Treks and Tangents

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Ancient Rome meets reality television in "Bread and Circuses", and somehow things get even weirder from there! Jaci's prediction of an intergalactic circus with oddly shaped bread doesn't quite pan out, but she and Brian have plenty to discuss as Kirk, Spock, and McCoy find themselves on a planet where gladiator fights are televised, slavery is alive and well, and apparently nobody has heard of a decent disguise. From Scotty's clever problem-solving to some surprisingly touching Spock-McCoy moments, we're breaking down the action, questioning the logic, and uncovering the real meaning behind the episode's title. Plus, we've got some wild Tribble Tidbits, including an unexpected connection to Kirk's family tree and Jaci's latest culinary invention: Tribble donut holes!

If you were stranded on this modern-day Roman planet, would you take your chances in the gladiator arena or join the rebellious Children of the Sun? Let us know in the comments!

[End Transmission]

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
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Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
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[Hailing Frequencies Open]

We're taking a little detour tangent this week! Brian and Jaci are opening the archives to share their very first "Animated Detours" adventure, normally reserved for Patreon Crew Members! 

In "Beyond the Farthest Star" (TAS S1E01), the Enterprise encounters a mysterious ancient alien spacecraft, a sinister presence, and the realization that even animated Star Trek can't escape the occasional cosmic nightmare. Join our resident Trek expert and wide-eyed newbie as they boldly venture into the wonderfully weird world of Star Trek: The Animated Series, where the animation budget is questionable, but the possibilities are endless! 

We'll return to our regular Original Series adventures next week. In the meantime, have you watched The Animated Series, and do you think it deserves a place alongside live-action Trek? Let us know in the comments!

[End Transmission]

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal

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[Hailing Frequencies Open]

In "The Ultimate Computer", the Enterprise gets a new supercomputer that can replace Captain Kirk. What could possibly go wrong? Brian and Jaci tackle rogue AI, Spock's computer crush, Kirk's bruised ego, and Dr. Daystrom's dangerously dysfunctional creation. Between deadly war games, McCoy's liquid therapy, and a surprisingly timely debate about automation, this 1968 episode feels a little too familiar in 2026!

Would you trust an AI to command the Enterprise, or are you keeping Kirk in the captain's chair? Tell us in the comments!

[End Transmission]

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal

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[Hailing Frequencies Open]

A mysterious starship full of powdered crew members, a rogue captain chasing immortality, and... the United States Constitution? This week, Brian and Jaci tackle "The Omega Glory", an episode that starts with an intriguing sci-fi mystery and somehow ends in a full-blown patriotic pageant. Jaci's prediction of a Starfleet fraternity turns out to be wildly inaccurate (and possibly a better script), while Brian struggles to understand how one episode can jump the shark quite so many times. Between Captain Tracy's dramatic entrances, Spock's hilariously unhelpful fight commentary, and enough plot holes to swallow the Enterprise, there's plenty to laugh about... even if the episode itself isn't earning any promotions.

What do you think? Is "The Omega Glory" an underrated Star Trek classic, or should this episode have been left stranded on Omega IV? Let us know in the comments!

[End Transmission]

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal

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[Hailing Frequencies Open]

This week, Jaci and Brian break down “By Any Other Name,” from geometric “stone Tribbles” and Spock’s expert-level jealousy trolling to Kirk weaponizing romance and Scotty attempting to save the Enterprise one drink at a time. Is “Operation Stimulate the Senses” brilliant Starfleet strategy, or just the weirdest party plan in the galaxy?

If you suddenly became human for the first time, which human experience would derail you fastest: food, booze, anger, or romance? Let us know in the comments!

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal

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This week, Brian and Jaci tackle “Patterns of Force”, an episode with a straightforward adventure wrapped around some very uncomfortable history. Between Kirk and Spock going undercover, a conveniently useful new implant, and a historian whose grand experiment has gone catastrophically wrong, there’s plenty to unpack.

They dig into the episode’s questionable logic, its last-minute rush to explain everything, the parallels to "A Piece of the Action", and whether the story actually succeeds at exploring the ideas it sets out to confront. Somehow, amid all that, there’s still room for improvised laser physics, Spock’s “malformed” ears, and McCoy having trouble with his boots.

What did you think of “Patterns of Force”? Does its message still work despite the episode’s problems, or does the execution get in the way? Let us know in the comments!

[End Transmission]

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal

Send us Fan Mail

[Hailing Frequencies Open]

"Return to Tomorrow" gives Brian and Jaci plenty to dig into: mysterious glowing orbs, body-swapping aliens, surprisingly romantic sci-fi, Leonard Nimoy getting to cut loose as Henoch, and Nurse Chapel quietly becoming one of the episode’s biggest heroes.

They break down the episode’s strong camera work, Kirk’s argument for taking risks in the name of exploration, Sargon and Thalassa’s doomed romance, and the increasingly shaky science as the final minutes spiral into pure TOS chaos. Despite the plot holes, there’s a lot here to love.

Who do you think steals the episode: Kirk, Spock/Henoch, Nurse Chapel, or someone else? Let us know in the comments!

[End Transmission]

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal

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[Hailing Frequencies Open]

Things get messy fast in “A Private Little War” as Brian and Jaci tackle Mugatus, Klingon gunrunning, and an episode that seems determined to start five different plotlines before figuring out what to do with any of them. Along the way, there’s plenty of debate over the Prime Directive, Nona’s extremely unsettling methods, and whether this “Garden of Eden” was ever particularly Eden-like in the first place.

Despite the chaos, the episode gives us some surprisingly strong character moments, a not-so-subtle Vietnam War analogy, and one very memorable white gorilla with sparkly horns. What part of “A Private Little War” worked best for you, or what would you have changed? Let us know in the comments!

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal

Send us Fan Mail

[Hailing Frequencies Open]

It’s the 50th episode of Treks and Tangents, and naturally we’re celebrating with… a gigantic space amoeba, an exhausted Enterprise crew, and an alarming amount of stimulants to test everyone’s patience. In “The Immunity Syndrome,” Brian and Jaci dive into Spock’s mysterious connection to the doomed Intrepid, Kirk’s questionable shuttlecraft plan,  and the continuing mystery of why poor Kyle suddenly became “Coyle.”

Is this a clever old-school sci-fi adventure hiding inside a budget-saving bottle episode? Or is the giant space amoeba just not enough to save it? What rank would you give “The Immunity Syndrome”? Let us know in the comments!

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal

Send us Fan Mail

[Hailing Frequencies Open]

This week on Treks and Tangents, "A Piece of the Action" sends Kirk, Spock, and McCoy into a planet-sized 1920s mobster convention, all thanks to one very influential book. Brian and Jaci talk Tommy guns, fuzzy hats, Kirk’s increasingly questionable gangster impression, the completely made-up rules of Fizbin, and whether the Enterprise crew actually fixed anything… or just became the newest crime syndicate in town.

There are kidnappings, concrete galoshes, four Vulcan nerve pinches, and enough mob slang to leave Scotty thoroughly confused. 

What piece of Earth media would you absolutely NOT want left behind on a developing planet? Tell us in the comments!

Support the show

Treks and Tangents - A Star Trek Watchalong Podcast
Patreon: Patreon.com/TreksAndTangents
X: X.com/Treks_Tangents
Instagram: Instagram.com/TreksAndTangents
BlueSky: TreksAndTangents.bsky.social

Co-Host Jaci
Instagram: Instagram.com/Jibboom
WhatNot: WhatNot.com/GlitterBowBoutique

Co-Host Brian
Twitch: Twitch.tv/PiratePoundTown
YouTube Main: Youtube.com/@PiratePoundTown
YouTube Second: Youtube.com/@PirateTreasureHunting
Blue Sky: PiratePoundTown.bsky.social
Instagram: Instagram.com/PineappleCannibal