The State of Star Trek 2022

We long called the 1990s the golden age of Star Trek. From 1993 to 1999, two series overlapped one another on the airwaves and, once The Next Generation left the small screen, we even got doses of three incarnations of Gene Roddenberry’s vision from time to time. But it all came to an abrupt end in May 2005, with the final episode of Enterprise. J.J. Abrams would later step in and tease us through the fallow years until the battle among streaming services offered a financial incentive to dust off intellectual property and Discovery came along. And now, there is more Star Trek than ever. A new golden age is upon us.

In this episode of The Ready Room, recorded as we end an unprecedented 48 consecutive weeks of new Star Trek content, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek take a look at the state of the franchise in 2022. We discuss each of the “modern” series—Strange New Worlds, Picard, Prodigy, Lower Decks, and Discovery—dig into the fan split over old and new, and imagine what new series might be on the horizon. We also debate the pros and cons of the streaming model for storytelling and talk about how Star Trek and Star Wars are pushing each other forward.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) The Mood at SDCC (00:05:13) Resurgent Franchise(s) (00:14:17) Pros and Cons of Streaming (00:20:34) The Modern/Classic Trek Division (00:26:50) Strange New Worlds (00:34:26) Picard (00:59:37) Potential Future Series (01:14:00) Lower Decks (01:24:41) Prodigy (01:34:19) Discovery (01:50:37) Closing (02:04:26)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Star Trek: Lower Decks after two seasons.

When it was announced that a Star Trek comedy was being developed—and that it would be animated—the news was met with a bit more trepidation than usual. Could Star Trek and comedy really mix? Was Rick and Morty-style humor really appropriate for Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future?

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek take a broad look back at the first two seasons of Star Trek: Lower Decks and discuss how the series has connected with fans, why it has won over many early skeptics, and how it serves as a brilliant love letter to the franchise. Along the way we touch on many topics, including how the writing has matured, finding the perfect balance in storytelling, sprinkling in guest stars, selling commemorative plates, and adding texture to the universe. We also ask whether some moments are a rebuke of modern Star Trek.

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Marking our 10th anniversary.

Many people say that time flies. Doctor Tolian Soran said that time is the fire in which we burn. Whichever you subscribe to, time moves forward and people—as well as their views—change. On May 31, 2011, we aired the first episode of The Ready Room. What began as a singular podcast hosted by two hew-mons—C Bryan Jones and Greg Harbin—evolved into the Trek.fm network and more than 30 shows.

In this episode of The Ready Room, airing on the 10th anniversary of the premiere, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek,—who first appeared on the show in episode 2 during a segment about his documentary The Con of Wrath and then made his first full-length appearance in episode 19 to discuss the Star Trek pendulum—mark a decade of discussion by returning to the key topics of those early podcasts from 2011. We deep-dive into Star Trek's return to television—and how the prospects and probable format seemed in 2011 vs. what we actually got—as well as which way the fan pendulum is swinging today. We also talk about screen vs. visual canon, whether Star Trek is an historical piece, dealing with toxic fandom, the status of The Con of Wrath, and more.

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Adil Hussain interview.

We’ve all lived through extraordinary times over the past year, and we’re still trying to find our way back to the world we remember. The same can be said for Michael Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery after their jump from the 23rd to the 32nd century. In both cases, catastrophe turned life upside down. But when Burnham finally came in contact with remnants of the Federation she had left behind, she met a man of extraordinary patience, Aditya Sahil, who embodied all the ideals of Starfleet and Gene Roddenberry’s vision.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek are joined by the man who portrayed Sahil—Adil Hussain—for a somewhat different episode as we take a look at a real-world crisis and how we can help those in need. Adil joins us from his home in New Delhi to talk about the Covid-19 situation in India, the art of acting and what inspired his portrayal of Sahil, as well as Star Trek and entertainment as a coping mechanism during difficult times. He also shares thoughts on how we might reach that more prosperous future that Gene Roddenberry envisioned.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Covid Situation in India (00:03:34) How You Can Help (00:16:28) Patience (00:23:38) Entertainment as Remedy (00:40:17) Shooting the Discovery Scenes (00:47:38) Creating Sahil’s Backstory (01:02:13) Finding Adil (01:09:17) Closing (01:21:21) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Guests Adil Hussain Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Looking Back at Discovery Season Three.

When Michael Burnham and the USS Discovery emerged from their Red Angel-created wormhole into the 32nd century, things didn’t go quite as planned. Terralysium was not in the neighborhood and temporal wackiness left Michael and the ship a year apart. But once reunited, they set off on a grand adventure to find what was left of the Federation. They also had to solve an unexpected mystery: the cause of a disaster that put an end to the carefree days of easy faster-than-light travel.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek sit back in their programmable-matter lounge chairs and reflect on Star Trek: Discovery Season 3, discussing how the story played out compared with what we expected, how we feel about key plot points, and how it all fits into the overall Star Trek picture. We also look ahead to Season 4 and speculate on what the writers might have is store for us.

Chapters Intro 00:00:00 Story Expectations 00:06:20 Programmable Matter Rabbit Hole 00:11:05 Detached Nacelles 00:22:03 Serialization Settling In 00:31:45 Unification III 00:37:20 Bopping Around 00:40:19 A Screaming Resolution 00:44:56 Identity and Found Families 00:55:05 The Past Is the Light 01:00:48 Look Beyond the Season 01:10:15 Georgiou’s Detour 01:15:36 Die Trying 01:41:50 Getting Out of the Head 01:45:48 Expectations for Season Four 01:51:48 Closing 02:01:49

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Discovery Season 3 preview.

The third season of Star Trek: Discovery is finally here after a pandemic-induced delay. At least we didn’t have to wait 930 years. That’s how much time has passed for most people when the crew of the USS Discovery arrives in the Beta Quadrant after their jump to put the sphere data permanently out of reach of Section 31’s Control AI. This temporal shift—along with a new logo—represents a reboot of sorts for the series going into its third season.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek get ready for their trip to the 32nd century by discussing the premise of Star Trek: Discovery Season 3, what the episode titles may reveal about the story, potential real world parallels, the addition of transgender and binary characters, and more. But first we discuss Kate Mulgrew’s return to the franchise as Kathryn Janeway.

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Lower Decks midseason review.   After a long wait and much speculation on what an animated comedy take on Star Trek might mean, we’re now halfway through the first season of Mike McMahan’s Star Trek: Lower Decks. And in a short time, the adventures and banter of Beckett Mariner, Bradward Boimler, D’Vana Tendi, Sam Rutherford—and even Durango and Ron Emmanuel Docent, Jr. —have won over many fans, even some who were highly skeptical going in.   In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek pay a visit to the insignificant little USS Cerritos as its journey reaches midseason to share our thoughts on this animated rendition of Star Trek, the comedic elements, recreation of the 24th-century aesthetic, nods to Trek past, and much more.   Chapters Intro 00:00:00   Initial Thoughts 00:03:11   Reference Density 00:10:03   Promoting Mariner 00:18:14   Character Pairings 00:23:39   Sometimes a Bit Sitcomish 00:25:44   Tendi and Rutherford … Sitting in a Tree 00:28:09   The Upper Deckers 00:32:17   Tropes 00:38:26   Prodigy Young-Adult Sidebar 00:46:34   Profane Break 00:49:09   Alien Diversity 00:56:37   Bland Names and Zany Lines 01:05:24   Fan Reception 01:09:27   Character Development 01:14:14   Second Contact 01:22:34   Envoys 01:35:59   Moist Vessel 01:44:24   Temporal Edict 01:50:30   Cupid’s Errant Arrow 01:58:36   Final Thoughts 02:04:49   Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek   Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Expanding the Star Trek universe. Star Trek content has been blossoming in recent years, and franchise showrunner Alex Kurtzman recently talked to Deadline and Variety about the rapid expansion. After years of no voyages on TV—and just a slow trickle on the big screen—the studio is showering fans with series after series, with more to come.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek use Kurtzman’s interviews from the Star Trek Emmy promotion campaign as the basis for exploring Section 31, Lower Decks, Strange New Worlds, Prodigy, and the overall expansion of the Star Trek universe—including risks and rewards. We also discuss what the decision to air the first season of Star Trek: Discovery on CBS proper could mean for the future of Trek on television.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Starfleet Intelligence Tangent (00:04:44) Discovery Season 1 to Air on CBS (00:09:07) Expanding the Star Trek Universe (00:21:31) Lower Decks Sidebar (00:32:06) Differentiating the Series (00:35:42) Risks of Rapid Expansion (00:46:32) Section 31 (00:54:23) Rumor Mill from Another Dimension (01:07:00) Strange New Worlds (01:14:07) Room for Optimism in Storytelling (01:25:35) Prodigy (01:38:27) Final Thoughts (01:42:12) Closing (01:50:17)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Lower Decks pre-launch thoughts and Star Trek Emmy nominations.

After almost five decades, Star Trek is returning to animation under the guidance of Mike McMahan, writer and producer of the Cartoon Network animated comedy series Rick and Morty and creator of the Hulu animated series Solar Opposites. What does he have in store for Star Trek fans?

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek explore the upcoming series and what it could mesan for the franchise, as well their expectations for this excursion to the Lower Decks. We also discuss the Star Trek franchise’s six Emmy nominations and how virtual cons are changing the nature of fan interaction in the age of coronavirus.

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer)

Picard Recap and Strange New Worlds.

The first season of Star Trek: Picard is behind us, and Jean-Luc Picard has a new body to carry him through Season 2. But before we speculate on what that might mean and where the La Sirena crew are headed, we must consider the broader impact of Patrick Stewart’s return on the health of the franchise.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek look back at the full season of Star Trek: Picard and share our feelings on the story and creative work. We also take a first look at the recently announced Captain Pike series, Strange New Worlds.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Thoughts on the Full Season (00:05:04) Commodore Oh Tangent (00:13:13) Back to Those Thoughts (00:16:23) Necessary Flashbacks (00:18:55) Pilot of the Past? (00:22:13) Manny Coto Tangent (00:26:55) Thoughts on the Conclusion (00:30:01) Pining over Data (00:40:11) Picard’s Artificial Adventure (00:49:07) End of a Journey for Picard? (00:56:12) Casting Surprises (01:03:26) All That Romulan Hissing (01:06:15) What It Means for the Franchise (01:14:39) Strange New Worlds (01:21:43) Final Thoughts (01:36:16) Closing (01:42:03)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Midseason Picard.

Seeing Patrick Stewart on screen once again in the role of Jean-Luc Picard has been a dream come true for fans—particularly those who grew up with Star Trek: The Next Generation. But while the opening scene brought us two familiar faces aboard a familiar ship, this new series is far from a return to TNG. Nearly twenty years after the film Nemesis, Picard finds himself in the midst of a mystery involving old enemies and Starfleet that is unlike the one in which he served. While some elements may be familiar, this is a modern take on Star Trek of old.

In this episode of The Ready Room, host C Bryan Jones is joined by Matthew Rushing, his co-host from The Orb, to discuss the first half of Star Trek: Picard Season 1. We share our thoughts on the tone and direction of the new show, characters old and new, what happened in the first five episodes, what we feel has and has not worked in the writing and pacing, and where we would like things to go from here.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Change of Heart (00:05:30) The Premise (00:12:26) Federation Gone Bad (00:15:40) Do You Need to Read The Last Best Hope? (00:19:35) Every Universe Has Its Own Rules (00:31:22) Romulan–Borg Disconnect (00:32:46) Laris and Zhaban (00:41:02) Dahj and Soji (00:47:39) Narek and Rizzo (00:51:07) Jurati (00:57:31) Raffi (01:05:12) Rios (01:11:53) Seven of Nine (01:15:40) For Mature Audiences Only (01:20:17) Episode Rundown (01:28:43) Where Is the Story Headed? (01:34:02) Are 10 Episodes Enough? (01:39:47) Final Thoughts (01:42:00) Closing (01:44:31)

Host C Bryan Jones

Guest Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Shaw (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) David Shuford (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)