Why the Trek: A Star Trek Discovery Podcast

S2E14 - Such Sweet Sorrow Part 2

May 02, 2019 05:21 - 1 hour - 71.3 MB

David explains the effect Discovery Season 2 has had on his star trek fandom. Zach wants to know why Control was handled worse than Ultron. We discuss why season 2 feels like a badly written group project report in college. Come back in a few weeks for our full season 2 recap roundtable!

S2E13 - Such Sweet Sorrow Part 1

April 18, 2019 11:44 - 1 hour - 62.2 MB

David can't take it anymore, but Zach remains calm, cool, and critical. David defends Georgiou's supernova suggestion and rails against the hypocrites in the room (Cornwell). Zach reimagines the telling of this episode if the Spore Drive was damaged, and it makes a lot more sense.

S2E12 - Through the Valley of Shadows

April 11, 2019 04:40 - 1 hour - 83.9 MB

David fears he's becoming a nitpicker, and Zach compares watching DSC to The Bachelor. Zach questions Saru's post-Vaharai competency as a leader and asks if his lack of fear hurts his ability to act rationally (Zach also pitches Free Solo as a comparison point to Saru). We get spun up on time travel storytelling and how stereotypically treacherous Control's motivations are. We hate the ending of the episode. It's bad.

S2E11 - Perpetual Infinity

April 03, 2019 04:10 - 1 hour - 78.7 MB

Our disappointment, unfortunately, continues. Dave and Zach discuss why they feel this episode (and the season of late) are going down the wrong path. Everyone's a bit confused on the ever-expanding feature list of the Red Angel suit. Zach explains why the changes to Leland cheapen the character, and Dave pledges his unwavering commitment to optimism in the upcoming season finale.

S2E10 - The Red Angel

March 26, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MB

This episode really didn't stick the landing for us. David wants to know why anthropologists are building time machines just to test their pet theories. Zach teaches a class on time travel paradoxes, complete with examples involving a German child in the early 20th century. Not to poke fun, but if we designed ocular scanners, we would also put needles in the eyepieces.

S2E9 - Project Daedalus

March 21, 2019 11:28 - 1 hour - 85.8 MB

We discuss how Airiam was misused in this episode as a one-off character, from her backstory through her apparent demise. Zach points out how this episode raises good questions about simulation and realistic fakes, and the challenges to understanding what is true in the world. David salutes Nhan, the one character who seemed to be focused on her job for the entire episode. Finally, we speculate about where the story will go over the last four episodes of the season and wonder if it can be to...

S2E8 - If Memory Serves

March 14, 2019 12:44 - 1 hour - 79.4 MB

Zach complained and his wish was granted: an episode free of spore magic! David discusses the tragic, but beautiful ending to Pike's arc, as illuminated by this episode. We wonder if all might not be as it seems vis-a-vis the Squid Robots vs Red Angels, similar to the Kelpians and Baul. We loved the finale to this episode!

S2E7 - Light and Shadow

March 07, 2019 05:05 - 1 hour - 78.9 MB

Zach wonders if Paul Stamets and the Spore Drive have become too powerful, like a Golden Gun for Star Trek storytelling. We really like Ethan Peck's Spock so far, and we're excited for more, but the decision his family makes has us wondering: is the Federation justice system complete garbage? Finally, David predicts the DC-Star Trek crossover event that literally no one wants.

S2E6 - The Sound of Thunder

February 28, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 83 MB

This is a long one, sorry, we have a lot to get off our chests. Did the Baul do nothing wrong? That's not a joke, Zach and David seriously consider the question. Zach asks: how can the Disco crew mess up the prime directive when they debated it at length in episode 2? David shares his crazy theory about what the Red Angel is really up to.

S2E5 - Saints of Imperfection

February 21, 2019 07:13 - 1 hour - 71.2 MB

Did this episode have a HUGH reveal or a HUGE reveal? Roger joins the podcast again to discuss all of the flaws and features of episode five. Roger points out some uncomfortable similarities between Star Trek and Scientology. David fixes some of the more frustrating science in this episode with the transporter. We really hope this episode was a bridge to bigger and better things in future weeks.

S2E4 - An Obol for Charon

February 15, 2019 01:38 - 1 hour - 67.9 MB

Derek joins us once again as co-host. To get started on the right foot, David immediately pronounces "Charon" wrong. We dive deep on what we learn about the Ja'Sepp and the mycelial network, speculating about the future of the spore drive. Finally, Derek points out: without fear, Saru is faster, stronger, and has sharper senses than all of the rest of the crew. Basically, a Kelpien Juggernaut.

Short Treks 4: The Brightest Star

February 14, 2019 07:02 - 37 minutes - 37.8 MB

Special guest host Derek joins David to discuss this Short Trek. Derek points out the similarities between the Baul and Hirogen. We wonder if Baul technology is like Legos, or if Saru is some kind of savant. Finally, we acknowledge how "empty" the ending left us, and hope for a follow-up in the future!

S2E3 - Point of Light

February 13, 2019 07:55 - 1 hour - 62.7 MB

Big thanks to deputy assistant back-up host, Roger, for helping with this episode! Discovery takes a backseat to the Empire this week. First, we discuss family counseling in the 23rd century and then move onto the logistics of Klingon combat (Ash looked magnificent)! David points out a suspicious coincidence between Discovery and The Orville. Roger asks why the Starfleet bureaucracy doesn't have a SOP for alien posesssions. Finally, we discuss what we hope for out of a Section 31 show!

S2E2 - New Eden

February 12, 2019 03:38 - 1 hour - 67.3 MB

We're going to church this week! There was a lot to gripe about, but even more to love. First, we struggle to rationalize the population size of New Eden, to the point of looking up but failing to use the population growth equation. David looks to TNG to try and make sense of the Prime Directive conundrums in this episode. Zach is awfully bothered by space donuts and supermassive asteroids.

Short Treks 3: The Escape Artist

February 03, 2019 21:29 - 33 minutes - 33.6 MB

David is joined by Roger once again to discuss the Harry Mudd-centric Short Trek: The Escape Artist. Roger discusses how the Mudd we saw in season 1 seemed incongruous with the character in the Original Series. David points out that it was interesting that Gene Roddenberry felt people like Mudd would still exist in his humanist vision of the future. Finally, we discuss how only Harry Mudd can be Harry Mudd's best friend.

Short Treks 2: Calypso

February 03, 2019 21:16 - 28 minutes - 29.4 MB

David is joined by guest co-host Roger to discuss Calypso. We wonder how the Discovery ended up so far into the future without a crew. Roger discusses how Craft spurred the emotional evolution of Zora. David poorly recalls the story of Odysseus based on an episode of Wishbone.

S2E1 - Brother

February 03, 2019 07:58 - 1 hour - 60.9 MB

We're back! Zach explains why it's been so hard for us to record lately, and we jump into the amazing season two premier. What's not to like about Pike? Except his tragic ending, which David explains. Finally, we discuss our favorite moments from the episode.

Short Treks 1: Runaway

October 09, 2018 02:20 - 1 hour - 75.8 MB

First, Zach gives us a spoiler-free review of the premiere of the newest season of Doctor Who! We discussed how both Doctor Who and Discovery faced some unexpected backlash based on their choices for series leads. And then, new Star Trek Discovery content! Unfortunately, Zach and David feel just luke-warm about the episode: Runaway seemed to provide us with a lot of extra info, but very little about the focal character, Tilly. David and Zach both find a plothole. Zach coins a new term, "Te...

Offseason Ep6: The Jem'Hadar (DS9)

August 27, 2018 23:57 - 1 hour - 88.5 MB

We break down the episode that officially kicks off the Dominion War story arc in Deep Space Nine. Along the way, we ask the tough questions: Are humans prejudiced against Ferengi in the 24th century? Are the Jem'hadar 'stealth lizards'? Is the Dominion the Walmart of the Star Trek Universe? David explains why the Dominion and their technology is so terrifying -- and exciting -- in storytelling. Zach says Benjamin Sisko has a sultry voice. Slight change in plans, our next episode will co...

Offseason Ep5: Discovery News!

August 27, 2018 23:56 - 1 hour - 84.1 MB

This summer has granted us a wealth of great Star Trek news and Zach and David try to recap it all! Discovery Season 2 trailer! Star Trek Shorts! A Jean-Luc Picard TV show! More! Check out the Disco Season 2 trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDIlBDRkPDI And join us next time (finally) for Deep Space 9’s ‘The Jem’Hadar’.

Offseason Ep4: Duet (DS9)

June 07, 2018 23:46 - 1 hour - 102 MB

You asked for it (you didn't), so we delivered (we did)! We start with Zach's unfiltered thoughts about Solo, A Star Wars Movie, then David tries his hardest to segue back to Star Trek Discovery. Then we get into the subject of this episode: Star Trek Deep Space Nine, S1E18 Duet. David compares the Cardassian occupation of Bajor to 19th century colonialism. CARDASHIAN jokes abound, we're sorry. Zach compares the argumentative back-and-forths between Kira and Maritza to Law & Order. Finall...

Offseason Ep3: Star Trek First Contact (TNG) Part 2

May 10, 2018 02:53 - 1 hour - 101 MB

We're back for part 2! We ask why Starfleet ships don't replicate shotguns and swords when they fight the Borg. David reenacts (poorly) the best monologue in Star Trek history. We discuss if Picard actually needed to be present to resolve the plot towards the end (think Raiders of the Lost Ark). Join us next time when we introduce Zach to Deep Space 9 with S1E18, Duet. Watch your caboose, Dix.

Offseason Ep3: Star Trek First Contact (TNG) Part 1

May 10, 2018 01:45 - 1 hour - 105 MB

Sorry about the audio in this one! We cover a few DIS bits of news regarding Captain Pike and Jonathan Frakes and then jump right into the movie. We pick apart the trouble with time travel and Zach shares his theory of the Dynamic Stability of Time. Later, we discuss what Star Trek may have looked like if Tom Hanks had played the role of Zefram Cochrane. Somehow, Xenon, Girl of the 21st century, makes her Why The Trek reference debut.

Offseason Ep2 - In a Mirror, Darkly (ENT)

April 02, 2018 11:58 - 1 hour - 110 MB

We start off by discussing the recent news regarding the production of Star Trek Discovery season 2... and make a bold prediction for who will play the captain! We start by poking fun at the intro music for Enterprise, which is a must since this was Zach's first episode of ENT. We also discussed why perhaps a Mirror Universe episode was a bad introduction to the show... Zach theorizes on character archetypes across different Star Trek shows. We discuss the psychology of Mirror Archer and H...

Offseason Ep1 - Discovery Season 1 Review

February 25, 2018 23:05 - 1 hour - 97.6 MB

We dive into our thoughts and feelings about Discovery Season 1 as a whole, including the point where the show almost lost us, and our favorite storylines. Zach talks about why the Spore Drive plot device needs to go soon. David talks about the value of slowing down the pace of storytelling with lower, character-driven stakes. And of course, we tear down the implications of seeing the Enterprise, Captain Pike, and Spock in season 2! Join us next month for a recap and discussion of Ente...

S1E15 - Will You Take My Hand?

February 12, 2018 23:06 - 1 hour - 106 MB

Kudos to the writers and producers for giving us a very satisfying season finale in only 45 minutes (we didn’t think it could be done); we tried our hardest, but there just wasn’t much to nitpick. Zach compares L’rell to George Washington, right before President’s day. David gushes in his appreciation for how Star Trek the resolution turned out to be. Disco is done for now, but we’ll be back in a couple weeks to fully recap our thoughts about season 1 and speculate about Discovery’s ne...

S1E14 - The War Without, the War Within

February 06, 2018 03:20 - 1 hour - 105 MB

The penultimate episode of season 1 was full of goodbyes: Sarek for now, Ash for now, Starbase 1 for good. David educates Zach about the Augment virus and why the current Klingon appearance is such a complicated mess. Zach explains why this episode worried him and how much is riding on the Discovery season 1 finale. We really did not like the spontaneous spore growth scene, so much so that Zach thought the scene would have been at home in Ferngully. Welcome back to the big chair, Captain Geo...

S1E13 - What's Past is Prologue

January 31, 2018 05:50 - 2 hours - 115 MB

We are not happy at all about what happened to a certain captain from the Mirror Universe! Zach points out how this episode felt almost robotic in how it moved us from Point A to Point B, but skipped over some of the most interesting bits, like the fate of the Mirror Buran. David suggests two small changes which could have radically improved the two new problems introduced and solved in this episode. Also, we made a lot of references to Stranger Things throughout this one (minor season 1 spo...

S1E12 - Vaulting Ambition

January 23, 2018 06:22 - 1 hour - 110 MB

This is the episode where David admits he was wrong about everything about Lorca. Captain Lorca is from the Mirror Universe. Sorry. After some discussion, Zach convinces David that Voq is not gone, but merely suppressed within Ash Tyler’s mind. David tries his hardest to figure out how Prime Lorca may still be alive, somewhere out there in the Mirror Universe; Zach completely disagrees and he’s planting his flag on the theory that Prime Lorca did not survive. We’ll see who is right (probably...

S1E11 - The Wolf Inside

January 17, 2018 01:24 - 1 hour - 89.1 MB

The Wolf Inside, episode 11, finally lays the most obvious card on the table: Ash Tyler is Voq and he is out of control! Zach points out how poor Voq’s planning is in his assassination attempt. We discuss what a coincidence it is that Discovery is in the right place at the right time, and how time constrained the last hour of the episode is… And David tells an Excel joke that bombs pretty badly. And what Mirror Universe episode would be complete without a cameo from a character that we thoug...

S1E10 - Despite Yourself

January 09, 2018 03:24 - 1 hour - 102 MB

Discovery is back! Episode 10, Despite Yourself, was a roller coaster. David gets excited by the references to the Mirror Universe episodes of Enterprise and the potential to finally see a Constitution class ship on the screen. Zach loved the episode and started buying into Lorca as a “good” Starfleet captain rather than the manipulative leader he has seemed to be in the past. We were both glad to see Captain “Killy” Tilly play such a central role, and finally get some information about Ash/...

BONUS Episode: Looking forward to Discovery Chapter 2!

January 01, 2018 01:28 - 1 hour - 61.1 MB

There’s just one week to go! David and Zach talk about where the show might go with the open story threads over the remaining six episodes with some absolutely awful personal theories. Is our crew of rulebreakers destined to end up in Federation prison? Are we dealing with a Michael - Ash/Voq - L’Rell love triangle that would make the Twilight trio blush? More seriously, what is Michael’s path to redemption? And what is so dangerous about the Spore Drive that it is never again used in Star T...

BONUS Episode: Sarek (TNG)

December 13, 2017 23:15 - 1 hour - 104 MB

Still treading water in the Discovery midseason break, Zach and David review the TNG episode “Sarek.” This episode gives a window into the mind of Sarek, and what we see is all the more poignant and/or tragic given what DSC season 1 has revealed about his character. David and Zach also dive deep into the differences in storytelling style, pacing, and character building between older trek, particularly the TNG era, and DSC. Also, spoilers for Game of Thrones season 1.

BONUS Episode: Mirror Mirror (TOS)

November 27, 2017 23:56 - 1 hour - 102 MB

David and Zach go back to the Original Series to understand the Mirror Universe by reviewing the episode “Mirror, Mirror.” Despite the classic (or some may say, “dated”) visuals and cheesy 60’s style fight scenes, Zach enjoyed the episode a lot. David points out the theme of “noninterference” throughout the episode, which surprisingly parallels Discovery’s Pahvo storyline very well. Afterwards, they discuss the hints in Discovery which point to the MU. David shares his crazy MU theory which ...

S1E09 - Into the Forest I Go

November 14, 2017 03:12 - 1 hour - 85.7 MB

Into the mid-season break, we go. David and Zach reflect fondly on the Chapter 1 finale with discussions about the role of Kol as a cartoon villain, L’rell’s intentions now that she is aboard the Discovery, and the possibility of the spore drive to access other universes. The show is on break, but Why The Trek is not -- stay tuned for the next episode when we review the TOS episode Mirror, Mirror and how it may pertain to the next episode of DSC!

S1E08 - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

November 06, 2017 05:43 - 1 hour - 74.5 MB

Episode 8, “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum” weaves together an A-plot on the surface of the planet Pahvo with B-plot following L’rell’s activities on The Death Ship. David loved the prime-directive implications of the planetary story but had trouble getting into the L’rell scenes. Zach remained lukewarm on the whole episode but hoped this was set up for an epic mid-season finale this week. Towards the end of the recap they discuss the challenge of serialized storytelling on TV and "filler" or "se...

S1E07 - Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad

October 31, 2017 00:33 - 1 hour - 84.4 MB

Episode 7: “Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad.” Zach’s sanity is not in question, but this episode definitely made him mad. David tries to explain time crystals, which are a real thing, but actually have nothing to do with manipulating time...yet. Time travel episodes are tough to write well, and this one had a few plot holes that Zach and David had to fill in. This episode drew some predictable comparisons to TNG, Doctor Who, and… the band Chiodos? That’s time travel for you.

S1E06 - Lethe

October 23, 2017 04:53 - 1 hour - 66.1 MB

A Tale of Two ‘Fathers.’ Episode 6, “Lethe” takes us on a journey into the depths of the psyches of Captain Lorca and Sarek. David is unhappy about using the intergalactic mind meld as a plot device, again, but admits the insight gained into the Sarek-Michael-Spock dynamic is worth it. Zach is seeing the darker side of Lorca’s suggestion for the admiral to meet with the Klingon dissidents. Finally, they discuss Lorca’s relationship to Michael -- does the captain truly care for her, maybe lik...

S1E05 - Choose Your Pain

October 17, 2017 03:27 - 1 hour - 74.9 MB

Episode five, “Choose Your Pain” starts out brutally...with a bludgeoning message of interspecies morality that Zach almost cannot stand. It’s David’s turn this week to mess up not just one, but three names (apologies to Admiral Cornwell, Michelle Forbes, and Michelle Pfeiffer). In the midst of an episode chock full of wonderful character moments and development, David and Zach uncover what looks to be an instance of Klingon subterfuge… or bad writing. Fingers crossed for the former!

S1E04 - The Butcher’s Knife Cares Not for the Lamb’s Cry

October 11, 2017 02:59 - 1 hour - 84.6 MB

Tardigrades, on a spaceship! It’s a new episode which means a new character with an “L” name that Zach struggles to remember (L’Rell). They correct David’s mistake about warp speed from last week in what is certain to be the first of many “corrections” segments. Zach isn’t buying the biological nature of the spore drive or the ineptitude of the Klingon repair efforts, but David tries really hard to find plausible explanations for it all.

S1E03 - Context is for Kings

October 02, 2017 06:58 - 1 hour - 95.4 MB

This week David and Zach both begrudgingly admit that there may be some advantages to DSC being broadcast on CBS All Access. They unravel some of the mysteries of the USS Discovery and a new crew with some familiar faces, including our pal Saru, the enigmatic Captain Lorca and security chief, um… Landry, right. Zach loves the Doctor Who-like horror vibes from parts of this episode. David does a bad job of describing tribbles.

S1E02 - Battle at the Binary Stars

September 29, 2017 20:13 - 1 hour - 101 MB

David and Zach start out with a discussion about being forced to use CBS All Access to watch the rest of the series before jumping into the review of episode two, “Battle at the Binary Stars.” They learn a lot about Vulcan mind melds, half of which David likes and half of which he hates. Zach can’t help but compare Star Trek to Star Wars.

S1E01 - The Vulcan Hello

September 29, 2017 16:00 - 1 hour - 81.5 MB

David and Zach discuss episode one, “The Vulcan Hello.” David admits how little he knows about what is happening at this point in time in the Trek universe. Zach predicts the demise of Captain Georgiou; David hopes it isn’t so.

Why the Trek: A Star Trek Discovery Podcast

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