“Hegemony”

A Gorn attack on the Federation colony on Parnassus Beta threatens to turn mounting tensions into a full-blown war. When Captain Pike’s partner, Captain Batel, gets caught in the attack, he defies Admiral April’s orders and mounts a rescue mission. With Chapel also missing, Spock is happy to help, but to do so will require suiting up and flying through space.

With the help of another familiar face, Pike and Spock return to the Enterprise with their lovers, but others—not all wearing red shirts—aren’t so lucky. With part of his crew abducted in cold blood, what will Pike do? A big lizard now truly is in the Federation’s backyard as the second season of Strange New Worlds wraps up with a dramatic finish manufactured just for the occasion.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with the season finale, “Hegemony.” 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.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Getting to Know the Gorn (00:03:16) Jumping the Gorn (00:09:06) Internal Consistency Matters (00:16:04) Manufacturing Drama (00:21:16) Crate 32 (00:26:24) Right Place, Right Time (00:29:06) Series Identity (00:36:15) Diplomatic Connections (00:40:46) Bye Bye Batel? (00:49:10) Spock and Chapel (00:54:03) Montgomery Scott at Your Service (00:57:29)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:00:15) Closing (01:04:13)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Subspace Rhapsody”

The discovery of a naturally occurring subspace field leads Spock to speculate that the speed of communications could be tripled. And he was sort of right, at least on a personal level, when his quantum probability field experiment goes wrong and the crew breaks out into song. Again and again. As the improbability field expands, people on other ships also begin singing. And if the Enterprise crew cannot pull off a grand finale, the phenomenon could spread across the entire subspace communications network.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with “Subspace Rhapsody.” 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.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Breaking Down Walls … and into Song (00:02:56) Say What You Need to Say (00:11:23) La'an and Kirk (00:17:02) Spock and Chapel (00:21:23) Pike and Batel (00:33:46) To Live Alone or Together (00:38:10) The Songs (00:40:28) The Source of Our Great Dishonor (00:46:07) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:47:31) Closing (00:52:24)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Under the Cloak of War”

For Doctor M’Benga and nurse Christine Chapel, the horrors of war come rushing back when Dak’Rah, a former Klingon general who defected to the Federation, comes aboard the Enterprise. Now an ambassador for the Federation, trying to bridge the two sides in the aftermath of the 2256–57 war, Dak’Rah came to be known as the Butcher of  J’Gal for his brutal tactics. But for M’Benga, the actions that earned Rah that moniker hit closer to home than anyone knew. And the end game plays out in the Enterprise’s sickbay.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with “Under the Cloak of War.” We discuss the impact of war, atonement, responsibility for one’s actions, the DS9 feel of the episode, and more.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Inappropriately Spaced Mixtape (00:02:21) A DS9 State of Mind (00:06:44) The Impact of War (00:12:08) The Conscience of the King (00:22:07) Does the Truth Matter? (00:27:43) The Needs of the Many (00:33:15) Clint Howard Treks Again (00:42:41) Boatswain! (00:45:02) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:47:08) Closing (00:52:17)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Those Old Scientists”

When the USS Cerritos visits Krulmuth-B to investigate Bradward Boimler’s all-time favorite portal, to make sure the portal area is free of any portal problems, the ensign gets sucked into the portal … which is a problem. On the other side he finds himself at the feet of Una Chin-Riley, La’an Noonien-Singh, and Mr. Spock. Stardate: the past. Captain Pike (AKA funny captain) must find a way to return Boimler to his animated future before he can change history—a task that becomes more complicated when Beckett Mariner comes flying through the portal just as Boimler is saying goodbye. With the last bit of known horonium gone, can the crew of the Enterprise find a way to get the two reference-dropping misfits back home? It’s down to a coin toss. Do you feel lucky?

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with “Those Old Scientists.” 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.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Bringing the Crews Together (00:03:08) Setting Up Humor (00:07:04) Boimler and Mariner Fitting In (00:15:21) Bajorans and Cardassians, Oh My! (00:22:33) Poignant Moments (00:33:01) Frakes Behind Camera (00:37:28) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:51) Closing (00:45:56)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Lost in Translation”

When the Enterprise arrives at Bannon’s Nebula to help get Starfleet’s newest gas station up and running. Uhura receives a mysterious signal that no one else can hear. She begins having hallucinations that include scenes of death and her old friend and mentor Hemmer. Systems failures lead to the discovery of a saboteur who is experiencing the same brain-rattling noises and unreal scenarios. As Uhura slowly loses her mind, she unravels the mystery, saving the ship and discovering an unknown life-form in the process.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with “Lost in Translation.” We discuss character building for Uhura, how the story could have gone from good to great, dangling threads piling up, softly pushing us towards The Original Series, and more.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Relationships Matter (00:03:22) Dangling Threads (00:14:13) An Uhura Story (00:20:13) Finding Focus (00:27:53) Forgetting the Mission (00:39:47) Piling Up (00:50:16) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:53:03) Closing (00:56:50)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Charades”

When a shuttle accident almost kills Spock, he is put back together by aliens with colorful names. There’s just one problem: they left out his Vulcan DNA. And they did so at a most inopportune time. Spock really needs to impress T’Pring’s mother if their engagement is going to continue. But how is a fully human Spock going to focus on meeting the demands of Vulcan tradition when Captain Pike is cooking up delicious bacon? It’s a most unexpected, strange new twist that only a mother could know and that ends with a kiss.  In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with “Charades.” We discuss humor in Star Trek, writing in a modern vernacular, overshadowing important commentary, character arcs, and more.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Humor in Star Trek (00:02:03) A Modern Vernacular (00:06:05) Best Use of Time? (00:12:26) Finding Balance (00:15:29) Overshadowing Commentary (00:26:44) Spock and Chapel (00:32:50) Making It All Work (00:36:33) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:49:57) Closing (00:52:12)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Among the Lotus Eaters”

Returning to Rigel VII five years after a disastrous planetary survey, the Enterprise spots the Starfleet delta from space. Pike, La’an, and M’Benga beam down to discover Pike’s former yeoman, Zac Nguyen, who was believed to have been killed in action, now ruling over the indigenous Kalar as king. Soon, due to exotic radiation, the landing party begin to lose their memories—a problem that soon extends to the ship in orbit. Only ore from an asteroid and the sheer will of Erica Ortegas can save the day.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with “Among the Lotus Eaters.” 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.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Revisiting Rigel VII (00:02:52) A TOS Feel (00:05:25) The Story of Our Life Matters (00:13:00) Feeling Is Only the Beginning of Wisdom (00:18:04) Controlling the Masses (00:20:24) Romancing the Captains (00:28:48) Taking Responsibility (00:33:52) Spock’s Choice (00:36:15) A Prime Directive Moment (00:45:00) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:50:42)   Closing (00:53:31)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow”

While going about a routine day aboard the Enterprise, La’an Noonien-Singh encounters a strange guy who has wondered into the corridor. He’s been shot. In the past. And he needs La’an to go back in time and stop the attack or else history will be changed. Her companion for the mission? None other than James T. Kirk. But not that Kirk. Well, not exactly. The duo of officers from different timelines travel back to TV’s New York City (AKA Toronto) and figure out what event splits the timeline, track down who is responsible, and enjoy hot dogs along the way. But at the end of the journey awaits a child.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.” 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.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Time Travel Checklist (00:04:35) A La’an Story (00:08:38) The Khan in the Room (00:11:30) Not Just Another Time Travel Story (00:19:17) Finding Kirk (00:22:12) Temporal Interference (00:27:38) Star Trek As Inspiration (00:36:39) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:41:44) Closing (00:44:39)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Ad Astra per Aspera”

When Una Chin-Riley faces a court martial for concealing her identity as an Illyrian, Starfleet and the Federation itself also stand trial for the hipocrisy of their rules and how they are enforced.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with a discussion of “Ad Astra per Aspera.” We look at how the debate shines a light on the Federation’s failure to uphold IDIC, real-world struggles to avoid discrimination and persecution, and ask whether the appeal to emotions helps or harms the delivery of the story’s message. We also examine how the stance on genetic engineering fits into canon, the curious omission of Denobulans, the missing Vulcan backstory, and more.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Fitting (Or Not) into Canon (00:03:35) Turning a Blind Eye (00:12:36) Denobulans Be Like Whaaaaa? (00:16:14) Intolerant of Tolerance (00:18:20) A Rule Is a Rule (Unless It Isn't) (00:21:04) The Untold Vulcan Backstory (00:24:37) To the Stars through Hardship (00:31:44) Hypocrisy and Emotion (00:35:02) A Story with No End (00:41:27)   The Illogic of Judging Others (00:50:30) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:55:42) Closing (00:57:49)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“The Broken Circle”

Assuring Spock that he’ll do fine commanding the Enterprise for three days while the ship is docked at Starbase 1, Captain Pike sets off to help Number One, who has been arrested for concealing from Starfleet that she is a genetically enhanced Illyrian. Soon after Pike leaves, Uhura receives a distress call from La’an Noonien-Singh. The crew find La’an and help uncover and stop the plot of a syndicate called the Broken Circle, who aim to restart the Federation–Klingon War so they can hike up prices and profit by selling the planet’s rich dilithium deposits to both sides. And along the way, Spock experiences emotions.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing kick off Season 2 with a discussion of “The Broken Circle.” We look at the unexpected start to the season, with Pike quickly heading off on his own mission, how the story focuses on Spock’s character development as he grapples with the emotional repercussions of Season 1’s encounter with the Gorn, plus 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.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) An Unexpected Start (00:04:43) Pike Has Left the Building (00:10:02) Broken Characters (00:16:33) A Vulcan Rhapsody (00:22:51) The Search for Spock (00:27:21) Playing with Canon (00:37:05) Now THAT'S What I Call Klingons! (00:48:30) Place and Time (00:50:21)  Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:59:54) Closing (01:02:25)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“A Quality of Mercy”

Getting a visit from your future self is rarely a good thing, but if your future self is supposed to be dead, well, you might have hopes for positive news. That’s what Captain Pike thought when a silver fox in Monster Maroons strolled into his quarters. But soon he finds himself at the wedding of … well, he's not sure who they are … in an alternate timeline in which a famous confrontation with Romulans plays out differently, and very much the same.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss “A Quality of Mercy,” the final episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ inaugural season. We explore the retelling of the classic episode “Balance of Terror,” how this new story reinforces the importance of The Original Series as the foundation of Star Trek as we know it, and how it highlights the pivotal roles which Kirk, Spock, and Pike play in history. We also debate whether the series is leading us to a soft reboot of TOS. Oh, and don't miss our Monster Maroons sidebar.

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)