The Ready Room: A Star Trek Podcast
194: Two Guys, a Ship, and a Bourbon Bottle

Shuttlepod One.

Some of the best episodes of Star Trek are heavy on dialogue and light on action. But taking two characters and shoving them into a tiny space, from which they deliver incessant dialogue for 45 minutes, was a gutsy move for a new show trying to engage skeptical audiences in its first season. Did it pay off?

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Daniel Proulx, and Kevin Reitzel to discuss this very small bottle show, what it tells us about the characters, hope vs. pessimism, the deleted scene, and more. Oh … and we might mention T’Pol once of twice.

In our news segment, we look back at 24 years of The Undiscovered Country, debate the StarTrek.com poll that asked which captain you would want to swap places with for a day, and discuss Star Trek Beyond piggybacking on Star Wars: The Force Awakens with a first trailer.

News
24 Years of Star Trek VI (00:03:08)
Poll: Swapping Places with a Captain (00:14:25)
The Force Awakens Star Trek Beyond (00:20:18)

Feature: Shuttlepod One
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:32:18)
A (Very Small) Bottle Show (00:46:01)
Jumping to Conclusions (00:53:11)
Short Tempers (00:58:09)
Hope vs. Pessimism (01:07:56)
All Talk, No Action (01:13:43)
Malcom’s Fantasy Island (01:20:50)
The Deleted Scene (01:28:54)
Final Thoughts (01:34:25)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Guests
Daniel Proulx and Kevin Reitzel

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-194.mp3
Category:Enterprise -- posted at: 7:04am MDT

193: He's a Fake!

Deadlock.

Voyager is known for telling stories that rely heavily on technobabble. Sometimes it supports the story, sometimes it doesn’t. Season Two’s “Deadlock” is one of those cases in which technobabble was inescapable, but also necessary. How else do you explain two Voyager’s, two disheveled buns of steel, and Harry Kim’s dopplegänger?

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry Nemecek, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Brandon-Shea Mutala to discuss the oddity that is “Deadlock,” parallel universes, Vidiians, generational ships, Chakotay’s weird baby comments, an inordinate number of script changes, and much more.

In our news segment, we look back at 19 years of First Contact and 29 years of The Voyage Home, talk with Terrace Cassidy about Geek Nation Tours’ new “Touch the Stars” program, and try to unravel the mysterious case of Enterprise stunt director Vince Deadrick’s disappearing chair.

News
29 Years of Star Trek IV (00:03:21)
19 Years of First Contact (00:13:23)
Vince Deadrick's Missing Chair (00:21:12)
GNT Touching the Stars (00:26:09)
Holiday Gifts and Specials! (39:26)

Feature: Deadlock
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:48:11)
A Rainbow of Script Changes (00:56:54)
Saving Ensign Harry (01:03:17)
Parallel Universes (01:08:49)
More of Brannon’s “Weird Shit” (01:12:05)
(Not) Having Chakotay's Baby? (01:17:07)
Have Your Phase Variance 47 Ways (01:18:18)
Padding Through Technobabble (01:22:41)
Based on a Fake Story (01:32:44)
A Generational Ship (01:35:24)
Deus Ex Vidiian (01:43:07)
Final Thoughts (01:54:44)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Guests
Charlynn Schmiedt, Brandon-Shea Mutala, and Terrace Cassidy

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-193.mp3
Category:Voyager -- posted at: 8:35am MDT

192: Even the Devil Believes

In the Hands of the Prophets.

At the end of its first season, Deep Space Nine really began to take on the form that would define the series. The writers wanted to follow up the powerful “Duet” with something even better, even more layered. To do this, they brought together the Federation’s scientific approach to the world and the Bajorans’ religious one. The clash of philosophies tells us a lot about our own world as well as Gene Roddenberry’s vision for Star Trek. And it introduced us to one of Star Trek’s great villains.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Will Nguyen, Mike Morrison, and Ken Tripp to discuss DS9’s first-season finale, “In the Hands of the Prophets,” the introduction of Winn and Bareil, handling religion on Star Trek, Keiko the grumpy, Sisko the mediator, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss the comments of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group president Marc Evan about a possible grittier future for Star Trek, and Dayton Ward’s upcoming travel guide that will get you ready for your visit to Vulcan.

News
Star Trek: Thirty Dark Zero or SEAL Team Six? (00:03:37)
Hidden Universe Travel Guide to Vulcan (00:12:26)

Feature: In the Hands of the Prophets
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:23:31)
Setting the Tone (00:33:45)
Representing Roddenberry’s Vision (00:48:04)
Handling a Sensitive Subject (00:53:47)
The Thesis of Secularism (01:00:23)
Winn and Kira: Religion vs. Spirituality (01:09:20)
Introducing Fletcher’s Winn and Anglim’s Bareil (01:17:55)
Final Thoughts (01:25:41)
Listener Feedback (01:36:01)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Will Nguyen

Guests
Mike Morrison and Ken Tripp

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-192.mp3
Category:Deep Space Nine -- posted at: 9:57pm 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

190: The New Star Trek Series, with Larry Nemecek

A Closer Look at CBS’s Plans.

It’s been more than a decade since Star Trek left the air, and at long last CBS has answered the cries of fans. In January 2017, Star Trek will return to TV with an all-new series. But what form will it take?

In this special episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry Nemecek to take a closer look at the nuts and bolts of the CBS announcement, debate the setting—Prime Universe or Abramsverse—consider the format this Trek might take as a made-for-streaming show, explore Alex Kurtzman’s Star Trek fandom, consider how CBS will handle the creation of a series in the age of social media, and, of course, touch on the controversial distribution method.

Chapters
Waking Up to the News (00:02:18)
The Nuts and Bolts (00:07:00)
Prime of J.J. Abrams (00:13:34)
Movie vs. TV as an Origin Point (00:25:32)
The Format (00:30:38)
More About Kurtzman (00:45:53)
The Development Process: What to Expect (00:51:26)
Launching in the Age of Social Media (00:58:19)
The Great Distribution Controversy (01:14:47)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

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-190.mp3
Category:Star Trek 2017 -- posted at: 7:53am MDT

189: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Topaline!

Friday’s Child.

When fans think of Klingon episodes on TOS, they think of “Errand of Mercy,” “Day of the Dove,” and “The Trouble with Tribbles.” The second appearance of the classic villains was made in what is really a Bones story—they just happen to be there. “Friday's Child” gets overlooked by fans, yet it builds upon the Organian Peace Treaty and allows Dr. McCoy to step into the spotlight all at the same time.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry Nemecek, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss the other Vasquez Rocks show, those dastardly Klingons, wearing carpet in the desert, how Dorothy Fontana handles the symmetry between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, and whether or not “Friday’s Child” is the most undervalued TOS episode.

In our news segment, we discuss the recent Beverly Crusher Day and upcoming Deanna Troi Day, more from the Star Trek Beyond Dubai set and its alien faces, and we discuss the StarTrek.com poll that asked which series has the saddest episodes.

News
#BeverlyCrusherDay + #DeannaTroiDay (00:02:59)
Poll: The series with the saddest episodes is… ? (00:07:58)
More Star Trek Beyond Dubai and Aliens (00:18:05)

Feature: Friday’s Child
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:23:06)
The Most Undervalued TOS Episode? (00:34:38)
Symmetry in Character (00:41:10)
1960s Campiness (00:48:24)
Scotty In Command (01:02:23)
The Other Vasquez Rocks Show (01:05:29)
The Forgotten Klingon Story (01:08:55)
Cultural Relativism + the Prime Directive (01:13:43)
Final Thoughts (01:23:52)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Guests
Charlynn Schmiedt 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)

Direct download: trr-189.mp3
Category:The Original Series -- posted at: 10:59pm MDT

188: The Law Firm of T’Pol & T’Pol

E2.

During Enterprise’s third season, the crew’s mission to find the Xindi superweapon took an unexpected turn when they encountered … themselves. Well, not exactly themselves, but their offspring. In a time travel story that had nothing to do with the Temporal Cold War, Archer stumbled upon a helping hand in the form of Trip and T’Pol’s son. And along the way, the crew caught a glimpse of what their personal lives would—or could—become. In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Norm Lao, Will Nguyen, and Mike Morrison to discuss how the story fits into the overall Xindi arc, the balance between temporal mechanics and character building, and, of course, what happens when you get two T’Pol’s together in one room.

In our news segment, we discuss some 50th anniversary Ships of the Line art prints, the Autobiography of James T. Kirk, the Star Trek Beyond Dubai set, and we debate the results of the StarTrek.com "Best Couple" poll.

News
Art prints and books (00:06:13)
Poll: The Best Star Trek Couple is… ? (00:18:46)
Star Trek Beyond Dubai (00:34:33)

Feature: E2
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:47:54)
A Time Travel Story (01:00:18)
A Generational Ship (01:16:45)
Playing Vulcan, Playing Human (01:21:41)
Trip and T'Pol (01:28:49)
The T'Pol Tea Scene (01:36:13)
Final Thoughts (01:49:26)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Norman C. Lao

Guests
Will Nguyen 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) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Direct download: trr-188.mp3
Category:Enterprise -- posted at: 11:25pm MDT

Mike Sussman talks Voyager Season Seven.

As Voyager entered its final season, fans had a lot of questions. Would the crew get home? Would it happen before the finale? Would Neelix and Seven make the trip to Earth? Would Janeway and Chakotay finally hook up? Would Harry die one more time? Lots of questions. We know what we ultimately got on screen, but what went on behind the scenes?

In this special episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by someone who was there in the writers room, Mike Sussman. After successfully selling the story that would become “Unimatrix Zero,” Mike then landed a spot of the writing staff for Voyager’s final season, and would go on to become a writer and producer on Enterprise.

Mike joins C Bryan Jones, Larry Nemecek, and Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss many moments and aspects of Season Seven, including “The Haunting of Deck Twelve,” “Prophecy,” “Repentance,” and of course “Unimatrix Zero” and the Borg. We also discuss writing The Doctor, stories pitched but not produced, the development of Enterprise while wrapping Voyager, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss a restoration project for the original Enterprise filming model, get an update on Portal 47, and look back at the impact of Robert Wise and The Motion Picture on Star Trek.

News
Red Shirt Diaries Season Two Premiere (00:01:54)
Restoring the original Enterprise shooting model (00:08:09)
Robert Wise and the impact of The Motion Picture (00:18:55)
Portal 47 update (00:33:29)

Feature: Voyager Season Seven with Mike Sussman
Going from Fan to Staff Writer (00:44:59)
Mike’s Early Spec Scripts and Pitches (00:54:00)
Joining the Voyager Staff (01:01:06)
The Haunting of Deck Twelve (01:07:30)
Third Chances and the Enterprise Transition (01:13:34)
Voyager in the Shadow of Enterprise (01:18:20)
Prophecy and Delta Quadrant Klingons (01:20:48)
Unimatrix Zero and the Borg (01:28:48)
Repentance (01:34:32)
Writing the Doctor (01:38:49)
A Talented Writing Team (01:42:06)
Voyager’s (Alternate) Ending(s) (01:44:20)
Conflicts with Enterprise? (01:51:05)
Looking Back as a Fan (01:54:11)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Guests
Mike Sussman and Charlynn Schmiedt

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-187.mp3
Category:Voyager -- posted at: 5:38am MDT

186: Giant Life-Altering Enigma

The Visitor.

One of Deep Space Nine’s most loved episodes is an enigma in and of itself. Focusing on just one main character, played by someone other than the normal actor, “The Visitor” highlights the power of DS9’s concept to tell character-driven stories that transcend the usual Star Trek formula. This tale of Jake Sisko’s life after losing his father in a freak accident tugs at the heartstrings for so many viewers—and the intensity of this effect depends on your own life experiences.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Will Nguyen, Phillip Gilfus, and Jeremy Reed to discuss the unusual concept, the performances of Tony Todd and Rachel Robinson, the father-son relationship between Benjamin and Jake Sisko, how Star Trek uses the future time frame, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss the VFX fixes found only in the Netflix version of TNG, and share our thoughts on the diverse and Star Wars-like aliens found in the Abramsverse.

 

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Nguyen

 

Guests

Phillip Gilfus and Jeremy Reed

 

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

TNG Visual Fixes for Netflix (00:06:57)

The Aliens of the Abramsverse: Good or Bad? (00:17:03)

 

Feature: The Visitor

Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:26:34)

The Concept (00:38:40)

Tony Todd as Jake Sisko (00:46:49)

Mental Health in the Future (00:54:22)

Remember (01:02:26)

Jake’s Path (01:08:11)

Father and Son (01:12:49)

Rachel Robinson (01:17:24)

The Future Time Frame (01:22:46)

Star Trek’s Best? (01:32:24)

Final Thoughts (01:39:28)

 

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-186.mp3
Category:Deep Space Nine -- posted at: 10:04am 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!

Twitter: @trekfm

Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm

Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm

Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm

Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

 

Support the Network!

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