Favorite Earl Grey episodes.

Star Trek: The Next Generation has inspired, motivated, and entertained fans for almost thirty years -- especially three specific (and familiar) fans: Darren Moser, Daniel Proulx, and Phillip Gilfus. The trio of Earl Grey look back over the 122 Next Gen topics they have discussed for three years and pick their top three favorite shows, as well as some honorable mention podcast episodes.

Their choices include their crossovers with other trek.fm podcasts, like "Earl Grey 15: The Movie Should Write Itself," an in-depth look at the inaugural TNG film Star Trek: Generations with the co-hosts of "Standard Orbit," and "Earl Grey 100: All Ships Are Big Shuttles," a role-playing game celebrating TNG and the trekfm family. The trio remember their once-in-a-lifetime interview with Counselor Deanna Troi herself, Marina Sirtis ("Earl Grey 112: Troi, Goddess of Internity"), as well as one of their many signature game-playing adventures when, together, they defeated "Not Gowron" during "Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive VCR Board Game: A Klingon Challenge" ("Earl Grey 69: Experience Bij").

The co-hosts also talk about the much-beloved game #BridgeMates ("Earl Grey 82: When In Doubt, Choose Data"), their first episode re-write of a TNG episode, "Masks" (Earl Grey 105: Snakebot: The Great Librarian), and discuss the origins, operations, and favorite aspects of this weekly Next Gen podcast. So enjoy a nice warm cup of Earl Grey and join Darren, Daniel, and Phillip as they reflect on their favorite episodes of this podcast.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

Picard/Riker Relationship.

The Kirk/Spock relationship dominates all other depictions between characters in Star Trek. That said, the captain/first officer dynamic of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Commander William T. Riker created a unique and interesting command team for TNG fans. The beard-less, energetic, and fun-loving former first officer of the U.S.S. Hood that we met in "Encounter at Farpoint" was mentored by the senior commander, formerly of the starship Stargazer,  for seven years on television and throughout four motion pictures before earning the right to call him a fellow captain. Daniel, Darren, and Phillip discuss how Picard and his Number One learned to lead the Enterprise-D together, their ups and downs, and how a rocky introduction led to a wonderful relationship that would guide the ship and crew through several adventures.

Earl Grey discusses moments of Picard versus Riker in episodes like "The Best of Both Worlds," "Peak Performance," and "The Measure of a Man," as well as times the two officers "pranked" one another in "Captain's Holiday" and "Gambit, Parts 1 and 2." The trio focus on Riker's pursuits of the Enterprise's center chair and Picard's mentoring of Will in order for him to finally evolve into the seasoned Captain Riker of the U.S.S. Titan.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

1701-B.

Viewers of Star Trek: The Next Generation often spotted those golden Enterprise models in the Observation Lounge over the years - but what was the story behind them? We knew the 1701 and would get to know the Enterprise-A in the TOS-era films; the heroic sacrifice of the Enterprise-C was eventually told in the season three episode "Yesterday's Enterprise." However, there was an Excelsior-class-sized hole in the Enterprise legacy.

It was not until TNG's inaugural motion picture, Star Trek Generations, that fans witnessed the christening of the first "Kirk-less" U.S.S. Enterprise - the NCC-1701-B. Earl Grey discusses the ship itself - a modification of the Excelsior-class design (one that remained dormant for several generations!), that had some "extra fat" in its "dad bod," from nacelles that go on for light years to the "love handles" around the main deflector. The trio also discusses the members of the maiden crew - from the much aligned Captain John Harriman to the plucky Ensign Demora Sulu, whose story would be expounded on in the novel-verse. They also try to untangle the timeline of when the third Starfleet vessel named Enterprise entered and left the scene of the Trek verse.

So don't sit down in your chair - instead make time for the important things, like this week's discussion of the starship Enterprise, NCC-1701-B.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

Cardassian/Maquis Conflict.

The Next Generation often introduced "aliens of the week" that may be referenced one or two more times before being forgotten about entirely. The episode "The Wounded" introduced a strange, new alien species, the Cardassians, who apparently were at war with the Federation for a significant amount of time. A controversial peace treaty finally brought peace between the two powers, leading to an uneasy alliance. However, the price of that peace was unhappy Federation colonists ("Journey's End") that would eventually lead to the rise of the Maquis ("Preemptive Strike").

Phillip, Daniel, and Darren discuss Next Gen's culmination of a story line that would be developed by Deep Space Nine ("The Maquis, Parts 1 and 2") and serve, essentially, as springboards for both the creation of DS9 and Voyager. From the origins of the memorable Bloody, Bloody Cardassian War to the political turmoil of the Demilitarized Zone to raiders attacking Federation and Cardassian targets - the Maquis storyline certainly showed that it was not all one "happy, shiny, perfect Federation" in TNG. Join Earl Grey as they tackle this ever-present storyline of the Cardassian-Maquis conflict. 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

The First Duty Commentary.

In The Original Series, their movies, and early The Next Generation, Star Trek continually referenced Starfleet Academy, the training ground for our favorite officers. However, fans did not get their first introduction to the San Francisco-based Academy until the nineteenth episode of TNG's fifth season, "The First Duty." Daniel, Darren, and Phillip fire up this memorable episode and provide a commentary.

This episode focuses on Cadets Wesley Crusher, Sito Jaxa ("Lower Decks") and Tom Par-, um, Nicholas Locarno, as their poor choices lead to the death of a fellow cadet, and an investigation forces Wesley to make a life-altering decision. This episode also introduces the Academy groundskeeper Boothby ("In the Flesh" [VOY]), who has mentored many future Starfleet commanders. So open the door (with a handle!) to a great Captain Jean-Luc Picard speech, put on your cadet uniform, and join Earl Grey for this commentary on "The First Duty." 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

Starfleet Career Path.

Many fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation and all other Trek incarnations continually imagine what life is like as a Starfleet officer. Phillip, Daniel, and Darren decide to play "guidance counselor" and explore the actual Starfleet career track. They begin with Next Gen's debut of Starfleet Academy in "The First Duty," as well as the multiple references to various crew member's experiences, including their application process to the Academy or their life as cadets.

Earl Grey then goes through the ranks step-by-step, exploring what life is like as a "blue" (science/medical) or "red" (command) shirt. What does a science lieutenant junior grade do on the Enterprise-D? Do red shirt ensigns do anything else other than pilot the ship? How can you be in command of anything when you are the lowest rank? The trio also reveals the "secret" behind the post-grad school blue shirt experience and spends time with the "Lower Decks," discussing life as a junior officer on the flagship. So put on the Academy sorting hat to determine your hous-...color uniform and enjoy this episode that analyzes the Starfleet career path.  

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

TNG Guest Stars.

The Next Generation was not accepted as official "Star Trek" during its first episodes and seasons, but it did not take long for TNG to become a pop culture phenomena. Every Trek series attracts guest stars, but there are also celebrities who, as Trekkies themselves, would love a chance to appear on the starship Enterprise. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip talk about those cameos and special appearances in this episode.

Actors from other famous TV shows and movies, including Kelsey Grammer ("Cause and Effect"), Kirsten Dunst ("Dark Page"), and Ashley Judd ("Darmok," "The Game"), appeared on the flagship in various episodes. However, there are those from the fields of science, e.g., astronaut Mae Jamison ("Second Chances") and Stephen Hawking ("Descent, Part 1"), and music, e.g., Michelle Phillips ("We'll Always Have Paris") and Mick Fleetwood ("Manhunt"), who wish to appear on their favorite television show. Join Earl Grey as they tour all the guests star of Next Gen who added a spark of celebrity of our favorite Trek series. 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

Chief O'Brien.

Husband. Father. Soldier. Bored transporter chief. He goes by many titles, but Chief Miles Edward O'Brien made an impression on Next Generation viewers from the first moment he piloted the stardrive section of the new flagship in "Encounter at Fairpoint." Even though Miles changed from red to gold (and changed ranks even more often!), this secondary character was a vital part of the Enterprise-D crew. Daniel, Darren, and Phillip lay out a character profile that follows Miles from his wedding to Keiko, to the birth of his first child Molly, and all the way until his last moment in Transporter Room 3, before he disembarked on a seven-year adventure on Deep Space Nine.

Join Earl Grey as they go through Chief O'Brien's many episodes, analyzing his "every man" role, his unique role as a Starfleet non-commissioned officer, and how his reactions to "boldly going where no one has gone before" made the series even stronger. So cuddle up with your pet spider, get your ship ready to be placed in a bottle, and enjoy this character profile on Chief O'Brien.  

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

Debate: Is Starfleet Military or Exploration? 

There are fan arguments that have been debated since Star Trek: The Next Generation first aired on television - Who is the better Enterprise captain? Which starship would win in a fight? Is Starfleet a military or exploratory organization? Earl Grey tackles this last question for this week's episode and attempts to explore (or militarize!) the answer.

Phillip moderates the debate that examines the origins of Starfleet in the 22nd and 23rd Century, as well as how it is portrayed in the 24th century. Darren powers up the phaser array and loads the torpedo tubes for his arguments that Starfleet is a military organization. From its use of naval ranks, a chain of command, weapons, patrols of Federation space, and the use of Starfleet personnel as soldiers in the "bloody, bloody" Cardassian War, we see an organization that is similar to the armed services of the 21st Century. Daniel, Mr. Blue Shirt himself, explains how Starfleet is a futuristic NASA, with its focus on scientific missions, a Starfleet Academy that instructs its people on science and enginnering principles, and how its mantra is literally to "explore strange, new worlds."

Join this episode of Earl Grey, as these #BridgeMates name drop Zefram Cochrane at the drop of a tequila glass in order to prove their points, and finally put to rest whether Starfleet is a military or exploratory organization.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

Voyager/TNG Crossover.

The Next Generation featured some "crossover" episodes with Deep Space Nine, from "Birthright, Part 1" to "Firstborn." By the time Star Trek: Voyager reached the airwaves, TNG had warped away from TV to become its own film franchise. In this episode, Darren, Daniel, and Phillip travel to a parallel universe where season 8 of Next Gen is on the airwaves along with the first season of Voyager. What would a meeting of Captains Jean-Luc Picard and Kathryn Janeway have looked like? How would the crews of the Galaxy and Intrepid-class vessels react to each other? Would such a meeting take place in the Alpha or Delta Quadrant?

Earl Grey talks about the myriad of possibilities between the two ship-based Star Trek series set in the 24th Century. From the battle of tea v. coffee, resurrecting the ill-fated original first officer, doctor, and conn officer of the NCC-74656, and figuring how Deep Space Nine could make an appearance well. The trio discuss the possibility of a "backdoor" pre-pilot for the fourth Trek series on TNG, featuring a special appearance by former Lieutenant Ro Laren as a Maquis fighter on the Valjean. Join Earl Grey as they help Dr. Beverly Crusher install the EMH and talk about a Voyager crossover episode on The Next Generation. 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen