In what ‘frame of mind’ do you watch “Star Trek”?

Meet the Virtual Family. Star Trek has been (“and always shall be”) a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and for the foreseeable future.  To varying degrees, I enjoy the show in all of its incarnations, past and present.  I’m as old as The Original Series (both of us debuted…

Star Trek: Picard, S1.7: “Nepenthe” offers a welcome respite…

*****BORG CUBE-SIZED SPOILERS!!***** This week’s episode of “Star Trek: Picard” is titled “Nepenthe”… a title that is very telling.  Nepenthe, in Homer’s “The Odyssey,” was a drug that brought relief from pain and sorrow for one who takes it.  That’s exactly the reaction I had from this installment, scripted by producer/showrunner Michael Chabon, with a…

Star Trek: Picard, S1.4: “Absolute Candor” opens up…

*****STARSHIP-SIZED SPOILERS!!***** Written by series’ showrunner Michael Choban and directed by former “Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) costar/veteran director Jonathan Frakes (“Commander William T. Riker”), the 4th episode of “Star Trek: Picard” takes a closer look at Romulan culture following the aftermath of their star system’s supernova (2009’s “Star Trek”) and in the wake…

Musings on the 2nd trailer for “Star Trek: Picard”…

****STARSHIP-SIZED SPOILERS AHEAD!!***** The second trailer for CBS-All Access’ new series “Star Trek: Picard” unveiled last week at New York Comic Con, and while I wasn’t there personally (wrong coast), I have seen the trailer and have some comments and observations on it, so without further ado… “Engage!” The Trailer. Musings on the trailer. Star…

The Orville, S2.12: “Sanctuary” tackles gender inequality…

“The Orville” continues to explore Star Trek-style allegory but with its own unique brand of humor, and this week was another quality entry that managed that delicate juggling act, delivering scathing commentary on international gender inequality with…Dolly Parton. The Story. Capt. Ed Mercer (writer/creator/producer/star Seth MacFarlane) and his first and second officers, Kelly Grayson (Adrianne…

Star Trek Discovery S2.2: The way to “New Eden”…

****STARSHIP-SIZED SPOILERS!!**** The latest episode of Discovery’s title, “New Eden”, briefly recalled (for me, anyway) the crazy space-hippies in TOS’ “The Way To Eden.” But this latest episode wasn’t about stealing shuttles and eating acidic apples. The space hippies were seeking a literal Eden, whereas the crew of the Discovery happen upon a planet frozen…

Star Trek at Las Vegas, day 3: Keep on trekking…

As the familiar narrative voice of the late Majel Barrett Roddenberry might say, “Last time on Star Trek, Last Vegas…” Star Trek Las Vegas, Day One: August 1st, 2018… Star Trek at Las Vegas, Day Two: August 2nd, 2018… Day three of the annual Star Trek convention in Las Vegas was a day for revisiting…