Spocklight: A Star Trek Podcast

Space: The Final Frontier, These are the voyages of the Podcast, ’Spocklight’. Our continuing mission: to explore the ’Star Trek’ franchise from a non-Trekkie perspective, to boldly go where many podcasts have more than likely gone before. Join your crew, Liam Dempsey, Paul Willson, Matt Brothers and Ship Mascot, Aristotle, the Axolotl, as they attempt to answer the question: Can a trio of life long non-Trekkies become a trio of Trekkers?

Spocklight At the Movies 39: Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut)

After multiple listener requests the Spocklight crew sit down to discuss Ridley Scott's Director's Cut of Kingdom of Heaven.    As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more on Instagram @stephentrumbleanimation   

10-19
01:23:31

Spocklight At the Movies 38: Images (w/ Sean Wilson from the Frame to Frame podcast)

The Spocklight crew are joined by Sean Wilson from the Frame to Frame podcast, to discuss Robert Altman's Images, starring Rene Auberjonois.   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: X - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod BLUESKY - @spocklightpod.bsky.social FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can Sean @seano22 on X Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com 

08-28
01:19:46

Episode 69: The Visitor (w/ Suky Khakh from the Around The Console podcast)

Liam and Matt are joined by Suky Khakh from the Around the Console and Trek this Out podcasts, as we get emotional exploring classic Star trek: Deep Space Nine episode, The Visitor.   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find Around the Console @atheconsole on X and @around.the.console on Instagram, and Trek this Out @trekthisoutpodcast on Instagram, and can be heard at all good pod places. Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com/

07-07
01:00:42

Episode 68: Star Trek Lower Decks Season 5 Spoiler Special (w/ Sam Clements from the 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest Podcast)

The Spocklight Crew are joined by Sam Clements from the 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest Podcast as we take the turbo lift down to the Lower Decks one last time.   Engage the core and listen now!   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find more information about Sam's fantastic podcast, 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest, can be found at https://www.90minfilmfest.com/ Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com 

05-25
01:30:59

Spocklight At the Movies 37: Crossroads (w/ Dave & Cathy from The Cinemile)

The Spocklight crew are joined by Dave & Cathy from The Cinemile podcast to take a walk down to the Crossroads, as we re-evaluate the 2002 Britney Spears starring road movie that's overflowing with Star trek connections, chief amongst them, Zoe Saldana and Anson Mount.    As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: X - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod BLUESKY - @spocklightpod.bsky.social FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find more information about The Cinemile at https://www.thecinemile.com/ Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com 

04-14
01:11:22

Episode 67: Section 31

The Spocklight crew join the ranks of Section 31 to answer the questions - does this even count as a Star Trek movie and if it does, is it the worst Star Trek movie of all time?   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more on Instagram @stephentrumbleanimation 

03-25
01:22:36

Spocklight At the Movies 36: Poolman

Liam and Matt dissect Chris Pine's directorial debut, Poolman.    We discuss where the film fits into the legacy of Noir movies, question why it was this film that Pine wanted to make for his debut, and seek to answer the age-old debate of who is the best Hollywood Chris.    As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more on Instagram @stephentrumbleanimation 

02-16
01:10:24

Episode 66: Family (w/ Chris Carr from Homicide: Life on the Set and Secrets and Spies)

The Spocklight crew are reunited with Chris Carr from ‘Homicide: Life on the Set’ and ‘Secrets and Spies’ to cover Family from Star Trek: The Next Generation.   We discuss how this episode resulted in a surprising ratings low for the series and why that might have been, examine the structure of the episode and how it conforms to the kind of A, B, C plot shape that’s become a lost art in the streaming age, praise the challenging nature of the material and Patrick Stewart's performance, and even find time to tackle the recent Generations 40th Anniversary short film, Unification.    As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: X - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod BLUESKY - @spocklightpod.bsky.social FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find Chris @chriscarrfilm.bsky.social Homicide: Life on the Set @homicidepod.bsky.social and Secrets & Spies @secretsandspies.bsky.social on Bluesky.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/   Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com 

01-29
01:16:54

Spocklight At the Movies Special II: Film Discoveries of 2024

In this episode, Liam, Matt and Paul begin a potentially annual tradition of going round the table and talking about their favourite older film first-time-watches of 2024.    As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com  Huge thanks to Russell Honeywell for post production support

01-02
47:34

Spocklight At the Movies 35: A Christmas Horror Story

This festive season we unwrap 2015 Anthology movie, A Christmas Horror Story, starring William Shatner as DJ Dangerous Dan.   Matt saw this film during the Frightfest Festival many moons ago and awarded it 4.5 stars on Letterboxd…Paul does not agree… leaving Liam to referee a Crimbo battle more exciting than Santa vs Krampus!   We discuss the history of Horror Anthologies and how a very specific structure can be key to making them work, whether Shatner’s shock jock monologues reveal something about the filmmakers themselves, another surprise Star Trek connection and whether a local radio Weatherman would also be the Mall Santa, all over a large bottle of Port!   Stay subscribed and come back soon for Part 2 of our Christmas celebrations as we rundown our favourite film discoveries of the year!   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com  Huge thanks to Russell Honeywell for post production support

12-24
01:20:56

Episode 65: The Doomsday Machine (w/ Dave Corkery from The Cinemile)

We're joined by Dave Corkery from the Award winning Cinemile podcast as we take on The Doomsday Machine from The Original Series.   Dave grapples with the idea of being known as a Trekkie and tells us why this episode stuck out for him on his lockdown inspired epic mission to watch all of Star Trek from the beginning, Liam pays an emotional tribute to Commodore Matt Decker, Matt argues that the characters sympathetic handling of the villain of the piece represents the hope in the human spirit that Roddenberry's Utopian vision celebrates, and Paul celebrates William Shatner's performance and how his turn makes The Captain's actions believable.    So why not join us for another grand adventure by listening now!   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find more information about The Cinemile at https://www.thecinemile.com/ Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com 

11-25
01:13:13

Spocklight At the Movies 34: The Boogens (w/ James L. Conway and Daryl Bar)

In a very special Halloween episode, Daryl Bar from Is Paul Dano Ok? joins us to discuss 1981 cult classic Horror, The Boogens, which counts amongst it’s fans Stephen King and Quentin Tarantino.   Then we’re joined by the film’s Director, James L. Conway, who tells us about the film’s origins and its very cold production process, meeting his future Wife, the film’s female lead, Rebecca Balding, during the audition process and the whirlwind romance that followed, as well as what he’d do differently if he made the film now, how a real life fire almost halted the shoot, what Horror films inspired him and we once again catch up with what one of the best Directors of Trek TV ever has been watching on the box himself lately too.    THERE IS NO ESCAPE...from Spocklight, so listen now!   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can follow James on Twitter and Instagram @jameslconway  Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com 

10-28
01:27:13

On Screen 7: The Real Ghostbusters

The Spocklight crew take the Ecto-1 for a joy ride to nostalgia city as we reminisce over childhood's playing with Ghostbusters toys and discuss 'Russian About, Season 6, episode 8 of The Real Ghostbusters, guest starring Walter Koenig as Vladamir Maximov.   We discuss why The Real Ghostbusters became Slimer and The Real Ghostbusters, and what this meant for the show itself, debate the future of the Ghostbusters franchise following the box office disappointment of Frozen Empire, and hear from our 5-year old Correspondent, Paul's Son, Theo, with their review of 'Russian About'.   If you're all alone, pick up the phone, and listen to Spocklight!   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com       

10-13
01:10:15

Episode 64: Star Trek Prodigy Season 2 Spoiler Special (w/ Aaron Waltke)

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR STAR TREK: PRODIGY SEASON 2!   We’re joined by Star Trek: Prodigy’s Head Writer, Aaron Waltke, to breakdown Season 2 in detail, as we discuss the challenges of balancing writings a Kid’s show combined with a Voyager sequel, Dal coming to realise why he doesn’t have to be Captain, Wesley Crusher’s return, Maj’el and Zero’s burgeoning romance, how Chakotay was chosen to be the Prodigy crew’s new Dad, the possibility of Season 3 and much, much more.   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find Aaron on Twitter/X @GoodAaron and all of the Writer's of Prodigy @TrekProdigyRoom  Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com/

08-26
01:41:00

Spocklight At the Movies 33: Logan (w/ Kobi Omenaka from the Flixwatcher Podcast)

Five years after covering the first X-Men film on the podcast and with 'Deadpool & Wolverine' currently in Cinemas and lighting up the box office, we return to the franchise to discuss 2017 entry, Logan, with special Guest, Kobi Omenaka.    We talk about Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart's performances in the film and how they clearly approached this film differently from other instalments in the series, find ourselves wowed by the brutal violence on display in this very R-rated entry, wonder if the seeming finality of this film will be effected by Jackman's return in 'Deadpool & Wolverine' (Disclaimer: We had not seen it prior to recording), and discuss the odd trajectory of the Wolverine film "trilogy".   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find Kobi @Kobestarr on X, while more information about Flixwatcher (including their scoreboard discussed in the show) can be found at https://flixwatcher.tv/ Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com 

08-11
01:07:27

Episode 63: The Search for Spock 40th Anniversary Special (w/ Agent Scott from Spy Hards & Chris Carr from Homicide: Life on the Set)

The Spocklight Crew beam down to The BFI IMAX in London to watch the 4K 40th Anniversary re-release of Leonard Nimoy's directorial debut, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, on Britain's biggest screen.   Joined by Agent Scott from the Spy Hards podcast and Chris Carr from Homicide: Life on the Set, we sit down in the bar before the screening for some anticipatory pre-show banter before reconvening after the film to find out if Matt has had his opinion that this is the worst Star trek film altered, to discuss if the 4K IMAX presentation of the film was a success, and seek out new revelations and takes that have to come to various members of our crew as a result of seeing a 40 year old film on the biggest film format possible.   Join us as the adventures continues...   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find Scott @TiberiusHardy and Spy Hards @SpyHards on X and Homicide: Life on the Set @homicidepod also on X.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/   Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com       

07-31
01:09:14

Episode 62: Star Trek Discovery Season 5 Spoiler Special

Following Liam's interview with Sonequa Martin-Green on the Pilot TV Podcast, The Spocklight crew reconvene to fully dissect the fifth and final season of Star Trek: Discovery.    We discuss Discovery's search for an identity over it's 5 Season run and whether we were happy with what it eventually settled on, analyse the additional scenes that were shot in the wake of the show's cancellation and ask whether they served their purpose to bring a sense of finality to the show and its characters successfully, and we compare the final season's handling of it's queer relationships in comparison to that of the latest season of Doctor Who.    Listen now and let's fly together one last time.   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can still hear Liam's Interview with Sonequa Martin-Green at https://podcasts.apple.com/zw/podcast/281-the-regime-the-cuckoo-and-baby-reindeer/id1435481214?i=1000651795804  Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com   

07-14
01:23:22

Episode 61: Captive Pursuit (w/ Craig Stimson from the Around the Console Podcast)

We’re joined by Craig Stimson, from the amazing Doctor Who podcast, Around the Console, to discuss an early episode of Star trek: Deep Space Nine, Captive Pursuit.   Craig tells us why this episode was the start of his true love affair with Star Trek and highlights the evident political allegories on display, Paul discovers they may have misjudged the earlier seasons of DS9 and made a mistake in skipping them previously, while Liam explains why Miles O'Brien was the perfect character to tell this story with and reveals how he was lucky enough to interview Sonequa Martin-Green in the runup to the final season of Star Trek: Discovery.   Join the hunt, and listen now!   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find Around the Console @atheconsole on X and @around.the.console on Instagram, and can be heard at all good pod places. Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com/  

06-09
57:29

Spocklight At the Movies 32: Cube (w/ Helen Sadler from the Flixwatcher Podcast)

We’re joined by Helen Sadler from the Flixwatcher podcast, to discuss the Indie Sci-Fi Horror sensation of 1997, Cube, starring Nicole de Boer, who essayed the role of Ezri Dax on Star trek: Deep Space Nine.   We discuss the budget limitations of the film and if it would have been better suited to a short film treatment while also praising the innovations of the practical effects and sets, highlight the political relevance of the film today, and debate the potentially problematic character of Kazan.   Get cubed and listen now.   As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   You can find Helen @TheCatFilmFan on X, while more information about Flixwatcher (including their scoreboard discussed in the show) can be found at https://flixwatcher.tv/ Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com 

05-27
01:09:25

Supplemental 21: The Commercials of Trek

The Spocklight crew beam down during the commercial break to cover a fascinating array of television adverts featuring the original series crew & much more.    William Shatner cashes in on Commodore computers, Leonard Nimoy attempts to induct viewers into his Magnavox cult, James Doohan flogs some Star Trek themed plates, George Takei rides the bus, and take it from a Father who knows, you'll want a Star Trek meal from McDonald's after hearing a Klingon extol it's virtues.    Come with us now on a hilarious journey to discover how the original series crew (and even some members of the next generation) will shill for any old tat if you pay them enough cash.   Note: Unfortunately, the supercut we reference in this episode of the Original Series Crew commercials has now been set to private on YouTube but you can find all of the commercials mentioned separately on YouTube easily enough, they're well worth the search.    As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - spocklightpod@gmail.com Please Follow, like, share and all that good stuff.   Credit for our wonderful theme music goes to the incredibly talented, Adam Johnston’s, you can find more of his work at - https://adamjohnstonuk.bandcamp.com/ Our beautiful artwork was created by Stephen Trumble, see more at http://www.stephentrumble.com  Huge thanks to Russell Honeywell for post production support

04-30
58:44

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