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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

Justin Scott Snead: Writer, English Teacher, Star Trek Fan

A Podcast that Applies Literary Analysis to Classic Sci-Fi Shows & Movies
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Top 10 Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - Discovery005-Brother

Discovery005-Brother

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

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01/18/19 • 26 min

My initial throughs on Discovery’s second season premier, “Brother.” New and old characters on a new adventure.

I also share some musings about where I think the season is headed thematically: the clash between secular society and religious faith. It may prove to be more controversial than a new Spock or the colors of the uniforms. If you are interested in this question below are some pre-readings on the subject. They just a small starting point to the concept of what we mean when we talk about secular society, and what it means to have faith in another way of perceiving the universe. Best to read them in the order listed below.

The Secular Society

Religious Experience and the Modern Self

Ghosts in a Secular Age

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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - StarTrek01.27–This Side of Paradise

StarTrek01.27–This Side of Paradise

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

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01/11/19 • 30 min

In this episode:

This Side of Paradise

  • a heavy sci-fi episode by TOS standards
  • the third episode by Trek’s best woman writer, DC Fontana
  • a counterpart to The Naked Time with strong Kirk and Spock character development
  • A return to a major TOS theme: Life’s a bitch and you like it that way (ok, the Kirk speech is better)
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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - StarTrek01.24–Third Quarter Analysis

StarTrek01.24–Third Quarter Analysis

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

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04/30/18 • 54 min

In this episode, an analysis of the third quarter of Season 1 of Star Trek, where we cover the following episodes:

The Menagerie Parts I and II

Shore Leave

The Squire of Gothos

Arena

The Alternative Factor

Tomorrow is Yesterday

The Return of the Archons

We discuss narrative structure; science-fiction and technobabble elements; world building, including a tally of the new planets and aliens that are introduced; representation of diversity on screen, and the quality of female representation; common themes, and the overall ranking of episodes.

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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - StarTrek01.22-Tomorrow Is Yesterday

StarTrek01.22-Tomorrow Is Yesterday

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

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03/17/18 • 45 min

In this podcast:

The Star Trek franchise’s very first time-travel romp; sets the precedent for Trek’s mix of time travel and fish-out-of-water comedy; thoughts on why TOS’s long lasting narrative tropes need to be retired in the era of Star Trek: Discovery.

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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - 20) Star Trek Season 1: “Arena”

20) Star Trek Season 1: “Arena”

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

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11/28/17 • 44 min

In this podcast:

An analysis of “Arena” with strong elements of science-fiction, theme, and world building (including the first mention of the Federation and Photon Torpedoes).

Plus a major Star Trek: Discovery easter egg: how to watch “Arena” as a companion piece to Discovery’s two-part premier.

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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - 003) Star Trek Discovery-Lorca’s Wibble

003) Star Trek Discovery-Lorca’s Wibble

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

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10/11/17 • 29 min

In this podcast, my “not a fan, not not a fan” cohost Vince and I discuss the first three episodes of Discovery:

  • Burnham’s No-Win Scenario
  • Our hopes and predictions
  • Vince’s impressive knowledge of Lord of the Ring and Harry Potter trivia
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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - 18) Star Trek Season 1: “Shore Leave”

18) Star Trek Season 1: “Shore Leave”

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

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09/27/17 • 32 min

In this podcast:

An analysis of “Shore Leave.”

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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - 17) Star Trek Season 1: “The Menagerie Parts I & II”
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09/17/17 • 42 min

In this podcast:

An analysis of TOS’s only two parter, “The Menagerie.”

Why Star Trek’s first, rejected pilot “The Cage” was resurrected in this episode.

How much of the world building, diversity and inclusivity, and thematic elements that became the hallmark of the series were evident in “The Cage.”

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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - ST01 015: Court Martial

ST01 015: Court Martial

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater

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08/31/17 • 46 min

In this podcast:

Kirk goes on trial and we meet Samuel T Cogley, attorney at law.

In some stirring monologues, Star Trek firmly establishes itself as a sci-fi show that values the human over technology.

A strong diversity episode with a black Commodore who dresses down Kirk, and a strong woman who prosecutes him.

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Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater - Star Trek 01.32–Post-Season 1 Analysis Part 1: Narrative Structure
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01/30/20 • 51 min

In this episode:

The first part of our post-season 1 analysis of Star Trek: The Original Series, with a focus on trends in narrative structure.

Antagonist Type: There are more monster episodes than you might think, but the monsters and the villains are depicted in unconventional ways.

Monster: 11/28 (39.2%)

Villain: 9/28 (32.1%)

Computer: 4/28 (14.2%)

Other: 6/28 (21.4%)

Science Fiction Element Spectrum: Only a quarter of episodes are heavy science-fiction; while more than a third have only one notable Sci-fi element

Above Average (4+ elements)

1. Where No Man Has Gone Before (4)

9. What are Little Girls Made of? (4)

29. Operation Annihilate (4)

20.The Alternative Factor (5)

28. The City on the Edge of Forever (5)

15-16. The Menagerie (6)

22.The Return of the Archons (8)

Below Average (1-2 elements)

3. Mudd’s Women(1)

10. Dagger of the Mind (1)

12 The Conscience of the King(1)

14. Court Martial(1)

27. Errand of Mercy(1)

4. The Enemy Within (2)

6. The Naked Time (2)

7. Charlie X (2)

21.Tomorrow is Yesterday(2)

26. The Devil in the Dark(2)

Average (3 elements)

2. The Corbomite Maneuver

5. The Man Trap

8. Balance of Terror

11. Miri

13. The Galileo Seven

17. Shore Leave

18. The Squire of Gothos

19.Arena

23. Space Seed

24. A Taste of Armageddon

25. This Side of Paradise

Conflict Resolution: A strong majority of the episodes end with the character coming up with clever solutions to get them out of their problem

Wits: 12 (43%) (75%)

Wits & Fists: 9 (32%)

Fists: 4 (14.2%)

Other: 3 (10%)

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FAQ

How many episodes does Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater have?

Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater currently has 42 episodes available.

What topics does Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater cover?

The podcast is about Podcasts, Books, Arts and Tv & Film.

What is the most popular episode on Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater?

The episode title 'Star Trek 01.32–Post-Season 1 Analysis Part 1: Narrative Structure' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater?

The average episode length on Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater is 44 minutes.

How often are episodes of Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater released?

Episodes of Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater are typically released every 13 days, 15 hours.

When was the first episode of Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater?

The first episode of Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater was released on Apr 17, 2017.

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