The Pensky Podcast

Captain Freeman seeks the ultimate payback after Mariner blatantly disrespects her in front of the crew. A well-meaning Tendi accidentally messes up a lieutenant's attempt at spiritual ascension and tries to make it right. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the latest Star Trek: Lower Decks episode, "Moist Vessel"! They break down society's discomfort with the word "moist", the s...

The Enterprise NX-01 strays into a Romulan "Minefield" and is disabled by a cloaked mine. Meanwhile, Reed is pinned to the hull of the ship. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay describe how to pay extra attention to make sure you're truly bored. Plus! The guys talk about watching an episode of Enterprise while angry, the survival of soccer into the 22nd century, and surfing an explosion t...

A new work protocol eliminating “buffer time” has the Cerritos crew running ragged as they try to keep up with their tightened schedules. Ensign Mariner and Commander Ransom's mutual lack of respect comes to a head during an away mission. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss an episode that makes you expect some time travel, only to end up with some new timekeeping habits. Plus! Th...

When Star Trek: Picard started, Clay and I went back to re-watch "The Measure of a Man". The themes are characters seemed like they were going to be important to the first season of Star Trek: Picard. Since our original coverage of the episode was a solo affair by me, the re-watch also allowed us to hear Clay's thoughts about an episode that many consider to be one of TNG's finest. So, what did we...

After a high-profile mission goes awry, Boimler is further plagued with self-doubt when Mariner proves herself to be a more naturally talented sci-fi badass than he. Rutherford quits his job in engineering and explores other departments on the USS Cerritos. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Envoys" and wonder if Lower Decks is a series that will be able to survive on its own on...

T'Pol tells Archer and Tucker a story about her great-grandmother and two other Vulcans, who crash landed in a small Pennsylvania town in the year 1957. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay debate the how much Carbon Creek is to Enterprise as The City on the Edge of Forever is to The Original Series. Plus! The guys talk about Vulcans in disguise, inventions you'd believe to be alien in ori...

Ensign Tendi has her first day of work on Starfleet's USS Cerritos, where she meets fellow support crew members, Ensigns Mariner, Boimler, and Rutherford. Meanwhile, Boimler is tasked with a secret special assignment and Rutherford attempts to keep his dating life intact while a sci-fi disaster strikes the ship. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss how effectively Star Trek has (on...

As the Suliban take the crew hostage, Archer disappears off the ship. While stuck in the 31st century, Archer and Daniels work to find a way to get back to Enterprise and repair the timeline. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the second season of Enterprise choosing to bring a few topics into focus. Plus! The guys debate the characterization of Daniels, the confounding nature of...

In this episode of the podcast, Wes phones in from a remote cabin in the woods to talk about Enterprise's first season. Clay is more than willing to discuss this latest group of episodes... he just has to remember which one is which. And then remember anything about them. In this recap of the first season, the guys give their general thoughts about how the first season succeeded and failed. Plus,...

After apparently causing the destruction of an alien colony, the Enterprise is called back to Earth. Archer learns via Daniels that the Suliban are trying to sabotage Enterprise's mission. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the episode that closes out Enterprise's first season and how it serves as a bookend to "Broken Bow". Plus! They talk about Mark Zuckerberg's hair, hand wavin...

The crew takes shore leave on the famous pleasure planet of Risa. For many, it is anything but a vacation. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss visiting Risa and never going to the beach. Plus! The guys talk about staying at a Holiday Inn, the personality of Jonathan Archer, and Enterprise exploring sexuality. Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at...

Archer and Tucker are invited to a desert-like planet by an alien leader after they help fix his ship. After arriving, they discover he has invited them under false pretenses. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss yet another episode of Enterprise that feels like it wants to say something but just can't find the right words. Plus! The guys talk about the consequences of freeing the...

Escorting a Vulcan ambassador accused of criminal misconduct, the Enterprise comes under attack by a corrupt race. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Fallen Hero" and why the episode doesn't manage to live up to its title. Plus! The guys talk about Phlox selling the plot, the confusing characterization of V'Lar, and never knowing how fast those ships could go. Are you looking fo...

A symbiotic alien comes aboard the Enterprise NX-01 and captures several of the starship's officers in its web. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Vox Sola" and the benefit of giving every character something to do, even if it doesn't amount to much. Plus! The guys talk about being distracted by other peoples thoughts, eating food like you're having sex, and how to determine the...

Archer and Mayweather accidentally enter a militarized zone and are detained by an alien race called Tandarans, who are at war with the Suliban. Both men find themselves sharing cells with some Suliban detainees who they believe are wrongly imprisoned. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the problems with being too obvious with your allegory. Plus! The guys talk about being unfami...

The crew finds a derelict spaceship from which they can salvage some supplies… only they find that the ship is not quite as deserted as they were led to believe. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss how a competent narrative doesn't necessarily mean a competent story. Plus! The guys talk about being indecisive with your main character, the possible influence that Rick Berman had on...

A group of interstellar thieves stun the Enterprise crew and begin looting the ship. Trip Tucker is the only one left to stop them, but can he do that in his underwear? In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss Enterprise's failed attempt to reinvigorate the Ferengi. Plus, the guys talk about stroking their lobes, piles of women, and Trip refusing to pretend that he's married to T'Pol!...

Archer has visions of a mysterious humanoid woman on a rogue planet where it is eternally nighttime. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss how Enterprise expertly disguises its broken storytelling. Plus! The guys talk about the songwriting tropes of The Police, the ethics of hunting, and the pent up sexual frustration of Jonathan Archer! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this...

In this episode of the podcast, Wes takes a break from our Enterprise coverage to talk to another Star Trek podcast. "The Trek Companion" show recently reached a ten-year milestone as a podcast as they simultaneously completed their coverage of Star Trek: Voyager. Wes talks to Brian, Adam and Steve about their long running podcast and why they think they've been able to stick to it for so long. Th...

The crew of Enterprise meets a group of outcast Vulcans, who embrace their own emotions, leading to trouble for T'Pol. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the schism between the Vulcans we know and the Vulcans we see. Plus! The guys discuss doing a disservice to your female characters, Archer's 1950's-level handling of assault, and chubby Vulcans! Are you looking for older episode...

While investigating an asteroid field, Tucker and Reed are convinced that Enterprise has been destroyed and try to face their own oncoming deaths. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the storytelling focus of the Berman/Braga show-runner team and whether or not it works for this series. Plus! The guys talk about the qualitative properties of T'Pol's bum, the mystery-box that is Ma...

Archer and T'Pol are taken prisoner during an away mission on a war-torn planet in the Coridan system. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss Enterprise's attempts at serialized storytelling and whether or not the franchise as a whole needs to pick a narrative direction. Plus! The guys talk about taking a punch to the stomach, the weird characterization of the Vulcans, and the sexual...

While exploring a gas giant, Enterprise finds the wreck of a Klingon scout vessel sinking into the atmosphere. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the mind numbing banality of average episodes. Plus! The guys talk about the weird editing of the plane scene in The Dark Knight Rises, the best way to utilize the Klingons, and being confused by the decontamination chamber! Are you loo...

In the name of non-interference, Enterprise withholds a cure from a culture that has been stricken by a planet-wide plague. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss crafting the perfect situation for the Prime Directive. Plus! They guys break down Enterprise's Netflix queue, the cruelty of T'Pol, and the ethics of Phlox's decision! Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and ever...

Enterprise is attacked by an unknown alien starship, as Archer orders the crew to install experimental "phase cannons". Meanwhile, Sato is ordered to find out what Reed's favorite food is for a birthday dinner. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Silent Enemy" and whether or not it is succeeding at building a tone unique to Enterprise. Plus! The guys talk about recognizing banana...