Earl Grey: A Star Trek The Next Generation Podcast

The Original Series as Prerequisite. Viewers of The Next Generation started watching at different points in their Trek fandom -- for some, it was their first exposure to Star Trek, while other "legacy" Trekkies came to it after The Original Series and movies featuring Captain James T. Kirk and his crew. Guest co-host Andi VanderKolk, aka @FirstTimeTrek, joins Daniel, Darren, and Phillip in discussing how knowledge of TOS enhances the TNG viewing experience. Earl Grey explores whether it makes a difference if you discovered the character of Ambassador Sarek in the Next Gen episode "Sarek" without first seeing TOS "Journey to Babel." Does the appearance of Scotty ("Relics") and Spock ("Unification, Parts 1 and 2") have meaning without first experiencing the adventures of the NCC-1701 (no bloody A, B, C, or D!). We discuss "copy and paste" episodes like "The Naked Now" compared to "The Naked Time," and the use of Star Trek: Phase II scripts in TNG. Grab your copy of the 1966-1969 series, and explore how TOS is a required prerequisite for TNG.HostsDaniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren MoserGuestAndi VanderKolkEditor / ProducerDarren MoserExecutive ProducersNorman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

The Arts in TNG.The Next Generation arguably features the most concerts, play performances, poetry readings, and art works than any other Star Trek television series. Whether it was having every senior officer being musically inclined, having fun in the clay modeling room making a mask or an entry for "Captain Picard Day," or keeping Commander William T. Riker from the nude modeling painting class, TNG inserted cultural works into many episodes. The show's writers/producers made sure that noted Shakespearean performer Sir Patrick Stewart incorporated several references in the series' seven-year run, from the Bard's historical plays to his sonnets. Lt. Commander Data's development in humanity also included his exploration of artistic self-expression, leading to him playing the violin, painting his dreams, and being directed by Captain Jean-Luc Picard in his one-man performance of a "A Christmas Carol." Join co-hosts Phillip Gilfus, Darren Moser, and Daniel Proulx as they find the "sweet spot" of the NCC-1701-D, bust out their Ressikan flute and rolled-up piano keyboard, and talk about the great music, plays, and art of TNG. Try not to fall asleep as they reenact the most famous poetry reading in all of Trekdom! HostsDaniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren MoserEditor / ProducerDarren Moser

Yar/Sela.Star Trek: The Next Generation was not the first, nor the last, Trek series to kill off a main character. Lieutenant Natasha Yar, the first tactical officer of the NCC-1701-D, appeared in 22 episodes of season one before being unceremoniously killed off, due to conflict between Denise Crosby and the studio. However, Yar (and Crosby) did not end her TNG journey with "Skin of Evil." Phillip, Darren, and Daniel are joined by Andi VanderKolk and Jarrah Hodge (co-hosts of Women at Warp) in a character profile of Lt. Yar, as well as her half-Romulan daughter, Commander Sela. Yar is a surprisingly complex character, introduced with perhaps the most definite backstory of all the main crew in "Encounter at Farpoint." However, season one did not give Yar many character-focused stories, and the episodes that did focus on Yar are probably best not mentioned. However, Yar's memorable appearances in two outstanding episodes, "Yesterday's Enterprise" and "All Good Things...", provided the audience and Crosby with a more complete Tasha Yar. Earl Grey explores Yar's role in Data's development, the best/worst Yar moments, and if Crosby's portrayal of Commander Sela ("The Mind's Eye," "Redemption, Parts I and II," and "Unification, Part II") added anything to Next Gen. Put on your skin tight yellow unitard, open hailing frequencies, and join Earl Grey (along with Women at Warp 2) as they discuss their character profile of Lt. Tasha Yar. HostsDaniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren MoserGuestsAndi VanderKolkJarrah HodgeEditor / ProducerDarren MoserExecutive ProducersNorman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

TNG Guest Stars.The Next Generation was not accepted as official "Star Trek" during its first episodes and seasons, but it did not take long for TNG to become a pop culture phenomena. Every Trek series attracts guest stars, but there are also celebrities who, as Trekkies themselves, would love a chance to appear on the starship Enterprise. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip talk about those cameos and special appearances in this episode.Actors from other famous TV shows and movies, including Kelsey Grammer ("Cause and Effect"), Kirsten Dunst ("Dark Page"), and Ashley Judd ("Darmok," "The Game"), appeared on the flagship in various episodes. However, there are those from the fields of science, e.g., astronaut Mae Jamison ("Second Chances") and Stephen Hawking ("Descent, Part 1"), and music, e.g., Michelle Phillips ("We'll Always Have Paris") and Mick Fleetwood ("Manhunt"), who wish to appear on their favorite television show. Join Earl Grey as they tour all the guests star of Next Gen who added a spark of celebrity of our favorite Trek series. HostsDaniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren MoserEditor / ProducerDarren MoserExecutive ProducersNorman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

1701-B.Viewers of Star Trek: The Next Generation often spotted those golden Enterprise models in the Observation Lounge over the years - but what was the story behind them? We knew the 1701 and would get to know the Enterprise-A in the TOS-era films; the heroic sacrifice of the Enterprise-C was eventually told in the season three episode "Yesterday's Enterprise." However, there was an Excelsior-class-sized hole in the Enterprise legacy.It was not until TNG's inaugural motion picture, Star Trek Generations, that fans witnessed the christening of the first "Kirk-less" U.S.S. Enterprise - the NCC-1701-B. Earl Grey discusses the ship itself - a modification of the Excelsior-class design (one that remained dormant for several generations!), that had some "extra fat" in its "dad bod," from nacelles that go on for light years to the "love handles" around the main deflector. The trio also discusses the members of the maiden crew - from the much aligned Captain John Harriman to the plucky Ensign Demora Sulu, whose story would be expounded on in the novel-verse. They also try to untangle the timeline of when the third Starfleet vessel named Enterprise entered and left the scene of the Trek verse.So don't sit down in your chair - instead make time for the important things, like this week's discussion of the starship Enterprise, NCC-1701-B.HostsDaniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren MoserEditor / ProducerDarren MoserExecutive ProducersNorman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen