The "Discovery" crew may have been separated from Michael, but their arrival in the future also starts off with a jolt. A search for where and when they might be leads them to a "Trek" tradition: the alien locale that is suspiciously similar to a Western, complete with spur sounds and swinging doors! And on the ship, Stamets continues to be so stubborn as to risk his life. Classic Paul!

Also this week: deus ex kicking, unclear lessons, and time travel!

[Far From Home: 01:15; this blog is from the past: 51:28]

[or was it the future? https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/789251196682682368/wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey-and-sometimes-both ]

Season 3 of "Discovery" starts off with a bang—rather literally, as Michael's first act in the future is to have a space-car accident. In "That Hope is You, Part 1", Burnham finds her plan to save all living things from Control might have succeeded, but in its place a new crisis arose: a dilithium-destroying cataclysm known simply as "The Burn". Now with her new...friend?...Book, she begins her search for not only her shipmates, but the Federation and Starfleet.

Also this week: bird clock, the Smuggler and his Queen, and Sci-Fi origins!

[Hope pt 1: 00:35; falling into science fiction: 49:00]

[where'd we come from, anyway?: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/788617220254318592/babys-first-sci-fi-indoctrination]

Welcome all to the 400th mainline episode of "A Star to Steer Her By"! While it was always theoretical we'd make it this far, it's still a little mad that we actually have (and more, really, when you consider all the Ten Forwards and Shore Leaves that are counted separately). And we're celebrating by doing our own little twist on "Star Trek" Trivial Pursuit, with a little help from a piece of legendary merchandise!

Also this week: planning the next round of fanfics!

[The Game: 00:41; The Plan: 51:52]

Back when the New Era of "Trek" was...new...they did "Short Treks". We looked at the first batch back between Seasons 1 and 2 of Discovery and have lamented since more than once that it's something they should have done more of. But considering we were largely cooler on the second batch, maybe there was a reason...

Also this week: weird messages, back to cartoons, and ranking the lot!

[Timestamps: Q&A: 01:21; The Trouble With Edward: 15:28; Ask Not: 27:03; Ephraim and Dot: 35:57; The Girl Who Made the Stars: 43:16; Children of Mars: 49:27; top'n'bottoms: 59:56]

[But what did we think? Look here: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/787354379387879424/short-andor-sweet-the-best-and-worst-short-treks]

We've reached the end of S.2 of "Discovery" and...it's a LOT, guys. "Such Sweet Sorrow, Part II" is mostly action sequences all just strung together rapid-fire with only a few, regrettably-brief pauses for character work. Also one of the worst lines in the history of "Star Trek" is here. All we need is some Beastie Boys and we're at the crossroads of all off JJ Abrams' worst impulses.

Also this week: Bill & Ted, rocky ships, and wrapping season 2!

[Sorrow2: 01:13; momentary rankings: 1:02:45]

[In summation: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/786712440848220160/discovery-season-2-mystery-boxes-all-the-way-down]

We're coming to the end of Season 2 of Discovery, with the penultimate episode "Such Sweet Sorrow"! With the Sphere Data scuppering the Janeway Maneuver, the crew decides to recycle the time travel plan on a larger scale. But they're going to need some help from the "Enterprise" and a familiar face! Well, familiar if you watched the related "Short Trek", which was not possible in all regions...good job, Paramount.

Also this week: small space, tactical joke strike, and "Enterprise" aliens!

[Sorrow: 00:32; The Blog: 52:10]

[Whole lotta prosthetics: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/786080521966026752/top-3-star-trek-enterprise-alien-races]

The Klingon Soap Opera returns and Michael takes a merry jaunt across space in "Through the Valley of Shadows". Pike is seeking the rather mystical-sounding Time Crystal from a Klingon monastery that looks like it was plucked straight from Earth, while Burnham has gone rogue yet again in search of information on Control. And along the way they both encounter familiar faces that aren't at all familiar and could literally have been ANYONE else.

Also this week: Arthur Denting Pike, the nature of Leland, and "Enterprise" villains!

[Timestamps: "Shadows": 01:37; ENT Heavies: 50:03]

[We promise it's not just John 12 times: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/785444497963220992/top-3-star-trek-enterprise-villains]

It's all happening now, finally getting into gear...kinda near the end of things. Oops. In "Perpetual Infinity", Control makes its big play as we find out what Ma Burnham has been up to since her apparent death!

Also this week: drone editing, Supercorn, and "Enterprise" minor characters!

[Perpetual Infinity: 00:53; ENT Cadet Review: 57:53]

[Yes, "Enterprise" is back. Sorry. But here's some stuff we liked!: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/784818924363612160/top-3-star-trek-enterprise-characters ]

We're running out of season so it's time to have a bunch of reveals at once! Turns out we know who the Red Angel is, and now we've got to capture them in their titular episode! Also Michael gets an in-person retcon courtesy of Section 31! Also also we moan about "Picard" for a bit and get a little spoilery, so maybe watch out for that (37:28 - 40:00).

Meanwhile this week: civilian clothes, the scale of destruction, and wrapping up melding!

[The Red Angel: 00:49; farewell for now to melds: 49:34]

[just...just touchin' faces all over the shop: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/784175586571599872/ill-spock-the-world-and-meld-with-you-pt-3 ]

The sum is somehow greater than its parts this week on "Discovery", as an overwrought trope plays a sort-of central role and we get to know someone just in time to never see them again in "Project Daedalus". The plot doesn't so much ramp up as spiral off into a whole new direction as the real villain is finally/suddenly revealed. Meanwhile, Spock is in A MOOD.

Also this week: the Oilers, the relentless march of time, and the second part of our Mind Melds talk!

[Daedalus: 04:36; more meldin': 49:12]

[our blogs are one: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/783553413803802624/ill-spock-the-world-and-meld-with-you-pt-2]