The Pensky Podcast

This audio is a short sample of a much longer discussion that Clay and I had about the Star Trek: Picard second season premiere, "The Star Gazer". To listen to the entire discussion, head over to Patreon and support the show. For only $5 a month, you'll get full access to our coverage of Picard. Plus! You'll also unlock access to over 100+ podcasts that discuss sci-fi movies, horror anthologies, r...

Star Trek: Voyager is the fifth Star Trek series. It was created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor, and ran on UPN, as the network's first ever series, for seven seasons in the USA, from 1995 to 2001. In some areas without local access to UPN, it was offered to independent stations through Paramount Pictures, for its first six seasons. The series is best known for its familial crew,...

A transporter accident replaces the characters in Bashir's secret agent holosuite program with the physical forms of the station's senior staff. In this episode of the podcast, Wes is joined by Todd from the "Computer Resume" podcast to revisit "Our Man Bashir" from DS9's fourth season. Plus! Wes and Todd chat about podcast ethics, being a fan of James Bond, and the reality of Star Trek: Lower Dec...

In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss Star Trek: Enterprise's fourth season. They also give their overall thoughts about the series and where it stands in relation to its sister shows. Plus! They talk about the best and worst of the series, the end of "90's" Star Trek, and what's next for the podcast. Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show on Patreon to ensure continuing...

In hopes of receiving some help before making a difficult personal decision, Commander William T. Riker of the Enterprise-D observes a holodeck simulation of the final mission of the original starship Enterprise, as commanded by Jonathan Archer, in the days immediately preceding the birth of the United Federation of Planets over two centuries earlier. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay d...

A Human isolationist leader threatens to destroy Starfleet Command unless all aliens leave the Sol system immediately. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Terra Prime" and its status as the "true ending" of Star Trek: Enterprise. Plus! The guys talk about redundant dialogue, Paxton's plan with the baby, and everyone getting a piece of the action. Are you looking for older episode...

A xenophobic faction of Humanity threatens to undermine talks to form a new coalition of planets. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Demons" and ending the show where it should have started. Plus! The guys chat about the simplification of complicated issues, the chaos of Trip and T'Pol, and attacking the ones that you love. Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every...

In the mirror universe, Commander Archer mutinies against Captain Forrest in order to capture a future Earth ship found in Tholian space. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss both parts of "In a Mirror, Darkly" and how effective the fourth season of Enterprise is being in delivering "fan service". Plus! The guys talk about captain power rankings, CGI Gorn, and the improved Tholian...

While T'Pol and Tucker discover that they have developed a psychic bond, Captain Archer receives three Orion slave girls as a gift for negotiating with the devious Orion Syndicate – with rather disastrous results. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Bound" and why it's similar to "Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night". Plus! The guys chat about third-wave feminism, the definition of...

With Columbia's help, the Enterprise crew grapples with sabotage to their ship as they pursue the truth behind the kidnapping of Phlox. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Divergence" and Klingon medical protocols. Plus! The guys talk about Section 31's ultimate plan, excellent Klingon acting, and cranial reconstruction surgery. Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and e...

While Enterprise visits Earth for the launch of Columbia, Phlox is kidnapped and forced to help the Klingons deal with a grave threat toward their species. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Affliction" and the solution to Clay's most annoying and consistent complaint. Plus! The guys chat about the ultimate fashion solution, Klingon protocols, and pulsating lights. Are you looki...

Archer visits Shran's icy homeworld to find an Andorian subspecies called the Aenar, to determine their connection to the marauders destroying ships in the region. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "The Aenar" and confused endings. Plus! The guys chat about the characterization of Shran, needless canon connections, and when melodrama goes wrong. Are you looking for older episode...

Archer tries to unify the Andorians, Tellarites, Humans, and Vulcans in a plan to capture a marauder ship threatening to destabilize the region. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay analyze "United" the origins of what will eventually become the Federation. Plus! The guys chat about the definition of a loophole, speaking in subtle code, and condensing complexities into simplicity. Are you...

Enterprise journeys to Babel with a Tellarite ambassador on board for peace talks with the Andorians, when a distress call from Shran is received. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Babel One" and the difference between insults and arguments. Plus! The guys chat about characterizing the founding members of the Federation, trying to pack in information, and Romulan fashion choice...

A pair of non-physical Organians study the response of the Enterprise crew to the infection of Hoshi Sato and Tucker by a fatal silicon-based virus brought on board during an away mission. In this episode of the podcast, Wes (infected by a silicon-based virus) and Clay discuss "Observer Effect" and how simple tweaks can create novel situations. Plus! The guys chat about unnecessary connections, th...

The inventor of Earth's transporter comes aboard Enterprise for an experiment. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Daedalus" and the Star Trek trope of "megalomaniacal inventors and the inventions that un-do them". Plus! The guys chat about why something "feels" like Star Trek, the return of Angry Archer, and the end (?) of the Trip and T'Pol relationship. Are you looking for old...

Archer and T'Pol endeavor to expose an ancient Vulcan artifact to Vulcan society, while Enterprise becomes involved in a standoff between the Vulcan and Andorian fleets. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Kir'Shara" and the conclusion to the Syrannite Arc of Star Trek: Enterprise. Plus! The guys talk about continuity notecards, the spikey thing, and the dearth of Romulan interfe...

Archer and T'Pol encounter the Syrrannites, the radical group supposedly responsible for a terrorist bombing on Vulcan. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Awakening" and predicting events incorrectly. Plus! The duo chat about things always being in the last place you look, the "greatest" Vulcan who ever lived, and the authority structure of the Vulcan High Command. Are you looki...

When Earth's embassy on Vulcan is bombed, the investigation puts Archer and T'Pol on the trail of a Vulcan religious faction hiding in a treacherous desert. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "The Forge" and course-correcting the Vulcans. Plus! The guys chat about Soval's abrupt change of heart, chasing away monsters, and frozen pizzas. Are you looking for older episodes? Find th...

Happy Halloween! This episode of the podcast is a re-release of last year's Patreon podcast where we got together to discuss how "Genesis" works as a piece of horror. If you want to hear our thoughts about "Schisms", you should become a patron - it will be this year's Halloween special. Are you looking for older episodes? Find this and every other episode at The Pensky Podcast ! Thanks for listeni...

Dr. Soong's Augments acquire additional Augment embryos as well as biological weapons from Cold Station 12. A desperate plan is devised to use the biological weapons to foment a war between the Klingons and Earth in an attempt to flee Earth's control forever. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "The Augments" and the conclusion to the first mini-arc in Enterprise's fourth season....

In "wej Duj", Boimler tries to find a bridge buddy while the USS Cerritos crew has down time during a long warp trip. In "First First Contact", the USS Cerritos is tasked to aid another starship on a first contact mission. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "wej Duj" and "First First Contact". Plus! The guys talk about improvements in season two, not recognizing characters, and d...

Soong's Augments take control of a medical facility containing more augment embryos and several dangerous diseases. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Cold Station 12" and the development of the character of Arik Soong. Plus! The guys chat about casting unremarkable actors, clothing that cannot have holes, and being friends with Phlox. CLAIM=563ca71e4e1e9516e3476e4a0e1b42843dbc5...

Mariner and Boimler are stranded on an uninhabited planet with a sentient computer. On the Cerritos, Lt. Commander Billups must prove his engineering abilities to an old adversary. A consultant arrives on the USS Cerritos to run drills that require the lower deckers and bridge crew to swap duties. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss "Where Pleasant Fountains Lie" and "I, Excretus"...

Lieutenant Ro is sent undercover to root out a Maquis cell. In this episode of the podcast, Wes sits down with Marc from Enchantment of Eternity to revisit the penultimate episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Preemptive Strike". The duo discuss the uniqueness of Ro Laren, Picard being stuck in a DS9 situation, and the Maquis as the connective tissue of '90s Star Trek. Are you looking for ol...