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Death by computer. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story’s moral implications and real-world parallels with themes of war’s human cost, technology’s role in conflict, and ethical leadership. Plus Kirk killing another megalomaniacal computer.

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Psychic goo alien! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Enterprise’s encounter with an unusual lifeform where they have to discern motive and morality and debate the ethics of extreme measures to save their crew.

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Nullified! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Chakotay story in all its weird alien word choice, its “don’t judge a book by its cover” morale, and the themes of courage, indoctrination, and cross-cultural understanding.

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Eminent domain! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss DS9’s “Progress,” including themes of societal good vs. individual rights; the limits of governmental authority, and Kira’s transition from rebel to government official and her ethical and moral dilemmas.

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It was a dimly-lit, smoke-filled backroom where Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha crack open the case of “The Big Goodbye.” In a tale as old as the stars, it’s a classic yarn of crew trapped in a haywire holodeck with a twist right out of a 1940s pulp detective novel.

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Twenty-five years after its release, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the highs and lows of this TNG movie, the ethical quandaries of forced relocation, and the allure of the fountain of youth, plus the humor and usual plot holes.

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Are you of the Body? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of a computer-controlled society suppressing free will and individuality for peace and tranquility, including the religious allegory, the comparison to the Borg, and how the allure of a simpler life could lead to a loss of liberty.

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Al! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the stunt casting of Dean Stockwell as a guest on this episode; the story’s analogy to WW2 internment camps for Japanese-Americans; and challenging our stereotypes of others.

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Meet your heroes! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that has Janeway meet her hero, Amelia Earhart, and other alien abductees. They also look at the show’s aim to show the lost crew settling in together in the Delta quadrant.

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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.