TrekRanks Episode 194: Top 5 Crazy F*cking Things Mike McMahan Did to Show Us How Much Lower Decks Loves Star Trek

It’s time for another topic you are only going to hear on TrekRanks! This week we are breaking down the “Top 5 Five-Minute Characters” – which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a celebration of those characters who appeared in maybe only one or two scenes for no more than five minutes total, but for some reason you still think about them and probably want to see more of them. Our panel of host Jim Moorhouse and expert guests John Krikorian and Anika Dane get deep into the weeds on five-minute characters in this classic episode of TrekRanks. Episode Rundown: Prime Directive: We skip our Diagnostic Cycle this week to jump straight into how each member of our panel narrowed down their list and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks’ original “Five words and a hashtag” summary, along with the episode for their character. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us 757-828-RANK (7625) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Five-Minute Characters. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.bsky.social on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.  

What makes Deep Space Nine … Deep Space Nine? That’s the question on our minds this week as we explore the Top 5 DS9 Vibes in our ongoing deep dive into the five legacy Trek series. We are analyzing the vibes you get from specific series and characters and episodes. What better way to get into the conduits of Trek than discussing vibes, with is defined as an atmosphere of a place as communicated to and felt by others? Our panel, featuring host Jim Moorhouse, guest Adam Hunault and Sam Nelson discuss every angle of our favorite fascist Cardassian eyesore in this fun episode. Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: We discuss the specific definition of “vibe” to try and carve out exactly what this episode is about. Prime Directive: The crew breaks down exactly how they came up with each of their vibes. The Order of Things: Everyone reveals their picks with the usual “Five words and a hashtag” summary, along with one episode that helps to frame their choice. Secondary Systems: Our guests each rattle off a few additional selections for the picks that just missed our lists! Regeneration Cycle: Everyone recaps their picks and we discuss some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to Episode 186 and feedback from our listeners on our show on the “Top 5 Comfort Characters.” If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 609-512-LLAP (5527) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 DS9 Vibes. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.bsky.social on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed run down on every episode of Star Trek ever.

At TrekRanks we can always see the forest through the trees, especially when we are breaking down the “Top 5 Scenes in the Woods” as part of our ongoing “Scenes in Trek” series. Three unique Prime Directives lead to some surprising results as our expert panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guest Debbie Moltisanti and Ben Nicholson get deep into the woods on this fun topic, the 17th time we’ve tackled a “Scenes in Trek” topic on TrekRanks. Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: Where we briefly get into the details of defining the show’s specific topic and run down our “Scenes in Trek” role call of past topics! Prime Directive: Each guest on this week’s panel reveals exactly how they narrowed down list and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks’ original “Five words and a hashtag” summary. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners.  If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Scenes in the Woods. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks on Twitter.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too).  And don’t forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

All hands-on deck for this classic episode of TrekRanks as we tackle the “Top 5 Hands-On Episodes” in Star Trek history. It’s episode 195 of TrekRanks and literally anything is in play this week on this wide-open topic. Our panel of host Jim Moorhouse and expert guests Dana Kenedy, Kimberly Lawler and Izaak Brown cover a lot of territory with their Prime Directives, from down-and-dirty episodes to singularly focused hands-on moments. This is a fun one in that classic TrekRanks style. Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: We breakdown exactly what we mean by “hands-on episodes” in this wide-ranging topic. Prime Directive: Each of our panelists reveal exactly how they narrowed down their lists and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks’ original “Five words and a hashtag” summary. Secondary Systems: We relay a few extra picks that just missed our lists. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their selections and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Hands-One Episodes. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks on Twitter.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don’t forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

With Star Trek: Lower Decks launching their fifth and final season, we celebrate the groundbreaking series in the most appropriate way possible – by highlighting the “Top 5 Crazy F*cking Things Mike McMahan Did to Show Us How Much Lower Decks Loves Star Trek”! Pakleds with big helmets? Check! The return of Ensign Sonya Gomez? Check! Check! Our favorite crew hanging out at Sisko’s? Check! Check! Check! There is literally no end to the Star Trek tributes and homages in Lower Decks and Mike McMahan is the crazy [CENSORED] person most responsible for that! Thanks, Mike!  Episode Rundown:  Diagnostic Cycle: Where we briefly get into the details of how we define the “crazy f*cking things Mike McMahan did.: Prime Directive: Each guest reveals exactly how they narrowed down their list and this week all four guests have taken very different paths toward finalizing their picks. The Order of Things: All the selections are revealed with the TrekRanks’ original “Five words and a hashtag” summary, along with one episode that helps frame their choice. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners.  If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Crazy F*cking Things Mike McMahan Did to Show Us How Much Lower Decks Loves Star Trek. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks on Twitter.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too).  And don’t forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

Cool looking technology has been a staple of Star Trek for 60 years, and on this week's TrekRanks we deep dive into exactly that with a can't miss episode focused on the "Top 5 Coolest Looking Tech." From tricorders to plasma coils, "cool looking tech" is about as broad and succinct as you can get for a classic TrekRanks topic. Our expert panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guests Paul Edinger and Kelli have great time getting into Trek's cool technological lore in this one. Episode Rundown:  Diagnostic Cycle: It’s a new TrekRanks series! “Coolest” topics. (This is the third one we’ve done, so we recap the others.) Prime Directive: Each guest on this week’s panel reveals exactly how they narrowed down list and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks’ original “Five word summary and a hashtag,” along with one episode to help frame their choice. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Was it bigger than a bread box? Temporal Inversion: We flashback to another great voicemail from one of our listeners, this one going back to our epic “Mediocre Trek” episode.  If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Coolest Looking Tech. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks on Twitter.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don’t forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

Voyager’s chief engineer is beloved for a variety of reasons, and we break them all down in this essential episode of TrekRanks – “The Top 5 B’Elanna Torres Episodes.” From the Maquis to Starfleet, B’Elanna Torres showcased a myriad of skills, qualities and styles in her seven years on Voyager, fighting and defeating more than a few personal demons along the way. Portrayed by Roxann Dawson, there’s no doubt how popular Torres was, and our panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guests Daniel Martin, Teresa Jusino and Anjali Mathai go deep with the picks. No recalibration necessary to sitback and enjoy the “Top 5 B’Elanna Torres Episodes.”  Episode Rundown:  Diagnostic Cycle: We go through our normal character episode roll call and remind everyone that we call this a “top 5 episode” topic, but you can just as easily choose a small moment as you can a big character episode. Prime Directive: Before revealing their Prime Directives and how the finalized their picks, our pane each reveal one word the would use to describe the character of B’Elanna Torres. The Order of Things: Everyone reveals their picks with the usual “Five-word summary and a hashtag.” Secondary Systems: Our guests each rattle off a few additional selections for the picks that just missed our lists! Regeneration Cycle: Everyone recaps their picks and we relay some interesting statistics from the results. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to some listener feedback from a previous episode of TrekRanks.  If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 B’Elanna Torres Episodes. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks on Twitter.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too).  And don’t forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

For the first-time in Star Trek history, 20 episodes were released simultaneously, and we break it all down this week with the “Top 5 Prodigy Season 2 Moments.” At this point, when it comes to Star Trek Prodigy, the secret is out: this is not just a kids’ show! We protowarp our way through all 20 episodes via our exclusive TrekRanks matrix with host Jim Moorhouse and guests Abby Sommer and Josh Zeller, relaying our favorites from production to creatives to characters to episodes. We even get some surprise young listener feedback in our Temporal Inversion! Go fast and join us for the most comprehensive recap you’ll find anywhere of this very special season of Star Trek. Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: We break down the five distinct categories we use in our season recap shows. In order, this week’s panelists reveal their picks in the following categories: Production Design, Creative MVP, Dabo Round Wildcard, Character and Episode! Prime Directive: Our crew breaks down exactly how they defined their lists. The Order of Things: Everyone reveals their picks with the usual “Five word summary and a hashtag,” along with one episode that helps frame their choice. Secondary Systems: Our guests each rattle off a few additional selections for the picks that just missed our lists! Regeneration Cycle: Everyone recaps their picks and discuss some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We get some surprise additional Prodigy Season 2 picks from Abby’s two young daughters, relaying their favorite moments, characters and episodes!  If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Prodigy Season 2 Moments. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks on Twitter.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too).  And don’t forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

A short TrekRanks update for our listeners, as we release our first-ever supplemental episode to keep everyone up-to-date on the latest with TrekRanks. After seven years and a long, fruitful relationship with our friends at The Tricorder Transmissions Podcast Network, the TrekRanks Podcast is finally going independent as of Sept. 1, 2024. (This has nothing to do with the Bell Riots, we swear!) This quick update from host Jim Moorhouse will keep you informed on the reasons behind the decision and the logistics that went into it. For now, you really don’t need to do anything if you already follow us, as all of our followers are being redirected from Tricorder, but, of course, if that link ever went away (something we don’t anticipate happening), you would need to refollow us again. Anyway, 190 episodes down, and plenty more exciting topics coming up, as well as some new fresh content from TrekRanks as we approach episode 200. More on that to come in the next couple of months. Thanks for all of your support through the years. We love nothing more than talking about all the things we love about Star Trek with you. Don’t forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

We combine two of your favorites this week: our “abstract” topics with another “convention live show”! This week it is “Abstract V” live from Las Vegas with host Jim Moorhhouse and a panel five expert Trek fans (Alex Perry, Claire Little, Matt Hansen, Jamie McGregor and Ken Reilly) targeting their abstract picks related to the letter V (or is that a Romulan numeral V?!?). Anything is on the table for our abstract topics and for our live shows from Las Vegas, and there are more than a few surprises this week (including a surprise guest appearance). Episode Rundown: Prime Directive: With such a large panel, we skip our Diagnostic Cycle and jump into everyone’s quick Prime Directives to see how they made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks’ original “Five words and a hashtag” summary, along with one episode that helps frame their choice. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners. If you have your own TrekRanks picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your list for Abstract V. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks on Twitter.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Inversion on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don’t forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.