The Ready Room: A Star Trek Podcast (the next generation)

Proto-TNG and the Pike Memo.

We’ve all heard the stories about how Star Trek: The Next Generation was created. Or have we? While rummaging through Gene Roddenberry’s drawers, Larry Nemecek, John Champion, and Rod Roddenberry uncovered a long-lost memo from 1986 that presents a TNG that is very different from the one we know. The document, prepared by Paramount Network Television President John S. Pike, Greg Strangis, Jeff Hayes, and Rick Berman, outlines a premise, crew, and pilot for Star Trek’s return to television that until now was unknown.

In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek bring you an extended discussion about the document featured in episode four of Larry’s podcast, The Trek Files. We imagine what the adventures of Captain Rhon, Cadet Commander Brik, the painfully beautiful Helen Joyce, and the USS Odyssey might have been like—and why the security of the galaxy might depend on young Klingon officer Mynk and a simple piece of paper.

In our news segment, we look at Star Trek: Discovery’s nomination for Outstanding Drama Series in the GLADD Media Awards, given by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, a new book filled with lost scenes from The Original Series, and Larry shares his thoughts on a subject he’s very passionate: Tellarites.

News
Intro (00:00:00)
A GLADD Media Awards Nomination for Discovery (00:06:19)
Those Discovery Tellarites (00:15:52)
Star Trek Lost Scenes (00:25:18)

Feature: Proto-TNG and the Pike Memo
Background (00:35:45)
The Purpose of the Memo (00:39:03)
The TNG Announcement (00:46:02)
Concept and Crew (00:49:36)
Let’s Remember 1986 (00:54:55)
Character Parallels with Other Trek (01:02:54)
Pilot Premise (01:12:41)
Final Thoughts (01:22:39)
Closing (01:35:08)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Direct download: trr-218.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 10:53pm MDT

209: Just Don’t Smell the Flowers

Justice.

The first rule of Rubicun III is don’t play in the flowerbeds. No wait … that would be “run everywhere.” But staying away from the flowers is definitely rule number two. And if don’t obey the rules, there’s only one punishment: death. The boy, Wesley Crusher, learned this the hard way when Picard allowed his crew to go on shore leave on a pre-warp world.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Bruce Gibson and Luke Weir to discuss “Justice” … and why there can be none when laws are absolute. We also debate whether a system of absolute laws could actually work, the highly sensual nature of 1987 Star Trek, the obsession with god-like aliens, and more.

Plus, in our news segment we discuss recent Star Trek: Discovery news and the forthcoming Deep Space Nine documentary.

News
Star Trek: Discovery Details (00:03:48)
DS9 Documentary (00:19:51)

Feature: Justice
Initial Thoughts (00:30:20)
The Boy, Wesley Crusher (00:38:30)
Let’s Get Racy! (00:40:25)
An Eden-like Feel (00:49:27)
Forbidden … Temporarily (00:52:36)
Can Absolute Rules Work? (01:03:52)
The God Thing (01:12:15)
The Original “Justice” Concept (01:19:14)
Final Thoughts (01:37:06)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Bruce Gibson

Guest
Luke Weir

Production
C Bryan Jones (News Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Feature Editor and Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Direct download: trr-209.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 8:12am MDT

202: The Limits Curse

Suspicions.

When you have a story that features both Ferengi and Klingon scientists, you know you're in for something unusual. Throw in a Takaran, and you may start to feel blue—especially if you've lost your job after causing an intergalactic incident. This is what happens to Dr. Crusher in “Suspicions.”

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined Larry Nemecek, Sue Kisenwether, and Mike Morrison to discuss this episode of Murder, She Wrote in space and why it sometimes feels like the pieces don’t quite fit together. Larry reveals some behind-the-scenes information you won’t find anywhere else—at least not when we recorded this—and also makes a few bad Data jokes.

So join us as Beverly Crusher violates orders, desecrates an alien corpse, and turns Nurse Ogawa into an accomplice … all to make Jessica Fletcher proud.

Plus, in a super-sized news segment, we discuss the Star Trek 2017 teaser trailer, the second Star Trek Beyond trailer, Larry’s experience at the Paramount fan event, and an unexpected twist in the Axanar lawsuit.

News
The First Star Trek 2017 Teaser Trailer (00:03:00)
The Star Trek Beyond Fan Event (00:20:19)
JJ, Lin, and the Axanar Lawsuit (00:48:32)

Feature: Suspicions
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (01:00:17)
Like a Scientific Diplomat (01:08:38)
Not Just Your Average Doctor (01:15:37)
Casting Scientists (01:18:40)
A Klingon Scientist (01:26:14)
The Limits Curse (01:33:17)
Murder, She Wrote (01:46:28)
Making Whoopi’s Limits Work (01:54:55)
Final Thoughts (01:59:13)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Guests
Sue Kisenwether and Mike Morrison

Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Direct download: trr-202.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 8:17am MDT

196: Indiana Picard and the Secret of the Whatever

Captain’s Holiday.

Everyone gets a bit too stressed sometimes. And when that happens, it can be difficult to enjoy anything—even the negotiation of a successful trade agreement. When this happened to Captain Picard, the crew had to pull together to force him to take a vacation. But of course, a Picard vacation isn't quite like the ones you and I take.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Aaron Harvey, Matthew Rushing, and Mike Schindler to discuss “Captain’s Holiday,” Jean-Luc and Vash, the prolific Max Grodenchek (he’s everywhere!), Riker’s counseling skills, and why you should be careful where you put your Horga'hn.

In our news segment, we consider whether William Shatner’s return as Captain Kirk would be a good idea or a bad one, debate the StarTrek.com poll that asked Star Trek pet you would want to have, and discuss the choice of Bryan Fuller as show-runner for the new Star Trek series premiering in 2017.

News
Shatner back as Kirk? (00:03:14)
Poll: Which Star Trek pet do you want? (00:08:59)
Bryan Fuller named Star Trek 2017 Show-runner (00:13:25)

Feature: Captain’s Holiday
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:31:58)
The “Shore Leave” Connection (00:39:55)
The Vashification of Jean-Luc Picard (00:42:23)
Ira’s Take on TNG (00:53:03)
Thank You, Counselor Riker! (01:00:05)
The Changing Flavor of TNG (01:05:21)
Prosthetnic Vorgon Jeltz (01:10:04)
Max Grodenchek is Everywhere! (01:17:17)
A Few More Thoughts on Vash… (01:21:49)
Final Thoughts (01:24:00)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Aaron Harvey

Guests
Matthew Rushing and Mike Schindler

Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Direct download: trr-196.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 5:30am MDT

191: Robotic Loverboy

In Theory.

The last person you’d expect to be looking for love on the Enterprise is Data. But that’s just what happens in “In Theory.” Well, Data wasn’t actually looking for love, but once it presented itself the prospect got its own subroutine … and the 1701-D became The Love Boat, filled with advice from corners both expected and not.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Andi VanderKolk, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss our robotic loverboy, the Riker book of moves, the future of human-android relations, and, unexpectedly, what cats do on starships. It’s all part of the fun when we share our theory of “In Theory.”

In our news segment, we discuss William Shatner's idea for a Star Trek musical, The Oatmeal's retelling of a famous Gene Roddenberry story, and some exciting news about our network.

News
Shatner interested in a Star Trek musical? (00:03:45)
The Oatmeal tells Gene Roddenberry’s story (00:13:45)
Trek.fm merchandise now available! (00:21:52)

Feature: In Theory
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:30:20)
Robotic Loverboy (00:36:20)
Geordi La Forge: Love Counselor (00:57:20)
Random Observations (01:18:30)
B-Plot Unnecessary? (01:25:33)
Final Thoughts (01:33:00)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Charlynn Schmiedt

Guests
Andi VanderKolk and Zachary Fruhling

Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

In Theory. The last person you’d expect to be looking for love on the Enterprise is Data. But that’s just what happens in “In Theory.” We discuss our robotic loverboy, the Riker book of moves, and much more.

Direct download: trr-191.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 8:04am MDT

185: Space Mystery Inc.

Devil’s Due.

We’ve all heard the expression “selling your soul to the Devil.” The people of Ventax II took this perhaps a bit too literally when nature started getting restless and a con-artist with a claim to the planet showed up. Who can save the day? Well, Kirk, of course. We mean Picard. This is a TNG episode, after all. Only it isn’t.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Daniel Proulx, Jarrah Hodge, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss all things Ardra, how the script for “Devil’s Due” was repurposed for TNG from the aborted Phase II series, how societies fall into apocalyptic thinking, whether Picard’s role would have worked better with Kirk, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss the first major update to the Star Trek Encyclopedia in 16 years, leaked photos from the next film, and who we think the Star Trek Beyond villain might be.

 

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Daniel Proulx

 

Guests

Jarrah Hodge and Zachary Fruhling

 

Editor and Producer

C Bryan Jones

 

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

 

Associate Producers

Renee Roberts and Zachary Fruhling

 

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

 

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

 

News

Star Trek Encyclopedia Due for Major Update (00:04:30)

Star Trek Beyond Leaked Images and Villain (00:11:41)

 

Feature: Devil’s Due

Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:26:09)

The TOS of it All: Adapting the Phase II Script (00:37:46)

Picard/Data or Kirk/Spock (00:47:34)

Apocalyptic Thinking (00:51:42)

Ardra’s Motivations (01:06:53)

The Holodeck Setup (01:18:12)

Final Thoughts (01:22:02)

 

Send us your feedback!

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Direct download: trr-185.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 12:08am MDT

178: It’s All About the Zippers

Déjà Q.

After three appearances as a thorn in Picard’s side, Q has been kicked out of the omnipotence club. With only a split second to decide his own fate, Q chose to be made human and sent to the ship of his only friend in the universe: Jean Luc Picard. But was this really a good idea?

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Will Nguyen, Andi VanderKolk, and Daniel Handlin to discuss the third-season TNG episode “Déjà Q.” We take a look at the cruel and unusual punishment meted out by Q’s fellow superfriends, how he handles terrifying experiences like getting hungry and falling asleep, and what he learns about being human from Data. We also reach into the Magic Bag of B-Plot Crises and pull out the “falling moon” card… just like the writers!

In our news segment, we share our thoughts on Simon Pegg’s comments that Paramount found Orci’s original Star Trek 3 script “too Trek-y,” what the Chinese starship building really looks like to us, and the potential of the upcoming game Star Trek Timelines. Plus, stick around for the closing segment where we discuss listener feedback about a new Star Trek series and CBS All Access.

 

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Will Nguyen

 

Guests

Andi VanderKolk and Daniel Handlin

 

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

 

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

 

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

 

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

 

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

 

News

China’s Star Trek Starship Building (00:02:24)

Simon Pegg Says Paramount Doesn’t Want “Too Trek-y” (00:04:40)

Star Trek Timelines Nearing Launch (00:19:15)

 

Feature: Déjà Q

Intro and Synopsis (00:30:14)

First Impressions (00:34:23)

Banished from the Continuum (00:42:46)

Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Q as a Human (00:51:54)

The Magic Bag of Crisis Plots (01:05:56)

Data Teaches Humanity 101 (01:19:05)

A More Serious Tone? (01:28:14)

Final Thoughts (01:31:48)

Closing: Star Trek and CBS All Access (01:35:44)

 

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Direct download: trr-178.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 3:49am MDT

172: Jacking With His Earl Grey

Lessons.

They say music brings us all together, and that was certainly the case when Captain Picard met Lt. Commander Nella Darren. “Lessons” is perhaps the best glimpse we got into Picard’s emotional side—at least where relationships are concerned—during The Next Generation’s seven-year TV run. It was an attempt by the writers to tackle the subject of workplace romance, as well as the challenges and isolation faced by a captain. But did the resolution really connect with the message?

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing and Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss Picard’s extended robe time, how one stellar cartography officer took over the entire ship—and the captain’s heart—and why Geordi’s hearing knocking in engineering. We also connect Picard’s openness here with what we see in the character during TNG’s film run, and we revel in the music and how melodies can take us back to specific places in time.

In our news segment we discuss the possibility of a new Star Trek attraction at Universal Orlando, and which character from each series would be the most fun to hand out with on the weekend.

 

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing

 

Guest

Charlynn Schmiedt

 

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

 

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

 

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

 

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

 

News

Is Star Trek Returning to Universal Orlando? (00:04:18)

The Most Fun Character to Hand Out With Is… (00:14:43)

 

Feature: Lessons

Intro and Synopsis (00:25:32)

The Captain’s Off Hours (A.K.A. Robe Time) (00:32:22)

Writing Future Relationships (00:36:21)

The Dating Captain (00:46:48)

Picard’s Continuity (00:59:28)

Falling In Love for the First Time (01:09:04)

Musical Connections in Space and Time (01:17:02)

Final Thoughts (01:19:26)

Closing (01:27:12)

 

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Direct download: trr-172.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 9:07am MDT

166: Let’s Go Crazy Honey Child

The Naked Now.

When The Next Generation launched, Gene Roddenberry and the writers wanted to make sure it had its own identity and wasn’t perceived as a rehash of The Original Series. So for the second episode, they pulled out a script written in 1967 as a planned sequel to "The Naked Time" and reworked it a bit to feature the crew of this new Galaxy Class starship. More fancy water molecules meant more life-threatening strange behavior, and a story that felt wildly familiar to the fans TNG was trying to win over.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Daniel Proulx, Suzanne Abbott, and Andi VanderKolk to discuss this second take on polywater intoxication, the different ways in which the Enterprise-D crew behave, Riker’s obsession with the showering habits of the 23rd century, weepy drunks, angry drunks, Acting Captain Wesley Crusher, and much more.

In our news segment we look back at 18 years of Star Trek First Contact, find out about the final push for Marc Cushman's These Are the Voyages Volume 3, and debate which crew faced the most adversity.

 

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Daniel Proulx

 

Guests

Suzanne Abbott, and Andi VanderKolk

 

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

 

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

 

News

Marking 18 years since First Contact (00:02:59)

Poll: The crew that faced the most adversity was... (00:22:19)

Support Marc Cushman's These Are the Voyages, Volume 3 (00:32:27)

 

Feature: The Naked Time

Intro and Synopsis (00:43:34)

A Second Dose of Polywater (00:50:45)

Android Love and Fashion: Writing Yar (00:59:59)

Horny Doctor (01:05:45)

Confused Counselor (01:08:52)

Riker’s Leggy Playground (01:13:21)

Weepy Drunk, Angry Drunk (01:18:34)

If You Prick Him, Does He Not Leak? (01:27:47)

Acting Captain Wesley Crusher (01:33:39)

Nekkid Remastering (01:37:01)

Closing (01:45:06)

 

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Direct download: trr-166.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 7:00am MDT

161: An Homage with a Capital H

Sarek.

First introduced in “Journey to Babel,” Sarek of Vulcan is one of the best known characters from The Original Series, perhaps due primarily to his role in The Search for Spock and subsequent TOS films. Following McCoy’s cameo in “Encounter at Farpoint,” it took a while for familiar faces from Star Trek's past to return to the screen. Finally, in the TNG's third season, the wall between past and present began to come down as Spock's father came aboard Picard's Enterprise. Seeing Sarek shed tears at a musical performance and lose control of his emotions was a major advancement in making Vulcans more than just "logical," but making this happen wasn't as straightforward as one would think.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we're joined by Matthew Rushing, Larry Nemecek, and John Champion to discuss the episode "Sarek," how the evolution of the story showed continuing reservations on the part of Gene Roddenberry about connecting TOS and TNG even near the end of TNG's third season, as well as Sarek's place within the Star Trek universe and the battle to speak Spock's name on screen.

In our news segment, we debate which series deserved an additional season, io9's list of the Top 100 episodes, and play with Larami's classic Star Trek: The Motion Picture tie-in toys from 1979.

 

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing

 

Guests

Larry Nemecek and John Champion

 

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

 

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

 

News

Looking back at Larami Star Trek: The Motion Picture Tie-ins (3:02)

Poll: Which Star Trek series deserved another season? (11:51)

io9's list of the Top 100 Star Trek episodes (28:56)

Sponsor: Audible (37:46)

 

Feature: Sarek

Intro and Synopsis (41:24)

Sarek's Place in Star Trek (44:20)

Bring Sarek to The Next Generation (52:39)

Evolving Vulcans, Shedding Light on Emotion (1:16:30)

Slapping John Champion Crusher (1:29:12)

Spock Is Voldemort (1:33:42)

Final Thoughts (1:42:34)

Closing (1:50:11)

 

Send us your feedback!

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Direct download: trr-161.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 6:51pm MDT