Trek Wars

This week! We talk Skeleton Crew, Section 31, The Acolyte, Discovery...everything Star Trek and Star Wars from 2024, along with where the heck we are in general. __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us!  https://www.youtube.com/@trekwarspod Theme by Tosin Awofeso Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/trekwarsp...

This week, Ahsoka gets a new outfit!  Also, I guess we finished Star Trek: The Original Series or whatever. Kenny and Aspen talk about Clone Wars being informed by characterization established by  *checks notes * yup, the prequels, they did something right.  We also dive into Star Trek as military propaganda, the function of propaganda, and just how stupid everyone acts in Turnabout Intruder . And...

ZARABETH, GIRL OF THE ICE AGE! Anyways, we start S2 of The Clone Wars. And Spock gets horny. Aspen talks about the chronology of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Kenny gets sad he knows about Ahsoka's arc. We also get into the weeds about the "sweaty" worldbuilding of All Our Yesterdays. I mean, it is sweaty. __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.p...

Cad Bane. Aurra Sing. Abraham Lincoln. We have two groups of hostages this week. We talk about the idea of concepts vs. execution.  Aspen talks about Anakin and Padmé and what draws them to each other. Kenny talks about Lincoln & Roddenberry's fetish for Great Man Narratives™.  And we talk about the binary of good and evil. __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our...

What's this? Two stories about resistance and rebellion in the face of oppression? Wow that's not timely at all. ha ha help.   Aspen, Kenny, and guest/friend/pal Mark Gerchak talk Twi'leks as the French Resistance, about our feelings, and also Wim Wenders(???) __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us!  https://ww...

A great episode here. This week, we talk about a truly insidious prospect: well-made propaganda. Aspen answers why the Outer Rim is a hot bed of destruction. Kenny talks about the original draft of The Way to Eden. We also talk techbros and if technological advancement could result in a Star Trek. And how will people read the almost satire of nationalism in Innocents of Ryloth. ___________________...

Why does Star Trek's utopianism grate against Aspen? This week, Kenny and Aspen talk at length about where the hell the ideals of Star Trek and the cynicism of Star Wars come from. Storm Over Ryloth slows down Star Wars to give us a beautiful character piece about failure.  Meanwhile, Requiem for Methuselah shouldn't work, but Kenny and Aspen try to figure out why. We also talk Grievous, Vader, an...

This week's theme? Frustrating world-building. Mystery of a Thousand Moons feels like a latter day George Lucas episode: a follow-up ep shoehorning in unrelated thematics that never gel. It also features a young boy.  Filoni and co. seemingly grit their teeth during the Filoni Zoni for the BTS, so you know we talk about it. For Lights of Zetar , we talk about the gaslighting of our protagonist in...

These certainly were two episodes! Aspen and Kenny DISAGREE. What do they disagree on?? Guess you'll have to listen and find out! (hint: Sexy Gungan ladies). And who's this mysterious writer on Star Trek, Michael Richards? Also everyone should play Baldur's Gate. __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us! https://...

The Hidden Enemy changes the game for the Clones. And The Mark of Gideon is an episode. Aspen loves Detective Obi-Wan and Detective Anakin. Kenny loves bureaucracy. Aspen has a big crush on Asajj Ventress. And we wonder why Mark of Gideon didn't lean into any of the many ideas it brought up. __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/t...

Aspen and Kenny are joined by the illustrious Jessie Earl - you might know her from her entire job being Star Trek (and a lot of Star Wars too!).  The trio discuss how this week's Star Trek is ironically on point about race by demonstrating the dangers of centrist, respectability politics. We also talk about how it’s nice to see the Jedi be more than space cops (AJAB).  Not only do we discuss our...

Aspen hates Whom Gods Destroy . Kenny loves Defenders of Peace (and so does Aspen).  Is the Galactic Republic a strictly American analog? We also discuss the nature of conflict. Also, Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov are constantly undercut. Why is that? __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us! https://www.youtube.com/@t...

What does it mean to sacrifice one life over 1000? And what does it mean to be a horny Helen of Troy analog?  Aspen talks about the nature of empathy. And Kenny talks about Lajos Egri. You know, Lajos Egri? Everyone knows! __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us! https://www.youtube.com/@trekwarspod Theme by Tos...

We're mad about The Acolyte getting cancelled.  Also, what does it mean to be an empath? Is Obi-Wan Kenobi compassionate? And where are Kenny and Aspen in our love of these fandoms? All these answers and more! __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us! https://www.youtube.com/@trekwarspod Theme by Tosin Awofeso So...

This week, the Scalosians fight to survive by **checks notes**   freezing the Enterprise. Also, Anakin and Obi-Wan lift a bunch of rocks! Kenny brings up Ahsoka's role as caretaker in this week's episode of Clone Wars . And Aspen just really vibes with Wink of an Eye . __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us! ht...

Dr. Tiffany L. Knoell, author of F rom Monk to Superhero: Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars and the Transformation of the Jedi , comes to talk to US! COME ON! We talk about the definining relationships between Jedi as mediative monks versus badass power fantasy. We talk about Parmen's fascist dictatorship within the context of 2024. We talk about Plato's Stepchildren's famous KISS. And animation is...

Aspen and Kenny go out of control on the implication of Senate Commandos. Kenny goes out of control on the two (TWO!) directors for The Tholian Web .  And Aspen goes out of control on the logos, pathos, and ethos of this week's Trek. Also Uhura.  It's out of control. __________________________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us! http...

Patrick Cotnoir ( The George Lucas Talk Show )!!! comes to defend Jar-Jar.  Kenny goes on about how Star Trek fans are freaks. We collectively talk about how Star Wars fans are freaks. Patrick tells Aspen about Tag and Bink. And we (possibly) put Brotherwatch to an end. Also how are we even supposed to remember this Star Trek ep title? Petition to rename the episode. _________________ Check out Pa...

We're pro-union in a huge way. Emily and Kelly (from the Delusions of Grandeur podcast) join us this week to talk about labor and economics in the Star Wars and Star Trek universe. Emily and Kelly talk about how Han Solo is a stay at home dad. Kenny talks about aesthetics in Star Wars (big surprise). And Aspen explains 401k's to Kenny. Also, Kenny doesn't like Thrawn.  #YourBrainThoughtsAreMyBrain...

REPOST! This week, we cover STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI on Essential Sci-Fi Movies. Mike welcomes Kenny Madison and Aspen Webster from the Trek Wars podcast.  The conversation covers the bold narrative choices of TLJ that challenge traditional storytelling in the Star Wars universe. We analyze the departure from traditional tropes, the democratization of the Force, and the evolution of iconic charact...

REPOST (obviously) EPISODE LXXIII — Join us as we dive deep into "The Acolyte" Episode 6, exploring the thrilling aftermath of Episode 5, "Night." Following the climactic and heart-pounding events, Episode 6 promises even more twists and turns. We're excited to have special guests Kenny Madison and Aspen Webster from the popular Trek Wars podcast join us to share their insights and expertise. Tune...

We talk about droid racism.  Aspen asks Kenny about the head ridges thing in Star Trek (it's unsatisfying). Kenny stans for the metaphor of war profiteering in Day of the Dove . And Dave Filoni brings up his brother...again?!  #Brotherwatch _________________ Get early, extended episodes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/trekwarspod Watch us! https://www.youtube.com/@trekwarspod Theme by To...

We talked with a big wig (thanks to Animation Fascination !) We sat sit down with the show's Supervising Director and Producer Barry J. Kelly to dive deep into the creative process of bringing this fan-favorite series to life. In this episode, you'll get insider insights into: ✨ Balancing the writing to cater to both die-hard Trekkies and newcomers. ✨ The age-old debate: Star Wars vs. Star Trek...

IS STAR WARS A WESTERN? Aspen dives deep on Gunfight at the OK Corral. They try to explain the weird law structure in Tombstone, AZ when the shootout happened.  Kenny gets on his usual BS, talking aobut Spectre of the Gun as a satire of Western attitudes circa 1968.  Aspen and Kenny talk about collective action in Star Trek versus the lone gunslinger 'tude in this week's Clone Wars . Eat Bad. Watc...

Pardon us. Aspen went on a nightswim, so they keep slapping the mic. We got bottle eps this week, dangit! Cheaper production is better (sometimes)! Dr. Miranda Jones and the Medusan ambassador join the Enterprise this week. And we marvel at how complex a character Dr. Jones is (and Diana Muldaur). Meanwhile, Aspen stans for the new inductees of the 501st. REX AND CODY! Also, we answer listener que...