#203 - STAR TREK VOY: DARK FRONTIER

In 1997 Voyager scored one of its all time great highpoints ever with the Borg-centric two-parter Scorpion. But did lightning strike twice when the show's creative forces decided to return to the well during February sweeps a couple years later? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton hop in their time-travelling diamond ship and head back to 1999 in order to revisit the popular feature-length epic tale Dark Frontier, which transported First Contact's Borg Queen into the television realm. Over the course of this energetic review the duo ponder the cybernetic species' dubious philosophy, Seven and her dueling symbolic mother figures and whether Caucasian male underwear models best represent the entire spectrum of humanity.

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#202 - STAR TREK: CAPTAIN PICARD AND OTHER SPIN-OFFS

As unlikely as the prospect once seemed, a Captain Picard spin-off starring Patrick Stewart is now a very real possibility in the near future. But is it a good idea? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Carmin Carotenuto of the Adventure.exe podcast, debate the creative and financial reasons why the return of Jean-Luc Picard makes sense, as well as confess their concerns about the potential end result. In addition to predicting which TNG castmates may pop in for cameos, the trio also ponder other rumored CBS All Access projects featuring Starfleet Academy and Khan, as well as a second kid-oriented animated venture. Plus, as an added bonus, the gang reviews Discovery's season two Comic-Con trailer! 

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#201 - SECTION 31: THE SPY WHO PHASED ME

Ever since Discovery teased looming possibilities for the franchise's favorite controversial covert spy agency Section 31, debate has begun anew regarding whether or not this element of canon suits the Roddenberry philosophy. As cool as these stories can be, do they belong in a utopia? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton dust off their best fedoras and trenchcoats in order to delve into Trek's surprisingly long history of cloak and dagger tactics. From the Romulan-headed Tal Shiar, to Cardassia's Obsidian Order all the way down to 31, the duo do their darndest to track the evolution of these often twisty tales and consider the potential pitfalls future series may want to watch out for before shining up their black badges.  

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#200 - THE BEST STAR TREK EPISODES

When you're celebrating a podcast anniversary you have to go big! And what better (and more suitably controversial) way to mark a momentous 200th episode than with the hottest topic in all of Trekdom? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton don party hats and toss confetti while counting down their picks of the ten greatest stories in the history of the franchise. From Kirk and Spock's tragic trip through the Guardian of Forever, to the creepy debut of Locutus and Jake Sisko's tear-inducing alternate future, the duo sing the praises of the unforgettable sci-fi hours that made Roddenberry's universe as popular and powerful as it is. Plus, as an added milestone-worthy bonus, the two fondly recall their favorite Subspace Transmissions installments from the past couple years. 

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#199 - FIXING THE PON FARR PROBLEM

Ever since being introduced in TOS's iconic second season premiere Amok Time, the mating ritual of pon farr has become both a key component of Vulcan mythology as well as an ultra-popular source of humor among fans. But does the franchise's approach to this oft-referenced biological event need to change with the times? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton throw their soup against the wall as they examine several key episodes involving the dreaded seven-year spell and break down what works and what doesn't for current-day audiences. From Spock's legendary duel for T'Pring's hand, to B'Elanna Torres's highly problematic blood fever experience, the duo debate how future storytellers might best navigate this tricky go-to Star Trek trope.

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#198 - STAR TREK VOY: THE KILLING GAME

While probably not one of TOS's best hours, season 2's Patterns of Force is unforgettable for its contrasting of Roddenberry's colorful utopia against grim WWII Nazi imagery. Iconic visuals aside, however, there was plenty of room for improvement in 1998 when Voyager took a second shot at exploiting these clashing aesthetics with The Killing Game, the two-part Hirogen saga wherein Janeway and company find themselves trapped in a simulated Germany-occupied France. But was this revisit to familiar ground effective? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Tony G. of the Arniegeddon podcast, sign up for the resistance while reviewing arguably the most ambitious holodeck adventure of all time! Undeniably popular with fans, does this feature-length season 4 entry work as both a thrilling adventure and a satisfying Star Trek tale? And do these episodes invite even more holodeck logic nit-picking than usual? Hop on your metaphorical bicycle and join the trio for a lively debate-fueled ride from war-torn Saint Clair to Klingon camping grounds and beyond!

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#197 - STAR TREK: EXTREME MAKEOVER EDITION

Attend any convention and it's clear fans have preferred versions of their favorite Trek icons. You'll see a gaggle of bearded Riker clones, for example, but nary a single clean-shaven one. Why is that? And what do these various looks truly mean to the popular characters and their personal narrative? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton attempt to decide between bobs or ponytails while examining the evolution and symbolic meaning of the personal styles of the franchise's biggest power players. In addition to Number One's season 2 facial hair, the duo also ponder the changing hairstyles of Janeway, Worf and Kirk, Voq's seamless Ash Tyler makeover, Lorca's sweet leather jacket and more! Plus, in a bonus segment, the hosts weigh in on Alex Kurtzman's recent promotion to Trek TV mastermind and the potential of Captain Picard and Starfleet Academy spin-offs.  

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