Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum (DIS)

The episode’s title means, “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how that applies to this episode in which the Discovery crew tries to recruit a new species into its war with the Klingons and the consequences of such.

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Picard: Last Best Hope

To celebrate 100 episodes, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha take up a detour from Star Trek shows to a book, “Picard: Last Best Hope,” which is a prequel for the events of the Picard series. They discuss how it adds to the show and creates depth for some of the new and old characters.

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The Last Outpost (TNG)

When The Next Generation appeared, they were supposed to have an ominous new villain: The Ferengi. But as Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss, their first appearance in The Last Outpost was anything but intimidating. Is there anything about the Ferengi to salvage in this story?

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Star Trek: Picard Countdown

A short comic book series tells the prequel story for the new Star Trek: Picard. In this Patrons-first special episode, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discussed the story and what implications it had for the main series. And now we’re making it available to all subscribers to the show.

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Nepenthe (Picard)

It’s a TNG reunion! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Picard, which includes the return of Riker and Troi, now retired and living on an idyllic world. The episode explores identity, especially as a child becomes an adult, as the bonds of trust and seeking healing in tragedy.

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The Impossible Box (Picard)

Is the Impossible Box of the title, the Romulan puzzle box? Is it Soji? Is it the Borg cube Artifact? Maybe all three? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode including the great acting by Patrick Stewart to show Picard’s tortured psyche when encountering the Borg again.

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Stardust City Rag (Picard)

It’s a heist job! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the latest episode of Picard, the revelations about 7 of 9’s post-Voyager history, the unmasking of betrayal, and the morality of lies and revenge. Plus the Easter eggs connecting back to other Trek series and a prequel novel.

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Absolute Candor (Picard)

In Absolute Candor, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about Picard’s revisiting his past failings and having to reckon with them, reconnecting with a boy that he’d become a father figure for and abandoned, and seeking help from an order of Romulan warrior-nuns who only speak the truth without any filter.

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The End is the Beginning (Picard)

Picard returns to space, fights Romulan ninjas, and deals with the aftermath of his own decisions that led to the collapse of a friends’ life. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha also discuss whether the creation of a religion ex nihilo for ex-Borg is really a good idea.

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Maps and Legends (Picard)

Should we treat robots humanely? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss a central question of the Picard series that asks how much an android is akin to humans, how we should treat them, and what our behavior toward them says about us. Plus the interesting new exploration of Romulans and Borg.

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Short Treks, Season 2

The 2nd season of Short Treks gave us the broadest range of stories yet, including two animated shorts, the origin story for Tribbles, and a revealing sneak peek at Picard. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the good, the bad, and what they say Trekkies have to look forward to.

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Ex Post Facto (Voyager)

When Tom Paris is convicted of murdering a jealous husband, Tuvok is on the case. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the film noir inspiration for the story, where it works and where it doesn’t, and how the episode puts the answer in front of the viewer from the beginning.

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