Random Trek
262 episodes - English - Latest episode: 27 days ago - ★★★★★ - 147 ratingsScott McNulty discusses a randomly selected episode of “Star Trek” — all series, all seasons — with a non-random guest.
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Episodes
162: "Defiant" (DS9) with Aleen Simms
September 29, 2017 20:29 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBAleen Simms, podcaster and App Launcher, joins Scott to discuss DS9’s “ Defiant” (S3E09). Topics include how pretty William T. Riker is, why Kira needs to solve everyone’s problems, and Scott’s continual failure to pronounce names correctly. Be sure to check out the Star Trek: Discovery Flashcast.
161: "The Collaborator" (DS9) with Glenn Fleishman
September 08, 2017 18:50 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBGlenn Fleishman, the original Unsolicited Pundit, joins Scott to discuss DS9’s “The Collaborator” (S2E24). Topics include how awesome DS9 is, why all Bajorans seem to vote for the Kai, and Vedek Winn’s hat.
160: "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy" (VOY) with Helene Wecker
August 31, 2017 22:19 - 43 minutes - 30 MBHelene Wecker, author of “The Golem and the Jinni”, joins Scott to discuss VOY’s “Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy” (S6E4). Topics include the reasons not to project someone’s fantasies in the holodeck, Harry Kim being the worst, and dramatically appearing pips.
159: "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" (TOS) with John Moltz
August 18, 2017 03:35 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBJohn Moltz, freelance writer and podcaster (tech here, parenting here), joins Scott to discuss TOS’s “What Are Little Girls Made Of?” (S1E9). Topics include strange rock formations, why you should never trust anyone who claims to own an android, and Capt. Kirk’s magic kisses.
158: "The Most Toys" (TNG) with Kathy Campbell
August 11, 2017 00:25 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBKathy Campbell, Unicorn, joins Scott to discuss TNG’s “The Most Toys” (S3E22). Topics include Scott’s amazing ability to remember the names of Star Trek series, the lack of any Data nudity in this episode, and shooting at poisoned water.
157: "A Matter of Honor" (TNG) with Don Melton
July 21, 2017 02:01 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBDon Melton, Incomparable panelist and guy enjoying retirement, joins Scott to discuss TNG’s “A Matter of Honor” (S2E8). Klingons do the wackiest things! And have poorly constructed ships. Also, Riker just likes doing things first.
156: "Q Who?" (TNG) with Jason Kottke
July 14, 2017 12:55 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBJason Kottke, purveyor of Fine Hypertext Products, joins Scott to discuss TNG’s “Q Who” (S2E16). Another Q episode! Topics include Sonya Gomez, Guinan’s super powers, and if the Borg are truly happy.
155: "Q-Less" (DS9) with Angelica Jade Bastién
July 07, 2017 03:17 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBAngelica Bastién, essayist and writer, joins Scott to discuss DS9’s “Q-Less” (S1E7). Topics include how the Klingons have had enough time in the limelight, Ezri Dax (not appearing this in episode), and how terrible Wesley Crusher is (who also doesn’t appear in this episode). Fair warning, this episode of Random Trek features some red alerts. You’ve been warned.
154: "The Lights of Zetar" (TOS) with Clint Ecker
June 30, 2017 03:26 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBClint Ecker, programmer and snazzy dresser, joins Scott to discuss TOS’s “The Lights of Zetar” (S3E18). Topics include sexism IN SPACE, Scotty’s loneliness, and Shari Lewis.
153: "Where No One Has Gone Before" (TNG) with Katie Mack
June 23, 2017 04:17 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBKatie Mack, astrophysicist, joins Scott to discuss TNG’s “Where No One Has Gone Before” (S1E6). Topics include Wesley’s sweaters, the secrets of the universe (and why you shouldn’t email your theories to Katie), and jerky engineers with no ranks or communicators.
152: "Trials and Tribble-ations" (DS9) with Jean MacDonald
June 16, 2017 03:01 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBJean MacDonald, community manager at Micro.blog and founder of AppCamp4Girls, joins Scott to discuss DS9’s “Trials Tribble-ations” (S5E6). Topics include how great this episode is, Scott’s favorite parts, and if this is a good episode to introduce Deep Space Nine to your non-Star Trek interested friends.
151: "Assignment: Earth" (TOS) with Melissa Bright
June 09, 2017 12:58 - 49 minutes - 34.4 MBMelissa Bright, Star Trek fan and cat enthusiast, joins Scott to discuss TOS’s “Assignment: Earth” (S2E26). Topics include comic books, cats, the liberal usage of rocket footage, and blasé time travel.
150: "Counterpoint" (VOY) with Mikah Sargent
June 01, 2017 23:26 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBMikah Sargent, podcaster extraordinaire, joins Scott to discuss VOY’s “Counterpoint” (S5E10). Topics include the many talents of Capt. Janeway, how you can’t trust charming men, and what the heck happened to Tuvok anyway?
149: "Fair Haven" (VOY) with Dan Moren
May 26, 2017 00:39 - 41 minutes - 30.5 MBDan Moren, promising young novelist, joins Scott to discuss VOY’s “Fair Haven” (S6E11) Topics include Dan’s first novel (“The Caledonian Gambit,” which you should buy), how Irish caricatures are offensive (Top o’ the morning to ya!), and the questionable choice of the Doctor to perform religious ceremonies.
148: "Critical Care" (VOY) with Jason Snell
May 19, 2017 03:20 - 43 minutes - 31.8 MBJason Snell, head honcho of the Incomparable network, joins Scott to discuss VOY’s “Critical Care” (S7E5). Topics include the fact that neither Jason nor Scott had seen this episode before, healthcare, if the Doctor is a robot (or not), and Tuvok’s poor job performance.
147: "The Royale" (TNG) with David J. Loehr
May 12, 2017 03:55 - 39 minutes - 29.3 MBDavid J. Loehr, playwright about The Incomparable network joins Scott to discuss TNG’s “The Royale” (S2E12) Topics include the many ways this episode could have been better, the large number of, “hey, it is that guy” actors in this show, and the NASA logo.
146: "Treachery, Faith and the Great River" (DS9) with Monty Ashley
May 05, 2017 04:20 - 38 minutes - 28.4 MBMonty Ashley, man about The Incomparable network joins Scott to discuss DS9’s “Treachery, Faith and the Great River” (S7E6) Topics include Odo’s face and fingers, Nog’s work ethic, and the dreamy Colin Firth.
145: "Eye of the Needle" (VOY) with Ron Bronson
April 21, 2017 03:42 - 37 minutes - 27.8 MBRon Bronson, strategic designer, joins Scott to discuss VOY’s “Eye of the Needle” (S1E7). Topics include Finnish baseball, DS9, and the narrow wormhole problems we encounter in everyday life.
144: "Take Me Out to the Holosuite" (DS9) with Guy English
April 14, 2017 00:39 - 46 minutes - 33.4 MBGuy English, frequent guest on the show, joins Scott to discuss DS9’s “Take Me Out to the Holosuite” (S7E4). Topics include baseball (so much baseball!), Vulcan racists, and the United Federation of Planets anthem.
143: "Hatchery" (ENT) with Aaron Reynolds
April 07, 2017 01:02 - 42 minutes - 30.9 MBAaron Reynolds, the man behind Swear Trek and Bat Labels, joins Scott to discuss ENT’s “Hatchery” (S3E17). Topics include Star Trek movies, the Xindi, and the best Enterprise characters.
142: "Marauders" (ENT) with Kelly Guimont
March 31, 2017 01:04 - 43 minutesKelly Guimont, writer, AppCamp4Girls cheerleader, and Incomparable panelist joins Scott to discuss ENT’s “Marauders” (S2E6). Topics include what to wear while on an away team, bumbling Klingons, and Vulcan ninjas.
141: "If Wishes Were Horses" (DS9) with Andi
March 24, 2017 02:32 - 46 minutes - 33.4 MBAndi from Women at Warp joins Scott to discuss DS9’s “If Wishes Were Horses” (S1E16). Topics include sex kitten Dax, why bad Trek is still fun trek, and the future of baseball.
140: "The Omega Directive" (VOY) with Mikayla Micomonaco
March 17, 2017 04:14 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBMikayla Micomonaco, co-host of The Web of Queer, joins Scott to discuss Voyager’s “The Omega Directive” (S4E21). Topics include Starfleet’s continuing, and shocking, lack of security, Janeway’s management style, and poor old Harry Kim.
139: "Maneuvers" (VOY) with Lisa Granshaw
March 10, 2017 01:41 - 42 minutes - 31.2 MBLisa Granshaw, freelance writer, joins Scott to discuss Voyager’s “Maneuvers” (S2E11). Topics include favorite captains (sorry, Archer), least favorite characters (I’m looking at you, Harry Kim), and Seska: awesome or not?
138: "Imperfection" (VOY) with L.M. Myles
March 03, 2017 03:28 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBL.M. Myles writer, podcaster, and Dr. Who fan, joins Scott to discuss Voyager’s “Imperfection” (S7E2). Topics include Romulans (who don’t appear in the episode), Klingons (who also do not appear in the episode), and strong woman characters (which do appear in this episode). Here’s a link to Liz’s very impressive win of our Star Trek trivia game.
137: "Civil Defense" (DS9) with Jess Fink
February 24, 2017 05:19 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBJess Fink, illustrator and comic maker, joins Scott to discuss DS9’s Civil Defense (S3E7). Topics covered include the distinct lack of making out on Star Trek, Gul Dukat’s appeal (of course), Bashir and Garak’s lunches. Just a note that this episode features some adult language and topics. Plus making out.
136: "Power Play" (TNG) with Anne Zander
February 17, 2017 03:12 - 42 minutes - 30.7 MBAnne Zander, actor, writer, and improviser, joins Scott to talk about TNG’s Power Play (S5E15). On this episode we talk about how creepy it is for familiar characters to act very differently, we question Riker’s leg placement, a doorbell rings, and glittery convicts gather in a cylinder.
135: "Transfigurations" (TNG) with Len Webb
February 10, 2017 14:21 - 43 minutes - 30 MBLen Weeb, creator and producer of the Black Tribbles, joins Scott to talk about TNG’s Transfigurations (S3E25). Geordi talks a woman, O’Brien kayaks, and another energy blob leaves the ship. Special thanks to Radio Theater’s David J. Loehr for the use of his silky smooth radio guy voice.
134: "A Man Alone" (DS9) with Kennedy Allen
February 03, 2017 04:21 - 44 minutes - 31.8 MBKennedy Allen, producer of the Black Tribbles, joins Scott to talk about DS9’s A Man Alone (S1E4). We talk Voyager, going to Mars, and clone killing.
133: "Faces" (VOY) with Duncan Barrett
January 27, 2017 04:06 - 45 minutes - 32.9 MBDuncan Barrett, author and actor, joins Scott to talk about VOY’s Faces (S1E14). An early episode of Voyager means the bad guys are the Vidiians. Body horror, coming to grips with what makes you you, and that poor red shirt are all discussed
132: "Emergence" (TNG) with Sue Kaye
January 20, 2017 04:25 - 44 minutes - 32 MBSue Kaye, co-host of Women at Warp and Anomaly Supplemental, joins Scott to talk about TNG’s Emergence (S7E23). One of the final episodes of TNG and it is a holodeck episode! Really? Really! Topics include trainers, Picard’s personal life, and Dr. Crusher.
131: "The Muse" (DS9) with Andrew Cunningham
January 13, 2017 03:41 - 44 minutes - 32.1 MBAndrew Cunningham, Senior Products Editor/reviewer at ArsTechnica and co-host of Appointment Television! and Overdue, joins Scott to talk about DS9’s The Muse (S4E21). An inspiration vampire visits the station to make Jake write a novel and suck the novel juice out of his head. And the perfect side dish to this tale? Lwaxana Troi shows up preggers and asks Odo to help her get out of her marriage.
130: "Breaking the Ice" (ENT) with Monty Ashley
January 06, 2017 03:53 - 42 minutes - 30.4 MBMonty Ashley, man about The Incomparable network and TV lover, joins Scott to talk about ENT’s Breaking the Ice (S1E8). Lots of MAS*H talk, Monty tells us how Enterprise should have ended, and are Vulcans secret vampires?
129: "Progress" (DS9) with Guy English
December 30, 2016 04:31 - 44 minutes - 31.7 MBGuy English, fan of the show and man of the world, joins Scott to talk about DS9’s Progress (S1E15). A season one episode of Deep Space Nine that is worth watching! Kira solves problems, a grumpy man makes a kiln, self sealing stembolts are purchased, and the rest of the cast is present.
128: "Barge of the Dead" (VOY) with Aleen Simms
December 23, 2016 02:51 - 43 minutesAleen Simms, incomparablist, host of Less Than of Equal, and more, joins Scott to talk about VOY’s Barge of the Dead (S6E3). The boat to Klingon hell is just what you think it might be: dark, full of fire, and contains grumpy Klingons. We talk about spirituality, if this is all in B’ELanna’s head plus Tuvok.
127: "Ship in a Bottle" (TNG) with Steven Schapansky
December 16, 2016 05:13 - 44 minutes - 32 MBSteven Schapansky, Dr. Who fan and podcast producer, joins Scott to talk about TNG’s Ship in a Bottle (S6E12). This episode begs the question: why are holodecks allowed on starships? At least Reg is there to help realign some stuff.
126: "The Inner Light" (TNG) with Gerry Canavan
December 09, 2016 18:39 - 44 minutes - 32 MBGerry Canavan, prof at Marquette University, joins Scott to talk about TNG’s The Inner Light (S5E25). Another episode considered one of the best ever, but does it hold up? Yes, it does. Does the probe make any sense? Not so much. Does that matter? Listen and find out!
125: "The Game" (TNG) with Chip Sudderth
December 02, 2016 01:52 - 45 minutes - 32.3 MBChip Sudderth, Incomparable panelist and Babylon 5 enthusiast joins Scott to discuss TNG’s “The Game” (S5E6). What’s up with Risa? Why does the Game not look like much fun at all? And whatever happened to that Ashley Judd?
124: "The Return of the Archons" (TOS) with Dan Wearsch
November 24, 2016 17:29 - 51 minutes - 36.4 MBDan Wearsch, host of Random Sterling, co-host of Microphone Talking, Spousal Privilege and more, joins Scott to discuss “The Return of the Archons” (TOS, S1E22). Are we of the body? Also, is twirling like a maniac in the street really that much fun? And why does Kirk hate computers so much?
123: "The City on the Edge of Forever" (TOS) with Tiffany Arment
November 18, 2016 05:07 - 52 minutes - 37.1 MBTiffany Arment, Incomparable panelist and ranker of things joins Scott to discuss TOS’s “The City on the Edge of Forever” (S1E28). Widely hailed as the best episode of Star Trek ever, does it hold up? Yes, yes it does. We also list our top four Star Trek characters, the horrible user interface of the Guardian, and why the past is in black and white.
122: "Future Imperfect" (TNG) with Adam Teterus
November 11, 2016 03:37 - 50 minutes - 35.9 MBAdam Teterus, Comic Book Junto co-host, Indy Hall booster, and writer, joins Scott to discuss TNG’s “Future Imperfect” (S4E8). Birthday cake, manthings, and the shockingly long time it takes Starfleet officers to advance in the ranks are all discussed.
121: "Covenant" (DS9) with David J. Loehr
November 04, 2016 02:38 - 44 minutes - 32 MBDavid J. Loehr, man of stage and podcast joins Scott to talk about DS9’s Covenant_ (S7E9). Topics include the most iconic Star Trek villain vs. the best, whether Bajorans are space Jews or space Catholics, and the crazy number of episodes the last two seasons of DS9 include in multi-part stories.
120: "The Vengeance Factor" (TNG) with Glenn Fleishman
October 28, 2016 13:51 - 45 minutes - 32.3 MBGlenn Fleishman, tech journalist and Incomparable panelist, joins Scott to discuss TNG’s The Vengeance Factor (S3E9). A big mystery! Which is solved very quickly. Riker puts it on pretty heavily (though respectfully). And Scott and Glenn talk a lot (too much?) about how the replicators work.
119: "Bliss" (VOY) with Jean MacDonald
October 20, 2016 16:26 - 47 minutes - 33.5 MBJean MacDonald, founder of App Camp for Girls, joins Scott to talk about Voyager’s Bliss (S5E14). Topics include the perils of watching a show in random order, how Gene Roddenberry might have been a jerk, and how this episode is a kind of throwback to TOS. Jean’s favorite podcasts include: Release Notes Audio Dharma
118: "Soldiers of the Empire" (DS9) with Susana Polo
October 14, 2016 04:23 - 45 minutes - 32.2 MBSusana Polo, writer at Polygon and founder of The Mary Sue, joins Scott to talk about DS9’s Soldiers of the Empire (S5E21). Topics include starting your Star Trek viewing experience with Voyager, the Federation assimilating cultures, and how Worf isn’t really good at his Klingon job.
117: "The Forgotten" (ENT) with Ben Harrison
October 07, 2016 02:40 - 43 minutes - 30.7 MBBen Harrison, film maker and The Greatest Generation podcaster, joins Scott to talk about ENT’s The Forgotten (S3E20). Topics include the ins and outs of hosting a Star Trek podcast, Trip taking a long time to write a crappy letter, and the massive amount of things that happen in this very boring episode of Enterprise.
116: "Similitude" (ENT) with Michael Lopp
September 30, 2016 01:55 - 43 minutes - 31.3 MBMichael Lopp, that’s Rands to you, blogger, author, and speaker, joins Scott to talk about ENT’s Similitude (S3E10). Topics include the captain you’d want to manage your startup, Enterprise’s awful theme song (yes, it is still awful), and the wondrous scientific discoveries in this episode that no one seems to care about.
115: "Melora" (DS9) with Erika Ensign
September 23, 2016 02:47 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBErika Ensign, Dr. Who podcaster, Incomprable panelist, and Babylon 5 podcaster (and more!) joins Scott to talk about DS9’s Melora (S2E06). Topics include Dr. Who companions, disability, and the average gravity on Federation planets. Also, check out Outside In Boldly Goes to read Erika’s essay.
114: "Parallels" (TNG) with John Roderick
September 16, 2016 02:21 - 43 minutes - 30.9 MBJohn Roderick, singer of The Long Winters, man on the line, and Road Worker, joins Scott to talk about TNG’s Parallels (S7E11). Topics include the optimal cake slice size, spoilers, Riker/Troi and Worf/Troi, and the overall misuse of Troi.
113: "The Man Trap" (TOS) with Marisa McClellan
September 09, 2016 03:52 - 48 minutes - 34.4 MBToday marks the 50th anniversary of the very first broadcast of the very first episode of the very first Star Trek series. To celebrate Scott has thrown aside the random nature of this podcast and invited Marisa McClellan, canning expert, to discuss TOS’s The Man Trap (S1E5). Topics include how this isn’t technically the first episode of Star Trek, the delicious nature of salt, and just what the heck a yeoman does anyway. Next on Random Trek, and this time Scott means it, TNG’s Parallels.