Discovery Debrief: A Star Trek Podcast

The Bridge Crew is a little tardy, but they finally close the loop on conversations for STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY by diving into the final two episodes of its first season: "300th Night" and "Rubincon!" Our panel of STAR TREK franchise explorers—Chris Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan—break down the effectiveness of the finale, their favorite characters for the season and what they felt both worked and didn't about STARFLEET ACADEMY as we await its second season.

But to kick things off, the panel appeals to the people—and rants a bit—about the attitudes of some in fandom toward the show. Don't forget about PEDANTIC CONTINUITY TIME at the end, either!

Editor's note: Time index 22:51-29:35 is fully spent on recaps for both episodes. Move to 29:35 for the commencement of the full discussion of the episodes.

The DEBRIEF Bridge Crew continues its recaps of STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY season one with two episodes: "Ko'Zeine" and "The Life of the Stars!"

After a brief discussion about the sad recent news concerning the state of STAR TREK's active productions, co-hosts Chris Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan break down two very different episodes of the misunderstood series. While one panelist was less kind to episode seven, others offer perspectives that illuminate its value to a rollercoaster of a season. For episode eight, themes of trauma and acceptance are further exemplified with the return of SYLVIA TILLY from STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.

Listen in now!

After a slight delay, the Debrief Bridge Crew returns to discuss one of the absolute best episodes of STARFLEET ACADEMY season 1: "Come, Let's Away."

Join co-hosts Chris Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan as they first break down several pieces of franchise news—including ACADEMY's cancellation, the state of the franchise and the recent denigration of modern STAR TREK from a renowned author—before jumping into an episode that levels up Nus Braka as, perhaps, the best STAR TREK villain since the days of Gul Dukat terrorizing the crew of Deep Space Nine. Don't miss it!

Editor's note: Early in the discussion, Chris mentions there were 173 episodes of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, but there were actually 178 in syndication and 176 in its original broadcast run. Sorry about that!

Long ago, a wise(?) Ferengi once bid us adieu by saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." Nearly 27 years ago — or almost 820 in-universe — we said goodbye to the crew of Deep Space Nine and the Emissary of the Prophets, Captain Benjamin Sisko. At long last, we finally get something resembling closure to his story. Join DEBRIEF Bridge Crew members Cicero Holmes and Chris Clow, with a returning ZAKI HASAN and special guest ALI NAGIB, as we break down the fifth episode of STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY season one, "Series Acclimation Mil."

Not only do we get an incredible performance from actress Kerrice Brooks as we learn more about her photonic cadet character SAM, but we also get a shockingly emotional episode for anyone who has a place in their heart for STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE. Listen in as we break down this emotionally charged reacquaintance with characters we haven't seen on screen since 1999, as well as a return of the contemplative, quiet power of the legacy of Benjamin Sisko getting its proper due in wider STAR TREK canon.

The DEBRIEF BRIDGE CREW — Chris Clow, Rachael Clow and Cicero Holmes — are joined once more by JAVI TRUJILLO (Batman-On-Film, The Comic Binge, The 007 Files) to break down the third and fourth episodes of STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY: "Vitus Reflux" and "Vox in Excelso."

One is something of an accessible bottle episode with little connection to prior canon to get us up-to-speed with the characters and their environment, the other is deeply rooted to STAR TREK's history and one of its most iconic peoples. And at least one member of our crew had a very emotional time getting through it! Listen for all the canonical deep dives and perspectives you can only get from the best Star Trek podcast your friends AREN'T listening to.

Plus, news returns! Check out TrekMovie's report on the latest from STAR TREK: VOYAGER — ACROSS THE UNKNOWN, and listen as we break down new Saturn Award nominations for STRANGE NEW WORLDS and a truly bizarre STAR TREK crossover with...THE MASKED SINGER? Oh, boy...

Do you want to chat with us? Join the Bridge Crew on Bluesky!

Class is in session! A new STAR TREK series on Paramount+ has reunited the DEBRIEF bridge crew! Join co-hosts Chris Clow, Rachael Clow and Cicero Holmes—with special guest JAVI TRUJILLO—to break down the first two episodes of STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY: "Kids These Days" and "Beta Test."

Our bold panel of STAR TREK franchise explorers — Chris and Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan — check-in with Ty as he continues to make his way through STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES, before we give our thoughts on the final season of STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS! This marks the second TREK cancellation of 2024, and we aim to say goodbye to the crew of the Cerritos with thanks and fondness.

In this special edition of DISCOVERY DEBRIEF, three members of our bold panel — Chris Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan — talk about Cicero and Ty's INCREDIBLE experience at September's TREK TO CHICAGO convention. Then, the panel breaks down Ty's very first watch of the entirety of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE...stemming from a meeting with none other than Connor Trinneer!

On this episode, DEBRIEF co-hosts CHRIS CLOW and CICERO HOLMES break down all the STAR TREK franchise news that came out of Comic-Con International in San Diego...and the distinct lack of franchise news that came out of the biggest, dedicated STAR TREK convention of the year in Las Vegas. Plus, a brief word about the future of DEBRIEF once the franchise returns in force!

It all comes down to this: DISCOVERY DEBRIEF says goodbye to the series that brought us together by debriefing "Life, Itself" — the series finale of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.

The panel — Chris and Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan — are joined by special guests KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") and JAVI TRUJILLO ("The Flash: Up to Speed with Wally West") to dive into this swan song for the show, and whether or not it delivers a substantive conclusion for Captain Michael Burnham, Ambassador Saru and all of the characters we've gotten to know since 2017.

A special thanks to everyone who's listened into our breakdowns of this eventful series, and regardless of our feelings on this finale we look forward to diving deeper into the future of the Final Frontier with you.