Claim OwnershipTrek Politics with Mary L. Trump and Bob Cesca
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Trek Politics is a fun and insightful deep dive into the socio-political and cultural allegory of Star Trek across all series and movies, featuring author and commentator Mary Trump and political podcaster Bob Cesca.
25 Episodes
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Mary and Bob review the first two episodes of Starfleet Academy and discuss the MAGA backlash to Star Trek's 60 history of wokeness. Stick around for Bobservations! By the way, we'll return to original series analysis next week. Eventually, we'll hit the movies, TNG, DS9, and onward through the chronology of the saga. Help us out by liking and subscribing on YouTube via trekpolitics.com, and if you dig the show, consider giving us a five star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Trek Politics on Bluesky, X, and Instagram.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
1Mary Trump and Bob Cesca unravel the mystery of the Horta monster in an allegory about industry versus the environment and, by extension, the climate crisis. Help us out by liking and subscribing on YouTube via trekpolitics.com, and if you dig the show, consider giving us a five star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Trek Politics on Bluesky, X, and Instagram.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary Trump and I discuss arguably the most sexist episode of Star Trek (TOS) called “Turnabout Intruder.” And don't forget to like and subscribe, and if you dig the show consider giving us a five star rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Follow Trek Politics on Bluesky, X, and Instagram.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
To kick off the 60th anniversary year of Star Trek, Mary Trump and Bob Cesca discuss their top three favorite original series episodes. Make sure to add your top three faves in the comments under the video edition of this episode at trekpolitics.com. And don't forget to like, subscribe, and if you dig the show consider giving us a five star rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Follow Trek Politics on Bluesky, X, Instagram, and TikTok @trekpolitics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week, Mary Trump and Bob Cesca deconstruct the original series episode "The Empath." Kirk, Spock, and Bones encounter an Empath who's being forced to sacrifice herself to save her species. Torture, murder, indefinite detention, a black void, and a lot of Bible references. Sounds like a party at Mar-a-lago. Stick around for BOBSERVATIONS -- and spread the word to all your Trekkie friends. Make sure to catch the YouTube edition at trekpolitics.com. Follow us on Bluesky and Instagram @trekpolitics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary Trump and Bob Cesca discuss the classic TOS episode "Arena" about the Enterprise's confrontation with the Gorn and the Metrons. Captain Kirk's act of mercy after wounding the Gorn captain is a lesson Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth need to learn about leadership, compassion, and a view on the long term ramifications of violent follow-up strikes. Makes sure to catch the video edition at trekpolitics.com and don't forget to share Trek Politics with your shipmates. Follow Trek Politics on Bluesky, X, and Instagram: @trekpolitics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary Trump and Bob Cesca discuss the season 3 episode of the original series, "The Cloud Minders" about class warfare, income inequality, anti-masking, eugenics, and more. And don't forget to stick around BOBSERVATIONS, featuring the nerdy details about this episode. Make sure to subscribe and share!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week, Mary Trump and Bob Cesca discuss the amazing original series episode JOURNEY TO BABEL, complete with its political intrigue, Federation world building, false flag murder mystery, family drama, medical drama, and more. When it rains it pours. Stick around for #Bobservations! Like, subscribe, and spread the word on YouTube: trekpolitics.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this week's episode of Trek Politics, we discuss the original series episode "A Taste of Armageddon" in which Captain Kirk attempts to broker piece between two planets at war, only to discover that the war is a computer simulation that requires actual deaths through "disintegration machines." What does this episode teach us about the absurdity of war? And how it relate to our own politics? Stick around for BOBSERVATIONS, in which I discuss some nitpicks and funny details from the episode. Watch the video edition of this episode at trekpolitics.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary Trump and Bob Cesca dig into the original series episode "A Private Little War" and it's Vietnam War allegory. What did Gene Roddenberry and the crew of the USS Enterprise conclude about the question of whether the U.S. should have gotten involved in Vietnam? Stick around for Bob's nerdy observations about the episode, including how best to defeat the shrieking Mugato creature. Make sure to subscribe and leave us a five star rating and review! Watch the YouTube edition of the show at trekpolitics.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week's Trek Politics is a companion to our previous podcast about the incredible Next Generation episode "The Drumhead". Bob talks with actor Spencer Garrett who played Crewman Simon Tarses, who's caught up in a McCarthyite witch hunt aboard the Enterprise. You might also know Spencer from Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, Bosch, For All Mankind, The Comey Rule, The Residence, and so many other films and TV shows. Once you see him, you'll immediately recognize him as that guy in that movie. Make sure to subscribe and leave us a five star rating and review.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary and Bob discuss the S2E23 original series episode "Patterns of Force," in which Kirk and Spock attempt to rescue a history professor who accidentally brings the Third Reich to an alien planet, leading to all the horrible things from Nazi Germany including a genocide against a neighboring planet. There's even a Stephen Miller-type character. Stick around for Bob's weird observations about the episode. Don't forget to catch the YouTube video edition of the show at trekpolitics.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary Trump and Bob Cesca discuss the dumpster fire that is the original series episode "The Omega Glory." It's a hot mess but its use of the Constitution offers a valuable lesson about today's politics and how constitutional rights apply to all people, not just citizens. Stick around for some nerdy odds and ends from the episode, including Bob's dramatic re-enactment of Captain Kirk's Eed Plebnista speech. And more! We're getting this show off the ground and need your help. Leave us a five star rating and review on your podcast player and make sure to like and subscribe to the video edition of the show at TrekPolitics.com. Support Todd Stashwick's charity D&D game at pablove.org/roll.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary Trump and Bob Cesca discuss The Next Generation episode "The Drumhead" in which an overzealous investigator played by Jean Simmons turns an espionage investigation into a full blown witch hunt in which Captain Picard and his crew are accused of treason. From political prosecutions to racial profiling to investigatory creep, Mary and Bob examine the lessons of The Drumhead in our modern politics. Stick around for some nerdy odds and ends from The Drumhead. And more! We're getting this show off the ground and need your help. Leave us a five star rating and review on your podcast player and make sure to like and subscribe to the video edition of the show at TrekPolitics.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary Trump and Bob Cesca catch up with Enterprise and Voyager writer/producer Mike Sussman about his highly anticipated pitch for a proposed series called Star Trek United about Jonathan Archer's presidency. Plus, we discuss an episode of Enterprise Mike co-wrote called Detained about indefinite detention and internment camps. What does Detained tell us about our current mass deportation camps? Stick around for some odds and ends from Detained. And more! We're getting this show off the ground and need your help. Leave us a five star rating and review on your podcast player and make sure to like and subscribe to the video edition of the show at TrekPolitics.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary and Bob review the original series Season 3 episode "Day of the Dove" in which a malevolent entity (that resembles an ocular migraine) feeds off negative energy, forcing the crew of the Enterprise and the Klingons to brink of war. What does this episode tell us about social media algorithms that incite outrage, and a president who thrives on chaos? Stick around for some weird odds and ends from the episode. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't miss the video edition of this episode at trekpolitics.com!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The great Tim Russ returns to Trek Politics to talk about an episode of Voyager he directed called "Living Witness," in which revisionist history is front and center. Mary, Bob, and Tim also discussed the Lost Cause myth, as well as Donald Trump's attempts to censor the Smithsonian and the National Parks. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't miss the video edition of this episode at trekpolitics.com! And be sure to check out Tim reprising his role as Tuvok in the amazing new audio drama "KHAN" everywhere you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Our new season dives into the question raised in Strange New Worlds Season 3: What is Starfleet? Mary and Bob discuss whether Starfleet and the Federation are benevolent forces for good or imperialistic colonizers. Plus, will Star Trek's woke values endure after the Donald Trump-endorsed merger between Paramount and Skydance? Or will its values be replaced with more punching and space battles? Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't miss the video edition of this episode at trekpolitics.com!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We're back with all new episodes! Our first show back is the audio of the Politics of Trek panel from this year's Star Trek Las Vegas convention. The panel was organized and co-moderated by Mark Altman from The Inglorious Treksperts podcast and David Goodman, former president of the WGA. The panelists included Mary and Bob, along with Ande Kindryd who worked on the original series, Oscar-nominated actor Mary McDonnell from Battlestar Galactica, and Tim Russ from Star Trek Voyager and Picard, The audio is pulled from Zoom.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mary and Bob announce a temporary hiatus for this podcast until the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are resolved, in essence Trek Politics is joining the virtual picket line in support of the actors and writers. Per the SAG-AFTRA guidelines, our guests are unable to publicly discuss or promote Star Trek or any studio or network projects, and it's a gray area in terms of whether we, as podcasters, can discuss Star Trek on the show. So rather than struggling to navigate all of that, we decided to support the actors and writers by beaming the show into the transporter buffer until everything is resolved. We will return!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mary, Bob, how are you liking Starfleet Academy?