Subspace Transmissions: A Star Trek Podcast

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

#200 - THE BEST STAR TREK EPISODES

When you're celebrating a podcast anniversary you have to go big! And what better (and more suitably controversial) way to mark a momentous 200th episode than with the hottest topic in all of Trekdom? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton don party hats and toss confetti while counting down their picks of the ten greatest stories in the history of the franchise. From Kirk and Spock's tragic trip through the Guardian of Forever, to the creepy debut of Locutus and Jake Sisko's tear-inducing alternate future, the duo sing the praises of the unforgettable sci-fi hours that made Roddenberry's universe as popular and powerful as it is. Plus, as an added milestone-worthy bonus, the two fondly recall their favorite Subspace Transmissions installments from the past couple years.

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Send any other questions, topic ideas or feedback to subspacetransmissionspod@gmail.com!

Related Podcast Episodes:

The Dominion War: 20 Years Later

The Evolution of Q
The Beginner's Guide to Star Trek
The Vulcan Hello & Battle at the Binary Stars: ST DSC
The 2016 Klingon Bloodwine Games
The Best Worst Star Trek Episodes
The Best Worst Star Trek Episodes: Part II

Join us next week as we journey into the cloak and dagger world of Star Trek spy agencies!

Thursday, July 5, 2018

#199 - FIXING THE PON FARR PROBLEM

Ever since being introduced in TOS's iconic second season premiere Amok Time, the mating ritual of pon farr has become both a key component of Vulcan mythology as well as an ultra-popular source of humor among fans. But does the franchise's approach to this oft-referenced biological event need to change with the times? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton throw their soup against the wall as they examine several key episodes involving the dreaded seven-year spell and break down what works and what doesn't for current-day audiences. From Spock's legendary duel for T'Pring's hand, to B'Elanna Torres's highly problematic blood fever experience, the duo debate how future storytellers might best navigate this tricky go-to Star Trek trope.

Right-click to download.

Or, you can beam on over to iTunes to subscribe to the show! Leave a review while you're there!

Lastly, you can stream all of our episodes on Stitcher Radio!

Join our Facebook page for exclusive content such as videos and bonus episodes!

And you can also follow us on Twitter and YouTube!

Send any other questions, topic ideas or feedback to subspacetransmissionspod@gmail.com!

Related Podcast Episodes:

Has Star Trek Failed Feminism?

Join us next week as we celebrate the big #200 with our personal 'Best Episodes' lists!

Thursday, June 28, 2018

#198 - STAR TREK VOY: THE KILLING GAME

While probably not one of TOS's best hours, season 2's Patterns of Force is unforgettable for its contrasting of Roddenberry's colorful utopia against grim WWII Nazi imagery. Iconic visuals aside, however, there was plenty of room for improvement in 1998 when Voyager took a second shot at exploiting these clashing aesthetics with The Killing Game, the two-part Hirogen saga wherein Janeway and company find themselves trapped in a simulated Germany-occupied France. But was this revisit to familiar ground effective? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Tony G. of the Arniegeddon podcast, sign up for the resistance while reviewing arguably the most ambitious holodeck adventure of all time! Undeniably popular with fans, does this feature-length season 4 entry work as both a thrilling adventure and a satisfying Star Trek tale? And do these episodes invite even more holodeck logic nit-picking than usual? Hop on your metaphorical bicycle and join the trio for a lively debate-fueled ride from war-torn Saint Clair to Klingon camping grounds and beyond!

Star Trek VOY: Scorpion

Star Trek VOY: Year of Hell

Star Trek Under the Influence

Join us next week as we experience pon farr!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

#197 - STAR TREK: EXTREME MAKEOVER EDITION

Attend any convention and it's clear fans have preferred versions of their favorite Trek icons. You'll see a gaggle of bearded Riker clones, for example, but nary a single clean-shaven one. Why is that? And what do these various looks truly mean to the popular characters and their personal narrative? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton attempt to decide between bobs or ponytails while examining the evolution and symbolic meaning of the personal styles of the franchise's biggest power players. In addition to Number One's season 2 facial hair, the duo also ponder the changing hairstyles of Janeway, Worf and Kirk, Voq's seamless Ash Tyler makeover, Lorca's sweet leather jacket and more! Plus, in a bonus segment, the hosts weigh in on Alex Kurtzman's recent promotion to Trek TV mastermind and the potential of Captain Picard and Starfleet Academy spin-offs.

Related Podcast Episodes:

Best & Worst Star Trek Uniforms

TNG's Lost Years

Star Trek's Turning Points

The Psychology of Geordi La Forge

Join us next week as we participate once again in The Killing Game!

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

#196 - THE EVOLUTION OF THE ROMULANS

Sure, the Klingons are Trek's numero uno alien antagonists as far as pop-culture is concerned. But what about the Romulans, who were originally envisioned as being TOS's primary big bads? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton embrace ambiguity and stealthy, multi-layered tactics while charting the history of one of the franchise's most endlessly fascinating and sophisticated creations. From their unforgettable introduction in Balance of Terror, and many prominent TNG showcases, all the way down to J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot, the residents of Romulus and Remus have seen considerable evolution and mythology expansion. So join the duo as they attempt to pin down the Federation's most notoriously slippery adversaries and imagine where Discovery and future incarnations may take them.

The Evolution of the Klingons

The Evolution of the Borg

Cardassians: Trek's Greatest Aliens?
All About the Andorians!
Talkin' About Tellarites!
Going Green with the Orions & Gorn

Tracing the Tribble Trilogy

Join us next week as we ponder popular characters' major visual makeovers.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

#195 - DRAFTING THE STAR TREK DREAM TEAM

Ever since the Trek-verse expanded beyond TOS fans have loved to argue and debate over which Starfleet personnel they would love to assemble in their own fantasy crew. Picard or Kirk for captain? Odo or Worf for security? Michael Burnham or Spock for XO or science officer? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton, along with special guest Patrick Johnson, compete in a tense head-to-head competition to draft the most ideal, hyper-capable ship staff humanly possible. With several hot commodities, and a few amusing duds, on the table there's plenty of hilarity, hair-pulling and defensive attempts to justify oddball choices. So join the party and decide where you stand on the trio's very unique personal preferences.

Who is the Ultimate Star Trek Fighter?

Take Me to Your Alien Leader

Join us next week as we chart the history of the Romulans!

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

#194 - ALIENS OF THE DELTA QUADRANT

Vulcans. Klingons. Romulans. Orions. Since the dawn of Roddenberry's universe the creative minds tasked with populating it have tirelessly sought to fill the Alpha Quadrant with countless fascinating, layered and compelling alien denizens guaranteed to goose dramatic potential. But what about Voyager, the show that dared to begin with a blank page and build its own world? This week hosts Cam Smith and Tyler Orton follow the Caretaker's directions right back to the Delta Quadrant in order to analyze the most memorable species to cross Captain Janeway and crew's path. From early stand-outs the Kazon and the Vidiians, to Trek's first all-CG race Species 8472 and the waste-dumping Malon, the duo debate which of these original creations worked, and whether any of them would ever be worth revisiting in the future. Plus, as an added bonus, the hosts jump over to a galaxy far, far away in order to provide their non-spoilery thoughts on Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Star Trek VOY: Basics
Star Trek VOY: Scorpion

Star Trek vs. Star Wars

Join us next week as we go head-to-head drafting the perfect Trek crew!