We send off the crew of the USS Cerritos and salue the completion of the five-year mission of “Star Trek: Lower Decks.” This show expanded what “Star Trek” could be—in several dimensions. And yet it was also utterly, completely a “Star Trek” series. We try to find the special alchemy that brought it all together.

"Star Trek: Lower Decks"

Jason Snell with David J. Loehr, Moisés Chiullán, Scott McNulty and Joe Rosensteel

Referenced Works

Star Trek (franchise)

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Show Notes & Links

Dan’s in the zone and can’t wait to head out to Atlantic City, but fate has other plans. Poker will still be played, though. Jeremy’s emotions may be played with too, as he and Natalie work through some things. Also, Isaac is getting smaller, and Dana lacks any compassion. At least Brian and Lex are here, so we all can try Sorkin’ In It.

Lex Friedman and Brian Warren

Referenced Works

Sports Night [Amazon]

Show Notes & Links

I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids! Your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony are back to discuss the finale of Skeleton Crew, including collateral damage, surprising non-reveals, and pirates who need day jobs.

Want more ACP before we return to discuss Andor Season 2 in April? Sign up to be a member of The Incomparable for special bonus content from your Star Wars pals!

Lucasfilm

Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and K Benesh

Sponsors

• NEW! Bunky Dunko Shirts: Bunky dunkooooooooooo.

Referenced Works

Skeleton Crew

Star Wars (franchise)

Show Notes & Links

Bunky Dunko shirts

Port Borgo runs on Bunky’s.

Auralnauts Conspiracy Theories

Is it Palpatine?

Feuding Families returns, and it’s about time! Our loveable listeners have provided answers to a survey about Doctor Who. It’s up to our two teams of contestants to decide whether they want to answer the questions correctly, or if they want to answer them according to what the listeners said.

Doctor Who Feuding Families

Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Glenn Fleishman, Kelly Guimont, Moisés Chiullán, Steven Schapansky, Mikayla Micomonaco, Chip Sudderth and Sarah Murphy

A ramshackle group of thieves and ne’er-do-wells infiltrate a fancy party to pull off a daring heist but get more than they bargained for when polite society embraces ritualistic violence.

Party Crashers, Part 1

Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Kathy Campbell, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment

Show Notes & Links

Edited by Warren Frey.

Party Crashers

Who Watches The Watchers? Some huge jerk is who. We’ve got a shattered Earth, a wild west, and a giant sized Fight Fight Fight. Join us as we discuss the final four episodes of What If…?

Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English

Referenced Works

What If...?

Show Notes & Links

Is a Game Boy a game console? What about a Switch? Can a handheld gaming device also be a console? What makes something a console?

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Back through the barrier we go! Your Star Wars pals Dan, Tony, and Kat are back to discuss the latest episode of Skeleton Crew including Jude Law’s finest acting, THE CLAW, and the Vane Extended Universe.

Lucasfilm

Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and K Benesh

Sponsors

• NEW! Bunky Dunko Shirts: Bunky dunkooooooooooo.

Referenced Works

Skeleton Crew

Star Wars (franchise)

Show Notes & Links

The Complete Wermo's Huttese Transcript

All the Huttese from the movies.

The writers of “The Expanse” are back with a new series, and “The Mercy of Gods” is an alien invasion story that goes to some extremely dark places. But sometimes, dark is good… right? Right?! Plus: What are we reading?

"The Mercy of Gods"

Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Heather Berberet and Aleen Simms

Referenced Works

The Mercy of Gods [Amazon] [Apple]

Show Notes & Links

Next book: “Service Model” by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

What are we reading?

Heather: The Pandominion series, Infinity Gate and Echo of Worlds by M.R. Carey

Aleen: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Scott: Jack Taylor series by Ken Bruen, Playground by Richard Powers

Jason: Inverted Frontier series by Linda Nagata (Start with Edges)

Forever is composed of podcasts. Caroline Fulford discusses selected poems by Emily Dickinson (c. 1860-65).

John McCoy with Caroline Fulford and Marina McCoy

Show Notes & Links

Emily Dickinson at the Poetry Foundation

Biography and texts of many of her poems. Works in this episode linked below:

I felt a funeral, in my brain

I heard a Fly buzz - when I died -

Forever – is composed of Nows –

You left me – Sire – two Legacies –

Wild nights - Wild nights!

As they complete the Reach for the Stars adventure, the party learns how to kill a piece of architecture (put it in a mini-mall) and has a conversation with a sad, greasy cultist.

Keys from the Golden Vault - Reach for the Stars, Part 4

Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Erika Ensign, Lincoln Hayes and Monty Ashley

Show Notes & Links

Edited by Erika Ensign.

Keys from the Golden Vault