Podcast: Download

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.

Podcast: Download

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.

Podcast: Download

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.

Podcast: Download

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!

Podcast: Download

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.

Podcast: Download

More Vulcan hijinks! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss another SNW story that Spock, T’Pring, and a weird biological swap, including problematic Vulcan speciesism, bureaucratic non-corporeal entities, and mutual self-sacrifice between Spock and Chapel.

Podcast: Download

Amnesia strikes the Enterprise crew. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss memory loss and the pain of remembered grief; the rise of Erica Ortegas; and whether a ship captain is allowed a personal life.

Podcast: Download

Another Kirk. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this time travel story that sees a younger Kirk from an alternate timeline team up with La’an and struggle with the question of which timeline should remain.

Podcast: Download

Court martial! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discus the trial of Number One and the issues raised about historical injustice, respect for cultures, and persecution, plus favorite call backs to other series and previous SNW episodes.

Podcast: Download

The second season of Strange New Worlds comes roaring out of the gate! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the first episode, including the evolution of Spock, the M’Benga revelations, and the new chief engineer, Pellia. Plus a tribute to Nichelle Nichols.

Podcast: Download

Ghosts or something else? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this Enterprise story that finds Trip flirting with aliens again; learn that Vulcans don’t get the creeps; and talk about the superiority of reality to comforting illusion.

Podcast: Download

Maquis and Starfleet clash! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Voyager episode that explores the nature of leadership, loyalty, and duty in an idealistic profession for those who never sought it out.

Podcast: Download

Who lives? Who dies? O’Brien tells your story! Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Cory Sticha, and Jimmy Akin discuss this story inspired by “The Man Who Would Be King” and whose theme is that sometimes we create our own monsters to defeat them to find security.

Podcast: Download

Love and Duty! Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the TNG episode “Haven” and its themes of duty, love, compassion, destiny, and cultural differences, while not missing the Trek debut of Lwaxana Troi and the comedic chaos she brings.

Podcast: Download

Before Picard Season 3, there was First Contact and the Borg Queen. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the film’s “never meet your heroes” theme; Picard’s ongoing trauma; and what makes this movie one of the most popular Trek films.

Podcast: Download

Jekyll and Hyde? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Original Series story featuring Lazarus, a man obsessed with his alternate reality self who will go to any length to destroy him, and his doppelgänger who is willing to sacrifice his life for the universe.

Podcast: Download

They didn’t discuss Discovery, season 4, as it aired, but due to popular demand, Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha give a round-up of the latest season, the good and the bad, and explain why they treat this series differently.

Podcast: Download

Star Trek Picard and the TNG era have come to a close. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the series finale, whether it stuck the landing, the theme of fatherhood and vocation, and where Star Trek goes from here.

Podcast: Download

The D is back! Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the penultimate episode of Star Trek Picard, including the implications of Puer Dei and Vox; the return of a familiar ship, and the disappointing departure of a particular character.

Podcast: Download

What is necessary in healing from grief? Dom Bettinellli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest Picard episode, including grief and healing; how love is at the core of identity; and the everchanging theories for what’s really going on. Plus what’s next for Star Trek?