Star Trek The Next Conversation

A tour de force from recurring character Garak in bizarrely play-like long scenes hooks Andy and Matt, as Mr. Fasc-tastic (Mr. Fascistastic? Mr. Fascistic?) Odo checks the cameras he's hidden all around DS9. [Episode discussion begins around  58:00, takes a Letterman detour, then actually begins at 1:06ish]

The second part of this Maquis de Sade-centric two-parter, one of the few Treks to follow the possible Best of Both Worlds/Godfather II template of 2 being better than 1.  To Andy's shock, Odo show the Mr. Fantastic powers he always assumed he was hiding, and Dukat starts to live up to his (future) legend.  [Episode discussion begins around 1:00ish]

Is Bernie Casey a badmiral or a badactor?  Or neither?  And Dax is dating a Ferengi offscreen - is it Quark, who we are led to believe is making a turn from creep to charmer?  Meanwhile, Matt has HAD it with the Maquis.  Even though this is their first episode.  [Episode discussion start 1:08ish]

Jadzia gets tangled in a Klingon plot with bat'leths and convos about honor galore and Andy loves it!  Matt, predictably, feels otherwise.  Also predictably: Trill Talk!™[Episode discussion begins around 1:15ish]

Quark falls in love with a Cardassian and Andy tries to give Susan from SEINFELD her due. [Episode discussion begins around 1:25ish]

Jadzia Dax looks back on Jadzia's experiences, while Jadzia wonders what Curzon Dax was thinking - or is it Jadzia Dax that's wondering what Dax was thinking?  Also, a mini-universe, dead vole puppets, and Jake tries to get with a Dabo girl/woman.[Episode discussion begins around 52 minutes in]

Get ready for some hot wormhole action as Kira gets busy with a classic weird Trek "handsome man," Dax fixates on another tech monolith but doesn't immediately beam this one up, while Matt and Andy debate if Odo is connecting with an imaginary friend.[Episode discussion begins around 1:02]

Sisko gets boxed, O'Brien goes Rambo, DS9 introduces us to another loathsome class A psycho fanatic, Matt tries to avoid eviction, and Andy engages in the longest vamp ever.[VAMP WARNING: Technically the episode discussion begins around 1:03, but at 1:05ish Andy begins the LONGEST VAMP EVER, and when it finally ends, Matt discusses his landlord meltdown, so the episode discussion doesn't begin in earnest until 1:17ish]This month, as requested, Matt and Andy will be adding a little Christmas bonus in the TNC Patreon stocking with a commentary episode on THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL!www.patreon.com/startrektnc

O’Brien sorta thinks there’s an unspecified conspiracy when everybody (except Jake) starts acting a little weird!  Matt and Andy debate whether Bashir has diversified his creep interests into grabbing O’Brien’s strike zone for too long or if he’s just poking him in the tummy, like all future doctors do.  [Episode discussion begins 47:00ish]

O'Brien gets sick with a highly non-contagious biological weapon virus, Andy still sees no evidence of why Bashir would ever become beloved by fans, and Maurice Hurley is excited about a double homicide investigation which Keiko solves... or doesn't? [Episode discussion begins around 55:00ish]

Odo meets his daddy - is he a monster or a good daddy?  Meanwhile Matt has some issues with Dax having an itchy transporter finger and Bashir is back in gear as everybody’s favorite Deep Space Incel.    [Episode discussion start :59ish in]

O'Brien is a RIVAL with Bashir in the episode, and Quark has a RIVAL in Chris Sarandon!  And WHAT ELSE happens?? There's some little luck machines.  Odo wanders around in the back of some shots. Kira trips (offscreen). Don't bother buckling up for this one, crew.[Episode discussion begins around 1:26ish]  

The Bajorans give refugees the cold shoulder, the crew is SHOCKED at a matriarchal society, and the Universal Translator has more trouble with a new species than it even did in Darmok.[Episode discussion begins around 1:20ish, along with a lot of hails demanding we not tamper with the length (!)]FYI, if any of our Patreon crew have had problems with stupid Patreon rejecting your membership fees, please let us know.www.patreon.com/startrektnc

Matt and Andy debate whether an alien is a vanishing figment of Sisko’s imagination… or Batman! Meanwhile, the crew outdoes Alexander Rozhenko in HA HA HAs.[Episode discussion begins around 1:01ish]

We're in full-on Terok NOIR mode and Constable Odo is on the case! Meanwhile, Matt has a theory about what a "Cardassian neck trick" is, and a lizard extra needs a few more classes at the Andrew Secunda School of Specific Acting. [Episode discussion begins around 1:05]

Are the Ferengi adorable scamps or truly despicable?  Hard to tell in this light farce minus fun episode.  Tongo seems enjoyable, tho.  [Episode discussion begins about 53:00]

Dr. Bashir works overtime to engage in some extracurricular anti-gravity activities with a visiting alien while Matt and Andy wonder why Dax suddenly has super strength.  [Episode Discussion begins 1:07ish]

There's intrigue afoot and Gashir is on the case! Plus, a new couple of Andy's Theories™ and Matt and Andy debate who's more of a speciesist -- O'Brien or Keiko? [Episode discussion begins at about 1:08]Sign up for our Patreon for weekly coverage of STRANGE NEW WORLDS season 2, plus monthly episodes of VOYAGER!www.patreon.com/startrektnc

Dax gets into hot water as Odo stands around wishing he had some special ability which would stop intruding criminals, while Matt and Andy play another round of "Is Bashir being a creepo or just a caring friend-doctor?"[Episode discussion begins at a blisteringly fast 39:00 minutes!]Tune into our Patreon for our weekly coverage of STRANGE NEW WORLDS season 2 starting this week, crew!www.patreon.com/startrektnc

Andy is excited that Dax is finally employing the main reason it'd be cool to be a Trill, Steven Webber kills it as a slimy Bjoran (doing double-duty on WINGS?), and Matt shares a dumb opinion on French Onion Soup. [Episode discussion starts 55:00ish. If you're the type of crewman that wants to follow our next day coverage of STRANGE NEW WORLDS, season 3, check us out in the Patreon this month! www.patreon.com/startrektnc ]