Vulcan Hello (Star Trek Discovery, Picard, Strange New Worlds)

91: "Life, Itself" (Discovery S5E10) May 31, 2024

This is it! We’re reviewing a new “Star Trek: Discovery” episode for the last time. From binary stars to binary black holes, we’ve been here through it all. This time we’re doing our usual nonsense, expressing feelings first, then discussing the specially shot series-end segment, then backing into the main core of the episode. Mind-bending corridors! Lengthy bridge discussions! Fancy dress wedding! Book’s new living room! We cover it all.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

90: "Lagrange Point" (Discovery S5E9) May 24, 2024

The season-long plot nears its conclusion—but this is “Discovery,” so there’s still time for a heart-to-heart while wearing Breen helmets. Jason and Scott have an oil bath to get to, but before they do, they break down the penultimate episode! Saru’s back! Vulcan flower holders! And the most dramatic scene of a man sitting in a chair that we’ve seen in years.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

89: "Labyrinth" (Discovery S5E8) May 17, 2024

Into the space library we go! Burnham faces a mental labyrinth while on the outside, the Breen are busy doing Breen stuff—being annoying, mostly. We discuss Moll’s commitment to her husband, delight in library wardrobes, and more—but only after Jason makes strange, brief digression to discuss “Magnum, p.i.” and how it’s not connected to “Star Trek.” Except where it is.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

88: "Erigah" (Discovery S5E7) May 10, 2024

Discovery rolls on toward its end, with an episode that should involve a lot of plot pivoting, but ends up being an old-fashioned talky diplomatic dilemma crossed with scientific puzzle solving. Also, so many Breen! And Rayner learns that when you’re in trouble, you have to take the walk of shame instead of beaming home.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

87: "Whistlespeak" (Discovery S5E6) May 03, 2024

What’s more Star Trek than violating the Prime Directive? This week’s “Discovery” episode feels familiar in a very good way. Jason defends Captain Burnham in imaginary Prime Directive court, but Judge Scott is not hearing it. Also, we spend a surprising amount of time wondering about how replicated food works. We blame Culber’s abuela.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

86: "Mirrors" (Discovery S5E5) Apr 28, 2024

At long last, this episode of “Star Trek: Discovery” answers the question fans have been asking about for decades: What’s under that Breen helmet? Wait, was that not your question? How about some backstory for this season’s antagonists? No? You wanted to know more juicy details about the Mirror Universe? Well, we don’t know what to tell you. Look in the mirror. We did.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

85: "Face the Strange" (Discovery S5E4) Apr 19, 2024

Time may change me, but I can’t trace time! We ping-pong through the personal history of the USS Discovery as Michael tries to teach herself how far she’s come, Rayner learns to let the Burn go and live a little, and Stamets gets to construct a box to crush a Time Bug. Also, a Short Trek is surprisingly relevant! We break it all down.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

84: "Jinaal" (Discovery S5E3) Apr 12, 2024

This week Burnham and Book take another hike to find a clue; Tilly explains to Rayner that he’s not on his old “Star Trek” show anymore; Saru tumbles into a Ni’Varian episode of “Veep”; and Gray and Adira go their separate ways, worlds apart. It’s all about connections, you see. And this episode connects Scott and Jason to each other, and both of them to you. See, we’re going with the Disco flow.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

83: "Red Directive" and "Under the Twin Moons" (Discovery S5E1-2) Apr 05, 2024

Live Star Trek is back in season! “Star Trek Discovery” has returned with a two-episode premiere, and we’re here to break it down. Once again, we profess our love for Jerks Who Are Right. We discover what form a Vulcan Proposal takes. Our new villains look like they’re space Bonnie and Clyde, but maybe they’re just misunderstood. And we enter Conspiracy Corner in order to ponder secret clues for what might be coming next—but not before a moment’s silence for Fred.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Discovery

Show Notes & Links

Tim Lynch's "The Chase" review

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

82: "Strange New Worlds" S2 wrap-up panel Sep 01, 2023

With season 2 of “Strange New Worlds” in the rear-view mirror, Jason recorded a season overview on the Mothership. But so many people watched and enjoyed the season that we have brought back the Vulcan Hello season wrap-up panel, too!

Moisés Chiullán with Cicero Holmes, David J. Loehr, Heather Berberet and Houman Sadri

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

81: "Hegemony" (SNW S2E10) Aug 11, 2023

We wrap up season two of “Strange New Worlds” with a discussion of canon breaking and why it’s okay, how we liked the season as a whole, and why the most Star Trek solution to a problem involving enemy alien monsters may be to try to understand them better. To be continued… eventually!

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

80: "Subspace Rhapsody" (SNW S2E9) Aug 08, 2023

We’re so excited about this episode of “Strange New Worlds” that we’ve gotta sing! But we’re not going to dance very much. And Scott doesn’t sing. What we can do, though, is talk about Star Trek!

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

79: "Under the Cloak of War" (SNW S2E8) Jul 27, 2023

War! Finally, we get (some of) the story about M’Benga and Chapel’s time during the Klingon war. There’s a “Deep Space Nine” level of darkness in this episode, but did it succeed at what it was trying to do? Or was it just a cup of cold replicated Raktajino?

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

78: "Those Old Scientists" (SNW S2E7) Jul 25, 2023

Jason and Scott return, and sooner than expected, to cover the surprise release of the “Strange New Worlds”-“Lower Decks” crossover episode. It’s full of jokes, and references, and—what’s this?—unexpected emotional heft and character nuance! Plus more jokes! Grab an Orion cocktail and pull up a chair, there’s an ancient game of Dom-jot to be played!

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

77: "Lost in Translation" (SNW S2E6) Jul 23, 2023

Scott is joined by his wife Marisa to discuss an episode in which creepy things are happening on the Enterprise… but only to Uhura.

Scott McNulty with Marisa McClellan

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

76: "Charades" (SNW S2E5) Jul 15, 2023

We’re sorry, your podcast was damaged in transit and has been repaired in accordance with our warranty policy. Your regular hosts Scott and Jason were scanned and returned to you in their original condition. All extraneous instructions have been discarded. There is no need to reply to this message.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

75: "Among the Lotus Eaters" (SNW S2E4) Jul 07, 2023

We can’t really remember what happened on this episode, but it made us FEEL GOOD. And feeling is the important part. Also, how long has this episode been going on? Hand me a helmet! I fly the ship!

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

**74: "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" (SNW S2E3)** Jun 30, 2023
Captain Kirk is back—sort of—in this week’s La’an-focused “Strange New Worlds,” which takes viewers on a time-travel ride reminiscent of some of Star Trek’s best movies and episodes. Does it deliver top-notch Trek vibes? We think so.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

73: "Ad Astra Per Aspera" (SNW S2E2) Jun 23, 2023

It’s time for a courtroom drama—and the career and life of Una hang in the balance! We discuss Star Trek courtroom dramas, how modern Trek undermines the utopian vision of Gene Roddenberry and makes something even better out of it, and then we enter a Spoiler Closet that’s not particularly spoilery but does involve us trying to make sense of Star Trek economics.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

72: "The Broken Circle" (SNW S2E1) Jun 16, 2023

Scott and Jason are back for another season of “Strange New Worlds,” but what’s this? Captain Pike and Number One sidelined? Carol Kane inviting starship theft? A potent injection of punchy-punchy juice? This was an episode that defied our expectations, for sure.

Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Show Notes & Links

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

71: "The Last Generation" (Picard S3E10) Apr 21, 2023

It’s all over! Scott and Jason break down the big finale, as we say farewell (again) to classic Star Trek characters. But it’s not a goodbye, of course, but a passing of the torch to… the next generation. How did the episode and season make us feel? How much do we care about the details of the plot? Who else might have been a changeling? We’ll see you back here in mid-June for “Strange New Worlds” season two.

70: "Võx" (Picard S3E9) Apr 14, 2023

Jack Crusher’s secret has been revealed! And while it’s not that much of a surprise, we think it works thematically and admire the broad, audacious plan that sets up the series’ final episode next week. Meanwhile, the nostalgia trip we thought we were taking turns out to be a much more thorough and detailed nostalgia trip than we could have ever expected. And while we’re all out of conspiracy theories, Scott saves some time at the end to ask Jason some surprising questions about what the final episode of “Star Trek: Picard” might bring.

69: "Surrender" (Picard S3E8) Apr 07, 2023

The final season of “Star Trek: Picard” creeps ever closer to its climax in this episode, which features Riker family grief struggles, Data giving away his Data memorabilia, Jack Crusher making an important decision, Shaw regressing into being a bit of a Bad Captain, and Vadic’s henchmen being of questionable value. Jason has some theories about how this plot will finally be resolved, but we all have to wait until next week to begin finding out!

68: "Dominion" (Picard S3E7) Mar 31, 2023

Action takes a bit of a pause this week, as Picard and company deploy their plan and Vadic reveals hers. We also react to the “Strange New Worlds” and “Starfleet Academy” news.

67: "The Bounty" (Picard S3E6) Mar 24, 2023

We cover an episode that’s busy pivoting the plot of “Picard” season 3 but manages to also throw in fan service, plot twists, surprising character development, and the first appearance of one classic TNG character! But why is Lucille Ball’s body being stored in a Paramount warehouse?

66: "Imposters" (Picard S3E5) Mar 17, 2023

Scott and Jason are back—or are they diabolical duplicates?—to discuss an episode of “Picard” that featured surprising guest stars, the ratcheting up of the mystery of Jack Crusher, the continuing education of Captain Shaw, and Worf and Raffi’s encounter with a very logical Vulcan mob boss.

65: "No Win Scenario" (Picard S3E4) Mar 10, 2023

Jason’s back just in time for the USS Titan to spiral into the abyss. But on the way down, there will be lots of glorious character moments! We sing the praises of Todd Stashwick as Captain Shaw—he’s not wrong, he’s just a jerk—and break down the rest of this tense hour of holodecks, Space Babies, and recriminations.

64: "Seventeen Seconds" (Picard S3E3) Mar 03, 2023

Scott plunges deeper into the nebula with Moisés Chiullán. Fathers are everywhere, all things are not what they seem, and if Beverly Crusher offers you her hypospray, you darn well better take her up on it!

63: "Disengage" (Picard S3E2) Feb 24, 2023

Text your spy handler and get yourself out of that med pod; Star Trek: Picard Season 3 episode 2 is here. Scott is joined by Joe Rosensteel to talk about their feelings about Picard in general and what works for them in this episode (a lot of it works!). What makes an ideal Starfleet captain? Who keeps a head handy for dramatic reveals? Find out!

62: "The Next Generation" (Picard S3E1) Feb 17, 2023

“Star Trek: Picard” is back and so are Jason and Scott with our review of the final-season premiere, “The Next Generation.” (Hmmmmm.) We discuss themes (musical and otherwise), try to understand why hitching a ride on a Starfleet ship counts as “no Starfleet,” and praise the art of being a truly bad “Star Trek” admiral or captain.

61: "Prodigy" S1.5, "Lower Decks" S3, and "Picard" S3 anticipation Feb 10, 2023

They gave her back to us, Scotty! Jason and Scott prime the pump for next week’s “Star Trek: Picard” premiere by discussing the completed animated seasons of “Lower Decks” and “Prodigy.”

60: "A Quality of Mercy" (SNW S1E10) Jul 08, 2022

So it’s come to this. It’s our last weekly podcast for a while, as “Strange New Worlds” wraps its season with an explosive-yet-contemplative look at Captain Pike’s fate and how he chooses to deal with it. We also discuss why the first season of “Strange New Worlds” has been successful and whether Trek should be embracing the past, trying new things, or if there’s a middle ground.

59: "All Those Who Wander" (SNW S1E9) Jul 01, 2022

The penultimate episode of “Strange New Worlds” season one is here, and it brings horrors and character development in equal measure! Join us for some classic Hemmer-Uhura bonding, Spock getting in touch with his human side, and a few characters who may not make it out of the episode alive.

58: "The Elysian Kingdom" (SNW S1E8) Jun 24, 2022

This week the Enterprise becomes a fairy tale, but there’s a surprisingly bittersweet ending. What’s in that nebula? Which Enterprise crew member is an elf from Lord of the Rings (easy one) and which one is Arrow (tougher one)? Also we assign you a good “Deep Space Nine” episode and Jason tries to trick people into watching a bad one.

57: "The Serene Squall" (SNW S1E7) Jun 17, 2022

Arr, matey! Jason and Scott are here to talk about pirates, references to three different not-good Star Trek feature films, an intriguing guest star, Chapel and T’Pring, mining Spock’s inner conflict, and the ol’ Mutiny Ploy. Shiver me space timbers!

56: "Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach" (SNW S1E6) Jun 10, 2022

Pike is back in the spotlight and Scott welcomes replacement cohost David Loehr to break it all down.

55: "Spock Amok" (SNW S1E5) Jun 03, 2022

This week it’s time for a little hijinks, as “Strange New Worlds” treads on classic Trek canon in the service of comedy, but not without keeping an eye on character development. We’re joined by cartoonist and writer Thom Zahler to break down an episode that shows the newest Star Trek show hitting on all cylinders.

54: "Memento Mori" (SNW S1E4) May 27, 2022

We really liked this week’s “Strange New Worlds,” and we talk about it, but we also wonder if this show’s plots are a little overstuffed. Is the show finding its footing or leaning too heavily on old references? Discuss among yourselves—or just listen to us discuss it.

53: "Ghosts of Illyria" (SNW S1E3) May 20, 2022

With Pike and Spock trapped on a planet hiding from ghosts(!), Number One has to deal with a crisis aboard the Enterprise that will lead her to reveal some very personal information about herself. We discuss it all, including other things you might want to hide in a transporter buffer.

52: "Children of the Comet" (SNW S1E2) May 13, 2022

This week’s “Strange New Worlds” focuses on Uhura, and also there’s a comet that’s not quite what it appears to be, a ship full of comet-worshippers, and a glowing egg that should be sung to—but not touched! We break it all down.

51: "Farewell" (Picard S2E10) and "Strange New Worlds" (S1E1) May 06, 2022

Two Treks, one podcast! We discuss the (disappointing) finale of “Star Trek: Picard” season two, and then (at 24 minutes) shift gears to discuss the eponymous pilot episode of “Strange New Worlds,” which fills us with enthusiasm for the future of Star Trek. Also: Jason mentions Law & Order and has a gruesome pitch for season three of “Picard.” Hit it!

50: Picard S2E9: "Hide and Seek" Apr 29, 2022

The penultimate episode of season 2 of “Star Trek: Picard” is here! Jason and Scott are conflicted. Some of it seemed pretty obvious, but was it affecting? Why has there not been more Jurati and Borg Queen up until now? Where is this season going to end up? Join us for a very slow walking tour of the tunnels beneath Chateau Picard.

49: Picard S2E8: "Mercy" Apr 22, 2022

The human podcast digressions, Scott and Jason, are back with more roundabout conversation that’s vaguely related to “Star Trek: Picard!” (Can you picture it?) We’re discussing an episode that we enjoyed despite it being in the midst of a very questionably paced season. And we announce our forthcoming Incomparable Member Special!

48: Picard S2E7: "Monsters" Apr 15, 2022

We dive into Picard’s mind this week with our review of “Monsters.” Also, Guinan does that thing with her hands, Rios makes a questionable decision, and the Borg confront their greatest foe: safety glass.

47: Picard S2E6: "Two of One" Apr 08, 2022

This week we’ve got a surprise musical number, the perfect murder weapon (a Tesla), and the world’s wisest security guard dispenses advice. All that and more as Scott and Jason discuss the latest “Star Trek: Picard”, then fire off the Conspiracy Phaser to discuss the season 3 teaser and finally move on to the 4K remaster of the ST:TMP Director’s Edition.

46: Picard S2E5: "Fly Me to the Moon" Apr 01, 2022

It’s another set-up episode for “Star Trek: Picard,” and so we break down Alice giving the Borg Queen a phone in her room, Rios finishing his bus ride, Q doing accents and other schtick, Brent Spiner proving that the Soong remains the same, and of course Picard showing his detailed knowledge of TOS episodes.

45: Picard S2E4: "Watcher" Mar 25, 2022

Back to one Star Trek show per week, and Jason and Scott are here to deconstruct an episode of “Picard” that’s a little lighter on plot advancement than the previous weeks. But it’s heavy on references, fan service, and conspiracy theories! Also, there’s a cute dog, car chases, a very funny Rios monologue, and a perplexing Q twist. Also: We discuss the trailer for the 4K revival of Star Trek: The Motion Picture!

44: Discovery S4E13: "Coming Home" and Picard S2E3: "Assimilation" Mar 18, 2022

After an impromptu St. Patrick’s Day celebration of all things Irish in Star Trek, Scott and Jason get down to business and send season 4 of “Star Trek: Discovery” off (starting at 2:04), before turning to another cracking episode of “Star Trek: Picard” (starting at 16:09) and briefly discussing some “Strange New Worlds” casting news (after the spoiler phaser at 36:33).

43: Discovery S4E12: "Species 10-C" and Picard S2E2: "Penance" Mar 11, 2022

So much Star Trek! This week Jason and Scott discuss the “Strange New Worlds” trailer, then turn their attention to the penultimate episode of “Discovery” (at 8:24) and the second episode of “Picard” (at 26:16). We are excited about “Discovery” reaching its seasonal climax and super-super excited about… pretty much everything in “Picard.” Join us!

42: Discovery S4E11: "Rosetta" and Picard S2E1: "The Star Gazer" Mar 04, 2022

Two episodes of Star Trek at once? Let’s party like it’s 1999. First up is “Rosetta,” in which Discovery goes to a mysterious planet and the landing party has some strong feelings. Then (at 20:46, for those who want to skip the “Discovery” talk) we cover the season premiere of “Star Trek: Picard,” which gets us really excited about starships, the Borg, and how wine bottles are designed in the early 25th century.

41: Discovery S4E10: "The Galactic Barrier" Feb 25, 2022

The Disco crew slowly begins its gradual journey toward the source of the DMA. Every journey begins with a first step. Scott’s traveling companion for this step of the journey is special guest Joe Rosensteel.

40: Discovery S4E9: "Rubicon" Feb 18, 2022

This week Discovery takes us to the heart of the DMA for a confrontation between Burnham and Book with the galaxy at stake. Mad scientists are not to be trusted! Also, Saru might have been asked on a date? And we discuss the big news that the Kelvin crew may be returning in a fourth J.J. Abrams-produced Star Trek movie.

39: Discovery S4E8: "All In" Feb 11, 2022

We’re back to begin an unprecedented run of 21 straight weeks of new live-action Star Trek! This week’s “Discovery” has a lot of wacky dialogue and peculiar situations, yet we both felt it was missing… something. Still, it’s good to have Star Trek back!

38: Discovery S4E7: "...But to Connect" Dec 31, 2021

Vulcan Hello’s midseason finale features mad scientists, sentient computers, and also some “character clean-up.” This was perhaps the most Star Trekky episode of the season, by our judgment. And it’s all you’ll have of “Star Trek: Discovery” until the far off time of… February! See you in six weeks.

37: Discovery S4E6: "Stormy Weather" Dec 24, 2021

This week “Star Trek: Discovery” is about as Star Trek as it gets, with the ship trapped in a mysterious void. Dying robots scream, the ship’s singing A.I. has focus issues (and yet nobody bats an eye?), Book gets yelled at by a relative only he can see, and there are intriguing clues to the source of the DMA that manage to reassure us.

36: Discovery S4E5: "The Examples" Dec 17, 2021

This week’s episode of “Star Trek: Discovery” has a classic Star Trek character, the arrogant guest-star mad scientist! Stamets looks in the mirror and thinks maybe the new guy is a little too familiar. Culber gets a pep talk from our favorite mysterious man, Kovich! And Michael Burnham gets to tell off a functionary about his stupid society, in classic Kirk style—but only after making a difficult decision about the fate of a prisoner.

35: Discovery S4E4: "All Is Possible" Dec 10, 2021

Joe Rosensteel joins us to discuss Burnham and Saru’s diplomatic trip to Ni’Var, Book and Culber’s sand-sculpting therapy, and Tilly’s adventure with a bunch of unruly cadets from Starfleet Academy. Where is this season going? We have no idea.

34: Discovery S4E3: "Choose to Live" Dec 03, 2021

Space ninjas will get you every time. This week, we take a trip to a moon—wait, that’s no moon. Also, there’s an ironically emotional trip to Ni’Var, Tilly gets way out of her comfort zone, and Gray’s 3-D printed body arrives. This is an inventive episode, but Jason really wanted an extra Star Trek-style plot twist or two. Scott has an idea for the ultimate Star Trek crossover event. Two words: “Characters Welcome.”

33: Discovery S4E2: "Anomaly" Nov 26, 2021

We’ve emerged from our Thanksgiving food comas to discuss Discovery’s trip to the edge of the dangerous gravitational anomaly that’s threatening the galaxy. There’s a lot of character bits, emotional journeys, good dads, and management tips along with explosive bridge action and an awful lot of flying rocks.

32: Discovery S4E1: "Kobayashi Maru" Nov 19, 2021

“Star Trek: Discovery” is back and so are we! In the season premiere we say hello to an annoying back-seat driver of a Federation President, and goodbye to a sparsely populated planet! Also, Saru kills it with his PowerPoint presentation about togetherness, and a gravitational anomaly wreaks havoc—but with any luck, provides the impetus for the season’s themes about the value of thinking beyond yourself and working collectively. Also, we ponder what a Tribble might do in Starfleet. As one does.

31: "Lower Decks" season 2 wrap-up Oct 22, 2021

Scott and Jason return, joined by a special guest to discuss season two of “Lower Decks” and a little bit about what we anticipate for “Prodigy.” Dooplers! Mugatos! And also lots of things we really liked! We’ll be back in a month or so to resume our weekly reviews of “Discovery.”

30: "Star Trek: Discovery" season 3 wrap-up Jan 15, 2021

The third “Star Trek: Discovery” season is over, and we’ve split our thoughts up into two separate panels. Jason’s will be over on The Incomparable, but Scott’s is right here! He’s joined by five special guests to discuss the ups and downs of this season.

29: Discovery S3E13: "That Hope Is You, Part 2" Jan 08, 2021

“Star Trek: Discovery” season 3 has reached its end. Jason and Scott liked the episode but also have a bunch of complaints. (They start with the complaints, to get them out of the way.) Where does this episode leave us? What’s season 4 going to be like? It’s a momentous episode and we take our time breaking it down. Want more “Discovery” talk? We’ll be back in about a week for a special season wrap-up panel hosted by Scott, and Jason will host an additional wrap-up panel on The Incomparable.

28: Discovery S3E12: "There is a Tide..." Dec 31, 2020

It’s the penultimate episode of season three of “Discovery” and a lot is happening! “Die Hard” homages! A jerk who we thought was dead returns! Osyraa… has more depth than we previously thought? We liked this episode, though some of the twists don’t seem set up very well. Also we theorize about what happened to the Ferengi in the last 1000 years, and have some ideas about how season four might play out. Onward to 2021 and the finale! Happy New Year!

27: Discovery S3E11: "Su'Kal" Dec 25, 2020

On Christmas Eve, Scott and Jason sneak a look at one present under the tree—it’s a new episode of “Star Trek: Discovery!” And does it take a surprising and weird turn. We break down the holo-shenanigans, as well as what transpires back on the ship. Onward to New Year’s Eve!

26: Discovery S3E10: "Terra Firma, Part 2" Dec 18, 2020

This week we return to the ISS Discovery to see just how Georgiou’s time in the Prime Universe has changed her, before the show sends her off to whatever is next. (It’s a spin-off!) Also, we discuss story arcs versus standalone episodes, the dearth of sci-fi TV available when Scott and Jason were kids, and why there’s no eating in the Spore Chamber. Sit on it, Potsie!

25: Discovery S3E9: "Terra Firma, Part 1" Dec 11, 2020

In the first of a two-part episode, it’s all about Georgiou and her relationship with Burnham. And it goes to some very interesting places. Perhaps you all saw this coming, but Scott and Jason were surprised, because they’re suckers. Also, we meet this year’s new break-out Star Trek character! He’s got a bowler hat and will give you cryptic answers to all your questions because he just wants to sit in his comfy Adirondack chair and read tomorrow’s newspaper! Let’s hear it for Carl!

24: Discovery S3E8: "The Sanctuary" Dec 04, 2020

This week Jason and Scott try to separate what was good about this episode (Saru’s catchphrase shopping, Adira’s journey and Stamets’s support, Culber not taking any crap from Georgiou, Detmer getting her groove back) from what was bad (Book’s planet—all of it). And the Conspiracy Phaser returns so we can speculate about what’s in that nebula! (Probably not coffee.)

23: Discovery S3E7: "Unification III" Nov 26, 2020

Vulcans and Romulans, oh my! On Thanksgiving, Discovery dips into the private VHS collection of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard to follow up a TNG two-parter from 29 years ago. Burnham discovers the fate of Spock and finds she’s eligible for a passport from planet Ni’var! People in rooms discuss things at length! And Jason drops some old-school Trek fan fiction knowledge along the way. It’s Star Trek, you turkeys.

22: Discovery S3E6: "Scavengers" Nov 20, 2020

This week, Burnham fails to follow orders and saves Book from indentured servitude by kicking off a clever prison escape plan that’s… not particularly clever? We’ll admit it, this episode was a letdown compared to the high bar set by previous episodes. What’s up with Georgiou? Is Grudge a better actor than Number One? And for the first time this season, we end the episode with a bunch of season-arc speculation when we fire off the Conspiracy Phaser.

21: Discovery S3E5: "Die Trying" Nov 13, 2020

This week’s episode of “Star Trek: Discovery” is like a candy treat with a serialized character-driven coating and a crunchy Star Trek center. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it. Scott and Jason discuss mystery lullabyes, jerky Admirals who we really want to impress, sad seed-bank dads, and which famous director we’d next like to randomly appear on a sci-fi show.

20: Discovery S3E4: "Forget Me Not" Nov 06, 2020

What better for a stressful week than an emotional episode of Star Trek? Scott and Jason journey to Trill, where there are men in robes carrying pointy laser spears and goo-filled cave pools with repressed memories. Meanwhile, the Discovery orbits above, letting its newly sentient computer drive while the crew takes the night off for dinner, a movie, and an awkward Thanksgiving dinner.

19: Discovery S3E3: "People of Earth" Oct 30, 2020

This week, Discovery goes home to Earth to discover an unpleasant truth: Isolationism is bad and Star Trek has always been political. While there’s no sign of UESPA, the United Earth Defense Force will cause enough trouble, while a young genius bugs Tilly and Stamets, an obvious fake alien is unmasked, and Burnham and Book have to team up to see if they can out-Star-Trek Star Trek.

18: Discovery S3E2: "Far From Home" Oct 23, 2020

We get the flip side of last week’s episode, as the Disco crew adapts to the future. Plus, there’s a fistfight at a space saloon! Because it’s Star Trek. We discuss Saru’s inherent decency, Tilly’s cleverness, Georgiou’s gruff kick-punchiness, Reno’s surly pep talks, and a whole lot more as this season of “Star Trek: Discovery” gets underway.

17: Discovery S3E1: "That Hope Is You, Part 1" Oct 16, 2020

“Star Trek: Discovery” is back and so are Scott and Jason! But we’ve all been flung far into the future, a strange world full of Trance Worms,Maine Coon Cats, and Orions and Andorians living together! What strange new world has Michael Burnham discovered? Who is Book and why does his forehead glow sometimes? Why is this the perfect show to deal with the ideals of Starfleet and the Federation? We’re happy to be back!

16: "Lower Decks" Season 1 Wrap-Up Oct 09, 2020

Scott and Jason are getting ready for next week’s “Star Trek: Discovery” season three premiere, but before they get there, they take a little time to sum up their feelings about the just-completed first season of “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”

15: An Animated Series (Lower Decks S1E1-3) Aug 21, 2020

Scott and Jason finally get a chance to check in about the first three episodes of the newest Trek animated series, “Lower Decks.” They discuss the challenges of finding a balance between comedy and canon, between character drama and reference humor. How did they react to the first out-and-out Trek comedy? Humor may be subjective, but let’s analyze some jokes anyway, people!

14: "Star Trek: Picard" season 1 wrap-up Apr 03, 2020

The “Star Trek: Picard” season is over, and we’ve split our thought up into two separate panels. Jason’s will be over on The Incomparable, but Scott’s is right here! Scott is joined by five special guests to discuss the ups and downs of this season.

13: Picard S1E10: "Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2" Mar 27, 2020

The first season of “Star Trek: Picard” is in the books! Did the show stick the landing? Did the plot resolve properly, and how about the thematic and emotional character arcs? How about that six-minute long tearjerker of a scene in that quantum simulation? And what’s Narek up to now? Scott and Jason break it all down. Join us back here next week for a panel discussion wrapping up the season as a whole.

12: Picard S1E9: "Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1" Mar 20, 2020

The two-part finale is here! Jason and Scott find it hard to judge part one of a two-part episode, but they’ll run down what they can. Scott can’t decide what his favorite scene is! Jason has studied his paintings and his latin and can’t figure out what will happen next! Seven and Elnor are… present? And the great Guest Actor Prophesy is fulfilled! Join us as we get ready for next week’s big conclusion.

11: Picard S1E8: "Broken Pieces" Mar 13, 2020

This week we’re once again joined by a special guest, as Jean MacDonald brings her Voyager know-how along to discuss Seven of Nine’s artifact takeover. While this episode was exciting, the more we thought about it, the more questions we had. At least some of us can remember Narissa’s name and understand more about her motivations! The secret of the Admonishment is revealed! Rios reveals the remarkable coincidence in his dark back story! And who is Beautiful Flower? We have theories. You knew we would.

10: Picard S1E7: "Nepenthe" Mar 06, 2020

A lot of emotion, both expected and unexpected, comes out of this first true “Next Generation” reunion episode of “Star Trek: Picard.” David J. Loehr joins us as we talk about our feelings, make pizza, eat tomatoes, skin bunnicorns, eat cake with chocolate milk, and don’t even throw up once.

9: Picard S1E6: "The Impossible Box" Feb 28, 2020

There are a lot of mystery boxes in this episode, full of people, androids, secrets, murder, and surprise figurines! The crew arrives at the Artifact at last. Picard is overwhelmed by his status as the OG XB. Is Narek as straightforward as he seems, or is there room for some interesting betrayal? Why is Narek’s sister so boring? Why do the Borg have a Stargate? Also, Agnes is deeply upset and seeks solace in the arms of a spaceship captain, as so often happens. And Raffi shows just how high functioning an alcoholic (and snake plant addict) she really is.

8: Picard S1E5: "Stardust City Rag" Feb 21, 2020

Now the curtain is going up, the entertainer is taking a bow! It’s time for some space ragtime on the popup-ad-infested planet of Freecloud. In the aftermath of this truly remarkable episode of “Star Trek: Picard,” Scott and Jason are here to discuss shocking plot twists, equally shocking moments of gruesome violence, how Rios stuck a feather in his cap (but probably didn’t call it ‘macaroni’), cartoonish French accents, and various bones.

7: Picard S1E4: "Absolute Candor" Feb 14, 2020

Funny holograms, angry Romulans, a ninja elf swordsman, a Bird of Prey on the loose, and a surprise ending made less surprising by the marketing of the show. It’s all in this week’s “Star Trek: Picard.” Jason and Scott are here to break it all down.

6: Picard S1E3: "The End is the Beginning" Feb 07, 2020

Engage! Scott and Jason break down episode three of “Star Trek: Picard,” which finally gets Picard out of Earth orbit with a ragtag crew. We learn why Raffi feels Picard let her down, but ol’ J.L. knows she can’t resist some good Romulan Research. Captain Rios talks tough, but between his immaculate logs and fussy holograms, he’s Starfleet through and through. And then there’s Dr. Durati, who would really like you to look at her C.V. and consider her for a position on the crew. Meanwhile, at the Borg Artifact, Hugh makes jokes, there’s an intense game of Triangle Tarot, and we learn a lot of things that we already learned last time. Plus: Why do Vulcans need sunglasses? We break it all down!

5: Picard S1E2: "Maps and Legends" Jan 31, 2020

From the halls of Starfleet Command to the creepy gray zone of the Borg Artifact, it’s time to reconvene to discuss the latest episode of “Star Trek: Picard” with Scott, Jason, and special guest Brianna Wu. We accumulate more lore about secretive Romulans! We learn a bit more back story about Dahj and Soji! Picard expresses a dislike of Science Fiction and then rides in a taxi! This podcast has gone 5843 days without an assimilation, but the night is still young!

4: Star Trek: Picard S1E1: "Remembrance" Jan 24, 2020

Jean-Luc Picard is back! Your Vulcan Hello crew will be here every week to talk through all ten episodes of “Star Trek: Picard” right away. This week, we ponder the twists and turns of Data’s story, admire Picard’s need to always be surrounded by people he can give orders to, question the use of the canine Number One as a way to decide if drifters are welcome at Chateau Picard, and a whole lot more.

3: Short Treks #10: "Children of Mars" Jan 11, 2020

The Short Treks pivot from “Star Trek: Discovery” to “Star Trek: Picard” as we get our clearest view yet of the future of Star Trek: Libraries, schools, dour Vulcan headmasters, David Bowie covers, and scary terrorism. “Picard” begins in two weeks and we’re excited!

2: Short Treks #8-9: The Animated Ones Dec 14, 2019

Two animated “Short Trek” installments arrive, and we liked one more than the other. In “Ephraim and Dot”, a mama tardigrade loses her eggs and fights a cute robot. In “The Girl Who Made the Stars”, young Michael Burnham is afraid of the dark and her dad tells her a story. Onward to 2020, The Year of Star Trek! We’ll have one more “Short Trek” and then it’s time for “Star Trek: Picard.”

1: Short Treks #7: "Ask Not" Nov 15, 2019

Same old Scott and Jason, new numbering system. Are we living in a Star Trek golden age, and how long can it last? Vulcan Hello returns to ponder the big questions of TV’s platinum age and also to discuss November’s Short Trek, “Ask Not”, in which a young cadet is gaslit by a Starfleet captain.

Short Treks #6 Review: "The Trouble With Edward" (TeeVee 582) Oct 19, 2019

Vulcan Hello returns to discuss Tribbles, uniforms, retcons, hiding bad offices in Starfleet, and Death By Tribble. It’s all about “The Trouble With Edward” and why we’re happy the new Star Trek office is taking risks and doing things like silly comedy shorts.

Apologies for some drop-outs in Jason’s audio in this episode. Also, we’ll soon be leaving TeeVee to be our own podcast covering all the new Trek due in 2020. Subscribers to the TeeVee Star Trek Discovery feed will be taken care of. If you’re just subscribed to the main TeeVee feed, you’ll need to resubscribe to follow us. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts or via RSS.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Short Treks #5 Review: "Q&A" (TeeVee 578) Oct 10, 2019

Scott and Jason return to discuss the latest Short Trek, “Q&A”, which features Spock, Number One, and a malfunctioning elevator that may be bigger on the inside. Also we analyze the “Star Trek: Discovery” season three teaser and the third “Star Trek: Picard” trailer. It’s an exciting time to be a Star Trek fan!

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S2E14 Review: "Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2" (TeeVee 557) Apr 19, 2019

So it’s come to this. It’s the big finale of season 2 of “Star Trek: Discovery”, as the producers’ grand plan is revealed and continuity is changed forever. (Or not changed, as the case may be.) We break down the action-packed episode and ponder just what show this episode expects us to want to see next.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Company: One last chance to get great tea at a discount and take our survey!

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E13 Review: "Such Sweet Sorrow" (TeeVee 554)** Apr 12, 2019
Goodnight, Discovery crew! Parting is… well, you know. On the penultimate episode of season 2 of “Star Trek: Discovery” there are a lot of goodbyes. They’re beautiful and heartfelt and mostly earned, but what about the impending battle? Don’t you have time suits to built and time crystals to charge? Scott and Jason sing the praises of Anson Mount and the Disco-style Enterprise bridge as they prepare for next week’s fateful finale.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Save money on tea! Before it’s too late!

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E12 Review: "Through The Valley of Shadows" (TeeVee 552)** Apr 05, 2019
Special guest Dan Moren joins Scott and Jason to discuss an action-packed episode, where Reno dispenses relationship advice, Section 31 counts its ships, Spock is a little slow with the magnetizing, and Pike gets a scary vision of his future from a Klingon time monk.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell with Dan Moren

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co. - Dan likes tea, too. And so should you.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E11 Review: "Perpetual Infinity" (TeeVee 550)** Mar 29, 2019
We’re gearing up as we head toward the season finale: The Red Angel is revealed, and it’s *literally* been Michael Burnham’s guardian angel across many timelines! An enemy takes the form of a different enemy! Pike’s fate foretold! Foreboding holograms! And Jason has conspiracy theories! There’s much to talk about… so we do. As usual.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co. - What kind of tea would Spock drink?

Incomparable Memberships!: Sign up, help support this show, and get some fun bonus material.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E10 Review: "The Red Angel" (TeeVee 546)** Mar 22, 2019
This week the Red Angel’s identity is revealed. Jason and Scott feel mixed about this episode, which featured some good character scenes and a very exciting climax, but also some questionable plot points. And while it turns out that “time crystals” are a real and canonical thing, Jason still doesn’t like them.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co. - What kind of tea would Spock drink?

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E9 Review: "Project Daedalus" (TeeVee 543)** Mar 15, 2019
Last week’s episode was a hard one to follow, but this week we’ve got a killer half-robutt, Spock ruining Burnham’s 3-D chess set, and a bunch of suspicious space mines. Also, Scott chides Jason for being speciesist, and Jason has more wacky plot theories.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

Incomparable Memberships!: Sign up, help support this show, and get some fun bonus material.

New Mexico Tea Co.: Use coupon code **trek** at checkout to get 15% off!

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E8 Review: "If Memory Serves" (TeeVee 541)** Mar 08, 2019
Previously, on Star Trek… “Discovery” goes where “Star Trek” hasn’t been in more than 50 years, as Burnham returns Spock to Talos IV to cure his insanity and get a sense of what is going on with the Red Angel. We discuss singing plants, creepy telepaths, Vina’s reunion with Pike, the super-awkward second life of Dr. Culber, and the dangers of mind melding with time travelers!

Host Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Use coupon code **trek** at checkout to get 15% off your purchase, and if you’re very nice take our survey! Kelpiens and humans both enjoy tea.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E7 Review: "Light and Shadows" (TeeVee 539)** Mar 01, 2019
Vulcan Hello returns, but one of our favorite recurring segments ends when we finally find who we’ve been looking for! Plus, get ready for some frickin’ time rifts, Sarek’s sweet shuttlecraft pad, Michelle Yeoh’s kicks, and a shocking final revelation. Aleen Simms joins us to break down this week’s episode while we sit in the corner and mumble passages from “Alice in Wonderland”.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell with Aleen Simms

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Use coupon code **trek** at checkout to get 15% off your purchase, and if you’re very nice take our survey! Kelpiens and humans both enjoy tea.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E6 review: "The Sound of Thunder" (TeeVee 537)** Feb 22, 2019
The hovering murder cylinder is on the other foot now, Ba’ul! In this episode we explore Saru’s new perspective on the Prime Directive, Pike’s measured responses to creepy voice-only hails, and the transformation of the Red Murderball into something that’s posthumously useful! Also, we get a closer look at the Red Angel (Jason’s feeling confident), and we have to debate whether the trailer for next week’s episode fits our Spotting Spock criteria.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Are you a human who enjoys tea? Use coupon code **trek** at checkout to get 15% off your purchase.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

**Star Trek: Discovery S2E5 Review: "Saints of Imperfection" (TeeVee 535)** Feb 19, 2019
This week Section 31 collides with the Discovery, and the Discovery collides with the mycelial network. A lost soul is found! Jason does a victory lap at the mention of tachyons! And still no Spock.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Use coupon code **trek** for 15% off!

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S2E4 Review: "An Obol for Charon" (TeeVee 532) Feb 08, 2019

This week the Discovery is waylaid by a red murderball, Saru learns what his threat ganglia are really for, all of engineering gets high on mushrooms, and Number One orders a hamburger. Scott and Jason break down this (overly?) busy episode.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Drink some tea, fill out our survey, and use the code *trek for a 15% discount.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek Discovery S2E3: "Point of Light" (TeeVee 529) Feb 01, 2019

A very different kind of episode this week, as “Star Trek: Discovery” beams in three different plots. Do we really need more Klingons? What’s happening in the search for Spock? And is Tilly’s friend a friendly ghost or a dangerous alien spore blob? It’s also time to bring back the conspiracy corner segment, because Jason has some theories about the Red Angel.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Fill out the survey and sip some Jippers on a beach somewhere!

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S2E2 Review: "New Eden" (TeeVee 525) Jan 25, 2019

This week the Discovery takes a spore jump to a mysterious human colony deep in the Beta Quadrant, Pike and Burnham joust about science and religion, Tilly drinks too much espresso and tries to replace Stamets with a space rock, and Saru gets a chance to practice his “Glare ‘n’ Care” management philosophy. And on our podcast, Scott introduces a new segment that somehow we didn’t call “The Search for Spock,” even though we probably should have.

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co. - Tea, Earl Grey, Hot! Get 15% off with coupon code trek at checkout and take our Incomparable Game Show survey!

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S2E1 Review: "Brother" (TeeVee 520) Jan 18, 2019

“Star Trek: Discovery” is back and so are Scott and Jason. We discuss Captain Pike and his uniform, Tilly’s chatter, Burnham’s family issues, the decor of Spock’s quarters, and much more!

Host Scott McNulty and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Get 15% off your purchase with coupon code trek and click the link to fill out our Star Trek Game Show survey!

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery Short Treks #4 Review: "The Escape Artist" (TeeVee 516) Jan 04, 2019

There are only two weeks until season 2 of “Star Trek: Discovery” commences, but in the meantime we’ve got our favorite of the four “Short Trek” films to discuss. Rainn Wilson returns as Harry Mudd(s)! We learn why rich people wear caps, that the path to a Tellarite’s heart is through its tusks, and that you should always remember where you parked.

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery Short Treks #3 Review: "The Brightest Star" (TeeVee 513) Dec 19, 2018

Scott and Jason return to discuss the third “Short Trek” preceding the return of “Star Trek: Discovery,” in which we learn Saru’s origin and why Kelpiens are not commonly seen in Starfleet. Along the way we discuss hovering murder cylinders, food courts and gazebos, and the recently released final trailer for season two.

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery Short Treks #2 Review: "Calypso" (TeeVee 493) Nov 13, 2018

Is it Taco Tuesday yet? Scott and Jason return to discuss CBS’s plan for endless “Star Trek” and the latest “Short Trek”, a delightful retelling of a part of “The Odyssey”—or is it “Wall-E”?—with an injured spaceman and a lonely artificial intelligence who really loves old movies.

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery Short Treks #1 Review: "Runaway" (TeeVee 474) Oct 12, 2018

The Vulcan Hello podcast returns with a dissection of the first of four “short films”—didn’t we used to call these Webisodes?—running up to second season of “Star Trek: Discovery.” In “Runaway,” Tilly—we love Tilly!—discovers a mysterious and dangerous stowaway alien monster that might actually just be a grumpy teenager. Also we share our reactions to the new season 2 “Discovery” trailer, featuring hunky Spock! Deal with it, people.

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E15 Review: "Will You Take My Hand" (TeeVee 392) Feb 12, 2018

So we reach the end! We say a Vulcan Goodbye to this first season of “Star Trek: Discovery” with a look at a shocking final scene, a rushed ending, a surprising conversion by Admiral Cornwell, some abrupt goodbyes, and Tilly’s “just say no” moment.

Host Scott McNulty with Joe Rosensteel and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Company: The deal is still going! The emperor commands it! Use code MirrorMirror at checkout for a great deal.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E14 Review: "The War Without, The War Within" (TeeVee 385) Feb 05, 2018

The penultimate episode has arrived, and with it, we discover the fall-out — tactically and emotionally — of the Discovery’s return to the Klingon-Federation War. Ash Tyler grapples with his security wristband and identity crisis! Tilly shows her human decency! Sarek and the Emperor are the universe’s weirdest mom and dad! And Admiral Cornwell returns to assert her authority with a few choices that we have serious questions about.

Host Scott McNulty with Erika Ensign and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Company: The deal is still going! The emperor commands it! Use code MirrorMirror at checkout for a great deal.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E13 Review: "What's Past is Prologue" (TeeVee 380) Jan 29, 2018

This week wave goodbye to the mirror universe and… certain… characters… as we ride a mycelial shockwave back to somewhere near our point of origin. Joining Scott and Jason on the ride this time are two representatives of Scotland. We discuss why Burnham is great, what the motivations of Georgiou are, and parallels between “Game of Thrones” and “Discovery.” Two more episodes to go!

Host Scott McNulty with Liz Myles, James Thomson and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Company: The deal is still going! The emperor commands it! Use code MirrorMirror at checkout for a great deal.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E12 Review: "Vaulting Ambition" (TeeVee 375) Jan 22, 2018

The conspiracy closet has blown wide open! Our wildest speculations come to pass in this episode, which sees a mycelial mind-meld, the most dangerous Golden Snitch ever, some Klingon laser-finger surgery, disturbing Terran Empire cuisine, fast thinking by Burnham, and the revelation of just what the heck is going on inside the mind of Captain Lorca.

Host Scott McNulty with Aleen Simms and Jason Snell

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Co.: Real tea at a real discount as long as we’re still in the mirror universe.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E11 Review: "The Wolf Inside" (TeeVee 372) Jan 15, 2018

The U.S.S. Discovery is still in the Mirror Universe and we meet more counterparts to people we know. Burnham agonizes over major ethical questions while Lorca is agonized. A lot. Plus what happens when a not so secret Klingon meets himself? Nothing good!

Host Scott McNulty with David J. Loehr

Sponsors

New Mexico Tea Company: Follow the link to save on tea so long as Discovery stays in the Mirror Universe. Use code MirrorMirror at checkout.

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E10 Review: "Despite Yourself" (TeeVee 368) Jan 08, 2018

The crew of the U.S.S. Discovery has returned to our screens, but they find themselves in a different universe. In this episode we revisit the Vulcan Hello, open the porous door that once separated us from the Conspiracy Closet, express excitement about numerous references to previous Star Trek series, and bid farewell (or do we? it’s “Star Trek”) to a recurring character in a moment with a lot of dramatic impact but some unfortunate resonances to some modern TV tropes.

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Discovery showrunners on that shocking death

Maureen Ryan on "The 100"

TV Tropes on one particular TV trope

TV writers need to stop...

GLAAD urges fewer cases...

Wilson Cruz interviewed about this episode

Star Trek: Discovery S1E9 Review: "Into the Forest I Go" (TeeVee 344) Nov 13, 2017

Grab your phaser — it’s time for the fall finale of “Star Trek: Discovery!” Jason and Scott break down the Klingon action, the drama back on the Discovery, and venture behind the Gorn skeleton once again as we enter Conspiracy Corner. Into the forest we go!

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

La Boheme, you say?

Star Trek: Discovery S1E8 Review: "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" (TeeVee 338) Nov 06, 2017

Brush up on your Latin, put on your running shoes, and scream for the guard outside the door! It’s time for our report on the latest episode of “Star Trek: Discovery”, in which a landing party comes into an unexpected contact with spore aliens, the Klingon plot gets some real forward momentum, and Stamets reveals that all is not well at the heart of the Spore Drive.

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E7 Review: "Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad" (TeeVee 329) Oct 30, 2017

This week Scott is joined by David Loehr, perhaps not for the first time, to discuss twists in time and in the plot of this week’s episode of “Star Trek: Discovery.” (Yes, we know, there are issues with Scott’s audio. He was caught in a time loop during the recording of this episode and we can’t go back and change it now.)

Host Scott McNulty with David J. Loehr

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E6 Review: "Lethe" (TeeVee 325) Oct 23, 2017

This week Sarek returns and gets a Vulcan goodbye from a logic extremist, Burnham learns a surprising secret about her past and how she ended up in Starfleet, Lorca proves himself an adept manager and an unstable sleeping companion, and Tilly has a run-in with a snide food replicator. Scott mispronounces names and we try to correct him. Also, we inaugurate a new segment of the show, the Conspiracy Phaser! (If you don’t want to hear our wild spoilery speculation about where the show is going plot-wise, we will give you full warning so you can bail out.)

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell and Joe Rosensteel

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E5 Review: "Choose Your Pain" (TeeVee 316) Oct 16, 2017

Harry Mudd appears and hard choices must be made! Breaking down this week’s new episode of “Star Trek: Discovery” is only logical.

Host Scott McNulty with Jean MacDonald

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E4 Review: "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not For the Lamb's Cry" (TeeVee 313) Oct 09, 2017

Dan Moren joins Scott to discuss an episode featuring a surprise death at the hand of a not-so-monstrous monster, a whole lot more Klingon dialogue, a Special Guest Hologram, and the series’ first successful spore-enabled jump.

Host Scott McNulty with Dan Moren

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E3 Review: "Context is for Kings" (TeeVee 306) Oct 02, 2017

This week Scott is joined by two Scots to discuss Michael Burnham’s arrival on the USS Discovery. Vulcan martial arts! Gorn skeletons! The horrors of creepy alien monsters and perky roommates! This episode has it all… even a zipper and a Tribble.

Host Scott McNulty with Liz Myles and James Thomson

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E2 Review: "Battle at the Binary Stars" (TeeVee 302) Sep 26, 2017

We’re back to discuss the second episode of “Star Trek: Discovery!” Burnham has to deal with her mutinous actions. We get too many Klingons, including a flashback. Ensign Head Wound meets a confused end. Sarek sends a long-distance mental pep talk. And Captain Georgiou meets the fate of all Special Guest Stars. Onward to the dark Starfleet chamber of justice!

Host Scott McNulty with Brianna Wu and Jason Snell

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Star Trek: Discovery S1E1 Review: "The Vulcan Hello" (TeeVee 301) Sep 25, 2017

Hello, humans! A new Star Trek series has appeared and in this episode we review the one hour premiere of “Star Trek: Discovery.” We discuss the comportment of bridge officers, the “Star Trek: Shenzhou” prequel series we never saw, the appearance of the Star Trek Sound Effects pack, why Vulcans are kind of jerks, and the validity of using small caps in your caption font. And much, much more!

(Note: This episode only contains spoilers for the very first hour of “Star Trek: Discovery.” In fact, we made a point of recording it immediately after viewing. In our next episode we’ll discuss the second hour.)

Host Scott McNulty with Jason Snell and Aleen Simms

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Vulcan Hello (Star Trek Discovery, Picard, Strange New Worlds)

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works

Show Notes & Links

Sponsors

Referenced Works