NASA Vending Machine 47: "Awl in a Sack" (Star City S1E6)

We combine our love of “Star Trek” with the appreciation for old movies that can only be provided by our sister podcast Lions, Towers, and Shields, by drafting “Star Trek” actors (TOS and TNG only) and the movie roles we loved before they appeared on Star Trek! And be sure to listen to this summer’s LTS’s Star Trek summer event. Jason Snell with Shelly Brisbin, Micheline Maynard, Cicero Holmes and David J. Loehr.

The aftermath of the discovery of the mole and the secret space launch is all over this episode. The Chief Designer and Lyudmilla finally have it out. Tania ponders her future, and Irina ponders it too. And there’s some serious drama at Mission Control and on the Venera probe headed to Venus. Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

It’s Tommy Magnum, not a podcast! Magnum’s aunt visits. A new temporary helper at the estate is really into Magnum, but what’s her deal? (Turns out she’s just really into Magnum.) Jason has some information about Hungarian food. Shakespeare makes an appearance. And we all get a little sad about a sad episode of “Magnum, p.i.” Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

And now, the conclusion! Having left our players (and our listeners) on a cliffhanger last time, a slightly diminished crew try to make their way through, and eventually off, the Cursed Island. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Kathy Campbell, Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

This episode features a hole stuffed with pants, a potato-shaped puddle, and a greasy brain. What could go wrong? Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

Drink a lot of water and be in a safe space when you watch these episodes of Spider-Noir. Ol’ Ben Reily is flashing back to his past and he’s trippin’ balls and curling up in bed. On top of all of that an old friend appears to fit us for a suit of deliciously acted fun. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Listener Santiago wonders if a ‘wolf-inspired’ vehicle from Kawasaki is a robot, a metal horse, or just a vehicle. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

William Gibson Book Club reconvenes to close out the legendary Sprawl trilogy with “Mona Lisa Overdrive,” a book in which there are lots of vibes from a lot of people who are secondary characters in a story being driven by an AI that we never really meet. Robot art projects! Many overlapping jackets, none of them the same size! And a car ride to… the future?! We break it all down. Jason Snell with Antony Johnston, Erika Ensign, Lisa Schmeiser and Glenn Fleishman.

This one’s a banger. The KGB has got the mole… or do they? What will happen to the Chief Designer’s risky mission to Venus? Is Lyudmilla out of control or does she have the upper hand? And Brezhnev makes a surprise appearance! Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

This episode is probably a backdoor pilot for a spin-off show about “Riptide.” Jason has a lot of opinions about pilots. Stay tuned through the final music, because the episode keeps going. Twice. While Phil eats pizza. Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.