Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
Justin Scott Snead: Writer, English Teacher, Star Trek Fan
All episodes
Best episodes
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.
Discovery005-Brother
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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.
StarTrek01.27–This Side of Paradise
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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)
StarTrek01.24–Third Quarter Analysis
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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.
StarTrek01.22-Tomorrow Is Yesterday
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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.
20) Star Trek Season 1: “Arena”
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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.
003) Star Trek Discovery-Lorca’s Wibble
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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
18) Star Trek Season 1: “Shore Leave”
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
09/27/17 • 32 min
In this podcast:
An analysis of “Shore Leave.”
17) Star Trek Season 1: “The Menagerie Parts I & II”
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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.”
ST01 015: Court Martial
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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.
Star Trek 01.32–Post-Season 1 Analysis Part 1: Narrative Structure
Masterpiece Science-Fiction Theater
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%)
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
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.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ