Out of Contreks

Ep. 56: "The Nagus" (DS9 S1E11)

We're in Wallace Shawn territory, folks! For the first time we've featured a Grand Nagus Zek episode on the podcast, we discuss DS9 character development, what the Ferengi mean in the greater context of Star Trek, and take a detour toward the end into how we feel about parenting episodes!

Ep. 55: "Gravity" (VOY S5E13)

Tom Paris is, like, REALLY interested in the idea of Tuvok cheating on his wife in this one. There's also some Nolanesque time dilation and Tim Russ looking good in a tank top.

Ep. 54: "Symbiosis" (TNG S1E22)

Here's an episode that Ryan and Brady thought was about one thing, but then it was actually about something else much more boring and after-school-specially. Still, we gab about the return of a TOS movie actor, how much we like Crusher vs. Picard stories, and that great face Riker is making in the episode image.

Ep.53: "Half A Life" (TNG S4E22)

The first Lwaxana Troi episode Ryan and Brady discuss is also probably her best! We talk about this great entry in TNG, how it relates to the culture of productivity in the United States, and why Lwaxana is one of the few Star Trek guest stars who can actually carry an episode. We also briefly discuss what is up with the weird desk accoutrement of the guy in the episode image.

Ep. 52: "Space Seed" (TOS S1E23)

Ryan and Brady dig into this classic Star Trek episode to judge if it's worth basing a movie on. We find some pretty retrograde views on women (though certainly not the worst we've seen from the original series) and a pretty rockin' performance from Ricardo Montalban. Throw in a couple of really good scenes from Bones and Uhura and one very strange, (accidentally?) resonant rumination on how humanity lionizes its greatest killers, and you have a solid outing on your hands. Hopefully you think that about our episode, too.

Ep. 51: "Unimatrix Zero, Part 1" (S6E26)

Ryan and Brady cover the sixth season finale of Voyager, and... they think they might be starting to understand a lot of the complaints people have about Voyager, folks. To distract themselves, they also discuss bat'leths of the mind, Borg anatomy and #JusticeForHarryKim. And check out that episode image! Pretty gross for Star Trek, huh?

Ep. 50: "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"

It's our 50th episode, and we've got something special for you: Rather than watch a random Star Trek episode, we've watched a random Star Trek movie instead! But is Wrath of Khan really the best Star Trek movie of all time, or does that ending leave a little something to be desired? There's some disagreement on this point, but one thing is certain: Ricardo Montalban was absolutely RIPPED.

Ep. 49: "Phage" (VOY S1E5)

Watching this very early Voyager episode, Ryan and Brady discuss one of the weirdest ethical dilemmas Star Trek has ever posed: Is it OK to steal a man's lungs if he stole them from you first? Also discussed: The universality of chefs hats, the vagaries of the universal translator, and Neelix's sickbay mobile.

Ep. 48: "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not For The Lamb's Cry" (DIS S1E04)

When it comes to Star Trek, how dark is too dark? Does knowing the twist about one of Discovery's characters make them more enjoyable to watch? Do replicators revolutionize the concept of doing the dishes? We discuss these questions, and more, in our second ever episode about Star Trek: Discovery.

Ep. 47: "Birthright, Part 2" (TNG S6E17)

We hope you had (or are in the process of having) a very happy holiday! This week, we suffered a computer crash while recording, so a bit of the episode has gone missing, but most of it remains for your edification. "Birthright, Part 2" (and our discussion thereof) is all about Worf: his rudeness, his efficacy as an allegory for cultural revolution, and his sexy bod in that tactical turtleneck.