Ceci N'est Pa a Star Trek
By Stereo to Chroma
Ceci N'est Pa a Star TrekAug 20, 2019
Fools Rush In
Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki) has so much empathy it's a crime, and the crew ignore a thousand years of sociological studies.
These Dimensions
John Lamar (J Lee) and Ed Mercer (Seth McFarlane) prove themselves as leaders as they explore a piece of two-dimensional sci-fi. Hosts VanVelding and SkilTao discuss the comedic dimensions of the cast.
Circ du Fear
Alara (Halston Sage) triumphs over a nightmare of her own making. Hosts SkilTao and VanVelding discuss Halloween episodes, the mystery of rewatchability, and what to do when it's all a dream.
Sweet Muzak
Darulio (Rob Lowe) learns an important lesson about making everyone around him lose their heads. Hosts VanVelding and SkilTao praise Yaphit and the supporting cast.
Folded Away
Dr Claire Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald) shows how hard it is to be a single mom and also kidnapped, while Isaac (Mark Jackson) proves the old adage that it takes a V'ger to raise a child.
Wesley Get off the Grass
John Lamar (J Lee) gets thrown under the bus and his friends learn to manipulate the court of public opinion. Hosts SkilTao and VanVelding discuss 'government by reddit,' and SkilTao has a theory about Lamar.
All You Need Is Krill
Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) and Gordon Malloy (Scott Grimes) dive into Krill culture. Hosts VanVelding and SkilTao talk about using humor as mortar, and SkilTao has a theory about space whales.
Time Travel and Bullspit
Star Trek scripts sometimes lived or died on the performance of their guest actors. Despite questionable temporal mechanics, the "Pria" script succeeds where "If the Stars Should Appear" stumbles, and "The Orville" gets good guests.
If a Theme Should Appear
"If the Stars Should Appear" wanders from big idea to big idea without digging into them. It also pries at the characters' relationships. Hosts SkilTao and VanVelding discuss missed opportunities and speculate about the season's romantic arcs.
About a Message
Bortus (Peter Macon) moves viewers through the Moclan legal system and introduces a constellation of issues related to gender identity. The crew try to see their way through the reindeer games.
Alara versus Television
"Command Performance" leans heavily on Star Trek tropes, but makes good television with it and gives Halston Sage (Alara), great opportunities as one of the crew's most junior members.
Mercer and MacFarlane
Seth MacFarlane has a long, loving history with Star Trek. His new television show, "The Orville," is built on that foundation. Hosts SkilTao and VanVelding talk about those foundations, MacFarlane, and his alter ego, Ed Mercer.