16: Visions from the Fire Caves

“The Last Generation“ Everything old is new again as the story that began 35 years ago concludes with one final adventure for some but the start of a new one for others. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing conclude our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 10, “The Last Generation.” We discuss the paths the characters followed, how the story was resolved, why the writing goes well beyond nostalgia, the potential of a spinoff series, ships named Enterprise, and why everything comes back to ALF. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) How Do You Feel? (00:02:56) Storytelling Success (00:09:04) Not Simply Nostalgia (00:15:53) Jack's Path (00:18:27) Looking for Connections (00:26:23) Q Tip (00:38:10) Spinning a Spinoff (00:42:31) Putting the Borg to Bed (00:44:54) Captain Seven (00:54:53) The Past Matters (01:01:38) Escaping the Cube (01:04:11) A New Enterprise (01:12:44) A Joyful Ending (01:16:42) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:19:09) Closing (01:21:22) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

“Võx“ At long last, we learn what Jack is (although not without further delay) and, well, resistance is futlie. But fireworks in space are cool, right? In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 9, “Võx.” We ignore the weird tilda to discuss the impending resolution of the story and look beyond the superficial fan complaints to embrace the real message of the story in true Star Trek fashion. We also recognize that the Enterprise-E's fate was not Worf's fault. Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

“Surrender“ As the Titan crew plot to retake the ship, many storylines reach their apex while a big one continues to drag us so very slowly toward a terrifying red door. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 8, “Surrender.” We discuss how the TNG crew are finally brought back together, our evolving theories about Jack, a possible beer-drenched clue, and Worf’s love sonnet. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Little Story … about Will and Deanna (00:01:34) The Worf in the Room (00:12:25) Respecting the Audience (00:15:44) A Piece of Parietal Lobe (00:19:03) Pah-wraiths, Borg, and Armus (00:25:04) Jack in the Box (00:29:30) Arcanis Lager (00:36:39) Connect the Branches (00:40:39) Things Past (00:50:28) Shaw and Seven (00:52:02) Data and Lore (01:00:30) Bye, Bye Vadic (01:08:40) Together Again (01:11:48) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:13:06) Closing (01:17:41) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

Dominion. A visit to the Chin’toka system, one of the most pivotal battlefields of the Dominion War, helps shed light on some of the mysteries surrounding the Changelings, but raises even more questions about Jack and brings some of our heroes to rethink which lines should not be crossed. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 7, “Dominion.” We discuss plausible misdirections, the connection to Greek mythology, internal voices, and where the story may be going as we enter the home stretch. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Surprise Vulcan (00:01:19) More Cameos? (00:06:04) A Trail of Clues (00:13:27) Playing the Long Game (00:27:48) Project Proteus (00:25:45) Why No Transporters? (00:31:21) Picard Mystery Box (00:36:12) Time Has No Meaning (00:45:07) Crossing the Line (00:48:56) The Enemy Within (00:54:06) Two Sides to Everything (01:00:43) Inside Out (01:04:38) Many Ways to the Ocean (01:08:02)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:13:19) Closing (01:18:30) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

“The Bounty“ As the plot—and goo—thickens, the Titan visits the Fleet Museum to meet an old friend while Worf, Raffi, and Riker burgle the very institution that is hunting them. The layover leaves ample time for nostalgia, Easter eggs, and a leisurely, but meaningful, walk down memory lane. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 6, “The Bounty.” We discuss the unexpected reactions and discoveries, the rich tapestry of Trek past, the prevelant themes of family and replacement, and the many attempts at misdirection. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Plot Thickens (00:01:11) Starship Cell Towers (00:06:06) Irumodic Herring (00:11:18) A Reluctant Geordi (00:27:48) What We Leave Behind (00:38:58) Chock-Full of Nostalgia (00:42:12) Data 3.0 (00:53:12) We’re the Replacements (00:59:33) Grease Monkey Hero Worship (01:04:05) Riker Captured (01:07:06) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:13:27) Closing (01:16:45) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

“Imposters“ An unexpected visitor boards the Titan and reveals the extent of the threat facing the Federation. Meanwhile, Jack Crusher struggles with his continuing visions and comes to realize that there is something very wrong with him. Worf and Raffi fight logical crime. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 5, “Imposters.” We discuss the surprising appearance of an old friend, the evolving nature of the Changeling infiltration, how the core story relies heavily on Deep Space Nine, and share our theory for what is really happening with Jack. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Preemptive Strike (00:01:33) You Can't Act on Blind Faith (00:12:01) Just How Deep Does the Rabbit Hole Go? (00:17:39) Who Handles the Handlers? (00:21:31) Logical Crime (00:24:34) Advanced AI Cameos? (00:28:29) The Neverending Sacrifice (00:32:04) Changeling Continuity (00:36:16) The Pah-Wraiths' Anti-Emissary (00:42:21) A Heavy Reliance on DS9 (00:52:42) Shaw Gotta Be Shaw (00:57:13) Why So Dark? (01:04:14) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:10:03) Closing (01:14:07) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

“No Win Scenario“ As the Titan sinks deeper into the gravity well, only the inginuity that comes with a full head of hair and a grease monkey from Chicago can save the crew the from a no win scenario. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 4, “No Win Scenario.” We discuss more parallels with the Original Series films, how the story turns death into a fighting chance to live, makes our heroes better versions of themselves, and ask just what is up with the Changelings and Vadic’s hand. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Picard, Jack, and the Hair (00:01:23) Redeeming Beverly (00:5:39) Strength in Simplicity (00:10:19) Earning the F-Bomb (00:14:06) Resurrecting Riker (00:18:29) Beverly Saves the Day (00:29:35) Shaw and Sisko (00:32:42) The Left Hand of Vadic (00:39:51) Jumpin’ Jack Flash … with Changelings! (00:45:09) It's Supposed to Be Fun (00:56:12) Big Ship, Four Rooms (00:58:11) Worf and Raffi, Interrupted (01:03:23) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:08:24) Closing (01:10:57) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

“Seventeen Seconds“ Beverly and Jean-Luc come face to face as the reason for her 20-year absence is revealed. Meanwhile, a more relaxed warrior enters to help Raffi crack the case of the stolen Daystrom goods. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 3, “Seventeen Seconds.” We discuss Beverly's choice, Jean-Luc’s reaction, characters swapping places, the reveal of the enemy, and sip a cup of Celestial Seasonings Warriortime along the way. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Beverly’s Choice (00:01:15) Jean-Luc’s Reaction (00:13:14) Fear of Loss (00:24:34) Riker’s Transformation (00:31:23) Never Meet Your Legends (00:38:42) The Changing Face of Evil (00:44:16) Escape Plan: Connect the Branches (00:53:08) Celestial Seasonings Warriortime (00:57:41) De-aging Picard and Riker (01:05:28) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:10:42) Closing (01:16:06) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

“Disengage“ The revelation that Beverly’s son, Jack, is wanted on many worlds—under many aliases—puts Jean-Luc Picard into a tough situation, one trumped only by the discovery that Jack is his son. To make matters more difficult, Jack’s pursuer, an unhinged woman named Vadic, arrives aboard the Shrike, a ship armed to the teeth with every sort of weapon known to Starfleet (and few that aren’t). It’s a dangerous situation that puts the Titan on the run. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 2, “Disengage.” We discuss whether Jack is indeed the offspring of Jean-Luc and Beverly, what that means and why Vadic wants him, Worf’s entrance, Raffi’s demons, a redemption arc for Shaw, and more. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Timey-Wimey Corrections! (00:02:03) The New Starfleet Uniforms (00:11:42) Full of Easter Eggs (00:10:53) The Son in the Room (00:15:06) Is Beverly a Lawbreaker? (00:24:27) Like Father Like Son? (00:30:11) Not Son’a Fast! (00:33:38) The Mysteries of Vadic (00:41:31) Raffi's Demons (00:46:52) What an Entrance, Worf! (00:53:17) Updating the Ferengi (00:57:47) Jeri Ryan Shines (00:59:44) Shaw’s Redemption (01:02:15) Closing (01:09:33) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

“The Next Generation“ After receiving a cryptic, urgent distress call from Doctor Beverly Crusher, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard enlists the help of Captain Riker and Seven—or rather Commander Annika Hansen—to attempt a daring rescue. Meanwhile, Raffi, working undercover as a Starfleet Intelligence operative, races to stop an impending terrorist attack by unknown thieves who stole deadly weapons from Daystrom Station. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing kick off our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with the premiere episode, “The Next Generation." We discuss the passage of time for the characters, how the series is shifting tone while still honoring its first two seasons, and how the overall tone is a love letter to fans and the entire franchise. We also speculate on where the story may go and dig into the myriad Easter eggs scattered around by Terry Matalas and crew as they deliver the Star Trek that so many have been waiting for. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Title (00:01:53) A Love Letter to Star Trek (00:07:41) Full of Easter Eggs (00:10:53) Legacy (00:17:48) A Time to … Find Beverly (00:23:08) Son’a Pursuit? (00:28:37) Raffi’s Handler (00:33:46) A Decade Has Passed (00:39:10) Loving Laris (00:44:22) The Titan Refit (00:47:53) If Jellico and Styles Had a Child … (00:53:52) Jeri Ryan Shines (00:59:44) Masterful Music (01:02:16)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:15:49) Closing (01:20:46) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)