Nemesis.

Star Trek Nemesis is generally considered one of the weaker entries of The Next Generation feature films, as well as the entire Star Trek movie franchise. The story mixed together action sequences, the idea of "dark mirrors" for Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lt. Cmdr. Data, and attempted to send off the Enterprise-Echaracters to their next stage of life (or death, in the case of one android). Daniel, Darren, and Phillip examine the multiple aspects that did not work in the film, what parts they enjoyed, and how this movie predicted the look and feel of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek into Darkness. Pour a glass of Romulan Ale or Chateau Picard, and join Earl Grey for Next Gen's final journey. 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

TNG Ranks & Promotions. 

Star Trek has created a universe where Starfleet personnel have recognizable ranks and positions. The Next Generation promoted several characters and moved others to various ship positions, while at the same time left certain officers in the same rank through all seven seasons and four feature films. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip examine the career paths of the TNG crew, how the Starfleet promotion system on the Enterprise fits into the greater canon of the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th centuries, and discover a surprising conspiracy concerning those with full commander rank.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Controversial Storylines.

Gene Roddenberry believed that Star Trek was a way to debate so-called "controversial" issues through the disguise of a futuristic setting. The Next Generation featured episodes that tackled the modern struggles of changing gender roles ("The Outcast," "Angel One," & "The Perfect Mate"), drug use ("Symbiosis"), terrorism ("The High Ground"), and the lifelong effects of war ("The Hunted"). The quality of these storylines ranged from thought-provoking to disappointing. Phillip, Darren, and Daniel discuss how the writers of TNG did not always provide the answers to these issues, but how they provided a platform to examine our society. We invite you to be a part of the controversy and listen to this latest Earl Grey.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Chapters

Controversial Story-lines (00:04:18)  

The Outcast 5x17 (00:07:40)  

The High Ground 3x12 (00:17:13)  

Symbiosis 1x22 (00:26:14)  

The Perfect Mate 5x21 (00:34:37)  

Angel One 1x14 (00:42:45)  

The Hunted 3x11 (00:46:00)

Closing (00:52:48)  

Women in TNG.

From the pilot "Encounter at Fairpoint," The Next Generation signaled that it wanted to update the way Star Trek would handle gender roles - it was no longer "where no man had gone before" but "where no one had gone before." The first season featured three female characters - Security Chief Tasha Yar, Counselor Deanna Troi, and Dr. Beverly Crusher. However, two of those three characters did not return in the second season. The full run of TNG and the feature films contain many female characters, both primary cast and guest stars, and created episodes that focused on women, from "The Child" to "The Perfect Mate." @FirstTimeTrek Andi VanderKolk joins Daniel, Darren, and Phillip to discuss the successes and disappointments in how women were portrayed in TNG.

Hosts

Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Guests

Andi VanderKolk

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

Chapters

Is TNG Better in It's Portrayal of Women? (00:05:00)  

Where No ONE Has Gone Before (00:12:02)  

Tasha Yar (00:22:10)  

Deanna Troi (00:29:28)  

Ro Laren (00:34:10)  

Dr. Leah Brahms (00:36:30)  

Lal (00:41:00)  

Admiral Nechayev (00:46:21)  

Mae Jemison (00:50:20)  

Kathryn Janeway (00:53:27)  

Lwaxana Troi (00:57:58)  

Closing (01:02:22)  

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Death in TNG.

All good things must come to an end, and in The Next Generation, that means the deaths of many favorite (and perhaps not so favorite) characters. Mr. Data meets his demise in the final feature film Star Trek: Nemesis, the first security chief Tasha Yar dies a senseless death in the season one episode "Skin of Evil," and memorable guest star K'Ehleyr is murdered by Duras in "Reunion." These deaths affected our TNG characters and fans, leading to debates about whether these deaths served a purpose or whether they should have been avoided. Phillip, Darren, and Daniel discuss the end of these characters and others in this episode, asking how those deaths were treated, what was the aftermath, and what death teaches us about the dangers of exploring the final frontier.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Chapters