First Con-tact (PRO) – The Secrets of Star Trek

The Protostar crew meets a Ferengi. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the crew’s introduction to transporters, Ferengi, and first contact situations; the morality of the Prime Directive; and the most important lesson being the true friends they made along the way.

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Journey to the Center of the Tardis – The Secrets of Doctor Who

More of the Tardis than we’ve ever seen before. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that takes us to parts of the Doctor’s ship we’ve never seen, but also addresses questions of personhood and the dignity of each individual.

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Kobayashi (PRO) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Prodigy is back and so are some of our Star Trek favorites. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the midseason premiere that sees Dal confront the no-win scenario and meet up with some giants of Star Trek history, noting the show’s attempt to introduce it’s young audience to its lore.

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Eve of the Daleks – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The best Doctor’s New Year’s Eve yet? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 13th Doctor special, especially its fun guests characters, Sarah and Nick; the fun, lowered-stakes plot device; and the quippy dialogue that overcome the few missteps.

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Fusion (ENT) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Unusual Vulcans! Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss how this episode plays with our expectations and sympathies; reveals more about Vulcan culture and society; and develops the character of T’Pol in how she relates to her own people and to humans.

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Mawdryn Undead – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Brigadier is back again. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the return of Lethbridge-Stewart with the 5th Doctor; the addition of Turlow to the Tardis Companions; attempts to steal the Doctor’s regenerations; and this first part of the Black Guardian trilogy of stories.

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Faces (VOY) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Evil twins and body horror. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about this Voyager story in which B’Elanna gets split in human and Klingon individuals; an alien steals a crewman’s face; and they wonder why Starfleet has such dumb flashlights.

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Hide – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Doctor goes ghost hunting. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the 11th Doctor’s search for answers to the mystery of Clara; how it is based on a 1959 movie; and Jimmy’s assessment of the paranormal research depicted in the episode.

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Hippocratic Oath (DS9) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Bashir and O’Brien run into the Jem’Hadar. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how Bashir’s oath as a doctor to help those in need comes in conflict with his oath as a Starfleet officer not to help the enemy, as well as the strain in friendship this causes.

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The Seeds of Doom (4) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 4th Doctor v. killer plants! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 4th Doctor story that combines Lovecraft’s “Mountains of Madness” and Hawks’ film “The Thing From Another World,” including a Bond-level villain, an Antarctic base, and an English country estate.

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