared to its sister Trek shows? Join us as we search for answers in the 10 episodes long season.

Main Actors in Other Trek Roles

We all know and love the Trek phenom that is Jeffrey Combs. His many notable Trek roles have led fans to think he may be playing them in everyday life! What is even more noticable about actors who play multiple roles is when it is someone who plays a "main character." A recent "Lower Decks" reminded fans about the Nick Locarno/Tom Paris double-billing. The trio looks at the "main" actors in Trek who have played multiple roles. Remember seeing Ensign Ro before we saw her? Did you know Tim Russ can be seen a few times in the franchise before joining the Voyager bridge? And what about those actors who played "guest roles" after their main series ended?

Join us as we see double (or triple) in actor appearances, including a continuing argument about how to count appearances in TNG's "Shades of Gray".

Creating a Section 31 TV Movie

With the end of the writers' strike, pre-production continues on various new (and current) Star Trek projects. One such idea that keeps popping up from official channels is the idea of a "Section 31" story. From the initial promise of a series to the new evolution of a "TV Movie Event", it remains unclear what this will look like in the end. The trio try their hand at shaping a story that would become a Section 31 TV movie.

They turn their attention to Julian Bashir as the central character, with the story set after season three of "Star Trek: Picard." We revisit old faces with Miles O'Brien, along with potential new faces from Section 31, Romulans, and maybe even the next generation from Deep Space Nine. In this thriller surrounding the assassination of a Federation official, will Section 31 finally meet its end?

Ferengi Federation Membership

In the "Lower Decks" episode "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place", viewers are surprised to see Grand Nagus Rom (and his wife Leeta) spearheading efforts for the Ferengi Alliance to join the United Federation of Planets. The trio looks at how Ferengi culture does (and does not) fit into what we understand of the Federation.

From the extremes of capitalism to the "opportunities" available to Federation members, why should the Ferengi join the Federation? Or is it actually a bad deal?

Star Trek Toy Pitches

First, there was Star Trek. Quite quickly thereafter, there was ... merchandise! Trek has been a franchise full of toys for over 50 years. From Mego to Playmates to Diamond Select to Eaglemoss, there have been many manufacturers of Trek action figures, playsets, accessories, and more. The trio looks back at the 90s era of Trek and asks - what would have been other great choices down the Trek toy aisle?

The Evolution of Fandom

The trio are all (on a spectrum...) children of the 90s. They all embraced "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as their first Trek and expanded their love of the Trek franchise from there. They discuss how they entered the fandom and how it evolved over the decades until the 2009 "reboot" movie. Did their favorite series remain the same? How did they get to know The Original Series' episodes and movies? How did they engage with "Deep Space Nine," "Voyager," and "Enterprise"? They also examine the different ways they engaged from fandom, from cons, games, podcasts, and more.

What If ... All Series Had Season 6 Character Deaths?

In the last episode of season six of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," audiences were in for the shock of their lives - Lt. Cmdr. Jadzia Dax was killed by a possessed Gul Dukat. No one saw it coming, and many fans were left bereft that one of their favorite main characters had been taken away. Whatever the behind the scenes story was of contracts and labor-management negotiations, this meant the final season of the series would be missing one its main stays - and introduced a replacement "Dax" with the character of Ezri.

The trio asks ... what if this happened in every Trek series?

They look at The Original Series, The Next Generation, Voyager, and Enterprise, determining which "main" character would shuffle off the mortal coil in the finale of a series' penultimate season and how it would be handled with a replacement (or not).

Lower Decks Update

It has been a celebration of Star Trek animation this month with the 50th anniversary of "Star Trek: The Animated Series." The trio talks about the state of animation in the franchise, as well as the beginning of season four of "Star Trek: Lower Decks." The current animated series dropped its first two episodes, and not only featured everyone's favorite Intrepid-class starship but also some promotions for our USS Cerritos heroes. Join us for how this changes the Lower Decks universe and what we anticipate for the future.

Fixing "Code of Honor"

It's the worst episode of Star Trek. Or, at least, one of the worst.

"Code of Honor" from the first season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" has been written off by most of the cast as a racist, inappropriate episode that should never be included in the series canon again. The trio dips their toes dangerously into the waters of ... could this episode have been saved?

This heavily TOS-influenced episode features many cliche elements and unfortunate casts & cultural references that most likely doom this episode, no matter how it was approach. But the trio try to take this 0 to at least a 5 in how "Code of Honor" could have been redeemed with several notable changes.

Writing a DS9 "Q" Episode

The trickster Q bedeviled both Captains Picard and Janeway in his many outrageous appearances. However, there was only one "Deep Space Nine" episode that featured the omnipotent being in "Q-Less", a first season episode that is largely forgettable. It seemed for most that Q just didn't work in the world of Sisko and the tone of DS9 stories.

The trio put on their writing hats and tackle another outing for Q on the space station - how could it work in the later seasons of DS9? They look at how Q would interact with the other "god-like" beings of the series, the Prophets (or "wormhole aliens"). Sisko centers his role as the Emissary, as Q joins him in an adventure that examines both the role of the Emissary and the mysterious agenda of The Prophets. This leads to a larger discussion about what the nature of these beings living in the Celestial Temple.

Megaprojects in Trek

It takes a lot of resources to build a starship - but starships are not the biggest infrastruture in the Trek franchise. The trio look at the mega projects we see in the Star Trek future, from the shipbuilding facilities at Utopia Planetia to moving Deep Space Nine.

What does it take the move a starbase from planet to planet, like we see in "Star Trek: Picard"? What about terraforming efforts? All these future endeavours and more may be beyond today's techonogy, but what are the implications in this imaginary sci-fi universe?

Strange, New Worlds Season Two Wrap-Up

Captain Pike and his crew of the NCC-1701 complete their second season with some very memorable highlights. "Star Trek: Strange, New Worlds" has received plenty of acclaim as the leading live-action Star Trek series, but what's behind these past 10 episodes? From musicals to "Lower Decks" crossovers, what journey and complications did we encouter? What makes this series unique and what does it mean for the future?

The trio look back at season two of "Strange, New Worlds" and relive our favorite moments and our questions about what the characters have gone through. So join the randomly reoccuring Jim Kirk on this trip through the latest adventures of the 23rd Century.

A Look Back at Star Trek: Prodigy, Season 1, Part 2

Not since the cancelation of "Star Trek: Enterprise" has a Trek series been in quite the challenge that "Prodigy" currently faces. It completed its (delayed?) second half to its first season, and then, just a few months later, it was removed from the Paramount+ streaming service. While its second season is nearing production completion, the series' future remains stuck in a time anamoly. The trio look back at the last 10 episodes of "Prodigy" to see exactly what mysteries remain to be solved in a second season (wherever it pops up).

Join us as we take the form of holographic Janeway, accompanying Gwyn, Dal, Rok-Tahk, Jankom Pog, Zero, and the ever-evolving Murf on their journey back to Starfleet and the "real" Janeway.

Today's Trek and Animation

With the "Strange News Worlds" crossover with the animated "Lower Decks", the history of "two-dimensional" Trek took the next step. The trio re-visit the most significant recent moments from the many shows, as well as what's to come. Several trailers and teasers dropped featuring season four of "Lower Decks," upcoming SNW episodes, and a taste of the final season of "Discovery." There's lots still happening with Star Trek in 2023 (and 2024) - what are you looking forward to the most?

Star Trek: Writers and Actors on Strike

With the WGA and SAG-AFTRA on strike, there are both immediate and potential future effects on the Star Trek franchise and fandom. With the caveat that these are minor matters compared to the larger issues labor-management issues involved, the trio looks at how current, completed (but unaired), and planned Trek series will be changed. Adding these issues to the current challenges facing Paramount+ (and Paramount, in general) ... it's a strange, new world out there.

The trio also share their thoughts about season four of "Star Trek: Enterprise", in light of the passing of showrunner Manny Coto. What were your favorite moments from that time of the show?

DS9/TNG Crossover - Creating an Episode

In the late 90s, we had our first instance of two Star Trek television series airing at the same time. As "Star Trek: The Next Generation" began to end, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" took its first few steps into the franchise. There were some small crossovers of major characters - with Dr. Bashir and Quark making small appearances with the Enterprise-D, and Picard and "a" Riker showing up on Deep Space Nine (not counting O'Brien and Worf's ultimate transfers to the station). What about a cross-over episode that made more use of our major characters?

The trio transport themselves back in time in shaping what an epiosde of DS9 would look like with the appearance of some "major" TNG characters. Spoiler alert - the planned story goes slightly off the rails when it becomes clear that DS9 will be home to a cooking competition between Quark's new replicator and Commander Sisko's "home cooking", along with some familiar faces in the Trek franchise.

Join us in this brand new cross-over adventure that never was!

The Past, Present, and Future of Star Trek Streaming

The Great Trek War begins. Or so it seems.

Fans were shook when it was announced that not only was "Star Trek: Prodigy" seemingly canceled (with a season two still hanging in post-production), but that it would be almost instantly removed from Paramount+. Only a few days later, episodes 11-20 of "Star Trek: Prodigy" no longer existed in any format (except for purchase as a digital download on a few services).

The trio tackles this debacle, as well as a recent "glitch" that caused season four of "Star Trek: Enterprise" to disappear from Paramount+ for 48 hours in at least the US and UK, as well as a season three episode that remained missing for almost a week.

How have we watched Trek in the past? And what does the nebulous future of Paramount and streaming mean for how we'll watch Trek in the future? And what is the future of a franchise in the absence of a dedicated streaming service? Join us as we consider how to watch Trek before the advent of the Eugenics Wars.

Previously on ... "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds"

It's new Star Trek time!

Season two of "Strange New Worlds" begins, as we ended on a cliffhanger last year, and we all await the new adventures of Captain Pike and the Enterprise. The trio revists season one (some of us watching it for the first time!) and go through all the characters and storylines. What made this new live action series such a hit? How does it work as both a new and a prequel series? How does it depart as a "spin-off" of "Discovery"? And were some stories (and characters) ended too soon?

Creating a New Trek Series: Gamma Station One

In the wake of "Star Trek: Picard," and fan hopes for a "Star Trek: Legacy" series with the Enterprise-G, the trio create the next 25th Century live action Trek series.

They begin with the initial premise of a "Star Trek: Janeway" but quickly find themselves in the Gamma Quadrant, as a new Bajoran space station is completed. This quadrant, formerly dominated by the Founder-led Dominion, is now in crisis. The changelings have disappeared, and the formerly oppressed worlds are now engaged in civil strife. With Starfleet still seeking Bajoran Federation membership, what adventures await our new crew (with some familiar faces) in the Gamma Quadrant?