The Terratin Incident (Animated Series) – The Secrets of Star Trek

As the Enterprise crew gets shrunk to Lilliputian proportions, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the surprising metaphysical and theological implications, the practical and scientific discrepancies, and the character dynamics.

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The Dalek’s Master Plan (Ep. 9-12) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The epic conclusion! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha delve into the final part of this 1st Doctor story, highlighting the tragic sacrifices, the dramatic and tense atmosphere, and the ambitious nature of the 12-part series.

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This Side of Paradise (TOS) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Spock and the Enterprise crew stick it to the Man, aka Kirk. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this TOS story that reminds us that there is no utopia outside of heaven; the call of duty; and the context of 1960s counterculture.

https://youtu.be/6TsGC2cBnm4

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The Daleks’ Master Plan (Ep. 5, 6, 8) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Master Plan continues! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha continue their discussion of this 1st Doctor story, including the return of the Meddling Monk as well as the struggle for power, the consequences of blind obedience, and the complexities of moral decision-making.

https://youtu.be/nWWRrii505s

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Desert Crossing (Enterprise) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Is one man’s freedom fighter another man’s terrorist? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story of Enterpise getting mixed up in some local conflicts on a desert planet; the ethical implications; and whether Zabral is a good guy or bad guy.

https://youtu.be/OtS-FcbPXr4

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The Daleks’ Master Plan (Ep. 1-4) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

Tackling the first part of this mega 1st Doctor story, Dom Bettinellli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Nicholas Courtney’s first appearance on Who; the first Companion death; and the moral ambiguity surrounding characters like Mavic Chen and Sarah Kingdom.

https://youtu.be/0y9gY8euYA0

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Revulsion (Voyager) – The Secrets of Star Trek

A homicidal hologram that hates people. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this psychological thriller of an emotionally fragile and homicidal alien hologram with a chilling intensity; as well as Harry Kim’s cringeworthy attempted romance with Seven of Nine.

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The Power of Kroll – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 4th Doctor vs. giant squid monster. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the allegory of colonization and displacement of indigenous groups; the use of humor and wit in the dialogue; and the avoidance of simple good/bad guy divisions.

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If Wishes Were Horses (DS9) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Be careful what you wish for! Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story’s themes of the power and danger of imagination and wish fulfillment; escapism vs. creativity; the significance of family on the show; and our need to critically assess the impact of fantasy.

https://youtu.be/aHu4ekox6do

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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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