I Just Want To Talk About Star Trek: Recent Episodes
Mike McCafferty
Mixing the deep dive facts with absurd comedy, Mike McCafferty is relentless in his quest to talk about all things Star Trek with super fans, people who have worked on a series, or just a random person he meets on the street. Q’plah!
It's been a long road, but all good things must come to an end, friends. Thank you, and see you...out there!
Paramount Group president Bob Bakish calls William Shatner with a new offer for him to be in the franchise...
Mike gives his overall impressions to the first season of the new Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds.
Mike is joined by Ryan Nagata and George Edelman to discuss the second season of Star Trek Picard.
Continuing on his deep dive of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Mike goes back to original series episode "Space Seed" to try to find out why Khan is so enduring and the movie so powerful.
Mike starts his 6 part series on the GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME by examining some of the things that the movie could have done better.
Mike explains why he's not been podcasting lately. Plus! The non-Star Trek convention he visited!
Mike watched the Season 3 Episode of Enterprise "The Xinidi" and had a lot of questions about the person who had to book a meeting room that needed a viewing tank!
Mike and The Doctor (Kim Miller) are transported to a trinary star system to talk about this second season episode!
Mike and The Doctor (Kim Miller) examine the height differences between William Shatner and William Marshall in this classic Trek episode!
The marooned crew of the valiant USS Somerville must attempt survival on a mostly water planet. But it is not on what is on the surface that is their biggest problem...
The crew of the USS Somerville is attacked by a strange creature. Our heroes are presented with the horrible choices of who lives and dies.
PLUS! The Doctor© (Kim Miller) sits in for this episode!
Mike gets riled up (again), this time over a Hollywood Reporter interview with Star Trek Picard and Strange New Worlds writer, Akiva Goldman.
The RPG quest on the Dragon's Tail continues! What happens when the crew discovers a Romulan Space Station?
Another FANTASTIC episode of the Best Trek©RPG system. This week the crew of the Somerville encounter a strange distress signal from a Federation ship lost years ago! But when they arrive, they find a strange Earth street with the crew of the ship, scared for their lives of "The Code!"
The BEST Star Trek Role Play Game Continues! The steadfast crew of the USS Somerville continue their mission to the end of "The Dragon's Tail." But when they find themselves on a planet where memories are key to success, find themselves redefining who they are, they were, and will be!
Mike zeroes in on one character from the TNG episode "Redemption, Part 2" and discovers a startling connection between helmsman!
The Human (RPG) Adventure is Just Begining!
Mike Trek Masters another episode of the hugely popular Best Trek RPG that HE created. Our four ensigns find themselves with a choice of assignments. Will they pick the right one?!
The stunning (?) conclusion of our amazing (!) Role Playing Game! "To Know Not What We May Be!"
Mike decides to rope friends of the pod Jason, Tony, Duncan and Kitt into a Star Trek Role Playing Game of his own creation! It's as is Q was really into saving throws!
Mike celebrates (??) his 177th episode (longer than TNG) by driving around the valley in his Kia Soul, on a prolonged rant.
Mike unpacks one scene from the Discovery episode, "There is a Tide..."
Warning! Lots of shit goes down in this one!
Mike does a DEEP DIVE into the new Paramount+ commercials, featuring Captain Pike, Mr. Spock, and Dora the Explorer.
Mike is joined by Friends of the Pod Andy Lowe and Aaron Moles to discuss Discovery episodes 6, "Scavengers" and 7, "Unification III"
Mike is joined by Temporal Agent Tony Caselli to help him catch up to the season. They breakdown their thoughts on episode 3, "People of Earth," 4, "Forget me Not" and then do a deeper dive on ep 5, "Die Trying"
Mike tries something different this episode, recapping it BACKWARDS. He starts at the end and works his way to the start. WILL IT WORK?!!
Mike, Andy Lowe, Jason, and Matt "Stompie" Thompson reflect on the return of Discovery.
Mike explores the controversial Enterprise series finale and in ripping it apart makes a startling discovery!
Paramount is denying that they've killed all of the potential Star Trek movies, but Mike has a BOLD idea on how to save the franchise!
"Risk is our business!" Mike takes a look at the second season TOS episode that hosts one of the most iconic speeches in Star Trek. Does it hold up?
Mike tackles an entire universe, plunging himself into interphasic space for his deep dive on "The Tholian Web." This episode can also be watched on our fabulous Facebook page!
Mike and Duncan reminisce about their epic trip 4 years ago to Riverside, Iowa the future birthplace of James T. Kirk. Note: Mike and Duncan check out a lot of photos and videos. If you want to watch the Zoom recording, head over to our Facebook page.
Mike digs into this classic episode in a time when the unknown seems a constant threat.
In the midst of a lockdown, Mike thinks back on his favorite Star Trek moments in his life.
Mike, The Doctor (Kim Miller) and Matt Stompie Thompson hold a Zoom session to go over their thoughts of this season of Picard.
Mike dissects episode #6 of Star Trek: "The Impossible Box." He also makes several dubious assertions about himself, and the show.
Mike and his son Kiernan break down episodes four "Absolute Candor" and five, "Stardust City Rag." Kiernan goes on the offensive with many issues with the show, while Mike takes a more leisurely view.
PLUS! Mike and Kiernan visit the remains of the Star Trek Experience at the Westgate hotel.
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While the entire Pod Team tackled Star Trek: Picard's first two episodes on a live Facebook broadcast, Mike separates the saucer section to add a few deeper dives.
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With the return of Hugh the Borg on the new Picard Series, Mike watches the divisive TNG episode "I, Borg" to see if he's changed his opinion about it, 28 years later.
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This is a pod response to a twitter conversation I had over my bold, and not thoroughly thought out assertion that Kirk was the villain of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. ENJOY!
2019 for Star Trek was interesting to say the least. With season 2 of Discovery, Short Treks, the Viacom merger with CBS and the pushing of Picard to 2020, there's a lot for Mike to unpack.
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Mike and Chief Archivist Aaron Moles plumb the depths of bad first season TNG with the baffling "The Last Outpost." With weird Ferengi, squatting Riker, euthanasia enthusiast Beverly and laser whips, it's a buffet of bonkers that needs to be dissected.
Uh oh. After 6 months of brilliant, deep dive movie podcasts (source: Mike), he organizes a roundtable of The Doctor (Kim Miller), friend of the pod Aaron Moles and cadet Andy Lowe to do a wrap up of the franchise.
At least that was the plan.
Then a cloaked bottle of tequila materializes and causes moderate havoc with the crew. Will they be able to perform their Podcast Prime Directive and discuss the movies?
The last of the our Movie Dive series, Mike takes a look at the last film in the franchise and possibly the last of the Kelvin Universe.
Mike faces his most dangerous foe - a deep dive of a movie he deeply dislikes. BUT! Will this close examination of all things Cumberbatch change his mind? Shall we begin?
Continuing our deep dive into the movie franchise we turn to the JJ Abrams Kelvin universe for the 2009, 11th movie, "Star Trek."
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Blue skies, smiling me!
Mike takes on the last of the TNG features, "Nemesis."
**Part one: Pre-Production - 2:00
Part two: Flaws of the film - 22:00
Part three: The movie - 28:00
Part four: After release and Mike's thoughts - 1:55:00
!!!!WARNING - Some Irvin Berlin is sung!!!!**
"A British Tar is a soaring soul!"
Mike tackles the vexing 9th film, "Star Trek: Insurrection." Has it aged well?
**Part One - Pre-production
Casting Musings from Matt (Stompie) Thompson - 20:55
Part One A - Flaws of the Film - 26:35
Part Two - The Movie - 31:50
Part Three - Movie Release and personal thoughts - 1:47:00
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A second chance at a first impression! Mike looks into the first solo flight of the TNG cast with the 1996 film First Contact.
**Part one - Pre-production
Part two - Movie note (21:55)
Armin Reads Melville - (1:21:45)
Part three - post production (1:33:00)**Our Facebook page!
OMG, TNG! The Next Generation finally gets its big-budgeted debut on the big screen. But Captain Kirk might have a thing or two to say first! Mike takes on all facets of this historic meeting of the two captains. And as a BONUS, DS9 Alum Armin Shimerman stops by to read the famous "Time is the fire in which we burn," poem!
THIS IS EPIC!
**Part one: Pre-production
(17:00) Part two: the movie
(51:00) Armin Shimerman "Calmly as we Walk Through this April's Day
(156:00) Part three: Afterthoughts.
Chekov our Facebook page from your list of things to pun!**
Mike takes his son Kiernan to his first ever Star Trek convention. On the way home, they go over what they saw, what they liked and what they didn't!
Bonus! A little clip of Shatner talking about...well, you'll hear it!
CRY HAVOK!! Mike takes on the final movie of the original series: The Undiscovered Country. He starts with the preproduction, then analyzes the move (19:20) before sharing his thoughts (1:34:00). To be or...
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Row, row, row your boat! Mike takes on the much maligned Star Trek V: The Final Frontier! Is it any good? Can Mike talk pitch a better version? WHAT DOES GOD NEED WITH A STARSHIP?!!
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Mike has a great discussion with writer/illustrator Jon Adams. For the last 6 years Jon has created the hilarious web comic "Chief o'Brien at Work." Jon shares his process, his favorite Trek series and why Miles O'Brien is such an iconic character to Trek fans.
Check out Chief O'Brien at Work
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Mike continues his Summer of Movie Deep Dives© with his take on Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home!
Check out the interview with Hank Armstrong, who was there at the Monterey Bay Aquarium when they filmed in 1986!
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Summer of Movie Deep Dives! Mike continues his grand assessments of the Star Trek movies with Star Trek III: The Search for Spock!
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40 years after he first saw it in theaters, Mike revisits the first feature film of the Star Trek franchise. It's much maligned, but is it deserved? Mike will tell you!
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Mike takes his son (Kiernan) to the one night only screening of the Deep Space Nine documentary "What we Left Behind." On the way home (Car sounds included for free!) they give their quick thoughts of the movie!
It's the 10 year anniversary of Star Trek (2009) and Mike decides to relive the night he went to go see it. So he calls up his buddy Travis Greer and the two talk about the night they saw it, along with life and improv.
Mike goes on a solo rant about the uses and misuses of shields in all the Trek series. Bonus! His bird weights in!
The idea was to rescue Airiam stand-in Aaron Moles and get about 5 good minutes of his thoughts on the Disco season 2 finale "Such Sweet Sorrow." But we ended up having such a good talk, we rolled a hard 30!
Using the Disco episode "The Valley of Shadows" as a springboard, Mike mulls over the concept of fate versus free will in the Star Trek universe.
Longing for the days when Star Trek told single, self-contained stories, Mike digs into one of his favorite TOS episodes "The Doomsday Machine."
Mike drives the I-5 and takes a moment to unload his thoughts about parents and parenting in the Star Trek universe.
When is a robot not a robot? When it's a PLOT DEVICE! Mike, The Doctor and Chief Engineer Jason dive into episode 9 of Discovery's season 2, "Project Daedalus."
PLUS! We talk to friend of the pod Aaron Moles! We learn what he had for lunch, then THROW HIM OUT AN AIRLOCK!
Mike, The Doctor and Chief Engineer Jason decide what's real and what's illusion in the new Disco episode "If Memory Serves."
Plus! Mike goes off the rails about robots cleaning mess halls.
And! A deep dive into a couch cushion!
Well, what can we say? When Mike and The Doctor try to pull off an impromptu (and late) review of Discovery episode "The Sounds of Thunder," Matt "Stompie" Thompson shows up and makes a mess of the whole affair! Still fun!
Mike auditioned exactly once for Star Trek in his career and lost to this guy. But in finally talking to Eric Pierpoint, he discovers that he not only played Section 31's Harris in Enterprise, but also roles in TNG ("Liaisons"), DS9 ("For the Uniform") and VOY ("Barge of the Dead").
On set for a pilot, Mike has a very quiet (ASMR!) chat with Irene Roseen, who played the Vulcan Elder in the 2009 Star Trek movie!
A short pod! We answer the one question bothering NO ONE! Is that Picard's hands playing the flute in TNG's "Lessons"???
Mike and Chief Engineer Jason do a brief, slightly disjointed recap of Disco episode 4, "Obol of Charon." THEN, they dive into Midnight's Edge's long dissection of Star Trek's Prime vs. Canon universes (see below for link). FINALLY, we have a brief discussion of pizza toppings. CAN'T. NOT. LISTEN!
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Mike, The Doctor and Chief Engineer Makiaris take on episode three of the Star Trek: Discovery, "Point of Light." Ghosts! Red Angels! Baby heads! This one has it all! Right? RIGHT?!!
Role play! A little bit! Mike drinks red wine with Hot Streets creator friend and friend of the pod, Brian Wysol! We talk about second season of Hot Streets, all the Star Trek actors lending their voices to the show and how Star Trek influenced Hot Streets.
Then! Mike plays the part of CBS All Access and attempts to persuade a skeptical Brian to try second season of Discovery!
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Has Discovery found its own new Eden with the second series? Mike, The Doctor and Chief Makiaris breakdown the episode "New Eden," as well as discuss Killing Eve, internet speeds, iTunes and even TILLY!
All hail bullfrog Airiam!
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Disco (STD!) is back! Mike and The Doctor dig deep into the episode! Did the team finally like a Star Trek: Discovery episode?
Fun stuff on our Facebook page!
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Mike is joined by his son (TNG) so they can break down and discuss the two new Orville episodes "Ja'loja" and "Primal Urges."
PLUS! They talk about the DS9 episode "Badda Bing, Badda Bang!" comparing it to The Orvillie's holodeck episode.
AND! They talk about the TNG episodes, "Suspicions," and "Cause and Effect." and Dr. Crusher as amateur sleuth!
THEN! They discuss the ENT episode "Proving Ground," and Shran's effect on the series.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!!
Mike digs into the hilarious and iconic episode "The Trouble with Tribbles!"
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It's been a year of ups and downs for Star Trek. Mike, The Doctor and Chief Engineer Jason sit in a business center of an airport hotel and dissect that very year for your amusement!
Mike (@Mikemccafferty), The Doctor (@Flibadip), Chief Makiaris (@JasonMakiaris) and Matt "Stompie" Thompson load up in a shuttlecraft (The Doctor's Lexus) and drive back from Mike's birthday celebration in the Final Frontier (Yosemite). They record an impromptu podcast in the car (with GREAT audio!) about the first three Short Trek episodes.
Plus, Half pies!
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For his birthday, Mike is joined by The Doctor (@Flibadip), Jason, Tony and Matt (Stompie) Thompson at The Frontiersman AirBnB in Yosemite National Park. They play TNG poker during the pod and talk about Star Trek V: The Final Frontier! What could be better?!!
Quark is in the house! 18 years ago Mike worked with the amazing and kind Armin Shimerman. On this ep, they reunite! It's a fabulous, far reaching conversation about Star Trek, Quark, Shakespeare, acting, and teaching. NOT TO BE UNHEARD!
In this short ep, Mike climbs Vasquez Rocks, location of many, many Star Trek episodes, and one of our podcasts. It's on the climb that he relates some disturbing news and perhaps gains...insight?
Friend of the Pod David Mikalson drops by to help Mike and Kiernan with an epic Versus battle between the crew of DS9 and Voyager. Tuvok or Odo?! Bashir or The Doctor?! JANEWAY OR SISKO?!!! WE FINALLY ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!!!
Discovery is back with the first in the series of short episodes. Mike, The Doctor (@flibadip) and Jason breakdown the episode and tell you if it's any good.
PLUS! We visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium (Star Trek IV locale) and tell you if it's any good!
FINALLY! We go over one of the darkest and drunkest nights of our lives. ALL FOR YOU!
Star Trek does not wait for babies! It's been almost 2 years and 70 episodes since we last checked in with friend of pod George Edelman. Not our fault, he was too busy raising/making babies! But with the recent birth of his second child, Mike checks in with George and discovers (Discoveries?) that George hasn't seen ANY new Trek (or Orville) in the last 2 years.
No matter! George is always full of pointed opinions, informed or otherwise!
Mike does a deep dive on arguably the best episodes in the animated series, "Yesteryear."
Kiernan gets Mike to rewatch the seventh season DS9 epsiode "Take Me Out to the Holosuite." Mike had mixed feelings about it 25 years ago, but through his son's enjoyment, finds new love for baseball!
Mike is haunted by the parable of the Frog (Fox?) and the Scorpion that he heard years ago in the third season episode of Star Trek: Voyager. But as he watches the episode and researches the parable (fable), his world slowly unravels! The Doctor (Kim Miller) and Crewman Jason do NOTHING to help him!
Mike's concern with present day issues sparks him to rewatch the classic episode The Drumhead. He finds both troubling and encouraging similarities to our current social and political climate. But he also makes a surprising connection to recent events in his own life.
The biggest news in a long time dropped this weekend at the Star Trek Convention in Vegas. Mike, The Doctor and Jason discus Patrick Stewart's epic reveal that he's returning to the role that defined a generation of Star Trek. PLUS! A deep dive into the Aladdin music for kids! AND! We talk about exploding pigeons! WHY LISTEN TO ANY OTHER PODCAST??!
The Doctor and Mike go over everything Star Trek at the 2018 San Diego Comic-con. Included are Discovery's trailer and panel, The Orville trailer, the Klingon Lifestyle show and Mike dressed as a Star Trek dinosaur for this manager's party!
Mike, The Doctor (@Flibadip) and Kiernan (kiki.mccafe) travel down to Callaway Winery, film location for the TNG finale "All Good Things" We visit the exact spots (see our FB page for pics), and talk about vineyards in TNG, including a brief discussion of the TNG episode "Family!"
Extra hosts! Special guests! Cavernous recording location! For the 100th episode, Mike is joined by The Doctor (@flibadip), Jason, Abed Geith, Kiernan McCafferty and returning TOS guest Karl Held ("Return of the Archons") It's a chaotic, freewheeling discussion, completely in line with what this podcast is. PLUS! We visited the Tillman Water Reclamation center - AKA Starfleet Academy. AND! listen to the first and last lines from the first podcast! THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
This week we tackle the second part of the TNG episode Time's Arrow. Don't worry, you didn't miss part one, Mike just didn't want to talk about that episode. The good news is that The Doctor (Kim Miller) is so irritated at the character Mark Twain in this episode that she's really fired up against doing the podcast. The result is a cranky Doctor and Mike's bad immitations of an actor doing a bad immitation of Samuel Clemons.
BONUS EPISODE! At the end of the episode (1:20 mark) there's a 10 minute bonus episode! Mike, The Doctor and Crewman Jason (Makiaris) stand outside a Mexican restaurtant and welcome a special guest...A MELODICA! Mike plays several Trek themes on this piano meets harmonica to the consternation of the others. Plus they squeeze in a toothbrush commercial.
THIS EPISODE HAS IT ALL!!
Mike's back! This time he welcomes back his son to talk about his experience of watching Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan! On the eve of Father's Day, it's a pretty moving episode (for Mike) as Mike unwraps the TWoK subplot of father's and sons and discovers what the Genesis Project truly meant. LISTEN WITH YOUR CHILD ,AND THEY WILL NOT UNDERSTAND!
PLUS! Mike plugs a new sponsor. It's a toothbrush.
Flying (not Han) solo this episode, Mike examines the theme music from each Trek movie. He then tells you if that theme matches up with the tone of the movie. Got it? Yeah, it doesn't make a ton of sense but if you want to hear Mike geek out to great music this is your chance!
You know, if you've been a diehard fan of Star Trek: Enterprise, waiting patiently for us to talk about the series...WAIT NO MORE! Mike, The Doctor (Kim Miller) and Suliban insurgent Jason Makiaris talk about the 2-part (?) pilot episode, Broken Bow! Mike (as usual) has gripes about the episode, but The Doctor (Kim Miller) has FAITH OF THE HEART she can turn him.
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Mike has rediscovered the lost episode that is Rhianna's song and video "Sledgehammer" that is in the closing credits of Star Trek: Beyond. From there, Mike presents several theories to The Doctor (@Flibadip) and Crewman Makiaris (@JasonMakiaris) as to how the song, lyrics and video are canon to the Kelvin Universe timeline. PLUS! Jason tricks us (twice!) into talking about the new Star Wars "movie" Solo. AND! We talk about the DISCO deleted scene, Stephen Hawkings passing and more.
This is a short BONUS episode that Mike recorded almost 18 months ago, BUT YOU CAN HEAR IT! Mike sets forth an intriguing premise as to how the much loved Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, is some ways hurt storytelling in big budget movies. Heresy?! YOU be the judge!
Mike flies solo on a deep dive episode! Mike looks a pivotal sequence in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock where the crew is forced to steal their own ship! But doing so, Mike postulates that this not only showed the path to a sustainable movie franchise, but also added a key element that Discovery is currently missing!
Okay, the first season of the first new Star Trek in 15 years has come to a close! Was it any good? Mike (@mikemccafferty), The Doctor (@Flibadip) and Jason (@Jasonmakiaris) parse through episode #15, "Will you Take my Hand?"
One more episode of first season Discovery left! Mike and The Doctor (Kim Miller) talk about Star Trek Discovery's episode #14, including that bonkers ending! PLUS Mike slides into a quick review of the TNG season 3 episodes, "The Survivors," and opens up like a sunny flower! AND! For some reason we side step into a conversation about "The Cloverfield Paradox." All this plus some nuggets from Mike about the series he's writing on, Hot Streets!
Fighting jet lag and mirror universe guards, Mike, The Doctor ( Kim Miller) and Jason peel apart Discovery's episode 13, "The Past is Prologue." It's a lot of running around and fighting, but is it any good?
ANGER ALERT! Mike has a full head of steam toward this episode of ST:D, "The Wolf Inside." While The Doctor (Kim Miller) and Evil Jason (Jason Makiaris) try to talk him down, they discuss "Spacing" people, cloaked tents, the BIG REVEAL (Spoiler: not so big) PLUS! Jason makes the most shocking admission ever in the podcast, or the history of humanity!
Discovery is back! Mike is Joined by The Doctor (Kim Miller) and Crewman Jason to discuss episode #10 - "Despite Yourself." PLUS! A deep dive on the practicality of neck snapping. AND! A shameless plug for a new series Mike is writing on! Check out our Facebook page for funny/dumb things!
Mike takes a close look at the first appearance of the Federation's greatest foe: The Borg (sorry Dominion). Diving into "Q Who," Mike analyzes the strengths and weakness of the episode, as well as why the Borg are such a frightening adversary.
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MEANWHILE: Mike gets the greatest gift of all when his teenage son Kiernan starts watching TNG...AND LIKES IT! Though embarrassed, as all teens must be toward their parents, Mike corrals his son to gather his thoughts.
Is Quentin Tarintino writing and directing the next Star Trek movie? Mike and the Doctor (Kim Miller) react to the latest news about this strange story. PLUS! We review the last two episodes of The Orville! AND! Kim is sick, so why not discuss some of the episodes that featured illness on the series!
After teasing his appearance on the pod for months, Jon Stern (Founder of Abominable Pictures - Children's Hospital, Wet Hot American Summer, Mystery Science Theater 3000.) Mike finally joins him at his house on a Sunday afternoon to talk Trek. It's a fun, spirited conversation about Discovery, Kate Mulgrew and Trek in general!
With Discovery on hiatus and his gang of friends deserting him, Mike decides to podcast alone. The madness that ensues ranges from discussions about garage sales, to The Orville's latest episode to the TOS episode "The Mark of Gideon." But then Mike finally settles the debate of which 2017 Star Trek series (or homage) is better. THE ANSWER MAY SHOCK YOU!
This episode we look at Discovery's ninth episode, "Into the Woods I go!" We talk over the episode, as well as take a bigger look at what we liked and didn't about the first 2/3rds of the season. PLUS! We chat about The Orville! AND! We jabber on for an extra long time at the end of the episode about Jaws, Thor, and Battlestar Galatica! We love you!!!
Mike and Kim tackle the penultimate Discovery episode "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum," and come to the conclusion that the title is just as confusing as the plot of the episode. PLUS We continue our mini-reviews of The Orville episodes, looking at "In the Fold." AND! Mike gushes about the fan made series "Star Trek Continues!"
Mudd's back! Mudd's Back! Mudd's back! This episode Mike, The Doctor and Jason tackle episode 7 of ST:D "The Magic that Drive Sane Men Mad." It's a batshit crazy time travel episode, but does it hold up? PLUS! We review The Orville's new episode "Majority Rules".
As we move deep into the forest of episodes of Star Trek: Discovery, Mike, Kim and Jason run across the "Lethe" river. Does the episode hold up or will it fulfill its namesake and be forgettable?!
Lots going on! First, Mike tells Jason about his epic 5k run at Vasquez Rocks, including racing 2009 Kirk! Then (13:00) they dive into the latest ST:D episode "Choose your pain," discussing Harry Mudd, Lorca and Burnham's Captain problem. And then (at 52:00) The Doctor (Kim Miller) shows up and we discuss The Orville episode "Krill" Hey! give us a review on iTunes! It helps people find us!!
Okay it's actually called, "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry," and Mike actually likes it! But that doesn't mean there's not a lot of weird, nonsensical things that he and The Doctor (Kim Miller) can riff on for potential laughs. Plus! Tardigrade Nipple Clips! AND! We're sticking with our mini reviews of The Orville since they keep ripping off old Star Trek episodes! Hey! Help us out and leave a review on iTunes! It helps!!
Mike, The Doctor (Kim Miller) and Midshipman Makiaris (Jason) do a hot take podcast on episode three of Discovery: "Context is for Kings" It's a soft second pilot for the series and Mike and company talk about what works and what doesn't. PLUS! We're gonna keep talking about Seth's Macfarlane's "The Orville" because they keep stealing plotlines from of Star Trek.
After 12 years WE HAVE NEW TV STAR TREK! Mike, The Doctor (Kim Miller) and Mid-Shipman Jason (Makiaris) watched the pilot and second episode and give their rapid reactions. PLUS! Orville fans, we compare and contrast the 2 ST:D and the 3 Orville episodes. Something for EVERYONE (who has CBS all-access)!
This podcast has a fairly narrow scope of which shows it likes to talk about. But with the release of Seth MacFarlane's "The Orville," a homage to TNG, Mike and Jason decide to leave the Trek universe and check out the first two episodes. Does it hold up, and how close is it to The Next Generation source material? All this plus the countdown to Star Trek: Discovery has begun!
Mike is in prime rant mode as he finally puts together a major fact of Star Trek: Discovery that he believes CBS is hiding. Listen to him get FIRED UP!
Mike (@MikeMcCafferty) ropes The Doctor (@flibadip) into a podcast where he has no topic or agenda! The results are a free-wheeling episode that careens from Kelsey Grammer on "Cause and Effect" to DeForest Kelley's eyeshadow in TOS to Keiko giving birth in "Disaster." PLUS! Mike and Kim enact the seldom used Self-destruct protocol found in ALL podcasts. AND! Mike asks a bunch of rando trivia questions of Kim! HOW CAN'T YOU LOVE THIS?!
Mike traveled to Oregon to see the eclipse, so The Doctor (Kim Miller) suggested they talk about the TNG season three premier episode "Evolution." The episode is an evolution of the series, with new outfits, opening sequence and the return of the original doctor, Gates McFadden. WE BLOT OUT ALL OTHER PODCASTS WITH OUR LUMINESCENT INSIGHT!
Completing the connection from the TOS episode (and our podcast on) "The Paradise Syndrome," Mike and The Doctor look at the super fun TNG episode "The Chase." We break down the Federation's misuse of the flagship, Picard's misuse of the flagship and Yrdrian's totally terrible spaceships. PLUS! We discuss whether these aliens are the Preservers and Mike has a FABULOUS (guess who's writing this) theory on how the preservers out obelisks on all the planets! Hey, leave us a rating on iTunes! It really helps people find us! Just like hiding a message in DNA!!
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Singing! Guests! Discovery! XYLOPHONES! The whole IJWTTAST team travels to San Diego to check out Comic-con. We review the new footage of Star Trek: Discover, plus talk about Seth MacFarlane's Star Trek-ish "The Orville" PLUS! In true extravaganza fashion we sing songs from most of the Star Trek series (including the never before heard lyrics to the DS9 theme)! Did we mention that that The Doctor plays THE XYLOPHONE?!!
Jason has been watching all the TOS episode for the first time and has hit the dreaded 3rd season. So he and Mike break down the episode "The Paradise Syndrome," and try to find something good about Kirk thinking he's a Native-American god named Kiroc. We do find bugs on people's faces...so that's something, right?
Abed Geith and Kali Fontecchio stop by and discuss the excellent Deep Space 9 (nine?) "Whispers." Unlike the tautly written episode, this podcast rides the raging waters of Abed's stream of conscious insights and Kali's hilarious, if slightly blue material. But can you be sure that's really Mike leading the discussion, or a replicant?!!
Star Trek has a LOT of drinking in it! So in an attempt to truly understand the 23rd and 24th centuries, Mike and The Doctor (Kim Miller) traveled to Wine Country where they imbibed and got people to sing Klingon drinking songs! PLUS! Mike lists all the Star Trek movies that have alcohol in them. PLUS! Mike kills another bug in his garage!
Mike, The Doctor (Kim Miller) and Jason went to the special screening of TWoK for its 35th anniversary. They talk about Space Seed (which screened before), the panel discussion (with Nichelle Nichols, Nicholas Meyer and others), the new things they saw in the movie and it's impact on culture. BONUS! Mike is still trying to crack the ST: III "Kirkbusters" conspiracy, and might have met an important contact at the screening! THE TRUTH CANNOT BE RESTRAINED!
For some reason, Star trek actors have felt the need to record albums both during and after their tenure on the series. With the help of JD Ryznar from sister podcast Beyond Yacht Rock, Mike, Kim and Matt "Stompie" Thompson play Star Trek Idol with these celestial crooners. Leonard Nimoy, Grace Lee Whitney, Tim Russ, Brett Spiner, Chase Masterson, Avery Brooks and, of course, William Shatner all get sampled, then roasted. But what JD thinks about the theme from Star Trek: Enterprise may SHOCK YOU!
It's the 35th anniversary of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Mike is launching a multi-part exploration of this, the best movie of the franchise. In part one, Mike talks about the personal experience of seeing the film in the theatre and how it affected him.
Mike takes a deep look at one of the greatest Star Trek episodes of all time (pun?) when breaks down "The City on the Edge of Forever." It's a detailed examination if why it set the standard for time travel stories, what makes it special to Star Trek and how the love story between Kirk and Edith Keeler transcends the genre to make it one of the most romantic and tragic tales in television.
CBS finally released a trailer for Star Trek: Discovery, a series that is over 9 months behind schedule. Mike, Kim and Jason break the trailer down while trying to get their friend Stompie on the podcast. PLUS! we take a look at Seth MacFarlane's trek parody The Orville and stack it up against Discovery. AND! Mike tries to read copy for a new sponsor and falls into a whole new dimension of terrible! Follow us on our "I Just Want to Talk about Star Trek" Facebook page, or hit up Mike @mikemccafferty
Mike is mystified about a single note in a song from the TOS episode "Shore Leave." So he goes down the rabbit hole (!) and ends up interviewing composer Gerald Fried about it! Fried composed 5 episodes of Trek (Including the famous fight music in Amok Time) as well as Mission Impossible, Roots and Gilligan's Island! But Mike is searching for the truth about that cello note and by the end, he just might have an answer!
The Way to Eden is one of the "Best worst" TOS episodes. It's a space hippie musical with lots of songs, plot holes and a dude with the worst ears in the franchise! BUT! Mike, The Doctor and Jason are "One" with this episode and uncover if it's really "now," or just a "Herbert."
Doctors hate this! Mike went to Reno over the weekend and wanted to talk about gambling, so he picked the 2nd season TNG episode "The Royale." Too bad "The Doctor" (Kim Miller) hates this episode! But you'll love it because we double down on all the bad stuff (and there is a LOT) to hit the 21 of comedy gold ! Come on, little lady, take a chance! Whaddya got to lose! YEEEHAAAAHH!!
Well, what can we say? Mike's been bothered by this for 33 years and tonight he went ALL IN on a single line of Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock. Backing his central thesis with audio clips and research, it's either a stunning revelation, or the beginnings of Mike's Captain Garth of Izar phase. But in the end, it's his podcast, so who ya gonna call?
Mike, The Doctor and Red Shirt Jason have way too much fun taking on the original episode "A Piece of the Action" that has way too much fun. They dissect the ridiculous lengths the show took to just to get Kirk to talk like a gangster. PLUS! Kim's cat barfs! AND! A listener takes our podcast on a marathon! Sponsored by Bang! Bang! The sweetest little automatics in the world!
Lawrence Montaigne passed away today. He was a great Romulan (Decius, The Balance of Terror), Vulcan (Stonn, Amok Time) and IJWTTAST guest. We interviewed him last year and in tribute to his glorious life, we're replaying this.
Boy, the animated episode "The Practical Joker" is so bad, it's almost a troll on the audience. BUT it does feature the first appearance of an incredibly important piece of technology AND the cast drinks milk! Mike and The Doctor (who's never seen this one before) break down this weird episode to see where it broke down. PLUS! They read perhaps the best itunes review EVER!
It's our 50th episode! But Mike feels as though he hasn't podcast enough recently, so he puts himself on trial! The Doctor (Kim Miller) serves as judge and jury, listening to his sleep deprived ramblings until she renders a decision that could cancel the series! Plus! We break down the casting of Jason Iaascs as the captain of the Discovery. AND! Mike and Kim create an alternate timeline where NBC gave the greenlight to the proposed Harry Mudd series (which they were considering). All this and more for the big 50th episode!!
Mike is joined in studio (read: in his garage) by Kim "The Doctor" Miller and Jason Makiaris. It seems like a dream team of Trek talk but by minute 40 they're talking about Mike's angry letter he sent to Calvin Klein about underwear. BUT! They do talk about the new look of the Klingon's in Star Trek Discovery. AND! Kim tries to catch a big bug in Mike's office. HOW CAN'T YOU WANT TO LISTEN?!
Ameila Earhart vs. Genghis Khan! Einstein vs. Gandhi! Isaac Newton Vs. Freud! Star Trek has had a ton of historical characters as guest stars over the years, but who's the best? Mike and The Doctor assemble a "Sweet 16" of historical greats then make them duke it out until a winner is crowned! Follow Mike @MikeMcCafferty, The Doctor @FlibaDip and take the Feral survey at Feralaudio.com/survey
Mike starts off with Jason and The Doctor (Kim Miller) talking about the TNG first season episode "11001001," but in true Binar form, we lose one of them 5 minutes into the podcast! Our binary couple continue on, discussing the Binar's bad hard drive bad up strategies, Picard's French, and Mike's secret TNG crush! PLUS! another spider breaks into Mike's stronghold and YOU get to hear him deal with it in real time! WE HOLD NOTHING BACK! IT'S A BINARY PROPOSITION! YOU LIKE US, OR LOVE US!
A while back Mike mentioned the DS9 episode "Move Along Home" as one of the worst of the franchise. But to give the episode a fair shake after 24 years he watches it and then discusses it in depth with DS9 gurus Kali Fontecchio and David Mikalson. There's a lot of passionate opinions here (and more explicit language than normal - we blame the lawlessness of DS9) and the conclusions might surprise you (or won't)!
Mike's mania for the TOS episode "The Return of the Archons" has reached it's logical conclusion when he tracks down and talks to Lev Mailer (Ralph Maurer), who played "Bilar" in the episode. Lev talks about his roles in Star Trek (he was also in "Patterns of Force!"), as well The Lucy, Mission Impossible AND The Star Wars Holiday Special (dear god, he's a national treasure!)
Mike is joined by The Doctor (Kim Miller @flibadip) and Crewman Jason (@JasonMakiaris) to discuss the highs and lows for Star Trek in 2016. Plus! Mike has a hastily assembled list of the top 7 Star Trek things for the year and you won't believe what number 1 is! AND! The Doctor loudly makes coffee for the first 8 minutes of the podcast!
Star Trek: Generations is about as close to a Christmas movie as we'll ever get from the franchises. Mike calls up friend of the pod and TNG aficionado Ryan Nagata to talk about the rather unusual 6 minute scene in the middle of the film that looks like it's out of a Charles Dickens story. They didn't like the scene back then, but 22 years later have Mike and Ryan changed from Scrooges to...uh, not Scrooges?
Mike's not a big fan of the HBO series Westworld. BUT! He uses that pent up anger to look at the two Star Trek western episodes, "Spectre of the Gun," and "A Fist Full of Datas." He's joined by Star Trek newbie Jason "Hello, Friend" Makiaris, who's never seen either of them, and gives his opinions. PLUS! Jason changes recording locations midway through the podcast! Saddle up, this podcast is a DRAW!
"Return of the Archons" is one of IJWTTAST's fave episodes. It's weird and ridiculous and has one of the best line readings of all time. Mike talks with episode guest star Karl Held about the episode and his career. Karl acted with Shatner on Broadway and Patrick Stewart at the Royal Shakespeare Company. PLUS! He gives Mike some good acting advice and GREAT life advice.
Mike goes solo on Thanksgiving Eve to do an in-depth pod about the 'lonely gods' that inhabit Star Trek! He talks about Q, General Trelane (retired!), Fear, Charlie X and others, trying to understand why these forlorn creatures with immense powers kept showing up in the series!
Mike goes solo for the first half of the podcast to talk a bit about the 2016 US election through the eyes of Star Trek. THEN! He's joined by Matt "Stompie" Thompson and Kim "The Doctor" Miller. They touch a little on the election and Mike's epic year of Star Trek. PLUS! Trivia contest!
With the departure Brian Fuller from the CBS Star Trek: Discovery series, Mike contemplates the unthinkable - would Star Trek be better off if it was bought by Disney? He lays out his case to "The Doctor" Kim Miller, and by the end of the podcast come to some rather stunning conclusions. PLUS! Kim talks about her Halloween experience!
Mike brings in old friend and Star Trek toy hoarder Scott Hensel to talk about the history of Star Trek toys. Starting with the Mego TOS series, to Galob, Playmates and Beyond, Scott and Mike trace the ebbs and flows of the Star Trek toy universe. PLUS! Scott talks about his daughter's funeral for her fish. AND! They recall the glory days when they both had hair!
The original series decided they wanted to do a Halloween episode. They put castles, skeletons, witches and black cats into the episode, but took out story and a logical plot! The result is a truly insane haunted house story that doesn't make a bit of sense but is a ton of fun to watch. Mike and Kim pull the show apart and find all the tricks and treats of this October Surprise.
George Edelman, friend of the Pod had a dream like the TNG episode, "Frame of Mind," with Mike in it! Mike calls him, fully intent on a rousing discussion of the mind-bending episode, only to get trapped in George's mind-bending stream of consciousness Trek talk. Somehow the two touch on Mad Men, Trump and the politics of Trek, zombie movies and George's hidden badass. PLUS! Mike makes a second consecutive Amazon delivery truck analogy! ONE MORE FOR THE RECORD!
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Gary Seven, Audience: Zero! Mike calls "The Doctor" (Kim Miller @Flibadip) to vent his frustrations over the TOS season 2 finale, "Assignment: Earth!" Fair warning, he's coming in hot on this one and has some real issues with the episode and Gene Roddenberry for dumping a failed pilot idea into the series!
Mike grabs a great interview with Lee Meriwether. In addition to playing the hauntingly tragic Losira in "That Which Survives" in Trek, she was Miss America 1955, Catwoman, in Time Tunnel, Barnaby Jones (!) and a thousand other shows. PLUS! Another bizarre Trek song from Scott Hensel.
Mike goes on a rant about the lack of effort from CBS and Paramount to make the 50th anniversary something special. He's joined by "The Doctor" Kim Miller, who tries to talk him off the ledge. PLUS! Mike talks about his Star Trek Christmas special!
Robert O' Reilly redefined what it meant to be a Klingon with his amazing performance as Gowron in TNG and later DS9. Mike chats with him about how he got the role, working with the cast and life after death (of his character).
For the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, Mike climbs the Vasquez Rocks, site of multiple Star Trek episodes, and with nine good friends celebrates the greatest franchise of all time! Aaron Moles, Ryan Elder, David Geis, David Mikalson, Claudia Dolph, Stompie Thompson, Brian Wysol, Brenan Campbell and The Doctor reflect on the last 50 years of Star Trek and muse on the next 50! NO OTHER PODCAST IS BOLD ENOUGH TO CELEBRATE LIKE US!!
Ever heard of the animated series? Made in the early 70s with the creator, writers and cast of the original series? Nope, that's because CBS and Paramount really didn't want to talk about it. BUT WE DOI! Mike is joined by Brian Wysol as they give an overview of this amazing, weird, dumb and occasionally brilliant 6th series to the franchise that is all but forgotten: Star Trek: The Animated Series!
Ever wonder how Vulcans mate? Yes. You. Do! Mike is joined by The Doctor (Kim) and Ensign Jason to talk about the first episode to ever show Vulcan, and it's incredibly repressed, weird mating ritual. Plus! We're going to Vasquez Rocks on the 8th for the 50th! AND! Another insane A Cappella song from my friend Scott! Kryka! Thee will listen!
We're finally getting to the show that broke the mold! Mike crews the pod with DS9 experts "Major" Kali Fontechhio and "Barkeep" David Mikalson. They talk about the season five 2 parter "In Purgatory's Shadow" and "By Inferno's Light," as well as give an overview of the series and what made it so iconic to Star Trek and television. Runabout!
Mike, Kim and Jason break down the Star Trek: Discovery news from Bryan Fuller at the TCA. PLUS! Mike continues to recap his adventures at the Vegas convention. AND! A late night improv about the construction of the USS Discovery!
It's a podcast from the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention! Mike, Ryan and George break down all the things they saw on Thursday and Friday at the con, including meeting a Khan, post accident Pike, shirtless Kirk and a (pinball) wizard!
Mike does a solo, deep dive review on the new Star Trek movie: Beyond. He plays piano, kills a bug and talks about that girl with the weird fingers for a head!
Mike talks to Ellen Geer, the accomplished stage and screen actresses who played the grief-stricken, vengeance-bent Dr. Kila Marr in the TNG episode "The Silicon Avatar" (S05E04). They talk about working with the TNG cast, playing a divisive character and whether her actions were justified or not!
Mike and Kim recount their epic four days at the 2016 comic-con. Including the Star Trek: Beyond premiere, bumping into Bryan Fuller and the Klingon Lifestyles show!
Mike is joined by Kim Miller and Jason Makiaris for an ill advised STAR TREK PARTY©! They talk about the upcoming release of Star Trek: Beyond and then deep dive into all the amazing panels at the San Diego Comic Con. PLUS! They're going and want you to stop by the Feral Audio booth on Friday at 6 when the pod!
Mike and his crew take a Trek to Long Beach to compete in a Star Trek trivia contest. He's searching for redemption after the pasting he took in Iowa and he's assembled the brightest minds he could find to join his team. Find out how they did. PLUS! The week in trek news: Sulu is gay, new Beyond trailer and fan film guidelines!
Oh, hell no! Are we really gonna talk about the WORST episode of TNG? Yep, because it was at a pivotal moment in the franchise and because....RISK IS OUR BUSINESS! PLUS! Mike divulges his feelings about visiting Riverside, Iowa, birthplace of Captain Kirk. PLUS! JUNGLE SOUNDS!
Mike makes it to Riverside Iowa, the (future) birthplace of James Kirk to check out the Trek Fest. He podcasts from The Voyage Home Museum and talks to curator about the museum and why the animated series scares Mike.
Mike visits the 3F Studios to talk with Ryan Nagata and George Edelman (Amigo Undead) about making Star Trek props, the insane TOS and TNG promos that they used to run and a deep dive into the wardrobe choices in Star Trek 2-4. WARNING: Audio is a little echoy, but the studio was big.
Eddie Paskey appeared in 59 episodes of the original series. He played multiple roles, in multiple colored shirts, and in real life was the stand in for William Shatner. Mike talks to Eddie about working in the foreground and background, conversations with Bill and the incredible legacy that Star Trek has created.
As the US elections loom, Mike and Kim Miller discuss "The Omega Glory," a TOS episode that goes off the rails but features Shatner going full Shatner with perhaps his most bombastic and patriotic speech!
Mike talks with Laurence Luckinbill, who played Spock's half-brother Sybok in Star Trek V. They discuss how he landed the role, working with Shatner and what went wrong (and right) on this divisive movie!
Mike welcomes Screen Junkies mega geek Dan Murrell to the show to discuss Star Trek's three different paths of movies, TV and fan films.
Mike takes a deep dive into the classic episode "The Balance of Terror," and describes why it was such an important episodes to the series and to science fiction in general. Then he puts a call into TOS actor Lawrence Montainge ('Decius' from "The Balance of Terror" and 'Stonn' from "Amok Time") and talks to him about his rivalry with Leonard Nimoy.
Mike talks to Wendee McCracken, the President of the Riverside, Iowa The Voyage Home Museum, dedicated to all things Star Trek. He walks to her about the Trek Fest, pitches his show idea, learns about Star Trek plates and Klingon dogs!
Mike, travels to Los Angeles restaurant Mexlcali with Matt and Jason to consume nachos and talk Star Trek and Shakespeare. But their server, Cassidy, proves to provide far more insight and improv than they bargained for.
Mike calls up the Monterey Bay Aquarium and talks to the VP of communications Hank Armstrong about his memories of when Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home filmed at the aquarium in 1986.
Mike talks about the first aired episode, "The Man Trap," then calls his friend Tony to discuss their aging and the relevance of TOS.
Mike and The Doctor go to The Star Trek Ultimate Voyage Concert in Los Angeles and might have bumped into the cast of the new Star Trek series. Plus! We talk to composer Ryan Elder about the music of Star Trek!
Mike makes a deep dive into the second pilot "Where no Man, has Gone Before." After a scheduling mishap with his guest, Mike talks to his gardener, Nori Maeda, about the perils of power.
Mike takes a sojourn to San Diego to meet his good friend and former fellow Sea World employee, Matt Thompson. They discuss how they met as well as Matt's love for the JJ Abram movies. Also! they improvise a third timeline to Star Trek where Kirk meets Spock at the Academy.
Mike McCafferty travels to San Diego to talk to Nate Peirson about his love for Star Trek: Enterprise. PLUS - Kim Miller relates a dream she had about Mike as a Star trek character and through outstanding improv, they recreate the dream! And - Jason Makiaris understanding 30% of what we're talking about!
Mike is on Talos 4, doing a deep dive into the failed first pilot of the series, "The Cage." Later, he calls Abed Gheith, who talks about his favorite TNG episodes and whether he would trade his life for a fictional one that is better than his reality.
Mike looks at the current, fractured state of the Star Trek franchise with Kim and Jason. Later, they call Vegas mentalist, Paul Draper, who shares dramatic news about Levar Burton!