The Ready Room: A Star Trek Podcast
184: The Tribble Whisperer

The Trouble with Tribbles.

They’re the cutest, most prolific aliens in the Star Trek universe—and also the furriest. They are, of course, Tribbles. And at six credits a head—or a body—they also make for good business. At least that’s what Cyrano Jones thought … until the critters got hankerin’ for some wheat. “The Trouble with Tribbles” remains one of the most beloved Star Trek episodes nearly 50 years after it aired, and in this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Andi VanderKolk, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss why that is.

In our news segment, we discuss Nichelle Nichols’s upcoming NASA flight, Shatner’s mosaic tribute to Leonard Nimoy, and Creation’s plans for Star Trek’s 50th anniversary in Vegas. And, we also remember TOS guest star Yvonne Craig.

 

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

 

Guests

Andi VanderKolk 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

Remembering Yvonne Craig (00:03:55)

Nichelle Nichols to Fly with NASA’s SOFIA (00:07:27)

Shatner’s Creates a Mosaic Tribute to Nimoy (10:40)

Star Trek Las Vegas 2016 Dates Set! (00:15:19)

 

Feature: The Trouble with Tribbles

Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:22:32)

Blending Seriousness and Humor (00:32:49)

Ecological Messages (00:44:10)

The Proto Quark (00:49:30)

Continuity in TOS? (00:52:55)

There Be Klingons Here! (00:57:38)

Different Perspectives (01:03:13)

An Elegant Symmetry (01:10:26)

Final Thoughts (01:19:54)

 

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Direct download: trr-184.mp3
Category:The Original Series -- posted at: 9:07am MDT

183: Breaking Out with a Bad Case of Hooves

Bounty.

Along with the Andorians, the Tellarites are one of the most memorable races from Star Trek that got almost no love after The Original Series went off the air. Even the TOS films merely gave them blink-of-an-eye-cameo attention (in The Voyage Home and The Undiscovered Country). But never fear! As with their fellow, antennae-donning Federation-founders, Enterprise came to the rescue. Sort of. The first Tellarite the 22nd-century gave us didn’t look—nor act—much like those we met in “Journey to Babel.”

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry Nemecek, Norm Lao, and Will Nguyen, to discuss our hoofed friends and the episode “Bounty.” We explore the first draft of the script, in which the bounty hunter was not Tellarite, and also delve into what it takes to make a new Star Trek series that meets fan expectations for in-universe connections, yet feels fresh at the same time.

In our news segment, we catch up with Larry post-San Diego Comic-Con to talk about the state of Star Trek fandom at conventions, preview plans for Star Trek Las Vegas, and find out what secrets Larry has stashed away in a portal labeled 47.

 

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

 

Guests

Norman C. Lao and Will Nguyen

 

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

Larry’s San Diego Comic-Con Recap (00:01:55)

Star Trek Las Vegas + Geek Nation Tours Update (00:10:10)

Introducing Portal 47 (00:17:43)

 

Feature: Bounty

Intro and Synopsis (00:32:36)

Tellarite Spotting (00:35:42)

Becoming Tellarite (00:52:14)

The D Plot (01:02:25)

Making a Better Show? (01:10:56)

Missing TOS Links (01:28:17)

Final Thoughts (01:33:12)

 

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Direct download: trr-183.mp3
Category:Enterprise -- posted at: 6:17am MDT

182: Getting It Done In a Nighty

Eye of the Needle.

When Voyager first started making its way home from the Delta Quadrant, the crew were full of hope that they would find a way home that was as quick as the one that stranded them. In “Eye of the Needle,” such a thing almost happened, and the helping hand came from a familiar foe: the Romulans.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Will Nguyen, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss this story from when Voyager was still fresh, the Doctor’s identity dilemma, the crew’s family connections, and the science behind it all.

In our news segment we take a first look at Hallmark’s 2016 Star Trek ornaments lineup, William Shatner and the Autobiography of Captain James T. Kirk, and discuss Idris Elba’s role as lead villain in the first Peggverse film.

 

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Charlynn Schmiedt

 

Guests

Will Nguyen 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

First look at Hallmark’s 2016 ornaments (00:05:42)

Shatner reads Captain Kirk’s autobiography (00:18:06)

Idris Elba and Star Trek Beyond’s lead villain (00:22:59)

 

Feature: Eye of the Needle

Initial Thoughts (00:33:14)

The Science of It All (00:43:48)

Delta Debbie Downer (00:58:14)

The Doctor’s Identity Crisis (01:04:38)

All in the Family (01:14:58)

Too Soon to the Well? (01:20:16)

Final Thoughts (01:28:25)

 

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Direct download: trr-182.mp3
Category:Voyager -- posted at: 3:58am MDT

181: Axanar ... It’s About What the Story Wants

Axanar.

There’s a movement that is taking Star Trek fandom by storm. It’s on a screen near you, but it isn’t coming from the studios you’d expect. The movement is Axanar, and it’s Star Trek that fans at conventions—seeing it on screen in the booth—have mistaken for the next TV series. After the success of Prelude, it’s time for the final push to film the full Axanar.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Norman C. Lao are joined by Axanar creator and executive producer Alec Peters and director Robert Meyer Burnett to discuss why they want to make the best independent Star Trek film you’ve ever seen, how they plan to do it, how you can help, and why they’re sure that the Star Trek universe really does exist.

In our news segment we discuss Adam Nimoy’s Kickstarter success, an official costume contest for Star Trek Las Vegas, and whether Star Trek 3 will pay homage to Star Trek V.

 

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Norman C. Lao

 

Guests

Alec Peters and Robert Meyer Burnett

 

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

For the Love of Spock Funded (00:05:13)

Official STLV Costume Contest(00:13:47)

Star Trek 3 Loves Star Trek V? (00:26:21)

 

Feature: Axanar

What is Axanar? (00:36:56)

Born of FASA and Geekdom (00:45:28)

Canon, Time Periods, and Design Philosophy (00:51:04)

The Challenges of Continuity(00:57:29)

Beholden to our Donors (01:07:07)

Collaboration Makes It Better(01:13:53)

The Indiegogo Campaign (01:24:47)

Culmination of a Lifelong Dream(01:49:26)

Closing(01:55:33)

 

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Direct download: trr-181.mp3
Category:Axanar -- posted at: 10:38am MDT

180: You’ve Got Mail!

His Way.

When you can start a show with a lengthy cold-open featuring a tuxedo-clad James Darren crooning a jazz standard—and do it on a Cardassian-built space station in the 24th century—you know you’ve got something special. And that’s just what the Deep Space Nine writers did near the end of the show’s sixth season with “His Way.” It was the culmination of a game a romantic cat-and-mouse between Odo and Kira, but also solidified a creative freedom that would ensure that DS9’s final season would not be hindered by a studio that would make the show square.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Will Nguyen, Sue Kaye, and Jeffrey Harlan to discuss how a light bulb with pretty sweet pipes gave DS9 a special twist, what he meant to the Station’s crew, holographic rights, the Odo-Kira relationship, and more.

In our news segment we debate the results of StarTrek.com’s DS9 Captains poll, discuss the first Trek.fm Patrons Roundtable, and remember James Horner, who brought us so many great film scores.

 

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Will Nguyen

 

Guests

Sue Kaye and Jeffrey Harlan

 

Editor and Producer

C Bryan Jones

 

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

 

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts and Zachary Fruhling

 

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

 

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

 

News

Remembering James Horner (00:04:29)

The first Trek.fm Patrons Roundtable (00:09:01)

Poll: The DS9 Character who would make the best captain is… (00:14:39)

 

Feature: His Way

Intro and Synopsis (00:23:15)

Initial Thoughts (00:27:18)

DS9 Gets Jazzy: Introducing Vic (00:30:54)

AI and Sentience: An Ethical Quandary (00:39:11)

Three Couples Walk Into a Bar… (00:50:18)

Don’t Be a Square: Prepping Odo for Romance (00:57:31)

A Loving Outcome (01:13:37)

Pairing Off On the Station (01:23:54)

Final Thoughts (01:29:50)

Closing (01:37:02)

 

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Direct download: trr-180.mp3
Category:Deep Space Nine -- posted at: 8:25am MDT

179: For the Love of Spock

Adam Nimoy Talks Star Trek, Documentary, and Dad.

Perhaps no one better symbolizes Star Trek—and the message behind  it—than Leonard Nimoy. Just as fathers influence their children, Leonard Nimoy did this for millions around the world. And in this episode of The Ready Room, recorded on Father’s Day, hosts Christopher Jones and Larry Nemecek are joined by someone who knows this better than anyone: Leonard’s son, Adam. Currently working on a documentary called “For The Love of Spock,” Adam helps us all remember the incredible talent and influence that his father brought to the world as we discuss the project, his life growing up with a famous dad, his own work directing episodes of TNG, and much more.

In our news segment, we share our thoughts on the recent news that Paramount has invited a fan to pitch their idea for a TV series—previously called Star Trek Beyond, but now renamed Star Trek Uncharted. We also check in on Nichelle Nichols’s recovery, and Mike Rittenhouse and Noah Butler of the band Five Year Mission drop by to preview their upcoming EP release, “Spock’s Brain.”

 

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Larry Nemecek

 

Guests

Adam Nimoy, Noah Butler, and Mike Rittenhouse

 

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

Paramount invites Michael Gummelt to pitch Star Trek Uncharted (00:04:34)

Five Year Mission previews the “Spock’s Brain” EP (00:20:05)

Nichelle Nichols recovering well from stroke (00:39:03)

 

Feature: Adam Nimoy: For the Love of Spock

The Genesis of the Documentary (00:45:35)

Reactions to Leonard Nimoy’s Passing (00:48:58)

A Personal Story (00:52:44)

Father-Son Dynamic (01:03:13)

Directing Star Trek: The Next Generation (01:10:21)

Views on the J.J. Abrams Films (01:18:56)

Leonard Nimoy’s Last Few Years (01:23:10)

Status of the Documentary (01:27:12)

How You Can Help Make “For the Love of Spock” (01:34:23)

Closing (01:44:47)

 

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Direct download: trr-179.mp3
Category:Documentaries -- posted at: 10:01am 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!

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

177: We Have Found ALL the Culture

The City On the Edge of Forever.

Nearly 50 years after it was written, “City” remains one of the most beloved of all Star Trek episodes. It’s the first time travel story that most fans remember (sorry “Naked Time” and “Tomorrow Is Yesterday”) and made screwing with the past cool long before it became Star Trek’s go-to trope. But, as a story that really lacks most of what makes TOS what it is, why does this story transcend time?

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Phillip Gilfus, Andi VanderKolk, and Daniel Proulx to seek out the answer. We explore the premise, the time travel mechanism, soft-focus lighting, Edith Keeler’s place in time, Kirk’s dilemma, and what the story might have been like had it been set in Chicago—as Harlan Ellison originally wrote it. And, along the way, we find all the culture. Or at least most of it.

In our news segment, we share our thoughts on Jonathan Frakes’s recent comments about Star Trek not returning to television, and we remember the woman who, with her beehive hair and just eight appearances, helped define The Original Series.

 

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Phillip Gilfus

 

Guests

Andi VanderKolk and Daniel Proulx

 

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

Remembering Grace Lee Whitney (00:04:11)

Frakes Says No New Star Trek on TV (00:10:48)

 

Feature: The City On the Edge of Forever

Intro and Synopsis (00:23:31)

First Impressions (00:29:27)

The Grandaddy of Time Travel Stories (00:37:40)

Edith Keeler Must Die! (00:47:56)

Spot-on Spock and Kirk (00:58:47)

Kirk’s Decision (01:01:05)

Unitards, Sequels, and CULTURE! (01:07:38)

Final Thoughts (01:15:13)

Closing (01:27:13)

 

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Direct download: trr-177.mp3
Category:The Original Series -- posted at: 8:54am MDT

176: A Clever Lampshade

Judgment.

After a number of run-ins with the Klingons during Enterprise’s first two seasons, Captain Archer finally found himself in a place familiar to Star Trek fans: a Klingon courtroom. “Judgment” takes us back to the ice caves of Rura Penthe, but it also does more than simply repeat the events of The Undiscovered Country. It also attempts to add some depth to Klingon society.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Norm Lao, Will Nguyen, and Phillip Gilfus to discuss Archer’s trial, why the Klingons have it out for him, whether the use of Star Trek VI tie-ins was a clever connection or a creative crutch, and why the Klingons should be glad Mystery, Inc. didn’t make a cameo.

In our news segment we share our thoughts on Sofia Boutella’s signing to a lead role in the next Star Trek film, and we discuss the StarTrek.com poll that asked which alien race you would most want to make first contact with.

 

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Norman C. Lao

 

Guests

Phillip Gilfus and Will Nguyen

 

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

 

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

 

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

 

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

 

News

Sofia Boutella signs on for lead role in Star Trek 3 (00:02:02)

Poll: The alien you want to make first contact with is… (00:14:06)

 

Feature: Judgment

Intro and Synopsis (00:28:32)

Kolos and the Rise of the Warrior Class (00:36:02)

Meeting Duras Again… for the First Time (00:50:57)

Communicating the Details (00:56:47)

Rura Penthe: Creative Crutch? (01:02:26)

A Clever Lampshade (01:16:14)

Archer on Trial (01:20:24)

Final Thoughts (01:28:11)

Closing (01:35:51)

 

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Direct download: trr-176.mp3
Category:Enterprise -- posted at: 1:13am MDT

175: Don’t Knock the Cucumber Sandwiches

Persistence of Vision.

Someone didn’t have their coffee this morning. And when you’re a starship captain with little faith in your first officer, you gotta have your joe. There’s never enough time to do everything that needs to be done, and keeping the ship running smoothly has left Janeway with little time to eat (but apparently time to go goth—not in the way you think).

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Suzanne Abbott, and Phillip Gilfus to unravel the mysteries of “Persistence of Vision,” Janeway’s exhaustion and hallucinations that may be caused by a creepy alien (but may be due to problems with the holodeck… or both), why Sybok is in the Delta Quadrant, and, of course, to get down with Mrs. Templeton.

In our news segment we share our thoughts on the Latino Review article claiming that CBS is preparing to bring Star Trek back to television, Simon Pegg’s comments about the next film, and we kick off our traditional speculation on a possible villain (this time we’re sure it’s not Khan).

 

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Charlynn Schmiedt

 

Guests

Suzanne Abbott and Phillip Gilfus

 

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

 

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

 

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

 

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

 

News

CBS looking to being Star Trek back to TV? (00:04:13)

Simon Pegg, Idris Elba, and Star Trek 3 (00:14:06)

 

Feature: Persistence of Vision

Intro and Synopsis (00:22:50)

Gothic Janeway (00:27:20)

Grumpy Janeway (00:37:31)

Lonely Janeway (00:46:26)

Tom’s Mystery Dad (00:51:16)

Voyager’s Sybok (00:55:15)

B’Ekotay (00:59:54)

Random Notes (01:04:42)

Final Thoughts (01:14:28)

Closing (01:21:47)

 

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Direct download: trr-175.mp3
Category:Voyager -- posted at: 7:39pm MDT