Ceti Alpha 3: A Star Trek Podcast
344 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 33 ratingsDarren, Daniel, and Phillip are marooned on Ceti Alpha 3 with only their expansive knowledge of Star Trek, and a sense of humor, to keep them alive. Join the trio as they discuss 50 years of Trek TV series and feature films.
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Episodes
193 - Do Not Approach Earth
November 06, 2020 23:40 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBCaptains of Diplomacy | DSC S03 EP03 The U.S.S. Discovery arrives home ... kind of. Future Earth gives the crew a rude welcome, a decision must be made about the captain's chair, and the show gets a new crewman. This episode also serves as an opportunity to examine other Starfleet captain's diplomatic skills. From Archer to Kirk, Picard to Janeway, Sisko to Saru -- what opportunities have these leaders have to show what abilities they have? Let us know which captain has the highest "diplomat...
192 - Meeting the Future
October 31, 2020 11:50 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBEpisode Review | DSC S03 Ep 02 Discovery is back! The ship and non-Michael crew, that is. It's time to see how they've survived the 950 year trip into the future. The trio looks at Saru's leadership skills, how much of this episode is a "space western," and try to predict what is to come for rebuilding the Federation.
191 - Ithyk and Ithor Imporium
October 23, 2020 05:52 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBWhat is the Federation? | DSC S03 Ep 01. Michael Burnham falls back into our lives as “Star Trek: Discovery” begins its third season ... and it’s into an unknown future. The trio review “That Hope Is You, Part 1” and then look into the question that the episode poses - what is the Federation? What could topple it? What could save it? Let us know what you think about the feasibility of the United Federation of Planets surviving for centuries.
190 - The Riker Maneuver
October 15, 2020 06:30 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MB"No Small Parts" - Star Trek: Lower Decks The first season of Trek's second animated series comes to an end - and there is a lot jammed into it! The episode begins with an unexpectedly serious turn of events and soon the ensigns of the U.S.S. Cerritos are facing some life-changing events. What did you think of this season finale, and now that one season is in the bag, what do we think about "Lower Decks" overall?
189 - Lower Decks the Movie
October 09, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBCrisis Point - It's movie time! Grab the popcorn and soda (in the safety of your living room) and join the trio as they talk about the newest entry into the Star Trek feature film pantheon, thanks to Beckett Mariner. There are lots of gags and references to Trek films, both recent and older, that help bring this episode to life. Most of the characters have a moment to reveal a little more of themselves - and the surprise ending sets up the next episode, the season one finale. Let us know your...
188 - Veritas
October 04, 2020 22:20 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MB"Star Trek: Lower Decks" - Veritas The trio is joined by Aaron Harvey of the podcast "Infinite Trek" to talk about an episode that balances individual storylines for our four animated characters. In this homage to "Star Trek VI," what does the perspectives tell us about the four ensigns and how does a hidden balloon explain everything? Let us know your favorite moment.
187 - Different Pairings
September 25, 2020 16:11 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MB“Much Ado About Boimler.” The first season of “Lower Decks” is almost over ... and is their potentially some character development afoot? The trio is joined by Sue from the Roddenberry podcast “Women at Warp” to look at Mariner battling alongside an Academy friend - what has Beckett lost by clinging to her single pip with a death grip and not pursuing that captain rank? We also take a trip to The Farm with Boimler and Dog. What references did we miss? And how could more Rutherford be added to...
186 - Can I Teach You a Lesson?
September 17, 2020 14:54 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MB"Lower Decks" - Terminal Provocations It's "danger in the Holodeck" time - so the trio is joined by Jessica from "Time & Space: A Doctor Who Podcast" to tackle Badge-y and a maniac new-to-use ensign. From the "Chu Chu" dance to learning how to stay diplomatic with aliens, this latest episode from "Lower Decks" throws a lot at the audience. What were your favorite moments?
185 - The T88 Conspiracy
September 10, 2020 07:40 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBLower Decks - "Cupid's Errant Arrow" Love is in the ventilation system - and Mariner's suspicions about Boimler's girlfriend lead to (predictable?) hijinks, whilst Rutherford and Tendi look at the grass being greener on another starship. The trio is joined by Sabriel of the "Transporter Lock" podcast to talk about the latest shenanigans onboard the starship Cerritos. As the series reaches its season one midpoint, has the tone been established? What do we think of the characters? And what wou...
184 - Genesis in a Bottle
September 03, 2020 06:28 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBMoist Vessel. The animated Cerritos engages in its first sister-ship mission that involves a promoted Mariner, a spastic Tendi, and an almost non-existent Rutherford (boo!). The trio is joined by Char to see how the characters are (or are not) moving along, our favorite jokes, and how we could “punch it” with some of the storylines.
183 - Not a Time Travel Episode
August 27, 2020 07:35 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBLower Decks Review - "Temporal Edict" "Star Trek: Lower Decks" gets comfortable this week with its usual A and B "Ship Story" and "Planet Story." The former finds the lower decks "buffer time" policy going awry, whilst the Cerritos' first officer and Ensign Mariner tangle with conflicting ideas about protecting the crew. Grace, co-host of the "Women At Warp" podcast joins the trio to look at the jokes, characters, and all things animated in this third episode of the newest Trek series. What ...
182 - Smorgasborg
August 21, 2020 06:28 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBEnvoys. There's a history of new Star Trek series hitting a bump in their second episode. Once all the characters have been introduced in the first episode, we know have to let them journey on their own. Does "Star Trek: Lower Decks" succeed in its second outing? The trio is joined by Robyn of the podcast network "Black Girls Create" to talk about the continuing adventures of the U.S.S. Cerritos ensigns. We explore the ship's various departments as Rutherford keeps changing uniforms, and we g...
181 - Second Contact
August 13, 2020 07:55 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBStar Trek: Lower Decks, S01E01 Welcome to the newest Star Trek series! It's time to shuttle aboard the California-class U.S.S. Cerritos and meet the ... ensigns. The trio is joined by Trek podcast veteran Drew Stewart to look at these new characters, the tone and pacing of the show, and what our favorite jokes were. What did we like? What did we love? And what are we looking forward to improving in the next nine episodes of season one? Let us know your stand-out moments from this first episo...
180 - Animal Matrix
August 07, 2020 18:35 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBAn Animated Series Sample. “Star Trek: Lower Decks” becomes the second animated series in the Trek franchise. So let’s look at the first! “Star Trek” The Animated Series lasted two seasons (or a season and half...). The trio share their reflections on the last two episodes of TAS, “How Sharper Than a Serpant’s Tooth” and “The Counter-Clock Incident.” How did this ‘70s cartoon set the stage for 2020’s Trek cartoon?
179 - Repair Station of Death
July 31, 2020 07:20 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBFavorite Secondary Ship As we begin adding new series to the Star Trek franchise, the trio does a round-robin pick of their favorite ships in each series ... that's not the "main ship." Darren, Daniel, and Phillip look at every series, from the Original Series to Picard, and pick a ship that stands out to them. Whether it be Romulan, Klingon, or Starfleet, they look at the vessels that brought something new to the franchise. Let us know if we picked your favorites or if you have a different...
178 - The 9677 Day Pilot
July 24, 2020 22:30 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBEpisode in Focus: “Lower Decks.” The concept of a “lower decks” episode or series in Star Trek began in the last season of Next Generation. The trio look at the story that began it all - four young ensigns on the Enterprise-D trying to get that extra pip. This unique perspective helps shed new light about life onboard a starship. What’s your favorite moment?
177 - Make Pon Farr, Not War
July 10, 2020 05:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBPon Farr Let's talk about sex ... Vulcan sex, that is. The concept of the seven-year mating cycle was introduced in The Original Series episodes "Amok Time." Spock, however, is not the only Vulcan character in the Trek franchise, so it was inevitable that this taboo topic would be touched on in subsequent series. The trio looks at two incidents - Subcommander T'Pol in the Enterprise episode "Bounty" and Ensign Vorik & B'Elanna Torres in the Voyager episode "Blood Fever." What new information...
176 - One Long Unbroken Sentence
July 05, 2020 21:05 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MBThe funniest episode in the franchise. Star Trek is most known as a morality play/drama series with action/adventure and sci-if. But not many people would describe Trek as a comedy. Nevertheless, there are a notable number of episodes that go for full-blown humor. Phillip recently tweeted a question about the funniest episodes and fans responded with their picks. The trio goes thru the list - which is the funniest episode of Trek?
175 - Present Tense
June 20, 2020 05:41 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBThis month, as well as this year, has been a turbulent but significant moment of the 21st Century. We don’t know how it will affect our future. In the third season of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” the writers imagined how a significant moment in the 2020s could lead to the creation of Starfleet and the Federation. The trio look at Sisko, Bashir, and Dax’s unplanned adventure in 2024 in the two-parter “Past Tense.” How did Ben and Julian’s experience in the so-called sanctity district contrast...
174 - In the Mudd
June 13, 2020 16:18 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBIn Focus: Harcourt Fenton Mudd There are a special few characters who have made multiple appearances across the Star Trek franchise. Harry Mudd, con artist, has appeared in three various series, as well as being name-checked in "Star Trek into Darkness." How has the character evolved? Is he consistent? Is he villain or lovable rogue? The trio look at Mudd in the original series of "Star Trek," the animated series, and "Star Trek: Discovery" (including a Short Trek!).
173 - Go Go Star Trek Rangers
June 07, 2020 05:14 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBA new Star Trek series will join the franchise! As fans celebrate the announcement of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” the trio reflect on another series being set around The Original Series era. Eric Berry of the podcasts “Ranger Command Power Hour” and “The StarFleet Escape Podcast” joins to compare how the Power Ranger franchise gravitates to the original “Mighty Morphin’” era with how Trek keeps returning to its Kirk/Spock-time origins. Is the TOS-era filled with unexplored facets? Do the...
172 - Redacted
May 29, 2020 19:42 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBFor Star Trek fans, the franchise is about science, optimism, and a future to strive for. But there are antagonistic elements that show a darker path for humanity in the 22nd century and beyond. Section 31 was introduced in DS9 as a faction of Starfleet that put security first, and all other considerations second. Other series probed further into this secretive organization, as well as feature films. The trio each choose an episode or movie that features Section 31 - what is their history? Wh...
171 - BridgeMates 2020
May 15, 2020 06:50 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBBridgeMates When Star Trek fans are stuck in quarantine, what better time than to play the only podcast Star Trek game show hosted by Phillip - BridgeMates! Darren and Daniel face off against fellow podcasters from The Nerd Party, Tristan and Char. However, will these two teams survive a challenge from the Roddenberry Network's "Women at Warp" team of Sue and Jarrah? It's Trek trivia mixed in with some 1970s "Newlyweds" questions - and which team will face the dreaded "Netflix summaries" Bo...
170 - Bath Tub Fan Fic
May 08, 2020 07:50 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBQuarantine Episodes With the world keeping safe from COVID-19, what guidance does "Star Trek" offer about dealing with potentially deadly illnesses? The trio tackles two episodes from the franchise: "For the World Is Hollow And I Have Touched the Sky" focuses on Dr. McCoy contracting a terminal illness and "Resolutions" leaves Captain Janeway and Lt. Cmdr. Chakotay quarantined on an unexplored planet. How did these characters treat these life changes? What does that tell us about today? L...
169 - We Have Engaged The Borg
April 25, 2020 00:22 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MBSpace Battles. When comparing science fiction franchises, there are many movies and series that concentrate more on special effects, specifically space battles. However, the Star Trek franchise does not shy away from ships trading phaser blasts or torpedo volleys. The trio look at the memorable space battles of Starfleet and beyond. Which series did it the best? Which movies contain the best ship choreography? Let us know your favorite Trek space fight.
168 - Choose to Like
April 17, 2020 13:29 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBStar Trek: Picard Season One Round-Up There's no new Star Trek for now, so let's talk about "old" Trek! "Star Trek: Picard" has concluded its inaugural season - what did it all mean? Daniel, Darren, and Phillip look at their favorite moments, their not-so-favorite moments, and what this all means for season two. What do you think is the most memorable aspect that "Picard" brought to the "Star Trek" franchise?
167 - We'll Always Have Picard
April 10, 2020 06:43 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MB“Star Trek: Picard” Season Two TNG Pitches. Season one of “Picard” has ended, which means it’s time to start speculating about season two! The trio does a round-robin selection of episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” that would serve as future stories. What episode would help explore Jean-Luc’s synthetic nature? How would Seven deal with planet Picard has visited before? What TNG “sequel” would you like to see on “Picard”?
166 - Captain Copy Paste
April 05, 2020 15:50 - 1 hour - 75 MB"Et in Arcadia Ego" Part 2 Review. All good storylines must come to an end. "Star Trek: Picard" ends its first season with a variety of characters coming together (or meeting their end...). Is the end fulfilling? Does it tease elements for the second season? What would we say the overall theme of the series has been? The trio figures out what it all means. What was your favorite part of "Picard" season one?
165 - Android Kryponite Bird Broach
March 27, 2020 16:52 - 1 hour - 60.3 MB"Et in Arcadia Ego" Part 1 Review. The end has arrived for the first season of "Star Trek: Picard." Jean-Luc and his crew, both new and old, face the grand drama of the Zhat Vash fleet on its way, the "synths" home planet, and what more is to be revealed. As the final pieces fall into place, the trio look at the journey of eight episodes to get here, what the pay-offs have been, how the plot has complicated, and what will come in the final episode.
164 - Lunch in the Quad
March 19, 2020 07:55 - 1 hour - 55.5 MB"Broken Pieces" You want answers? You want the truth? You can't handle the truth ... about the synth's attack on Mars and what motivates the Zhat Vash. "Star Trek: Picard" sets up its final journey of the first season with characters setting a final course for what's to be a memorable season finale (with two episodes to go). What questions do you still have remaining for this season?
163 - Red Alert Shields Up
March 12, 2020 06:31 - 1 hour - 59.8 MB“Nepenthe” Review. The trio gather around the ready room table, er, dining room table for some pizza, Data memories, and the joy of visiting the Troi-Riker’s in the latest episode of “Star Trek: Picard.” We jump along three storylines but ultimately find ourselves home with Will, Deanna, and Kestra, as Picard and Soji take a moment to refocus their paths. What was your favorite moment?
162 - Do Not Collect 200 Memories
March 06, 2020 11:48 - 1 hour - 64.2 MB"The Impossible Box" Review It's all starting to come together for season one of "Star Trek: Picard" ... we think? Jean-Luc and the La Sirena crew arrive at the Borg cube, ending the search for Soji. But can Hugh lead Picard and the synthetic to safety? And what about the Romulan plot - the ploy to find the origins of the Maddox synths? There are a lot of emotional beats in this story - what's your favorite part?
161 - The Measure of a Maddox
February 28, 2020 04:57 - 1 hour - 55.2 MB“Stardust City Rag” Review. Put that extra umbrella in your drink and join the trio as they beam down to Freecloud for episode 5 of “Star Trek: Picard.” This Seven of Nine-based episode runs the gambit of horror, revenge, and lost friends (lovers?). What do you think of Seven’s story? Did you appreciate the look into Raffi’s family life? Let us know!
160 - And You Have My Sword
February 23, 2020 21:11 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MB"Absolute Candor" Review In the spirit of the latest episode of "Star Trek: Picard," there are is excitement of the arrival of a Trek favorite at the end, appreciate for the new chateau-ready room, and an interesting use of Picard staging a sit-in. Also, this RPG group picks up their warrior-class character to complete their party! The trio explore what this episode means for the rest of the "Picard" story and what is to come. What was your favorite moment from the episode?
159 - New Threads
February 14, 2020 23:48 - 1 hour - 65.3 MB"The End is the Beginning" Review. There are some who are calling the first three episodes of "Star Trek: Picard" the actual pilot of the series. If so, this third installment finally gets former Admiral Picard into space. on a ship, with his chosen crew -- "Engage!" The trio look at the Picard and Borg site storylines that are, for the moment, separate. What more will we learn in future flashbacks to the time of Admiral Picard and Commander Raffi? How many holograms can there be on a ship? W...
158 - CSI: Momulan
February 12, 2020 02:12 - 1 hour - 56.9 MB"Maps and Legends" Review It's all shaping up as the "Star Trek: Picard" continues to introduce us to the world of the 25th Century. The trio is joined by Sarah Gulde, of the new Trek fanzine Star Trek Quarterly (www.facebook.com/startrekquarterly) to talk about Romulan caretakers, admiral, bad-mmodores, and the fraternization policies of Borg cubes. What questions are you waiting to be answered this season?
157 - Phillip and Dillip
January 30, 2020 05:53 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBAll Good Things ... Begin. “Remembrance” Review. A new series enters the Star Trek franchise with the debut of “Star Trek: Picard.” This first series set at the dawn of the 25th Century introduces new characters, new challenges, and what as changed since we last saw Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: Nemesis.” The trio take the first episode of “Picard” step-by-step, as they explore the mysteries that are introduced, the familiar characters and props we see, and what comes next in this new jour...
156 - Star Trek: Janeway
January 24, 2020 08:20 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBStar Trek: Voyager at 25 "Star Trek: Picard" is the newest entry into the Trek franchise in 2020 - and this year also marks the 25th anniversary of "Star Trek: Voyager." The seven year saga arrived on the air waves on January 16, 1995 and introduced us to characters that we would long remember. The trio talks about their favorite characters, episodes, and moments that would ensure "Voyager" would remain a permanent part of the Trek legacy. As Seven continues her journey on "Picard," what oth...
155 - President Archer
January 17, 2020 04:27 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MB“Star Trek: Captains” Story Pitches. As we eagerly await the premiere of “Star Trek: Picard,” the trio imagine similar TV series starring the other captains of the Star Trek franchise. What would “Star Trek: Sisko” look like, as the Emissary of the Prophets travels across time and space? What would Kirk be up to if a series was set after his “death” in the film “Generations”? Join us in this journey of TV series never-to-be and let us know your favorites.
154 - Promenade Playset
January 10, 2020 08:40 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBThe Star Trek Toys That Weren't With the beginning of 2020, the Star Trek franchise is exploding and will no doubt expand their merchandise in the coming year. But what about the Playmates line and all the toys that weren't made? The trio brainstorm what a Founder's Planet playset would be like, a floor mat Discovery bridge layout, and why would be happy with a simple Next Gen quarters for our existing toys. Let us know your idea for the toys that never were.
153 - The Year That Was
January 03, 2020 07:14 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBTrek 2020/Bynars. We all know that 2020 begins a new era for the Star Trek franchise. We will see the debut of new Trek series ("Star Trek: Picard" and "Star Trek: Lower Decks") and the continuation of "Star Trek: Discovery." The trio discuss what they are looking forward to the most and what questions they have. They also examine what little is known of the Bynar species, as introduced in the TNG episode "11001001." As Daniel asks, "Do they make sense?" Let us know any of your New Trek Resol...
152 - Oh-Bear-Shen-Wha
December 27, 2019 08:25 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MBRené Auberjonois (1940-2019) Star Trek, and the world, lost a good man with the passing of Deep Space Nine's Odo, René Auberjonois. The trio talk about the characters René portrayed and how they evolved and, ahem, changed shape over the years. Let us know your favorite Odo moment.
151 - D.C. Fontana
December 20, 2019 08:00 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBIn Remembrance: D.C. Fontana One of Star Trek's brightest stars, Dorothy Catherine Fontana (1939-2019), left a lasting legacy for the franchise. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip pick their top D.C.-penned episodes of Trek and how they moved the series forward. From TOS to TAS to TNG and more, Fontana's left an imprint on Star Trek that will guide future generation of writers and showrunners.
150 - Magnito's Headband
December 06, 2019 05:00 - 57 minutes - 53 MBBetazed Society. Star Trek: The Next Generation first introduced the telepathic alien race of Betazeds - and we never got much more from them. Certainly the Trois showed up in other Trek series, and an occasional Betazed character would pop up elsewhere. But viewers never learned all that much about the planet, its people, and the society. Daniel, Phillip, and Darren examine what a telepathic species would be like in the 24th century and how often one really has to be naked. What’s your favor...
149 - Never Give Up
November 29, 2019 20:53 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBGalaxy Quest "The Best Star Trek Movie!" Whether you agree with that assessment about the 1999 film "Galaxy Quest," there's no denying its deep ties to the Star Trek franchise. Phillip, Darren, and Daniel look at how this movie made fun of Trek while also showing a deep appreciation to the fandom, before that was "cool." What are your favorite "Quest" lines?
148 - National Phaser Association
November 22, 2019 05:06 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBTrek Tech Economic Destruction. Fans often speculate about the nature of the 24th century economy and society - but what would happen today? The trio looks at the various bits of Trek technology and how it would affect society if it was introduced today. How would phasers change things? Would transporters make cars obsolete? Would there be a gaming industry if we had Holodecks? Let us know what you think!
147 - Does Data Dream of Electronic Sheep
November 02, 2019 03:46 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBRequiem for Data. The death of Data in Star Trek: Nemesis remains controversial. Some see it as a logical end to his story. Others see it as a random checklist event that leaves a bitter after taste. No matter your opinion, fans know that Brent Spiner and his android character will be returning to the franchise in Star Trek: Picard. What form will it take? What has happened in the intervening years? Do we all acknowledge B4? Join the discussion as we dive into the legacy of Data’s death.
146 - The Trouble with Trivia
October 25, 2019 04:50 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBTrivia and Random Rankings The trio take a break from hard-hitting, Star Trek analysis for a session of Trek trivia and random rankings. Phillip plays host as Darren and Daniel attempt to answer a slew of questions covering the Star Trek franchise. They also take turns ranking their top four in a variety of off-the-wall categories like Top Four Crew Quarters and Top Four Opening Title Sequences. Join the fun, let us know your rankings, and if you answered all the trivia questions correctly.
145 - Spacesonian
October 19, 2019 22:46 - 1 hour - 56 MBThe Future of the Enterprise-E. Jean-Luc Picard will return to the small screen in 2020, and fans will get answers to a lot of “What happened to...?” questions. One of those questions is, What happened to the Enterprise-E? Is it still in service? Who’s in command? Was it destroyed? Decommissioned? The trio look at the possibilities and what it could mean to the Star Trek Universe. They also review the latest Short Trek, “The Trouble with Edward.” Let us know if you want to see the Enterprise-...
144 - Q&A on Q&A
October 13, 2019 02:54 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBStar Trek Universe Updates It's been a busy fall for the Star Trek franchise! More details have come out about the beginning of "Star Trek: Picard" and season three of "Star Trek: Discovery." The second season of Short Treks has begun, with the initial release of "Q&A," a Spock/Number One vignette set aboard Captain Pike's Enterprise. The trio reacts to all these recent developments and what the future holds for Star Trek in 2020.