120: "A Case of Chiaroscuro" (SNW S4E4)

It’s the muppet show!!!!! [kermit flail] Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

This podcast is presented in vivid black-and-white, as we discuss a Strange New World visit that reminds us a lot of a TOS episode—but without the bright colors designed to sell color television sets in the 1960s. Una ponders space doppelgangers, M’Benga enjoys a selection of hats and coats, and Uhura gets the mind probe. Gratuitous Klingon guest stars! Confusing sci-fi rules! And if you haven’t seen “Casablanca,” well… Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

It’s time for the next spin on the genre wheel, as “Strange New worlds” lurches from horror to comedy. Dave Foley is a weird alien with a weird pleasure planet. There’s a thin strand of plot and a Star Trek take on “The Hangover.” Pike gets a lot of tattoos! There’s Klingon karaoke! Someone’s wearing a Mugato suit! Most importantly, Scotty and Ortegas learn to understand each other and Spock bonds with an imaginary—or is he?—Jim Kirk. Also, prompted by the last two weeks’ genre whipsaw, Scott and Jason have deep thoughts about what we like, why we like it, and how we process stuff that doesn’t fit in our definition of the thing we like. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Boo! It’s a spooky situation as Kirk, Spock, and La’an encounter a dead starship and face their worst fears. How did we, as non-horror fans, like the episode? That might be the scariest reveal of all. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Scott and Jason are back to answer your most important Star Trek and horse-related questions! And they’re so excited they could punch a dinosaur! We break down the pulp-SF-flavored Season 4 premiere of “Strange New Worlds,” featuring martians and dinos and also a bonus jerk Vulcan! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

“Starfleet Academy” finishes the end of its first season with the conclusion of numerous plot lines, a lot of character moments, and some problem solving. We discuss how this episode worked, the season as a whole, and how “Starfleet Academy” builds on the shows that came before it. See you again when “Strange New Worlds” returns! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

School’s out, but adventure is in! Scott and Jason discuss the penultimate episode of the first season of “Starfleet Academy,” including stealing shuttlecrafts, insulting your friends, hiding out in airlocks, and the perils of having to automate an entire starship! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

From the space-time weirdness of Kasq to the stage of “Our Town,” it’s a “Starfleet Academy” episode where theater helps process trauma and a certain hologram learns to love again. Oh, and Tilly shows up, reminding us why she’s a top-tier Star Trek character. Come join us in our little one-act play, or as we call it, a podcast. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Get out your space swiffers and prepare to visit the Dry Moon of the Fish People! It’s time to discuss the change-of-pace episode “Ko’Zeine,” which we found to be… fine. If this is the baseline for “Starfleet Academy,” that’s good news, but we do have some thoughts on all the ways this episode failed to rise above being perfectly cromulent. We do love that Warp Slug, though. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

This one gets pretty dark, with a training mission that goes horribly wrong, leading to casualties. Meanwhile, Holly Hunter watches Paul Giamatti chew scenery (in the best possible way). Plus, don’t forget the YA-mandatory and story-arc-relevant sexy times! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.