Literary Treks 61: John Jacob Jingleheimer Harriman / by Trek fm

Serpents Among the Ruins.

Running Time: 1 hour 18 minutes 57 seconds
Download / RSS / Send us a message / Discuss the show / Support Trek.fm

The Tomed Incident is a famous event in Star Trek history. But like so many such incidents, it’s something we’ve heard in passing dialogue but never really learned much about. It was mentioned in three episodes of TNG—The Neutral Zone, The Defector, and The Pegasus—and one episode of Enterprise—These Are the Voyages… Okay… so four episodes of TNG. But what actually happened? This is what David R. George III answers in his Lost Era novel, Serpents Among the Ruins.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Matthew Rushing and Christopher Jones are joined by Drew Stewart and Dan Gunther to discuss the novel, what led to the Treaty of Algeron, why the Romulans retreated from galactic politics before resurfacing on TNG, and to the ban on Federation cloaking technology.

In our news segment we take a look at the final covers for Star Trek: Seekers 1 and 2 and get set for John Byrne’s New Visions The Mirror, Cracked.

News

Final Seekers covers revealed (4:11)
Next John Byrne photo comic drops (10:43)

Feature: Serpents Among the Ruins

First Impressions (15:49)
Post Star Trek VI Politics (20:37)
Harriman, John Harriman (34:56)
The Treaty of Algeron (46:41)
Old Prejudices Die Hard (47:55)

Host

Matthew Rushing and Christopher Jones

Guests

Drew Stewart and Dan Gunther

Production

Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer)

More Recent Episodes of Literary Treks…
Literary Treks 226: Nintendo Hwii
Literary Treks 226: Nintendo Hwii

Dark Mirror. We discuss how the novel compares to other stories set in the mirror universe, a dolphin scientist named Hwii, his theory of hyperstrings, the evil and powerful Counselor Troi, the origins and nature of the mirror universe, Diane Duane's particular brand of technobabble, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 225:A Ship Full of Legends
Literary Treks 225:A Ship Full of Legends

Kirsten Beyer: Architects of Infinity. We discuss a medical situation that has ethical concerns for all involved, the nature of Kriosians and Ensign Aytar Gwyn's choices, Icheb's budding relationship, the plight of the junior officers aboard Voyager, a mystery that is way above the heads of even the brightest Starfleet officers, and an ending that left us all shocked.

Literary Treks 224: Archer Showing Off His Veins
Literary Treks 224: Archer Showing Off His Veins

Last Full Measure. We discuss the plot of the novel, the conflict between the 'squids' and 'sharks,' a story of differing perspectives, Archer's ethical issues, Trip's ultimate fate, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 223: We're Life, Jim, but Not as They Know It
Literary Treks 223: We're Life, Jim, but Not as They Know It

Captain's Glory. We discuss Kirk's tendency to go it alone, the plot against Starfleet, Kirk vs. Picard, the nature of the Totality, the connection to the galactic barrier, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 222: The Ward Rule
Literary Treks 222: The Ward Rule

Dayton Ward: Drastic Measures. We talk about the Tarsus IV massacre, mirror Lorca vs. prime Lorca, the fate of Governor Kodos, other characters who were at Tarsus IV, the book within the book, a surprise "after the credits" chapter you might have missed, and wrap up with what Dayton is working on now and where to find him online.

Literary Treks 221: Different Flavors of Vulcan
Literary Treks 221: Different Flavors of Vulcan

Spock's World. We discuss the two tracks the story follows, the nature of Vulcans, a series of Vulcan TED talks, the diversity of the Enterprise crew, the Enterprise's BBS, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 220: I Wanna Know What Love Is
Literary Treks 220: I Wanna Know What Love Is

Captain's Blood. We talk about Spock's apparent death, Reman society, Kirk's son Joseph, the threat of the Totality, crews of different generations coming together, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 219: No Such Thing as a Ferengi Customer Service Department
Literary Treks 219: No Such Thing as a Ferengi Customer Service Department

David R. George III: The 34th Rule. We talk about the genesis of the story, the Ferengi belief system, politics, racism towards the Ferengi, the cycle of violence, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings and where you can find David R. George III online.

Literary Treks 218: You Oatmeal-Headed Scotsman!
Literary Treks 218: You Oatmeal-Headed Scotsman!

The Gold Key Archives Vol. 4, Part 2. We discuss the mysterious "black hole" phenomenon in "Siege in Superspace," a planet full of kids playing a deadly game in "Child's Play," and Kirk's shocking transformation in "The Trial of Captain Kirk!" 

Literary Treks 217: Agree to Disagree
Literary Treks 217: Agree to Disagree

Captain's Peril. We discuss the murder mystery plot, philosophical differences between Kirk, Spock, and Picard, different ideas about risk, the Prime Directive debate, the huge left turn the story takes at the end, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 216: He Should Have Served Prune Juice
Literary Treks 216: He Should Have Served Prune Juice

The Final Reflection. We talk about a truly alien culture, the differences between the Klingons in The Final Reflection and Trek canon since, the Perpetual Game, the Federation's duplicity, the novel within the novel, the inspiration that The Final Reflection provided to the creators of Star Trek: Discovery, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 215: No Pointy Sideburns
Literary Treks 215: No Pointy Sideburns

The Gold Key Archives Volume 4. We talk about troubling behavior by Kirk in "The Haunted Asteroid," a spoiled rotten prince whom everyone wants to murder in "A World Gone MAD," and an ancient mystery that threatens to turn the Enterprise crew into cyborgs in "The Mummies of Heitius VII!"

Literary Treks 214: A Pair of Richards
Literary Treks 214: A Pair of Richards

Prometheus: Fire with Fire. We discuss the first original German language Star Trek novel and its translation, the Prometheus and its unique abilities, the terrorism allegory, the book's relation to the on-going Pocket Books novel continuity, the role of the Klingons, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila
Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila

David Mack: Fortune of War. We talk about the links to TNG's "The Survivors," the Husnock, Admiral Riker's new role, the characters of Titan, "The Chase" on speed, and wrap up with what David Mack has on the go for future novels and where you can find him online.

Literary Treks 212: Slips, Strips, Bars, and Bricks
Literary Treks 212: Slips, Strips, Bars, and Bricks

Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann: I, The Constable. We talk about the inspiration for the story, the research they did to capture the noir feel, changes in the society of Ferenginar, the voices of the characters both old and new, Quark's seemingly newfound generosity, some fun references, and wrap up with where you can find Paula and Terry online.

Literary Treks 211: Team Garak!
Literary Treks 211: Team Garak!

A Stitch in Time. We talk about Garak's history, growing up on Cardassia Prime, the reason for his exile on Deep Space Nine, post-war Cardassia, The Oralian Way, the reliability of Garak's account of his life, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 210: Orange is the New Black
Literary Treks 210: Orange is the New Black

Echoes. We talk about the plot of the novel, the unique perspective of the story's events, the dreaded Voyager reset button, Tuvok's role in the story, the crews' doppelgangers, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 209: I'm in Love with Beverly Too
Literary Treks 209: I'm in Love with Beverly Too

David A. Goodman: The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard. We talk about Picard's early years, his time aboard the U.S.S. Stargazer, his relationship with numerous figures throughout his life, the context that this book adds to The Next Generation, a surprising Star Trek: Discovery connection, and wrap up by discussing The Orville.

Literary Treks 208: Something Something Dilithium Crystals
Literary Treks 208: Something Something Dilithium Crystals

Ethan Siegel: Treknology. We talk about a number of technologies covered in the book, the process of writing it, the influence Star Trek has had on our collective imaginations and the technology of modern society, where our technologies may go in the future, and wrap up with where you can find Dr. Siegel online.

Literary Treks 207: Video Game Save Point
Literary Treks 207: Video Game Save Point

David R. George III: Original Sin. We discuss the two stories told in tandem, the character of Jasmine Tey, crime drama as Star Trek story, the nature of Rebecca Sisko, a completely alien encounter, the possibility of a Gamma series going forward, and where to follow David R. George III online.

Literary Treks 206: Almost Too Much Latitude
Literary Treks 206: Almost Too Much Latitude

Desperate Hours. We discuss the process of collaboration with Discovery's writers, Captain Pike's devotion to duty, Enterprise vs. Shenzhou, the Shenzhou's bridge crew, comparisons to the Vanguard series, Spock and Burnham, the look and feel of the universe, the book's non-canon status, and finish up with what David Mack has on the horizon.

Literary Treks 205: A Vulcan Mic Drop
Literary Treks 205: A Vulcan Mic Drop

Sarek. We discuss the setting, the bond between Sarek and Amanda, Klingon ambassador Kamarag, a timely topic of xenophobia, Kirk's nephew Peter, how Discovery's depiction of Sarek might compare, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 204: Bath Time Fun With Mudd
Literary Treks 204: Bath Time Fun With Mudd

Mudd In Your Eye. We talk about silly reasons for war, transwarp beaming, the nature of death, another society run by computer, Stella Mudd, how we think Mudd might compare in this novel to his appearance in  Star Trek: Discovery, and our ratings.

Literary Treks 203: The Ends Justify the Means
Literary Treks 203: The Ends Justify the Means

Patterns of Interference. We discuss the dictator Maltuvis, the ultimate Prime Directive debate, a strange new world, freedom and truth, Section 31's fatal flaw, what's in store for Trip, and Archer's beagle companion, Porthos.

Literary Treks 202: The Rosebud of My Collection
Literary Treks 202: The Rosebud of My Collection

Scott Mantz: Star Trek Fotonovels. We discuss our fond memories of the '70s, Scott's favorite episode of all time, his collection of fotonovels, their influence on John Byrne's New Visions comics, and the interviews and glossaries found in the back of the books.

Literary Treks 201: Cougar Q
Literary Treks 201: Cougar Q

Q-Strike. We discuss the plot of the novel, a sad end to a family crisis, the Q family dynamic, the ending of the novel, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings for both this novel and the Q Continuum trilogy as a whole.

Literary Treks 200: Klingon-It Up a Little Bit
Literary Treks 200: Klingon-It Up a Little Bit

Dayton Ward: Travel Guide to The Klingon Empire. We discuss the research, where Dayton got his ideas, references, some great places for food and drink on Kronos, dos and don'ts while traveling in the Klingon Empire and what's next for Dayton.

Literary Treks 199: Star Trek Murder Board
Literary Treks 199: Star Trek Murder Board

Preserver. We discuss the nature of the Preservers, fate versus free will, duplicate Earths, secret groups within the Federation, the two Kirks, Teilani, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 198: Behold the Scourge of Neil
Literary Treks 198: Behold the Scourge of Neil

Q-Zone. We talk about stardate snafus, peer pressure, bad parenting, 0's gang of evil-doers, the end of the TKon Empire, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 197: You've Been Macked
Literary Treks 197: You've Been Macked

Enigma Tales: Una McCormack. We discuss the plot, the characters, some historical touchstones that the story parallels, enigma tales, the state of Dr. Bashir, and wrap up with Una's upcoming projects and where you can find her online.