Who'd have guessed a little Wyclef Jean was all the frequently uptight crew of the Discovery needed to lighten up a little?! Would that have worked for the NX-01 gang? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Andy Chan, take a break from playing beer pong to tackle DSC's most wacky and fun-loving episode yet, Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad! Does the Cause and Effect/Groundhog Day formula yield another winner for the franchise, or does it go down in spectacular flames? In addition, the trio debate whether this new show is officially the hardest partying in the Trek-verse, as well as determine whether Harry Mudd's unexpectedly speedy return is welcome or not. Plus, as always, the reliable ship Ortonville returns to transmit his thoughts on The Orville's seventh episode, Majority Rule.  Right-click to download. Read more »

To quote the great Monty Python: And now for something completely different! After a trio of episodes dedicated to spore drives and the Klingon war hijinx, Discovery's latest chapter, Lethe, takes a breather in order to focus on adding depth and complexity to its characters. But is it a welcome diversion? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Carmin Carotenuto of the Adventure.exe podcast, discuss Michael Burnham's troubled relationship with the famed Sarek, and debate whether or not the latter is in the running for the title of Trek's worst father. The trio also tackle Lorca's PTSD, celebrate the episode's much appreciated hangout scenes and pay loving tribute to Ash Tyler's hometown Issaquah, Washington. Plus, the Ortonville coasts in with his thoughts on The Orville's sixth installment, Krill. Right-click to download. Read more »

Anticipation has been building for a long time, but finally Harry Mudd has arrived on Discovery! But was he at all worth waiting for? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Jesse Oquendo, weigh in on Rainn Wilson's fresh take on the highly problematic fan fave, as well as examine the many characters who undergo physical and/or psychological torment in the latest episode. In addition, the trio greet series regular Ash Tyler, debate Choose Your Pain's captain-centric fan service, get their Klingons confused and, as an added bonus, offer up their highlights from Creation's Continuing Voyage San Francisco convention. Right-click to download. Read more »

War is raging, tensions are high and the Lorca-led USS Discovery is on a fateful course to potentially turn the tide of the Federation/Klingon conflict. But is this story still holding steady? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton tackle what could very well be the show's most polarizing episode yet! From the increasingly tragic tale of poor Ripper, to layered Klingon intrigue and a shocking early departure, the duo break down all the highs and lows making up this week's intense chapter of DSC drama. In addition to a thorough analysis of The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry, your feedback is addressed, Blade Runner 2049 is reviewed and the groovy ship Ortonville transmits his thoughts on The Orville's Charlize Theron-tastic fifth episode, Pria. Right-click to download. Read more »

There was a lot to unpack after the one-two punch of Discovery's slam-bang premiere, and many questions left unanswered. But thankfully Captain Lorca has arrived to give us some context. Or has he? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Vicki Siu, dive into the series' first post-Shenzou episode which introduces viewers to the titular ship and its alternately quirky and mysterious crew. Over the course of a lively discussion, the trio offer their first impressions on Jason Isaac's ominous captain, as well as major players Cadet Tilly and Commander Landry, and debate what impact the addition of spores and ravenous space-beasts will have on Michael Burnham's increasingly complicated journey. Plus, as usual, the reliable ship Ortonville docks in order to unload his thoughts regarding episode four of The Orville, If the Stars Should Appear. Right-click to download. Read more »

After what felt like an eternity of speculation, Discovery is here at last! But was the splashy premiere worthy of fandom's intense anticipation? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton breathlessly break down the fledgling series' first two episodes and debate this Trek's very modern approach to characters, world-building, aesthetics and energy. Do its revamped sensibilities work, or do they awkwardly butt heads with the incarnations that came before? The duo also tackle new protagonist Commander Michael Burnham, and consider how she currently fits into our established understanding of Starfleet first officers and where she ranks against the formidable icons of yesteryear. Plus, as if this podcast episode couldn't get any more thrilling, the good ship Ortonville beams in his thoughts on episode three of The Orville, About a Girl.  Right-click to download. Read more »

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 »