The Star Trek Academy Podcast
By The Faculty
The Star Trek Academy PodcastFeb 19, 2023
Episode 135: Discovery S5xE6, Whistlespeak
Join us for Star Trek Discovery S5xE6, Whistlespeak, addressing spiritualism in a way Star Trek may never have done before. There is a lot of meaning to talk about in this episode.
Episode 134: Discovery S5xE5, Mirrors
We reflect on the Star Trek Discovery S5xE5 episode Mirrors, a strong character development episode supporting season-long themes of connections, change, and choices.
Episode 133: Discovery S5xE4, Face the Strange
We examine the Star Trek Discovery S5xE4 time loop episode Face the Strange. We deconstruct the episode, including a lot of production details plus the messages and themes.
Episode 132: Discovery S5xE3, Jinaal
We examine Star Trek Discovery S5xE3, Jinall. This episode has a strong theme of Connections, which we examine from multiple directions.
Episode 131: Discovery S5xE 1 & 2
Michael and Rodney examine the first two episodes of Star Trek Discovery's final season, including a lot of production details as well as the ethics and themes of the episodes.
Episode 130: Discovery S2xE 12, 13 & 14
The Academy professors finish their rewatch of Star Trek Discovery Season 2, including a lot of the discussion of the themes and ethics seen in the episodes, including how to make AI ethical.
Episode 129: Discovery S2xE 8, 9, 10 & 11
The Academy professors rewatch Star Trek Discovery Season 2, episodes 8, 9, 10 & 11, including the implications of the story arc of the season using AI as the "Big Bad" antagonist and how that connects to today.
Episode 128: Discovery S2xE 4, 5, 6, & 7
The Academy professors rewatch Star Trek Discovery Season 2, deconstructing episodes 4, 5, 6, & 7, focusing on the growing complexity of the story arc and new insights about the characters.
Episode 127: Discovery S2xE 1, 2 & 3
The Academy professors rewatch Star Trek Discovery Season 2, deconstructing episodes 1, 2 & 3, including production details, creative decisions, and portrayal of ethics.
Episode 126: Discovery S1xE 14 & 15
The Academy professors wrap up their coverage of Star Trek Discovery Season 1, looking at the final two episodes and the overall messages of the season.
Episode 125: Discovery S1xE 10, 11, 12, 13
Our special series rewatching Star Trek Discovery, seasons 1 & 2 continues, looking at the four S1 episodes set in the Mirror Universe. We look at the production design as well as the philosophy and messages that are coming forward as the season nears its end.
Episode 124: Discovery S1xE5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
Our special series of podcasts rewatching Star Trek Discovery, seasons 1 & 2 continues, looking at the episodes leading up to the S1 mid-season finale cliffhanger, considering the production design as well as the philosophy and messages of the episodes.
Episode 123: Discovery S1xE1, 2, 3 & 4
The Academy faculty begin a special series of podcasts rewatching Star Trek Discovery, seasons 1 & 2. This time, they look at the first four episodes, considering the production design as well as the philosophy and messages of the four episodes.
Episode 122: Lower Decks S4xE10 - Old Friends, New Planets
The Academy faculty talks Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE10, Old Friends, New Planets, including the important context between the Mariner and Locarno characters, and the take-away lessons of the season finale.
Episode 121: Lower Decks S4xE9 - The Inner Fight
The Academy faculty deconstructs Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE9, The Inner Fight, including a lot of talk about what we learn about Mariner in this episode and a huge prediction about next week's season finale.
Episode 120: Lower Decks S4xE8 - Caves
The Academy faculty deconstructs Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE8, Caves, including a lot of talk about the lessons about conspiracy theory, friendship, and storytelling in the episode.
Episode 119: Lower Decks S4xE7 - A Few Badgeys More
The Academy faculty considers Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE7, A Few Badgeys More. Badgey, Peanut Hamper, and Agimus return for a story filled with messages about parenting and decision-making.
Episode 118: Lower Decks S4xE6 - Parth Ferengi's Heart Place
The Academy faculty considers Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE6, Parth Ferengi's Heart Place, featuring the return of Rom and Leeta as Ferenginar asks to join the Federation, and Mariner grappling with her chaotic lifestyle.
Episode 117: Lower Decks S4xE5 - Empathological Fallacies
The Academy faculty considers Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE5, Empathological Fallacies, including T'Lyn's questioning whether she is "Vulcan enough" and...poetry slams.
Episode 116: Lower Decks S4xE4 - Something Borrowed, Something Green
The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE4, Something Borrowed, Something Green, including how the episode addresses feminism and Riverboats related to Star Trek nobody else is talking about.
Episode 115: Lower Decks S4xE3 - In the Cradle of the Vexilon
The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 4, episode 3, In the Cradle of Vexilon, including production details and the messages of the episode about leadership.
Episode 114: Lower Decks S04x1 & 2
The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 4 double-feature premiere, including the plots, production details, and their distinctive take on the two episodes, including a solid look at the philosophy and ethics.
Episode 113: SNW S02x10 - Hegemony
Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct the story and the ethical dilemmas in Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE10, Hegemony, including how the massive cliffhanger may be resolved in season 3.
Episode 112: SNW S02x09 - Subspace Rhapsody
Professors Rodney and Michael explore the first-ever Star Trek musical episode, Strange New Worlds S2xE9, Subspace Rhapsody. They talk about the music as well as the deep character development in the story.
Episode 111: SNW S02x08 - Under the Cloak of War
Professors Michael and Rodney do a deep dive into the ethics and philosophy in Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE8, Under the Cloak of War. The episode explores how war affects those who survive it, and the characters face multiple ethical dilemmas.
Episode 110: SNW S02x07 - Those Old Scientists
Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks crossover episode, "Those Old Scientists," going beyond the humor and Easter eggs to talk about the production design, character development, themes, and messages of the episode.
Episode 109: SNW S02x06 - Lost in Translation
Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE6, "Lost in Translation." We look at the primary story, about an unusual alien encounter, but also at the complex character development of multiple characters.
Episode 108: SNW S02x05 - Charades
Professors Rodney and Michael discuss Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE5, "Charades." It focuses on the complicated relationship between Spock and Chapel, addressing social and ethical issues, as aliens temporarily turn Spock completely human.
Episode 107: SNW S02x04 - Among the Lotus Eaters
Professors Michael and Rodney reflect on Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE4, "Among the Lotus Eaters." It continues the story from the very first ever episode of Star Trek, and has intriguing messages about how memory and past painful experiences shape our lives.
Episode 106: SNW S02x03 - Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Professors Rodney and Michael really liked the Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE3 episode "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" except for it throwing out 50 years of Star Trek continuity and moving the Eugenics Wars to a different century.
Episode 105: SNW S02x02 - Ad Astra per Aspera
Professors Michael and Rodney analyze the Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE2 episode "Ad Astra per Aspera." This stand-out episode is filled with social commentary, strong acting, and beautiful visual design.
Episode 104: SNW S02x01 - The Broken Circle
Professors Rodney and Michael analyze the Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 2 premiere, "The Broken Circle," including production details, storytelling, and ethics from their academic/faculty perspective.
Episode 103: Picard S03x10 - The Last Generation
Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct the Star Trek Picard series finale, "the Last Generation" including production details, storytelling, ethics, and thoughts about the series as a whole.
Episode 102: Picard S03x09 - VÕX
Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct Star Trek Picard season 3, episode 9, "VÕX," which is sure to be a long-term fan favorite because of [massive mega spoilers deleted].
Episode 101: Picard S03x08 - Surrender
Professors Michael and Rodney analyze Star Trek Picard season 3, episode 8, "Surrender," which has strong themes of family and connection.
Episode 100: Picard S03x07 - Dominion
Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct Picard season 3, episode 7, "Dominion," which represents the end of the "second act" of the Picard series. In particular, they comment on the many questions of ethics in this Picard episode.
Episode 99: Picard S03x06 - The Bounty
Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 6, The Bounty, including a LOT of familiar returning characters and ships, and comment on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.
Episode 98: Picard S03x05 - Imposters
Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 5, Imposters, commenting on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.
Episode 97: Picard S03x04 - No Win Scenario
Professors Rodney and Michael consider Picard season 3, episode 4, No Win Scenario, commenting on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.
Episode 96: Picard S03x03 - Seventeen Seconds
Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 3, Seventeen Seconds, commenting on the story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.
Episode 95: Picard S03x02 - Disengage
Professors Rodney and Michael dive into Picard season 3, episode 2, Disengage, including about the production, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.
Episode 94: Picard S03x01 - The Next Generation
Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct the Picard season 3 premier, including thoughts about the production, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.
Episode 93: Prodigy Season 1 Finale
The Academy faculty deconstruct the Prodigy season 1 finale and look ahead to season 2 with their distinctive take, including the messages and themes, production details, and the ethics and philosophy of the finale.
Episode 92: Prodigy S01 - Eps 17 & 18
The Academy faculty deconstructs episodes 17 & 18 of Star Trek Prodigy Season 1 with their distinctive take, including the messages and themes, production details, and the ethics and philosophy displayed.
Episode 91: Prodigy S01 - Eps 14, 15 & 16
The Academy faculty considers episodes 14, 15 & 16 of Star Trek Prodigy Season 1, including the messages and themes, production details, and predictions for the rest of the season with their distinctive take.
Episode 90: Prodigy S01 - Eps 11, 12 & 13
The Academy faculty considers the 11th, 12th & 13th Star Trek Prodigy Season 1 episodes, including the messages and meanings, production details, and their distinctive take on the three episodes.
Episode 89: Lower Decks S03x10 - The Stars at Night
The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 finale, The Stars at Night, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their distinctive take on the episode.
Episode 88: Lower Decks S03x09 - Trusted Sources
The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 Episode 9, Trusted Sources, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their particular take on the episode.
Episode 87: Lower Decks S03x08 - Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus
The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 Episode 8, Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus. The episode pokes a lot of fun at movie making and sequels, but also has some deep philosophical messages.
Episode 86: Lower Decks S03x07 - A Mathematically Perfect Redemption
The Academy faculty considers the "Mathematically Perfect Redemption" of the exocomp robot Peanut Hamper in Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 Episode 7. It's an unusual episode, and we get below the surface to understand the meanings and messages.