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Dax’s past shows up. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this story of Trill taboos; the plot’s predictability and manufactured controversy; the portrayal of Sisko as a good friend; and how the end mirrors the end of Casablanca.

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Season finale! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this fun season ender that brings some great cameos, pays homage to the best Star Trek movie, and leaves us with a character cliffhanger. They also give their season 4 assessment.

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What’s going on with Mariner? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the self-destructiveness of Beckett and her surprising admission involving a TNG character, plus the return of another obscure TNG character.

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Ever notice how many Star Trek episodes involve caves? So did the Lower Decks writers. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this not-a-clip show that pays homages and pokes fun at all those very similar-looking, flat-floored, prone-to-collapse caves in Trek.

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Badgey returns! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of these three homocidal megalomaniacal AIs from previous stories and their redemption arcs through love and friendship.

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Rom and Leeta! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that brings Lower Decks to Ferenginar; brings back our favorite Ferengi-Bajoran couple; and makes Tendi and Rutherford confront their suppressed feelings for each other.

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Emotional damage! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this T’Lyn-focused episode, discussing telepathic diseases, justified Betazoid paranoia, and how hard it is to memorize the periodic table of elements.

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Time for a wedding! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Orion pirate weddings,the difference between Orion and Ferengi, and the custom of bridal kidnapping and why the Church frowns on it.

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It’s a civilization run by computer, but not in a bad way this time. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the principles of leadership, koalas in the afterlife, and the pros and cons of hazing, all as related to the latest Lower Decks episode.

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Promotion repercussions! Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss this Lower Decks story where Mariner confronts a cute, but terrifying alien; Rutherford tries to get the promotion he deserves; Boimler looks for the right room, and Ensign Gary needs new pants.

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Season 4 of Lower Decks opens with a love letter to Voyager. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss this story that includes many, many deep cuts from Voyager, introduces a new season arc villain, and totally calls out Janeway as a murderer!

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Tragedy, loss, and alien trickery. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this TNG story of loss and grief and what makes us human in dealing with the death of a loved one.

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Back to the Shore Leave planet. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss another Skynet-like computer gone rogue, sparking a man v. machine crisis, exploring themes of consciousness and Uhura’s agency.

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Should the needs of one man outweigh the destiny of the future? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the first Trek time travel story, which confronts Kirk and crew with the dilemma of saving their future while navigating some funny Sixties military follies.

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The Gorn are back! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Strange New Worlds season finale cliffhanger, including parallels to the movie Alien; Pike as heroic leader; and the introduction of a familiar character; as well as an assessment of the whole season.

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Why are they singing? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the musical episode of Strange New Worlds, which has divided fandom; whether the show should have gone even more into the device; and why the Klingons were the best part.

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Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story focusing on war, forgiveness, and redemption, and they delve into the Christian view on forgiveness, mercy, and justice. They also discuss trauma in war and PTSD, how this story draws on past Trek episodes (and M*A*S*H!), but also breaks new ground for Trek for its raw portrayal of the effects of war.

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Crossover! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Lower Decks-Strange New Worlds crossover, how well it was executed, the surprising differences between the same characters in animation and live action, and the SNW crew getting to play comedy. Riker!

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Spooky! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story in which Uhura is hearing voices, including what they think of Paul Wesley’s Kirk so far, the rising stature of Uhura in the show, and the first meeting of Spock, Kirk, and Uhura.