Out of Contreks

Ep. 129: "Metamorphosis" (TOS S2E2)

Ryan and Brady talk about an episode of The Original Series that is very important to the series canon but is primarily notable for its aggressive (and perhaps unintentional) heteronormativity. Consider this, however: When Brady emailed this episode to me, he wrote "I'm very proud of us for making it through the whole episode without using the phrase 'Cochrane blocked.'" So, mission accomplished, I guess?

Ep. 128: "Shockwave, Part 2" (ENT S2E1)

Ryan and Brady cover the second season premiere of Star Trek: Enterprise, and in typical Out of Contreks fashion, neither of them has any idea what happened in the finale of season one. Join them as they talk about Archer's Max Headroom cameo, Suliban skin, and Enterprise's trademark "prude sexuality."

Ep. 127: "Miri" (TOS S1E11)

Ryan and Brady tackle an early TOS episode that has some pretty uncomfortable views on teenage sexuality, as well as a disease that makes people break out in blue makeup. Along the way, we discuss why exactly this episode is set on an identical copy of Earth, annoying future abbreviations, and the strange decision to cast an actor to play a character who is supposed to be literally half his age.

Ep. 126: ”I, Excretus” (LD S2E8)

Ryan and Brady discuss one of their favorite, as well as one of the most infamous, Lower Decks episodes of all time in this holodeck bonanza. Listen in as we attempt to weigh what makes a callback more than a callback, explore which Lower Decker Brady most identifies with, and, of course, give our thoughts on that scene.

Ep. 125: ”Babel” (DS9 S1E5)

In a small scheduling change prompted by the holidays, Ryan and Brady are releasing this DS9 episode just a touch out of order. Fortunately, it's a fun one, as we talk about hacking in the Star Trek universe, undercooked B-plots, and how this small little episode of DS9 strangely predicted COVID-19 (which, by the way, Ryan has, so go easy on him).

Ep. 124: ”Bread and Circuses” (TOS S2E14)

Ryan and Brady dig into a very entertaining, strangely prescient episode of The Original Series with a wild, unnecessary twist ending. Is this low-key one of the best Star Trek episodes Gene ever wrote? What does it have to say about the medium of television, and the "civilization" of violence as entertainment? Why did they stop calling video "video" in the future? We cover all that, and more!

OOC Special 11: Lower Decks, Season 4

Ryan and Brady check in a few weeks late to discuss Season 4 of Star Trek Lower Decks! We talk characterization, deep dives into Nova Squadron lore, and what the show is doing well this far into its run.

Ep. 123: ”All Is Possible” (DIS S4E4)

Ryan and Brady tackle a Season 4 Discovery episode that at least one of them finds to be downright sociopathic. We talk infatuated Saru, Tilly's semi-departure from the show, and the pitfalls of viewing every event as a stepping stone in your personal journey.

Ep. 122: ”The Die Is Cast” (DS9 S3E21)

Odo and Garak square off in the second half of this famous DS9 two-parter, the first part of which Ryan and Brady happened to cover almost exactly a year ago! But how does 12 Years A Slave inform the conversation we have about this episode? Is there anything better in the episode itself than the famous behind-the-scenes picture we've used as the episode image? Was frequent director David Livingston up to some new tricks, or were some of these techniques being used to shoot around stand-ins? We cover all of these topics and more this week!

Ep. 121: ”The Survivor” (TAS S1E6)

Ryan and Brady talk about another Animated Series episode, this one with a surprising depth, sweetness, and cleverness. Join them as they discuss Star Trek's policy of nonviolent solutions, shapeshifting into functional but inanimate objects, and interspecies dating.