With emerging rumors stating Bryan Fuller's impending Trek venture will be an anthology series, with season one set between Undiscovered Country and TNG, fans have started to wonder what other previously underexplored tales may one day be fleshed out. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Andy Chan, put on their fanboy hats and pitch their own potential stand-alone story arcs. From Q Continuum origins to further Klingon and Delta Quadrant alien drama, the trio's selections run the gamut from thrillingly possible to nerd-tastic day-dreaming. Enjoy!     Right-click to download. Read more »

Coming off the sensational Chain of Command TNG's next two-parter had some serious shoes to fill. By focusing on fan-favorite characters Worf and Data, and throwing in some nerd-tastic cross-promotion, the creative team's ensuing sixth season effort definitely aimed directly for the hearts of viewers. But did it ultimately hit the mark? That's the quandary facing hosts Cam Smith, Tyler Orton and special guest Gena Orton this week as they revisit Birthright. With its android dreams, Klingon yoga, DS9 cameos and potentially age-inappropriate romance, is there enough substance to live up to the more epic extended stories, such as Chain, Redemption and Best of Both Worlds, that preceded it? Or is it just plain old forgettable? Listen in and find out which side of the line the podcasting trio come down on! Right-click to download. Read more »

Despite modest beginnings as a one-shot novelty bottle episode, Trek's Mirror Universe has grown into a rich and beloved element of the franchise, greatly expanded in spin-off novels, comics and fan films. But is there still more left to explore in the future? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton don fake beards and debate how much gas is left in this parallel universe's story tank after being prominently featured in over a half dozen hours of television of wildly varying quality. Critically analyzing past efforts, from TOS to Enterprise, the duo assess the likelihood of future serialized shows and nu-Trek films venturing into this broadly campy dystopian cesspool of brutality, scheming, double-crosses and hyper-sexuality. Enjoy! Right-click to download. Read more »

Imagine you were going to be washed up on a desert island and could only take one episode from each Trek series to keep you company for the foreseeable future. With over 700 television hours to choose from, how could you possibly narrow it down to a mere five? Such is the dilemma faced by hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton this week as they grapple with this torturous hypothetical scenario, and valiantly strive to justify their own unique picks. Also, as an added bonus, the duo recollect their experience attending the currently touring Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage concert experience! Right-click to download. Read more »

What exactly is a 'bad boy?' With a long list of bold, brash heroes like Kirk, Riker, Sisko, Chakotay and so forth one could argue Trek is rife with them. But are they in any way an accurate reflection of the popularized stereotype? This week, for their two year podcast anniversary, rebellious no good hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton cast a critical eye on each series in order to judge which popular male characters truly live up to the oh-so hyped label. Over the course of this freewheeling hour long dissection of key lead and supporting figures, the two ultimately strive to answer the age old question: can one even be a 'bad boy' in a structure as regimented and duty-oriented as Starfleet? Right-click to download. Read more »

Despite its proud dedication to Gene Roddenberry's utopic vision, Star Trek occasionally goes pretty dark and - more often than not - does it really, really well. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with returning guest Jamie Davies, tackle arguably the most tense, uncomfortable and grim story in The Next Generation's entire run, as Picard's seemingly unwavering resolve is pushed to its very breaking point by merciless Cardassian sadist Gul Madred. Over the course of this hour long discussion the trio delve deeply into the combative relationships between both the Enterprise's brave leader and his captor, as well as Riker and stubborn senior officer Captain Edward Jellico, and determine whether this celebrated two-parter may actually be better than the beloved Best of Both Worlds.    Right-click to download. Read more »

Since almost its very inception, Star Trek has had a negative attitude towards those who out-rank the almighty captain. Typically portrayed as blandly forgettable exposition machines (when they're not acting as duplicitous villains), Starfleet admirals rarely ever receive the quality of creative attention and care that goes into writing the show's countless compelling heroes, bad guys, civilians and aliens. But why? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton shine a spotlight on the franchise's least compelling figures in order to understand their storytelling limitations, and determine whether their shoddy treatment exposes a serious crack in Roddenberry's futuristic utopia. Along the way, the duo also tackle rare stand-outs like the formidable Alynna Nechayev, Into Darkness turncoat Alexander Marcus and The Pegasus's scheming Erik Pressman, as well as decide which series captains most make sense climbing up to the next rung on the career ladder. Right-click to download. Read more »

Out of all the countless characters populating the dense Star Trek universe, none have proven more polarizing and oft-ridiculed as one Wesley Robert Crusher. Frequently seen saving the day during TNG's rocky early seasons, Wil Wheaton's adolescent protagonist fast became a fan whipping boy and is often cited as one of the most damning issues with the show's not-so-confident launch. But is he really that bad??? For this week's episode hosts Cam Smith, Tyler Orton and Benjamin Yong offer their own feelings on the boy genius, and determine why he was such a problematic and controversial show addition. From the legendary Traveler trilogy, to the smashed flower boxes of Justice and his crucial relationships with Picard, Beverly and Geordi, the trio examine the many layers of the figure many still consider Trek's unholy answer to Jar Jar Binks.   Right-click to download. Read more »

With Star Trek officially in the capable hands of showrunner Bryan Fuller, now it's time to begin pondering what this new show both could and shouldn't be! Dusting off their speculative hats once again, this week sees hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton running down their own personal checklists of clichés and tropes that need to be retired as we move into the next thrilling franchise iteration. Do we genuinely yearn for more holodeck episodes? Or another series fraught with story reset buttons? How about more aliens with minor forehead prosthetics? So listen in as the duo do their darndest to dream of a future free of Trek's less endearing go-to staples. Right-click to download. Read more »

Time travel stories have been historically very good to Trek. In classic adventures, we've watched a tragic Depression-era Kirk romance unfold, laughed along as the Enterprise saved the whales and scratched our heads while Gary Seven accomplished, uh, something or other with a magical cat lady. Okay, maybe they weren't all gems... At any rate, this week sees hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with returning guest Tony Geluch, journeying back to 19th century San Francisco in order to review the cosplay-tastic 1992 TNG two-parter "Time's Arrow." Over the course of a lively discussion, the trio debate the necessity of spreading this breezy tale over two full hours, how successful the episode is at balancing fish out of water comedy with sinister snake-cane-fuelled intrigue, and whether Jerry Hardin's popular Samuel Clemens performance still works. At all. So toss on your white linen suit and feathered bowler hat and enjoy!     Right-click to download. Read more »