108: "Beta Test" (Starfleet Academy S1E2)

It’s the second episode of “Starfleet Academy,” and things are picking up speed. Political negotiations via college debating society! Betazoid mental shields! Many, many, many robots and aliens. But is it too much, or just enough? We break it all down, reassess “Star Trek Voyager” and complain about theme songs, and ultimately make an Important Contribution To (Head) Canon with the introduction of Whale Academy. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

A new “Star Trek” series arrives! Scott and Jason discuss their expectations for this new series, then dive in and break down their (surprising?) reactions to the first episode of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.” [We’ll cover episode 2 in a few days, in a separate episode.] Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

It’s almost time for “Starfleet Academy,” but before we sit down to watch the newest “Star Trek” series, we’ve got to wrap up our “Wreath of Khan” series with a look at “Star Trek Into Darkness.” Khan is in it (spoilers!), but should he be? What makes this movie work, and where does it fall apart? Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

The Wreath of Khan rolls on with part 3 of 4, as Scott and Jason spend some time discussing one of their favorite movies, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” after having followed Khan from “Space Seed” through “Star Trek: Khan.” We don’t know how many times we can say that we love this movie, but we tried and it seems like we could do it forever. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

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.