The Clonestar Podcast

Did Star Trek (2009) give the franchise the fresh start it needed—or trade too much substance for spectacle?

Seo welcomes returning guest Ed English to CloneStar Podcast for a spoiler-filled review of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot, bringing a longtime fan’s perspective together with a more casual viewer’s take.

From the emotional USS Kelvin opening to Kirk’s remarkably quick promotion, we explore what works, what doesn’t, and whether this version of the Enterprise crew captures the spirit of Star Trek.

In this episode:

🖖 Chris Pine’s Kirk, Zachary Quinto’s Spock and the challenge of recasting iconic characters

🚀 The USS Kelvin opening, the Enterprise reveal and Michael Giacchino’s score

🎬 Big-screen spectacle, thin plotting and Nero’s missing backstory

🌌 Whether Star Trek (2009) is the right starting point for new fans

🖖 Leonard Nimoy’s return and the unused William Shatner cameo idea

There’s plenty to celebrate—but does an entertaining blockbuster necessarily make a great Star Trek film?

What’s your verdict: the reboot Trek needed, or style over story? Tell us in the comments.

CloneStar Podcast explores the Star Trek universe through cast and creator interviews, episode reviews, ships, canon, and the stories behind the final frontier.

#StarTrek #StarTrek2009 #CloneStarPodcast

Did Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 push the boundaries in the right direction — or let its genre experiments overshadow the stories?

Ellie Littlechild from TrekCulture and WhoCulture joins Mike and Jodi for a full-season review, and we don’t all agree! From puppets and prehistoric adventures to horror, soap opera and fairy tales, we break down all ten episodes and debate whether the character development justified the risks.

Two Enterprises. Two Uhuras. One year apart. Does “Tomorrow’s Enterprise” give Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 the finale it deserves?

Mike and Jodi return to Ten Forward for a full-spoiler review of Season 4, Episode 10—and a look back at the season as a whole.

Celia Rose Gooding’s performance gives us plenty to celebrate as Uhura encounters her future self, confronts her doubts, and discovers what it might mean to stop putting life on hold. Add Scotty, an unexpected relationship, and a time-travel adventure, and there’s plenty to unpack.

But while we agree there’s a lot to love, we don’t quite agree on whether this is the right way to end the season.

Did Pelia and La’an deserve better? Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4, Episode 9 returns to the fantasy world of The Elysium Kingdom—but Mike and Jodi question whether its character resolutions feel earned.

In this spoiler-filled Ten Forward review, we discuss Pelia’s decision to stay behind, the missing farewell with Scotty and why La’an’s journey towards self-acceptance feels rushed after seasons of development.

Mike calls this his least favourite episode of the season and awards it 2/10. Jodi, who enjoyed the original Elysium Kingdom episode, finds this return forced and predictable, giving it 5.5/10.

We discuss:

• Pelia’s departure and the goodbye we wanted to see • La’an’s two contrasting selves and the resolution of her internal conflict • Carol Kane’s one-liners, Christina Chong’s dual performance and Celia Rose Gooding’s villainous turn • The Benny Russell reference, the Enterprise doppelgangers and Runa’s touching final moments • Our playful Lower Decks theory connecting Pelia and Billups—headcanon, not confirmed canon

There are performances and moments worth celebrating, but did the episode try to wrap up too much at once?

A rogue admiral, a stranded away team and orders that deserve to be questioned: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S4E8, “Orders of Magnitude,” brings back the classic Trek ingredients Mike wanted.

In this spoiler-filled Ten Forward review, Mike and Jodi discuss Kirk’s growing confidence as a leader, Uhura’s standout rescue mission and why a familiar premise can still deliver compelling character development.

While Kirk challenges authority aboard the Enterprise, Uhura takes charge in the caves. Their parallel stories explore the difference between following orders and trusting yourself to do what’s right.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds goes full soap opera in Season 4, Episode 7—but does the experiment work? Mike gives it 5/10, while Jodi awards 7.5/10.

In this spoiler-filled Ten Forward review, we explore why the American daytime-soap parody lands differently for a British host and an American host—and why we both find meaningful character development beneath the exaggerated drama.

Strange New Worlds season four reaches its midpoint with Off-Hour. Jodi and Mike break it all down — watch it first, then join the conversation.

Episode five of Strange New Worlds season four is here. Jodi and Mike break it all down — no spoilers in the intro, just hit play once you've watched.

A Case of Chiaroscuro puts Una Chin-Riley in the spotlight. Jodi and Mike talk through what season four is doing with Number One — and whether this episode delivers.

Human Best Friend puts Ortegas front and centre in one of Strange New Worlds' most unexpected episodes yet. Jodi and Mike discuss whether it works — and why it just might be a fan favourite.