Archive for Season One

kevlemo | December 1, 2012
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Episode 8: Balance of Terror

Star Trek Balance of Terror

It’s a classic World War 2 tale of a destroyer hunting an enemy sub…IN SPACE!!!

Discussing perhaps the best episode to date, the TrekQuesters dive deep into the murky celestial waters of space combat while celebrating the arrival of the Romulans into the Star Trek universe. Yes, the Romulans must have had warp drive, and yes, it’s darn strange that a plasma bolt can travel at warp 10, but even these Spock-defying bouts of illogic can’t ruin this action-filled sci-fi tale.

With an intense cat-and-mouse pursuit as the background, an over-arching theme exploring bigotry, and the death of a groom-to-be on his would-be wedding day, this is Star Trek at its most serious level. Still, The TrekQuesters found plenty of opportunities to cite some of the funnier aspects of the show, whether the writers meant them to be or not.

Have you ever built a model of the Bird of Prey? Do you wear a helmet to hide your lack of pointed ears? Have you ever fought a war with an enemy that no one’s ever seen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

Listen to this episode now:

 

Or you can download the MP3 file here.

The Naked Time Star Trek Episode Review

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kevlemo | June 24, 2012
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Episode 7: Charlie X

Charlie X

When a hormone-filled teenaged boy beams aboard the Enterprise, strange things start happening. What kind of strange things, you ask? How about Kirk strutting around in skin tight red gym pants with coordinating black socks. Or Uhura gagging while Spock plays a mute space harp. Or a young crew-women turning into a lizard. Or Yoeman Rand donning a pink lingerie smock. Strange enough for you yet?

This episode’s thesis is clear: pubescent testosterone and absolute power don’t mix very well. Kinda like Captain Kirk’s red pants and black socks.

Would you like to peruse the Enterprise’s entertainment tape library? Do you know how to do a Kirk roll? Have you ever wanted to turn someone into a newt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

Listen to this episode now:

 

Or you can download the MP3 file here.

Charlie X Star Trek Episode Review

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kevlemo | April 8, 2012
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Episode 6: “The Naked Time”

The Naked Time Sulu with a Sword

Madness reigns as the Enterprise crew faces its inner demons under the influence of a strange alien disease.

On this Special Easter Edition of The TrekQuest Podcast, orange shower curtains can’t protect Spock and expendable crewman Joe from contacting a psychosis-inducing red liquid substance. Passed through contact, the disease is shared with Sulu, our newest navigator Kevin Thomas Riley, Nurse Chappel, Spock, and eventually Captain Kirk himself. Strangely, Bones seems completely immune to the emotionally-inflating disease, perhaps because he is so over-emotional to begin with.

The TrekQuesters had a great time discussing this episode’s classic scenes, from Sulu running around shirtless with a fencing sword to Spock crying like a baby (and then punching Kirk across a table). Even Uhura got a chance to tell Kirk off in this show, a moment we’re sure Nichelle Nichols enjoyed immensely.

Do you know how many bobby pins are in Nurse Chappel’s hair? Do you have a better body than Sulu? Could you beat Kevin Riley at “I’ll take you home again Kathleen” karaoke? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

Listen to this episode now:

 

Or you can download the MP3 file here.

The Naked Time Star Trek Episode Review

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kevlemo | March 27, 2012
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Episode 5: “The Man Trap”


After a brief hiatus due to travel, work, and moving, the TrekQuesters are back this week to discuss the episode that originally introduced America to Star Trek: The Man Trap. The first Star Trek episode ever broadcast, The Man Trap features a hairy, suction cup-laden, shape-shifting creature that wreaks havoc with the minds (and hearts) of the Enterprise crew.

There’s a whole lotta lovin’ in this show, folks. Bones loves Nancy. Crater loves Nancy. Green loves a galactic go-go dancer. Uhura gives some love to Spock, then gets some back from a Swahili-speaking crewman. Rand gets love, or at least attention, from Green, a pink plant, and a gaggle of demeaning crewmen, and gives some love to Sulu by bringing him his dinner. It seems the only person to get absolutely no love in this episode is Kirk. Strange, huh?

This episode provides also some intriguing insights into the supporting characters of the show, informing us that McCoy, AKA Bones, is also AKA “Plum,” that Uhura is a self-described “illogical woman,” and that Sulu loves plants, particularly the five-fingered variety.

But at it’s core, this episode is about loneliness and desperation — a much more serious episode than most of the others we’ve seen so far. There are still a few humorous/ridiculous moments, of course, but as a whole The Man Trap is a darker form of Star Trek, even somewhat sad, and it left the TrekQuesters looking forward to some comic relief in the coming weeks.

Could you suck 40 teaspoons of salt? Have you ever visited Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet? Would Kirk call your ex-girlfriends “handsome”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

Listen to this episode now:

 

Or you can download the MP3 file here.

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kevlemo | February 13, 2012
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Episode 4: “The Enemy Within”

This week, the TrekQuesters barely make it through discussing their least favorite episode to date. Between Sulu’s frigid jokes, the horned “alien” dog, and Shatner’s horrifically over-the-top acting, we were laughing so hard we were literally crying. Add in Dad’s random harmonica playing, and you’ve got a truly unique entertainment experience on your hands.

Probably the least politically-correct episode of the Original Star Trek series (and that’s admittedly saying a lot), “The Enemy Within” attempts to explore some pretty heavy philosophical themes including the inner struggle of good versus evil and the fundamental nature of leadership. In the end, however, it comes up very short — kinda like Shatner embracing his “identical” stunt double at the end of the show.

It’s amazing the episode that’s made us the most uncomfortable turned out the be our longest podcast to date (about 40 minutes). There’s just so much geeky goodness in this episode, from the first Vulcan Nerve Pinch to Dr. McCoy’s inaugural utterance of “He’s dead, Jim,” that it almost makes up for the hideously awkward bits between Kirk, Spock, and Yoeman Rand. Still, this isn’t an episode we plan to re-watch any time soon.

Can half a man survive? Can a parachute keep you from freezing to death? Does Kirk secretly wear makeup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

Listen to this episode now:

 

Or you can download the MP3 file here.

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kevlemo | February 5, 2012
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Episode 3: “Mudd’s Women”

In our third podcast, we celebrate Dad’s birthday with a Groundhog’s Day review of one of his all-time favorite Star Trek episodes, Mudd’s Women. In fact, Dad couldn’t help breaking out into song to express his appreciation for science fiction’s favorite mail-order brides.

Hurtling asteroids, blown lithium crystals, an asbestos storm, and a stuttering, sweating Mr. Farrel provide the backdrop as Harcourt Fenton Mudd gives one of the series’ most memorable performances. Supported by three lovely brides-to-be (including the Playmate of the Month for August, 1966), Harry Mudd takes Kirk to his breaking point while Kirk’s crew devolves into a band of oggling adolescents. So much for the hippocratic oath, eh, Dr. McCoy?

Although suspension of disbelief is a bit of an understatement when dealing with the Venus Drug’s mysterious makeovers (particularly the gelatin placebo version), Mudd’s Women is still a great romp through the humorous side of Trek, and we had fun discussing the details.

Do gentlemen prefer blondes? Will Spock ever stop smirking? Do you wear radioactive perfume? Tell us about it in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

Listen to this episode now:

 

Or you can download the MP3 file here.

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kevlemo | January 27, 2012
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Episode 2: “The Corbomite Maneuver”

For our second episode, we review the first Star Trek show filmed after the series was given the green light: “The Corbomite Maneuver.”

This time it’s not chess, but poker, as Captain Kirk bluffs his way through encounters with a spinning cube, a gargantuan sphere, and five blinking Christmas lights (at least that’s what the scout ship looked like on Dad’s VHS edition).

Bones, Uhura, and Yoeman Rand all make their first appearances aboard the Enterprise in this episode, and Sulu takes his familiar seat at the helm. Sitting next to him is a rather annoying Mr. Bailey, who fortunately only graces the Star Trek screen this once and then is banished to give the cackling space-baby Balok some companionship. Fascinating, indeed.

This episode sees Kirk battle wits with both McCoy (who, in case you didn’t know, was NEVER a moon shuttle conductor) and Spock (who gives Kirk his lamest advice advice ever).

Between losing his shirt, being threatened by a puppet, eating green leaves, and boozing it up (twice), this show is quite a ride for the stalwart Captain of the Enterprise.

Do you dig on beehive hairdos? Do you walk around your workplace with your shirt off? Are you afraid of an alien-baby with crooked teeth and a hideous laugh? Tell us about it in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

Listen to this episode now:

 

Or you can download the MP3 file here.

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kevlemo | January 22, 2012
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Episode 1: “Where No Man Has Gone Before”

In our first podcast, Victor, Kevin and Brian review the second Star Trek pilot and first episode starring Captain James T. Kirk (or should we say James “R.” Kirk??).

Why not start with the first pilot, “The Cage”?  Simple. No Kirk, no Original Star Trek. End of story.

But don’t worry, Pike-lovers. We’ll get plenty of the pre-Kirk captain (plus some throbbing alien heads and green slave women) during the double-episode “The Menagerie,” so just have a little patience, OK?

This week, the TrekQuesters probe into the origins of the classic Star Trek universe , discussing a screaming Spock, a 200-year-old space trashcan, tin-foil contacts, and the lovely Yoeman Jones, er, we mean Yoeman Smith.  Sorry about that, Andrea Dromm.

Does absolute power corrupt absolutely? Could Kirk ever beat Spock in 3D chess? Do glowing silver eyes freak you out? Tell us what you think in the comments or send us an email at StarTrekQuest@gmail.com.

Listen to this episode now:

 

Or you can download the MP3 file here.

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