#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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