Discovery Debrief: A Star Trek Podcast

105 | Break in Case of Gorn

In a wide-ranging discussion with special guest KYLE SULLIVAN, the DEBRIEF Bridge Crew — Chris and Rachael Clow and Cicero Holmes — break down "HEGEMONY," the second season finale for STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS!
In addition to a surprising introduction of an old friend, the episode has given us a sense of open-endedness...that no one on our panel wanted! It's also colored by recent actions taken by Paramount that have our panel concerned, but also enthralled in this final stop for SNW in 2023.
Listen now!

104 | Words Won’t Suffice

Our bold panel of STAR TREK franchise explorers — Chris and Rachael Clow, Ty Monaghan and Cicero Holmes — are overcome with song along with special guests KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") and JAVI TRUJILLO ("The Flash: Up to Speed with Wally West") as they break down the first musical episode in STAR TREK franchise history, "Subspace Rhapsody" on STRANGE NEW WORLDS!
Between the LOWER DECKS mash-up and this episode, SNW is taking some big swings this season. Does the musical swing pay off here? Is there room for musicals in the franchise? Which songs were the best, and who stole the show? Find answers to all these questions within!

103 | War is Always There

The DEBRIEF panel — Chris and Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan — are once again joined by special guest KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") to break down one of the darkest episodes of modern STAR TREK in STRANGE NEW WORLDS' "Under the Cloak of War."
When a symbol of their trauma from the FEDERATION-KLINGON WAR of 2256-57 (see DISCOVERY season one) comes aboard the Enterprise, Dr. M'Benga and Nurse Chapel are forced to reckon with it and the truth of what happened during a battle on the moon of J'Gal. This leads to a character and morality study akin to episodes of STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE during the Dominion War, and our panel has a lot to say on the topic.
Check it out!

102 | Golden Age of Exploration

What happens when the Enterprise gets...Cerritos'd?
That question is answered in the seventh episode of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS' second season, "Those Old Scientists!" In an unusual crossover episode, the two principal characters from the animated series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS arrive in the 23rd century, and the responses of our panelists are mostly pretty positive. That doesn't mean that the discussion is without spirited debate, however.
Listen in as the Debrief bridge crew — Chris and Rachael Clow and Cicero Holmes — are joined once more by KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") and JAVI TRUJILLO ("The Flash: Up to Speed With Wally West") to break down this STRANGE NEW WORLDS/LOWER DECKS mash-up!

101 | Burn Out the Receiver

The DEBRIEF bridge crew — Chris and Rachael Clow and Cicero Holmes — are joined by special guests KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") and JAVI TRUJILLO ("The Flash: Up to Speed With Wally West") to break down the sixth episode of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS season two: "Lost in Translation!"
In addition to being an "Uhura-sode," this episode also depicts an extremely consequential first meeting for the future of the Federation and Starfleet. To get there, however, the young Ensign Nyota Uhura will need to confront the demons of her past while also leaning on her skill in deciphering challenging communications.

100 | That Amazing Smell

In our 100th episode spectacular, we're bringing you...an episode recap!
Actually, the DEBRIEF crew —Chris and Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan — are joined once more by special guest KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") to first discuss a whole host of topics. Prodigy! The WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike! Reflections on 100 episodes of DEBRIEF!
Then, we break down season 2, episode 5 of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS. In "Charades," we get to see a whole new perspective on Spock's human half as both antics ensue and character continues to be built. Rachael may have also blown the door wide open about what first got Sarek and Amanda Grayson together...
Thank you to everyone who has supported this show over the years, and we hope you enjoy DISCOVERY DEBRIEF #100!

99 | Emotions Guide Where Memories Can’t

In the return of a well-worn STAR TREK trope, we get STRANGE NEW WORLDS' take on an amnesia episode in episode four of season two, "Among the Lotus Eaters!"
Join Debrief panelists Cicero Holmes and Chris Clow, along with returning special guest KYLE SULLIVAN (Trekspertise) as we try to find an answer to an important question: does your knowledge or emotion make you who you are? Listen in!

98 | Time Itself is Pushing Back

Debrief panelists Cicero Holmes and Chris Clow are joined once more by special guest KYLE SULLIVAN (Trekspertise) to break down the third episode of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS' second season, "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow!"
A time travel jaunt focused on La'an Noonien-Singh and her name's problematic legacy, we also get to see an alternate version of James T. Kirk along with a heaping helping of a potentially seismic reshuffling of longtime STAR TREK canon. Listen in for our panelists' varied reactions to this eventful episode, as well as a reflection on the legacy of former STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE showrunner Manny Coto who passed away this week.

97 | To Be Our Better Selves

While our panel is only at partial strength, we are joined by very special guest JAVI TRUJILLO (Batman-On-Film, The Flash - Up To Speed With Wally West) to break down a fine hour of STAR TREK in the form of STRANGE NEW WORLDS' "Ad Astra Per Aspera!"
Listen in as we break down this courtroom, character-driven drama, but not before we react with incredulity at the recent cancellation — and removal from Paramount Plus — of the highly underrated animated series STAR TREK: PRODIGY.

96 | A Vulcan With a Hunch

Welcome back to the 23rd century! STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS has now returned for its second season, bringing the DEBRIEF bridge crew back to discuss it.
Listen in as we break down the second season premiere, "THE BROKEN CIRCLE." Remnants of the war with the Klingons as seen in DISCOVERY season one, the camaraderie of the Enterprise's senior staff and yet another shake-up to the effects makeup used for Klingon characters in the franchise drive the discussion here, along with some surprising callbacks to a key franchise film.
Plus, we catch up with our panelists and offer some additional thoughts on STAR TREK: RESURGENCE, which we reviewed in episode 95.
Listen in now!

95 | Resolute Voyages

Discovery Debrief is very pleased to be able to present this pre-release review of the return of the franchise to the interactive medium of video games in Dramatic Labs' STAR TREK: RESURGENCE! In a story taking place in the period after STAR TREK NEMESIS and during the same period as STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, a newly-repaired Federation starship is the one thing standing between two cultures on the brink of war.
Listen in as our own Chris Clow offers the Debrief perspective on RESURGENCE with a full review that is light on spoilers, heavy on analysis and with some pedantic continuity time thrown in for good measure!
NOTE: A digital copy of this game was provided to the show for reviewing purposes by representatives of Dramatic Labs.

94 | Names Mean Almost Everything

The end of one journey, and the beginning of a legacy?
The DEBRIEF bridge crew — Chris and Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes, Ty Monaghan and a returning ZAKI HASAN — welcome special guest KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") to break down the series finale of STAR TREK: PICARD: "The Last Generation." The Borg are back, and they've found a new way to assimilate in order to fulfill a new destiny to annihilate. Also back is the USS ENTERPRISE-D, and its crew rides one last time to show us a generation's TRULY final journey.
Listen into the ups and downs, and the ultimate payoff that comes with saying goodbye to the legendary crew of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION.

93 | No Time Like the Present

In this episode, two of our regular DEBRIEF panelists – Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan – are joined by two special guests: returning guests KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") and GREG TITO ("Re:Engage TNG") to discuss the penultimate episode of STAR TREK: PICARD, season 3: "Võx!"
It's an all-time classic fan-favorite to-be! Or, is it? Our panel has some praise and some notes for this episode which saw some incredibly powerful returns: one of which was most certainly welcome, while another one may be more...debatable. Listen now!

92 | The Best of Me

In a long-awaited series of events for the STAR TREK universe, the DEBRIEF crew — Chris and Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan — are joined once more by KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") to break down the eighth episode of STAR TREK: PICARD season three: "Surrender!"
From a bout of Soong shenanigans to an emotional gathering around a table, the fan-favorite season takes a couple of swerves as we begin barreling toward its conclusion. Hear our panel break down the plot of the episode, how the returns of long-absent friends played out, and how it all came together.

91 | Reflection of Hate

The DEBRIEF bridge crew — Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan — are joined once more by KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") to break down the seventh episode of STAR TREK: PICARD season 3: "DOMINION."
In a more narrowly-focused episode, the tension is ratcheted up and new revelations about the season's villains come to light, extending back to the deepest, darkest conflict the STAR TREK universe had ever seen. How does the episode land, especially for someone who is CURRENTLY in the middle of watching STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE?
Listen in to find out!

90 | Marvelous

This is a big one! In one of our longest episode recaps, the Derbief panel — Chris and Rachael Clow and Cicero Holmes — are very pleased to be joined by two special guests: KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") and first-time guest ZACH MOORE ("Always Hold On to Smallville")!
STAR TREK: PICARD's "The Bounty" not only brings some major TNG characters back to the forefront for the first time since 2002, but it also features a ludicrous amount of callbacks, artifacts and starships from the storied legacy of the STAR TREK franchise. Listen in as we break down a very meaty episode, but not before Cicero further proclaims his love of (and interaction with) Todd Stashwick and Captain Liam Shaw!
 

89 | I Do See You

Join the DEBRIEF PANEL — Chris Clow, Cicero Holmes and Ty Monaghan — as we welcome a very special guest to recap STAR TREK: PICARD episode 3x05: none other than RYAN McCAFFREY (IGN, Ride the Lightning)!
As a broad conspiracy unfolds across Starfleet, Admiral JEAN-LUC PICARD and several former crewmembers of the Enterprise-D and -E are visited by a shocking figure from their past...who is there to take them into custody. Listen in as our panel dives into what this episode could mean for the future, whether or not call-backs to prior series might be creating a high barrier to entry for this show, and Ryan's perspectives on the STAR TREK franchise!

88 | Lucky Number Ten

The Debrief panel — Chris and Rachael Clow, and Tyler Monaghan — are joined once more by KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise")to discuss "No Win Scenario," the fourth episode of STAR TREK: PICARD's third season!
With the return of an old foe in full swing and a deadly race against the clock, the discussion turns to how well the episode — and the season thus far — is serving as a substantive continuation of the TNG legacy. Listen in for a wide array of perspectives on the show, the execution of current-era STAR TREK, longstanding lore threads and a whole lot more!

87 | The Moving Face

In this episode, the panel — Chris and Rachael Clow. Cicero Holmes and Tyler Monaghan — are joined once more by KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") to break down STAR TREK: PICARD season 3, episode 3: "Seventeen Seconds!"
First, our panel reacts to the news that STAR TREK: DISCOVERY will come to an end in 2024 with the airing of season 5, discussing the nature of the news. We also speculate about what that show's legacy will be in the annals of Trek history in the years to come.
Then, we break down the episode involving a more solid return for WORF, Captain RIKER finding himself back in the center seat, and the unexpected return of an old foe. Listen now!

86 | Boogeyman at the Edge of Space

Echoes of The Wrath of Khan, swimming in the "river of ham" and modern Ferengi makeup: just some of the detours in this episode of Discovery Debrief!
The panel — Chris and Rachael Clow and Cicero Holmes — are joined by special guest KYLE SULLIVAN ("Trekspertise") to unpack the second episode of STAR TREK: PICARD's third season: "Disengage." With elements of the plot laid bare and one powerful return, the panel all have very different thoughts about how effective this episode was in barrelling toward the series' ultimate conclusion.
Listen in, and be sure to count the food metaphors!

85 | A Good, Old-Fashioned Road Trip

Not a sensor echo, not a power distribution problem from the EPS conduits...it's the return of Discovery Debrief!
After an extended hiatus, the crew — Chris & Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Tyler Monaghan — reunite to discuss a season that seems to have won over everyone before it even premiered: the third season of STAR TREK: PICARD!
Listen as the crew recounts its first episode, "THE NEXT GENERATION," and discusses how the show could possibly serve as a satisfying conclusion for the TNG crew that is over 20 years past-due.
Permission to come back aboard has been granted. Listen now!

84 | Just Like Andoria

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the delay! This episode was originally recorded at the end of July, 2022. Please forgive any anachronisms.
The Debrief crew — Chris Clow, Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Tyler Monaghan — return to discuss the penultimate episode of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS' first season: "ALL THOSE WHO WANDER."
It's always a tall order for any STAR TREK series to endear the audience to new faces, but we spend much of this discussion talking about how the show has managed to do precisely that. Listen on for our takes on one of the most emotionally compelling episodes of this series.

83 | Mercury Stone

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the delay! This episode was originally recorded at the end of July, 2022.
The crew — Chris Clow, Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Tyler Monaghan — break down the fairy tale jaunt that was "THE ELYSIAN KINGDOM," the eighth episode of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS! With the crew of the Enterprise in the grip of something that has turned the ship into a land of imagination, only a handful of officers remain unaffected. Listen in as we break down this one!

82 | Passions and Pirates

In this episode, the crew — Chris Clow, Cicero Holmes and Tyler Monaghan — break down episode seven of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, "The Serene Squall!" Listen in as we explore an episode with a lot of twists and turns, including a VERY surprising twist in the episode's final moments. Was it the right call, though?

81 | The Price of Omelas

A new chance at a life without pain, a mysterious culture that avoids Federation membership and a brilliant child about to "ascend"...what could go wrong? Listen in as our Debrief crew — Chris & Rachael Clow, Cicero Holmes and Tyler Monaghan — debate the ins and outs of STRANGE NEW WORLDS season 1, episode 6: "LIFT US WHERE SUFFERING CANNOT REACH."
What price too high? A lesson in responsibility over suffering? Check out our discussion!