Random Trek

Carrie Ann Castillo, the woman behind The Little Big Blog joins Scott to discuss “Clues” (TNG S4E14). There’s a mystery afoot. How do we know this? Well, the episode is called “Clues” and Capt. Picard keeps reminding us that there’s a mystery to solve. Data is acting oddly, Troi gets possessed, and the growth rate of moss is a super important plot point. What more can you ask from an episode of St...

Leonard Nimoy, Spock, died on Feb. 27th. On this special episode of Random Trek Scott is joined by a number of past guests who share their thoughts about Spock and their favorite Spock moment. Scott's guests are: Jason Snell - Jason wrote more about Leonard Nimoy. Glenn Fleishman Matt Gemmell Steve Lutz Nicole Wakelin Jean MacDonald Dave Caolo Ged Maheux - Check out Ged's post: Mr. Spock and I. If...

Nicole Wakelin, editor at GeekMom, Director of Automotive Content at She Buys Cars, and writer all over the place, joins Scott to discuss “Blood Oath” (DS9 S2E19). Who ordered the trio of Klingons? And what’s this about revenge? Star Trek board games are discussed, as is TOS actors reprising roles, and the right and wrong ways to ask someone if they’ve ever murdered someone. Scott McNulty with Nic...

Helene Wecker, author of the fantastic “The Golem and the Jinni” joins Scott to discuss “Oasis” (ENT S1E20). What do you do when you’re stranded on an inhospitable planet? Create holographic friends and eat a lot of kumquats. And who is that in the back? Why, is that Odo? No, it is not. Scott McNulty with Helene Wecker.

Andy Ihnatko, technology writer and podcaster, joins Scott to discuss “Judgement” (ENT S2E19). If you really enjoy Klingon courtrooms and Star Trek VI this episode of Enterprise is for you. Topics discussed include what kind of Star Trek fan Andy is, the problematic nature of Klingons, and lighting in Klingon mines. Scott McNulty with Andy Ihnatko.

Casey Liss, of the Accidental Tech Podcast and Analog(ue), joins Scott to discuss “Shades of Gray” (TNG S2E22). Widely, and correctly, hailed as the worst episode of TNG ever this podcast covers everything from Starfleet Medical’s lax attitude towards quarantining people to the expensive nature of filming a TV show. Did I mention Shades of Gray is a clip show? In the second season of TNG? It isn’t...

Matt Gemmell, writer, joins Scott to talk about “All Good Things…” (TNG SE7E25). Random Trek’s first double length episode marks the final episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” ever, and possibility its best. Three different timelines, multiple shots of Picard in his jammies, and more cats than you can shake a positronic brain at can all be found in TNG’s finale. As well as some very touchin...

Marisa McClellan, cookbook author and the writer behind the popular canning blog Food in Jars, joins Scott (to whom she is married) to discuss "Waltz" (DS9S6E11). Gul Dukat and Sisko are stranded on a remote planet. They eat some soup. They fiddle with a beacon. They argue a lot (sometimes with hallucinations). Dukat spirals completely into madness. A light hearted romp of an episode that will lea...

Chip Sudderth, a host of the Audio Guide to Babylon 5 and host of the Two Minute Time Lord, joins Scott to talk about Evolution (TNG S3E1). Wesley is front and center in this episode and that isn’t as bad as you might think. Hungry, hungry nanobots, sabermetrics, and the proper collars for Star Fleet uniforms are discussed. You’ll also find out what costume Scott would dress up in if he had to cos...

Shannon Sudderth, a host of the Audio Guide to Babylon 5 and frequent Two Minute Time Lord guest, joins Scott to talk about Inheritance (TNG S7E10). Topics include phasering to the candy center of a planet, the future of women in technology, and the realization that even androids can be embarrassed by their mom. Scott McNulty with Shannon Sudderth.

Anže Tomić, podcaster and writer, joins Scott to talk about “The Chase” (TNG S6E10). This episode answers the question: why do all Star Trek aliens look a like? And the answer isn’t that great (turns out). We also discuss our favorite Trek movies, if this episode should have been a two parter, and why the Cardassians rock. Scott McNulty with Anže Tomić.

Christina Warren, tech analyst, podcaster, and internet maven, joins Scott to talk about “Darmok” (TNG S5E2). Does this episode of TNG live up to the hype? Is Capt. Picard a their? And were did he get his Members Only jacket? All this plus Emoji on this Christmas episode of Random Trek. Scott McNulty with Christina Warren.

Lisa Maria Martin, content strategist and information architect, joins Scott to discuss Initiations (VOY S2E2). This episode is one of those rare gems: a Chakotay centric story. Topics discussed include the deal with Neelix and what it is, Chakotay’s ambiguous tribal associates and fake rituals, and why the Kazon can build starships but can’t find water. Scott McNulty with Lisa Maria Martin.

Brett Terpstra, a man of many projects, joins Scott to discuss The Measure of a Man (TNG S2E9). Such topics as the existence of souls, how to disarm (literally) an android, and how Riker evolves as a character are all touched upon. Scott McNulty with Brett Terpstra.

Deborah Stanish, of the Verity Podcast (all about Dr. Who), joins Scott to discuss Pen Pals (TNG S2E15). They ponder the ramifications of the Prime Directive, the Riker School of Management vs. the Picard School of Management, wiping someone's memory without permission, and horse riding. Scott McNulty with Deborah Stanish.

Jean MacDonald, founder of App Camp for Girls, joins Scott to talk about “The Mark of Gideon” (TOS S3E17). Overpopulation, cranky Spock, the Gideon’s seeming complete lack of knowledge about how disease works, and the horrible life sucking powers of bureaucracy are all touched upon. Random Trek shirts are available for a few more days. You don’t want to be the only one at the Star Trek convention...

Guy English, of Aged and Distilled and Debug, joins Scott to chat about "Who Watches The Watchers" (TNG S3E4). Religion vs. mythology, poor archery skills, Romulans, the ethics of creepily observing developing societies, and who loves the Prime Directive most are all covered during this episode. Don't miss your chance to buy a Random Trek Shirt, now available for a limited time. Scott McNulty with...

Jamelle Bouie, staff writer at Slate, joins Scott to talk about Babel (DS9 S1E5). This episode features an aggrieved O’Brien, a poorly emoted Jake, and a goatee-less Sisko. Listen as we talk about why anyone would pay for replicated food, uncomfortable Ferengi characteristics, and how Voyager could have been good. Scott McNulty with Jamelle Bouie.

Katrina Griffiths, of the Verity Podcast, joins Scott to discuss the second Star Trek TOS pilot: Where No Man Has Gone Before (TOS S1E1 or 3). 60’s contact lenses, Creepy Gary Mitchell transforming into Creepier Gary Mitchell, and the fate of Dr. Dehner are all covered. Scott McNulty with Kat Griffiths.

Anthony Pascale, the man behind TrekMovie.com, joins Scott to talk about DS9's "Rivals" (S2E11). Topics include the finer points of space racquet ball, Prince Humperdinck, how pressing a button on an orb makes not a compelling casino game, and what Sisko does when he is alone in his office. Scott McNulty with Anthony Pascale.

Matthew Yglesias, executive editor of Vox, joins Scott to discuss Minefield (ENT, S2E4). Among the topics discussed include Matt’s crazy Trek lists, why no one on the Enterprise seems capable of doing anything, and what’s the deal with those crazy complicated mines anyway? Scott McNulty with Matthew Yglesias.

Jordan Cooper, host of the Tech Douchebags podcast, joins Scott to have some small talk about “Starship Mine” (TNG S6EP18). We discuss Capt. Picard’s fake horse-riding affinity, Tuvok’s shady past, why Geordi is the only hungry officer, and how to get out of attending a funeral when you’re a Starfleet Captain. If you enjoyed this episode you might enjoy the episode of Tech Douchebags I was on: The...

Tony Sindelar, the Incomparable and co-DM of Total Party Kill, joins Scott to discuss TNG’s First Contact (S4E15). Topics include Riker’s total lack of guile, Malcorian facial hair, the naming of planets, alien groupies, and when it is appropriate to beam somewhere. Scott McNulty with Tony Sindelar.

Lex Friedman, famous for not having seen it, being Daily, Rebounding, and Turning a Car Around, joins Scott to talk about Sleeping Dogs (Enterprise S1E14). Scott expresses mild shock and then major regret after learning that this episode is the first Star Trek episode Lex has ever seen (spoiling: Sleeping Dogs is not a great first Star Trek experience). We determine that T’Pal is a Vulcan, Hoshi i...

Monty Ashely, Incomparable panelist and Internet writer, joins Scott to talk about The Original Serie’s second Harry Mudd episode: I, Mudd (S2E12). Uniforms, the concept of computers (and if the Star Trek writers have any idea how they work), and Kirk taking the law in his own hands are all discussed. Scott McNulty with Monty Ashley.