“Hegemony.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss the challenges of creating drama in a prequel, elements of diplomacy in Star Trek, parallels (and not) with “Arena,” and try to make sense of the Gorn.
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Saddle Up! 20: Fundamental Harmonics /
“Subspace Rhapsody.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss the concept, how they pulled it off, using the musical format to boost communications, advance storylines and clear the deck for the finale, and more.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 19: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner /
“Under the Cloak of War.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss the impact of war, atonement, responsibility for one’s actions, the DS9 feel of the episode, and more.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 18: This Historical Saddle /
“Those Old Scientists.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss blending live action and animation, bringing animated characters to life, poignant moments in the midst of silliness, and how the casts of Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks work together.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 17: Schrödinger’s Mixed Bag of Story Elements /
“Lost in Translation.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss humor in Star Trek, writing in a modern vernacular, overshadowing important commentary, character arcs, and more.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 16: Mental Gymnastics /
“Charades.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss humor in Star Trek, writing in a modern vernacular, overshadowing important commentary, character arcs, and more.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 15: Definitely Not the Oatmeal /
“Among the Lotus Eaters.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss the story’s perhaps overlooked social commentary, connections to Homer's Odyssey and past Star Trek, the TOS feel of the presentation, Spock’s choices, and a puzzling Prime Directive moment.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 14: Seams in the Bunny Suit /
“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss how the story evolves, La’an’s struggles with identity, Paul Wesley's Kirk, playing with history, Khan’s pivotal role, shifting the timeline, and more.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 13: An Illyrian Enigma /
“Ad Astra per Aspera.” We continue Season 2 as we discuss a story that questions the Federation’s commitment to IDIC, examine real-word struggles to avoid discrimination, and debate how the case against Illyrians fits into the existing story of genetic modification within Star Trek.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 12: Kung Fu Juice! /
“The Broken Circle.” We kick off Season 2 with a look at the unexpected start, character moments, the writers’ flirtation with canon, some confusion at the very top over where the series falls on the Star Trek timeline, and why it doesn't really matter when you have stories that are so much fun.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 11: The Alternate Terror /
“A Quality of Mercy.” We explore how this new story reinforces the importance of TOS as the foundation of Star Trek as we know it, how it highlights the pivotal roles of Kirk, Spock, and Pike, and ask whether the series is leading us to a soft reboot.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 10: Hulk Spock and Hemhura /
“All Those Who Wander.” We explore the reimagining of the Gorn and Star Trek as a platform for horror, as well as the added emotional texture for Spock and the departure of Hemmer.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 9: A Cloud Called Debra /
“The Elysian Kingdom.” We debate the choice to go to this Trek trope so early in the run of a series limited to 10 episodes per season, delve into the resolution of the plotline involving Doctor M’enga’s daughter Rukiya, and discuss the choice to make Benny Russell a real person in the Star Trek universe.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 8: Vulcan Affairs /
“The Serene Squall.” We explore Spock’s struggle with identity, the rich world building of Vulcan affairs that will transform how viewers read “Amok Time” and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and the trajectory of the Spock–Chapel relationship. We may also do pirate imitations.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 7: Hotel Majalan /
“Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach.” We explore the important messages in the story about our own complacency in society, the exploitation of children, and the importance of strong father figures, along with the structural flaws in the story.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 6: Spock and T’Pring’s Freaky Friday /
“Spock Amok.” We discuss the importance of humor in Star Trek, finding balance between comedy and social commentary, Nurse Chapel's crush on Spock, and, of course the body swap that delivers both laughs and insight.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 5: Gorn to Die /
“Memento Mori.” We get to know more about La’an and how her past experiences with the Gorn shaped who she is today, contrast that Pike’s future trauma, and debate whether it is too soon for the Gorn to be making a prominent appearance.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 4: The Light Fantastic /
“Ghosts of Illyria.” We get to know more about Number One and delve deep into the issue of genetic engineering. We also talk about the value of simplicity in plot, allowing Star Trek to do what it has always done when at its best: shed light on important issues and develop characters.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 3: Musical Escape Room /
“Children of the Comet.” We get to know more about Uhura, have a beer with Captain Pike, join voice training with Spock, and get punked by Ortegas. We also explore the big existential questions raised in this story about fate, faith, and free will.
Read MoreSaddle Up! 2: A Little Less Mountain Man /
“Strange New Worlds.” We discuss the pilot episode of the new series, how Pike’s experience on the Klingon moon Boreth may impact how he is portrayed, the tenuous nature of the warp bomb story, the social commentary, and the new cast of characters.
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