Saddle Up! A Star Trek Strange New Worlds Podcast

“Memento Mori”

The Enterprise travels to Finibus III on a critical supply mission while the crew observes Starfleet Remembrance Day. When they arrive, they discover that the remote colony has come under attack. Soon they learn that the assailants are none other than those reptilian bogeymen known as the Gorn. Lured into a trap and heavily damaged, the Enterprise must fight for its own survival on the very day that the crew is reflecting on those who they’ve lost in the line of duty. After deciphering Spock’s explanation of their options, Pike puts together a risky plan that involves a black hole, and La’an faces the demons of her past.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss “Memento Mori,” the fourth episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ inaugural season. We get to know more about La’an and how her past experiences with the Gorn shaped who she is today, and contrast that trauma with how Pike’s future experiences are changing him. We also explore the ongoing character development and pairings of crew and debate whether it is too soon for the Gorn to be making a prominent appearance. And let’s not forget the invention every starship needs: Spockdar!

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

Christopher Pike.

For the first captain to be filmed leading the USS Enterprise, Christopher Pike has gotten precious little screen time over the years. That all changed when Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery began on January 17, 2019. Anson Mount’s portrayal of the character who led the mission to Talos IV, pondered retirement with Dr. Boyce, and inspired a young Jim Kirk in the Kelvin timeline reenergized Star Trek and fans. His presence was so well received that, just over three years later, an entire new series is about to premier with Mount’s Pike at the helm.

In preparation for the start of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, we're pleased to announce the launch of this new podcast, Saddle Up! In this first episode, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss Christopher Pike, the character as we've seen him in The Original Series, the Kelvin films, and Discovery, and how we think he may be portrayed in Strange New Worlds. We also talk about the prospects for the new series overall, some of the aesthetic and crew choices, and, most importantly, our hope that, wherever our mission take us, we'll have a little fun, make a little noise, and ruffle a few feathers.

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach”

When Captain Pike returns to Majalis, a planet where he once took part in a rescue mission, he meets a woman whom he may have been hitting on a decade earlier. While it may be crazy and unlikely that they are meeting again, Pike has arrived just in time to save her and a young boy from attack. Coincidence? Perhaps. But the situation is far more complicated than it seems and Pike finds himself faced with a troubling reality that he cannot stop when it turns out that the boy is destined to be sacrificed for the good of Majalan society. Meanwhile, the world’s medical technology holds the promise of saving M’Benga’s daughter.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing discuss “Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach,” the sixth episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ inaugural season. We explore the important messages in the story about our own complacency in society, the exploitation of children, and the importance of strong father figures. We also discuss the structural flaws in the story, but focus on how the writers transcend these to deliver important and timely commentary.

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Hegemony”

A Gorn attack on the Federation colony on Parnassus Beta threatens to turn mounting tensions into a full-blown war. When Captain Pike’s partner, Captain Batel, gets caught in the attack, he defies Admiral April’s orders and mounts a rescue mission. With Chapel also missing, Spock is happy to help, but to do so will require suiting up and flying through space.

With the help of another familiar face, Pike and Spock return to the Enterprise with their lovers, but others—not all wearing red shirts—aren’t so lucky. With part of his crew abducted in cold blood, what will Pike do? A big lizard now truly is in the Federation’s backyard as the second season of Strange New Worlds wraps up with a dramatic finish manufactured just for the occasion.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with the season finale, “Hegemony.” We discuss the challenges of creating drama in a prequel, elements of diplomacy in Star Trek, parallels (and not) with “Arena,” and try to make sense of the Gorn.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Getting to Know the Gorn (00:03:16) Jumping the Gorn (00:09:06) Internal Consistency Matters (00:16:04) Manufacturing Drama (00:21:16) Crate 32 (00:26:24) Right Place, Right Time (00:29:06) Series Identity (00:36:15) Diplomatic Connections (00:40:46) Bye Bye Batel? (00:49:10) Spock and Chapel (00:54:03) Montgomery Scott at Your Service (00:57:29) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:00:15) Closing (01:04:13)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

“Under the Cloak of War”

For Doctor M’Benga and nurse Christine Chapel, the horrors of war come rushing back when Dak’Rah, a former Klingon general who defected to the Federation, comes aboard the Enterprise. Now an ambassador for the Federation, trying to bridge the two sides in the aftermath of the 2256–57 war, Dak’Rah came to be known as the Butcher of J’Gal for his brutal tactics. But for M’Benga, the actions that earned Rah that moniker hit closer to home than anyone knew. And the end game plays out in the Enterprise’s sickbay.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with “Under the Cloak of War.” We discuss the impact of war, atonement, responsibility for one’s actions, the DS9 feel of the episode, and more.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Inappropriately Spaced Mixtape (00:02:21) A DS9 State of Mind (00:06:44) The Impact of War (00:12:08) The Conscience of the King (00:22:07) Does the Truth Matter? (00:27:43) The Needs of the Many (00:33:15) Clint Howard Treks Again (00:42:41) Boatswain! (00:45:02) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:47:08) Closing (00:52:17)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)