The Ready Room: A Star Trek Podcast
The Ready Room is a casual Star Trek discussion show from Trek.fm hosted by C Bryan Jones that covers The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, and news from all across the Star Trek universe with a mix of humor and serious commentary.
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234: When You Orb an Orb Anything Is Possible
07/31/2022
234: When You Orb an Orb Anything Is Possible
The State of Star Trek 2022 We long called the 1990s the golden age of Star Trek. From 1993 to 1999, two series overlapped one another on the airwaves and, once The Next Generation left the small screen, we even got doses of three incarnations of Gene Roddenberry’s vision from time to time. But it all came to an abrupt end in May 2005, with the final episode of Enterprise. J.J. Abrams would later step in and tease us through the fallow years until the battle among streaming services offered a financial incentive to dust off intellectual property and Discovery came along. And now, there is more Star Trek than ever. A new golden age is upon us. In this episode of The Ready Room, recorded as we end an unprecedented 48 consecutive weeks of new Star Trek content, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek take a look at the state of the franchise in 2022. We discuss each of the “modern” series—Strange New Worlds, Picard, Prodigy, Lower Decks, and Discovery—dig into the fan split over old and new, and imagine what new series might be on the horizon. We also debate the pros and cons of the streaming model for storytelling and talk about how Star Trek and Star Wars are pushing each other forward. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) The Mood at SDCC (00:05:13) Resurgent Franchise(s) (00:14:17) Pros and Cons of Streaming (00:20:34) The Modern/Classic Trek Division (00:26:50) Strange New Worlds (00:34:26) Picard (00:59:37) Potential Future Series (01:14:00) Lower Decks (01:24:41) Prodigy (01:34:19) Discovery (01:50:37) Closing (02:04:26) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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233: Too Many Licks and Not Enough Tongue
11/12/2021
233: Too Many Licks and Not Enough Tongue
Star Trek: Lower Decks after two seasons. When it was announced that a Star Trek comedy was being developed—and that it would be animated—the news was met with a bit more trepidation than usual. Could Star Trek and comedy really mix? Was Rick and Morty-style humor really appropriate for Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future? In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek take a broad look back at the first two seasons of Star Trek: Lower Decks and discuss how the series has connected with fans, why it has won over many early skeptics, and how it serves as a brilliant love letter to the franchise. Along the way we touch on many topics, including how the writing has matured, finding the perfect balance in storytelling, sprinkling in guest stars, selling commemorative plates, and adding texture to the universe. We also ask whether some moments are a rebuke of modern Star Trek. Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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232: What a Genius That Guy Was!
05/31/2021
232: What a Genius That Guy Was!
Marking our 10th anniversary. Many people say that time flies. Doctor Tolian Soran said that time is the fire in which we burn. Whichever you subscribe to, time moves forward and people—as well as their views—change. On May 31, 2011, we aired the first episode of The Ready Room. What began as a singular podcast hosted by two hew-mons—C Bryan Jones and Greg Harbin—evolved into the Trek.fm network and more than 30 shows. In this episode of The Ready Room, airing on the 10th anniversary of the premiere, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek,—who first appeared on the show in episode 2 during a segment about his documentary The Con of Wrath and then made his first full-length appearance in episode 19 to discuss the Star Trek pendulum—mark a decade of discussion by returning to the key topics of those early podcasts from 2011. We deep-dive into Star Trek's return to television—and how the prospects and probable format seemed in 2011 vs. what we actually got—as well as which way the fan pendulum is swinging today. We also talk about screen vs. visual canon, whether Star Trek is an historical piece, dealing with toxic fandom, the status of The Con of Wrath, and more. Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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231: Hope Is a Powerful Thing
05/23/2021
231: Hope Is a Powerful Thing
Adil Hussain interview. We’ve all lived through extraordinary times over the past year, and we’re still trying to find our way back to the world we remember. The same can be said for Michael Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery after their jump from the 23rd to the 32nd century. In both cases, catastrophe turned life upside down. But when Burnham finally came in contact with remnants of the Federation she had left behind, she met a man of extraordinary patience, Aditya Sahil, who embodied all the ideals of Starfleet and Gene Roddenberry’s vision. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek are joined by the man who portrayed Sahil—Adil Hussain—for a somewhat different episode as we take a look at a real-world crisis and how we can help those in need. Adil joins us from his home in New Delhi to talk about the Covid-19 situation in India, the art of acting and what inspired his portrayal of Sahil, as well as Star Trek and entertainment as a coping mechanism during difficult times. He also shares thoughts on how we might reach that more prosperous future that Gene Roddenberry envisioned. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Covid Situation in India (00:03:34) How You Can Help (00:16:28) Patience (00:23:38) Entertainment as Remedy (00:40:17) Shooting the Discovery Scenes (00:47:38) Creating Sahil’s Backstory (01:02:13) Finding Adil (01:09:17) Closing (01:21:21) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Guests Adil Hussain Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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230: Nacelles Sold Separately
03/31/2021
230: Nacelles Sold Separately
Looking Back at Discovery Season Three. When Michael Burnham and the USS Discovery emerged from their Red Angel-created wormhole into the 32nd century, things didn’t go quite as planned. Terralysium was not in the neighborhood and temporal wackiness left Michael and the ship a year apart. But once reunited, they set off on a grand adventure to find what was left of the Federation. They also had to solve an unexpected mystery: the cause of a disaster that put an end to the carefree days of easy faster-than-light travel. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek sit back in their programmable-matter lounge chairs and reflect on Star Trek: Discovery Season 3, discussing how the story played out compared with what we expected, how we feel about key plot points, and how it all fits into the overall Star Trek picture. We also look ahead to Season 4 and speculate on what the writers might have is store for us. Chapters Intro 00:00:00 Story Expectations 00:06:20 Programmable Matter Rabbit Hole 00:11:05 Detached Nacelles 00:22:03 Serialization Settling In 00:31:45 Unification III 00:37:20 Bopping Around 00:40:19 A Screaming Resolution 00:44:56 Identity and Found Families 00:55:05 The Past Is the Light 01:00:48 Look Beyond the Season 01:10:15 Georgiou’s Detour 01:15:36 Die Trying 01:41:50 Getting Out of the Head 01:45:48 Expectations for Season Four 01:51:48 Closing 02:01:49 Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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229: Grudge Cat Is a Big Nirvana Fan
10/14/2020
229: Grudge Cat Is a Big Nirvana Fan
Discovery Season 3 preview. The third season of Star Trek: Discovery is finally here after a pandemic-induced delay. At least we didn’t have to wait 930 years. That’s how much time has passed for most people when the crew of the USS Discovery arrives in the Beta Quadrant after their jump to put the sphere data permanently out of reach of Section 31’s Control AI. This temporal shift—along with a new logo—represents a reboot of sorts for the series going into its third season. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek get ready for their trip to the 32nd century by discussing the premise of Star Trek: Discovery Season 3, what the episode titles may reveal about the story, potential real world parallels, the addition of transgender and binary characters, and more. But first we discuss Kate Mulgrew’s return to the franchise as Kathryn Janeway. Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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228: Real-World Star Trek Dripping In
09/14/2020
228: Real-World Star Trek Dripping In
Lower Decks midseason review. After a long wait and much speculation on what an animated comedy take on Star Trek might mean, we’re now halfway through the first season of Mike McMahan’s Star Trek: Lower Decks. And in a short time, the adventures and banter of Beckett Mariner, Bradward Boimler, D’Vana Tendi, Sam Rutherford—and even Durango and Ron Emmanuel Docent, Jr. —have won over many fans, even some who were highly skeptical going in. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek pay a visit to the insignificant little USS Cerritos as its journey reaches midseason to share our thoughts on this animated rendition of Star Trek, the comedic elements, recreation of the 24th-century aesthetic, nods to Trek past, and much more. Chapters Intro 00:00:00 Initial Thoughts 00:03:11 Reference Density 00:10:03 Promoting Mariner 00:18:14 Character Pairings 00:23:39 Sometimes a Bit Sitcomish 00:25:44 Tendi and Rutherford … Sitting in a Tree 00:28:09 The Upper Deckers 00:32:17 Tropes 00:38:26 Prodigy Young-Adult Sidebar 00:46:34 Profane Break 00:49:09 Alien Diversity 00:56:37 Bland Names and Zany Lines 01:05:24 Fan Reception 01:09:27 Character Development 01:14:14 Second Contact 01:22:34 Envoys 01:35:59 Moist Vessel 01:44:24 Temporal Edict 01:50:30 Cupid’s Errant Arrow 01:58:36 Final Thoughts 02:04:49 Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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227: Way Bigger Than Praxis
09/05/2020
227: Way Bigger Than Praxis
Expanding the Star Trek universe. Star Trek content has been blossoming in recent years, and franchise showrunner Alex Kurtzman recently talked to Deadline and Variety about the rapid expansion. After years of no voyages on TV—and just a slow trickle on the big screen—the studio is showering fans with series after series, with more to come. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek use Kurtzman’s interviews from the Star Trek Emmy promotion campaign as the basis for exploring Section 31, Lower Decks, Strange New Worlds, Prodigy, and the overall expansion of the Star Trek universe—including risks and rewards. We also discuss what the decision to air the first season of Star Trek: Discovery on CBS proper could mean for the future of Trek on television. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Starfleet Intelligence Tangent (00:04:44) Discovery Season 1 to Air on CBS (00:09:07) Expanding the Star Trek Universe (00:21:31) Lower Decks Sidebar (00:32:06) Differentiating the Series (00:35:42) Risks of Rapid Expansion (00:46:32) Section 31 (00:54:23) Rumor Mill from Another Dimension (01:07:00) Strange New Worlds (01:14:07) Room for Optimism in Storytelling (01:25:35) Prodigy (01:38:27) Final Thoughts (01:42:12) Closing (01:50:17) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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226: Waiting Naked in a Shuttlepod
08/10/2020
226: Waiting Naked in a Shuttlepod
Lower Decks pre-launch thoughts and Star Trek Emmy nominations. After almost five decades, Star Trek is returning to animation under the guidance of Mike McMahan, writer and producer of the Cartoon Network animated comedy series Rick and Morty and creator of the Hulu animated series Solar Opposites. What does he have in store for Star Trek fans? In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek explore the upcoming series and what it could mesan for the franchise, as well their expectations for this excursion to the Lower Decks. We also discuss the Star Trek franchise’s six Emmy nominations and how virtual cons are changing the nature of fan interaction in the age of coronavirus. Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)
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225: Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album
07/05/2020
225: Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album
Picard Recap and Strange New Worlds. The first season of Star Trek: Picard is behind us, and Jean-Luc Picard has a new body to carry him through Season 2. But before we speculate on what that might mean and where the La Sirena crew are headed, we must consider the broader impact of Patrick Stewart’s return on the health of the franchise. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek look back at the full season of Star Trek: Picard and share our feelings on the story and creative work. We also take a first look at the recently announced Captain Pike series, Strange New Worlds. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Thoughts on the Full Season (00:05:04) Commodore Oh Tangent (00:13:13) Back to Those Thoughts (00:16:23) Necessary Flashbacks (00:18:55) Pilot of the Past? (00:22:13) Manny Coto Tangent (00:26:55) Thoughts on the Conclusion (00:30:01) Pining over Data (00:40:11) Picard’s Artificial Adventure (00:49:07) End of a Journey for Picard? (00:56:12) Casting Surprises (01:03:26) All That Romulan Hissing (01:06:15) What It Means for the Franchise (01:14:39) Strange New Worlds (01:21:43) Final Thoughts (01:36:16) Closing (01:42:03) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
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224: Emergency Double Agent Hologram
03/07/2020
224: Emergency Double Agent Hologram
Midseason Picard. Seeing Patrick Stewart on screen once again in the role of Jean-Luc Picard has been a dream come true for fans—particularly those who grew up with Star Trek: The Next Generation. But while the opening scene brought us two familiar faces aboard a familiar ship, this new series is far from a return to TNG. Nearly twenty years after the film Nemesis, Picard finds himself in the midst of a mystery involving old enemies and Starfleet that is unlike the one in which he served. While some elements may be familiar, this is a modern take on Star Trek of old. In this episode of The Ready Room, host C Bryan Jones is joined by Matthew Rushing, his co-host from The Orb, to discuss the first half of Star Trek: Picard Season 1. We share our thoughts on the tone and direction of the new show, characters old and new, what happened in the first five episodes, what we feel has and has not worked in the writing and pacing, and where we would like things to go from here. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Change of Heart (00:05:30) The Premise (00:12:26) Federation Gone Bad (00:15:40) Do You Need to Read The Last Best Hope? (00:19:35) Every Universe Has Its Own Rules (00:31:22) Romulan–Borg Disconnect (00:32:46) Laris and Zhaban (00:41:02) Dahj and Soji (00:47:39) Narek and Rizzo (00:51:07) Jurati (00:57:31) Raffi (01:05:12) Rios (01:11:53) Seven of Nine (01:15:40) For Mature Audiences Only (01:20:17) Episode Rundown (01:28:43) Where Is the Story Headed? (01:34:02) Are 10 Episodes Enough? (01:39:47) Final Thoughts (01:42:00) Closing (01:44:31) Host C Bryan Jones Guest Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
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223: As Canon Adjacent As Possible
01/02/2020
223: As Canon Adjacent As Possible
Star Trek’s second golden age. The mid-1990s were a glorious time for Star Trek fans. With The Next Generation transitioning from the small screen to big, Deep Space Nine paving the way for serialized storytelling on television, and Voyager taking us to the other side of the galaxy, fans were spoiled for choice. But such riches don’t always last, and when Enterprise was cancelled in 2005, it seemed that Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future might well become part of TV’s past. As we enter a new decade, however, almost 20 years after the final big-screen voyage of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew, a second golden age of Star Trek is upon us—and it looks to be even richer than the first. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek look ahead to the flood of Star Trek new content headed to our screens in 2020. We discuss Picard, Discovery Season 3, the animated Short Treks, and more. But first, we take time to remember three members of the family who left us in recent months: Aron Eisenberg, Dorothy “D.C.” Fontana, and René Auberjonois. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) First Thoughts on New Star Trek (00:02:06) Remembering Aron Eisenberg (00:10:47) Remembering Dorothy Fontana (00:20:35) Remembering René Auberjonois (00:39:13) Getting Ready for the New Series (00:53:43) Too Much Content? (00:57:27) Flexible Format (01:09:55) Star Trek: Picard (01:14:46) Star Trek: Discovery, Season 3 (01:31:57) Animated Short Treks (01:52:57) Closing (02:05:48) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
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222: Dig Your Own Time Crystals State Park
06/27/2019
222: Dig Your Own Time Crystals State Park
Looking Back at Discovery Season Two. We reflect on the story that never happened, the crew that never existed, and how the show’s sophomore mission did—or did not—change the Star Trek universe.
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221: Close Canon Quarters
01/13/2019
221: Close Canon Quarters
Future Trek. Along with Larry Nemecek, we ride a subspace shockwave through a list of Star Treks to come, from Discovery to Picard to Ceti Alpha V … and much more.
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220: Holding Out for Tan
08/12/2018
220: Holding Out for Tan
Patrick Stewart’s Return, Kelvin Trouble, and Discovery Changes. We discuss some of the biggest news to come out of Star Trek Las Vegas 2018 along with what we see as the maturation of CBS’s approach to Star Trek.
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219: Kurtzman’s Five-Year Mission
07/16/2018
219: Kurtzman’s Five-Year Mission
The Expansion of Star Trek. Larry Nemecek joins us to discuss Alex Kurtzman’s new deal with CBS, the studio’s plans for new Star Trek content, and the possible return of Patrick Stewart. Plus, we remember Harlan Ellison.
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218: I Have This Piece of Paper
02/23/2018
218: I Have This Piece of Paper
Proto-TNG and the Pike Memo. Larry Nemecek joins us for an in-depth look at the 1986 memo that presents a version of Star Trek: The Next Generation that is very different from the one we know.
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217: Doctor T and His Files
01/17/2018
217: Doctor T and His Files
DS9 at 25. Larry Nemecek joins us to look back at 25 years of the series that turned the Star Trek model on its head and ushered in a new age of storytelling.
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216: I Only Saw Seven of Them Guys!
10/18/2017
216: I Only Saw Seven of Them Guys!
Discovery Post-Premiere. Larry Nemecek joins us to revisit some of the topics from our last discussion, including Klingons, Vulcans, and the business side of Discovery.
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215: The Edge of Discovery
07/17/2017
215: The Edge of Discovery
Star Trek: Discovery Latest Details and Summer Con Preview. We’re just two months away from the launch of Star Trek’s seventh venture onto the small screen: Discovery. As summer heats up and convention season kicks into gear, news about the series, images from the set, and interviews with creators are bringing us new details and stirring the pot of speculation more feverishly than ever. In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek get together to discuss some of the latest tidbits, including an ancient Klingon secret, a unique (or as Alex Kurtzman calls it a very, very unique) Vulcan story, Riker on the set, the business side of Discovery, and much more. Plus, we make an exciting announcement about the Trek.fm podcast network. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Star Trek: Discovery Premiere Schedule (00:05:12) The Business Side of Discovery (00:13:27) Ancient Klingon Secret (00:16:36) Sarek and Burnham’s Vulcan Adventure (00:24:56) Jonathan Frakes Directs Discovery (00:00:00) Alex Kurtzman on Discovery’s Story (00:34:55) Connecting to the Original Star Trek (00:39:11) How Discovery Respects Canon (00:50:24) Why We Still Need Roddenberry’s Vision (00:57:17) Star Trek: Discovery and San Diego Comic-Con (01:02:21) Star Trek Las Vegas 2017 (01:10:14) A Network Announcement (01:23:39) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
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214: You Don’t Have to Breathe that Zenite
06/26/2017
214: You Don’t Have to Breathe that Zenite
The Cloud Minders. Kirk has a history of getting involved in the domestic disputes of other worlds and trying to set the locals straight. That’s why the little Federation clean-up ship is always trailing the Enterprise. Of course, when the planet in question is a member of the Federation, is refusing to do its part to help another member world, and is torturing its own people, it’s a lot easier to justify stepping in. That’s what happened in the third-season episode “The Cloud Minders.” In this episode of The Ready Room, host C Bryan Jones is joined by Zachary Fruhling, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser to discuss this story of a city in the sky, cave dwellers, the stratification of society, and deadly gas. Along the way we debate what it means to be part of the United Federation of Planets, how laws might apply to such a vast political organization, and why Spock is so flirty when his head is in the clouds. In our news segment, we examine Mike Okuda’s new design for NASA’s flight operations emblem, talk about the winners of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, and explore what it will take to make a Star Trek-style medical tricorder a reality. News Intro (00:00:00) Mike Okuda Designs New NASA Flight Operations Emblem (00:03:05) How Close Are We to a Real Star Trek-Style Medical Tricorder? (00:12:39) Feature Initial Thoughts (00:23:33) Science Fiction Parallels (00:25:41) Federation Law and Member Worlds (00:32:34) Caste System (00:41:17) Flirty Spock (00:48:47) David Gerrold’s Original Story (00:58:53) Manny Coto’s Magic Bag of Hindsight (01:09:53) Caste Systems Revisited (01:16:38) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:26:00) Closing (01:33:42) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Zachary Fruhling Guests Amy Nelson and Justin Oser Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
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213: Welcome to Cyrusville
06/09/2017
213: Welcome to Cyrusville
Vanishing Point. Sometimes it would be nice to have a transporter. What Star Trek fans hasn’t had that thought? But would we really want to be disassembled atom by atom and put back together somewhere far away? Hoshi certainly didn’t in the second-season Enterprise episode “Vanishing Point,” but it was her only way out of a deadly situation. In this episode of The Ready Room, host C Bryan Jones is joined by Justin Oser, Aaron Harvey, and Luke Weir to discuss Hoshi’s eight-second mental adventure, her father’s confusion, early transporter technology, the repetition of story concepts in Star Trek and, of course, the legend of Cyrus Ramsey. In our news segment, we explore the new video vault component of the Deep Space Nine documentary and take a trip through the Cosmos as LeVar Burton brings Carl Sagan’s classic to life. News Intro (00:00:00) DS9 Documentary Update and Video Vault (00:02:38) LeVar Burton Reads Cosmos (00:17:02) Feature Initial Thoughts (00:25:01) ETP: Early Transporter Phobia (00:32:44) Only in Her Head (00:45:11) Overcoming Fears (00:54:05) I am Hoshi’s Dad. I am Smart. (00:59:59) The Aliens that Weren’t (01:10:46) Third Verse, Same As the First (01:20:51) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:27:34) Closing (01:33:56) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Justin Oser Guests Aaron Harvey and Luke Weir Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
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212: Erin Gray’s Blue Jumpsuit
05/26/2017
212: Erin Gray’s Blue Jumpsuit
Workforce. We all want to escape from our lives sometimes. What if you could really do it? What if you couldn’t remember the life you left behind? And what if it was all against your will? That’s what happens to the crew of the Starship Voyager in the seventh-season episode “Workforce.” In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek are joined by Kay Elizabeth Shaw of To The Journey and Bruce Gibson of Literary Treks to discuss this story of the Voyager crew’s other life as employees of a power facility on the planet Quarra. In our extended news segment, Chris and Larry share their thoughts on the Star Trek: Discovery trailer presented at CBS upfronts, the international Netflix version of the trailer, the new look of the Klingons, and more. News Intro (00:00:00) The Star Trek: Discovery Trailer (00:01:48) Made for Upfronts (00:06:04) The Kelvin Look (00:13:43) Characters: Michael Burnham, Lt. Saru, and More (00:22:00) The Klingons (00:34:02) The Most Ambitious Star Trek Ever? (00:42:24) Feature Initial Thoughts (00:50:45) Personality Parallels (00:58:08) Backstories? (01:13:04) Janeway and Jaffen (01:18:20) A Meat By-product Tangent (01:24:18) Emergency Command Hologram (01:28:07) A Meandering Story? (01:30:55) Final Thoughts (01:49:45) Closing (02:08:28) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Guests Kay Elizabeth Shaw and Bruce Gibson Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
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211: To Hoof or Not to Hoof
05/03/2017
211: To Hoof or Not to Hoof
Star Trek: Discovery and a Look Back at 50. The premiere of the next Star Trek series may be delayed, but there’s still plenty to talk about. In this episode of The Ready Room, host C Bryan Jones returns from medical leave and hops on mic with Larry Nemecek to discuss some of the news from the past eight months. Looking at Star Trek: Discovery, we delve into the time period, ships, stories, writers, characters, casting, production, delays … and imagine the return of a classic alien. We also recap some of the key moments from Star Trek’s 50th anniversary year and how we’re carrying the excitement into the 51st. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) About Chris’s Absence (00:00:59) Star Trek: Discovery (00:08:39) Star Trek: Discovery - Time Period (00:10:38) Star Trek: Discovery - The Ships (00:12:28) Star Trek: Discovery - Stories and Writers (00:21:40) Star Trek: Discovery - Characters and Casting (00:25:00) Star Trek: Discovery - Production and Delays (01:02:10) Star Trek 50 - Conventions (01:17:46) Star Trek 50 - Star Trek Beyond (01:20:36) Star Trek 50 - Geek Nation Tours (01:24:12) Star Trek 50 - From There to Here (01:28:14) Star Trek 50 - The Roddenberry Vault (01:30:42) Star Trek 50 - Portal 47 (01:38:07) Star Trek 50 - Series Set Repackaging (01:42:40) Closing (01:49:41) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
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210: Disastrous Consequences
08/31/2016
210: Disastrous Consequences
Crossover. Sometimes actions can have unexpected consequences. Such was the case in The Original Series when Kirk convinced Mirror Spock to turn the Terran Empire from evil to good. Only he didn’t know it. Kirk had the best intentions, but maybe there was a reason the Terrans were the way they were. We learned the result of Kirk’s speech in the Deep Space Nine episode “Crossover,” the first of many trips to the Mirror Universe for the DS9 crew. In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Zachary Fruhling, Rumman Chowdhury, and Brandon-Shea Mutala to discuss the first onscreen foray into the Mirror Universe since TOS. Beginning with Kirk’s actions, we continue on to explore the disastrous consequences his words had for the humans of this universe, how oppression impacts lives, and how sexuality can be used to wield power over others. We also discuss various DS9 characters and their mirror counterparts, and how circumstances bring out different traits. Plus, in our news segment we discuss the lineup of events and panels scheduled for Star Trek: Mission New York. News Star Trek: Mission New York Rundown (00:03:20) Feature: Crossover Initial Thoughts (00:24:36) The Divergence (00:36:28) DS9’s Take on the Mirror Universe (00:37:45) Odo: Same of Different? (00:44:59) Kira, The Intendant, and Sexuality (00:53:33) Mirror Garak (01:02:31) Kira Outsmarting Kira (01:10:23) Smiley and the Weight of Oppression (01:16:30) Final Thoughts (01:24:34) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Zachary Fruhling Guests Rumman Chowdhury and Brandon-Shea Mutala Production C Bryan Jones (News Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Feature Editor and Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
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209: Just Don’t Smell the Flowers
08/24/2016
209: Just Don’t Smell the Flowers
Justice. The first rule of Rubicun III is don’t play in the flowerbeds. No wait … that would be “run everywhere.” But staying away from the flowers is definitely rule number two. And if don’t obey the rules, there’s only one punishment: death. The boy, Wesley Crusher, learned this the hard way when Picard allowed his crew to go on shore leave on a pre-warp world. In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Bruce Gibson and Luke Weir to discuss “Justice” … and why there can be none when laws are absolute. We also debate whether a system of absolute laws could actually work, the highly sensual nature of 1987 Star Trek, the obsession with god-like aliens, and more. Plus, in our news segment we discuss recent Star Trek: Discovery news and the forthcoming Deep Space Nine documentary. News Star Trek: Discovery Details (00:03:48) DS9 Documentary (00:19:51) Feature: Justice Initial Thoughts (00:30:20) The Boy, Wesley Crusher (00:38:30) Let’s Get Racy! (00:40:25) An Eden-like Feel (00:49:27) Forbidden … Temporarily (00:52:36) Can Absolute Rules Work? (01:03:52) The God Thing (01:12:15) The Original “Justice” Concept (01:19:14) Final Thoughts (01:37:06) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Bruce Gibson Guest Luke Weir Production C Bryan Jones (News Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Feature Editor and Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
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208: Star Trek: Discovery, with Larry Nemecek
08/16/2016
208: Star Trek: Discovery, with Larry Nemecek
Breaking Down the Latest Details. Bit by bit we’ve been learning what Bryan Fuller and CBS have in store for us when the seventh Star Trek series launches in January 2017. The initial reveal of the name and hints about the time period got fans talking, and then the reveal of the ship and a teaser turned up the heat. Now a batch of details, revealed by Fuller at CBS’s All Access panel for the Television Critics Association in Los Angeles, has set a flurry of speculation in motion. In this special episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek join the crowd to break down 13 points about Star Trek: Discovery and what they might mean for the first new Star Trek on television in more than a decade. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Time Period and The Incident (00:09:27) Amanda Grayson and Story Structure (00:15:46) The Lead Character and Point of View (00:22:04) Crew Diversity (00:26:38) More Aliens! (00:29:36) Robots! (00:38:35) TOS Characters Return? (00:47:21) The USS Discovery (00:52:07) The Aesthetic of the Show (01:07:45) Closing (01:24:17) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (News Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Feature Editor and Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
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207: Big Ball of Progress
07/30/2016
207: Big Ball of Progress
Star Trek Beyond. After Star Trek Into Darkness, many questioned whether there would be a third film set in the Kelvin Timeline. The road to Beyond was a rocky one that included a complete reset of script, writer, and director. But in the end, Simon Pegg, Justin Lin, and the cast and crew of this rebooted Star Trek delivered a film that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the franchise, and that has surprised fans and critics alike. In this episode of The Ready Room, Matthew Rushing takes over the captain’s chair following news and is joined by John Mills and Bruce Gibson to discuss Star Trek Beyond: the characters, the story, the action … music, villain, and more. In our news segment, Chris and Matthew discuss the end of IDW’s Ongoing comic series—plus the launch of a new one called Boldy Go—and the kick off of the 50th Anniversary Star Trek Art Exhibition “50 Artists. 50 Years.” News 50 Artists. 50 Years. The Star Trek Art Exhibition (00:04:48) IDW’s Boldly Go Comics Pick Up the Pieces of Beyond (00:12:43) Sponsor: The Eaglemoss Official Star Trek Starships Collection (00:18:46) Feature: Star Trek Beyond Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:23:58) Character Growth (00:32:58) Jaylah (01:05:52) The Story and the Villain (01:09:48) The Music, Effects, and Design (01:22:46) The Action (01:29:09) The Very Last Question (01:33:31) Final Thoughts (01:37:52) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Guests John Mills and Bruce Gibson Production C Bryan Jones (News Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Feature Editor and Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
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206: Flamenco Stunt Dancer
07/21/2016
206: Flamenco Stunt Dancer
Plato’s Stepchildren. Uncontrolled power will turn even saints into savages. This is what Captain Kirk explains to Parmen, the sadistic leader of the Platonians in “Plato’s Stepchildren.” Despite saving the man’s life, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are held hostage and tortured—along with Uhura and Nurse Chapel—when they refuse to leave the doctor behind and accept some random gifts. In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Aaron Harvey, Andi VanderKolk, and Mike Morrison to discuss this episode that—despite being amongst TOS’s campiest—has been an inspiration to many since it first aired in 1968. In our news segment, Aaron shares a first-hand account of the Star Trek Beyond press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on July 14, and his spoiler-free impressions of the movie, which was shown the day before at LA’s Century City. We also discuss the news that there will be a fourth film set in the Kelvin Timeline and how they should handle the loss of Anton Yelchin. News Star Trek Beyond LA Press Conference (00:06:13) First (Spoiler-free) Impressions of Star Trek Beyond (00:16:21) A Fourth Film? Do We Want It? (00:20:52) Sponsor: The Eaglemoss Official Star Trek Starships Collection (00:28:17) Feature: Plato’s Stepchildren Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:32:04) Alexander the Great (00:44:54) The Kiss (00:57:26) The Ministry of Silly Walks (01:08:16) A Problem of Pacing (01:11:28) Bitter Dregs (01:21:03) Final Thoughts (01:32:53) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Aaron Harvey Guests Andi VanderKolk and Mike Morrison Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)
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205: Disco Vulcan Zombies
07/14/2016
205: Disco Vulcan Zombies
Impulse. Some things never go out of style. Take zombies, for instance. They’re wildly popular on 21st-century Earth, and they can be found in the 22nd-century Expanse as well. But what happens when you mix the living dead with logic? That’s what Archer and the crew of the Enterprise had to find out when they stumbled upon a zombified Vulcan crew in “Impulse.” In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Mike Morrison, Dennis Castello, and Phillip Gilfus to discuss this horror story from Enterprise’s third season. We explore the Trellium-D conundrum, Jolene Blalock’s portrayal of a Vulcan losing control, parallels to DS9’s “Empok Nor,” and the importance of the coda that almost wasn’t. We also discuss the episodes’s amazing visuals and ponder the design of Starfleet’s 22nd-century hospital garb. Plus, in our news segment, we look at details of the next Star Trek series as revealed by executive producer and showrunner Bryan Fuller, and we share our thoughts on Rihanna’s “Sledgehammer” and the use of non-orchestral music in Star Trek. News Bryan Fuller Reveals Star Trek 2017 Details (00:04:53) Rihanna’s “Sledgehammer” and Star Trek Beyond (00:29:26) Sponsor: The Eaglemoss Official Star Trek Starships Collection (00:34:45) Feature: Impulse Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:39:21) Vulcan Zombies (00:48:17) Jolene’s Portrayal (00:54:39) The Trellium-D Conundrum (00:59:26) B-Plot Padding (01:09:39) Parallels to “Empok Nor” (01:16:42) A Nightmare Coda (01:26:24) The Visuals (01:31:12) Final Thoughts (01:37:12) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Mike Morrison Guests Dennis Castello and Phillip Gilfus Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)
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