#172 - THE BEST, WORST, WEIRDEST & WILDEST MOMENTS OF 2017!

Remember how huge 2016 was for Star Trek, with the 50th anniversary and Beyond? Well, this year proved more exciting and momentous than fans likely ever dared dream, with the intense anticipation and spectacular unveiling of Discovery. The resulting renewed spark of optimism and life in the franchise helped make 2017 an unforgettable era for Subspace Transmissions, inspiring week-to-week coverage of a new series for the first time, and the development of other fun avenues for delving into Burnham and crew's ongoing adventures. Which of course brings us to this incredibly packed fourth annual retrospective, wherein hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton usher out the old with an in-depth discussion on their feelings regarding Trek in 2017, as well as forecast the potential gifts waiting in 2018. There's also plenty of highlights from the past 365 days, featuring cosmically cool guests Tom Ball, David Borys, Carmin Carotenuto, Andy Chan, Dale Deruiter, Tony Geluch, Patrick Johnson, Geneva Orton, Vicki Siu and Janine Smith, involving penalty boxes, trout-fishing, Andorian 00-agents, surprise hologram characters, unlikely rowing instructors and so much more! Plus, as an added bonus, the duo offer their spoilery thoughts on Star Wars: The Last Jedi and celebrate two of the year's biggest sci-fi movie triumphs.    

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#171 - IS EARLY STAR TREK EVER AWESOME?

Now that we've settled into the Discovery holiday hiatus it's high time to consider the overall trajectory of its initial run, and debate how well it is stacking up against that which came before. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton pull out their marking pencils and hand in their mid-season report cards for Burnham and crew's early adventures, with special attention paid to character evolution, world-building and storytelling. In an effort to contextualize DSC's progress, the duo also take a lengthy look at the first nine hours of each previous Trek incarnation and determine how confidently those now-beloved shows got off the ground. Did any of them boast an episode as great as Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad, for example? Plus, as usual, the Ortonville soars in to offer up his thoughts on The Orville's season finale, Mad Idolatry.

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#170 - THE EVOLUTION OF THE KLINGONS

Ask any rando on the street to name a popular Star Trek term and the word 'Klingon' will likely be among the first they utter. After all, the proud people of Qo'noS have had a very long and complex relationship with the men and women of Starfleet, and inspired some of the greatest and most popular sci-fi tales of all time. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton tap into their deeply buried warrior spirits in order to examine how these iconic aliens have been reimagined time and time again in order to fit the needs and interests of the storytellers. From their first appearance in the classic TOS episode Errand of Mercy, all the way up to the current day shenanigans of L'Rell, Voq and Kol in Discovery, the duo chart all the critical transition points in the Klingons' fascinating 50+ year journey. In addition, the hosts review the first issue of IDW's new Discovery comic book arc The Light of Kahless, discuss the Tarantino Trek movie news and the Ortonville takes on The Orville's 11th episode, New Dimensions. Qapla!

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#169 - STAR TREK'S UNSOLVED MYSTERIES

Since Star Trek's inception, hardcore fans have been mulling over and passionately debating its unanswered questions. Who built the Great Barrier, for example? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton don their problem-solving hats in order to conquer some of the franchise's outstanding unresolved mysteries once and for all! From popular queries, such as Guinan's origins and Benjamin Sisko's return, to more obscure head-scratchers, like the fate of human doctors in an EMH world and ENT's proposed fifth season Romulan War arc, the duo do their darndest to help alleviate the frustration surrounding Trek's most maddening abandoned plot threads and ambiguous endings.

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#168 - STAR TREK'S MOST BADASS CHARACTERS

With Discovery on mid-season hiatus it's back to business as usual! And, with Burnham's killer Kol takedown still fresh in mind, it seems like a perfect time to examine the Trek characters who most personify badassery. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton embark on a critical expedition through the history of the franchise in search of figures who capture the same sort of magical 'je ne sais quoi' many of film and TV's coolest icons boast in spades. From the double hammer-fisted exploits of Kirk, to the formidable Major Kira and the inconsistently written Janeway and Worf, many candidates are considered but only a handful earn their place in the pantheon. Tune in and find out who makes the oh-so exclusive cut!

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#167 - INTO THE FOREST I GO: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

If you're going to subject fans to a two month break the mid-season finale sure as heck better go out with fireworks and fanfare! But did Discovery's creative team achieve this thrilling feat? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton take a dangerous journey into Klingon territory in order to break down the action, the drama, and the Kol of it all, in the momentous, and ominously titled, Into the Forest I Go. From Burnham's badass slow-mo hero shots, to Stamets' spore drive brain-scrambling and L'Rell's ambiguous connection to Ash Tyler, the duo leave no stone unturned in dissecting what is arguably the series' most high octane instalment yet! Plus, as always, the sturdy ol' ship Ortonville returns on a mission to ponder the ninth episode of The Orville, Cupid's Dagger.

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#166 - SI VIS PACEM, PARA BELLUM: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

Hallelujah! Eight episodes in and our favorite spore-driven starship is finally visiting a strange new world! But was the wait worth the payoff? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Dale Deruiter of the Outrage Factory podcast, watch Saru flip his lid during a fateful away mission and ponder how helpful this fit of temporary insanity is in better understanding Doug Jones's overly buttoned up XO. Also, the trio struggle to decipher L'Rell's increasingly convoluted game of deception and debate whether or not trout-fishing is officially Ash Tyler's most exciting character trait. Plus, Cam reviews the first DSC novel Desperate Hours and the trusty ship Ortonville sums up The Orville's eighth episode, Into the Fold.

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#165 - MAGIC TO MAKE THE SANEST MAN GO MAD: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

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. 

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#164 - LETHE: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

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.

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#163 - CHOOSE YOUR PAIN: STAR TREK DISCOVERY

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.

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#162 - THE BUTCHER'S KNIFE CARES NOT FOR THE LAMB'S CRY: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

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.

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#161 - CONTEXT IS FOR KINGS: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

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.

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#160 - THE VULCAN HELLO & BATTLE AT THE BINARY STARS: ST DSC

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. 

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#159 - TNG AT 30: THE GREATEST TREK?

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.

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#158 - THE ORVILLE VS STAR TREK

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.    
  
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#157 - THE DOMINION WAR: 20 YEARS LATER

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.
  
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#156 - STAR TREK DS9: IN PURGATORY'S SHADOW & BY INFERNO'S LIGHT

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!

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#155 - STAR TREK'S BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGHS

Over the course of its 50-plus years Star Trek has been crucial in lifting fans' optimism during rough and depressing periods of social strife, war and seemingly stalled advancement. After all, Roddenberry's utopia promises there are rewards waiting for us on the other side. But has the show always fought to honor its pledge to showcase progressive values in primetime? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton reflect on the franchise's most important breakthrough moments of showcasing and celebrating diversity, and debate how successful the various series have been at striving to reflect the realities of our time. From Nichelle Nichols' invaluable contributions as Uhura, to key episodes like Far Beyond the Stars, Rejoined and The Outcast, the duo cover the many highs (and some of the unfortunate lows) in an attempt to determine whether Trek's enlightened, forward-thinking reputation is still deserved and how Discovery can further the evolution.

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#154 - TAKE ME TO YOUR ALIEN LEADER + MOST ICONIC MOMENTS, PART III

Throughout our explorations into Roddenberry's expansive universe we've visited countless alien worlds governed by a plethora of unforgettable rulers. But how many of these prominent figures would you actually want to live your life under? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton discuss the franchise's biggest names, such as Dukat, Gowron, Martok, Maje Culluh and the Borg Queen, and - with the aid of a highly sophisticated computer simulation program - figure out who would be the ultimate choice in a democratic vote. The results will almost certainly surprise you! Plus, as an added bonus, there's a second full-length Las Vegas-recorded instalment in which special guest Stefan Estonilo helps the duo induct a third round of iconic moments into the Subspace canon.

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#153 - LAS VEGAS STAR TREK CON 2017 MEMORIES

Last year may have been the big 50th anniversary hoopla, but Creation Entertainment still had some tricks up their sleeve for this year's hordes of Las Vegas con attendees! After all, with Discovery waiting in the wings, and TNG turning 30 there was plenty of excitement to be had! Recorded immediately after the 5-day event's final panel, this week's episode sees sleep-deprived hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with returning special guests Scott Hardy and James Chesser, recounting their own convention highlights. From CBS's Discovery showcases, to the Enterprise-D crew's anniversary bows and memorable appearances by William Shatner, Ira Steven Behr and Dr. Mae Jemison, the weary foursome fill you in on all the crucial happenings that transpired during Trekdom's legendary annual tradition.

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#152 - ACTING BEYOND STAR TREK

Undoubtedly the men and women responsible for inhabiting Trek's greatest characters achieved iconic status thanks to their time with the franchise. But an actor's life is rarely summed up by a single gig. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton recreate their 2017 Star Trek Las Vegas Con panel with an in-depth look at how certain hidden gem entries in key players' filmographies parallel their time in Roddenberry's universe. Did Brent Spiner's work in the HBO movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge require the touch of an android with a positronic brain? Could Mirror Universe Uhura have helped inform Nichelle Nichols' fiendish turn in the 1974 Blaxploitation hit Truck Turner? And what are the chances Patrick Stewart's Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy interrogation experience colored his tortured performance in Chain of Command? There's plenty to ponder, and some great film and television recommendations just begging for your attention!

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#151 - STAR TREK VOY: FUTURE'S END

Few formulas have proved more successful for Trek than fish-out-of-water time travel comedy, with TOS and TNG mining the well to beloved effect. But how did Voyager fare when its turn came to follow up its predecessors' triumphs? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Tony Geluch, follow surly Captain Braxton back to the glorious year of 1996 in order to revisit the popular double-sized season 3 adventure Future's End. Over the course of their wild and wacky odyssey the trio ponder the accuracy of the show's take on the era which birthed it, debate whether racist redneck subplots are ever a good thing, and reconsider the efforts of big deal guest stars Ed Begley Jr. and Sarah Silverman. So toss on your best neutral-toned suit and get hyped because the 90s are back, baby!

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#150 - THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO STAR TREK

As loyal Star Trek fans, it's our proud duty to welcome newbies into the fold. But which episodes from which series are the best to recommend? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton are tackling this eternal conundrum head-on with a daring high-stakes contest: they've each assigned special guest (and franchise non-fan) Janine Smith one episode from all five shows with the aim of winning her over with the most engaging picks. Will she be wowed by the slow-burn intrigue of the Corbomite Maneuver or the alternate universe lunacy of Mirror, Mirror? How about the touching Data tale The Offspring versus the time paradox classic Cause and Effect? You'll doubtlessly be surprised by her insights and preferences, and especially by the destined-to-be-legendary punishment awaiting the co-host who fails to choose wisely.

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#149 - BEST & WORST STAR TREK STORY ARCS

While Trek began as a prime example of episodic sci-fi, the gradual evolution of television writing and audience tastes have impacted it in hugely impactful and exciting ways. With the heavily serialized Discovery waiting in the wings, this week sees hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Carmin Carotenuto of the Adventure.exe podcast, taking a good hard look at the franchise's history of multi-episode narrative arcs. Beginning with the somewhat accidental three-part Christopher Pike saga, the trio scrutinize the highs (the Dominion War, the Xindi conflict) and lows (the Temporal Cold War) in order to determine which elements make long-form storytelling, and which mistakes break it. Plus, each of the crew chime in with their own hopes and concerns regarding Discovery and its place in this brave and bold new entertainment landscape.

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#148 - ARE STARFLEET CADETS THE WORST?

It's a well-established fact Starfleet's track record for promoting great officers is pretty darn unassailable, but can the same be said about its Academy's top cadet picks? This week brash, fresh-faced youngster hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with hotshot guest Andy Chan, enlist in the organization's prestigious, yet often dubiously organized, training school in order to figure out why so many of its students go bizarrely astray. From the smarmy cover-up tactics of Nova Squadron leader Nicholas Locarno, to DS9's highly unorthodox elite Red Squad unit and Star Trek 2009's smug take on the Kobayashi Maru, no helpful reference material is left unanalyzed in this daunting research assignment. Lastly, to conclude their report, the trio debate whether the concept of Starfleet Academy could ever possibly sustain a future movie or series.

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#147 - STAR TREK VOY: BASICS

Not too long ago we celebrated the splashy television launch of the good ship Voyager. Now it's time to dive into more classic Delta Quadrant craziness! This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Dale Deruiter of the Outrage Factory podcast, find themselves battling tooth and nail to survive the show's first epic cliffhanger saga Basics. While perhaps not as iconic as later double-length episodes, there's no shortage of highlights in this season two finale/season three premiere, from combustible Seska/Kazon drama to the end of Betazoid psycho Lon Suder's tormented arc. In addition, the trio debate both the writing staff's treatment of aboriginal characters and the dubious merits of 1996 CGI reptiles, as well as scratch their heads over Tuvok's formal archery education. Enjoy!

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#146 - STAR TREK'S MOST AWKWARD MOMENTS, PART I

The mighty men and women of Starfleet may best us mere common folk in many ways, but they have yet to master the ability to avoid uncomfortable situations. Ergo, this week frequently maladjusted hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton are getting their cringe on by celebrating the franchise's most unbearable social faux pas and gaffs. From Geordi being busted for having a secret sexy hologram program, to Harry Kim's embarrassing romantic proclamations and the tragic behavior of Charlie X, no opportunity is missed to revel in Trek's many traumatic public humiliations. Plus, as an added bonus, the duo debate how each of the TNG crew would fare in the online dating world. Y'know, just because.

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#145 - GOING GREEN WITH THE ORIONS & GORN

Now that the evolution of both the Andorians and Tellarites has been exhaustively charted, it's time to wrap up the ongoing examination of classic recurring TOS aliens! Thus, hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton are channeling their inner-Kermit this week in order to determine if it truly isn't easy being an Orion or Gorn, and whether the franchise loves these iconic species as much as fans. Do they have the depth to support further development in Star Trek Discovery and beyond? And what could the future hold for them? Plus, as an added bonus, the duo toss in a third very cool (non-green) alien just for kicks.

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#144 - STAR TREK DS9: HOMEFRONT & PARADISE LOST

Has anyone mentioned lately how insanely relevant Deep Space Nine still is? For a show that went off the air almost 20 years ago it's often staggering how prescient the creators were in forecasting the future political landscape. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with returning guest Patrick Johnson, delve into the season 4 two-parter Homefront and Paradise Lost, which delves into compelling themes of martial law, governmental manipulation and the harmful effects of terrorism-induced fear and paranoia. However, as fascinating as the episode is idea-wise, is it as effective in its construction? And how does it stand up following on the mighty heels of The Way of the Warrior? Tune in and find out if the trio have stronger opinions to offer than, say, loser United Federation President Jaresh-Inyo.

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#143 - THE CURRENT STATE OF TREK 2017

Now that the fanfare surrounding the big 50th anniversary year has faded, does the franchise still appear to be in promising shape? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton once again hold their annual forum to take Trek's temperature and gauge how healthy the not-so-distant future looks to be. Among the crucial bullet-points discussed are the polarizing new Star Trek Discovery teaser trailer, Seth MacFarlane's impending TNG spoof The Orville, and the seemingly uncertain fourth Kelvin-verse film entry. While there's no shortage of life left in our beloved sci-fi series, listen in and find out whether the duo choose to embrace pessimism or Roddenberry-ish optimism.   

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#142 - STAR TREK'S MOST ICONIC MOMENTS, PART II

Is it possible to name every single iconic Star Trek moment in a lone podcast hour? The answer, it appears, is a very loud 'NO!!!' Therefore this week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton are back to induct more all-time legendary franchise highlights into their own personal hall-of-fame canon. From lengthy shuttle trips around the Enterprise, to unforgettable final (?) farewells and Nazi Aliens from Space, the duo attempt to right past wrongs by recognizing some of their previous list's most egregious and unforgivable exclusions.

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#141 - THE MANY FACES OF BRENT SPINER

It's no secret that Data was and continues to be the most consistently championed fan favorite character on TNG. But our beloved android extraordinaire is but one shining example of what the man who brought him to life on screen is capable of! Thus, this week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Gena Orton, look beyond Data at the many other unforgettable Trek acting accomplishments of Mr. Brent Spiner. From his sinister, imbalanced work as the tormented Lore to memorable turns as prominent members of the Soong bloodline, we take a fun, enthusiastic tour through the great actor's CV in a concentrated effort to honor his iconic contributions to the franchise. 

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#140 - STAR TREK MOTHERS GONE AMOK!

If daddy issues run rampant across Gene Roddenberry's fictional universe it's pretty much a given the same rings true for moms too, right? In glorious celebration of Mother's Day 2017, hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton spend this week's episode examining the emotionally damaging dysfunctional relationships Starfleet's finest have with their proud maternal influences. From Deanna and Lwaxana's eternal battle of wills, to Quark's maddening frustrations with his rebellious Moogie and the seemingly unenviable life of Spock's ma Amanda, the duo help unload as much of the franchise's considerable baggage as humanly (and inhumanly) possible.

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#139 - BEST & WORST STAR TREK UNIFORMS

Although analyzing the rich subtext and messages of the franchise can be genuinely rewarding, sometimes its just way more fun to nitpick the superficial details. Like, say, the costumes. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Penny Daflos, channel their inner fashion critics and examine the most prominent uniforms of the last fifty years. From the highs of TOS, season 3 TNG and the Wrath of Khan, to the lows of the Motion Picture and the Starfleet skant, the trio separate the Star Trek fashion dos from the appaling don'ts.

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#138 - STAR TREK DS9: THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR

Season 3 was something of a breakthrough for DS9; the cast felt firmly gelled, the revelation of the Dominion sparked exciting new intrigue and the show finally seemed to know what it was. But, in spite of the creative rebirth, ratings and buzz weren't quite what they could have been. And what better solution to that problem than Klingons! Thus, this week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Brett Orton, revisit the spectacular season 4 opener that introduced Worf to the series. Given that it was a slight revamp, how does the episode work as an introductory chapter for new viewers? And how successful is the addition of Michael Dorn's iconic TNG character and his bumpy-headed brethren? Plus, for added value, the trio fawn over the iconic Quark/Garak root beer exchange and obsess over Trill massage holosuite programs. 

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#137 - RANKING STAR TREK'S FIRST OFFICERS

Since we officially settled the endless Best Captain conundrum last summer, it's now time to continue down the Starfleet line! This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Carmin Carotenuto, don their honorary second banana hats as they each strive to justify their own ranking orders for the franchise's invaluable first officers. Is there an argument against Spock? And how does Zachary Quinto's take stand up against Nimoy's legendary icon? And what about all-time badasses Major Kira and William T. Riker? There's plenty of food for thought in this jam-packed episode, with just a little dash of chair envy.

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#136 - ALL ABOUT THE ANDORIANS!

A few episodes ago we debated whether or not the Tellarites are the franchise's most unfairly ignored alien species. But what about their iconic blue uneasy allies the Andorians? While better represented, has Trek properly served this fascinating race, or is there more left to explore? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton wiggle their antennae in support as they take a deep dive into Andorian lore, from their first appearance in Journey to Babel, all the way through the many appearances of fan favorite Shran on Enterprise. The duo also try to predict the future of these militaristic ice-dwellers on Discovery, and ponder whether Jeffrey Combs' badass Imperial Guard is destined to become a legacy character ala Spock or Sarek.

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#135 - THE BEST WORST STAR TREK EPISODES: PART II

After you've tackled weirdo gems like Spock's Brain and Sub Rosa, is there really much terrain left to explore when it comes to hilariously terrible hours of Trek? Well, according to the response from you listeners, there sure this! Therefore this week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton are inducting your most popular nominations, as well as a few more prize picks of their own, into the Best Worst Episodes hall of fame. From space hippies run amok and bizarre Laxwana and Alexander holodeck hijinks, to some particularly odd pleasure planet excursions, the duo once again dive into the franchise canon in search of the sublimely silly, absurd and flat-out insane. Plus, as an added bonus, the two weigh in on Star Trek Discovery's shocking decision to resurrect Harry Mudd.

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#134 - STAR TREK DS9: IMPROBABLE CAUSE/THE DIE IS CAST

After a fantastic premiere, Deep Space Nine's third season continued to exhibit new confidence as the show boldly embraced its dense, clever and gripping mythology. Nowhere is that more clear than in the franchise's very first double-length installment without Part I and II subtitles, Improbable Cause and The Die is Cast. This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton channel their deep, enduring adoration for sly tailor Elim Garak as they tackle one of the crafty Cardassian's most insightful and morally complex showcase stories. In addition to plenty of Garak, Odo and Dominion talk, the duo also continue to debate the shady tactics of Starfleet admirals, rank the franchise's three shadowy intelligence agencies and stumble onto an intriguing, albeit extremely dubious, link to Batman Begins.

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#133 - TALKIN' ABOUT TELLARITES!

Sure, everyone loves the Vulcans and Andorians. But what about the oft-ignored fourth original charter Federation members the Tellarites?! Since appearing in the classic episode Journey to Babel, they've mostly been relegated to forgettable background status. Until now! This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton throw on snazzy silver and blue dress uniforms in order to delve into this fascinating and underappreciated alien race, and ponder why they play such a minor role in the larger Trek conversation. From the species' iconic debut, through glorious, albeit brief, resurrection on Enterprise, the duo explore what might have been, and would should be as Discovery slowly edges closer to reality.

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#132 - EARLY DEPARTURES IN STAR TREK

"Parting is such sweet sorrow," as the Bard put it in Romeo & Juliet. But does that adage hold true to Star Trek, or are words like 'infuriating,' 'underwhelming' or 'frustrating' more appropriate? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton take a gander at a number of crucial episodes where beloved characters bid adieu and rate how successfully each of the respective series pulled off this challenging and unenviable feat. From the early days of Janice Rand, all the way down to Jadzia and Kes, the duo strive to determine which of the franchise's premature exits hit the emotional bullseye, and which ones missed the mark completely.
  
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#131 - THE EVOLUTION OF Q

The pilot episode of TNG did very few things superbly, but its one invaluable contribution was introducing the world to the franchise's supreme super-powered omnipotent trickster. An icon from day one, John de Lancie's top-ranking Trek antagonist stands second to none in the 24th century, with only the Borg as potential competition. In celebration of this mysterious, dangerous and frequently funny foe, this week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with returning guest Patrick Johnson, delve into the rich history of Q, from Farpoint to Q2, and offer their own unique takes on the character's fascinating changes over time as well as his significance in reflecting the themes of the franchise. From his proudest moments to his most groan-inducing (penalty boxes???), no stone is left unturned on the trio's profound and amusing reality-bending podcasting journey.
  
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#130 - STAR TREK VOY: CARETAKER

We've been to Farpoint, and encountered the Emissary, now it's time to leap through the hallowed arches of the Guardian of Forever back to the bright and exciting days of January 1995, when the good ship Voyager warmed up her warp nacelles! Join hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with boldly courageous returning guest Vicki Siu, this week as they celebrate the first unforgettable Delta Quadrant journey of UPN's flagship series. Over the course of a lively discussion, they seek to resolve whether the respected pilot episode still holds up and just how successful it is at introducing its colorful cast of enduring characters. So join the trio as they meet beloved figures like Janeway, Chakotay and Neelix again for the very first time, and size up whether Caretaker suitably maps out the adventure to come.

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