Earl Grey: A Star Trek The Next Generation Podcast

AI in TNG. Humanity in the 21st century is embarking on a path that includes more and more uses of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance our lives. In The Next Generation, we see examples in the 24th century of many different kinds of advanced artificial intelligence that can help us to examine where our current AI journey is taking us. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser and Joe Keegan are joined by guest Jenn Tifft of the Snap Trek podcast to discuss artificial intelligence in The Next Generation. The discussion includes Data and his android family as well as the episodes "Elementary, Dear Data," "Evolution," "The Quality of Life," "Emergence," and "11001001." Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Listener Feedback (00:02:09) Welcome, Jenn! (00:07:32) Data and his family (00:09:09) "Elementary, Dear Data" (00:31:15) "Evolution" (00:44:42) "The Quality of Life" (00:54:22) "Emergence" (01:03:19) "11001001" (01:12:06) Final Thoughts (01:17:15)   Closing (01:24:15)   Running time: 1 hour, 29 minutes, 23 se

The Lost Episodes, Part 9.   There are many scripts, script outlines, and episode and movie concepts that never made it onto the screen on The Next Generation. These lost episodes can provide a fascinating window into what might have been, what characters and concepts ended up being modified and used later, and into the behind-the-scenes writing process. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Justin Oser, and Joe Keegan are joined by guest Brian Meloche to discuss the scripts he submitted and story ideas he pitched to Paramount for The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. The Lost Episodes is a continuing series that will cover many unfilmed episodes and movie concepts over the course of the seven seasons and four movies of The Next Generation. Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  Listener Feedback (00:04:01)  Welcome, Brian! (00:06:46)  Scripts and Pitches for Star Trek (00:07:47)  Closing (01:01:33) Runtime: 1 hour 10 minutes 31 seconds   Hosts Amy Nelson Joe Keegan Justin Oser   Production Joe

Science in TNG, with Dr. Erin MacDonald.   Dr Erin Macdonald is an astrophysicist, aerospace engineer, and host of the online series "Dr Erin Explains the Universe." She's also a huge Star Trek fan who was recently announced as a science consultant for the Star Trek franchise. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser are joined by Dr. Erin MacDonald to talk about the science in Star Trek and her work as a scientist, an engineer, a science fiction consultant, and a science communicator. The discussion includes the excitement of being a Star Trek science consultant, our favorite science moments in TNG, which advanced Star Trek technology (replicators, transporters, or warp drives) we're most likely to see within a hundred years, and much more! Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/trekfm http://www.trek.fm/earl-grey/311 http://earlgrey.trekfm.libsynpro.com/rss Chapters Intro (00:01:14) Listener Feedback (00:02:55)  Welcome, Erin! (00:06:55)  Speed Round (00:17:40)  Class

"The Most Toys.”   "The Most Toys" is a season three episode of The Next Generation which shows Data's death being faked in a shuttlecraft explosion and Data being kidnapped by Zibalian trader Kivas Fajo. Quirkily and malevolently played by Saul Rubinek, Fajo collects unique items from across the galaxy and wants to add Data to his collection. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Justin Oser, and Amy Nelson discuss "The Most Toys," an episode in season three of The Next Generation in which Data is kidnapped by a nefarious collector of unique items, Kivas Fajo. The discussion includes the character of Kivas Fajo, ruling by fear, Geordi's quest for the truth, and the question of whether Data pulled the trigger. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Listener Feedback (00:06:45) Initial Thoughts (00:12:01) Kivas Fajo (00:16:16)  Ruling By Fear (00:25:27) Geordi (00:34:17) Did Data Do It? (00:42:44) Final Thoughts (00:53:46)  Closing (01:02:33)   Running time: 1 hour, 19 minutes, 38 seconds Hosts Joe Keegan, Jus

Favorite Badass Data Moments. Data is a fan favorite character on The Next Generation and now Star Trek: Picard. He's known for being the operations officer and second officer on the Federation flagship, for his limitless curiosity, and for being an android on a quest to understand what it means to be human. However, we think that Data also has his share of badass moments throughout the course of The Next Generation episodes and movies.     In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser list their three favorite badass Data moments from The Next Generation. Each choice is discussed and highlights Data as tough and uncompromising.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:12)  First Picks (00:09:00)  Second Picks (00:21:07)  Third Picks (00:32:55)  Honorable Mentions (00:49:27)  Final Thoughts (00:55:32)  Closing (00:59:18)    Runtime: 01:16:58   Hosts  Joe Keegan Amy Nelson Justin Oser    Production  Amy Nelson (Editor and Producer) Joe Keegan (Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Tony Robinson (Prod

Deleted Scenes, Season 5.   Scenes that were filmed, but not seen by the audience in the final aired productions are available for every season and movies of The Next Generation. These deleted scenes can provide a fascinating window into what might have been, including some scenes that would have had a far-reaching impact on the show and the films. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Joe Keegan, and Justin Oser talk about  deleted scenes from The Next Generation season 5 episodes "New Ground,” "Ethics,” "The Outcast,” The First Duty,” "Cost of Living,” The Perfect Mate,” and "The Inner Light.” All the deleted scenes that are discussed can be found on the season 5 Blu-ray release. Deleted Scenes is a series that will cover all seven seasons and the four movies of The Next Generation. Chapters Intro (00:0:00)    Listener Feedback (00:06:50)  Season 5 Deleted Scenes (00:15:21)  "New Ground" (00:18:34)  "Ethics" (00:24:39) "The Outcast" (00:27:27) "The First Duty" (00:33:51) "Cost of Living" (00:44

Genetically Designed People.   Genetic engineering has been a thread throughout Star Trek ever since the classic first season episode of The Original Series, "Space Seed," which introduced Khan Noonien Singh. The Next Generation has its own share of thought-provoking episodes that focus on genetic engineering and genetically designed people. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser, Joe Keegan, and Amy Nelson talk about episodes of The Next Generation featuring genetically designed people and what their portrayal tells us about the show's perspective on different types of genetic engineering. The episodes discussed include "Unnatural Selection," "Up the Long Ladder," "The Hunted," and "The Masterpiece Society." Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:58) Genetically Designed People (00:08:17) "Unnatural Selection" (00:09:54) "Up the Long Ladder" (00:19:29) "The Hunted" (00:29:02) "The Masterpiece Society" (00:40:32) "Loud As a Whisper" (00:54:02) "The Perfect Mate" (00:56:54) Final

High Culture in TNG.   When The Next Generation had a cultural reference or an artistic performance, it was often part of what would be called high culture, such as Shakespeare, classical music, or painting. Although cultural references and performances considered to be among the highest accomplishments of Earth culture go back as far as the first season of The Original Series, The Next Generation seems to bring this type of culture into the lives of its characters more than any other Star Trek series. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan and Amy Nelson are joined by guest Duncan Barrett of Primitive Culture to discuss high culture in The Next Generation and its effect on the show. The topics discussed include literature, the performing arts (including classical music and poetry), and the visual arts (including painting and pottery). Chapters Intro (00:01:13)  High Culture in TNG (00:17:23)  Shakespeare Influences (00:23:50)  Visual Arts (00:43:45)  Performing Arts (00:50:40)  Great Literature (00

"Half A Life.”   "Half A Life" is a season four episode of The Next Generation which beautifully and painfully portrays the love story between Lwaxana Troi and Dr. Timicin of the planet Kaelon II, shortly before his society requires him to die at the age of 60. There's lots to talk about in this episode including the themes of commitment, aging, the right to die, and much more. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan and Amy Nelson are joined by guest Christian Alonzo to discuss "Half A Life,” an episode in season four of The Next Generationin which Lwaxana Troi falls in love with someone whose society mandates that he commit suicide. The discussion includes the episode’s unusual format, the love story between Lwaxana and Timicin, aging and the right to die, and the Prime Directive. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Welcome, Christian! (00:03:15) Christian's Star Trek Story (00:04:25) Why Lwaxana and "Half a Life?” (00:08:29)  Initial Thoughts (00:12:45)    Unusual Format (00:18:32) Lwaxana and Timicin (00:1

Serialized TNG: Q Episodes. Starting in 2006, a series of DVD collections were released under the name Star Trek: Fan Collective. These included episodes from across all the live-action Star Trek series that had aired up to then and focused on themes such as the Klingons, Q, and the Borg. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser, Joe Keegan, and Amy Nelson continue our series about the Star Trek: Fan Collective DVD sets with a look at the eight episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation that were part of the Q installment and how they play into serialized storytelling on TNG. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Babel Conference Feedback (00:06:43) “Encounter at Farpoint” (00:19:54) “Hide and Q” (00:27:43) “Q Who” (00:36:28) “Déjà Q” (00:44:44) “Qpid” (00:53:51) “True Q” (01:00:24) “Tapestry” (01:08:43) “All Good Things…” (01:14:45) Final Thoughts (01:22:20) Closing (01:27:28) Hosts Joe Keegan, Justin Oser, and Amy Nelson Production Amy Nelson (Editor and Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Joe Keegan (Producer)

Science in TNG, Part 5.   Science is an essential part of Star Trek that has inspired generations of fans to learn more about science, to become scientists, and to make influential discoveries. The Next Generation is no exception and includes many episodes that showcase new inventions, the application of existing science, and important scientific questions. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser talk about more science in season 7 of The Next Generation. The discussion topics include the multiverse, quantum tunneling, and the origin of life. Science in TNG is a series that will cover all seven seasons and the four movies of The Next Generation. Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)   Remembering D.C. Fontana (00:03:04)   Listener Feedback (00:05:48)   The Multiverse (00:17:14)   Quantum Tunneling, Part 2 (00:30:16)   Rock, Fire, Sky, and Water (00:38:17)   The Origin of Life, Part 2 (00:50:54)   Final Thoughts (00:56:57)   Closing (01:04:39)     Runtime: 1 hour 16 minutes 2 seconds

First Contacts in TNG. To communicate with new life and new civilizations through first contact is one of the primary missions of a Starfleet crew and the crews of the Enterprise-D and Enterprise-E are no exception. The first contacts that we see rarely seem to be easy, whether with space-faring jellyfish, subspace aliens kidnapping the crew, or the malevolent collective consciousness of the Borg, but it does make for a great discussion topic. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan and Justin Oser are joined by guest April Taylor to talk about first contacts in The Next Generation and what they tell us about one of Starfleet's most important missions. The discussion includes the episodes "Encounter at Farpoint," "Pen Pals," "Q Who," "Who Watches The Watchers," "First Contact," "Schisms," and "Phantasms" as well as the movie First Contact. Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/trekfm http://www.trek.fm/earl-grey/302 http://earlgrey.trekfm.libsynpro.com/rss Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)   Listener Fe

"Booby Trap."   "Booby Trap" is a season three episode of The Next Generation that is probably best-known for showing Geordi La Forge falling in love with a holographic version of engineer Leah Brahms. However, there's a lot more going on in this episode that can lead to conversations about war's long-lasting effects, how to solve an engineering problem, when people are needed instead of computers, and much more. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan and Justin Oser are joined by guest Shoaib Mirza, Associate Producer of The Edge, to talk about the season three episode of The Next Generation, "Booby Trap." The discussion includes Geordi's love life, an ancient war, Picard's childhood hobbies, and the human element in problem-solving. Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/trekfm http://www.trek.fm/earl-grey/301 http://earlgrey.trekfm.libsynpro.com/rss Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Listener Feedback (00:02:02)  Initial Thoughts (00:12:22)  Geordi's Love Life (00:16:40)  An Ancient War (00:24:02)  Pica

Robin Curtis Interview.   Robin Curtis is well-known to fans for playing Lieutenant Saavik in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. She also played Tallera, a Vulcan posing as a Romulan, in "Gambit, Part I" and "Gambit, Part II" in season seven of The Next Generation. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan and Justin Oser celebrate the 300th episode of the show by interviewing Robin Curtis about her roles as Saavik in Star Trek IIIand Star Trek IV and as Tallera on The Next Generation. The discussion includes the challenges of playing a Vulcan character, what it was like to work with the cast of The Original Series and to be directed by Leonard Nimoy, her experience working with Patrick Stewart in the "Gambit" two-parter, and much more! Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/trekfm http://www.trek.fm/earl-grey/300 http://earlgrey.trekfm.libsynpro.com/rss Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Listener Feedback (00:03:01) Robin's Acting Career Start (00:07:49) Watching Star Trek

Favorite Badass Riker Moments. Will Riker is known for being the first officer of the Federation flagship, Captain Picard's right-hand man, and Deanna Troi's beloved Imzadi. However, we think that Will has his share of badass moments throughout the course of The Next Generation episodes and movies. Beard or no beard, Riker's badassery knows no bounds.    In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser list their three favorite badass Riker moments from The Next Generation. Each choice is discussed and highlights Will Riker as tough and uncompromising.   Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)  Listener Feedback (00:03:19) First Picks (00:13:41) Second Picks (00:28:45) Third Picks (00:39:36)  Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts (00:56:29) Closing (01:10:07)    Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutes 20 seconds   Hosts  Joe Keegan Amy Nelson Justin Oser    Production  Joe Keegan (Editor and Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Tony Robinson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ma

Keiko O'Brien.   Keiko O'Brien first appears in "Data's Day," a season four episode of The Next Generation in which she marries Miles O'Brien. Over the course of the 8 episodes of The Next Generation and 19 episodes of Deep Space Nine in which she appears, we see Keiko as a wife, a mother, a botanist, and a primary school teacher and we even learn a little bit about her family history. Keiko is far from a fan favorite, but what do we think about her when discussing the episodes she appears in and the arc of her character? In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson and Justin Oser are joined by Jenn Tifft of the Snap Trek podcast to talk about Keiko O'Brien. The discussion includes Keiko's relationship with her husband, Miles O'Brien, on both The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, her work as a botanist and school teacher, Keiko as a mother to her two children, what we think of her character overall in episodes spanning 10 seasons of Star Trek, and much more! Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/tre

Jennifer Gatti Interview.   Jennifer Gatti played the half-Klingon, half-Romulan character of Ba'el in "Birthright, Part I" and "Birthright, Part II" on The Next Generation as well as Harry Kim's girlfriend, Libby, in the Voyager episode "Non Sequitur." She also has many other acting credits, including roles on Doogie Howser, M.D., Cheers, ER, The Young and the Restless, NCIS, Vice Principals, Swamp Thing, and The Resident. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Joe Keegan, and Justin Oser interview Jennifer Gatti about her role as Ba'el in two episodes of The Next Generation - "Birthright, Part I" and "Birthright, Part II" - and as Libby in the Voyager episode "Non Sequitur." The discussion includes what it was like playing the first half-Klingon, half-Romulan character in Star Trek, the welcoming atmosphere on The Next Generation, how she almost landed the role of Kes in Voyager, and much more! Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/trekfm http://www.trek.fm/earl-grey/297 http://earlgrey.trekfm.

Science in TNG, Part 4.   Science is an essential part of Star Trek that has inspired generations of fans to learn more about science, to become scientists, and to make influential discoveries. The Next Generation is no exception and includes many episodes that showcase new inventions, the application of existing science, and important scientific questions. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser talk about science in season 7 of The Next Generation. The discussion includes virtual reality, climate change, and robots. Science in TNG is a series that will cover all seven seasons and the four movies of The Next Generation. Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)   Listener Feedback (00:03:04)   Virtual Reality (00:14:26)   Climate Change (00:30:49)   Robots (00:39:50)   Final Thoughts (01:01:22)   Closing (01:09:38)     Runtime: 1 hour 18 minutes 11 seconds Hosts Joe Keegan Amy Nelson Justin Oser   Production Joe Keegan (Editor and Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) Justin Oser (Producer)

Favorite Picard Inspirational Speeches.   In The Next Generation, Jean-Luc Picard is a captain, a diplomat, and an explorer, but he is also an inspiration to his crew, to many characters that we meet during the show and the movies, and to multiple generations of Star Trek fans. Picard's power and influence for good flows just as much from his words as from his actions.    In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Joe Keegan, and Justin Oser list their three favorite Picard inspirational speeches from The Next Generation. Each host talks about why their picks are meaningful to them and important to The Next Generation and its millions of fans.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:14)  Listener Feedback (00:04:01)  First Picks (00:21:41)  Second Picks (00:34:30)  Third Picks (00:52:26)  Speed Round (01:09:03)  Final Thoughts (01:13:45)  Closing (01:17:18)    Runtime: 1 hour 28 minutes 10 seconds   Hosts  Amy Nelson Joe Keegan Justin Oser    Production  Amy Nelson (Editor and Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Joe Keega

Favorite Non-human Species in TNG.   Non-human species have been important to Star Trek since its very beginning when viewers first saw the half-Vulcan Mr. Spock. There have been many non-human characters depicted in every series, from those that can be called humanoid to those that look and behave very differently from humans. Over the course of seven seasons and four movies, The Next Generation introduced us to both new non-human species that would become important across 24th century Star Trek as well as memorable non-human species that were only seen once.    In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson and Justin Oser are joined by guest Nicholas Paul Collinson to list their three favorite non-human species on The Next Generation. Each participant talks about why the species they have chosen are meaningful to them and important to The Next Generation.   Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)  Remembering Aron Eisenberg (00:01:37) Listener Feedback (00:03:01) Welcome, Nick! (00:06:39) Nick's Star Trek and Science S