Secrets of Star Trek

Spock and the Enterprise crew stick it to the Man, aka Kirk. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this TOS story that reminds us that there is no utopia outside of heaven; the call of duty; and the context of 1960s counterculture. The post This Side of Paradise (TOS) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is one man's freedom fighter another man's terrorist? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of Enterprise getting mixed up in some local conflicts on a desert planet; the ethical implications; and whether Zabral is a good guy or bad guy. The post Desert Crossing (ENT) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A homicidal hologram that hates people. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this psychological thriller of an emotionally fragile and homicidal alien hologram with a chilling intensity; as well as Harry Kim's cringeworthy attempted romance with Seven of Nine. The post Revulsion (VOY) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Be careful what you wish for! Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story's themes of the power and danger of imagination and wish fulfillment; escapism vs. creativity; the significance of family on the show; and our need to critically assess the impact of fantasy. The post If Wishes Were Horses (DS9) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A world where women are dominant and men are weak. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 1st season TNG episode infamous for its cringe portrayal of a matriarchy and how it was supposed to be about the evils of apartheid. The post Angel One (TNG) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The last of the TNG films is widely marked as the weakest. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss th film's strengths and weaknesses and its themes of identity and the moral and ethical considerations of cloning and artificial sentience and more. The post Star Trek: Nemesis appeared first on StarQuest Media.

T'Pol's hero isn't what she seems. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story's themes of trust, earned, broken, and granted; the clash of human and Vulcan values; and the glimpse of future human-Vulcan friendship. The post Fallen Hero (ENT) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A-koo-chee-moya! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Chakotay story featuring guest star Aron Eisenberg, including themes of fatherhood and cultural identity, as well as the missed narrative opportunities while praising the twist ending. The post Initiations (VOY) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Up periscope! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of the USS Defiant in a submarine-like battle. They discuss Kyra's faith, Quark's business acumen, and Worf's leadership style as the crew fights to survive the Jem-Hadar and the environment. The post Starship Down (DS9) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Poor Geordi. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this TNG story that combines a ticking clock story with Geordi's awkward romantic track record and a strange holodeck encounter, plus discussion of AI in Trek and Picard's leadership. The post Booby Trap (TNG) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

To celebrate their 300th episode, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha give their lists of the best episodes in each of the Star Trek series, from The Original Series to Strange New Worlds. The ones they agree on are predictable, but where do they disagree? The post The Best Star Trek Episodes Ever appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Mudd's back. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss the animated return of con man Harry Mudd, including the eyebrow-raising content for a kid's cartoon, the ethical problems of love potions and their portrayal in popular media, and why Rainn Wilson's Mudd may have been the best. The post Mudd’s Passion (TAS) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Death by computer. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story's moral implications and real-world parallels with themes of war's human cost, technology's role in conflict, and ethical leadership. Plus Kirk killing another megalomaniacal computer. The post A Taste of Armageddon (TOS) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Psychic goo alien! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Enterprise's encounter with an unusual lifeform where they have to discern motive and morality and debate the ethics of extreme measures to save their crew. The post Vox Sola (ENT) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Nullified! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Chakotay story in all its weird alien word choice, its "don't judge a book by its cover" morale, and the themes of courage, indoctrination, and cross-cultural understanding. The post Nemesis (VOY) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Eminent domain! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss DS9's "Progress," including themes of societal good vs. individual rights; the limits of governmental authority, and Kira's transition from rebel to government official and her ethical and moral dilemmas. The post Progress (DS9) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It was a dimly-lit, smoke-filled backroom where Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha crack open the case of "The Big Goodbye." In a tale as old as the stars, it's a classic yarn of crew trapped in a haywire holodeck with a twist right out of a 1940s pulp detective novel. The post The Big Goodbye (TNG) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Twenty-five years after its release, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the highs and lows of this TNG movie, the ethical quandaries of forced relocation, and the allure of the fountain of youth, plus the humor and usual plot holes. The post Star Trek: Insurrection appeared first on StarQuest Media.

StarQuest CEO Dom Bettinelli has a special message for listeners as we approach the Christmas season. We need to hear from you this Advent and Christmas at sqpn.com/give The post A special message from StarQuest CEO Dom Bettinelli appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Are you of the Body? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of a computer-controlled society suppressing free will and individuality for peace and tranquility, including the religious allegory, the comparison to the Borg, and how the allure of a simpler life could lead to a loss of liberty. The post The Return of the Archons (TOS) appeared first on StarQuest Media.