Earl Grey: A Star Trek The Next Generation Podcast

Pets of TNG.   Pets are an important part of many people's lives in the 21st century here on Earth, but how important are they to the characters of The Next Generation in the 24th century?Many Star Trek fans would name Data's cat Spot, but there are a lot more pets on the show that also make appearances and have an impact on the characters of The Next Generation. In this episode of Earl Grey, host Justin Oser is joined by special guests Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson of Literary Treks to talk about the pets of The Next Generation. This is a fun discussion that includes talking about Data's cat Spot, Picard's fish Livingston, Troi's childhood dog, Kirk's dog Butler, Lwaxana's pet vine, O'Brien's tarantula Christina, Worf's targ, and a number of other pets. Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)   Welcome, Dan and Bruce! (00:01:31)   Pets Named for Trek Characters (00:02:39)   Pets of TNG (00:04:38)   Spot (00:05:56)   Data's Cats in All Good Things... (00:20:39) Livingston (00:24:48)   Dogs (00:34:50) Lwaxana's Pet Vine (0

Favorite Character Moments from First Contact.   The Next Generation has a mostly episodic format, but over the course of the show and the movies, there are many great character moments. Those moments, both great and small, can enhance our experience of the show and lead to a new understanding of both regular and recurring characters.   In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser list their three favorite character moments from First Contact. Each host discusses why their chosen moments are important to them and to the development of characters on The Next Generation. Favorite character moments is a series that will cover all seven seasons and the four movies of The Next Generation.   Chapters Intro (00:01:14)  Initial Thoughts (00:08:07)  First Picks (00:13:11)  Second Picks (00:29:07)  Third Picks (00:42:50)  Honorable Mentions (00:52:52)  Final Thoughts (01:05:52)    Preview of Next Week (01:12:43)  Closing (01:13:59) Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes 34 seconds Hosts Rich

Favorite Badass Geordi Moments.   Geordi La Forge is often thought of primarily as the brilliant chief engineer of the Enterprise-D and the Enterprise-E who was born blind but can see with the help of his advanced VISOR. Geordi is also frequently remembered for his difficulty with romantic relationships. However, we think that Geordi does have his share of badass moments throughout the course of The Next Generation episodes and movies.  In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Richard Marquez and Justin Oser are joined by guest Hayley Stoddart of Standard Orbit to list their three favorite badass Geordi moments from The Next Generation. Each choice is discussed and highlights Geordi as tough and uncompromising. Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:51) Trekdocs Feedback (00:07:29) Welcome, Hayley! (00:08:46)  Hayley's Star Trek Story (00:09:27)  Thoughts on Geordi (00:11:56)  First Picks (00:18:11)  Second Picks (00:31:28)  Third Picks (00:42:55)  Honorable Mentions (01:00:44)  Final Though

TNG Roleplaying Game.   The first official Star Trek roleplaying game (RPG), Star Trek: Adventure Gaming in the Final Frontier, was released in 1978 and there have been a number of official Star Trek RPGs since that time. The latest entry in this long tradition is Star Trek Adventures, which includes missions in the eras of The Original Series and The Next Generation. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Richard Marquez, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser play a mission from The Next Generation era from the new Star Trek Adventures roleplaying game. Richard serves the role of gamemaster while Amy and Justin have created their own characters for the game. Richard has played many roleplaying games, but this is the first roleplaying game Amy and Justin have ever played. Find out how well they do and if their characters can survive the mission! Chapters  ntro (00:01:25)   Encounter at Shuttlecraft (00:21:09)   Planetside (00:33:30)   Romulans! (00:46:45)   Bug Bites (00:53:15)   Villagers (01:06:00)   Spelunking (01:21:

The Lost Episodes, Part 3.   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 Richard Marquez, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser discuss two never-produced episodes of seasons one and two of The Next Generation. The script outlines discussed are "Return to Forever" (featuring two Spocks and the return of the Guardian of Forever!) and "The Immunity Syndrome" (not to be confused with The Original Series episode of the same name). 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 (00:01:12)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:03)   Email Feedback (00:10:56)   Lost Episo

Favorite Character Moments from Generations.   The Next Generation has a mostly episodic format, but over the course of the show and the movies, there are many great character moments. Those moments, both great and small, can enhance our experience of the show and lead to a new understanding of both regular and recurring characters.   In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser list their three favorite character moments from Generations. Each host discusses why their chosen moments are important to them and to the development of characters on The Next Generation. Favorite character moments is a series that will cover all seven seasons and the four movies of The Next Generation. Chapters  Intro (00:00:00) Pick One (00:09:44) Pick Two (00:24:40) Pick Three (00:34:21) Honorable Mentions (00:49:38) Final Thoughts (00:56:52) Closing (01:05:00)   Runtime: 1 hour 12 minutes 2 seconds   Hosts Richard Marquez, Justin Oser, Amy Nelson   Production Amy Nelson (Editor and Producer

"Lessons."   In the sixth season episode "Lessons," we're introduced to the head of Stellar Sciences on the Enterprise-D, Lieutenant Commander Nella Daren. In the course of this episode of The Next Generation, Picard and Daren fall in love, Picard shares with her the importance of his music from his experience in "The Inner Light," and the relationship eventually doesn't work out because of the worry of losing someone to the dangers of serving on a starship. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser and Amy Nelson are joined by special guest Rob Chapman, who runs the Trek Book Club on Twitter, to talk about The Next Generation episode "Lessons." The discussion includes talking about what we love about Nella Daren and the Picard-Daren relationship, the possible perils of workplace romance, what Picard's music means to him, and the various scenes and moments in the episode that we enjoy. Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:03)   Welcome, Rob! (00:02:22)   Trek Book Club (00:07:

Jennifer Edwards Interview.   Jennifer Edwards appeared as Alexander's teacher, Ms. Kyle, in the fifth season episode of The Next Generation "New Ground." Even though Ms. Kyle only appears in a few scenes in the episode, she makes a very memorable impression as a realistically portrayed teacher navigating the difficulties of a troubled student, Alexander, and his stern father, Worf. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser, Amy Nelson, and Richard Marquez interview Jennifer Edwards about her role as the teacher Ms. Kyle in The Next Generation episode "New Ground." The discussion includes what it was like working on the set of a Star Trek show, talking about her father, writer-director-producer-actor Blake Edwards, and discussing how her character has been an inspiration to teachers. Chapters  Intro (00:01:24)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:22)   Interview (00:03:49)   Closing (00:46:17)   Runtime: 58 minutes 18 seconds   Hosts Justin Oser, Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez Guest Jennifer Edwards Produ

Picard's Family.   In the acclaimed fourth season episode of The Next Generation entitled "Family," we finally get to meet members of Jean-Luc Picard's family in the form of his brother Robert, his sister-in-law Marie, and his nephew Rene on the Picard family vineyard in La Barre, France. What does this encounter tell us about Picard's upbringing and what family means to him? How do the other references to his family and the illusory family that we see throughout the series and in the movie Generations shed light on Picard's experiences and his hopes for family relationships? In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser and Amy Nelson are joined by special guest Joe Keegan to talk about the family (real and imaginary) of Jean Luc-Picard. Characters discussed include Robert Picard, Rene Picard, Marie Picard, Maurice Picard, Yvtette Picard, Picard's ancestors, Picard's Nexus family, Kamin's family, Beverly Picard from "All Good Things...," and Shinzon. We also touch upon what we would like to see of Picard'

Tim DeZarn Interview.   Tim deZarn appeared as four different aliens across three different Star Trek series from 1993 to 2001. He appeared on The Next Generation episode "Starship Mine" as the alien mercenary Satler, in the Deep Space Nine episode "Wrongs Darker than Death or Night" as a Bajoran, in the Voyager episode "Initiations" as Haliz (leader of the Kazon-Ogla), and in the Voyager episode "Repentance" as the Nygean prison warden Yediq. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser, Amy Nelson, and Richard Marquez interview actor Tim deZarn about his roles playing four alien species on The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. The discussion includes talking about his experience on those four episodes, his extensive acting work outside of Star Trek, and what it was like working with Patrick Stewart on The Next Generation and Blunt Talk, Kate Mulgrew on Voyager, and Scott Bakula on Quantum Leap and NCIS: New Orleans. Chapters  Intro (00:01:10)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:14)   E-mail

Remember Me.   The fourth season episode "Remember Me" is a very memorable entry of The Next Generation. Beverly Crusher is trapped in a warp bubble and faced with the traumatic situation of people on the Enterprise-D gradually disappearing until she's the only one left on the ship and the warp bubble universe is collapsing around her. "Remember Me" is one of a handful of episodes to focus on Beverly Crusher and it showcases an amazing performance by Gates McFadden. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser and Amy Nelson are joined by special guest Shashank Avvaru of the PoliTreks podcast to talk about The Next Generation episode "Remember Me." Topics discussed include Beverly Crusher as the focus of the episode, how she handles the difficult challenges presented to her, and how Beverly Crusher's experience trying to get attention for what she's going through relates to the #MeToo movement. Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:01:46)   Welcome, Shashank! (00:04:48)    PoliTreks (

Favorite Character Moments Season 7.   The Next Generationhas a mostly episodic format, but over the course of the show and the movies, there are many great character moments. Those moments, both great and small, can enhance our experience of the show and lead to a new understanding of both regular and recurring characters.   In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser list their three favorite character moments from season seven. Each host discusses why their chosen moments are important to them and to the development of characters on The Next Generation. Favorite character moments is a series that will cover all seven seasons and the four movies of The Next Generation. Chapters  Intro (00:01:10)   Pick One (00:03:00)   Pick Two (00:17:44)   Pick Three (00:39:33)   Honorable Mentions (00:56:01)   Closing (01:08:33)     Runtime: 1 hour 19 minutes 29 seconds   Hosts Richard Marquez, Justin Oser, Amy Nelson   Production Richard Marquez (Editor and Producer) Justin Oser (P

Creatures and Monsters of TNG.   The Next Generation includes a number of episodes that have exotic species and unusual entities. These lifeforms that can be called creatures and monsters have the ability to bring out our sympathy or to frighten us, but they also often provide great storytelling opportunities. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser and Amy Nelson discuss the creatures and monsters of The Next Generation. Lifeforms discussed include Gagh, Targs, the parasites from "Conspiracy," the Space Jellyfish, the spaceborne species from "Galaxy's Child," Gomtuu from "Tin Man," Armus from "Skin of Evil," the Microbrain from "Home Soil," Nanites, the lifeforms from "Identity Crisis," the lifeforms from "Schisms," the Crystalline Entity, and the de-evolved crew in "Genesis." Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:25)   Creatures and Monsters of TNG (00:11:32)   Gagh (00:12:50)   Targs (00:15:27)   Parasites from "Conspiracy" (00:18:14)     Space Jellyfish (00:21:19)     Spa

TNG Characters Who Play Music.   Music is an important element to the experience of watching episodes of The Next Generation, but there are also a number of characters on the show that play musical instruments themselves. What motivates them to play music and how might they use their talents as part of a music group? In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser and Amy Nelson are joined by special guest Tony Robinson of Continuing Mission and Melodic Treks (Tony also creates the wonderful show art for Earl Grey) to talk about characters on The Next Generation that play music and the bands they might join or form. Characters discussed include Jean-Luc Picard, Will Riker, Data, Geordi La Forge, Miles O'Brien, Q, Keiko O'Brien, Nella Daren, and Jenna D'Sora. Chapters  Intro (00:01:11)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:10)   Special Guest (00:04:51)   Music (00:08:49)   Riker (00:10:55)   Picard (00:18:50)   Data (00:25:36)   O’Brien (00:31:46)   Q (00:37:39)   Geordi (00:42:50)   Keiko (00:46:36)   Jenna D

New Picard Series.   On August 4, 2018, Patrick Stewart made a surprise appearance on the main stage at Star Trek Las Vegas to announce that Jean-Luc Picard will be returning in a new series set 20 years after Star Trek: Nemesis. Only a few other details have so far been given on the new series, but the reaction inside the hall during the announcement and throughout social media in the short time since has been one of incredible excitement and enthusiasm.   In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser and Amy Nelson are joined by special guests Zach Moore and Hayley Stoddart of Standard Orbit, Brandon-Shea Mutala of Warp Five and Melodic Treks, Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther of Literary Treks, and Mike Schindler to give their reactions and thoughts on the big news that Patrick Stewart will be reprising his role as Jean-Luc Picard. This is an in-depth discussion on a very momentous announcement for Star Trek! Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes 3 seconds   Hosts Justin Oser, Amy Nelson GuestsZach Moore, Hayley Stodd

Romulans in "The Enemy" and "The Defector."   The third season episodes "The Enemy" and "The Defector" aired within a few months of each other and provided the first episodes of The Next Generation to show Romulan characters in such depth. The Romulans appeared in The Next Generation in more episodes than in any other Star Trek series, but how much do we really know about this iconic species?  In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser, Amy Nelson, and Richard Marquez are joined by special guest John Krikorian of the Trek Profiles podcast to talk about "The Enemy" and "The Defector" to uncover what we learn about the Romulans from these episodes. Topics discussed include why the Romulans seem to prefer deception and elaborate plotting, what the range of characters we see in the episodes tell us about Romulan behavior under different circumstances, and what we may be able to determine about Romulan culture. Chapters  Introduction (00:00:00)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:45) Welcome, John! (00:06:23)

"The Chase" and Panspermia.   "The Chase" is a sixth season episode of The Next Generation that answered a question many fans had wondered about over the years - why do so many of the species that we see in Star Trek look so similar? This question is answered when the pieces of a puzzle spanning many worlds and billions of years is revealed. A progenitor species found themselves alone in the galaxy four billions years ago and decided to seed many planets with life in the hope that the resulting intelligent species would one day connect and understand each other. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser and Richard Marquez are joined by special guests Mike Wong and Elise Cutts of the Strange New Worlds: A Science and Star Trek Podcast to discuss "The Chase" and the science behind the idea of panspermia presented in the episode. Panspermia is the theory that life can be introduced in different environments because it was seeded from outer space, whether through natural objects (such as asteroids and come

The Lost Episodes, Part 2.   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 Richard Marquez, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser discuss two more never-produced episodes of season one of The Next Generation. The script outlines discussed are "The Neutral Zone" (featuring a different concept than the season one episode of the same name) and "Somewhen." 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  Introduction (00:00:00)   Babel Conference Feedback (02:11:00)   "The Neutral Zone" (00:05:43)    "Somewhen"  (00:36:15)    Final Thoughts  (00:57:50)     Closing (01:05:27)

Star Trek Las Vegas 2018.   For the past 17 years, thousands of fans have converged on Las Vegas every summer to see Star Trek actors and creatives, meet other fans, and celebrate what they love about the franchise. This is the largest Star Trek convention in the United States and is eagerly anticipated year after year.   In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser provide tips and insights for attendees and share stories of their past Star Trek Las Vegas experiences as the convention approaches. The discussion includes ticket and hotel options, guests and panels (with an emphasis on The Next Generation), events and parties, the vendor room, food, and more! Chapters  Intro (00:01:10)   Babel Conference Feedback (00:02:24)   E-mail Feedback (00:04:21)   STLV (00:06:49)   Ticket Options (00:13:30)   Autographs/Photo Ops (00:20:49)   Hotels (00:25:16)   Panels/ Vendor Room/ Events (00:29:14)   Displays (00:43:23)   Food (00:51:00)   Tips (00:59:50)   Final Thoughts (01:09:21

Favorite Character Moments Season 6.   The Next Generation has a mostly episodic format, but over the course of the show and the movies, there are many great character moments. Those moments, both great and small, can enhance our experience of the show and lead to a new understanding of both regular and recurring characters.   In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser list their three favorite character moments from season six. Each host discusses why their chosen moments are important to them and to the development of characters on The Next Generation. Favorite character moments is a series that will cover all seven seasons and the four movies of The Next Generation. Chapters  Intro (00:00:00)   Listener Feedback (00:03:10)   First Picks (00:09:00)   Second Picks (00:28:17)   Third Picks (00:44:14)     Honorable Mentions (01:02:17)   Final Thoughts (01:12:01) Closing (01:19:05)    Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutes 6 seconds   Hosts Richard Marquez, Justin Oser, Amy Nelson