The Ready Room: A Star Trek Podcast
69: The Ultimate Eff You Finale

Turnabout Intruder.

After 80 produced episodes, Star Trek bid us farewell on June 3, 1969, with one of the most bizarre stories of the series. It was a finale filled with moaning, out-of-character acting, and a fab bass line. With one last shot, there’s a bit of everything for TOS fans in what’s more a clearing house for William Shatner’s acting than an actual finale. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by our Managing Editor Charlynn Schmiedt, TOS Editor Drew Stewart, and Jennie Zell of Dork Trek, Playing Doctor, and Broadcast to explore “Turnabout Intruder” and why it’s a wicked fun romp that leaves you feeling like Gene Roddenberry gave you the Winnie.

In news we discuss Destination Star Trek London and a special con exclusive from Star Trek The Official Magazine, Haynes Publishing’s Klingon Bird-of-Prey owner’s manual, a possible Paramount theme park in England, the 2013 Star Trek wall calendars, StarTrek.com’s poll of the best series opening credits, and we reveal the hidden message that can be found in the Deep Space Nine theme music. 

Direct download: trr-069.mp3
Category:The Original Series -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

68: Busting Through a Room Divider

The Andorian Incident.

The launch of Enterprise marked the return of one of Star Trek’s favourite aliens—the Andorians. After four appearances on The Original Series, the Andorians were rarely seen. We caught glimpses twice each in TAS, TNG, and the TOS films. Then nothing. But Enterprise took the Andorians and made them a cornerstone of the 22nd century storyline with 16 appearances led by one of Star Trek’s greatest actors, Jeffrey Combs. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by our TOS editor Drew Stewart and Ben McCormick of Dork Trek and Playing Doctor to discuss the triumphant return of our blue-skinned friends in “The Andorian Incident.”

In news we discuss Ronald D. Moore’s thoughts on a new Star Trek series, the Star Trek Renegades Kickstarter, confirmation of Enterprise and the possibility of DS9 on Blu-ray, our impressions of the first issue of Brannon Braga’s Hive comic, and some movie news & rumours… including a very special exclusive. 

Direct download: trr-068.mp3
Category:Enterprise -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

67: Handholding Is a Euphemism

Resolutions.

The relationship between Janeway and Chakotay was filled with emotional and sexual tension—or at least promise—from the start. And Voyager fans waited patiently through the first two seasons to find out if the writers would actually go anywhere with it. In the next-to-last episode of the second season, the one person who should have been able to resolve the issue penned a story with the promising title “Resolutions.” But the real question is whether or not the show was capable of delving into the issue on a meaningful level. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt and Lorrie Sears to discuss “Resolutions” and find out if Jeri Taylor hit the mark as Kathy and Coco shack up on the love planet.

In news we focus on the 25th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation with a whole gaggle of stories about the TNG cast and their missions. And we hope you like primates, because this week we’re all about the monkey. So hop in and let’s go. Allons-y!!! 

Direct download: trr-067.mp3
Category:Voyager -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

66: Bucket-Dwelling Morality

Children of Time.

How far would you go to save someone you love? And to what lengths would regret drive you if a second chance were to present itself? Star Trek has debated the value of the individual on many occasions, but the results and consequences have rarely been as personal as in this time travel story with a twist. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Ben McCormick and Michael Fisher to discuss the fifth-season DS9 episode “Children of Time.” Part love story, part morality play, part bizarre Star Trek “science,” it’s an episode that rewards—and disappoints—on many levels.

In news we cover a chance to get in on a TNG 25th anniversary mosaic, another Star Trek series coming to Blu-ray, quotable Voyager cards, updates on the Shuttle Galileo restoration project, IDW’s December comics, and we take on Topless Robot’s list of the seven most useless Star Trek characters. Plus, we make an inordinate number of references to Doctor Who, Greg channels Jake Sisko, and we explore the mystique of the non-farming Klingons. 

Direct download: trr-066.mp3
Category:Deep Space Nine -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

65: Trent's Glass Ceiling

Angel One.

Early TNG maintained a heavy TOS flavor despite the new ship and new crew. Heavy-handed black-and-white commentary wrapped stories over which Gene Roddenberry still had full control. One such script attempted to address gender inequality by forcing the crew into negotiations with a matriarchal society. It seems like a good idea. But does it work? In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Down In Front’s Brian Finifter and Trek.fm Managing Editor Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss the first-season TNG episode “Angel One.”

In news we remember Lance LeGault and look at the ThinkGeek bat’leth letter opener, an inflatable adult chair for Starfleet officers like you, Star Trek cookie cutters, and a new jazz album that brings familiar sounds from the final frontier. We also discuss the future of holodeck-style gaming and the StarTrek.com poll that makes a Starfleet captain your parent. Plus, we explain why, as a Starfleet officer, you really should be wearing sunglasses at all times.

Direct download: trr-065.mp3
Category:The Next Generation -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

64: You Whip the Captain First

The Gamesters of Triskelion.

When the Enterprise entered orbit of Gamma II to check on an automatic communications and astrogation station, Kirk, Uhura, and Chekov beamed down into one of the most brilliant TOS episodes ever created. From Shatner at his most Shatneresque to Chekov screaming “Cossacks!”, from the trinary star system of Triskelion to the caves of Janus VI, this episode has it all. Reportedly there is a message about slavery in here somewhere. And it all serves to show us how we can live our lives amongst flickers of light—and how you can record a Captain’s Log in virtually any situation. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by our TOS Editor Drew Stewart and our Managing Editor Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss the classic TOS episode “The Gamesters of Triskelion.”

In news we get a hands-on look at Star Trek Catan—fries, shakes, and all—update you on the upcoming TrekMate Podathon for charity, and cover the TNG Season Two Blu-ray release, Google’s Star Trek anniversary doodle, Walter Koenig’s Star Celebration, and the best t-shirt ever made. Plus we come to terms with the realisation that J.J. Abrams and the cast of Star Trek Into Darkness aren’t making Batman. 

Direct download: trr-064.mp3
Category:The Original Series -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

63: A Deeper Appreciation of Her Captain

Twilight.

The reset button is one of Star Trek’s favorite—and most despised—devices; but sometimes it’s just what a storyline is calling for. For the third season of Enterprise the studio decided to take us on a season-long journey into the unknown, into a region known as The Expanse. The Earth-Xindi conflict was a big risk for Star Trek. Creating such an extensive story in Star Trek’s past, involving a race no one had ever heard of, could be considered thumbing one’s nose at canon. Getting fans invested in the outcome of the conflict was no easy task. The solution? An intentional reset button early in the arc that allowed us to see how high the stakes were. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Hyperchannel host Tristan Riddell to discuss this reset button and the episode “Twilight.”

In news we cover the American debut of Star Trek Catan, new Star Trek toys and collectibles from Diamond Select, and we look at IDW’s “The Truth About Tribbles” as well as some Movie News and Rumours—including Benedict Cumberbatch’s boredom over the Khan question and Chris Pine’s decision to really do his job on the Star Trek sequel. Plus we speculate on Tribble starship design and Greg dispenses deep insights into the American sports ball. 

Direct download: trr-063.mp3
Category:Enterprise -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

62: Rationalizing the Hell Out of This

Blink of an Eye.

For someone whose sworn mission was to get her crew home, Kathryn Janeway sure made a lot of unnecessary pitstops. One in particular landed the crew in the ultimate Prime Directive quandary—the kind they don’t even teach you about at the Academy. What do you do when your ship inadvertently becomes the corner of a civilization’s entire belief system and the impetus for their social and technological advancement? Well, of course, you write a book report about it! But after that, how do you set things back on the right track? In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by our Voyager editor Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss the episode “Blink of an Eye.”

In news we cover a chance to win a trip to Star Trek London, a special offer on Koenig Star Celebration tickets, the Wrath of Khan screening with Nicholas Meyer in North Carolina, TrekMate’s 24-hour Podathon for charity, 10 things you may not have known about DS9, and we remember Neil Armstrong and William Windom. Plus Chris and Greg return to their Southern roots. 

Direct download: trr-062.mp3
Category:Voyager -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

61: Breen Hat Dukat

Indiscretion.

The intricacies of Deep Space Nine are astonishing. By the fourth season, many relationships between members of the crew, residents of the station, and even old enemies had evolved into the rich tapestry that both kept fans engaged and made DS9 less accessible to newcomers. One of the most interesting relationships was the one between Kira and Dukat. Despite having been on opposite sides of a battle, the two found themselves forced to cooperate on more than one occasion. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Ben McCormick of Dork Trek and Tristan Riddell of Hyperchannel to discuss the episode “Indiscretion” and how it evolved the Kira-Dukat relationship. Plus, we might even take a look at the slick moves of one Captain Benjamin Sisko, Esq.

In news we cover the TNG cast reunion at Wizard World Austin Comic Con, the return of the Priceline Negotiator, Trek in the Park, the next batch of IDW comics including the conclusion of “The Truth About Tribbles” and the continuation of Brannon Braga’s Hive, the GamesCom trailer for next year’s Abramsverse console game, the cancellation of Star Trek Infinite Space, a fan’s quest to restore the Enterprise 1701-D bridge, and we go over our wish list of officially licensed products—that we’ll probably never see. 

Direct download: trr-061.mp3
Category:Deep Space Nine -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

60: Space Monkeys and Mimes

The Last Outpost.

When The Next Generation premiered the writers attempted to establish a new archenemy for the crew. Unfortunately, the introduction turned into a disaster. Reference to the Ferengi was made in the series pilot, but conflicting views on what this enemy should be like—and mindboggling choices by the director—turned what was meant to be fear and menance into comedic gold. It’s too bad, too, because the story that introduced the Ferengi had a lot of potential. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss “The Last Outpost,” where it succeeds in connecting with the best of Star Trek, and where it went terribly wrong.

In news we cover LeVar Burton’s gift to The Ready Room—an on-stage barrel roll—La-la Land Records’ upcoming 15-disc collection of TOS music, the CBS and Netflix renewal of Star Trek streaming, Larry Nemecek’s new “TREKLAND: On Speaker” interview collection, and Rod Roddenberry’s new podcast Mission Log. Plus our roving reporter Sara Van Cleve calls in live from Star Trek Las Vegas, and we debate what costume Greg should wear to next year’s con. 

Direct download: trr-060.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT