Page Turners They Were Not

Since its debut in 1966, Star Trek has always been about how human beings can be better. Whether it's tackling issues of race and prejudice, examining aspects of human nature, or presenting a bright and hopeful future that we can aspire to, Star Trek holds a mirror up to nature and shows us how we can improve as a species. Join me as I discuss some of the lessons Gene Roddenberry's marvelous creation has imparted to us over the years.

After last week's rather explosive episode of Star Wars: The Acolyte, we are treated this week to a quieter, more contemplative episode focusing primarily on character development and competing Force philosophies. Also, the seductive nature of the Dark Side has never been on fuller display than it is in this particular installment. If you know, you know. Join me as I share my thoughts!

Star Trek has been around for more than 50 years, and many fans have come to it through many different avenues. Some saw the original show during its initial run, some came in the Star Trek renaissance of the 1990s, while others came in recent years during the explosion of storytelling that came in the wake of Star Trek: Discovery. I was first introduced to Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future through Star Trek: The Next Generation in the early 90s, but shortly thereafter I entered the world of the movies through what I consider my favorite film of 1986, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. The order in which I saw the films was less than linear. Join me as I share how I came to the cinematic side of the final frontier...

Being part of the Star Wars podcasting community has led me to meet and become friends with a wide array of amazing and talented people! One of those individuals is the marvelous Jarod the Dark Jedi from the extremely enjoyable Nerd Academy Podcast. He has so graciously agreed to join me today to discuss our journeys with and love of that galaxy far, far away, as well as share some thoughts on the latest addition to the saga, The Acolyte. Join us!

I've decided to refer to the latest episode of Star Wars: The Acolyte as "The Rains of Dathomir" because of its rather interesting similarities to a certain episode of a show involving dragons and thrones. In one of the most nail-biting instalments in the history of that galaxy far, far away, our heroes come face to face with the mysterious helmeted warrior and chaos ensues! Join me as I share my thoughts....

The last month and a half have been huge for that galaxy far, far away. The Bad Batch ended, Tales of the Empire came out on Star Wars Day, I spent several hours at Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland, The Acolyte had its red carpet premiere (which our guest attended), and a new High Republic novel was released! What a ride it has been! Joining me to discuss our adventures in Star Wars is the Avar Kriss of the fandom herself, Becca Benjamin from the Tarkin's Top Shelf and Kanata's Castle podcasts. Join me; it is your destiny!

Last week one of the great figures in the history of American sports passed away, leaving behind an incredible legacy that continues to affect us today. Willie Mays, the great baseball legend, oddly enough features in a small way in Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Commander Sisko is a massive fan of America's favorite pastime, and as a result, there is an entire episode of DS9 about Jake and Nog attempting to get a rare Willie Mays baseball card for Sisko. This is not the only reference to the aforementioned player on the show: Sisko's vision in the classic episode "Far Beyond the Stars" features Michael Dorn as a black baseball player from the 1950's named Willie Hawkins, a reference to the great Willie Mays. Join me as I go boldly!

As expected, the latest episode of Star Wars: The Acolyte presents more questions than it does answers, thus adding even more intrigue and suspense to this already nail-biting series. In this episode, the Jedi travel to Khofar to find Master Kelnacca before Mae has the chance to murder yet another specter of her past. As you can imagine, things don't quite go according to plan...

This week on Random Trek, Captain Ingle and I are examining three episodes from the animated wing of Star Trek. The first deals with the original USS Enterprise finding itself stuck in a galactic Bermuda Triangle of sorts. The second continues the misadventures of our favorite cut-ups from the USS Cerritos as they deal with amoral Ferengi poachers. And the third tells of the exploration of a strange world by the untested "crew" of the Protostar, and their questionable attempts to understand the mysterious planet. Join us as we go boldly!

This review is coming a day late because I needed extra time to process this amazing and incredibly morally complex episode of The Acolyte. This new series continues to be surprising and subversive and unpredictable, and boy do I have some thoughts on this particular installment of the show. Join me as I share some rambling thoughts on a deeply thought-provoking episode!

With special shout-outs to my good friends Becca Benjamin and Eleanor Mueller.