The Nextlander Watchcast

We're winding our way toward the conclusion of Star Trek's first season, and this week we're getting our first visit from some brand new lifeforms in The Devil in the Dark and Errand of Mercy!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:32) - Intro.
(00:03:05) - Kicking things off with The Devil in the Dark.
(00:06:54) - Some musings on the galactic economics of this era of Star Trek, and Kirk's role.
(00:11:46) - Production background on the episode.
(00:16:56) - Poor Schmitter. Well, no time to grieve, there's mining to be done!
(00:21:49) - A new kind of life? Preposterous!
(00:28:44) - As if things weren't dire enough, we also have a missing reactor part to find.
(00:31:52) - The boys run afoul of the creature.
(00:34:34) - Time to plug in our Vulcan to fix this situation.
(00:40:55) - The miners don't care about the creature, they want vengeance!
(00:44:53) - There's no number of murders that can't be forgiven when mutual profit is assured.
(00:48:36) - Break!
(00:49:03) - We're back, and it's time for some Klingons!
(00:59:40) - Some additional production notes.
(01:03:32) - Is there such a thing as radical pacifism? Because this planet is that.
(01:10:41) - Look, Kirk's being kind of a dick about all this, but the Organians aren't exactly helping.
(01:19:28) - 12 Hours until minds will be ripped.
(01:23:53) - The Organians are revealed, and it's real stupid.
(01:33:35) - Final thoughts on the episode.
(01:36:28) - Outro (and Vinny's episode killing joke).

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For our January Watchcast movies we've chosen to highlight the highs and lows of pre-MCU Marvel movies, and we're kicking things off with the highest of highs in the kick-ass 1998 adaptation of Blade!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:19) - Intro.
(00:03:17) - Blade's our movie, but how much familiarity with other Marvel movies of the time, and the character itself?
(00:11:57) - Getting more into the production of the film and the folks who made it.
(00:22:40) - Launching into the movie, and the legendary blood rave.
(00:30:54) - A moment of praise for the great Donal Logue.
(00:33:56) - Our introduction to N'Bushe Wright's Karen.
(00:38:28) - Whistler!
(00:44:17) - The vampiric council, led by the hall-of-fame weird actor Udo Kier.
(00:51:10) - Break!
(00:51:25) - We're back, and it's time to use Karen as bait.
(00:57:11) - The trap is set, and it's time to visit Pearl. Plus: fun soundtrack facts!
(01:05:00) - Brad has some opinions about the Vampire Bible.
(01:09:40) - Whistler Kool-Aid Man-ing his way into the scene.
(01:14:15) - Time for Frost to put his (very stupid) plan into action.
(01:23:10) - RIP Whistler (or, well, until Blade II).
(01:27:41) - The big reveal!
(01:31:15) - Welcome to our big vampire temple that just happens to be in this American city.
(01:42:23) - Talking about the final conflict and some the alternate versions they cut.
(01:50:08) - And that's Blade!
(01:57:31) - Outro.

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The Nextlander crew has returned from their break anxious to attack the final episodes of Star Trek's first season, kicking off with A Taste of Armageddon and This Side of Paradise!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:14) - Intro.
(00:03:42) - Now that the housekeeping is out of the way, onto this week's Star Trek!
(00:06:27) - A little bit of history of A Taste of Armageddon.
(00:11:42) - This feels like some Star Trek-ass Star Trek. Also, some chat about how aliens sure do just kinda look like humans.
(00:15:41) - These aliens are doing war weird.
(00:26:56) - Turns out the Enterprise is a casualty of war. Whoops!
(00:33:49) - Kirk, Spock, and the gang might be trapped on the planet, but that's no reason they can't play dress up and explode some stuff!
(00:44:24) - Time to show this alien culture that their way of living sucks.
(00:49:27) - Break!
(00:49:48) - We're back, and it's time to check out This Side of Paradise.
(00:54:09) - Some background on the episode.
(01:00:39) - So what IS the deal on this planet?
(01:09:02) - This is the chillest mutiny in human military history.
(01:11:57) - Oh no, Kirk has become happy.
(01:15:38) - Oh good, Kirk has become angry.
(01:23:29) - *extremely Cher voice* SNAP OUT OF IT!
(01:30:19) - Outro.

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Our first season of the Watchcast is nearly at an end, but we're closing things out with a certifiable banger in Francis Ford Coppola's erotic vampiric fever dream, Bram Stoker's Dracula!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:15) - Intro.
(00:01:54) - We're closing out the first season of the Watchcast with a Decembula to Remembula in Bram Stoker's Dracula!
(00:05:43) - Getting into the history of how this movie came to be.
(00:15:31) - Some of the more troubled aspects of the production, and some very unfortunate accents.
(00:23:41) - Talking about Oldman's performance and some of the other stand-outs.
(00:30:22) - OK, let's get into the actual movie.
(00:36:23) - Now that we have a Dracula, it's time to meet the rest of the cast. Plus, more fawning over the visuals.
(00:43:09) - Our first look at old-ass Drac, a truly iconic vision of this character.
(00:51:49) - Break!
(00:52:09) - We're back, and Brad has a nagging question.
(00:54:00) - Getting to know Mina and Lucy.
(00:56:50) - Dracula's wacky boat ride, and some quality time with Renfield.
(01:00:54) - Lucy has chosen her suitor, but Drac has some other plans. Also, a vampire orgy!
(01:08:25) - Lucy's down with the sickness, and only Van Helsing can help.
(01:11:48) - Mina and her Prince. Also, Lucy's undead.
(01:20:16) - Drac mad! Drac horny! Drac conflicted!
(01:32:41) - Drac has been revealed, and it's a mad dash to Transylvania!
(01:42:01) - "Our work is finished here. Hers has just begun."
(01:50:05) - Hell of a movie, if we do say so ourselves.
(01:56:19) - Outro.

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We've only got one Star Trek episode this month, but folks, it is a doozy! First up is another classic Hollywood backlot episode in The Return of the Archons, and then Ricardo Montalbán makes his terrifying debut as Khan Noonien Singh in Space Seed!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:14) - Intro.
(00:02:10) - Khan will have to wait, as our first episode is The Return of the Archons!
(00:03:49) - The set-up for the episode.
(00:06:41) - Getting into the production history and cast.
(00:10:09) - Is this a human planet? Are there aliens here? What's going on?
(00:12:12) - A festival! How lovely, what do you d--Oh, oh no.
(00:15:28) - Still trying to make sense of the lore here.
(00:19:29) - Whatever these people are, they do not like interlopers.
(00:24:31) - It's absorbin' time, baby.
(00:29:13) - What exactly are these rebels even doing? What is their plan?
(00:32:38) - Finally, the big reveal.
(00:41:19) - Discussing the nature of Landru, and of people.
(00:48:06) - Break!
(00:48:30) - Khan Noonien Singh has entered the Trek-verse.
(00:52:10) - The set-up for Space Seed, and the Eugenics Wars.
(00:57:27) - Some production history of the episode.
(01:05:30) - Vinny's shameful admission.
(01:10:13) - We keep getting distracted talking about Khan. Let's get into what actually happens in the episode.
(01:19:58) - Sure he's a dictator, but he sure did make the trains run on time!
(01:23:21) - Everyone's on to Khan.
(01:27:30) - Khan's plan goes into action.
(01:33:06) - Kirk, buddy, what are you doing here?!?
(01:40:24) - Final thoughts on Space Seed and villains in the Trek-verse.
(01:45:59) - Outro.

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Brad's deep and abiding love has led us to Tony Gilroy's first directorial effort, the twisty and biting legal thriller Michael Clayton. Join us as Brad and Vinny experience this terrific film for the first time, and discover just how many murders it takes to effectively cover up gross corporate malfeasance.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:14) - Intro.
(00:05:16) - A quick overview on the set-up for our movie this week: Michael Clayton.
(00:14:06) - Some thoughts on the film's non-linear presentation of the story.
(00:17:40) - A little bit of background info on the development and production of Michael Clayton.
(00:22:42) - Karen Crowder: not a great person!
(00:27:58) - Arthur's imperfect moment of clarity.
(00:34:52) - One night in Milwaukee.
(00:39:49) - Arthur on the lam.
(00:42:32) - Michael's various other issues, and some chat about Sydney Pollack's Marty.
(00:51:01) - Mmm, bread.
(00:53:45) - Break!
(00:54:07) - We're back, and it's time for some more Arthur yelling. Oh, and murder!
(01:03:45) - Well, Arthur's dead. Guess that about wraps everything up, right?
(01:08:24) - Michael Clayton is on the hunt, so it's time for yet another murder.
(01:15:33) - Looping back around to where the movie started.
(01:21:24) - An all-timer of a closing scene.
(01:32:44) - Final thoughts on Michael Clayton.
(01:41:31) - Outro.

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We're closing out Star Trek month on the Nextlander Watchcast in grand fashion with a big old time travel goof-up in Tomorrow Is Yesterday, and the twisty legal drama of Court Martial.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:39) - Intro.
(00:01:53) - Kicking things off with Tomorrow Is Yesterday.
(00:07:42) - Some production notes on the episode.
(00:13:01) - Uh oh! We've got a past guy on our future ship.
(00:19:47) - This man has seen too much future. Now what do we do with him?
(00:24:45) - Remember Sulu, this is a sneaking mission.
(00:29:42) - It's a fracas! A donnybrook! An all-out brawl!
(00:36:46) - It's time to travel back to our time (forward) but first we have to travel back in time (backward).
(00:44:02) - Returning to our own century with INCREDIBLE precision. And our final thoughts on the episode.
(00:47:03) - Break!
(00:47:26) - Time to take on one of Brad's favorite kinds of Star Trek episodes: a courtroom drama in Court Martial!
(00:51:58) - Some production background on Court Martial.
(00:58:17) - Computers can't be wrong, but they can be sexy. Also, of COURSE his prosecutor is an old flame.
(01:03:22) - Samuel Cogley Esquire: Space Lawyer Extraordinaire.
(01:05:41) - The trial begins.
(01:12:39) - A SHOCKING VIDEO EVIDENCE REVEAL.
(01:15:38) - I'm looking for a heartbeat. One extremely specific heartbeat, to be clear.
(01:20:13) - Oh wow Finney's not dead! Oh no Finney's not dead.
(01:26:02) - Final thoughts on the episode.
(01:28:45) - Outro, with some December Watchcast scheduling.

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This week's Watchcast is packed to the gills with omnipotent beings, sudden disappearances, and man-on-man (and man-on-lizard) combat as we take on the Star Trek episodes The Squire of Gothos, and Arena!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:14) - Intro, and some Twin Peaks talk.
(00:04:53) - Onto Star Trek and our first episode, The Squire of Gothos!
(00:06:45) - Our man Trelane, and his similarities to Q.
(00:09:09) - Some additional production notes about the episode.
(00:10:05) - Trelane! Stop this crazy planet!
(00:14:46) - Trelane sucks at math, and so do the writers.
(00:17:38) - Our first galactic cosplayer.
(00:20:11) - A racist British person? Will wonders never cease.
(00:23:27) - A good old fashioned duel, followed by a starship getting chased around by a planet.
(00:26:58) - A good old fashioned hunting of a man for sport.
(00:31:37) - This ending is so ridiculous. The good kind of ridiculous.
(00:37:24) - A couple of remaining questions.
(00:42:47) - Wrapping up on The Squire of Gothos.
(00:45:09) - Break!
(00:45:38) - We're back, and it's time to enter the Arena!
(00:49:48) - Some production notes on Arena, and the hearing damage given to the principal cast.
(00:57:20) - Kirk's on a mission of bloodlust.
(01:04:03) - Time to do MORTAL KOMBAT.
(01:09:18) - If only Kirk could remember 9th grade science class!
(01:13:38) - James Kirk is the original MacGyver.
(01:16:29) - And here comes the Metron!
(01:20:01) - Talking a little about the prevalence of God beings in Star Trek, and the state of the space frontier.
(01:22:37) - Final thoughts on Arena and the Gorn.
(01:26:52) - Outro.

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Wacky vacation worlds and big hairy men with spears are on the menu for this week's Watchcast, as we beam down to the bizarre pleasure planet of Shore Leave, and crash a shuttle craft into The Galileo Seven!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:15) - Intro.
(00:02:38) - Our first ridiculous episode of the week: Shore Leave!
(00:03:38) - What exactly is a Yeoman's job? Also, talk about a casual workplace.
(00:06:40) - This is one kooky planet.
(00:07:41) - The production history of the episode, and Gene Roddenberry's post-vacation headache.
(00:13:58) - Irishmen and tigers and handguns, oh my!
(00:16:41) - It's high time we got to the bottom of what Gene's beef with the Irish is all about.
(00:21:41) - It's Bones' turn for some inappropriate workplace romance.
(00:25:04) - If it hasn't been said previously, let us state emphatically for the record: this is all very stupid.
(00:30:04) - People are dying, and weird goopy mannequins are doing the killing.
(00:31:47) - The weird power drains, and the eventual reveal.
(00:39:15) - Final thoughts on Shore Leave.
(00:41:35) - Break!
(00:41:56) - We're back, and it's time to get some people killed in The Galileo Seven!
(00:47:41) - Continuing to educate Vinny on the many quirks of Star Trek tech and transporters.
(00:50:18) - It's time for Spock to take command!
(00:54:35) - Oh right, production notes!
(00:57:09) - Big spears! Big shields! Big hairy men! I love it!
(00:59:31) - Turns out logic may not be enough to get through this.
(01:06:15) - Boma really needs to lay off this obsession with burying the dead.
(01:08:15) - Captain Kirk has no use for bureaucrats and their schedules.
(01:10:28) - There are some VERY funny shots in this episode.
(01:13:09) - Sometimes the most logical move is to abandon logic.
(01:16:50) - Two men are dead! Hah!
(01:21:16) - Outro.

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For the month of November the Nextlander crew will be chewing through nothing but Star Trek, and we're kicking the month off with a Shakespearean murder mystery and a straight up submarine combat episode in The Conscience of the King, and Balance of Terror!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate in versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:01:17) - Intro.
(00:03:22) - Our first episode of the week is one none of us had ever seen: The Conscience of the King!
(00:06:13) - Kodos? And the production history of the episode.
(00:13:12) - Launching into the plot.
(00:14:42) - Some musings on Roddenberry's vision of the future and Kirk's role.
(00:19:56) - Bye bye pillowcase face guy.
(00:21:34) - Kirk's kind of a dick in this one.
(00:23:12) - Somebody's bumping off witnesses, time to use the Irish guy as bait.
(00:28:36) - Time fo the captain to woo this 19-year-old. Meanwhile, Spock has figured it out.
(00:31:34) - Showdown between Kirk and Kodos (also the one and only double red alert).
(00:36:52) - Time to unmask our mass murderer in appropriately theatrical fashion.
(00:45:49) - Closing thoughts on Conscience of the King.
(00:49:55) - Break!
(00:50:20) - We're back and it's time for Balance of Terror! Here come the Romulans!
(00:53:58) - Some history of this banger episode.
(00:59:51) - Lt. Stiles, and a brief history of space racism.
(01:03:57) - The set-up for this latest Romulan conflict.
(01:08:55) - Thank god, a survivor! Surely we'll be able to rescue this poor soul in ti--oh, oh no.
(01:11:58) - As strong as this Romulan ship is, it's got some pretty serious weaknesses.
(01:14:23) - Seeing a Romulan for the very first time.
(01:20:14) - Meanwhile, on the opposing ship.
(01:25:24) - The cat-and-mouse game between Kirk and the commander.
(01:31:22) - The Final Showdown.
(01:36:39) - Well at least there was only one fatality. Let's quickly check to see wh--oh, oh no.
(01:39:15) - Final thoughts on the episode, and the mission of the Enterprise.
(01:43:04) - Outro.

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