Roddenberry Podcasts

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Retrospect," the crew deals with a shady arms merchant while the Doctor and Seven must deal with a worrying recovered memory about him. As evidence mounts, both parties are displeased with the possible outcome.  Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode a...

It might seem like a given that a TV series must be written to fit a budget. In the early days of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a serious concern between Gene Roddenberry and Bob Justman was to keep the scripts under control. Returning guest Mike DeMeritt joins The Trek Files to help parse the intersection of creativity and commerce. See the documents: Writing to Series Budget memo - 1987 The...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Prey," the Hirogen are enough of a nightmare for Voyager, but the situation gets more complicated when a stray 8472 shows up looking for refuge. And that battle is almost as tense as the one between Seven and Janeway.  Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one ep...

What exactly is the internal physiology of a Klingon, or a Horta, or a Tholian? In 1975, an enterprising undergrad wrote to Gene Roddenberry to get some answers. Today, we've got educator and Star Trek science consultant Mohamed Noor with us to talk about the intersection of fact and fiction. See the documents: College of the Pacific letter - 1974 The Trek Files Season 11 on Memory Alpha All episo...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Hunters," things can't get more exciting for the Voyager crew when letters from home arrive. Unless, of course, the excitement also includes being hunted by ferocious killer aliens.  Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission...

We're joined again by Luanne Fortier to share her stories about fandom in the 1970s. This time, the Star Trek stars come to town when William Shatner goes LIVE with an album of his college tour, and Luanne reminisces about Gene Roddenberry himself on stage. See the documents: William Shatner LIVE - 1977 The Trek Files Season 11 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory A...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Message in a Bottle," a communications relay opens a window for Voyager to communicate with the Alpha Quadrant. Maybe. The Doctor is the first to make contact, but he ends up on a Starfleet ship hijacked by Romulans. Plus, not all EMHs are the same. Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explor...

As Star Trek was getting ready for a return to television, Dorothy Fontana was teaching a class to aspiring writers. One of those students, Robert Coyle, pitched his own animated Trek adventure and got multiple lessons along the way in writing for television and the hash business of production. Paul joins The Trek Files to tell his story! See the documents: Point of Extinction story pitch - 1973 T...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Waking Moments," you know things aren't right on Voyager when Tuvok shows up for work naked, Janeway sees ghosts, and Seven of Nine makes out with Harry Kim. A sleeping alien species brings nightmares to life. Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at...

It's time for another look into Gene Roddenberry's mail bag! This episode, we've got a range from 1971 - 1975, everything from an up-and-coming student writer to a pilot who claims to have unlocked the secrets to Star Trek tech! See the documents: Fan letters to Gene Roddenberry - 1971-1975 The Trek Files Season 11 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit th...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Mortal Coil," Neelix is mortally wounded on an away mission, but Borg technology brings him back to life. That's just the start of his crisis as faith, family, and purpose all drive Neelix to reconsider his place in the universe.  Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek uni...

Star Trek may have broken a lot of ground on television, but the marketing of the show went boldly into new frontiers as well. A document aimed at fanzine publishers marks the transition to an "official" newsletter in what we might today call a bit of viral marketing. Tim Gaskill joins us again to discuss the ways Star Trek reaches its fans. See the documents: Star Trek Enterprise fanzine letter -...

As we ring in 2024, the crew at Mission Log want to thank you for your years of support and for sticking with us through the turbulence of 2023. With the new year beginning, we are proud to announce the new home of the Gene-ology podcast that will further examine the earliest TV writing of Gene Roddenberry. Don't forget to follow all of our great shows at podcasts.roddenberry.com Our shows are par...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Concerning Flight," it's all fun and games in Leonardo's holodeck workshop until a nefarious trader steals a bunch of Voyager's gear, including the mobile emitter and the Maestro himself. Leonardo discovers strange new worlds of his own. Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star T...

Our 250th episode deserves a special guest, and we've got Star Trek: Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan for a bonus-length chat! We cover the history of animated Star Trek to the threads that connect TAS to modern stories, and we may get to the bottom of why there are no Tellarites in Lower Decks. Don't miss this highly animated conversation! See the documents: Star Trek Animated Fan Club Newsletter...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Random Thoughts," what's kicking around in B'Elanna's head is worth a whole lot more on a planet full of telepaths. The thoughts in Tuvok's mind? Priceless. Painful, too.  Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log  examin...

David Gerrold visits The Trek Files again, this time to discuss the development of a story that didn't make it to TNG but found new life as a fan film, "Blood and Fire." Along the way, we revisit the personalities and controversies that led to the real chaos on the bridge. See the documents: Blood and Fire story by David Gerrold The Trek Files  Season 11 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents:...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Year of Hell Part I & Part II," the best part about incursions in the timeline is all the rare food you get to try. The worst part is wiping entire civilizations from history. Voyager finds itself in the wrong time at the wrong time.  Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek...

Continuing our look at the creative process that brought Star Trek: The Animated Series to life, we welcome back Aaron Harvey for another dive into unproduced story pitches. Gene Roddenberry himself gets into the mix with one (and a half) pitches that apparently don't pass Dorothy Fontana's scrutiny. See the documents: Unroduced Star Trek Animated pitches - 1973 The Trek Files Season 11 on Memory...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Scientific Method," that uncomfortable feeling could be a headache, or it could be a medical apparatus from another dimension probing your brain. Alien examinations are a real pain in the skull. Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each we...

We continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek: The Animated Series, this week with a look at some of the stories that did not make it into production! Joining us to speculate on what could have been for the animated Enterprise crew is Aaron Harvey, co-author of "Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series." See the documents: Unproduced Star Trek Animated pitches - 1973 The T...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "The Raven," Seven's nightmares divert Voyager through an area of space where a faint Borg signal has appeared. Will the signal's draw be too strong for the ex-Borg, or will she say "nevermore?" Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each wee...

Longtime Star Trek journalist and promotions writer Tim Gaskill drops by as we revisit a letter from the Nimoyan Fellowship to Gene's attorney. It's another story of a fan who had a run in with the business side of things on this week's episode of The Trek Files. See the documents: Nimoyan Fellowship letter - June 1968 The Trek Files Season 11 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek F...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Revulsion," we are back in the Delta Quadrant with Voyager, and it's time to explore why holograms find organics revolting and why Seven finds Harry restless.  Hosted by John Champion & Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log , a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log  examines a single...

We're glad to welcome Luanne Fortier back to The Trek Files to continue her stories about the William Shatner Letter Exchange. This conversation kicks off with Star Trek's transition to an animated series and all of Shatner's anticipated appearances in a post-Star Trek world. See the documents: Letter from Dorothy Fontana - 1973 The Trek Files Season 11 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents:...