Gender Bender

The Next Generation was lead by Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his mostly male crew of officers. In this episode of Earl Grey, the trio gain inspiration from the IDW "Star Trek" comic book series called "Parallel Lives"that "flipped" the genders of the JJ-verse cast. How would the Enterprise-D's adventures unfold with Captain Jean Picard and her crew?

Daniel, Darren, and Phillip beam aboard Jarrah Hodge (co-host, "Women at Warp") to analyze the main and secondary characters of Next Gen under a "gender bender" thought experiment. Whether it's Commander Riker - a first officer who echoes Captain Phillipa Louvois ("The Measure of a Man") or her long-lost love Dean E. Troi - a sensitive Betazoid who is not only in touch with his feelings, but in touch with everyone else's. Earl Grey, along with Jarrah, analyze what characteristics would have remained the same if the sexes had been switched, what stereotypes may have been challenged, and how Suzie Plakson's Q would have made for quite a different "encounter." From uniform to name changes, and everything in between, join Earl Grey in this "gender bender" episode that imagines a parallel universe for the crew of TNG.
      

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Guest
Jarrah Hodge

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

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

Will Nguyen

Marina Sirtis Talks TNG, Internity, Women, and More.

Fans know her as "Imzadi" and ship's counselor, but Marina Sirtis is much more. Phillip, Darren, and Daniel interview Marina (on #DeannaTroiDay!) about her new series Internity and the campaign to fund its production.

Sirtis helms the cast of Internity, a medical dramedy, where she plays Dr. Camila Chivari, a 50-year-old divorcee embarking on a second career as a doctor. She finds herself being bossed around by a chief intern (Joey Adams, also writer and producer for the series) who is the same age as her children, while also encountering Nurse Tracey (Carla Jimenez) and Medical Director Dr. Owen Sieber (Richard Ruccolo). The pilot episode is directed by another Enterprise-D alum, Michael Dorn, who provides a chance for a TNG flashback reunion scene!

Marina not only talks about her excitement about being involved in Internity, but also describes what it's like to develop a show as a "fan-funded" series, the struggles of women in the entertainment industry (and society overall), and ... yes, why The Next Generation is the best. The Earl Grey trio and Marina discuss her voice acting exploits (from Gargoyles to Mass Effect), her adventures with her Next Gen family & the other Trek series she appeared on, what it was like to finally wear a blue shirt, and explains the Riker/Troi relationship dynamic.

Join this special episode of Earl Grey with Marina Sirtis as she reveals what position on the Enterprise-D she coveted, her favorite character on the Holodeck, and why she is proud to be a part of the TNG legacy.

Hosts

Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Guest

Marina Sirtis

Editor / Producer

Darren Moser

Executive Producers

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

Associate Producer

Stephen Boyd

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

Chapters

Phillip's Questions (00:01:39)
interity Campaign (00:13:58)
Daniel's Questions (00:18:44)
Darren's Questions (00:28:40)
Closing (00:41:35)

Links

Internity Website: http://www.internitytv.com/
Indiegogo Campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/internity-a-newbie-series
Afternoon Tea with Marina Sirtis: https://vimeo.com/139839316
Internity Facebook: www.facebook.com/internityTV
Internity Twitter: @internityTVShow

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Spooky TNG.

Mystery. Flickering lights. Strange sounds ... and clicking ... always the familiar, repeating clicking sounds ...

Star Trek: The Next Generation has its fair share of episodes that cause fans to hide behind the couch. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip turn down the lights, get out the flashlights ... er, palm beacons, and talk about their favorite spooky TNG episodes. 

There is the surreal happenings in the fourth season outing "Night Terrors," where a sleepless crew fights their own minds playing tricks on them. The trio also discusses the alien abduction mystery "Schisms," with the "scary" talents of the Holodeck computer knowing the difference between a table and a chair. The sixth season gave fans the Inception-like episode "Frame of Mind," with Commander William Riker taking us on a psychotic thriller of a ride. Then there is the "100% scientifically-accurate" story "Genesis," which has us ready to hang from the bulkheads, as we look out for "de-evolved" Lieutenant Worf or Spider-Barclay.

So feel the terror in this Halloween-inspired episode of Earl Grey, as they discuss the spooky episodes of Next Gen.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

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

Will Nguyen

A Final Unity.

The mission of creating a good game based on Star Trek: The Next Generation has been a continuous hit-or-miss enterprise. However, few games can boast the voice talents of the original TNG actors. In 1995, game developer Spectrum HoloByte and publisher MicroProse released "A Final Unity," for both DOS and Macintosh computers. The Enterprise-D faced Romul-, er, Garidian warbirds, went on various away missions, and had Captain Jean-Luc Picard deal with an ultimate moral question concerning power.

Daniel, Darren, and Phillip fire up their boot disks in this episode and talk about playing "A Final Unity." The trio discusses gameplay (both the regular and "quick" versions), the game's story, solving puzzles, the graphics, and how our favorite TNG crewmembers are used by players. The trio explain the accuracy of Commander Riker leaning on the bridge, the game mechanics of yesteryear, and why Daniel holds a game secret more powerful than anything the Chodak have to offer. Join Earl Grey as they enter the world of Next Gen gaming and discuss the 1995 release, "A Final Unity."   

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

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

Will Nguyen

BridgeMates.

Bridge officers get to know each other after years of service together, forming friendships, just like Data and Geordi La Forge's, that last a lifetime. But how well do they really know each other? That question is put to the test again with the now famous Star Trek: The Next Generation based-game, "BridgeMates." Phillip Gilfus plays game show host in a three-round competition (plus bonus round!) that places co-hosts Darren Moser and Daniel Proulx against the co-hosts of the sister Trek.fm podcast Standard Orbit, Drew Stewart and Mike Schindler. 

The two teams must answer TNG-based questions and see if they can correctly match the same answer that their co-host gives. Will the Next Genexperts Darren and Daniel redeem their reputations and finally win? Or will The Original Series duo of Drew and Mike use Kirk's fighting techniques and Spock's logic to carry the day? Join this fun-filled crossover podcast game show that asks the question, "How well do you know your #BridgeMates?"

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Guests

TV vs. Movie Picard. 

The transition from the small screen of a television series to the big screen of movies was done by the actors/characters of The Original Series and The Next Generation. Kirk and his enterprising crew had the benefit of years passing before they reprised their roles on the big screen, while Next Gen had a few weeks. In this episode of Earl Grey, Daniel, Darren, and Phillip discuss the differences between Captain Jean-Luc Picard during his seven seasons of the television series versus his portrayal in the four Next Gen feature films. 

There is a fan opinion that "movie Picard" is more action hero than diplomat. The trio take a second glance at "TV Picard's" characteristics and what made him our favorite captain. Earl Grey then examines the trials and tribulations that Picard went through in Generations, First Contact, Insurrection, and Nemesis. They debate whether there were "off-character moments" in these films or whether the character was simply evolving through the decades. So finish your workout at the gym, grab a phaser rifle, and join Earl Grey as they look for any differences between TV v. Movie Picard. 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

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

Associate Producer
Stephen Boyd

Will Nguyen

Family.

The writers of Star Trek: The Next Generation created dramatic backstories for the crew of the Federation's flagship. Many of the TNG characters dealt early in their lives with the loss of one or both parents, conflicts and grudges with parents and siblings, and other unresolved issues that are addressed later in specific episodes. Daniel, Darren, and Phillip look at the family origins for Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his officers, examining the "daddy" and "mommy" issues for each characters, and how their familial background led them to become they people they are.

Earl Grey also examines how the Enterprise-D crew came together as a family of their own choosing. The trio looks at what role each person played in this new "family structure," as well as the behind-the-scenes "family" relationship of the Next Gen actors. They discuss how The Next Generation actors are the closest of all the other series' crew, and how that translates to their on screen portrayals and what tone it sets for fans. So gather around with your fellow TNG brothers and sisters, and join in this family affair, as Earl Grey discusses the family aspect to Next Gen. 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

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

Will Nguyen

Emotion Chip.

A central character struggle in Star Trek: The Next Generation is Lieutenant Commander's Data's lack of emotions. Our favorite android experienced life on the U.S.S. Enterprise-D but was constantly challenged in his attempt to relate to emotional humanoid life forms. Phillip, Daniel, and Darren look at the flagship's second officer's "pre-emotion chip" existence and ask: Did Data actually already have the capacity for emotion? Did he evolve over those seven years, experiencing emotional states?

Earl Grey also examines the ever-changing look and features of Dr. Noonian Soong's emotion chip, introduced in the fourth season episode "Brothers." They discuss its appearance in "Descent, Parts 1 and 2," and the chip's installation during the inaugural TNG film, Star Trek: Generations. The trio asks whether "emotional" Data in the film was done well and how fans received that portrayal. They also look at the emotion chip's cameos and various "upgraded" features in the other three feature films. So "stop it, stop it, stop it!", open up your mind, and listen to this episode (which may overload your neural net), analyzing Data's emotion chip.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

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

Will Nguyen

"Masks" Rewrite.

The seventh, and last, season of The Next Generation is not often listed as the best year of the Enterprise-D crew. It features great, bad, and "meh" episodes. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip take one of those "meh" efforts - "Masks," an episode that is considered an "okay" episode and rewrite it. They decide what elements worked, like Captain Jean-Luc Picard "geeking out" over archaeology and the overall mystery of the alien probe, and seek out what elements didn't work, e.g., Brent Spiner playing every single character and then some, as well as the "on the cheap" effects. 

The trio also incorporates new elements, characters, and story twists, using original ideas, as well as aspects from other TNG stories, including the other Star Trek. Their new "spec script" includes a memorable guest star that may remain a fan favorite for a long time. So join the other children in the clay room, forget all about the sun and moon, and join Earl Grey are they re-write the Next Gen episode "Masks."

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

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

Will Nguyen

Q-like Beings.

Captain James T. Kirk and the NCC-1701 crew were not that impressed with aliens posing as "gods," from Apollo to Vaal. However, it turns out that, a generation (or so) later, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the NCC-1701-D encounter just as many awesome creatures. Q sets the standard in "Encounter at Farpoint," but The Next Generation features other "new life" that seems beyond human understanding. 

In this episode, Daniel, Darren, and Phillip look at the Q-like beings of TNG. From Nagilum and his magic maze ("Where Silence Has Lease") to the Edo Guardian (#Justice!), the Enterprise-D was forced to look at the galaxy in an entirely new way. Earl Grey also examines The Traveler ("Where No One Has Gone Before," et. al.), The Great and Powerful Kevin ("The Survivors"), and even Mr. Green Screen, John Doe ("Transfigurations"). The number of "light beings" is added up in this episode, leading the Next Gen trio wondering why there was not a Blu-Ray fan disc release of "The Light Beings of Next Gen." So get ready to raise your consciousness, move beyond your corporeal being, and join Earl Grey as they discuss the Q-like beings in 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