Categories
TNG TNG Season 7

Eye of the Beholder – Ft. Tana & Sean

Suicide! Homicide! The Enterprise has a busy weeky, dealing with all these -cides! When Troi investigates a crew members recent suicide, she uncovers a mystery that spans back to the construction of the Enterprise. Tana and Sean join me to discuss the Worf and Troi romance, Boggs from Shawshank Redemption, and skeletons in the warp nacelle!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 7

Masks – Ft. Tana & Sean

When an alien archive slowly transforms the Enterprise into a new version of a long dead civilization, Data begins to lose his mind! Picard and the rest of the crew must solve the dilemma of Data’s multiple personalities, and without the use of the observation lounge (which is now a swamp). Tana and Sean stop by to discuss alien myths, too many personalities, and the nature of communication!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 6

Ship in a Bottle – Ft. Tana & Sean

Moriarty returns! It’s been a long time since season two, but now that the copyright dispute is over we can feature Sherlock Holmes characters again! The artificial intelligence of Moriarty wishes to exist outside the holodeck, but Picard assures him that this is not possible. Or is it? Tana and Sean are here to discuss sentience (again), oysters, and layered narratives!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 6

The Quality of Life – Ft. Tana & Sean

Tiny, pig shaped robots with replicator noses! Picard and Geordi stuck in a mining disaster! EXO-COMPS! Tana and Sean join me to break down the meaning of life, sentient vs. alive, and the scientific method!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 5

The Masterpiece Society – Ft. Tana & Sean

In a debate about… something… the crew believes… something. When the Enterprise has to rescue a genetically engineered colony from destruction, Wes gets serious flashbacks to the first two seasons of TNG. Tana and Sean stop by to discuss political structures, whether or not this episode is talking about eugenics, and bad clothing!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 5

Violations – Ft. Tana & Sean

It’s been a while since we’ve had some freaky flashbacks (and Picard in a hairpiece), so TNG steps it up this episode! A telepathic historian visiting the Enterprise mentally invades the minds of various crew members, including Counselor Troi. Tana and Sean stop by to discuss lead characters, background details, and Skype problems!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 4

Half a Life – Ft. Clay & Sean & Tana

The vibrant Lwaxana Troi returns to the Enterprise and falls in love with a scientist who has only a short time left to live! Clay, Sean and Tana stop by to discuss issues with the elderly, character choices, and whether or not it’s appropriate to picnic in the middle of a civilization ending crisis!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 4

The Drumhead – Ft. Clay & Sean & Tana

Kangaroo court in the 24th century! When an overzealous admiral tears the ship apart looking for a conspiracy that doesn’t exist, Picard is put on trial in a court of public opinion! Clay, Sean and Tana lead a discussion about shades of grey, made up quotes, and the effectiveness of Klingon spies!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 4

Future Imperfect – Ft. Tana & Sean

When Riker wakes up 16 years in the future, he’s suddenly the captain of the Enterprise and has a bunch of grey streaks in his beard! What a disaster! Tana and Sean stop by to talk about the future, Riker’s choice of musical instrument, and Picard being late to a party. Podcast Perfect!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 4

Reunion – Ft. Tana & Sean

It’s time to talk Klingon realpolitik! When Worf’s lover, the feisty K’ehleyr, returns to the Enterprise, she brings along a tiny miracle (bear with me) named Alexander! In the meantime, Picard is forced to choose who should take the head seat at the Klingon High Council when K’empec is murdered. Worf! Duras! Gowron! Let’s get it on!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 4

Brothers – Ft. Clay & Tana

Data loses his mind! Data hijacks the Enterprise! Data meets… himself? When Dr. Noonian Soong summons his android creation to a distant planet, a small boy’s life hangs in the balance! The Soong family reunion is complete when the evil android Lore appears, and Dr. Soong reveals that he summoned Data to give him the gift of emotion. Tana and Clay are here to break down Data’s power level, old age make up, and excessive dinosaur props!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 3

The Survivors – Ft. Clay & Tana & Sean

I didn’t record just one podcast, or a hundred, or a thousand. I recorded them all. When the Enterprise stumbles upon an obliterated world, the crew are shocked to find two survivors amid the rubble. When the elderly survivors refuse to leave their decimated world, it’s up to Picard and company to figure out their true nature! Plus, a tune that’s so catchy you won’t be able to get it out of your head!

Categories
TNG TNG Season 2

The Outrageous Okona – Ft. Tana and Clay

Despite his clothing and ponytail, Captain Okona is a man of such sexual prowess that few have the power to resist his advances. When a 24th century space hunk boards the Enterprise, he leaves in his wake a trail of mangled bodies of those he has so brutally loved. When Data tries to learn comedy, he leaves in his wake a trail of cringing grimaces and horrible impersonations. This episode is outrageous!

Categories
VOY VOY Season 4

Concerning Flight

When pirates steal the ship’s main computer and other critical equipment, Captain Janeway tries to track down the missing equipment with the help of the holographic Leonardo da Vinci.

In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss “Concerning Flight” and its potentially life changing impact. Plus! The guys chat about the EMH changing our understanding of holograms, Janeway’s submissive deference to powerful fake males, and walking around in sunny California.

Categories
Miscellaneous Revisits

Revisiting “The Drumhead” with Lore Reloaded

An overzealous Starfleet admiral begins a witch-hunt aboard the Enterprise, determined to find a conspiracy, and eventually accuses Captain Picard of treason.

In this episode of the podcast, Lore Reloaded sits down with Wes to revisit “The Drumhead” from TNG’s fourth season. The two discuss the three languages of politics, Picard as an “outdated” liberal, and why “The Drumhead” is so timeless.

Categories
Miscellaneous Revisits

Revisiting “The Game” with Modi Operandus

In an upcoming run of podcasts, we’ll be revisiting episodes we’ve already covered. Let’s see if we have any new perspectives!

Wesley Crusher visits the Enterprise only to see everyone behaving strangely on account of an addictive, mind-controlling game.

In this episode of the podcast, long-time friend of the show Modi Operandus returns to give some new thoughts about “The Game”. Plus! He and Wes discuss Brannon Braga’s first foray into Star Trek, mind-wiping Picard, and the metaphor of male virginity.

Categories
LOW LOW Season 1

No Small Parts

The USS Cerritos encounters a familiar enemy. Tendi helps a struggling recruit find her footing.

In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss “No Small Parts” and why Lower Decks is more true to Star Trek than the Picard series pretends to be. Plus! The guys talk about cinematic animation, shuffling the cards at the end of a season, and why Mariner is no Michael Burnham.

Categories
LOW LOW Season 1

Moist Vessel

Captain Freeman seeks the ultimate payback after Mariner blatantly disrespects her in front of the crew. A well-meaning Tendi accidentally messes up a lieutenant’s attempt at spiritual ascension and tries to make it right.

In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the latest Star Trek: Lower Decks episode, “Moist Vessel”! They break down society’s discomfort with the word “moist”, the success (or not) of the show’s attempts to be emotionally grounded, and over-stuffing an episode with ideas!

Categories
ENT ENT Season 1

Oasis

The crew finds a derelict spaceship from which they can salvage some supplies… only they find that the ship is not quite as deserted as they were led to believe.

In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss how a competent narrative doesn’t necessarily mean a competent story. Plus! The guys talk about being indecisive with your main character, the possible influence that Rick Berman had on the series, and yet another fake mystery!

Episode Ratings

At the end of each podcast episode, Wes gives a score for the Star Trek episode discussed on the show. The scoring system uses a 1-5 scale. The following are the episodic Star Trek ratings for The Pensky Podcast. From season 4 of Deep Space 9 onward, we also “officially” recorded Clay’s rating. The Rating […]

TOS Season 2 Write Ups

Who Mourns for Adonais? The Enterprise is captured by an alien claiming to be Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. If you take all the worst cliches from the first season of Star Trek and combine them into one script you end up with this episode. A god-like being? Check. A script that has […]

Categories
TNG TNG Season 5

Season Five Wrap Up and GIVEAWAY!

We did it! We made it to the end of TNG’s fifth season. It’s been a helluva ride, but did season five measure up with TNG’s best? Who won the season? What was the best script? What was the third worst episode? All of that and more, including a giveaway prize, in this episode!