Random Trek

Jean MacDonald, founder of App Camp for Girls, joins Scott to talk about “The Mark of Gideon” (TOS S3E17). Overpopulation, cranky Spock, the Gideon’s seeming complete lack of knowledge about how disease works, and the horrible life sucking powers of bureaucracy are all touched upon. Random Trek shirts are available for a few more days. You don’t want to be the only one at the Star Trek convention without one, do you? Scott McNulty with Jean MacDonald.

Guy English, of Aged and Distilled and Debug, joins Scott to chat about "Who Watches The Watchers" (TNG S3E4). Religion vs. mythology, poor archery skills, Romulans, the ethics of creepily observing developing societies, and who loves the Prime Directive most are all covered during this episode. Don't miss your chance to buy a Random Trek Shirt, now available for a limited time.Scott McNulty with Guy English.

Jamelle Bouie, staff writer at Slate, joins Scott to talk about Babel (DS9 S1E5). This episode features an aggrieved O’Brien, a poorly emoted Jake, and a goatee-less Sisko. Listen as we talk about why anyone would pay for replicated food, uncomfortable Ferengi characteristics, and how Voyager could have been good. Scott McNulty with Jamelle Bouie.

Katrina Griffiths, of the Verity Podcast, joins Scott to discuss the second Star Trek TOS pilot: Where No Man Has Gone Before (TOS S1E1 or 3). 60’s contact lenses, Creepy Gary Mitchell transforming into Creepier Gary Mitchell, and the fate of Dr. Dehner are all covered. Scott McNulty with Kat Griffiths.

Anthony Pascale, the man behind TrekMovie.com, joins Scott to talk about DS9's "Rivals" (S2E11). Topics include the finer points of space racquet ball, Prince Humperdinck, how pressing a button on an orb makes not a compelling casino game, and what Sisko does when he is alone in his office.Scott McNulty with Anthony Pascale.

Matthew Yglesias, executive editor of Vox, joins Scott to discuss Minefield (ENT, S2E4). Among the topics discussed include Matt’s crazy Trek lists, why no one on the Enterprise seems capable of doing anything, and what’s the deal with those crazy complicated mines anyway? Scott McNulty with Matthew Yglesias.

Jordan Cooper, host of the Tech Douchebags podcast, joins Scott to have some small talk about “Starship Mine” (TNG S6EP18). We discuss Capt. Picard’s fake horse-riding affinity, Tuvok’s shady past, why Geordi is the only hungry officer, and how to get out of attending a funeral when you’re a Starfleet Captain. If you enjoyed this episode you might enjoy the episode of Tech Douchebags I was on: The Book Hoarder. Scott McNulty with Jordan Cooper.

Tony Sindelar, the Incomparable and co-DM of Total Party Kill, joins Scott to discuss TNG’s First Contact (S4E15). Topics include Riker’s total lack of guile, Malcorian facial hair, the naming of planets, alien groupies, and when it is appropriate to beam somewhere. Scott McNulty with Tony Sindelar.

Lex Friedman, famous for not having seen it, being Daily, Rebounding, and Turning a Car Around, joins Scott to talk about Sleeping Dogs (Enterprise S1E14). Scott expresses mild shock and then major regret after learning that this episode is the first Star Trek episode Lex has ever seen (spoiling: Sleeping Dogs is not a great first Star Trek experience). We determine that T’Pal is a Vulcan, Hoshi is better than the Universal Translator, and ponder just how badly it smelled on that Klingon ship. Scott McNulty with Lex Friedman.

Monty Ashely, Incomparable panelist and Internet writer, joins Scott to talk about The Original Serie’s second Harry Mudd episode: I, Mudd (S2E12). Uniforms, the concept of computers (and if the Star Trek writers have any idea how they work), and Kirk taking the law in his own hands are all discussed. Scott McNulty with Monty Ashley.

"Indiscretion" - John Siracusa, of ATP and Incomparable note, joins Scott to talk about DS9’s Indiscretion (S4E5). Scott explains the deal with Deep Space Nine, John questions the central premise, and some parallels to Star Wars are identified. The end of this episode features a Random Trek theme song written and performed by listener Adam Sakellarides. Thanks, Adam! Host Scott McNulty with John Siracusa.

"Phage" - David J. Loehr, Incomparable panelist and playwright, joins Scott to discuss Voyager’s Phage (S1E5). Neelix’s lungs are stolen, and yet he still talks too much in this episode. Good old Harry Kim scans a wall, and the crew forgets the most important rule: never split the party. Host Scott McNulty with David J. Loehr.

"Remember Me" - Jacqui Cheng, Editor-in-chief of The Wirecutter, joins Scott to talk about TNG’s Remember Me (S4E5). In this episode who let Wesley fiddle with the Warp core and why, The Traveller as “Q Light,” and how Dr. Crusher definitely isn’t crazy (despite all the men thinking otherwise). Host Scott McNulty with Jacqui Cheng.

"Hope and Fear" - Brianna Wu, Head of Development at Giant Spacekat and one of the hosts of the Isometric Podcast, joins Scott to talk about Voyager’s Hope and Fear (S4E26). Bri explains why Voyager is the best Trek there is, we discuss Harry Kim and his love of bulkheads, and suggest some changes to Voyager’s lax security protocols. Host Scott McNulty with Brianna Wu.

"Timescape" - Swoozy Clancey is a nerdy nurse who has embarked on a journey of watching all of Star Trek: The Next Generation in order. Why not invite her onto Random Trek to talk about a random episode? Luckily for her, the fates were kind and picked a TNG episode: Timescape. Romulan and temporal anomalies, plus a dash of conference going make this an episode not to miss! Host Scott McNulty with Swoozy Clancey.

"Collective" - Glenn Fleishman, editor and publisher of The Magazine, host of The New Disruptors (which isn’t a podcast reviewing new Klingon and Romulan weaponry), and tweeter of 14 million tweets, joins Scott to talk about Voyager’s Collective (Spoiler: it features the Borg). This Voyager episode has it all: card playing, Borg babies, Harry Kim being totally lame, and 7 of 9 getting things done. Host Scott McNulty with Glenn Fleishman.

"Conspiracy" - Michael T. Rose, of TUAW, joins Scott to discuss the first season The Next Generation episode Conspiracy. Put on your tin foil hat and watch out for Trapper Keepers. Aliens have infiltrated the highest ranks of Starfleet Command and Riker is pretty ok with it. Will Picard join the clean plate club? Can Starfleet survive? Is Data is the last man standing? Why are all the elderly Admirals wearing pajamas? All these questions, and more, are discussed in this episode. Host Scott McNulty with Michael T. Rose.

"11:59" - Ged Maheux, of the Icon Factory and Gedblog, joins Scott to discuss Voyager’s “11:59”. Why does everyone in the Year 2000 drive cars from the 1970’s? Will they or won’t they? Do we care? Email everyone in a 100 mile radius because this episode of Voyager is perplexing. Host Scott McNulty with Gedeon Maheux.

"Errand of Mercy" - Erika Ensign, frequent Incomparable panelist and Hugo nominated (!) Verity Podcast member, classes up the joint with Scott to discuss the TOS episode Errand of Mercy). What’s the deal with the blue jumpsuited man Scott is obsessed with? How come every Klingon doesn’t get a sash? And is Captain Kirk a warrior, explorer, lover or all of the above? Host Scott McNulty with Erika Ensign.

"Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places" - Moisés Chiullan, Founder/Host of ESN.fm, joins Scott to talk about the very first Deep Space Nine episode on Random Trek: Looking for par’Mach in All the Wrong Places. Quark loves a Klingon. Worf loves the same Klingon. Oh, and Kira is carrying Miles O’Brien’s baby. Add a few massages and inappropriate remarks from Dr. Bashir and you’ve got yourself an episode of Deep Space Nine. Host Scott McNulty with Moisés Chiullan.