A Star to Steer Her By

It's all happening now, finally getting into gear...kinda near the end of things. Oops. In "Perpetual Infinity", Control makes its big play as we find out what Ma Burnham has been up to since her apparent death! Also this week: drone editing, Supercorn, and "Enterprise" minor characters! [Perpetual Infinity: 00:53; ENT Cadet Review: 57:53] [Yes, "Enterprise" is back. Sorry. But here's some stuff we liked!: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/784818924363612160/top-3-star-trek-enterprise-characters ]

We're running out of season so it's time to have a bunch of reveals at once! Turns out we know who the Red Angel is, and now we've got to capture them in their titular episode! Also Michael gets an in-person retcon courtesy of Section 31! Also also we moan about "Picard" for a bit and get a little spoilery, so maybe watch out for that (37:28 - 40:00). Meanwhile this week: civilian clothes, the scale of destruction, and wrapping up melding! [The Red Angel: 00:49; farewell for now to melds: 49:34] [just...just touchin' faces all over the shop: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/784175586571599872/ill-spock-the-world-and-meld-with-you-pt-3 ]

The sum is somehow greater than its parts this week on "Discovery", as an overwrought trope plays a sort-of central role and we get to know someone just in time to never see them again in "Project Daedalus". The plot doesn't so much ramp up as spiral off into a whole new direction as the real villain is finally/suddenly revealed. Meanwhile, Spock is in A MOOD. Also this week: the Oilers, the relentless march of time, and the second part of our Mind Melds talk! [Daedalus: 04:36; more meldin': 49:12] [our blogs are one: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/783553413803802624/ill-spock-the-world-and-meld-with-you-pt-2]

Brace yourself for the earliest possible "Trek" nostalgia as we return to Talos IV to check in with some oddly beefy Talosians and a somewhat less messed-up Vina in "If Memory Serves"! The first ever "Trek" antagonists return to help unscramble Spock's eggs, but at a price! Will the big reveal of the source of Michael and Spock's rift feel worth the buildup?! Meanwhile, back on the ship, Culber continues to deal with being alive again, and sharing a ship with his killer. Also this week: big ratings, big beard opinions, and big melding! [Timetamps: If Memory Serves: 00:43; Mind Melds, pt 1: 45:43] [My tumbl to your tumbl: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/782902385389584384/ill-spock-the-world-and-meld-with-you-part-1]

Bit of a double-filler show this week, as Michael drops in on the folks and Pike decides to chill with Tyler in "Light and Shadows". Just kind of spinning our wheels here until we FINALLY see Spock, tho he's not really in a state to do much more than be there. Back with the ship, we're laying some groundwork for later payoff, maybe? Also we remember Stamets has a weird relationship with time. Also this week: time prefixing, evil tech squids, and familiar faces! [Timestamps: Light and Shadows: 01:29; It's Full of Guest Stars: 48:19] [Hey, it's you!: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/782279174919454720/hes-from-that-other-star-trek]

Slight change of plans this week! The latest season of "Black Mirror" recently dropped, bringing with it the new "USS Callister: Into Infinity". Since we loved and covered the original a surprisingly long time ago we knew we had to check out the new one. The crew may be free of Daly but the stakes are higher, as prohibitive monetization makes survival almost impossible. And they don't have infinite lives anymore... Also this week: strike-scrapped plans, whale or Smurf, and the comedy stylings of Charlie Brooker! [note: spoilers for "Being John Malkovich" from 1:19:56 - 1:20:28]

The Prime Directive is about as strong as wet tissue paper as usual, as Starfleet's need to dig into the Red Signals outweighs their morals. Then again, how moral was sitting by watching what was happening on Kaminar? No one except now-fearless Saru really cares about that, though, but luckily everything spirals out of control as usual and civilization is turned upside-down in "The Sound of Thunder"! Also this week: teasing 400, space dramatics, and the final recast! [Timestamps: Thunder: 02:43; "Enterprise" recasting: 57:15] [blog it good: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/781012879923101697/fantasy-casting-enterprise?source=share ]

We're bouncing hard and fast between plots this week, and they don't quite gel. In "Saints of Imperfection" Section 31 is in everyone's face, which is weird for a supposedly-secret organization, and Stamets continues the search for Tilly...and finds someone very unexpected. Well, unexpected in-universe. In the real world we all knew it was coming. Also this week: Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, and recasting "Voyager"! [timestamps: Spacedock Saints: 00:34; Voyager casting: 49:58] [d'blog: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/780387436607029248/fantasy-casting-voyager?source=share]

"Star Trek" has always loved its various probes, from Nomad to V'Ger to the "Inner Light" time capsule, and now "Discovery" is getting in on it with their mystery info sphere in "An Obol for Charon". Unfortunately it ends up wreaking havoc on ship systems AND Saru's biology, threatening both! And I guess everyone, at least based on the former. Also the Tilly Mushroom Friend (?) plot continues. Also this week: odd song, odd chest, and recasting the DS9 guests! [Timestamps: Obol: 01:27; Blog: 1:03:24] [A funny array of folks: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/779751603440893952/fantasy-casting-ds9-recurring-characters?source=share]

Hope you like "General Hospital", because "Discovery" is going full "Eastenders" this week with "Point of Light". There's a secret baby and a sort-of-love triangle on the Klingon side of things, and while Tilly might not have an evil twin, she has a weird imaginary friend/infection! Oh, and Section 31 shows up. Ugh. Also this week: middle naming, running lights, and recasting DS9 - part one! [Timestamps: Point of Light: 01:22; DS9 fantasy casting: 54:43] [blog it: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/779115931211366400/fantasy-casting-ds9-the-regulars?source=share]

The "Discovery" crew is jumping farther than they've ever gone before in "New Eden". A new Red Signal from the far end of the Beta Quadrant leads them to a colony somehow descended from WW3-era humans. Meanwhile, Tilly makes bad choices with a rock and Owo gets convenient-but-pointless background! Also this week: up yours, Phlox; empathy, in this economy?; and recasting TNG! [Timestamps: New Eden: 02:13; Fantasy TNG Actors: 1:00:17] [Check the picks: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/778476642669625344/fantasy-casting-tng?source=share]

The second season of "Discovery" is underway, and it's bringing Captain Pike along for the ride! In "Brother", mysterious signals have appeared simultaneously throughout the galaxy and it's up to the "Disco" crew and her new commander to figure out what's going on. The trail leads to an unnecessarily action-packed asteroid field and a much more stoic engineer. Also this week: tons of setup, unsubtle stand-in, and recasting TOS! [timestamps: Brother: 01:40; fantasy casts: 1:03:28] [TOS recast: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/777846688575602688/fantasy-casting-tos]

Back in the day, streaming "Trek" tried a fun little experiment that actually worked out pretty well! So of course they only did it twice. This week we're looking at the first four "Short Treks", bite-sized bits that go a bit outside the usual realms of the show. This time around we've got a stowaway, two different kinds of rescue, and a rascally con-man! Also this week: kids shows, cartoons, and title cards! [Timestamps: Runaway: 04:01; Calypso: 21:49; The Brightest Star: 38:31; The Escape Artist: 56:50; The Blog: 1:06:14] [Intros: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/777202555238449152/short-intros-for-short-treks ] NOTE: we get into some, we'll say, "heavy foreshadowing" for S.2 of "Discovery" in our discussion of "Calypso". We never go full spoiler but if you really want to go into it TOTALLY clean, maybe skip that one.

And with that, we come to "Will You Take My Hand?", the season 1 finale of "Discovery"! A daring mission to the Klingon Homeworld, led by the Mirror Georgiou, is suspicious from the off and soon revealed to be another case of Admirals Behaving Badly. Will the Federation give up on its values in the face of its seeming destruction, or will cooler heads prevail? Also this week: introf*cktion, the Howard count, and the elephant in the room! [Hand: 02:01; Season Discussion: 01:17:26] [The Blog: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/776576040046854144/discovery-season-1-our-best-first-season-since]

It's almost the end of the first season of "Discovery"! In "The War Without, The War Within", Starfleet and the Federation are on their back foot. Having the cloak-detecting algorithm may not be enough on its own, so what can our heroes do? How about have a variety of scenes that don't quite add up to a proper episode? Oh. That's what we're going with. Hm. Also this week: magical science, pacing problems, and a pet face-off! [War: 01:15; Dog v. Cat: 52:21] [Best in show: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/775936261699584000/whos-a-good-boy-spot-vs-porthos ]

In "What's Past Is Prologue" everyone really doesn't get that just because someone is identical to a lost loved one doesn't mean you can expect them to BEHAVE like that lost someone. Especially if they're from an alternate universe with diametrically opposite morals! Idiots! Everyone is idiots! And Saru makes a speech. Also this week: the reality of mushrooms, the idiot ball, and Mayweather! [Past: 01:23; Forgotten Soul: 1:00:06] [no pranks here, just a blog: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/775303925787230208/character-spotlight-travis-mayweather ]

Well great. now we've got Mirror Georgiou to deal with! in "Vaulting Ambition" the mirror universe gets more complicated and more ridiculous in equal measure as Michael has to change plans on the fly. Meanwhile, the season has ANOTHER twist to fling at us! Also this week: Voqler, goofy eyes, and Hoshi Sato! [Timestamps: Vaulting Ambition: 00:39; Ensign Sato: 44:15] [Hailing frequencies open: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/774664993926987776/character-spotlight-hoshi-sato] Note: spoilers for "Game of Thrones". No, the original

The "Discovery" crew continues their trek through the Mirror Universe this week with "The Wolf Inside". Can Burnham retain her core beliefs even while going undercover among some of the worst people ever? What will become of Tyler when his secret comes out? And is there any universe where Sarek is a good father?! Also this week: dramatic reenactment, damn/thank God for spores, and...oh. Phlox. It had to happen. [Wolf: 01:21; Just the WORST Doctor: 42:20] [Hide your celery: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/774038402099298304/character-spotlight-phlox]

Oh man we are SO back! By which I mean back to the Mirror Universe, simultaneously this show's least favorite and favorite place to visit depending on which host you're listening to! In "Despite Yourself" the Discovery crew needs desperately to blend in to figure out if there's a way for them to get out of this land of impossible doppelgangers and fascist fashion without losing themselves on the way! Also this week: an unfortunate trope, obvious in retrospect, and Malcolm Reed! [timestamps: Despite Yourself: 00:41; Mr. Tactical Alert: 1:04:09] [report for training!: https://sshbpodcast.tumblr.com/post/773399528688828417/character-spotlight-malcolm-reed]

Content warning: episode contains depiction of SA and we discuss briefly. After last week's disappointing entry, we're on to something much more interesting with "Into the Forest I Go". It's time for a daring mission onto an enemy ship to protect the weird wisps and maybe win the war! But will it all go wrong when Tyler encounters his torturer? Also this week: modern psych, saying the thing, and Trip! [Forest: 01:08; Tucker: 45:57] [Cap'n: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/772767095112040448/character-spotlight-charles-trip-tucker?source=share ]

We've got three plots this week and somehow almost nothing happens in "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum"! We finally have an away mission and Saru goes a bit nuts, which is certainly very "Trek". Meanwhile, Stamets is feeling the strain of being a living navigational computer. And L'Rell meets Cornwell. Yup. Also this week: belated holiday, The Simpsons, and T'Pol! [gift exchange: 01:44; Pretentious Latin Title: 22:16; Subcommander: 59:08] [T'mblr: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/772154565302861825/character-spotlight-tpol?source=share]

Inspired by last week's "Discovery" time loop episode, we're taking a look at 2014's action sci-fi time-loop trip "Edge of Tomorrow". Tom Cruise plays a media relations army man thrust into actual battle and lasts about as long as you'd expect...until some alien magic makes it so he gets to try again. And again. AND AGAIN. Can he save the planet AND get out of the loop with the help of Emily Blunt? Join us and find out! Also this week: plot holes, video games, and marketing!

Harry Mudd is back and he's out for revenge in "Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad"! He's got some inexplicable time magic creating a loop that should allow him to pull off the perfect heist, and a spore-dappled Stamets might be the only person that can throw a wrench into his plans! With a little help from our main character, of course. Also this week: whalebutt transport, tonal dissonance, and...oh. Jonathan Archer. Ugh. [Magic: 01:59; Archer: 1:00:09] [Everyone's least favorite Captain: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/770885906979864576/character-spotlight-jonathan-archer?source=share]

"Discovery" is expanding the Bad Dad lore; we already knew Sarek wasn't great at the whole father thing, but when his adopted daughter dives into his subconscious in "Lethe", we find out he maybe gives Worf a run for his money. And in the B plot: an inappropriate Doctor/Patient relationship NOT involving Bashir! Also this week: judgy tech, Pokémon (somehow), and the multi-part conclusion! [Lethe: 02:23; blog: 48:33] [Finish Up: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/770227753179119616/to-be-continued-multi-parters-in-star-trek-part?source=share ]

This week's episode, "Choose Your Pain", engages in a time-honored "Trek" tradition: the Captain takes a shuttle somewhere instead of his massive starship and gets captured. Who could've seen that coming? What will be worse for Lorca: Klingon torture or sharing a cell with one Harcourt Fenton Mudd? Also this week: the big F, Tippecanoe, and more multi-part chat! [Choose Your Pain: 01:05; Voyager multi-parters: 48:52] [Multiblog, pt 3: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/769598207668961280/to-be-continued-multi-parters-in-star-trek-part?source=share]

A bit of a detour from our planned "Discovery" watch as OTOY and The Roddenberry Archive threw everyone a bit of a surprise for "Generations" 30th anniversary. Join us to check out a new short, a continuation of work OTOY has been doing for the past few years. We get a final journey for Captain Kirk, (maybe? depending on how you view it?) through the magic of modern CG and body-doubles. And also Easter Eggs. Too many, maybe. Also this week: so many layers, more MST3k than you'd expect, and some spoilers (S.3 Discovery, S.2/3 Picard, 2001: A Space Odyssey). The videos: 765874 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng8qTIythnA Memory Wall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzeznWVQu5o Regeneration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KXU2Ob8gYY Unification - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgOZFny7F50

Brace yourself for the second-longest and probably-goofiest "Trek" title ever as we spend this week looking at "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry". The stakes are higher than ever for the "Discovery" crew to get her spore drive working properly as the Klingons launch an attack on a key Federation dilithium mining facility. Also Landry has really, fatally bad research methodology. Also this week: a poorly-aged name-drop, a VERY judgmental suitcase, and DS9 multi-parters! [Lambknife: 03:49; continuing the to be continued: 56:00] [tumbl this way: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/768327984720576512/to-be-continued-multi-parters-in-star-trek-part?source=share ]

With that pesky, extra-long introduction out of the way, "Discovery" can start proper with "Context Is for Kings"! Michael's on her way to space jail until she's bailed out by the shady Captain Gabriel Lorca. He's got secret plans that involve a grumpy scientists, we meet a chatty roommate, and conveniently enough some of Burnham's old crew is along for the ride! Also this week: a literal friend ship, a little information as a treat, and multi-parters! [timestamps: Context: 01:25; multi-blog, pt 1: 55:25] [starting now, but ending later: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/767698117467488256/to-be-continued-multi-parters-in-star-trek-part?source=share ]

We're picking up right where we left off last week as the "Discovery" premiere wraps up with "Battle at the Binary Stars"! The Klingons have the advantage and Burnham is in the clink. How on earth will anyone survive long enough for there to be a third episode?! Also this week: T'Kuvma's Playhouse, Vulcan superpowers, and series finales! [Battle: 03:19; finale chat: 1:08:58] [bloggins: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/767054994845433856/coming-in-for-a-landing-finales-in-star-trek?source=share]

And we're back! Back to "Trek", back to the (soft rebooted) Prime Universe, but not quite back to normal! It's a new era of TV across the board and between that and introducing a whole new show we somehow ran very long discussing only a single episode of "Discovery," part one of its pilot: "The Vulcan Hello"! Meet Michael Burnham and a whole bunch of other folks you probably don't need to remember as "Trek" tries to launch itself into the streaming era! Also blogtivities are back as we talk preceding premieres!! Also this week: marble Klingons, this is TV now, and Pilots! [timestamps: The Vulcan Hello: 03:47; Pilots: 1:20:21] [da blog is back!: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/766430934414311424/engage-the-autopilot-pilot-episodes-in-star-trek?source=share]

Happy Halloween, everyone! We decided to take advantage of the fact that the holiday is on a Thursday this year and sat down to watch the low-budget campfest that is "Jason X"! It looks like it cost roughly $12 and starred every Canadian actor that wasn't working on a "Stargate" or other syndicated early-2000s sci-fi series over a weekend off, which honestly just adds to its bizarre atmosphere. Two of your hosts have never seen a single "Friday the 13th" before this, so what was their opinion of this odd, self-aware outing? Listen to find out! Also this week: effort distribution, rim-face, and better than "Star Wars"?

Well. We weren't sure what exactly to expect going into William Shatner's other foray into "Trek" documentary making, but we definitely weren't expecting this. Join us as The Shat turns everything into a self-serving therapy session, especially with Patrick Stewart! Gape in horror at the mind-numbing misogyny he spews in front of Kate Mulgrew! Be pleasantly surprised by how darn personable Bakula is! Blink and you'll miss Chris Pine! And wonder, forever, if Avery Brooks is messing with Shatner or if he's genuinely that odd! Also this week: Shut up, Bill. Please. Really. Just...just shut up, for the love of God, let your subjects speak! Lord.

With JJ off to work on his beloved "Star Wars" and Simon Peg on writing duties, we come to the (as of writing) end of the Kelvin Timeline. They're going out on a high note, though, featuring the best of their outings and one of the better big screen "Trek" experiences overall. With a better understanding of the characters and world, and a really great new character, the Kelvin crew deliver a fine (possible) swan song. Also this week: quick changes, cycling through disagreement, and letting a woman be a person!

So the 2009 reboot actually did pretty well, the Kelvin timeline has been established, time to really go out there and oh never mind it's a lame "Wrath of Khan" rehash. With a white Khan. And an ultra-objectified Carol Marcus. And Kirk and Spock are mad at each other for...reasons? Still a better 9/11 "Trek" than "Enterprise", tho. Also this week: simply confusing, the hero's journey (?), and the worst science yet!

Well the whole prequel thing wasn't great with "Enterprise", so Paramount went to the next "we're out of ideas" phase: REBOOT! Yes, they've dumped Berman but brought in Abrams to bring his "Star Wars" flavored touch to "Star Trek". Time gets warped, Kirk gets drifted, and everyone gets significantly younger in 2009's "Star Trek"! Also this week: Kelvinizing ourselves, gross relationships, and scale issues.

Somehow we've made it: after a little over 8 years and hundreds of episodes we've covered all the "Trek" that aired on broadcast TV from 1966-2005. Before we jump to the next phases of the franchise, we thought we'd take a little time to have a more general discussion about everything that got us here. It's a broad overview where we re-cover the camp and cardboard sets of the 60s, the renaissance of the film and TNG eras, and the great 90s spinoffs! Also "Enterprise" is there. Also this week: our favorite cameo host, the most Kirk, and Caitlin on the ENT finale!

"Enterprise" might be over, but she has one last outing...sort of. If its finale was HORRIBLE fanfiction, how about you step right up for some, if we do say so ourselves, much better fanfiction! Yes, your stalwarts are at it again, putting their own unique spins on the "Star Trek" universe with the crew of the NX-01. This time: contests, crossovers, tantalizing tubers, and gettin' PRANKED! Timestamps and links! Caitlin's fic: 01:41 https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/761993533238476800/tales-from-the-holodeck-ent-fanfic-caitlins?source=share Chris's: 09:58 https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/761993551347400704/tales-from-the-holodeck-ent-fanfic-chriss?source=share Ames's: 42:56 https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/761993559383621632/tales-from-the-holodeck-ent-fanfic-amess?source=share Jake's: 1:24:42 https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/761993563490942976/tales-from-the-holodeck-ent-fanfic-jakes?source=share

Our collective dislike of "Enterprise" is hardly a secret, but even your hosts (and our guest) agree this show deserved a better sendoff than "These Are the Voyages...", or at least a sendoff that was about itself. Rather than simply wrapping things up with the preceding two-parter, the talentless hacks in charge decided to sideline the cast of this show in favor of tacking a horrible B-plot onto a good TNG episode that is made worse by its presence. An astoundingly dimwitted end to a poorly-executed program. Also this week: hating crowds, seeking pranks, and ending "Enterprise". [timestamps: These Are the Voyages...: 03:55; S.4 Wrap: 1:15:34; Series Rankings: 1:32:58] [S.3 tops/bottoms: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/761362141052878848/even-a-fanfic-season-of-enterprise-is-better-than?source=share Series "Best": https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/761362600221114368/top-five-star-trek-ent-episodes?source=share Series Worst: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/761363181391282176/bottom-five-star-trek-ent-episodes?source=share ]

We're in the home stretch and "Enterprise" sure is cranking up the stupid to 11! What's the dumbest twist you could have? The two-parter "Demons" and "Terra Prime" has a good chance of using it. RoboCop himself has dropped into "Trek" to unleash a scheme that really only makes sense if you're already a deranged xenophobe who got his hands on some loose DNA. The Romulans would look askance at this weirdo. Anyway, he's trying to stop "Star Trek" from happening which, honestly, if all you knew was "Enterprise" you might, too. Also this week: RoboCop got a type; you've never guess the mole!; and Reg Barclay! [timestamps: episodes: 01:04; Broccoli: 1:06:25] [get out of the holodeck and over to the tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/760734475010359296/character-spotlight-reginald-barclay?source=share] [BONUS LINK! Jake's Voyager fanfic: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/727743530759585792/tales-from-the-holodeck-voy-fanfic-jakes-story?source=share]

It's the moment one of your hosts has been waiting for and the others have been dreading! It's time for the "Enterprise" take on the Mirror Universe in the campy two-parter "In a Mirror, Darkly". Watch as we and a guest struggle to tell the difference between Prime and Mirror Archer and wonder if other people weren't allowed to be evil ENOUGH. Also this week: prop comps, Shatner, and Seven of Nine! [Timestamps: Mirror: 01:28; Seven of Nine,Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01: 1:32:36] [get to the alcove: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/760078552394874880/character-spotlight-seven-of-nine?source=share]

Oh, boy, time to get some new "Trek" lore! No, not the android kind, the backstory kind! Also I guarantee it's a kind no one sensible wanted, needed, or ended up liking! First up, it takes two terrible episodes to find out why the Klingons are so darn different in TOS with "Affliction" and "Divergence"! After that, brace yourself for what a misogynist thinks female empowerment is in the absolutely disgraceful "Bound"! Also this week: "Speed" Trek, the Ames Protocol, and Kes! [timestamps: Afflergence: 02:32; Bound: 1:02:00; Kes: 1:32:15] [the ship's med student/gardener can be found here: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/759447993092030464/character-spotlight-kes?source=share]

Well now the Romulans have gone and done it! In their convoluted attempt to destabilize the region they've just gone and helped lay the groundwork for the eventual United Federation of Planets! Maybe there was a better use for their super psychic powered self-repairing ships than this? Also Trip and T'Pol's relationship takes a decidedly teen drama turn in the 11th hour because why not? Join us for "United" and "The Aenar"! Also this week: ancient traditions*, iced coffee in space, and Neelix! [timestamps: episodes: 01:10; the Ambassador: 51:16] [ambassador, reporter, sitter, cook: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/758822816123666432/character-spotlight-neelix?source=share]

Everyone's up to something this week, tho motivation is maybe a bit vague. First up: voyeuristic aliens are being really creepy and possessing the crew just so they can watch people die in "Observer Effect". After that, someone has come up with a needlessly elaborate ship to try and start a war between the Andorians and Tellarites in "Babel One". Also this week: special special humans, emotional violence, and The EMH! [Timestamps: Observer Effect: 01:02; Babel One: 24:31; The Doctor: 1:05:06] [Active the Emergency Tumblr Hologram: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/758190703422717952/character-spotlight-emergency-medical-hologram?source=share]

Step right up to the bout of the 22nd century as the final showdown between the forces of EVIL face the forces of...ah...Archer and Co in "Kir'Shara"! But don't leave just yet, as in our next round it's man vs their own past hubris in "Daedalus"! Also this week: the 90s S, Chris tries to pull a Jake, and Harry Kim! [timestamps: Kir'Shara: 01:14; Daedalus: 43:27; Ensign Kim: 1:13:23] [play that saxy music, Harry!: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/757552542974656512/character-spotlight-harry-kim?source=share]

"Enterprise" woke up one day and realized they'd kinda made the Vulcans sort of a mess. So they've decided to semi retcon it so that it's just one dude in the High Command who's evil and everything else is more like we remember it. Mind melding is fine now, we promise! Also, look, it's T'Pau in a deeply unnecessary appearance! And Surak is here, but in brain ghost form! So join us for the first two parts of a three-part Vulcan epic with "The Forge" and "Awakening". Also this week: cults are always right, Tommy Paris, and fanfic name draws! [episodes: 01:09; Paris: 55:35; fanfic plans: 1:13:38] [set a course to the Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/756920957763026944/character-spotlight-tom-paris?source=share]

Since there's been some genetic engineering talk on "Enterprise" recently we decided to finally take a look at 1997's "Gattaca". It's the story of a near-futuristic (or alternate present?) dystopia with designer babies and a future determined entirely by one's genes. But Ethan Hawke wants to go to space, dangit, and he'll do whatever it takes, including some deeply upsetting stuff to his legs! Also this week: cripes what a pretty cast; Tamara de Lempicka; and an inordinate amount of urine tests! [content warning: discussion of suicide] [the art: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoportrait_(Tamara_in_a_Green_Bugatti) https://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_68885/Tamara-de-Lempicka/Young-Lady-with-Gloves%2C-1930 https://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_68915/Tamara-de-Lempicka/The-Girls%2C-c.1930 ]

"Enterprise" has left infurating war crimes behind and has gone back to the familiar comfort of dull and copying older "Trek". In parts two and three of a story that did NOT need to be a three-parter, the Augments go on a rampage and Soong realizes maybe he did, in fact, do a bad thing by unleashing them on the galaxy. Join us, won't you, for "Cold Station 12" and "The Augments". Also this week: too many nods, a pointless brother, and B'Elanna! [Timestamps: Cold Augment Dozen: 00:36; Torres: 54:21] [note: minor spoilers for "Picard" S.2, but honestly that's probably the worst of the seasons of that show so who cares?] [tumbl down to engineering: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/755647318423994368/character-spotlight-belanna-torres?source=share]

Well look at that, July 4th has fallen on our release day this year and it's always fun to take a break from "Enterprise"! So we're finally taking a look at 1996's action-disaster-blockbuster "Independence Day" (aka ID4)! Get those nostalgia goggles off and see if it still holds up when aliens blow up practical effect monuments and only sexy sexy Jeff Goldblum and still-mostly-the-Fresh Prince Will Smith can save us with the power of Apple computers! Also this week: but really, this cast though. As well as some almost-disastrous alternate casting. And some even more disastrous alternate titles! Welcome to Earth!

Season four finally starts proper after last week's bizarre opener. First up, the crew goes "Home" and does a take on TNG's "Family" if it was a slog and had really bad lessons woven into it. After that: it's part one of what will be multiple three-parters in the final season of "Enterprise" as Brent Spiner guest stars as one of his own ancestors to take us to the "Borderland"! Also this week: fun with umlauts, big square heads, and Tuvok! [timestamps: Home: 01:18; Borderland: 45:55; Mr. Vulcan: 1:11:50] [dance on over to the tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/754390653323100160/character-spotlight-tuvok?source=share]

When we last left our heroes there were aliens in WW2 because why not, right? Sure. Fine. So we're picking up that thread and it turns out to be a bunch of Temporal Cold War nonsense in "Storm Front", parts 1 and 2. On the plus side it's also the end of that idiot saga. Also this week: a questionable montage, Machine Gun Reed, and Commander Chakotay! [timestamps: Storm Front: 01:25; The Gentlest Maquis: 52:51] [Just ignore the phony Native American stuff and he's pretty good: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/753747139156393984/character-spotlight-chakotay?source=share]

Oh God quick finish it up now, now, NOW! It's "Zero Hour" on "Enterprise" as everything is just tied up in a...well, not a neat little bow. Kind of a last-minute convoluted bow? Also somehow everything and nothing happens all at the same time. Then it's topped off by maybe the dumbest cliffhanger ever? Also this week: too long a shorter season, lotta "Star Wars" in this "Star Trek", and wrapping an absolutely abysmal season of "Trek". [timestamps: Zero Hour: 1:08; S.3 rankings: 38:19] [The List: https://www.tumblr.com/sshbpodcast/753105347531718656/the-worst-season-of-all-of-star-trek?source=share]