Podcasts about viacomcbs

Mission Log: Reactor recaps the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season finale "Tomorrow's Enterprise" with Jessica and John, and then John and Holly return with Mission Log Live to hear what listeners thought of this season's time-bending wrap-up. If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Tomorrow's Enterprise," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

As Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary, The Trek Files welcomes a performer who was there before the beginning and then came back for the episode that introduced the series to television audiences. Stunt performer Sandy Gimpel first entered the Star Trek universe as one of the Talosians in "The Cage." When the series went into production, she returned to inhabit one of its most memorable creatures: the shape-shifting M-113 creature, better known to generations of fans as the Salt Vampire, in "The Man Trap." This week's document is an excerpt from George Clayton Johnson's June 16, 1966 final draft of "The Man Trap." Before the story even begins, a note to the director explains the creature's ability to appear differently to different people and suggests giving "Nancy" an identifiable gesture to help the audience follow her transformations. The script's cast list, meanwhile, simply identifies the creature as a silent role ("CREATURE (?)") giving little indication of the character that would become one of the most recognizable images from early Star Trek. Sandy joins Larry to remember what bringing that creature to life actually required in 1966: a plaster cast of her head, a custom-made mask and costume, severely restricted vision, and an ingenious low-tech technique for matching her position to actress Jeanne Bal so the two could transform into one another on camera. When the costume made it nearly impossible for Sandy to hit her mark opposite William Shatner, she asked Gene Roddenberry to let her rehearse without it, counted her steps like the dancer she was, and then repeated the movement once she had been sewn back inside the creature. The conversation also reaches beyond Star Trek, tracing Sandy's remarkable career from dancer and background performer to stuntwoman, stunt coordinator and director. Documents and Additional References The Man Trap final draft by George Clayton Johnson (June 16, 1966) Sandy Gimpel on IMDb Stunt Lady: Falling for the Stars by Sandy Gimpel Reference: "The Man Trap" Reference: "The Cage" The Trek Files Season 15 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

You asked, Holly answers! Before Mission Log sets a course for Star Trek: Enterprise, we put our new co-host through a listener-supplied Trek interrogation. Holly talks about growing up with Star Trek, the characters and episodes closest to her heart, her work as an archivist, and even makes a case for some of Trek's less-loved corners. Plus, we look ahead to what Holly and John are most excited to explore when Mission Log tackles Enterprise. We'll be back with one more Q&A (this time, Anything But Star Trek) before Enterprise officially goes into the Mission Log in just a few weeks. Hosted by John Champion and Holly Amos Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a single episode of Star Trek, diving into its ethical subtext, metaphors, and cultural significance. From the show's most iconic moments to its hidden gems, we analyze what makes Star Trek one of the greatest science fiction sagas of all time. In every episode of Mission Log we… Recap the story and analyze key moments. Discuss the morals, messages, and meanings of the dilemmas presented. Debate whether the episode holds up and if the themes are still relevant. Join the Conversation: For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our exclusive Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and  weekly video chats with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog SPECIAL THANKS the supporters of this week's show: Chris Garis, Julie Miller, Stuart, Michael Park, Paul Shadwell, Matt Esposito, Alan Simonis, Mike Richards, David Takechi, Mike Schiable, VADM Erickson, and Lars Seme Thanks to all of our Patreon Supporters https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/sponsors/ Want to share your thoughts on an upcoming episode? Email us at MissionLog@Roddenberry.com for a chance to be featured during the episode. Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryEntertainment THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Did you know we're on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now:  https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn more about how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial THE RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/theroddenberryfoundation   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Listeners like you - Support Mission Log on Patreon for early access to shows and the Mission Log Discord! Subscribe and Stay Updated:Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your preferred podcast player, leave a review, and join Mission Log on the journey of weekly deep dives into the Star Trek universe. Technical Director - Earl Green Producer - John Champion Associate Producer - Jessica Lynn Verdi Executive Producer - Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved

Mission Log: Reactor recaps the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "Once La'an a Time" with Jessica and John, and then John and Holly return with Mission Log Live to hear what listeners thought of what was a decidedly more surreal episode than usual! If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Once La'an a Time," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

Not everyone who appeared on Star Trek got a line, a screen credit, or even their name on the call sheet. Nearly sixty years later, that can turn a face clearly visible on screen into a genuine archival mystery. This week, The Trek Files welcomes veteran Deep Space Nine assistant director B.C. Cameron for a look at the working life of Hollywood's background performers. The starting point is a mystery explored in the latest Inside the Roddenberry Archive: identifying Al Jones, an uncredited performer prominently seen as one of the thralls in "The Gamesters of Triskelion." The episode's production call sheets tell us which principal actors were required, which sets were in use, and simply how many "atmosphere" players and stand-ins were needed but not necessarily who those background performers were. Separate Extra Talent Call Sheets from Independent Casting provide the missing names, allowing the surviving paperwork to be pieced together and Jones finally identified. B.C. brings useful perspective to that paperwork. Before spending all seven seasons working as an assistant director on Deep Space Nine, she began her own career as a background performer and stand-in, including an early job standing in for Jane Fonda on Comes a Horseman. B.C. and Larry explore the hierarchy between credited actors, featured performers, union and non-union extras; why call sheets generally listed background by type or number rather than name; and what life was like when tomorrow's paycheck could depend on a call from Central Casting. They also look at how Deep Space Nine developed its own reliable stable of recurring background players and how "Trials and Tribble-ations" required the production to cast performers who could actually match the extras seen in footage shot three decades earlier. Documents and additional resources Star Trek, "The Gamesters of Triskelion" production call sheet, October 24, 1967. Independent Casting Extra Talent Call Sheet for "The Gamesters of Triskelion," October 24, 1967. Inside the Roddenberry Archive — investigation identifying uncredited "The Gamesters of Triskelion" background performer Al Jones. "The Gamesters of Triskelion" — Star Trek: The Original Series, production no. 60346. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "Trials and Tribble-ations"

Mission Log: Reactor recaps the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "Orders Of Magnitude" with Jessica and John, and then John and Holly return with Mission Log Live to take listeners' calls about the ethics and the potential plot impacts of the episode! If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Orders Of Magnitude," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

Last week, The Trek Files followed Gene Roddenberry to the 1966 World Science Fiction Convention in Cleveland, where he hoped to convince a skeptical audience of serious science-fiction fans that his new television series was worthy of their attention. This week, Glen E. Swanson, author of Inspired Enterprise, returns to examine what happened next. Our document is a December 1966 letter from science-fiction fan Mike Deckinger, who tells Desilu that he was among more than 1,000 people who watched Roddenberry preview Star Trek at Tricon and witnessed the audience give him a standing ovation. By then, Star Trek had been on the air for three months, and Deckinger was already urging the studio to protect a series he believed was offering television something different: mature stories, intelligent ideas, and contributions from established science-fiction writers. His brief letter gives us a valuable eyewitness account of a moment that Roddenberry himself would recount for years to come. Glen and Larry then trace the ripples from that weekend through Roddenberry's excited telegrams back to Hollywood, a special award from the convention that Gene kept on his office wall for decades, and the award's later appearance in a full-page trade advertisement promoting Star Trek for Emmy consideration. What began as an attempt to win over one of science fiction's toughest audiences became something more lasting: an early stamp of approval from the community Star Trek most wanted to take it seriously. Documents and additional resources Mike Deckinger letter to Desilu Studios, December 7, 1966 Star Trek "For Your Consideration" trade advertisement featuring the Tricon award and endorsements from science and science-fiction figures, 1967. Glen E. Swanson, Inspired Enterprise: How NASA, the Smithsonian and the Aerospace Community Helped Launch Star Trek — Inspired Enterprise Glen E. Swanson — official website Glen E. Swanson, "Mission Impossible: How Star Trek Used the Aerospace Community to Try and Win an Emmy," The Space Review, September 8, 2026 - The Space Review

Mission Log: Reactor recaps the saucy, soapy plot developments of the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "Like Chronitons Through The Hourglass" with Jessica and John, and then John and Holly return with Mission Log Live for insightful discussions, meaningful pauses, totally expected plot twists, surprisingly persistent soft focus, and listener calls! If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Off-Hour," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

On September 8, 1966, Star Trek made its American television debut. But just days earlier, Gene Roddenberry was in Cleveland trying to convince some science fictionfans that his new television series deserved to be taken seriously. On this special 60th anniversary edition of The Trek Files, Glen E. Swanson, author of Inspired Enterprise, returns to examine Roddenberry's appearance at Tricon, the 24th World Science Fiction Convention, over Labor Day weekend in 1966. Our document of the week is the March 8 invitation from Tricon chairman Ben Jason asking Roddenberry to attend the convention, speak to the fans, and bring along both Star Trek pilots. The original Tricon program provides another remarkable artifact: a "sneak preview" of two episodes of a new science-fiction television series called Star Trek. Television science fiction still had a credibility problem, particularly among fans and writers who had seen Hollywood turn sophisticated ideas into bug-eyed monsters and juvenile adventure. Roddenberry arrived with something to prove: that Star Trek intended to treat science fiction with respect. Glen and Larry explore the expectations surrounding the convention, Roddenberry's deliberate courtship of the science-fiction community, and why taking time away from a frantic production schedule to spend Labor Day weekend in Cleveland may have been one of the smartest promotional decisions he could make. And that's only half the story. Next week, Glen returns for Part Two, as we examine what actually happened when the lights went down, the Star Trek pilots went up on the screen, and the legend of Tricon began. Related Documents Letter from Ben Jason to Gene Roddenberry — March 8, 1966 Tricon Program Book — 24th World Science Fiction Convention, Cleveland, Ohio, 1966 Additional References Glen E. Swanson – official website Glen E. Swanson at the Internet Movie Database Inspired Enterprise "Mission Impossible: How Star Trek Used the Aerospace Community to Try and Win an Emmy" — Glen E. Swanson, The Space Review

Mission Log: Reactor recaps the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "Off-Hour" with Jessica and Mike Richards, while Holly and Heather Rae count down with Mission Log Live's callers weighing in on the latest episode. If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Off-Hour," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

Recorded live at STLV, filmmaker and author Jeffrey Morris returns to The Trek Files with a 1989 research report on the landmark Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Who Watches the Watchers." The production notes scrutinize everything from radiation exposure and memory modification to the logic of sending Riker and Troi undercover, and even question whether Picard telling a Mintakan to "shoot me" feels a little too much like a Kirk move. Morris calls "Who Watches the Watchers" not his favorite or even the best episode of Star Trek, but the most important: a story about a society struggling out of superstition and fear, and Picard's determination not to push it backward. Drawing from his book "A Future Askew," Morris and Larry Nemecek consider whether our own civilization is approaching a similar crossroads, retreating from science, diplomacy and accumulated knowledge at precisely the moment we need them most.  From the Prime Directive to fandom activism to the responsibilities of ordinary people, the discussion comes back to a simple idea: Star Trek was never really promising us better gadgets. It was imagining what might happen if humanity finally chose to grow up. Document of the week: David Paige Research Report — "Who Watches the Watchers," Second Draft Outline — June 19, 1989 Additional references: Jeffrey Morris — A Future Askew: Urgent Essays Inspired by the 60th Anniversary of Star Trek "Who Watches the Watchers" Michael Okuda The Making of Star Trek  

Mission Log: Reactor recaps the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "Level-Five Transporter Accident" with John and Jessica, while Holly and Ashley see if Mission Log Live's listeners felt the puppet love, or if they felt the episode had too many strings attached. If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Level-Five Transporter Accident," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

Norman Spinrad's original March 1967 story outline for "The Planet Eater" introduced Star Trek to an unstoppable machine roaming the galaxy, consuming planets for fuel and leaving destruction in its wake. By the time it reached television, the story had a new title, "The Doomsday Machine," and became one of the most celebrated episodes of the original series. Author and filmmaker Jeffrey Morris joins Larry Nemecek at Star Trek Las Vegas to revisit that original outline and consider its warning through a distinctly 21st-century lens. Drawing from his new book, A Future Askew, Jeffrey explores artificial intelligence, social media, technological disruption, and the increasingly complicated distance between the optimistic future Star Trek imagined and the one we're actually building. Could today's rapidly developing technology become our own version of the Planet Eater: enormously powerful, increasingly autonomous, and ultimately beyond the understanding of its creators? Sixty years after Star Trek began imagining the future, an old-fashioned doomsday machine provides a surprisingly timely place to ask where we're headed next. Document of the week: "The Planet Eater" by Norman Spinrad — Story Outline, March 6, 1967 Additional references: Jeffrey Morris — A Future Askew: Urgent Essays Inspired by the 60th Anniversary of Star Trek "The Doomsday Machine" If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All - by Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares  Center for Humane Technology The Social Dilemma Borg V'Ger    

Mission Log: Reactor gives John and Jessica the chance to recap the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "A Case Of Chiaroscuro", followed by Mission Log Live, where not all of our callers saw it as an issue painted in stark black & white.  Ashley and Heather hear a fascinating range of opinions on this moody episode in nearly every shade of grey. If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Human Best Friend," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

Who am I, where am I, and why did I wake up with two podcasts, one them dressed as a Mugato?  Mission Log: Reactor gets the party started as John and Jessica recap Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' "Human Best Friend", followed by Mission Log Live, where John and Holly hear our callers' opinions (but no karaoke open mic night)! If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Human Best Friend," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

What did Star Trek fans have to say in 1976? John Champion returns to The Trek Files for a look through Gene Roddenberry's fan correspondence. This season's selection captures a moment in Star Trek history, ten years after the original series debuted, but before the arrival of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. A Cincinnati attorney credits Spock's logic for helping persuade a jury. An artist shares his hand-painted "Mr. Spock" portrait… on an egg. A teacher explains how she's bringing Star Trek into the classroom, while another fan gently reminds Gene that he still owes her friend for a videotape. Documents and Additional References Fan corresponsence with Gene Roddemberry - 1976 Letters to Star Trek by Susan Sackett Gene Roddenberry's Inside Star Trek album NASA's Space Shuttle Enterprise

It's two podcasts for the price of one! Mission Log: Reactor gets creeped out as John and Jessica recap Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' house of space horrors, "The Griffin Incident", followed by Mission Log Live, where John and Holly scare up a number of reactions from our callers! If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "The Griffin Incident," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

Authors John and Maria Jose Tenuto return to The Trek Files to share a seemingly ordinary filming notice distributed to guests at the Monterey Bay Aquarium during production of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. But for John, it's much more than a production handout, it's a family keepsake. In April 1986, John's parents unknowingly visited the aquarium on a day when Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and the Star Trek IV cast were filming. They saved the notice, recorded the production on a home VHS camcorder, and brought home an extraordinary piece of behind-the-scenes history. Decades later, that footage and flyer helped document one of the franchise's most beloved films. Larry, John, and Mary Jo explore the logistics of filming at a working public aquarium, Leonard Nimoy's commitment to the film's environmental message, and how a family vacation unexpectedly became part of Star Trek history. Documents and Additional References Document of the Week Monterey Bay Aquarium visitor filming notice for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (April 1986) Additional References Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Monterey Bay Aquarium Leonard Nimoy William Shatner John Tenuto Maria Jose Tenuto The Making of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home by John and Maria Jose Tenuto (Titan Books) Previous The Trek Files appearance by John and Maria Jose Tenuto discussing Star Trek II, Star Trek III, and Star Trek IV production history.

After our Mission Log: Reactor review of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' season four premiere, "Valles Marineris," it's time to open the hailing frequencies. On this week's Mission Log Live, John and Holly say "hey" not to dinosaurs, but to our callers, sharing their reactions to the season premiere! If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Valles Marineris," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review.   Mission Log Patrons get Mission Log: Reactor a day early! Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

Following last week's look at the earliest concepts for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Larry Nemecek welcomes back author and historian Ben Robinson to examine Gene Roddenberry's handwritten response and the surprising conversation it sparked. Revisiting documents first explored in earlier seasons of The Trek Files, Larry and Ben trace the pivotal weeks of September 1986, when Gene challenged early ideas for a Starfleet Academy-centered series, questioned the show's heavy emphasis on Klingons, and argued that Star Trek's true strength had never been its characters alone but the stories it told. Some of Gene's observations proved remarkably prescient. Others reveal how his own thinking had evolved since the 1960s. Together, they paint a portrait of a franchise at a crossroads, just weeks before The Next Generation officially became the series we know today. Documents and Additional References Document of the Week Gene Roddenberry's response to the early Star Trek: The Next Generation series proposal (September 19, 1986) Additional References Early Star Trek: The Next Generation series proposal by Greg Strangis (September 1986) (revisited from Season 1, Episode 4) Gene Roddenberry Greg Strangis Rick Berman Ben Robinson Star Trek: The Next Generation Related Trek Files episodes: Season 1, Episode 4 — Early The Next Generation series proposal Season 13, Episode 2 — Gene Roddenberry's response to Paramount's proposal Season 15, Episode 11 — Greg Strangis' earliest notes for The Next Generation

It's been a long road… and Mission Log is finally back with a long-overdue check-in. John, Norman, and Rod talk about where the show has been, what's ahead, and how the journey continues as we set a course for Star Trek: Enterprise. Along the way, they reflect on the evolution of the show, the state of Roddenberry Entertainment, and what it takes to keep a 2,000+ episode legacy going strong. Oh, and before we're done, a new voice joins the conversation. Stay tuned. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Special guest Rod Roddenberry Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a single episode of Star Trek, diving into its ethical subtext, metaphors, and cultural significance. From the show's most iconic moments to its hidden gems, we analyze what makes Star Trek one of the greatest science fiction sagas of all time. In every episode of Mission Log we… Recap the story and analyze key moments. Discuss the morals, messages, and meanings of the dilemmas presented. Debate whether the episode holds up and if the themes are still relevant. Join the Conversation: For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our exclusive Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and  weekly video chats with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog SPECIAL THANKS the supporters of this week's show: Chris Garis, Julie Miller, Stuart, Michael Park, Paul Shadwell, Matt Esposito, Alan Simonis, Mike Richards, David Takechi, Mike Schiable, VADM Erickson, and Lars Seme Thanks to all of our Patreon Supporters https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/sponsors/ Want to share your thoughts on an upcoming episode? Email us at MissionLog@Roddenberry.com for a chance to be featured during the episode. Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryEntertainment THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Did you know we're on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now:  https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn more about how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial THE RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/theroddenberryfoundation   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Listeners like you - Support Mission Log on Patreon for early access to shows and the Mission Log Discord! Subscribe and Stay Updated:Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your preferred podcast player, leave a review, and join Mission Log on the journey of weekly deep dives into the Star Trek universe. Technical Director - Earl Green Producer - John Champion Associate Producer - Jessica Lynn Verdi Executive Producer - Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved

We're back! And it's time to go BACK in time with Strange New Worlds! Join us Mondays at 7PM PT/10PM ET for our live talkback for each episode, FREE on Patreon. We'll hear your thoughts and questions as we embark on this journey together! Sign up at https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog  Jessica Lynn Verdi and John Champion return to Mission Log Reactor to chat about the Strange New Worlds Season 4 premiere, "Valles Marineris," and the question isn't WHERE are we...it's WHEN are we... SPOILERS ABOUND. Also! For more Trek Content, visit https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/ Join our community on Discord to share your own theories about the premiere. Subscribe for weekly Star Trek discussion breakdowns, and let us know in the comments: which classic adventure influences do you hope to see in future episodes?

Before Captain Picard. Before the Enterprise-D. Before Gene Roddenberry stepped back into the captain's chair of his own creation... This week on The Trek Files, Larry Nemecek is joined by author and Star Trek historian Ben Robinson to examine one of the earliest surviving documents in the development of Star Trek: The Next Generation: a September 1986 memo from writer Greg Strangis to producer Rick Berman outlining the first concepts for a new Star Trek television series. The document reveals some fascinating ideas: a Starfleet Academy setting, a young captain, a Klingon observer serving aboard a Federation starship, familiar themes of friendship, diplomacy, and the Prime Directive, but viewed through the lens of Cold War politics and 1980s television. Together, Larry and Ben explore why some of these ideas disappeared, why others evolved into the Next Generation we know today, and how the process of reinventing Star Trek began long before Gene Roddenberry ultimately reshaped the concept himself. Documents and Additional References Greg Strangis to Rick Berman — Early Notes on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (September 4, 1986) Additional References Greg Strangis Rick Berman Star Trek: The Next Generation Gene Roddenberry Ben Robinson Related Trek Files episodes: Season 1, Episode 4 — Early Star Trek: The Next Generation series treatment Season 13, Episode 2 — Gene Roddenberry's response to the early Next Generation proposal

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is regarded as one of the finest entries in the franchise, but even classics continue to evolve right up until release. This week on The Trek Files, Larry Nemecek welcomes authors and historians John and Maria Jose Tenuto to examine a fascinating production document: a March 23, 1982 retake script created just weeks before the film premiered. The pages reveal subtle but important changes to some of the movie's most memorable moments, from Kirk's first encounter with David Marcus to the famous "Remember" scene between Spock and McCoy. How much did Kirk originally know about his son? Who actually performed the mind-meld hand seen in the reshoot? And how did a handful of pickup shots help shape what would become one of Star Trek's greatest films? Along the way, John and Maria Jose pull back the curtain on Nicholas Meyer's production, Harve Bennett's stewardship of the franchise, and the extraordinary efficiency that turned a modestly-budgeted sequel into a science-fiction masterpiece. Documents and Additional References Document of the Week Star Trek II Retakes Script Pages — March 23, 1982 Additional References Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: The Making of the Classic Film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Nicholas Meyer Harve Bennett ⁠Titan Books author page for Maria Jose Tenuto

What if Star Trek's most iconic technology was really just a clever budget solution? This week on The Trek Files, Larry Nemecek welcomes back actor, writer, and Does It Fly? co-host Tamara Krinsky to explore one of the foundational documents of Star Trek: an excerpt from Gene Roddenberry's August 1966 Writer-Director Information guide. Among its many insights is an early explanation of the transporter, the device that would become one of the franchise's most recognizable inventions. What began as a practical solution to avoid expensive weekly landing sequences quickly evolved into a storytelling engine unlike anything else in science fiction. Together, Larry and Tamara examine how the transporter shaped Star Trek's pacing and opened the door to some of the franchise's most memorable stories. Drawing on Tamara's work analyzing science fiction concepts on Does It Fly?, the conversation ventures into questions of physics and philosophy. Is transporting matter actually possible? What happens to consciousness during transport? And how did a production shortcut become one of the most enduring ideas in popular culture? From Gene Roddenberry's original vision to modern discussions of science and storytelling, this episode beams directly into what makes Star Trek work. Documents and Additional References Star Trek Writer-Director Information (Revised August 30, 1966) – transporter section and production notes Gene Roddenberry Transporter Tamara Krinsky Does It Fly? podcast⁠ Does It Fly? – Is Star Trek's Transporter Really Possible?

Before Star Trek or The Lieutenant Gene Roddenberry explored his role as a television creator by developing a series for one of Hollywood's biggest stars: Joan Crawford. This week, Larry welcomes Roddenberry Podcasts Technical Director and Gene-ology co-host Earl Green to examine a 1961 memo in which Gene proposes major revisions to The Joan Crawford Show, a legal drama pilot titled A Man's World. The project never made it to series, but the document reveals a writer already demonstrating the storytelling instincts, character focus, and production savvy that would later define his career. Along the way, Earl and Larry explore Crawford's complicated transition from film to television, the realities of early TV development, Gene's final months at Screen Gems, and the behind-the-scenes negotiations that surrounded the project. They also discuss why the pilot script itself—examined in depth on Gene-ology—may rank among Gene Roddenberry's strongest pre-Star Trek works. What begins as a rewrite memo becomes a look into Hollywood in transition and Gene Roddenberry honing his craft years before the Enterprise ever left spacedock. Documents and Additional References Joan Crawford rewrite memo (April 28, 1961) Gene Roddenberry Joan Crawford on IMDb The Lieutenant on IMDb DeForest Kelley Gene-ology: A Man's World episode⁠

Earlier this season, we explored an unusual piece of Star Trek history: a proposed sitcom starring Lwaxana Troi. Now, the story takes an unexpected turn. When listeners helped identify one of the creators behind the never-produced project, The Trek Files tracked down writer and media innovator Jack Myers, who hadn't seen the pitch document in decades. Together, Larry and Jack revisit Lwaxana in the 24th Century, uncovering how the project came together, Majel Barrett Roddenberry's personal investment in the series, and why Hollywood never gave it a chance. Jack shares memories of Majel's determination, her frustrations with the industry's limitations, and her belief that Lwaxana could carry a series of her own. Looking back today, many of the pitch's ideas (from AI-powered homes and android assistants to questions of identity, family, and cultural division) feel surprisingly ahead of their time. It's a rare opportunity to hear the history behind an unproduced Star Trek project directly from one of the people who helped create it, while reflecting on the changing world of television and the legacy of Majel Barrett Roddenberry. Documents and Additional References Lwaxana in the 24th Century pitch treatment (circa 1992) Majel Barrett Roddenberry Lwaxana Troi Jack Myers official site Star Trek: The Next Generation Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

The story of Star Trek's officially licensed 1994 stage production continues this week on The Trek Files as actor Adrian Cohen returns to share even more memories from Star Trek: The Lost Voyage of the Enterprise. Using a rare 1995 review from Total Theatre Magazine as the document of the week, Adrian and Larry Nemecek dig deeper into the ambitious London production that somehow brought transporters, Klingons, time travel, and a full-scale Enterprise bridge to the live stage — all during the height of 1990s Trek mania. This time, Adrian shares stories from the chaotic opening night when the lighting system catastrophically crashed just hours before curtain, forcing the audience to wait until 9:30 PM for a performance that somehow still became a hit with fans. He also reflects on the enormous pressure of portraying Mr. Spock, the audience reaction to seeing the crew materialize live on stage, and the bittersweet realization that the production's planned Broadway future would never quite materialize. Along the way, the conversation uncovers surprising connections to Adrian's later move to America, the early career of producer John Gore, and how one strange theatrical experiment became an almost-forgotten chapter of Star Trek history. Documents and Additional References Total Theatre Magazine review of Star Trek: The Lost Voyage of the Enterprise (Spring 1995) Adrian Cohen on IMDB Reference: Leonard Nimoy John Gore on IMDB John Gore on BroadwayWorld The Trek Files Season 15 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Before there was streaming Trek or "immersive experiences," there was something almost unbelievable: an officially licensed Star Trek stage play in London in 1994. This week on The Trek Files, Larry Nemecek welcomes actor Adrian Cohen (credited at the time as Adrian Neil), who played Mr. Spock in the ambitious theatrical production mounted during the height of the Star Trek: The Next Generation era. Using a clipping from the London Evening Standard as the document of the week, Adrian recounts the surreal experience of stepping onto a full-scale Enterprise bridge in front of packed houses of passionate British Trek fans. What began as a skeptical audition ("I can't play Spock!") quickly evolved into a whirlwind production featuring transporter effects, Klingons, time travel, elaborate costume changes, and even an Enterprise flying out over the audience. Adrian and Larry explore how producer John Gore approached the material with both reverence and playful theatricality, creating something that celebrated Star Trek rather than parodying it. Along the way, Adrian shares memories of discovering just how intense Trek fandom could be, the pressure of channeling Leonard Nimoy's iconic presence, and the unexpectedly emotional reaction from audiences seeing Star Trek brought to life on stage for the very first time. This week, The Trek Files points a spotlight at a little-known corner of improbable yet completely inevitable Trek history. Documents and Additional References London Evening Standard clipping covering the 1994 Star Trek stage production Reference: Adrian Cohen on IMDB Reference: Leonard Nimoy John Gore on IMDB John Gore on BoradwayWorld The Trek Files Season 15 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

What is the single most important concept in crisis management? Andy Coulson believes it's control — a lesson he first learned sitting on a plastic mattress in a Glasgow police cell, with nothing to focus on but his own breathing.In this special compilation episode, he revisits four past guests who each arrived at the same conclusion through very different routes.POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEYI know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters, and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley. Visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details.FEATURINGRyan Holiday — bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way and The Daily Stoic, on why Stoicism is history's greatest crisis management framework, and the remarkable story of Admiral James Stockdale tapping Epictetus through a prison wall in Vietnam.Alix Popham — former Welsh international rugby player, diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable CTE, on how the athlete's instinct for discipline becomes a survival strategy when the stakes are as high as they get.Natasha Silver Bell — international model turned recovery coach, on the moment she stopped blaming her external circumstances and took control of her internal state.Cally Beaton — comedian, writer, and former Viacom CBS executive, on surrender, mayhem, and why she refuses to call herself a stoic — despite sounding exactly like one.Control the controllables. It sounds simple. It isn't. But as every guest in this episode shows, it is learnable — and it might just be the most important lesson crisis has to offer.FULL EPISODES:Ryan Holiday: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/crisis-what-crisis-with-andy-coulson/id1517015748?i=1000755722247 Alix Popham: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/crisis-what-crisis-with-andy-coulson/id1517015748?i=1000712166764 Natasha Silver Bell: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/crisis-what-crisis-with-andy-coulson/id1517015748?i=1000722574377 Cally Beaton: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/crisis-what-crisis-with-andy-coulson/id1517015748?i=1000717250391FOLLOW THE GUESTS:Ryan Holiday: https://www.instagram.com/ryanholiday/ Alix Popham: https://www.instagram.com/alix_popham/ Natasha Silver Bell: https://www.instagram.com/natashasilverbell/ Cally Beaton: https://www.instagram.com/callybeatoncomedian/

Thirty years ago, Star Trek: First Contact brought one of the franchise's most important moments to life: humanity's first meeting with the Vulcans. This week on The Trek Files, host Larry Nemecek welcomes actor, writer, and Does It Fly? co-host Tamara Krinsky for a uniquely personal look behind the scenes of that iconic sequence. Using an original production call sheet from April 23, 1996, the conversation takes us to the nighttime shoot at Charlton Flats in the Angeles National Forest, where dozens of extras helped populate the post-war settlement that would witness history. Among them was a young aspiring actor named Tamara, hoping to gain experience and maybe earn a coveted SAG card. What happened next was something straight out of Hollywood legend. During filming, director Jonathan Frakes singled Tamara out from among the crowd, rebuilding part of the scene around her reaction shot. Her featured appearance in the finished film earned her a day-player contract, a SAG membership, and a memory that has stayed with her ever since. Along the way, Tamara shares stories of chilly overnight shoots, watching the legendary cast at work, and experiencing firsthand the creation of one of Star Trek's most beloved cinematic moments. Documents and Additional References Star Trek: Generations II (Star Trek: First Contact) production call sheet, April 23, 1996 Reference: Star Trek: First Contact Reference: Tamara Krinsky Reference: Jonathan Frakes Reference: James Cromwell Reference: Patrick Stewart Does It Fly? podcast The Trek Files Season 15 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

The Trek Files welcomes back visual effects veteran Stuart Ziff for a firsthand trip into the making of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. This time, the documents are original production call sheets from April 1986, detailing the now-legendary "B-Tank" shoot where the Klingon Bird-of-Prey splashed down into San Francisco Bay with George and Gracie the humpback whales. Stu recalls the practical filmmaking wizardry behind the scenes: giant wave machines, lightning rigs, whale effects, and an enormous outdoor water tank built on the Paramount lot. Along the way, he shares stories about building a mechanical whale eye (for the wrong side of the whale), experimenting with blue dye for the tank water, and watching old Hollywood effects crews create movie magic in real time. Larry and Stu also circle back to Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Stu's experiences during the turbulent Robert Abel & Associates era, including a revealing memory involving a young Paramount executive named Jeffrey Katzenberg. It's a fond look back at the kind of filmmaking that required wind machines, carbon-arc lightning effects, scuba divers, towels, and "wetsuits for cast and crew." Plus: Stu discusses the new documentary being produced about his life and career, and how fans can help support it. Documents and additional references Star Trek IV production call sheets, April 18–24, 1986 Stuart Ziff documentary campaign:  Indiegogo – The Stuart Ziff Documentary Reference: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Reference: Leonard Nimoy The Trek Files Season 15 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Before Star Trek: The Motion Picture reached theaters, its visual effects production was already becoming legendary… for all the wrong reasons. This week on The Trek Files, Larry Nemecek welcomes visual effects veteran Stuart Ziff for a firsthand account of the chaotic early days of TMP production under Robert Abel & Associates. Using internal memos and legal correspondence from 1977 and 1978, Larry and Stu trace the rapidly escalating budget, the mounting pressure from Paramount, and the growing realization that the ambitious effects work was spiraling out of control. But this isn't just a story about production disaster. Stu shares what it was actually like inside Abel's experimental effects operation during a revolutionary moment in Hollywood filmmaking, where engineers, artists, and filmmakers were inventing techniques on the fly in the years between Star Wars and the digital era. Along the way, Stu reveals how some of his work survived the production shakeup and made it into the finished film, including contributions to the unforgettable V'Ger probe sequence aboard the Enterprise bridge. It's a candid look at one of the most turbulent creative periods in Star Trek history, and a reminder that sometimes cinematic magic emerges from absolute chaos. Documents and additional references: December 6, 1977 legal correspondence regarding Robert Abel & Associates' agreement for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. May 17, 1978 Paramount memo objecting to Robert Abel & Associates' revised visual effects budget. Guest: Stu Ziff Reference: Star Trek: The Motion Picture Additional reference: the upcoming Stu Ziff documentary crowdfunding campaign at  Indiegogo – Stuart Ziff Documentary Project The Trek Files Season 15 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

What if Star Trek had spun off into a full-blown sitcom starring Lwaxana Troi? To kick off Season 15 of The Trek Files, Larry Nemecek welcomes actor, writer, comedian, and Star Trek: Lower Decks star Tawny Newsome for a deep dive into an early-1990s pitch centered on Majel Barrett Roddenberry's Betazoid ambassador. The document up for discussion is a never-produced sitcom concept built around Lwaxana Troi; equal parts fish-out-of-water comedy, family chaos, and larger-than-life Trek energy. Together, Larry and Tawny unpack why the pitch feels both very of-its-time and strangely ahead of its time, especially now that Star Trek comedy has found new life through projects like Lower Decks. As someone who has not only starred in Trek comedy but also developed her own comedic Trek ideas, Tawny brings a unique perspective to the conversation: what makes sci-fi comedy work and how Gene Roddenberry's world always had room for humor alongside the philosophy and adventure. It's a fascinating look at a road not taken in Star Trek history and a reminder that sometimes the weirdest ideas in the archive are the most revealing. Documents and additional references ca. 1992 sitcom pitch centered on Lwaxana Troi and a proposed Star Trek comedy spinoff Guest: Tawny Newsome Reference: Lwaxana Troi Additional reference: Star Trek: Lower Decks The Trek Files Season 15 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Tim Russ joins Mission Log for a wide-ranging conversation about his life before, during, and after Star Trek: Voyager. From music to directing, from the discipline of Tuvok to the chaos of television production, Tim shares stories from a career that stretches far beyond the Delta Quadrant. Along the way, we dig into how characters are shaped, how stories are told, and why sometimes the most logical approach isn't enough.   Mission Log welcomes Tim Russ for a conversation that goes well beyond "fascinating."   Hosted by John Champion and Earl Green Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a single episode of Star Trek, diving into its ethical subtext, metaphors, and cultural significance. From the show's most iconic moments to its hidden gems, we analyze what makes Star Trek one of the greatest science fiction sagas of all time. In every episode of Mission Log we… Recap the story and analyze key moments. Discuss the morals, messages, and meanings of the dilemmas presented. Debate whether the episode holds up and if the themes are still relevant. Join the Conversation: For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our exclusive Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and  weekly video chats with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog SPECIAL THANKS the supporters of this week's show: Chris Garis, Julie Miller, Stuart, Michael Park, Paul Shadwell, Matt Esposito, Alan Simonis, Mike Richards, David Takechi, Mike Schiable, VADM Erickson, and Lars Seme Thanks to all of our Patreon Supporters https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/sponsors/ Want to share your thoughts on an upcoming episode? Email us at MissionLog@Roddenberry.com for a chance to be featured during the episode. Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryEntertainment THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Did you know we're on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now:  https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn more about how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial THE RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/theroddenberryfoundation   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Listeners like you - Support Mission Log on Patreon for early access to shows and the Mission Log Discord! Subscribe and Stay Updated:Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your preferred podcast player, leave a review, and join Mission Log on the journey of weekly deep dives into the Star Trek universe. Technical Director - Earl Green Producer - John Champion Associate Producer - Jessica Lynn Verdi Executive Producer - Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved

After our Mission Log: Reactor review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Episode 10, "Rubincon," it's time to open the hailing frequencies. On this week's Mission Log Live, John and Jessica welcome callers to share their reactions to Starfleet Academy's first season finale. Listeners have thoughts on Nus Braka's past and his future, and predictions (and wish lists) for the second season. If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "Rubincon," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review.   Mission Log Patrons get Mission Log: Reactor a day early! Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

Mission Log Reactor wraps up Season 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy with our recap and review of Episode 10, "Rubincon." Jessica Lynn Verdi and John Champion take their seats in the jury box as Nus Braka puts the Federation itself on trial. With an Omega particle threat hanging over billions of lives, the crew of the Athena must hold things together while the cadets step up in ways no one expected. Can a last-minute plea change a verdict? And what happens when Starfleet's ideals are forced to defend themselves in front of the entire galaxy?  Join us for a spoiler-heavy discussion of the season finale as we break down the big moments, the character arcs, and the questions the episode raises about justice, truth, and the Federation's place in the future. Mission Log Patrons get the video version of Mission Log Reactor a day early! Support the show and get early access for as little as $1/month: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   And don't forget: Join us Monday nights at 7PM PT / 10PM ET for our Mission Log Live talkback, where we hear your thoughts and questions about the episode. The livestream is FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   With the Starfleet Academy finale behind us, Mission Log Reactor will take a short break until the next new season of Star Trek arrives. Until then, keep the conversation going with us on the Mission Log Discord!   For more Mission Log and Roddenberry podcast content, visit: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

  Welcome to today's episode of That's The Ticket! podcast! Today, we are joined by someone who sits at the intersection of sports and entertainment and currently serves as President of the Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios.   Dawkins, who spent 17 years at Viacom (now ViacomCBS), was elevated to the position of Executive […]

After our Mission Log: Reactor review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Episode 9, "300th Night," it's time to open the hailing frequencies. On this week's Mission Log Live, John and Jessica welcome callers to share their reactions to the first part of Starfleet Academy's first season finale. Listeners have thoughts on Caleb's behavior, theories aplenty about how the cliffhanger plays out, and thoughts on the wisdom of pre-installing party lighting on the Starfleet ships of the future! If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "300th Night," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review.   Mission Log Patrons get Mission Log: Reactor a day early! Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

We're back with a fresh recap & review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1, Episode 9, "300th Night"! Jessica Lynn Verdi and John Champion celebrate the Academy's 300th night with Klingon bonding rituals, awkward turbo-lift heart-to-hearts, and one very questionable plan involving a stolen shuttle. Meanwhile, the return of the Omega particle raises the stakes across Federation space as the cadets race headfirst into danger.  Join us for a spoiler-heavy conversation as we break down all the latest twists, character moments, and penultimate-episode drama from this exciting new television series. Mission Log Patrons get the video a day early! Get Mission Log Reactor first thing on Thursday morning for as little as $1. Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Also! Join us Mondays at 7PM PT / 10PM ET for our live talkback for each episode, FREE on Patreon. We'll hear your thoughts and questions as we embark on this journey together! https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Trek content, visit: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

After our Mission Log: Reactor review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Episode 8, "The Life of the Stars," it's time to open the hailing frequencies. On this week's Mission Log Live, John and Jessica welcome callers to share their reactions to an episode that blends Thornton Wilder's Our Town with some deeply emotional Star Trek history. Listeners weigh in on the role of the humanities at Starfleet Academy, whether theater really helps the cadets process trauma, and why the story of The Doctor and SAM struck such a powerful chord. Along the way, we get thoughtful insights from fellow theater kids, teachers, and parents about how art, empathy, and storytelling shape how we understand ourselves and each other.  If you missed our Mission Log: Reactor episode covering "The Life of the Stars," be sure to check it out on YouTube for our full recap and review.   Mission Log Patrons get Mission Log: Reactor a day early! Sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog   Then join us every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET for Mission Log Live, our weekly audience call-in show where you can share your thoughts about the latest Star Trek episodes.   Streaming FREE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/

A quick check-in from John about the future of Mission Log. After wrapping Star Trek: Voyager, the show has been in transition, and this update shares what's next. We'll cover what's happening behind the scenes, what's coming up (including Enterprise), and how you can stay connected while we prepare for the next chapter. Mission Log isn't going anywhere. This is just a brief transmission to say thank you and to let you know what's ahead. Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryEntertainment THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Listeners like you - Support Mission Log on Patreon for early access to shows and the Mission Log Discord! Subscribe and Stay Updated:Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your preferred podcast player, leave a review, and join Mission Log on the journey of weekly deep dives into the Star Trek universe. Technical Director - Earl Green Producer - John Champion Associate Producer - Jessica Lynn Verdi Executive Producer - Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved

We're back with a fresh recap and review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1, Episode 8, "The Life of the Stars." In this spoiler-heavy discussion, Jessica Lynn Verdi and John Champion set the stage for an episode that stretches from Thornton Wilder's Our Town to SAM's home planet and straight into some of the biggest emotional questions of the season. Trauma, time, theater, and the Doctor's growing existential crisis collide as Academy attempts to reckon with the aftermath of the Miyazaki disaster. Does art heal? Does counseling help? And what happens when a character built to observe life demands the chance to actually live it? If you'd like to watch the full video version of Mission Log: Reactor — and get it a day early — you can join us on Patreon for as little as $1. Sign up at https://www.patreon.com/MissionLog (Patrons get Reactor first thing Thursday morning!) And don't forget: Join us Mondays at 7PM PT / 10PM ET for Mission Log Live, our FREE audience call-in talkback show covering each new episode. Bring your questions, theories, agreements, disagreements — and maybe even written notes. patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: missionlogpodcast.com

Spring Break for Starfleet Academy means desert weddings, warp slugs, forged transcripts, and a brand-new word entering the Trek lexicon: Ko'Zeine. After our spoiler-heavy review on Mission Log: Reactor, it was your turn to take the mic. On this week's Mission Log Live, callers weighed in on tonal whiplash, Darem's royal detour, Genesis' risky shortcut to command, and whether Caleb is the hero we're meant to root for… or the cadet we most need to yell at. Is "Ko'Zeine" a welcome breather after the Miyazaki disaster? Did the Khionian wedding work for you? Are we shipping the right couples? And what does it mean when Starfleet Academy swings from trauma to rom-com in a single jump? From Klingon bonding rituals to desert couture, you brought sharp insight, strong opinions, and just the right amount of chaos. If you caught our initial review on Mission Log: Reactor, this is the next step, the community conversation. If you didn't, you can always start there for our first impressions before diving into the live debate.   Watch Mission Log: Reactor on YouTube youtube.com/@MissionLogPodcasts (Patreon members get Reactor a day early!)     Join us Mondays for Mission Log Live Our audience call-in talkback show covering each new episode Streaming FREE every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET on Patreon: patreon.com/missionlog     For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: missionlogpodcast.com

We're back with a fresh recap & review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1, Episode 7, "Ko'Zeine." Spring Break hits Starfleet Academy, and while some cadets plan a quiet getaway, others get swept into royal weddings, questionable science experiments, and decisions that could derail a pre-command future. Jessica Lynn Verdi and John Champion unpack the cultural clash on the Khionian "sunset moon," the consequence of cutting corners on the USS Athena, and what this episode has to say about truth and accountability. It's a spoiler-heavy discussion as we break down the latest chapter of this new Trek series' the hits, the head-scratchers, and the character turns that may shape the rest of the season.   Prefer to watch? Mission Log: Reactor premieres weekly on YouTube: youtube.com/@MissionLogPodcasts   Want it early? Patreon members get Mission Log: Reactor a day before the public release — for as little as $1: patreon.com/missionlog   And join us Mondays at 7PM PT / 10PM ET for Mission Log Live, our audience call-in talkback show — streaming FREE on Patreon: patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion: missionlogpodcast.com

After our Mission Log Reactor recap of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Episode 6, "Come, Let's Away," we opened the channel, and our Star Trek Pals delivered. This week's live discussion dives deep into the moral calculus of trusting Nus Braka (again), whether Starfleet's diplomacy still works in a fractured galaxy, and if the Federation's reputation for paternalism is something it simply can't shake. Callers unpack Ake's choices, debate whether letting the villain monologue is negotiation or naïveté, and question whether Starfleet has truly learned to meet other cultures where they are. Along the way, we get sharp psychological analysis, comparisons to Janeway and the Borg, musings on Shakespeare references, comic book lore in a post-Burn galaxy, and the eternal question: how much premise-swallowing is too much premise-swallowing? This is Mission Log Live: thoughtful disagreement, sharp insight, a few laughs, and space to wrestle with the bigger ideas behind the action.   Watch our initial reactions on Mission Log: Reactor: youtube.com/@MissionLogPodcasts (Patreon members get Reactor a day early!)   Join us Mondays for Mission Log Live, our audience call-in talkback show. Streaming FREE every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET on Patreon: patreon.com/missionlog (Audio-only versions drop immediately after the live show.)   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion, visit: missionlogpodcast.com

Before she was Tasha Yar, she was Lieutenant Commander Macha Hernandez. For the Season 14 finale of The Trek Files, Denise Crosby joins Larry Nemecek to revisit her original 1987 audition sides for Star Trek: The Next Generation, including early character descriptions that reveal a very different version of the Enterprise's security chief. Denise first read for Deanna Troi before Gene Roddenberry made a pivotal switch, reshaping the role of Macha Hernandez into Tasha Yar to fit Denise's strengths. In this week's episode, Denise reflects on the audition process, her favorite scene between Troi and Yar that was never filmed, and what those early creative decisions revealed about the direction of TNG. She also shares memories of those uncertain early days of production, the risk of launching a syndicated sequel to an iconic series, and the emotional complexity of stepping into (and eventually stepping away from) such a historic role. Along the way, Denise speaks movingly about loss after the Palisades fire, resilience, fandom, and what it means to revisit Star Trek decades later. It's a revealing look at how a character evolves, how casting can reshape canon, and how even discarded script pages tell the story of Star Trek's creative DNA. Documents and additional references Star Trek: The Next Generation Casting Character Bios & Audition Sides (January 30, 1987)  Original description of Lieutenant Commander Macha Hernandez and early security chief character concepts. Star Trek: The Next Generation Pilot Casting Sides (February 11, 1987) Troi/Yar audition scene never filmed for TNG. The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

We're back with a fresh recap & review of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1, Episode 6, "Come, Let's Away"! Jessica Lynn Verdi and John Champion get out of the classroom and take a field trip into danger, with Nus Braka as a guest lecturer. Hope you studied up, there'll be tests. So. many. tests. Join us for a spoiler-heavy Star Trek podcast as we break down all the latest from this exciting new television series. Also! Join us Mondays at 7PM PT/10PM ET for our live talkback for each episode, FREE on Patreon. We'll hear your thoughts and questions as we embark on this journey together! https://www.patreon.com/missionlog/events/150616376   This is the audio-only podcast version of Mission Log: Reactor. If you'd like to watch the conversation, the full video edition is available on YouTube: Mission Log: Reactor on YouTube youtube.com/@MissionLogPodcasts (Patreon members get Reactor a day early!)   Join us Mondays for Mission Log Live — our audience call-in talkback show covering each new episode. Streaming FREE every Monday at 7pm PT / 10pm ET on Patreon: patreon.com/missionlog   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion, visit: missionlogpodcast.com

In this very special episode of The Trek Files, actor Robin Curtis joins us to revisit a little-known chapter in Saavik's story, one that never made it to screen. Drawing from a pair of early Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home script drafts, we explore a scene that implies Saavik is pregnant with Spock's child, a narrative thread begun in Star Trek III but quietly dropped by the time the final film was released. Robin shares warm memories of working with Leonard Nimoy, the late Harve Bennett, and her fellow castmates, as well as a few eye-opening truths about the unpredictability of Hollywood. Plus, she discusses her return to the role of Saavik in OTOY's Unification, and we recreate the pivotal, never-filmed scene between Kirk and Saavik. It's an emotional, candid, and deeply human conversation about legacy, missed opportunities, and what it means to carry a character with you for decades. Documents and additional references: First Draft (August 23, 1985): Conversation between Kirk and Saavik revealing her pregnancy by Spock. Second Draft (November 18, 1985): Subtle reference via McCoy's line: "I'm a surgeon, not a pediatrician." The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Mission Log Live is all about the conversation. Following our Mission Log Reactor discussion of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Episode 5, "Series Acclimation Mil,"we open the channel to our listeners for a wide-ranging call-in discussion that explores SAM's journey, manufactured intelligence, and what it means to "understand" humanity at all. Callers bring deeply personal reactions to SAM's story, comparisons to Data and "Data's Day," reflections on Benjamin and Jake Sisko, and thoughtful debate over whether this episode is a sincere exploration of identity or an uneven mix of whimsy, fan service, and big ideas. We hear perspectives shaped by love of Deep Space Nine, fresh eyes new to DS9, and everything in between, with space for minds to change and opinions to clash respectfully.  This is Mission Log Live at its core: a welcoming space for thoughtful disagreement and shared curiosity about Star Trek's message.   Watch our initial reactions on Mission Log Reactor: youtube.com/@MissionLogPodcasts (Patreon members get Reactor a day early!)   Join us for Mission Log Live every Monday night — our audience call-in talkback show, FREE for everyone at: patreon.com/missionlog (Audio-only versions drop after the live show.)   For more Star Trek podcasts, videos, and discussion, visit: missionlogpodcast.com