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Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast

Meta Treks is a Trek.fm podcast dedicated to a deep examination of the philosophical ideas found in Star Trek. In each episode, Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison take you on a fascinating journey into the inner workings of Star Trek storytelling, deeper into subspace than you've ever traveled before.
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Now displaying: Category: Essential Trek Philosophy
Nov 18, 2019

Enterprise Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy. 

Like the first season of any new television series, Season 1 of Enterprise struggled to find its footing, especially coming out of the the successful run of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager throughout the 1990s. And while Season 1 of Enterprise had important overarching themes, such as human technological progress, showing the Star Trek universe to be a possible future for us in the emerging 21st century, getting back to Star Trek's roots as a "wagon train to the stars," and building unity through diversity, Season 1 of Enterprise had several philosophically important episodes as well. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes and compare their choices for Essential Trek Philosophy from Season 1 of Star Trek: Enterprise.  

Chapters
Intro (00:01:19)
Initial Thoughts about Enterprise Season One (00:04:07)
Understanding the Larger Themes of Enterprise Season One (00:13:28)
Star Trek Post September 11th (00:23:52)
Terra Nova (00:27:02)
Dear Doctor (00:34:44)
The Andorian Incident (00:44:23)
Shuttlepod One (00:53:41)
Breaking the Ice (01:00:17)
Detained (01:09:42)
Honorable Mention: Fusion (01:14:03)
Final Thoughts on the History of Philosophy and Enterprise (01:14:50)
Recap of Essential Trek Philosophy (01:17:51)
Closing (01:18:38) 

Hosts
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling 

Production
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Jan 21, 2019

Discovery Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

We in the 21st century do not live in an age of mythology as the ancient Greeks and Romans did, with epic heroes and narratives to provide context and meaning for our lives. Yet we hunger and thirst for meaning, as humans have done since the dawn of human history and consciousness. To its fans, Star Trek has become a form of modern mythology, with its own ethos, purposefulness, and meaningfulness, and with its own epic heroes—whether Captain Kirk in the Original Series or Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery—whose journeys, struggles, and overcoming of obstacles are reminiscent of the existential journeys of classical epic heroes, from Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey to Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy.  

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes in season one of Star Trek: Discovery, from speculative and theoretical issues in contemporary physics and biology—emergence, panspermia, and panpsychism—to existential questions of self-identity and self-definition—including the rise, fall, and redemption of Michael Burnham, the Federation's struggle to maintain its ideals during wartime and in the face of imminent threats to its very existence, and the emerging unification and national identity of the Klingon Empire.  

Chapters 
Intro (00:01:19) 
Initial Thoughts About Star Trek: Discovery - Season One (00:2:31) 
Essential Trek Philosophy Essentials (00:17:19) 
Context is for Kings (00:19:06) 
The Vulcan Hello / Battle at the Binary Stars (00:27:07) 
The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry / Choose Your Pain (00:37:50) 
Lethe (00:42:43) 
Will You Take My Hand? (00:50:54) 
Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad (00:59:03) 
Final Thoughts (01:04:58) 
Recap (01:12:48) 
Closing (01:13:55)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Jul 2, 2018

The Original Series Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

The entire Star Trek franchise, with over 700 television episodes and 13 feature films (to date), owes its existence to the strength of season 1 of Star Trek: The Original Series. If season 1 hadn't been as strong as it was, we wouldn't have the Star Trek franchise we know and love today. Season 1 of The Original Series isn't just strong dramatically, however. It is also strong philosophically, episode by episode exploring abstract ideas, future human potential, and the human condition.  

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling go back to where it all began in a discussion of their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 1 of Star Trek: The Original Series. Join Mike and Zachary as they discuss the four dominant philosophical themes in the premiere season of Star Trek: ethical and moral dilemmas, transhumanism and future human potential, the internal struggle of conflicting human natures, and the ethics of war.  

Chapters 
Intro (00:01:19) 
Initial Thoughts on TOS Season One (00:01:58) 
The Four Main Philosophical Themes (00:10:26) 
Moral Choices and Ethical Conundrums (00:14:54) 
The City on the Edge of Forever (00:15:07) 
Transhumanism (00:21:13) 
The Cage (00:22:24) 
Arena (00:26:28) 
Errand of Mercy (00:28:11) 
The Return of the Archons (00:33:39) 
Space Seed (00:37:47) 
Where No Man Has Gone Before (00:39:52) 
Charlie X/The Squire of Gothos (00:40:30) 
What Are Little Girls Made Of? (00:42:32) 
Miri (00:46:13) 
Dagger of the Mind (0047:31) 
Exploration of Human Nature (00:50:49) 
The Enemy Within (00:52:06) 
The Conscience of the King (00:56:21) 
The Alternative Factor (00:58:03) 
Ethics of War (01:03:48) 
Balance of Terror (01:04:33) 
A Taste of Armageddon (01:06:14) 
This Side of Paradise (01:08:35) 
Devil in the Dark (01:11:38) 
Recap and Final Thoughts (01:15:08) 
Closing (01:18:31)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Mar 21, 2018

TNG Season 5 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. From transhumanism and a positive spin on genetic engineering in "The Masterpiece Society" to the philosophy of language and an exploration of non-referential language in "Darmok," season five contains some of the philosophically richest episodes in all of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Mike and Zachary also discuss Kantian ethics versus consequentialism in "I, Borg" and medical ethics in the aptly named episode "Ethics," in addition to the unique explorations of the metaphysics of time and the ethics of time travel in "Cause and Effect" and "A Matter of Time."  


Chapters 
Intro (00:01:20) 
The Masterpiece Society (00:06:15) 
Darmok (00:20:03) 
I, Borg (00:47:31) 
Cause and Effect (00:55:37) 
A Matter of Time (01:01:39) 
Conundrum (01:06:59) 
Ethics (01:10:33) 
Closing (01:20:43)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Oct 23, 2017

Deep Space Nine Season 5 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

When people think of ethics in Star Trek, they often think primarily of ethical dilemmas, such as balancing the greater good of one group of people with the greater good of another group of people, or juxtaposing the rights of particular individuals with the common good. But season 5 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine takes a different approach to its exploration of ethics, using dramatic situations to explore not merely ethical dilemmas, but also ethically praiseworthy or blameworthy character traits of various Starfleet and non-Starfleet characters.  


In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their choices for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 5 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. From the virtuous character traits of loyalty and fortitude in "The Ascent" to the ethics of genetic engineering in "Dr. Bashir, I Presume?", season 5 of Deep Space Nineuses conflict with the Dominion, the Klingons, and the Maquis, to explore the ethical status of various character traits while under pressure, and in a state of political and military conflict.  


Chapters 
Intro and Initial Thoughts on DS9 Season 5 (00:01:20) 
Children of Time (00:09:26) 
...Nor the Battle to the Strong (00:14:27) 
Let He Who Is Without Sin (00:28:41) 
The Ascent (00:39:10) 
The Ship (00:44:29) 
The Begotten (00:53:41) 
Dr. Bashir, I Presume? (01:00:05) 
Honorable Mentions (01:16:38) 
Recap and Final Thoughts (01:21:18) 
Closing (01:24:50)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Aug 14, 2017

Voyager Season 5 - Essential Trek Philosophy.

If you've ever had the urge to replicate yourself some curtains when faced with a late-night existential crisis, then the fifth-season opener of Star Trek: Voyager, "Night" is for you! In "Night" we see perhaps the best example of ennui (boredom) in all of Star Trek, including some guilt-laden soul searching from Captain Janeway.

But an existential crisis alone does not a season of Star Trek make. And Voyager season 5 is also filled with various ethical dilemmas juxtaposing utilitarian concern for the greater good with respect for the rights of individuals.

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their recommendations for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 5 of Star Trek: Voyager, from the rights and potential of a souped-up 29th century Borg in "Drone" to balancing the best of the past with the possibilities for the future in "11:59."

Chapters
Intro (00:01:19)
Initial Thoughts on Voyager Season 5 (00:05:14)
Night (00:09:08)
Timeless (00:18:56)
Drone (00:29:44)
Thirty Days (00:35:48)
Nothing Human (00:50:21)
Think Tank (00:56:33)
Equinox Part 1 (01:06:47)
Latent Image (01:08:51)
11:59 (01:16:06)
Final Thoughts (01:23:41)
Closing (01:28:53)

Hosts
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling

Production
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer ) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Jun 26, 2017
Enterprise Season 2 - Essential Trek Philosophy. 

Season 2 of Enterprise contained numerous fun and interesting and science-fiction concepts and ideas, as the crew of the NX-01 encountered novelty and adventure going where no humans had ever gone before. But this season also explored a number of important philosophical and ethical issues, from the Kantian principle of not using other sentient beings as a means to your own ends in "Dead Stop" to the politics of gender and sexual identity in "Stigma." 

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling recount their choices for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 2 of Enterprise, along with proverbial life lessons learned from this season, such as the importance of getting down in the trenches with people who are struggling, standing up to bullies, and going the extra mile (or the extra light year) to rebuild damaged relationships. 

Chapters 
Intro (00:01:21)
Essential Enterprise: Season 2 (00:09:08)
Dead Stop (00:11:04)
Stigma (00:22:22)
A Night in Sickbay (00:34:25)
Cogenitor (00:47:31)
Marauders (01:01:28)
Dawn (01:07:49)
The Crossing (01:12:33)
Horizon and First Flight (01:18:19)
Minefield, The Communicator, and Carbon Creek (01:23:13)
Recap and Final Thoughts (01:32:14)
Closing (01:33:24) 

Hosts
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling 

Production
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) 
May 22, 2017
The Original Series Season 2 - Essential Trek Philosophy. 

Season 2 of Star Trek: The Original Series playfully explores human nature, what human nature is and what it could become, its place in the cosmos, and its relation to humanity's past, present, and future. From future Space Nazis in "Patterns of Force" to ancient Greek gods and Roman gladiators in space ("Who Mourns for Adonais?" and "Bread and Circuses"), TOS season 2 explores the best and the worst of human nature across the whole of human history. We also see the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise debate ethical questions about our relation to the unknown, from giant space amoebas in "The Immunity Syndrome" to the mystical powers of Korob and Sylvia in "Catspaw," along with the iterative development of one the defining concepts of the Star Trek universe, the noninterference principle known as "The Prime Directive." 

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling continue their philosophical retrospective of every season of Star Trek, discussing their top choices for "Essential Trek Philosophy" from season 2 of Star Trek: The Original Series.  

Chapters 
Intro (00:01:08)
Amok Time (00:12:57)
Metamorphosis (00:14:29)
A Private Little War (00:18:32)
The Omega Glory (00:23:26)
Patterns of Force (00:31:31)
The Immunity Syndrome (00:36:19)
Return to Tomorrow (00:41:31)
The Deadly Years (00:46:20)
The Apple (00:51:32)
The Changeling and The Ultimate Computer (00:53:30)
By Any Other Name (01:02:26)
Who Mourns for Adonais? (01:07:33)
Bread and Circuses (01:21:11)
Closing (00:00:00) 
 
Hosts
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling 
 
Production
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) 
Apr 3, 2017

TNG Season 6 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 6 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. From Cartesian skepticism of the external world in "Ship in a Bottle" to transporter-related issues of personal identity in "Second Chances," season 6 of Star Trek: The Next Generation contains some of the most well-known and often-cited philosophical episodes in all of Star Trek. Most importantly, though, find out whether Lieutenant Worf drinks the Romulan hemlock for corrupting the minds of the youth in "Birthright, Part II."

Chapters 
Welcome to Episode 64 and Essential TNG Season 6 (00:01:07) 
Dedication to Beth Ann Allen (00:06:17) 
Time's Arrow (00:07:21) 
Man of the People (00:13:38) 
Rascals (00:17:28) 
Tapestry (00:22:31) 
Ship in a Bottle (00:34:09) 
Frame of Mind (00:35:10) 
Birthright (00:39:16) 
Rightful Heir (00:48:47) 
Second Chances (00:53:46) 
Quality of Life (00:58:20) 
Final Thoughts (01:01:08)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)  

Send us your feedback! 
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Mar 13, 2017

DS9 Season 6 - Essential Trek Philosophy with Duncan Barrett, Part 2. 

In this second part of a two-part episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison continue their discussion with author Duncan Barrett about their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 6 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Chapters
Welcome to Episode 61 (00:01:08)
Profit and Lace (00:03:08)
Far Beyond the Stars (00:14:47)
Waltz (00:34:60)
Honorable Mentions (01:09:56)
Recap and Final Thoughts (01:15:13) 

Hosts
Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison 

Guest
Duncan Barrett 

Production
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Norman Lao (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) 

Send us your feedback!
Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/
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Support the Network!
Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Mar 6, 2017

DS9 Season 6 - Essential Trek Philosophy with Duncan Barrett, Part 1.  

In this first part of a two-part episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling are joined by author Duncan Barrett to discuss their picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 6 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Much of Season 6 of Deep Space Nine can be framed in terms of Thomas Hobbes's conception of a State of Nature outside of civilized society, in which actions in war are not bound by ethical consideration. Duncan Barrett, however, explains Season 6 of Deep Space Nine and the Cardassian occupation of Bajor by comparison with the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II.  

Chapters 
Welcome to Episode 60 (00:01:09) 
Introducing Duncan Barrett and Initial Thoughts (00:02:56) 
Rocks and Shoals (00:14:49) 
In the Pale Moonlight (00:40:33) 
Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night (00:50:34) 
Statistical Probabilities (01:05:00)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Guest 
Duncan Barrett  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Norman Lao (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)  

Send us your feedback! 
Twitter: @trekfm 
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Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm 
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact 
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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Jan 30, 2017

Voyager Season 6 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling are joined by Kay Shaw (associated producer of Meta Treks and co-host of Trek.fm's dedicated Voyager podcast, To The Journey) to discuss their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 6 of Star Trek: Voyager. From questions of personal identity in the death and resurrection of Lyndsay Ballard in "Ashes to Ashes" to the trouble with conspiracy-theory reasoning in "The Voyager Conspiracy," Mike, Zachary, and Kay cover the philosophical themes and highlights of one of Voyager's strongest seasons.  

Chapters 
Welcome to Episode 56 (00:01:09) 
Initial Thoughts on Voyager Season 6 (00:04:55) 
Memorial (00:07:28) 
Dragon's Teeth (00:23:14) 
Blink of an Eye (00:32:14) 
Ashes to Ashes (00:44:40) 
The Voyager Conspiracy (00:54:06) 
Child's Play (00:58:36) 
Survival Instinct (01:04:47) 
Honorable Mentions (01:13:11) 
Recap and Final Thoughts (01:27:07)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Guest 
Kay Shaw  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Norman Lao (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)  

Send us your feedback! 
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Dec 26, 2016

Enterprise Season 3 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

Season three of Enterprise, with its Xindi story arc, is firmly situated in the post-9/11 era, concentrating principally on the ethics of justified warfare as a response to acts of terrorism. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes and their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season three of Enterprise. From consequentalist considerations about preemptive strikes to duplicate crew members and issues of personal identity, season three of Enterprise balances global political relevance, a season-length story arc, and episodic treatment of more abstract philosophical issues.  

Chapters 
Welcome to Episode 52 (00:01:06) 
2016 Retrospective (00:02:12) 
Initial Thoughts on Enterprise Season 3 (00:11:47) 
Similitude (00:14:58) 
Chosen Realm (00:25:48) 
North Star (00:37:53) 
E2 (00:45:04) 
Twilight (00:53:18) 
Honorable Mentions (00:58:13) 
Final Thoughts (01:07:35)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)  

Send us your feedback! 
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Nov 14, 2016

The Original Series Season 3 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

Season 3 of Star Trek: The Original Series is sometimes criticized for having lost its way without the creative direction of Gene Roddenberry. But in this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season three of Star Trek: The Original Series. From philosopher-kings in "Plato's Stepchildren" and philosophical zombies in "Spock's Brain," to the Marxist and collectivist themes in "The Cloud Minders," Mike and Zachary compare their favorite philosophical insights from the final season of Star Trek: The Original Series.  

Chapters 
Welcome to Episode 48 and Initial Thoughts (00:01:07) 
For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky (00:10:15) 
Spock's Brain (00:28:23) 
Plato's Stepchildren (00:36:30) 
The Cloud Minders (00:43:48) 
Let That Be Your Last Battlefield (00:53:43) 
Turnabout Intruder (01:03:02) 
The Lights of Zetar (01:11:01) 
The Mark of Gideon (01:12:45) 
TOS Season 3 Essentials Recap and Final Thoughts (01:18:45)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)  

Send us your feedback! 
Twitter: @trekfm 
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Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact 
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Support the Network!
Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Oct 17, 2016

The Animated Series - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison are joined by Aaron Harvey, Trek.fm's art director and host of Saturday Morning Trek, to discuss their top picks for "Essential Trek Philosophy" from Star Trek: The Animated Series. Although Star Trek: The Animated Series is written off by some fans as a mere cartoon with no official place in the Star Trek canon, Zachary, Mike, and Aaron show that The Animated Series is filled with big ideas for growing minds, children and adults alike, and that The Animated Series is firmly inline with the philosophical issues and ideals that constitute the essence of Star Trek.  

Chapters 
Welcome to Episode 45 (00:01:07) 
Welcome Aaron Harvey (00:02:24) 
Initial Thoughts about Star Trek: The Animated Series (00:03:45) 
One of Our Planets is Missing (00:13:16) 
The Infinite Vulcan (00:20:13) 
Beyond the Farthest Star (00:23:22) 
The Pirates of Orion (00:33:50) 
The Survivor (00:40:07) 
Bem (00:46:20) 
Once Upon a Planet (00:50:13) 
The Practical Joker (00:51:44) 
Albatross (01:08:19) 
Recap and Honorable Mentions (01:17:40) 
Final Thoughts (01:25:39)  

Hosts 
Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison  

Guest 
Aaron Harvey  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)  

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Sep 5, 2016

TNG Season 7 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  

Season 7 of Star Trek: The Next Generation contained innovative and previously unseen visual depictions of abstract philosophical concepts such as the concept of emergent properties (TNG: Emergence) and the concept of an infinite number of possible worlds (TNG: Parallels), along with consideration of important ethical and environmental issues such as conservation of natural resources (TNG: Force of Nature). In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 7 of Star Trek: The Next Generation.  

Chapters 
Welcome to Episode 40 (00:01:07) 
Force of Nature (00:09:12) 
Parallels (00:19:44) 
Inheritance (00:26:22) 
Journey's End (00:34:01) 
Emergence (00:43:57) 
All Good Things (01:01:33) 
Homeward (01:04:07) 
The Pegasus and Firstborn (01:13:19) 
Lower Decks and Masks (01:16:17) 
Final Thoughts (01:18:53)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Production 
Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)  

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Aug 8, 2016

Deep Space Nine Season 7: Essential Trek Philosophy.  

The final season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had several jobs to do: from continuing the character arcs of an ensemble cast to wrapping up the Dominion War story line. But in addition to character arcs and story lines, season 7 of Deep Space Nine also continued what Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison have termed "philosophy arcs." From the nature of conjoined consciousness to a look at the best and worst of human nature (through Ferengi eyes), season 7 of Deep Space Nine explores well-trodden Star Trek philosophy territory but with nuances and scenarios unique to Deep Space Nine

Chapters
Welcome to Episode 37 (00:01:07)
Initial Thoughts on Deep Space Nine: Season 7 (00:01:25)
When It Rains... (00:05:51)
Extreme Measures (00:08:43)
After Image (00:20:41)
Treachery, Faith, and the Great River (00:32:51)
The Dogs of War (00:36:02)
Honorable Mention: Covenant (00:37:34)
Honorable Mention: Tacking Into the Wind (00:47:46)
It's Only a Paper Moon (00:49:06)
The Siege of AR-558 (00:54:59)
'Til Death Do Us Part (01:01:38)
Honorable Mention: Take Me Out to the Holosuite (01:06:17)
Honorable Mention: Once More Unto the Breach (01:07:07)
Honorable Mention: Chrysalis (01:08:39)
Honorable Mention: Field of Fire (01:09:48)
Honorable Mention: Strange Bedfellows (01:10:46)
Essentials Recap (01:12:18)
Final Thoughts (01:12:56) 

Hosts
Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison 

Production
Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Jun 27, 2016

Voyager Season 7 - Essential Trek Philosophy. 

In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their selections for "Essential Trek Philosophy" from season 7 of Star Trek: Voyager. From Cartesian skepticism in "Unimatrix Zero" and "Workforce," to medical ethics and the ethics of bioengineering in "Critical Care" and "Lineage," season 7 of Voyager continues Star Trek's philosophical exploration of the human condition right up until the very end of the Voyager journey. 

Chapters
Welcome to Episode 32 (00:01:06)
Initial Thoughts about Voyager and Season 7 (00:01:43)
New iTunes Review of Meta Treks (00:06:30)
About our "Essential Trek Philosophy" Series (00:09:57)
Critical Care (00:12:29)
Unimatrix Zero (00:23:04)
Lineage (00:30:08)
Repentance (00:41:08)
Workforce (00:54:55)
Body and Soul (01:02:34)
Prophecy (01:21:48)
Final Thoughts (01:29:56) 

Hosts
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling 

Production
Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Elizabeth Janeway (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) 

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Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm 

May 16, 2016

Enterprise Season Four - Essential Trek Philosophy. 

In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling are joined by fellow Trek.fm hosts Jeffrey Harlan and Norman Lao to discuss their top picks for "Essential Trek Philosophy" from season four of Star Trek: Enterprise. From the ethics of genetic engineering and disease control to the metaphysics of transporters and telepresence-controlled starships, Enterprise season four is loaded with philosophical issues and themes in the highest Star Trek tradition.  

Chapters 
Welcome to Episode 28 (00:01:06) 
Welcome Norman Lao (00:02:23) 
Welcome Jeffrey Harlan (00:03:23) 
Initial Thoughts (00:04:04) 
Home (00:09:48) 
Observer Effect (00:20:16) 
The Aenar (00:32:16) 
Daedalus (00:45:57) 
Demons/Terra Prime (01:00:36) 
The Forge/Awakening/Kir'Shara (01:05:43) 
Affliction (01:14:04) 
The Augment Arc (01:22:02) 
Norman and Jeffrey's Final Thoughts (01:23:59) 
Final Thoughts (01:30:43)  

Hosts 
Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  

Guests 
Jeffrey Harlan and Norman Lao  

Production 
Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)  

Send us your feedback! 
Twitter: @trekfm 
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Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact 
Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/ 
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Support the Network! 
Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm  

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