ST:X Generation Podcast

A continuing mission to review and discuss episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

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Episode 017 - The Neutral Zone

This week the STX Generation crew wrap up the bumpy first season of TNG with “The Neutral Zone”!  Is this about a thrilling space adventure in the Neutral Zone where our heroic crew squares off against the Romulans?  Kind of, it’s more about some people from the late 1980s waking up out of cryogenic sleep in the 24th century.  Can the replicator make a perfect martini?  Is the 20th century rich jerk right when he says the Enterprise-D is the worst run ship he’s ever been on?

All this and more when you click below!

Download STX017 (MP3)

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Episode 016 - Conspiracy

This week the crew discusses the wonky and surprisingly gory horror episode “Conspiracy”! How do Picard and Riker eat unfried worms? Wassup Starfleet? What happens when you cross the streams of two phasers set on 'kill'? 

Click below to find out!

Download STX016 (MP3)

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Episode 015 - We’ll Always Have Paris

This week the crew discusses "We'll Always Have Paris"! In the grand scheme of things is Captain Jean-Luc Picard the Charlie Brown of the Star Trek universe? Also, what's up with that weird instrument the guy in Holodeck Paris is playing? Click below to find out!

Download STX015 (MP3) 

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Episode 014 - Skin Of Evil

This week we discuss "Skin of Evil", an episode that starts randomly enough, and then a major character is randomly killed off. 

What's up with still beaming down all the top guys? What does a Starfleet martial arts competition look like? What kind of dessert do the dilithium crystals resemble? Do Armus the tar monster cosplay costumes exist?

All this and more when you click below!

Download STX014 (MP3)

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Episode 013 - Arsenal Of Freedom

This week we discuss "Arsenal of Freedom" where the away team finds itself matched against an uninhabited planet full of deadly drones.

How is Picard so dumbfounded by technology? Did Riker tell a "Your Momma!" joke to a hologram? Why is Dr. Crusher and Captain Picard's attraction to each other so hot and cold? How do you make a Destructo-Bot?

All this and more when you click below!

Download STX013 (MP3)

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Supplemental 012.5 - Remembering Nimoy

In this supplemental the STX crew shares their feelings on the recent passing of a Star Trek legend.

Download STX012.5 (MP3)

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The Impact of Spock

Leonard Nimoy’s achievements transcend television, movies, and science fiction.

In reference to his last post on twitter:

@TheRealNimoy:A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP

He contributed to our collective cultural memory in a way that will staywith us.

Spock is Star Trek.

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Whether it’s next generation or TOS, Star Trek has always been headed by ateam. Kirk wasn’t a captain by himself and from the beginning Spock brought a life to the show that went beyond just being a mere main character.

Balancing Kirk’s cowboy confidence with his profound performance as a Vulcan, he created dynamics that captured the imagination and hearts of generations.

Spock grew from a logical Vulcan foil to Kirk at the beginning of the show into a character with incredible depth. He appealed to everyone’s emotions on a deep level in Wrath of Khan, one of the most profound end scenes in cinema, centering around his death.

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The Kirk-Spock dynamic was so powerful that the Next Generation found a way to creatively represent it by splitting it into several characters. The new crew had Captain Picard and Commander Riker balancing out wise discipline and adventurous risk taking between both of their dynamic characteristics. In part, Data represented the logical and analytical spirit of the Spock character. Data also represented Spock in the sense that he was non-human, but as Kirk says “Of my friend I can only say this… Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels… His was the most.. Human.”

Leonard Nimoy will always be a reminder of the transcendent possibilities that lie in Science Fiction, Television and Cinema.

- Bryan Fellerath

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Episode 012 - Heart Of Glory

This week the STX Generation Crew discusses "Heart of Glory". What is the Klingon death ritual? How many suits of Klingon armor does it take to make a crappy weapon? Why is Picard so dumbfounded by technology? When did Worf own his pet Targ?

All of these questions and more are answered by clicking below! 

Download STX012 (MP3)

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Supplemental Episode 011.5 - Home Soil

In this supplemental we discuss "Home Soil", an episode that Mark and Bryan were split on, and Mike didn't watch.

Learn about terraforming, and listen to Mark and Bryan debate while Mike learns what the episode was about, by clicking below!

Download STX011.5 Supplental (MP3)

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Episode 011 - Coming Of Age

This week we discuss "Coming of Age", a surprisingly solid episode that focuses on Wesley taking a test to gain entry into Starfleet Academy. Who is this alien peer of his named Mordock? What's with the vape harmonica that he's constantly inhaling off of? What is the Mordock Strategy? Why are those Starfleet officers acting so sketchy?

Some of these questions will be answered and fun will definitely be had by clicking below!

Download STX011 (MP3)

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Episode 010 - 1101101

This week the crew discusses 1101101, an episode that makes binary code fun. Well not really, but it's still a fun watch. First realistic use of the holodeck by Riker? Is the Enterprise-D a giant mall in space? People still read in the 24th century? Are Yar and Worf going to go play space racquetball? What is the purpose of the giant digital auto-destruct clock?! 

All this, and find out where hotel art comes from, by clicking below!

Download STX010 (MP3)

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Episode 009 - Datalore

In this episode the STX crew discusses Datalore, an episode where Data discovers that he has a "brother" named Lore. Do we technically see Data's butt in one scene? Why is everyone on the Enterprise so trusting of random strangers poking around the ship? What's up with the annoying vocal tic? Is blowing up a tree in outer space an impressive display of strength?

All this and more can be heard when you click below!

Download STX009 (MP3)

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Episode 008 - The Big Goodbye

Picard dresses up as his favorite fictional detective Dixon Hill for some fun costume play on the holodeck.  The simulation become dangerous when the Holodeck safety controls malfunction and the crew is trapped in 1940's San Francisco with virtual yet deadly gangsters.    Why does Picard want to impress the Jarada so badly?  Will Data come to love Dixon Hill novels even more than Sherlock Holmes? Does the Holodeck ever work properly?  All this and more in this week's episode when you click below!

Download STX008 (MP3)

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Episode 007 - Hide and Q

"Hide and Q" pits the Enterprise-D crew up against the godlike villain Q once again.  What starts as a military game turns into a classic tale of good vs evil as Q tempts Riker by granting him his own omnipotent powers.

What would it be like to have godlike powers?  How boring are Federation battle tactics?  How weird is it when Picard is left alone on the ship? Has Worf ever ever seen a Klingon female before?  All this, Wesley getting stabbed and so much more, when you click below!

Download STX007 (MP3)

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Episode 006 - Justice

This week we discuss "Justice", an episode that begins with Riker just wanting to have some shore leave on a kinky utopian planet, and ends with Wesley almost getting himself killed. Find out more about the near-naked fit folks known as the Edo! Marvel at their God, who looks not unlike a disco ball! See Worf be uncomfortable! Why do they bring a young kid like Wesley along to a kinky planet they know nothing about?

Click below to find out!

Download STX006 (MP3)

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Supplemental Episode 005.6 - Transporters

Transporters, possibly the most advanced Star Trek technology. Just how many things can go wrong with teleportation? Would it awesome or scary as hell in reality? Ultimately is it just a convenient plot device? Find out by clicking the link!

Download STX005.6 Supplental (MP3)