Secrets of Star Trek

Secrets of Star Trek episodes:

• 05.27.2024

  Projections (VOY)

  SST314: Inception for the Doctor. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this dream-like episode focusing on the Doctor who is stuck in a dream-like state and must decide which reality is real and the Doctor’s struggle with identity and...

  
• 05.20.2024

  Little Green Men (DS9)

  SST313: When Quark, Nog, and Rom end up in 1947 Roswell, history takes a beating. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the change in Nog, similarities between 20th-century humans and Ferengi, and how this story pays homage...

  
• 05.13.2024

  The Enemy (TNG)

  SST312: The plot may not be unique, but Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how this story executes well and raises moral and ethical questions about obligations to our enemies and overcoming prejudices. Plus the introduction of the excellent...

  
• 05.06.2024

  The Terratin Incident (TAS)

  SST311: As the Enterprise crew gets shrunk to Lilliputian proportions, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the surprising metaphysical and theological implications, the practical and scientific discrepancies, and the character dynamics. Get all new episodes automatically and for...

  
• 04.29.2024

  This Side of Paradise (TOS)

  SST310: Spock and the Enterprise crew stick it to the Man, aka Kirk. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this TOS story that reminds us that there is no utopia outside of heaven; the call of duty;...

  
• 04.22.2024

  Desert Crossing (ENT)

  SST309: Is one man’s freedom fighter another man’s terrorist? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of Enterprise getting mixed up in some local conflicts on a desert planet; the ethical implications; and whether Zabral is...

  
• 04.15.2024

  Revulsion (VOY)

  SST308: A homicidal hologram that hates people. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this psychological thriller of an emotionally fragile and homicidal alien hologram with a chilling intensity; as well as Harry Kim’s cringeworthy attempted romance with...

  
• 04.01.2024

  If Wishes Were Horses (DS9)

  SST307: Be careful what you wish for! Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story’s themes of the power and danger of imagination and wish fulfillment; escapism vs. creativity; the significance of family on the show; and our need...

  
• 03.25.2024

  Angel One (TNG)

  SST306: A world where women are dominant and men are weak. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 1st season TNG episode infamous for its cringe portrayal of a matriarchy and how it was supposed to be...

  
• 03.18.2024

  Star Trek: Nemesis

  SST305: The last of the TNG films is widely marked as the weakest. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss th film’s strengths and weaknesses and its themes of identity and the moral and ethical considerations of cloning...

  
• 03.11.2024

  Fallen Hero (ENT)

  SST304: T’Pol’s hero isn’t what she seems. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story’s themes of trust, earned, broken, and granted; the clash of human and Vulcan values; and the glimpse of future human-Vulcan friendship. Get all...

  
• 03.04.2024

  Initiations (VOY)

  SST303: A-koo-chee-moya! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Chakotay story featuring guest star Aron Eisenberg, including themes of fatherhood and cultural identity, as well as the missed narrative opportunities while praising the twist ending. Get all new...

  
• 02.26.2024

  Starship Down (DS9)

  SST302: Up periscope! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of the USS Defiant in a submarine-like battle. They discuss Kyra’s faith, Quark’s business acumen, and Worf’s leadership style as the crew fights to survive the...

  
• 02.19.2024

  Booby Trap (TNG)

  SST301: Poor Geordi. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this TNG story that combines a ticking clock story with Geordi’s awkward romantic track record and a strange holodeck encounter, plus discussion of AI in Trek and Picard’s...

  
• 02.12.2024

  The Best Star Trek Episodes Ever

  SST300: To celebrate their 300th episode, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha give their lists of the best episodes in each of the Star Trek series, from The Original Series to Strange New Worlds. The ones they agree...

  
• 02.05.2024

  Mudd’s Passion (TAS)

  SST299: Mudd’s back. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss the animated return of con man Harry Mudd, including the eyebrow-raising content for a kid’s cartoon, the ethical problems of love potions and their portrayal in popular media, and why Rainn...

  
• 01.29.2024

  A Taste of Armageddon (TOS)

  SST298: Death by computer. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story’s moral implications and real-world parallels with themes of war’s human cost, technology’s role in conflict, and ethical leadership. Plus Kirk killing another megalomaniacal computer. Get all...

  
• 01.22.2024

  Vox Sola (ENT)

  SST297: Psychic goo alien! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Enterprise’s encounter with an unusual lifeform where they have to discern motive and morality and debate the ethics of extreme measures to save their crew. Get all...

  
• 01.15.2024

  Nemesis (VOY)

  SST296: Nullified! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Chakotay story in all its weird alien word choice, its “don’t judge a book by its cover” morale, and the themes of courage, indoctrination, and cross-cultural understanding. Get all...

  
• 01.08.2024

  Progress (DS9)

  SST295: Eminent domain! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss DS9’s “Progress,” including themes of societal good vs. individual rights; the limits of governmental authority, and Kira’s transition from rebel to government official and her ethical and moral...

  
• 12.18.2023

  The Big Goodbye (TNG)

  SST294: It was a dimly-lit, smoke-filled backroom where Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha crack open the case of “The Big Goodbye.” In a tale as old as the stars, it’s a classic yarn of crew trapped in...

  
• 12.11.2023

  Star Trek: Insurrection

  SST293: Twenty-five years after its release, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the highs and lows of this TNG movie, the ethical quandaries of forced relocation, and the allure of the fountain of youth, plus the humor...

  
• 12.07.2023

  A special message from StarQuest CEO Dom Bettinelli

  StarQuest CEO Dom Bettinelli has a special message for listeners as we approach the Christmas season. We need to hear from you this Advent and Christmas at sqpn.com/give

  
• 12.04.2023

  The Return of the Archons (TOS)

  SST292: Are you of the Body? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of a computer-controlled society suppressing free will and individuality for peace and tranquility, including the religious allegory, the comparison to the Borg, and...

  
• 11.27.2023

  Detained (ENT)

  SST291: Al! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the stunt casting of Dean Stockwell as a guest on this episode; the story’s analogy to WW2 internment camps for Japanese-Americans; and challenging our stereotypes of others. Get all new...

  
• 11.20.2023

  The 37’s (VOY)

  SST290: Meet your heroes! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that has Janeway meet her hero, Amelia Earhart, and other alien abductees. They also look at the show’s aim to show the lost crew settling...

  
• 11.13.2023

  Rejoined (DS9)

  SST289: Dax’s past shows up. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this story of Trill taboos; the plot’s predictability and manufactured controversy; the portrayal of Sisko as a good friend; and how the end mirrors the end of Casablanca. Get...

  
• 11.06.2023

  Old Friends, New Planets (LD)

  SST288: Season finale! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this fun season ender that brings some great cameos, pays homage to the best Star Trek movie, and leaves us with a character cliffhanger. They also give their...

  
• 10.30.2023

  The Inner Fight (LD)

  SST287: What’s going on with Mariner? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the self-destructiveness of Beckett and her surprising admission involving a TNG character, plus the return of another obscure TNG character. Get all new episodes automatically and...

  
• 10.23.2023

  Caves (LD)

  SST286: Ever notice how many Star Trek episodes involve caves? So did the Lower Decks writers. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this not-a-clip show that pays homages and pokes fun at all those very similar-looking, flat-floored, prone-to-collapse caves in...

  
• 10.16.2023

  A Few Badgeys More (LD)

  SST285: Badgey returns! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of these three homocidal megalomaniacal AIs from previous stories and their redemption arcs through love and friendship. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email...

  
• 10.09.2023

  Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place (LD)

  SST284: Rom and Leeta! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that brings Lower Decks to Ferenginar; brings back our favorite Ferengi-Bajoran couple; and makes Tendi and Rutherford confront their suppressed feelings for each other. Get...

  
• 10.02.2023

  Empathological Fallacies (LD)

  SST283: Emotional damage! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this T’Lyn-focused episode, discussing telepathic diseases, justified Betazoid paranoia, and how hard it is to memorize the periodic table of elements. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow...

  
• 09.25.2023

  Something Borrowed, Something Green (LD)

  SST282: Time for a wedding! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Orion pirate weddings,the difference between Orion and Ferengi, and the custom of bridal kidnapping and why the Church frowns on it. Get all new episodes automatically and...

  
• 09.18.2023

  In the Cradle of Vexilon (LD)

  SST281: It’s a civilization run by computer, but not in a bad way this time. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the principles of leadership, koalas in the afterlife, and the pros and cons of hazing, all...

  
• 09.14.2023

  A message from Dom Bettinelli of Starquest

  I need to ask for your help, but first I want to thank you for listening to StarQuest and supporting our mission of exploring the intersection of faith and pop culture. Over the past five years–since 2018–StarQuest has grown by...

  
• 09.11.2023

  I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee (LD)

  SST280: Promotion repercussions! Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss this Lower Decks story where Mariner confronts a cute, but terrifying alien; Rutherford tries to get the promotion he deserves; Boimler looks for the right room, and Ensign Gary needs new...

  
• 09.11.2023

  Twovix (LD)

  SST279: Season 4 of Lower Decks opens with a love letter to Voyager. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss this story that includes many, many deep cuts from Voyager, introduces a new season arc villain, and totally calls out Janeway...

  
• 09.04.2023

  The Bonding (TNG)

  SST278: Tragedy, loss, and alien trickery. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this TNG story of loss and grief and what makes us human in dealing with the death of a loved one. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow...

  
• 08.28.2023

  Once Upon A Planet (TAS)

  SST277: Back to the Shore Leave planet. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss another Skynet-like computer gone rogue, sparking a man v. machine crisis, exploring themes of consciousness and Uhura’s agency. Get all new episodes automatically and for...

  
• 08.21.2023

  Tomorrow Is Yesterday (TOS)

  SST276: Should the needs of one man outweigh the destiny of the future? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the first Trek time travel story, which confronts Kirk and crew with the dilemma of saving their future...

  
• 08.14.2023

  Hegemony (SNW)

  SST275: The Gorn are back! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Strange New Worlds season finale cliffhanger, including parallels to the movie Alien; Pike as heroic leader; and the introduction of a familiar character; as well...

  
• 08.07.2023

  Subspace Rhapsody (SNW)

  SST274: Why are they singing? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the musical episode of Strange New Worlds, which has divided fandom; whether the show should have gone even more into the device; and why the Klingons...

  
• 08.01.2023

  Under the Cloak of War (SNW)

  SST273: Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story focusing on war, forgiveness, and redemption, and they delve into the Christian view on forgiveness, mercy, and justice. They also discuss trauma in war and PTSD, how this...

  
• 07.31.2023

  Those Old Scientists (SNW)

  SST272: Crossover! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Lower Decks-Strange New Worlds crossover, how well it was executed, the surprising differences between the same characters in animation and live action, and the SNW crew getting to...

  
• 07.25.2023

  Lost in Translation (SNW)

  SST271: Spooky! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story in which Uhura is hearing voices, including what they think of Paul Wesley’s Kirk so far, the rising stature of Uhura in the show, and the first...

  
• 07.24.2023

  Charades (SNW)

  SST270: More Vulcan hijinks! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss another SNW story that Spock, T’Pring, and a weird biological swap, including problematic Vulcan speciesism, bureaucratic non-corporeal entities, and mutual self-sacrifice between Spock and Chapel. Get all new...

  
• 07.10.2023

  Among the Lotus Eaters (SNW)

  SST269: Amnesia strikes the Enterprise crew. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss memory loss and the pain of remembered grief; the rise of Erica Ortegas; and whether a ship captain is allowed a personal life. Get all new...

  
• 07.03.2023

  Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow (SNW)

  SST268: Another Kirk. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this time travel story that sees a younger Kirk from an alternate timeline team up with La’an and struggle with the question of which timeline should remain. Get all...

  
• 06.26.2023

  Ad Astra Per Aspera (SNW)

  SST267: Court martial! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discus the trial of Number One and the issues raised about historical injustice, respect for cultures, and persecution, plus favorite call backs to other series and previous SNW episodes....