85: "Face the Strange" (Discovery S5E4)

The Wreath of Khan continues with our review of the “Star Trek: Khan” audio drama—available where you get podcasts. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

We kick off “The Wreath of Khan,” our monthlong celebration of Star Trek’s favorite mad tyrant, with a look back at where it all started: “Space Seed.” At least, after Khan wakes up 15 minutes into the episode… Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

A season of “Strange New Worlds” comes to an end, and so does this season of our podcast! But before we go, we have thoughts about Pike and Batel, “Doctor Who” plots, ley lines, parallel timelines, and even “Star Trek: Scouts” and “Star Trek: Khan”! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Who knew that the opposite of an Arena was an Enemy Mine? Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Never before has Vulcan Hello said hello to so many Vulcans. (And a Romulan, but shh, don’t say Romulan for canonical reasons!) We discuss Trek comedy, the delightful true fan of Humanity known as Doug, the depth of Number One as played by Rebecca Romijn, the action buddy comedy starring Kirk and Scotty, Batel’s jerk Vulcan boss, and Chapel’s inability to make good Plomeek soup. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

“Strange New Worlds” gets the documentary treatment this week, as the Enterprise is confronted with some difficult choices that call into question some of Starfleet’s most deeply held beliiefs. The documentary has a real character arc, going from deep skepticism to a final understanding in just 40 minutes. Unfortunately, that’s not how documentaries work! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Captain Kirk takes control of the USS… Farragut! While he’s facing his first crucial command decisions in an emergency situation with the help of a few familiar faces, Pike and company are repelling a monstrous boarding party. (The monsters are, in hindsight, exactly who you should have expected.) Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Not all red shirts wear red! (But some do!) This episode has a lot of death, an alien mystery, some questionable archaeology, a reversal of cause and effect, and multi-dimensional layering. In other words: It’s Star Trek! Also, Jason passes on a wild theory about Batel’s new Gorn-chimera lifestyle. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

This week’s “Strange New Worlds” is an homage to 1960s Star Trek, 1970s murder mysteries, and all murderous holodeck stories throughout Trek history. Also, Paul Wesley gets to do his best Shatner. It’s called acting! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

This week we’re balancing Moss Zombies with Gorn Consumption as Pike and M’Benga take a “Shuttle to Kenfori!” It’s a character episode with some zombies in the background, and also one particularly grumpy Klingon. Jason looks up the Klingon word for “redshirts.” Also: Paramount finally gets bought, and there are new pictures from “Starfleet Academy!” Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.