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

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

"The Best of Both Worlds" Alternate Ending. 

One of the most memorable musical moments in The Next Generation was the final seconds of the season three cliffhanger episode, with the television screen displaying those fateful words, "...To Be Continued." TNG's "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II" opened with the Enterprise-D's deflector weapon being  rendered useless by the Borg Collective. But what if it had worked? The destruction of the Borg cube, along with Captain Jean-Luc Picard/Locutus would have shift the show to an almost entirely new series, led by Captain William T. Riker. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip discuss how all the characters would be affected by this change in circumstances, how the series would have radically changed, and if we would have ever seen Sir Patrick Stewart in TNG again. Join Earl Grey as they explore a parallel universe where season four set a new course for the crew of the NCC-1701-D.  

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Worf with The Orb.

The idea of a Klingon serving in Starfleet may have struck some fans as heresy when Worf debuted in the 1987 TNG pilot "Encounter at Farpoint." However, as the journey of this Klingon unfolded, he became a fan favorite. Over the seven seasons of The Next Generation, as well as the feature films, Lieutenant Worf took his place as tactical officer of the Enterprise-D and continued to struggle with his dual identities resulting from being a Klingon who was raised by humans. Whether discovering a long-lost brother, a long-lost son, or a long-lost Klingon homeworld (with its own political turmoil and machinations), Worf helped viewers explore Klingon culture and expanded on what knew about this "warrior race" during the Captain Kirk's time.

In order to better understand this vital character, we're joined in this episode of Earl Grey by Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing, co-hosts of The Orb, to discuss the seeds of his story which continued on Deep Space Nine. So sharpen your teeth, grab your bat'leth, and join in the warrior fun. 

Hosts

Phillip Gilfus, Daniel Proulx, and Darren Moser

Guests

Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing

Editor and Producer

Darren Moser

Associate Producers

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Chapters

Klingon on the Bridge?! (3:00)

Death of Tasha Yar (8:14)

A Good Day for Honor!....or not. (16:00)

Family Matters (24:20)

Connection to Picard (35:00)

Klingon Culture (42:15)

Worf in the Movies (49:13)

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Is TNG a Children's Show?

A lot of fans began their love of The Next Generation as children and continued their fandom into adulthood. In this episode of Earl Grey, Phillip Gilfus, Darren Moser, and Daniel Proulx examine their TNG experiences as children versus as adults. Special guest Andi Vanderkolk, aka @FirstTimeTrek, provides a different perspective as someone who began watching the series as an adult. Join us as we find what aspects of TNG speak specifically to children and what concepts remain universal, despite any fan's age.

Divisional Shuffle.

What would happen if our favorite TNG characters belonged to other divisions? What if Data worked in security? What if Picard manned the science station? What if Riker sat at tactical? In this episode of Earl Grey hosts Phillip GIlfus, Darren Moser, and Daniel Proulx discuss what it might be like if our beloved Enterprise-D crew had their colors scrambled and danced the divisional shuffle. We touch on blue-shirt Picard from "Tapestry," Lieutenant Riker, and a technicolor Data. Don't get jealous, Wesley!