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Was this the inspiration for Star Trek V? Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Animated Series story that posits a human-friendly Lucifer alien at the center of the galaxy whose race puts the Enterprise crew in the Salem witch trials.

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The Gorn! Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss the Original Series episode that introduced the Gorn, including Kirk’s nearly fatal assumptions and whether you really could build a cannon from the materials he found.

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Klingon culture! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this episode that not only gives us more Klingon background, but also explores the mercurial B’Elanna Torres and her budding relationship with Tom Paris, as well as the ways 7 of 9 disrupts the ship’s routine.

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Bye Opaka. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this DS9 story highlighting the good Kai and her role as a peacemaker; the recurring Trek trope of wars that never end; and the morality of causing people’s deaths to end their suffering.

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Ultimate power! Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this Q story in which the powerful being plays with the Enterprise crew and lets Riker experience what it’s like to have ultimate power. The results are somewhat cringey.

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Crossover! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Strange New Worlds season finale that essentially remakes one of the best Original Series episodes and features some of our favorite characters, plus they discuss their take on the season as a whole.

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Star Trek does Alien and Predator! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that looks very familiar to scifi fans, and includes characters confronting their internal conflicts and a major sacrifice among the crew.

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the cowardly captain! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this episode that focuses on Dr. M’Benga and his daughter; about rewriting your ending; and how to let go of a loved one for their own good.

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Spock confronts his identity and Pike confronts a pirate. Jimmy Akin and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the show’s attempt a cultural issue discussion in the midst of a pirate attack and also mention the re-introduction of controversial character from the movies.

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What if a civilization would thrive for as long as one person had to suffer on their behalf. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that includes moral absolutes and a challenge to Pike’s conscience.

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Freaky Friday, Star Trek-style! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Spock’s body swap with his fiancée in which hijinks ensue; plus Enterprise bingo and other fun comedy bits.

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Dive, dive, dive! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this submarine battle episode that explore more of La’an’s background, brings back the Gorn, and shows all the ways that broken Starfleet tech can contribute to a plot.

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A loose virus is followed by a lockdown on Enterprise. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the clever plot device of a virus that spreads by light, the character revelations, especially about Una, and what we learn about M’Benga.

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Introducing Uhura. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the re-introduction of our favorite communications officer; the use of faith in the story; Pike’s foreknowledge of his fate; and Sam Kirk’s mustache.

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Pike’s Enterprise is here! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the series premiere of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds; its discussion of suffering and how we live our lives with and despite it; and whether this may be the best first episode of a Trek series.

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Season 2 of Picard wraps up and Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the episode and season, including a resolution in the Picard-Q relationship; the value of self-forgiveness; and where Picard–the character and the series–will go from here.

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What do the Borg really want? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the penultimate episode of Picard season 2, which contains a lot of action, but also dives into the motivations of the Borg Queen who searches for connection and deals with mental illness and Picard’s childhood trauma.

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X-Files meets Star Trek. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Picard’s encounter with an FBI agent obsessed with aliens; Q’s revelation that even he is not immune to death and what that means for him; and the Borg Queen plan to ruin the future.

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Dive into Picard’s mind. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the ongoing exploration of Picard and his psychological basis; talk about the redemptive suffering we see; and applaud the excellent casting of James Callis.