The Star Trek Academy Podcast

Professors Michael and Rodney do a deep dive into the ethics and philosophy in Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE8, Under the Cloak of War. The episode explores how war affects those who survive it, and the characters face multiple ethical dilemmas.

Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks crossover episode, "Those Old Scientists," going beyond the humor and Easter eggs to talk about the production design, character development, themes, and messages of the episode.

Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE6, "Lost in Translation." We look at the primary story, about an unusual alien encounter, but also at the complex character development of multiple characters.

Professors Rodney and Michael discuss Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE5, "Charades." It focuses on the complicated relationship between Spock and Chapel, addressing social and ethical issues, as aliens temporarily turn Spock completely human.

Professors Michael and Rodney reflect on Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE4, "Among the Lotus Eaters." It continues the story from the very first ever episode of Star Trek, and has intriguing messages about how memory and past painful experiences shape our lives.

Professors Rodney and Michael really liked the Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE3 episode "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" except for it throwing out 50 years of Star Trek continuity and moving the Eugenics Wars to a different century.

Professors Michael and Rodney analyze the Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE2 episode "Ad Astra per Aspera." This stand-out episode is filled with social commentary, strong acting, and beautiful visual design.

Professors Rodney and Michael analyze the Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 2 premiere, "The Broken Circle," including production details, storytelling, and ethics from their academic/faculty perspective.

Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct the Star Trek Picard series finale, "the Last Generation" including production details, storytelling, ethics, and thoughts about the series as a whole.

Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct Star Trek Picard season 3, episode 9, "VÕX," which is sure to be a long-term fan favorite because of [massive mega spoilers deleted].

Professors Michael and Rodney analyze Star Trek Picard season 3, episode 8, "Surrender," which has strong themes of family and connection.

Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct Picard season 3, episode 7, "Dominion," which represents the end of the "second act" of the Picard series. In particular, they comment on the many questions of ethics in this Picard episode.

Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 6, The Bounty, including a LOT of familiar returning characters and ships, and comment on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.

Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 5, Imposters,  commenting on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.

Professors Rodney and Michael consider Picard season 3, episode 4, No Win Scenario,  commenting on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.

Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 3, Seventeen Seconds,  commenting on the story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.

Professors Rodney and Michael dive into Picard season 3, episode 2, Disengage,  including about the production, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.

Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct the Picard season 3 premier,  including thoughts about the production, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.

The Academy faculty deconstruct the Prodigy season 1 finale and look ahead to season 2 with their distinctive take, including the messages and themes, production details, and the ethics and philosophy of the finale.

The Academy faculty deconstructs episodes 17 & 18 of Star Trek Prodigy Season 1 with their distinctive take, including the messages and themes, production details, and the ethics and philosophy displayed.

The Academy faculty considers episodes 14, 15 & 16 of Star Trek Prodigy Season 1, including the messages and themes, production details, and predictions for the rest of the season with their distinctive take.

The Academy faculty considers the 11th, 12th & 13th Star Trek Prodigy Season 1 episodes, including the messages and meanings, production details, and their distinctive take on the three episodes.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks  Season 3 finale, The Stars at Night, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their distinctive take on the episode.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks  Season 3 Episode 9, Trusted Sources, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their particular take on the episode.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks  Season 3 Episode 8, Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus. The episode pokes a lot of fun at movie making and sequels, but also has some deep philosophical messages.