The Star Trek Academy Podcast

Rodney and Michael unpack Lower Decks S5xE8. At first it seems like just a fun episode, but the professors find that there are some solid themes and messages connecting the subplots.

This time it's Star Trek Lower Decks S5xE7, with the Away Team trapped down on the planet, giving us lots of character development, lessons about competition and communication, and about plagiarizing someone else's vibe.

This time we deconstruct the character development, symbolism, and meaning in Star Trek Lower Decks S5xE6, which is about angles, not angels no matter what your autocorrect tells you.

It's Star Trek Lower Decks S5xE5 this time, a lot of talk about the "second chances" theme, and character development, story arcs, and lessons learned.

This time it's Star Trek Lower Decks S5xE4, including the production design, themes, character development, story arcs, and lessons learned.

Here are our thoughts about Star Trek Lower Decks S5xE3, including the production design, themes, character development, story arcs, and the lessons to be learned about leadership.

We share our analysis of Star Trek Lower Decks S5 episodes 1 & 2, including the themes of authoritarianism, leadership, capitalism, self-determination, and discrimination based on meaningless differences.

We wrap up our coverage of Star Trek Prodigy season 2, considering episodes 15-20 and the season and series as a whole, including the production design and a lot of meaning and philosophy contained in the episodes.

Your hosts consider the middle episodes in Star Trek Prodigy season 2, episodes 8-14, including the production design and a lot of meaning and philosophy contained in the episodes.

Your hosts consider their first group of Star Trek Prodigy, season 2 episodes, including the production design and philosophy of the episodes.

Michael and Rodney consider the Star Trek Discovery series finale, "Life, Itself" including the production design and philosophy of the episode, the series as a whole, and what cones next for Star Trek.

The Academy faculty deconstruct part 1 of the Star Trek Discovery series finale, Lagrange Point, including strengths, things that might have been handled differently, and thoughts about the conclusion of the series next time.

Star Trek Discovery S5xE87, Labrynths, is a hard core character development episode. Ridney and Michael deconstruct new insights into Burnham's fears, as well as new understanding about Moll and Ruhn.

Join Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael for Star Trek Discovery S5xE7, Erigah, as the story balances "the needs of the many" with self-determination for Moll and puts us on course for a final clue in the Progenitor Tech quest.

Join us for Star Trek Discovery S5xE6, Whistlespeak, addressing spiritualism in a way Star Trek may never have done before. There is a lot of meaning to talk about in this episode.

We reflect on the Star Trek Discovery S5xE5 episode Mirrors, a strong character development episode supporting season-long themes of connections, change, and choices.

We examine the Star Trek Discovery S5xE4 time loop episode Face the Strange. We deconstruct the episode, including a lot of production details plus the messages and themes.

We examine Star Trek Discovery S5xE3, Jinall. This episode has a strong theme of Connections, which we examine from multiple directions.

Michael and Rodney examine the first two episodes of Star Trek Discovery's final season, including a lot of production details as well as the ethics and themes of the episodes.

The Academy professors finish their rewatch of Star Trek Discovery Season 2, including a lot of the discussion of the themes and ethics seen in the episodes, including how to make AI ethical.

The Academy professors rewatch Star Trek Discovery Season 2, episodes 8, 9, 10 & 11, including the implications of the story arc of the season using AI as the "Big Bad" antagonist and how that connects to today.

The Academy professors rewatch Star Trek Discovery Season 2, deconstructing episodes 4, 5, 6, & 7, focusing on the growing complexity of the story arc and new insights about the characters.

The Academy professors rewatch Star Trek Discovery Season 2, deconstructing episodes 1, 2 & 3, including production details, creative decisions, and portrayal of ethics.

The Academy professors wrap up their coverage of Star Trek Discovery Season 1, looking at the final two episodes and the overall messages of the season.

Our special series rewatching Star Trek Discovery, seasons 1 & 2 continues, looking at the four S1 episodes set in the Mirror Universe. We look at the production design as well as the philosophy and messages that are coming forward as the season nears its end.

Our special series of podcasts rewatching Star Trek Discovery, seasons 1 & 2 continues, looking at the episodes leading up to the S1 mid-season finale cliffhanger, considering the production design as well as the philosophy and messages of the episodes.

The Academy faculty begin a special series of podcasts rewatching Star Trek Discovery, seasons 1 & 2. This time, they look at the first four episodes, considering the production design as well as the philosophy and messages of the four episodes.

The Academy faculty talks Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE10, Old Friends, New Planets, including the important context between the Mariner and Locarno characters, and the take-away lessons of the season finale.

The Academy faculty deconstructs Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE9, The Inner Fight, including a lot of talk about what we learn about Mariner in this episode and a huge prediction about next week's season finale.

The Academy faculty deconstructs Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE8, Caves, including a lot of talk about the lessons about conspiracy theory, friendship, and storytelling in the episode.

The Academy faculty considers Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE7, A Few Badgeys More. Badgey, Peanut Hamper, and Agimus return for a story filled with messages about parenting and decision-making.

The Academy faculty considers Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE6, Parth Ferengi's Heart Place, featuring the return of Rom and Leeta as Ferenginar asks to join the Federation, and Mariner grappling with her chaotic lifestyle.

The Academy faculty considers Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE5, Empathological Fallacies, including T'Lyn's questioning whether she is "Vulcan enough" and...poetry slams.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks S4xE4, Something Borrowed, Something Green, including how the episode addresses feminism and Riverboats related to Star Trek nobody else is talking about.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 4, episode 3, In the Cradle of Vexilon, including production details and the messages of the episode about leadership.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 4 double-feature premiere, including the plots, production details, and their distinctive take on the two episodes, including a solid look at the philosophy and ethics.

Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct the story and the ethical dilemmas in Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE10, Hegemony, including how the massive cliffhanger may be resolved in season 3.

Professors Rodney and Michael explore the first-ever Star Trek musical episode, Strange New Worlds S2xE9, Subspace Rhapsody. They talk about the music as well as the deep character development in the story.

Professors Michael and Rodney do a deep dive into the ethics and philosophy in Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE8, Under the Cloak of War. The episode explores how war affects those who survive it, and the characters face multiple ethical dilemmas.

Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks crossover episode, "Those Old Scientists," going beyond the humor and Easter eggs to talk about the production design, character development, themes, and messages of the episode.

Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE6, "Lost in Translation." We look at the primary story, about an unusual alien encounter, but also at the complex character development of multiple characters.

Professors Rodney and Michael discuss Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE5, "Charades." It focuses on the complicated relationship between Spock and Chapel, addressing social and ethical issues, as aliens temporarily turn Spock completely human.

Professors Michael and Rodney reflect on Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE4, "Among the Lotus Eaters." It continues the story from the very first ever episode of Star Trek, and has intriguing messages about how memory and past painful experiences shape our lives.

Professors Rodney and Michael really liked the Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE3 episode "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" except for it throwing out 50 years of Star Trek continuity and moving the Eugenics Wars to a different century.

Professors Michael and Rodney analyze the Star Trek Strange New Worlds S2xE2 episode "Ad Astra per Aspera." This stand-out episode is filled with social commentary, strong acting, and beautiful visual design.

Professors Rodney and Michael analyze the Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 2 premiere, "The Broken Circle," including production details, storytelling, and ethics from their academic/faculty perspective.

Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct the Star Trek Picard series finale, "the Last Generation" including production details, storytelling, ethics, and thoughts about the series as a whole.

Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct Star Trek Picard season 3, episode 9, "VÕX," which is sure to be a long-term fan favorite because of [massive mega spoilers deleted].

Professors Michael and Rodney analyze Star Trek Picard season 3, episode 8, "Surrender," which has strong themes of family and connection.

Professors Rodney and Michael deconstruct Picard season 3, episode 7, "Dominion," which represents the end of the "second act" of the Picard series. In particular, they comment on the many questions of ethics in this Picard episode.

Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 6, The Bounty, including a LOT of familiar returning characters and ships, and comment on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.

Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 5, Imposters,  commenting on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.

Professors Rodney and Michael consider Picard season 3, episode 4, No Win Scenario,  commenting on the episode's story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages, plus thoughts about what is coming next.

Professors Michael and Rodney consider Picard season 3, episode 3, Seventeen Seconds,  commenting on the story, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.

Professors Rodney and Michael dive into Picard season 3, episode 2, Disengage,  including about the production, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.

Professors Michael and Rodney deconstruct the Picard season 3 premier,  including thoughts about the production, continuity, philosophy, ethics, and messages of each episode, plus some thoughts about what is coming up in the season.

The Academy faculty deconstruct the Prodigy season 1 finale and look ahead to season 2 with their distinctive take, including the messages and themes, production details, and the ethics and philosophy of the finale.

The Academy faculty deconstructs episodes 17 & 18 of Star Trek Prodigy Season 1 with their distinctive take, including the messages and themes, production details, and the ethics and philosophy displayed.

The Academy faculty considers episodes 14, 15 & 16 of Star Trek Prodigy Season 1, including the messages and themes, production details, and predictions for the rest of the season with their distinctive take.

The Academy faculty considers the 11th, 12th & 13th Star Trek Prodigy Season 1 episodes, including the messages and meanings, production details, and their distinctive take on the three episodes.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks  Season 3 finale, The Stars at Night, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their distinctive take on the episode.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks  Season 3 Episode 9, Trusted Sources, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their particular take on the episode.

The Academy faculty considers the Star Trek Lower Decks  Season 3 Episode 8, Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus. The episode pokes a lot of fun at movie making and sequels, but also has some deep philosophical messages.

The Academy faculty considers the "Mathematically Perfect Redemption" of the exocomp robot Peanut Hamper in Star Trek Lower Decks  Season 3 Episode 7.   It's an unusual episode, and we get below the surface to understand the meanings and messages.

The Academy faculty considers the return of the Star Trek franchise to Deep Space 9 in the Lower Decks Season 3 Episode 6, Hear All, Trust Nothing, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their overall take on the episode.

The Academy faculty consider Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 Episode 5, Reflections, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their particular take on the episode.

The Academy faculty consider Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 Episode 4, Room for Growth, including the messages and meanings of the story, production details, and their particular take on the episode.

The Academy faculty consider Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 Episode 3, Mining the Mind's Mine, including the messages, morals, and meanings of the story, production details, and some things probably no other Star Trek podcast is talking about.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael, consider Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 episode 2, The Least Deadly Game, including the messages, morals, and meanings of the story, and production details. 

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney consider the messages, morals, and meanings of the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 premiere, Grounded, including some things about this episode we haven't seen anywhere else.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael unpack the Star Trek Strange New Worlds season 1 finale A Quality of Mercy, which is a retelling of the classic Original Series episode Balance of Terror.

Dr. Michael deconstructs the penultimate episode of Strange New worlds, Season 1: All those Who Wander, including the story, production, themes and messages. (Dr. Rodney is on an Away Team mission and we expect him back next time).

Dr. Michael is joined by award-winning film writer, producer and director Dr. Michael White to explore The Elysian Kingdom, including the production design, themes, and storytelling of the episode (Dr. Rodney is on an Away Team mission and will be back next time).

Dr. Rodney is on a short sabbatical, so Dr. Michael explores the Star Trek Strange New Worlds episode The Serene Squall solo, including the plot, themes, ethics, and analysis of the storytelling (episode a little shorter than usual).

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney deep-dive into the Star Trek Strange New Worlds episode Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach, including the plot, themes, ethics, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael unpack the Star Trek Strange New Worlds episode Spock Amok, including the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney unpack the Star Trek Strange New Worlds episode Memento Mori, including the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Strange New Worlds episode Ghosts of Illyria, including the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney deconstruct the Star Trek Strange New Worlds episode Children of the Comet, including the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.  

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Picard season 2 finale, "Farewell" and the season as a whole with emphasis on the philosophy, themes, and messages of the story.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Strange New Worlds series premiere, including the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Picard episode "Hide and Seek" including a lot of talk about the Borg, plus the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney deconstruct the Star Trek Picard episode "Mercy" including the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Picard episode "Monsters" including the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney unpack the Star Trek Picard episode "Two of One" including the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

Note: The promotion in advance of the episode release sometimes named this episode "Two for one" instead of "Two of One."  Looking back, we use both in this podcast.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and unpack and Dr. Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Picard episode "Fly Me to the Moon" including the intersection with past NASA events and Star Trek stories, the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney unpack and deconstruct the Star Trek Picard episode "Watcher" including almost endless references to past Star Trek, plus the plot, character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael consider the season finale episode of Star Trek Discovery, "Going Home" including the character development, themes, and storytelling of the episode and the season.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and  Dr. Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Picard episode "Assimilation" including the plot, plus the character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael consider the Star Trek Discovery episode "The Ten-C" including the character development, themes, and storytelling of the episode, plus the highly creative portrayal of using Math for communication.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney consider the Star Trek Picard episode "Penance" including the character development, themes, and analysis of the storytelling that reveals more about the story arc of the season.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael consider the Star Trek Discovery episode "Rosetta" including the character development, themes, and storytelling of the episode which lays the final groundwork for the season finale.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael consider the Star Trek Picard episode "The Star Gazer" including the character development, themes, and storytelling of the episode which lays the groundwork for the new season.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney consider the Star Trek Discovery episode "The Galactic Barrier" including the character development, messages, and science behind the story.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael deconstruct the Star Trek Discovery episode "Rubicon" which has some great morals to the story, but lots of plot devices.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney deconstruct the Star Trek Discovery episode "All In" in which Captain Michael Burnham faces a threat to her ethics and happiness.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael deconstruct episode 10 of Star Trek Prodigy, A Moral Star, Pt 2, diving deep to consider the messages and the behind-the-scenes decisions of the production staff.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Michael deconstruct episode 9 of Star Trek Prodigy, A Moral Star, Pt 1, diving deep to consider the messages and the behind-the-scenes decisions of the production staff.

The Academy faculty, Dr. Michael and Dr. Rodney deconstruct episode 8 of Star Trek Prodigy, Time Amok, going beyond Easter Eggs to consider the messages and the behind-the-scenes decisions by the production staff.