The Butler Did It (9th Doctor Big Finish) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

A 9th Doctor murder mystery, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Big Finish audio story of a murder mystery on a space station, highlighting the Doctor’s quippy nature against the cynical attitudes of the other characters and how it sets the stage for his TV adventures.

https://youtu.be/RKpSWg2xUgo

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Angel One (TNG) – The Secrets of Star Trek

A world where women are dominant and men are weak. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 1st season TNG episode infamous for its cringe portrayal of a matriarchy and how it was supposed to be about the evils of apartheid.

https://youtu.be/6_7fTr3GCJo

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The Rapture (Big Finish) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 7th Doctor at The Rapture. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this audio story that takes the Doctor and Ace to Ibiza where they encounter two angels and the imminent Rapture. They discuss the Rapture within Christian belief; Ace’s existential crisis; and the true story of Blessed Francisco Palau.

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Star Trek: Nemesis – The Secrets of Star Trek

The last of the TNG films is widely marked as the weakest. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss th film’s strengths and weaknesses and its themes of identity and the moral and ethical considerations of cloning and artificial sentience and more.

https://youtu.be/Wz1l1mJIz1E

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Warrior of the Deep – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 5th Doctor is caught in an undersea Cold War thriller that mixes in two old foes as well. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the highs and lows of the story; the more than usually bad effects; and the ethical underpinnings of the Silurians and Sea Devils.

https://youtu.be/IoSCWR88WOQ

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Fallen Hero (ENT) -The Secrets of Star Trek

T’Pol’s hero isn’t what she seems. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story’s themes of trust, earned, broken, and granted; the clash of human and Vulcan values; and the glimpse of future human-Vulcan friendship.

https://youtu.be/69je2hvHYy0

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The Androids of Tara – The Secrets of Doctor Who

Prisoner of Zenda in space! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 4th Doctor story and Romana’s active role in it; the use of androids and technology in a feudal society; and the story’s exploration of social class, technology, and hierarchy.

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Initiations (VOY) – The Secrets of Star Trek

A-koo-chee-moya! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Chakotay story featuring guest star Aron Eisenberg, including themes of fatherhood and cultural identity, as well as the missed narrative opportunities while praising the twist ending.

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Frontier in Space – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 3rd Doctor on the frontier! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of conflict between Earth and the Draconian Empire, manipulated by the Master and the Daleks, including the Cold War themes, political prisoners, and Jo’s character development.

https://youtu.be/y1quzXfXtIY

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Booby Trap (TNG) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Poor Geordi. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this TNG story that combines a ticking clock story with Geordi’s awkward romantic track record and a strange holodeck encounter, plus discussion of AI in Trek and Picard’s leadership.

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