Astonishing as it may be, it has now officially been three decades since Star Trek's beloved Next Generation made its modest debut with the feature-length adventure Encounter at Farpoint. Where in the name of Q does the time go? This week, in celebration of this momentous milestone, hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton take a deep dive into the iconic show's history, naming their top 5 quintessential episode picks and highlighting the characters, aliens and world-building that established it as one of the finest science-fiction ventures of all time. In addition, the duo also discuss the crew's unfortunate lack of firepower in the motion picture world, and consider what TNG truly means to the franchise as a whole. Plus, in a new bonus segment, the good ship Ortonville transmits his take on Command Performance, the second episode of Seth MacFarlane's polarizing new series The Orville. Right-click to download. Read more »

It has long been established that Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane LOVES Star Trek. Like, a lot! But, intense fandom aside, is he the right man to captain the bridge of his own space-faring series? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton check in with their own opinions regarding the pilot of Fox's The Orville, the ultra-successful comedian's colorful homage to Roddenberry's wild and wonderful universe. Will the show's oddball mixture of sci-fi aesthetics and crass humor entertain or repel Trek fans? Does the debut episode, "Old Wounds," instill faith in the project having a creatively rich and satisfying run? And how confident can we be MacFarlane even gets the spirit of the franchise? All these questions, and many more, are answered as the duo take on what has unexpectedly become one of the most polarizing new arrivals of the fall TV season.        Right-click to download. Read more »

With Star Trek purposely moving more and more into serialized storytelling, and the very-soon-to-arrive Discovery aiming to be its most clear break from the episodic format to date, now seems the ideal time to reflect on the landmark epic tale that kick-started the evolution! To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Deep Space Nine's oft-heralded Dominion War saga, this week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest David Borys of the Cool Canadian History podcast, reflect on the unforgettable seven-episode arc that changed Roddenberry's universe forever. Beginning with the pulse-pounding station invasion in the fifth season finale Call to Arms and working all the way through to the tragic nail-biting conclusion of Sacrifice of Angels the trio enthusiastically dig into the rich themes, big ideas and remarkable character journeys that elevated the already great show into the ever-loving stratosphere. Plus, as an added bonus, regular guest Patrick Johnson pops in to offer his own insights regarding Sisko's baseball power move and the resulting narrative fireworks.    Right-click to download. Read more »

It's thuddingly obvious at this point in Deep Space 9's run the question isn't really whether a two-parter is good or not so much as just how mind-meltingly awesome it is! And how could you ever go wrong with a space jail epic starring everybody's favorite Cardassian man of mystery Garak?! This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with returning guest Patrick Johnson, lock themselves up with the show's fifth season Great Escape homage In Purgatory's Shadow & By Inferno's Light and relive Martok's return, Worf's warrior badassery and the legendary Bashir bombshell. An inarguably ambitious episode in concept, but does it work as both a satisfying standalone adventure as well as another escalating chapter in the broader Dominion war tapestry? Join the trio for their memorable return trip to Internment Camp 371 and find out! Right-click to download. Read more »

Over the course of its 50-plus years Star Trek has been crucial in lifting fans' optimism during rough and depressing periods of social strife, war and seemingly stalled advancement. After all, Roddenberry's utopia promises there are rewards waiting for us on the other side. But has the show always fought to honor its pledge to showcase progressive values in primetime? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton reflect on the franchise's most important breakthrough moments of showcasing and celebrating diversity, and debate how successful the various series have been at striving to reflect the realities of our time. From Nichelle Nichols' invaluable contributions as Uhura, to key episodes like Far Beyond the Stars, Rejoined and The Outcast, the duo cover the many highs (and some of the unfortunate lows) in an attempt to determine whether Trek's enlightened, forward-thinking reputation is still deserved and how Discovery can further the evolution. Right-click to download. Read more »

Throughout our explorations into Roddenberry's expansive universe we've visited countless alien worlds governed by a plethora of unforgettable rulers. But how many of these prominent figures would you actually want to live your life under? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton discuss the franchise's biggest names, such as Dukat, Gowron, Martok, Maje Culluh and the Borg Queen, and - with the aid of a highly sophisticated computer simulation program - figure out who would be the ultimate choice in a democratic vote. The results will almost certainly surprise you! Plus, as an added bonus, there's a second full-length Las Vegas-recorded instalment in which special guest Stefan Estonilo helps the duo induct a third round of iconic moments into the Subspace canon. Right-click to download. Read more »

Last year may have been the big 50th anniversary hoopla, but Creation Entertainment still had some tricks up their sleeve for this year's hordes of Las Vegas con attendees! After all, with Discovery waiting in the wings, and TNG turning 30 there was plenty of excitement to be had! Recorded immediately after the 5-day event's final panel, this week's episode sees sleep-deprived hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with returning special guests Scott Hardy and James Chesser, recounting their own convention highlights. From CBS's Discovery showcases, to the Enterprise-D crew's anniversary bows and memorable appearances by William Shatner, Ira Steven Behr and Dr. Mae Jemison, the weary foursome fill you in on all the crucial happenings that transpired during Trekdom's legendary annual tradition. Right-click to download. Read more »

Undoubtedly the men and women responsible for inhabiting Trek's greatest characters achieved iconic status thanks to their time with the franchise. But an actor's life is rarely summed up by a single gig. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton recreate their 2017 Star Trek Las Vegas Con panel with an in-depth look at how certain hidden gem entries in key players' filmographies parallel their time in Roddenberry's universe. Did Brent Spiner's work in the HBO movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge require the touch of an android with a positronic brain? Could Mirror Universe Uhura have helped inform Nichelle Nichols' fiendish turn in the 1974 Blaxploitation hit Truck Turner? And what are the chances Patrick Stewart's Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy interrogation experience colored his tortured performance in Chain of Command? There's plenty to ponder, and some great film and television recommendations just begging for your attention! Right-click to download. Read more »

Few formulas have proved more successful for Trek than fish-out-of-water time travel comedy, with TOS and TNG mining the well to beloved effect. But how did Voyager fare when its turn came to follow up its predecessors' triumphs? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Tony Geluch, follow surly Captain Braxton back to the glorious year of 1996 in order to revisit the popular double-sized season 3 adventure Future's End. Over the course of their wild and wacky odyssey the trio ponder the accuracy of the show's take on the era which birthed it, debate whether racist redneck subplots are ever a good thing, and reconsider the efforts of big deal guest stars Ed Begley Jr. and Sarah Silverman. So toss on your best neutral-toned suit and get hyped because the 90s are back, baby! Right-click to download. Read more »

As loyal Star Trek fans, it's our proud duty to welcome newbies into the fold. But which episodes from which series are the best to recommend? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton are tackling this eternal conundrum head-on with a daring high-stakes contest: they've each assigned special guest (and franchise non-fan) Janine Smith one episode from all five shows with the aim of winning her over with the most engaging picks. Will she be wowed by the slow-burn intrigue of the Corbomite Maneuver or the alternate universe lunacy of Mirror, Mirror? How about the touching Data tale The Offspring versus the time paradox classic Cause and Effect? You'll doubtlessly be surprised by her insights and preferences, and especially by the destined-to-be-legendary punishment awaiting the co-host who fails to choose wisely. Right-click to download. Read more »