The Time of Angels – The Secrets of Doctor Who

In the first of a two-part story featuring the Weeping Angels and River Song, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the 51st century Church that apparently has an attached military; talk about how River Song’s story elevates in the Moffat era; and compare the Angels to the Alien movies.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Dax (DS9) – The Secrets of Star Trek

When Dax is put on trial for a 30-year-old murder, questions of personhood and identity are raised. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha acknowledge that even apart from the scifi premise, there can be an interesting discussion of what it means to be an individual and a person.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Planet of Evil – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Doctor ends up in a Jekyll and Hyde story on the edge of the universe. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story, but the high point is when Jimmy sings the entire theme song to the 70s kids show Lidsville.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

The Offspring (TNG) – The Secrets of Star Trek

TNG’s The Offspring is a significant foundation for the Picard series. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha examine the connections and delve into questions of artificial personhood, parents’ rights, and what Riker’s intentions really were toward Data’s daughter.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Victory of the Daleks – The Secrets of Doctor Who

When the Doctor and Amy are called to London under the Blitz by Churchill, they encounter an unexpected ally. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how this episode sets up the Doctor’s interactions with the Daleks throughout the Moffatt period of the show.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

The Lorelei Signal (TAS) – The Secrets of Star Trek

When the Enterprise men hear the siren call of the Lorelei, Uhura and Christine Chapel have to take command to save them. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this animated story that finally gave Uhura the command opportunity she long deserved.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

The Mind of Evil – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The 3rd Doctor gets to play at James Bond. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about this Cold War spy-thriller-style story that also includes the Master, a dangerous alien entity, a prison riot, and a weapon of mass destruction.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

What Are Little Girls Made Of? (TOS) – The Secrets of Star Trek

When the Original Series dealt with the idea of transferring your consciousness to an android body, it came to different conclusions than modern Trek. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss how times and attitudes have changed since then.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

The Beast Below – The Secrets of Doctor Who

For Amy’s first real adventure, the 11th Doctor takes her to Britain in space. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the nature of a society that agrees collectively to ignore a horrific truth in order to feel better about a decision, letting the end justify the means.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad (DIS) – The Secrets of Star Trek

When Harry Mudd uses a time loop to steal Discovery, only Stamets is able to figure out what’s going on. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the return of Harry Mudd, the similarities to TNG’s “Clues”, and how this story provides a break from the season’s grim feel.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.