The Roddenberry Podcast Network

Is this episode about a wife killer...or about a wife who is a killer?  Gene-ology cross-examines the "Wife Killer" episode of Mr. District Attorney from 1954. Guest starring John Krikorian as Paul Garrett and Mike Richards as Clingham. Sponsored by - . Get three months free with one year subscription. Mission Log will continue its regular programming when the SAG/WGA strike has been settled. In the meantime, we will bring you special programming and encourage you to explore our complete show library at .

Gene-ology kicks off its deep dive into the early TV work of Gene Roddenberry with his first sold TV script, the "Defense Plant Gambling" episode of Mr. District Attorney from 1954. Guest starring Mark Stablein as Macauley and Jonathan Woodward as Zaratt. Mission Log will continue its regular programming when the SAG/WGA strike has been settled. In the meantime, we will bring you special programming and encourage you to explore our complete show library at .

The Mission Log family tree has a new branch, exploring the TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry starting with his earliest script sale.  Rod Roddenberry drops in to discuss the coming deep dive into the archives, including scripts that were never produced.  Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology. Mission Log will continue its regular programming when the SAG/WGA strike has been settled. In the meantime, we will bring you special programming and encourage you to explore our complete show library at .

On July 13, SAG-AFTRA went on strike, walking off film and television sets and joining the WGA in demanding a square deal from producers. Nearly two months later, that deal seems as distant as ever. You know Michelle Hurd from her work as Raffi on Star Trek: Picard, but you may also know that she is the Vice President of SAG-AFTRA. She joined me to talk about the ongoing strike and the upcoming United We Trek event. WHAT: United We Trek! WHEN: September 8, 2023 from 9:30 am - 12 pm WHERE: In LA: 5433 Melrose Ave. or in NYC: 1515 Broadway

Live from the Roddenberry stage at STLV, an assembled panel of scientists and enthusiasts look at the line between science and pseudoscience and how understanding the difference will help us achieve a better future. Join Dr. Kayla Iacovino, Dr. Mohamed Noor, Meredith Mikell, James Kerwin, and host John Champion for a spirited discussion. NOTE: Due to unforeseen technical limitations, the quality of our live audio was severely hindered. We have taken every step possible to improve the quality for your listening, and we apologize for the inconvenience. Mission Log will continue its regular programming when the SAG/WGA strike has been settled. In the meantime, we will bring you special programming and encourage you to explore our complete show library at .

While Star Trek: The Animated Series was winding down, Gene Roddenberry was developing what might have been his next animated sci-fi series (with a healthy dose of Star Trek influence). In our season finale, Aaron Walt joins The Trek Files again to discuss Gene's vision for "Starship" and the many parallels to getting an animated to fly today. See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

While the combined SAG and WGA strike continues to impact entertainment production, Mission Log welcomes two special guests: writer Bill Wolkoff and actor Michelle Hurd. They help us to understand the complexities of the strike and its relevance to us as the audience. Mission Log will continue its regular programming when the strike has been settled. In the meantime, we will bring you special programming and encourage you to explore our complete show library at . Sponsored by -

When Star Trek premiered as an animated series in 1973, Gene Roddenberry and Dorothy Fontana assured fans that the new medium wouldn't affect the importance of the storytelling. A half century later, we are joined by Star Trek: Prodigy co-producer Aaron Waltke to discuss what has changed in the animation process and what has stayed the same in bringing Trek's core values to a whole new audience. Recorded live at STLV! See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

Chakotay glimpses a clash against many motherless beasts and finds himself fighting to prevent himself from getting nullified. Fathom our tellings when Nemesis goes into the Mission Log. Sponsored by listeners like you -

From humanist philosophy to religion to our future with technology. Gene Roddenberry covered a lot of ground in the days of his college lecture tours. We're joined again by Star Trek motion graphics director Tim Peel to examine the deep side of Gene's thoughts in the years between Trek on TV and at the movies. See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

Everyone's had a couple of weeks to recuperate from the 57 Year Mission convention, and Norman and Heather field calls about the con, about the Nostalgia Factor panel, and much more! Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

The Gorn were created for an episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, with a stuntman portraying the lizard creature in an unwieldy costume. We saw one again in Star Trek: Enterprise, courtesy of some pretty bad CGI. Now they're a recurring threat in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds where the combination of practical effects and CGI make them arguably the best-looking iteration of the species. I had a chance to talk to J. Alan Scott, co-founder of Legacy Effects, the company behind the new version of this old alien. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dailystartreknews

Does nostalgia help or hinder the creative process? Are we, as viewers, swayed too easily by the comfort of familiar stories and characters? John and Norman are joined by special guest James Kerwin live onstage at Creation's 57-Year-Mission Convention in Las Vegas. NOTE: Due to unforeseen technical limitations, the quality of our live audio was severely hindered. We have taken every step possible to improve the quality for your listening, and we apologize for the inconvenience. Sponsored by - get three months FREE with our special offer!

Office politics have a certain timeless quality. In 1967, Leonard Nimoy found himself battling the higher-ups for the simple necessities to fulfill his fan mail obligations. On this week's The Trek Files, we explore the battle of memos with return guest Daren Dochterman and a very special reading! See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

If a Klingon is going to do anything, they'll do it with honor. B'Elanna has some reservations though when it comes to expressing her personal truth until an accident forces her to confront her feelings for Tom. It's a Day of Honor on Mission Log. Sponsored by listeners like you -

A document from 1985 written by Mike Okuda addresses no less than the entire look and feel of Star Trek's graphics and the logic of starship display design. This week, we examine a portion of that pitch with the talented Tim Peel, heir apparent to Okuda's work as the director of motion graphics for all Star Trek since Discovery took flight in 2017! See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

Mission Log Live's callers have thoughts on recent episodes and upcoming events, such as this week's 57 Year Mission convention - among other things! Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

The latest episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, “Under the Cloak of War,” is a look at the emotional consequences of war. When Klingon Ambassador Dak'Rah, known as the Butcher of J'Gal, boards the ship claiming he's on a mission of peace, it stirs up strong emotions from the crew, many of whom are suffering from PTSD from the Federation-Klingon War. It's a dramatic episode with a message at its heart reminiscent of some of the best episodes of the original series. I had a chance to chat with its director, Jeff Byrd, about some of the more striking moments and themes. If you want to learn more about the tumultuous relationship between the Federation and the Klingons, check out my essay, “Trektrospective: The Evolution of Federation-Klingon Relations in Star Trek at www.dailystartreknews.com. And if you want to ensure we continue to make content like this, why not support us on Patreon? Your donation not only helps us afford the hosting fees for our website and podcast, but also helps us to pay our writers. Even a donation of as little as a dollar a month helps to keep us running. Head over to www.patreon.com/dailystartreknews to help us out!

Seven of Nine is here to stay on Voyager whether she likes it or not, and mostly she doesn't. That won't keep Janeway from insisting that a human collective is better than anything the Borg could provide. We keep the receipt when The Gift goes into the Mission Log. Sponsored by - . Use code missionlog50 at checkout for 50% off plus free shipping.

A memo from 1989 illustrates a core concern in Star Trek's past and present: representation in the future. We're thrilled to welcome back Cirroc Lofton to discuss the ways Star Trek broke ground and ways the production process can best evolve. See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The entertainment industry is having what you might call a moment - and maybe we too need to take a moment, with special guest Rod Roddenberry, to clarify our stance and discuss what it means for Mission Log and Mission Log Live in the near future. Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

Remember the one about the scorpion from last week? This time the Borg play nice with the Voyager crew by sending an emissary to speak for the rest of them, but will she help them to safety, or will her true nature doom them all? Scorpion Part II goes into the Mission Log. Sponsored by - . Get three months free with one year subscription.

In the midst of a writer's strike, production on Star Trek shut down. Sound familiar? That was in 1988, delaying the second year of TNG and causing the season to be shortened. Cirroc Lofton joins The Trek Files to discuss big changes in Trek, changing technology, and the desired outcome of strikes! See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

Were there enough hijinks?  Was there enough bacon?  What did Mission Log Live's callers think of the latest episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 is halfway over, and while it is not universally hailed as the best modern Trek show, it certainly has a preponderance of fans proclaiming it as such. The latest episode takes Spock where he's never gone before when an alien race “fixes” him by removing the genetic markers that make him half-Vulcan, thereby rendering him completely human. Such a light-hearted episode deserves an experienced comedy director. That director is Jordan Canning, and I had the opportunity to sit down with her for a brief chat. If you like this interview, check out our YouTube channel where, in the latest edition, I talk to Benji Bakshi, one of three cinematographers responsible for bringing the locations of Strange New Worlds to life. And if you want to ensure we continue to make content like this, why not support us on Patreon? Your donation not only helps us afford the hosting fees for our website and podcast but also helps us to pay our writers. Even a donation of as little as a dollar a month helps to keep us running.

Three years in the Delta Quadrant and very little sign of the Borg so far. That's good news until we find out why: the scarier, meaner, nearly indestructible Species 8472 has got them on the run. Will a deal with the devil lead Voyager to safety? Or will they get stung? Scorpion goes into the Mission Log. Sponsored by listeners like you -

Does the Enterprise need a helmsman? What about a navigator? In the "blue sky" phase of developing TNG, David Gerrold again raised the big questions about computers, A.I., and the future. Joining us again to look back at the ideas that took root and those that didn't, Thomas Marrone from Star Trek: Online returns to The Trek Files. See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

Who flies the show?  We fly the show!  And Mission Log Live's callers have things to say about life "Among The Lotus Eaters" before the forgetting sets in. Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

It's all fun and games on the holodeck until... an anonymous program pits Voyager's Maquis crew against Starfleet while holographic Seska threatens the real crew's safety. Got all that? It's the Worst Case Scenario on Mission Log. Sponsored by - . Get 50% off plus free shipping using code "missionlog50" at checkout.

You can't always risk the life of the Captain of the Enterprise. That was the thought that inspired the "contact team" when playing the concept for "Star Trek: The Next Generation." What was envisioned as a kind of SWAT for Starfleet didn't materialize then, but they may have had a life by the time "Enterprise" took flight. Thomas Marrone joins The Trek Files again to discuss an early TNG development document.  Special guest: Thomas Marrone See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

First La'an gets dragged sideways in time, and then she and an unexpected cohort are thrown back in time.  It must be a Monday, and that means it's time for Mission Log Live's callers to discuss "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow". Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

The Voyager crew meet some new aliens, but they're slowly taking over the ship. That leaves the crew in an alien prison along with thousands of other captives. Any place would be better than this place when Displaced goes into the Mission Log. Sponsored by -

In the earliest days of conceptualizing Vejur for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Gene Roddenberry, Robert Wise, and more of the brain trust met to hash our their ideas. Helping us to parse the "bonkers" document of their meeting, Daren Dochterman joins us again to shed more light on bringing Trek to the big screen. See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

What's your verdict on the latest episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?  A jury of Mission Log Live's callers make their judgments known on "Ad Astra Per Aspera". Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

What's a little light heresy to come between the pursuit of scientific truth and protecting an entire culture's sacred doctrines? Voyager finds humanity's long, long lost cousins when Distant Origin goes into the Mission Log. Sponsored by - . Get three months free with one year subscription. Sponsored by - . Get 16 meals free with free shipping using code "missionlog16" at checkout.

With time ticking before the premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the production requested bids from some of the top special effects companies to bring the Enterprise-D to life. This week, Daren Dochterman joins The Trek Files to talk about breakneck production pace, state of the art effects, and the business side of fantasy. See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The voyages of Captain Pike's Enterprise continue... without Captain Pike... and without La'an... and without orders to do the very dangerous thing they're doing.  Our callers weigh in on the season two premiere! Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

You know LeVar Burton as Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge of the USS Enterprise-D and more recently as a Commodore and curator of the Fleet Museum. His daughter Mica is known as a professional cosplayer, a video game enthusiast, and Commodore La Forge's daughter Alandra. But what was it like for this father-daughter team to work together on Star Trek: Picard's final season? Learn the answer to this and other questions in this special Father's Day episode of DSTN. LeVar Burton Reads: https://www.levarburtonpodcast.com/ LeVar Burton's Book Club: https://fable.co/club/levar-burtons-book-club-with-levar-burton-545582291504 Follow @LeVarBurton and @MicaBurton on Twitter. Follow @DailyTrekNews on Twitter and check out our Facebook page. Catch up on all the Star Trek news you need to know, wherever you are, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website. Want to help keep us running? Join our Patreon. Your donation helps pay for our podcast, website, and newsletter hosting fees and also helps to pay our writers.

The EMH expands his personality subroutines by inventing a holographic family that goes from squeaky clean to dysfunctional to tragic. Meanwhile, Voyager chases space tornadoes! Is this just fantasy? Nope, it's Real Life, and it's going into the Mission Log. Sponsored by listeners like you -

It's time for The Trek Files to dive again into Gene Roddenberry's fan mail. From the mid-1970s, kids make up a huge portion of the Star Trek fandom, and in letters to Gene they ask for everything from blueprints to answers for their deepest trivia questions. See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

Season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is mere days away, and who better to anticipate the new adventures than "Dr. Trek", Larry Nemecek, and Strange New Worlds costume designer Bernadette Croft? Be sure to join us live! We're on the Mission Log Facebook page every Monday at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern

Kes finds herself in the awkward predicament of jumping backward in time, experiencing various moments of her life that she can't remember. Might have something to do with that temporal torpedo lodged in Voyager at the start of a year of hell. Before and After goes into the Mission Log. Sponsored by listeners like you - supporters on

Bob Justman busily pitched ideas in the earliest days of TNG, including the reworking of a classic story. It may not have made it to screen exactly as he saw it, but certain story elements did stick around. Ben Robinson joins The Trek Files to talk about Bob's contributions and "The Most Dangerous Game." See the documents: facebook.com/thetrekfiles Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

Late last year, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights announced their next flight. Dubbed the Enterprise mission, it will see the remains of several Star Trek luminaries journeying into the final frontier on the Vulcan Centaur rocket. Since the announcement, I've had the pleasure of interviewing friends and family members of the late, great cast and crew who will be blasting off next month. Throughout the months of April and May, I'll be releasing those interviews. Douglas Trumbull is a special effects legend, getting his start on Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and moving on to films like The Andromeda Strain, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Trumbull is going to space on the Enterprise mission and his widow, Julia, joined me to talk about his legacy. The Enterprise mission is looking to blast off in June or July, and you'll be able to stream it live. For the latest on the flight's schedule, head over to their website.

Wow, Harry Kim, you lucked out! A planet full of women who want to make you their husband to repopulate the species? Too bad they're only after your altered alien DNA and will kill you when they're finished. Our favorite ensign becomes the Favorite Son in this week's Mission Log. Sponsored by - get 50% off your first box from