Welcome to Gene-ology, a podcast by Roddenberry Entertainment that dives deep into the early TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry.

We've read all the Wrangler scripts, considered all the stories - the only thing left to do was for Ashley and Mission Log: Prodigy's Charlynn Schmiedt to visit the UCLA Library and watch the seven produced episodes for themselves.  Even the pilot.  What they found was still surprising.

Hosted by Ashley Thomas, Charlynn Schmiedt & Earl Green

About Gene-ology

Gene-ology explores Gene Roddenberry's early television scripts, including his lesser-known works before Star Trek using the Mission Log format popularized by Roddenberry Podcasts. We analyze the themes, writing style, and cultural impact of his scripts, and we even unearth stories from the Roddenberry archives that were never produced. Join us as we trace the roots of Gene's creative genius.

In This Episode

• A breakdown of key moments and themes in Wrangler.

• Exploring Gene Roddenberry’s evolving style and storytelling.

• How this episode ties into the broader TV landscape of the time and reflects the early seeds of Roddenberry's visionary work.

• Guest stars and unique production elements that bring this episode to life.

Join the Conversation What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments in the comments or reach out to us on social media or email us at [email protected]

Did you know Roddenberry Podcasts is on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, Mission Log: The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube.

Subscribe now! https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts BLUESKY https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.social THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryPodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryOfficial RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/TheRoddenberryFoundation

Support the Show For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our Mission Log Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and a weekly video chat with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog

Subscribe and Stay Tuned Be sure to subscribe to Gene-ology for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s early works. New episodes are released regularly as we uncover more of Gene’s television legacy.

 

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Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.com for more great content. Edited by Earl Green.

Welcome to Gene-ology, a podcast by Roddenberry Entertainment that dives deep into the early TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry.

As we set course for the Wrangler off-ramp, we examine one last script - the one that was never even filmed, namely, Edward J. Lakso's "Incident of the Magic Elixir", which has some themes that fit nicely into a Gene Roddenberry creation...and plenty of themes that don't. Hosted by Earl Green & Ashley Thomas

About Gene-ology

Gene-ology explores Gene Roddenberry's early television scripts, including his lesser-known works before Star Trek using the Mission Log format popularized by Roddenberry Podcasts. We analyze the themes, writing style, and cultural impact of his scripts, and we even unearth stories from the Roddenberry archives that were never produced. Join us as we trace the roots of Gene's creative genius.

In This Episode

• A breakdown of key moments and themes in "Incident of the Magic Elixir."

• Exploring Gene Roddenberry’s evolving style and storytelling.

• How this episode ties into the broader TV landscape of the time and reflects the early seeds of Roddenberry's visionary work.

• Guest stars and unique production elements that bring this episode to life.

Special Segment: Dramatic Recreation

Since this episode was never produced (or the original video can't be found), we’ve brought it to life with a dramatic recreation! Special guests Cody Banning and John Hall perform a key section of the script as Pitcairn and Jonathon Meeker. Listen in as they bring the story to life in this exclusive performance.

Join the Conversation What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments in the comments or reach out to us on social media or email us at [email protected]

Did you know Roddenberry Podcasts is on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, Mission Log: The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube.

Subscribe now! https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts BLUESKY https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.social THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryPodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryOfficial RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/TheRoddenberryFoundation

Support the Show For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our Mission Log Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and a weekly video chat with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog

Subscribe and Stay Tuned Be sure to subscribe to Gene-ology for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s early works. New episodes are released regularly as we uncover more of Gene’s television legacy.

 

–

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.com for more great content. Edited by Earl Green.

Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!

Was this the final aired episode of Wrangler, or was "A Crisis Named Wavelin" left on the cutting room floor?  Which would have been better?  Gene-ology examines Gene Roddenberry's final Wrangler script, which has a troubling tendency to use some disturbingly heavy themes as a source of...humor?

Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas

Guest starring Cody Banning as Pitcairn, Kendra Bolen as Wavelin, Daniel Hackman as Paulo, and Shane Sexton as Ghourbaht

🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!

🔍 In This Episode:

• A breakdown of key moments and themes from Wrangler, “A Crisis Named Wavelin”

• Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.

• How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.

💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler, “A Crisis Named Wavelin"? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.

💖 Support the Show:

Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod

Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!

Gene-ology keeps reliving the travels of the Wrangler, this time running afoul of a town riddled with corruption and violence.  What does justice look like in a town where the lawmen think they're above the law?  Gene's script for "Encounter At Elephant Butte" offers a grim look.

Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas

Guest starring Cody Banning as Pitcairn and Shane Sexton as Mr. Crane

🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!

🔍 In This Episode:

• A breakdown of key moments and themes from Wrangler, “Encounter At Elephant Butte”

• Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.

• How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.

💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler, “Encounter At Elephant Butte"? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.

💖 Support the Show:

Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod

Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!

It's a Gene-ology with an interesting twist: it may be another script for Wrangler, the 1960 western series Gene created, but it didn't reach the screen in this form.  We start the process of asking what changed and why - though we're able to take some educated guesses.

Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas

Guest starring Cody Banning as Pitcairn and John Hall as Ken Enlow

🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!

🔍 In This Episode:

• A breakdown of key moments and themes from Wrangler, “Incident At The Wide Loop”

• Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.

• How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.

💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler, “Incident At The Wide Loop"? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.

💖 Support the Show:

Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod

Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!

Gene-ology continues chronicling Pitcairn's Wrangler adventures, with Gene's script presenting a character-focused ethical dilemma that raises quite a few more questions than it answers - especially with one deleted line from the earlier draft of the story.

Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas

Guest starring Cody Banning as Pitcairn and Alyx Banning as Eve Browning

🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!

🔍 In This Episode:

• A breakdown of key moments and themes from Wrangler, “The Affair With Browning's Woman”

• Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.

• How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.

💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler, “The Affair With Browning's Woman"? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.

💖 Support the Show:

Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod

Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!

It's a Gene-ology first - a Wrangler script written by someone other than Gene himself.  Does future Star Trek writer George Slavin's "Affair At The Trading Post" fit in with Pitcairn's world... and does it still feel like a Gene Roddenberry show?

Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas

Guest starring Cody Banning as Pitcairn and Alyx Banning as Monacita

🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!

🔍 In This Episode:

• A breakdown of key moments and themes from Wrangler, “Affair at the Trading Post”

• Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.

• How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.

💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler, “Affair at the Trading Post"? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.

💖 Support the Show:

Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod

Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!

Gene-ology tackles a tense adventure for Gene's 1960 series Wrangler, where one man has decided that "A Time For Hanging" is now - and isn't willing to listen to any voices of reason before executing Pitcairn, tackling multiple meaty topics in a single half-hour show in a very Gene Roddenberry way.

Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas

Guest starring Cody Banning as Pitcairn, Matthew Comegys as Cunningham, Vic Sage as Billy-John, David Takechi as Towne, Alan Simonis as Cooper, and Earl Green as Hank

🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!

🔍 In This Episode:

• A breakdown of key moments and themes from Wrangler, “A Time For Hanging”

• Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.

• How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.

💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler, “A Time For Hanging"? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.

💖 Support the Show:

Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod

Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!

You've heard the story behind the making of the first series created by Gene Roddenberry. Now Gene-ology gives you the storyline of Wrangler's first episode, and meet the show's recurring hero, Pitcairn.  Was he boldly going where Paladin had gone before?

Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas

Guest starring Cody Banning as Pitcairn, and Brandon Stillwell as Pete

🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!

🔍 In This Episode:

• A breakdown of key moments and themes from Wrangler, “Episode At The Bar-M”

• Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.

• How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.

💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler, “Episode At The Bar-M"? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.

💖 Support the Show:

Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod

Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!

Gene Roddenberry created a series that made it to air in 1960 - for mere weeks - and it has faded almost entirely from history, despite the fact that the tapes still exist.  And John Champion and Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry have seen them.  They stop by Gene-ology to take us on the deep dive into Wrangler... and why it's disappeared from history.

Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas

🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!

🔍 In This Episode:

• Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.

• How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.

💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!

Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod

Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.

💖 Support the Show:

Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod