Phasers Set To Stun: Starfleet Academy Episode 1. Kids These Days | Episode 2. Beta Test

0:01 Space the Final Frontier. Join us for a bold conversation our prime directive to recap our favorite Star Trek shows, both new and old, to engage and debate about all things Trek. Prepare to energize with Phasers Set to Stunt. Hello, listeners, and welcome to an all new episode of Phaser Set to Stun, where we continue to show our love for everything Star Trek in this ongoing series from a film by podcast which focuses on every system of the expanding Star Trek universe by covering television, movies, animation, directors, merchandise, and much much more. Plotting your course on this voyage is your core truck crew. I'm Wayne Whited and I'm David Burns, and this time we have a treat. This is the first time that here on Phaser Set to Stun, that we've had a chance to talk about a new series from right at the beginning, starting with the very first two episodes. Today we are discussing those first two episodes of Star Trek Starfleet Academy. This new series was created by Jiaia Violo and his executive produced by Alex Kurtzman and Naga land App. Episode one, titled Kids These

1:35 Days was written by Gianna Violo and directed by Alec Kurtzman himself. So from this point forward it's red alert, folks. There are spoilers ahead. If you haven't seen this episode yet, please stop and beam yourself to the nearest view screen to catch it on Paramount Plus, then come back and rejoin us for this discussion. So to start off, let's David, why don't you give us a short summary of the episode. After the burn, Starfleet Academy is reopening under the reluctant leadership of Nala Uki, who is haunted by past mistakes. She accepts the role to help Caleb, a troubled youth whose mother was imprisoned due to the actions of Nespraka. Separated from his mother, Caleb struggles until Nala offers him a second chance at the academy. There, he quickly forms new friendships, but the cadets are soon forced to unite and survive when the academy comes under attack. So, Wayne, I know there's a lot to talk about with these two episodes, that we could be here a very long time.

2:33 The first thing that I want to say is I do love the new star Trek sixty logo I think that is fantastic, So kudos to them for that. One thing I want to say about this series. This series, Hiale has Harry Potter, hogwart and lower deck vibes all over it, especially episode two. I absolutely love these characters already and can't wait to get to know them more. But once again, there are things to be a division between fans in regard to their reaction of this series. You know, I just don't get it. Star Trek cannot cannot keep doing the same formula over and over and over.

3:14 It can't stay stagnant and complacent. It just can't. They have to move on and they have to give us new material in a new angle. And I'm sorry, but I think they've done it. I love I love the series, and I cannot wait to see what's coming. I agree this This is such an original new series. I mean, it's it's an absolutely incredible start. But you know, there's always going to be fan arguments banned in decision. I think a lot of it. You know, a lot of these fans they just come across they don't like new Star Trek, and that's sad because this is probably I mean, we love Discovery, Discovery it didn't. It had a lot of problems. It did, but it was also a really good series. It had had a great ending and this is continuing on the Discovery time line. But this is definitely the most Star Trek of the series.

4:03 It really felt like Star Trek, and they really put the effort into making it feel like Star Trek and that's what I love it. But even this, you know saying that it's very original, We've never seen anything like this before. No, I mean it has a lot of Star Wars going on at the beginning of this. Yeah, like you know, you kind of know what's going on where you're meaning Caleb and his mom, and you don't realize where they are at until and they have a great conversation between them, a great you know, mom and son, you know, some dialogue there and the until the two Federation officers come in and you're real like, oh crap, she's she's in jail. Oh crap, and then realize and then they get put on trial so quick. And let me tell you, Paul Gilmadi is an incredible bad guy.

4:48 Yeah. I absolutely love him in this role. And I was on the edge of my seat that entire trial scene when obviously, Nalah kind of backstabbed the mom, which she didn't have any I mean she questioned later on obviously, but when she's getting dragged away and telling Kleb don't trust them, and then and then you have Braka just you know, laughing and just carrying on and and you know, basically you know, saying this is you know, this is what you get and it's all his fault. Yeah, I mean, he's he's turning out to be a great villain. You know. I hope, I can. I know we're going to see more of him, and I can't wait to see more of him because it's a great start for him. You know, he could turn out to be one of the all time great Star Trek villains.

5:36 He's definitely written to be one. You know, I'm going to reserve my my decision on whether you know he's he's that until I see the rest of the season. But it's a great start, great opening. He plays it incredibly well, you know, and that's what a good villain. A good villain makes you want to see more of him. That's exactly exactly what he did. How about the special events the c G, I oh, they're wonderful. They're They're absolutely wonderful. It's not just the CGI though. The the production value of the episode is is incredible. It's oh yeah and yeah, and I mean we we've been getting a lot of that through with with Star Trek, but it just, I don't know, it just seems to shine a little more in these first two episodes. It's it stands out, it stands out as as being beautifully done.

6:23 Well. Another thing that I love about it is it's it's a little bit more grown up than Star Trek has been for television. Yeah, because I mean when when Caleb is fighting those guys in that shuttle and he goes and bites off, tears the guy's ear off, you don't see that in Star Trek Man at all, not on TV. And then you got some of the language and and the language it is well placed in my opinion, it's it's or they're using it just to use it, you know, the the whole asshole one to asshole two dude. I love that. I thought that was brilliant between those two characters. I did. It's it's interesting hearing those that type of I love those type of words because we're not used to that we're not used to. That is the Star Trek. But but you know, TV is no longer sanitized as it was thirty years No, now we can we can do that now and still keep it a kind of a family friendly show. Definitely, this is definitely a new Star Trek.

7:21 It is, you know. And in the cinematography in this, I thought it was beautiful. There was like two mean shots. And first off, when when Nala goes to visit Caleb in the prison, I thought all the lighting there was absolutely stunning on what they did there. But the scene later on when Caleb is reaching out to his mom and illegally using the teacher's panel that you know, and then Genesis catches him. The whole scene there where they're kind of like silhouetted with that blue background, and then when she walks away leaving me, you see his like shadow through that glass, I thought, oh, that was beautifully done.

8:03 It was. I was actually rather impressed with Well, there were two things that I'm really impressed. First of all, this is not the series that I thought we were going to get. It's better. It's better, I mean, you know, with I'm One, Paramount didn't do a very good job at publicizing this series, and of my opinion, they they kind of made it look like it was going to be some sort of kid teenage drama and it it is in a way, but not the whole U nine one type of vibes that were getting what it looked like. Yeah, that's that's what that's the way it looked, and it's it's not that. It's you know, if you if you saw that and thought, oh, this isn't a show for me, give it a chance, don't don't don't take that, don't make that in your first impression. Give it a chance, because it's I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. And I just forgot where I was going with that second comment, so I'll let you continue on.

8:52 How about how about the first time seeing Robert Riccardo the doctor on screen time in so many years? From boy, Oh, I love him. He's just as sarcastic as always and I he had me laughing the whole, the whole give me a try quarder again coming from Voyager when he did that exact scene medical. Yeah, I loved it. He was needed for this series. I I he definitely was needed it. This this series is so different as we've we've said, it's it's so different that having that one little that grounded character, one we're very familiar with. It is, it's it's it's needed, especially for me. For me because like I wasn't really sure what I was getting into at this show, and I wasn't sure if I was gonna like it. But I was definitely going to watch it because I knew he was in it, and that was a really good idea.

9:45 But it's not just you know, uh uh stunt casting. No, because Bacarda's great. We we love him, you know, we loved him as the doctor. He was always a highlight on Voyager. And I'm so glad he's here because every time he's he's on in the scene. I perk up. I mean, I just I love them. Yeah, no, absolutely, And there's there's so many characters in here. Again, like I said, we could be talking for a long time about this, but I love every one of these characters in here. And you know, like I said earlier, I cannot wait to get to know them. But I'm telling you Number one thought, oh my god, dude. I laughed hysterically when she went off on k log and then yeah, and then Craig was walking by. He said, you croug, but put your put your back on this idiot's back. Yeah, back idiot.

10:30 What a great introduction to that character. I I like that, that introduction. I like the character. And that's that's the thing about this, this cast or this I shouldn't say, these these characters, they they really took their time and built some great backgrounds for these characters. We don't know all of it yet, but these seem like characters that they actually took time to think about to develop so that you know that we will learn more about them. These aren't just one dimensional characters. They're all very very three dimens and they're very interesting. Yeah, and it's so neat on how how they intertwined them so quick, Like you don't realize who the character is going to be. I mean you did in the advertisement, but if you didn't see the advertisement, Like they're all around each other, it just happened to be there, and they just start meshing really quick with one another, like you can already tell like Sam and Genesis are gonna have a great relationship with as friends. You can see that.

11:23 And then the whole, the whole jock relationship between Remy and Caleb, you know, and how you can see where that's going. So, I mean, you're already seeing all of this integering among One of the scenes that I absolutely love was the scene but when Caleb steps in for cried when he didn't need to, you know, I mean, you're you're already picking a fight with a Klingon, really, you know, and then his like I watched birds, Did you expect that coming from a Klingon? No? No, And that that makes me interested in this character. Yes, he's definitely not sure your ordinary every day clingon, and I'm glad that he's not, you know, because I always felt the Klingons we were rather one dimensional. This one's not.

12:05 This is there's there's much more that we have to learn a lot of room for to explore this, this very interesting version of the Klingon. So he could very well become my favorite character. I don't know, I'm waiting. We haven't seen enough of him yet, but he's definitely got me interesting interested yep. And you know, like like I said earlier, I mentioned this is kind of got like the lower Decks thing, and it does because you've got like the Captain and Number one and all the crew. But if you think of it, I mean, they are kind of a big section of it. But your main characters are the Academy cadets, right, so you know you kind of got the focus on them, even though the main cast kind of I mean, the captain and stuff drop in here and there. I mean, honestly, you've got the relationship, but not between Naala and Caleb.

12:49 You got that and it's needed. And I like that because she almost sees him as her son and he even says, you know, you're not my I forget how he put it, but you know, not him. That's what it was. When she was talking about her son. He said, I'm not him, and you know, but I'd like you still feel that vibe that she's being protective, of course, because it's her fault that Caleb and his mom didn't have that you know, relationship, and she you know, they weren't together, you know, and she blamed herself for that. And now she's bringing Caleb into the Academy to try to make mint ends and protect him. But he kind of doesn't want that, but he kind of does at the same time, if that makes sense.

13:31 Yes, no, I I That's exactly how I read it. You know, I've I'm so interested in the character of uh Nola, you know, Holly Hunter. I was. I was very happy when they announced her casting because I've always liked her, she said so much. I mean, she she's an. Academy Award winning act. Oh yeah, and that's why I blew my mind when they you know, they announced that she was going to uh At the time, I thought she was starring. Now you're right, it is. She is starring in the show. But she's not like central Carrie or really Caleb. Is this right now? So far as we see the central character. But she is so good in the part. I mean, you know, she's the captain, you know, she's she's she's playing the part of the captain that we're very familiar with all these in all the other Star Trek series. And I really really like her ever since since the point of her trying to adjust her chair. I love that. I like her. She's she's very she's very well, she's not human, but you know, I know, but you know, a very grounded character that I'm looking forward to seeing more of what they're going to do with her.

14:35 She's not your typical captain though, which is what I love that, and I love that we needed that change. I love how she just sits sideways in her chair. And then the one thing when Baraka was on the bridge and then he's i think, walking towards it. Often she leaped into the chair to protect it so he doesn't sit down in it. I love that she when she first walks onto the bridge, you know, you can see just just a glimpse of awe that she has to it. You know that she's she's realizing this is her ship, this is her bridge. You know, we've seen that many times. We saw that with with Jean Luc Picard, and we saw that with Jane Way, and we got that scene with her here. I love those type of scenes. It's such a great introduction to her character.

15:17 And you're correctly she's very grounded and she's you can tell that like she cares about her but which all the captives previously had. Don't get me wrong, but she definitely has that motherly intinct quite heavily, and she cares about everybody that's on her bridge. And I love how she knows everybody immediately, and she called him out by name and everything and and is prepared when she gets on that bridge, and how fluid it is, how she takes control and everybody worked together. I just thought that was great. And she's she's not just a captain, you know, she's she's the commment, the chancellor that she's a teacher to all these people, and and and Holly Hunter is doing a great job of playing all those different all those different jobs, all those things on her shoulder. You know, it's nice to have This is a captain with a lot more responsibilities than we've seen before. Maybe a little bit in Cisco because he was in charge of entire station.

16:12 But you know, she's this this is so different, And I think that's that's the best word to use for those series. Different And that's why I like it. That's that's why I'm endeared to the series right away from the start. How about how about the final we finally get. Loved to beaijor how about that? Yes, I know, I w wait till we get about that. Yeah, wait until we get to the Easter eggs. That so really surprises me again. I mean, we're we're now a thousand years in the future, are close to a thousand years in the future of all that stuff, but yet it's new, but there's a lot of familiar things there and I like that, lots of nice little easter eggs to look for, and and and it's it's nicely in beige. That's the first time we've seen baijor outside of you Space nine, you. Know, I know, I know, it's it's it's when I when I heard her say that, and then then she was on the planet, you know, with the nursery get or whatever she was she was teaching. I was it's about datim time major.

17:03 Yeah, that was a good introduction. That was a good introduction, her whole introduction, the whole all the opening scenes. This was what a great opening for a pilot because that's what this was. This was the pilot episode in the series, and good, good, good pilot, good good start reminded me a lot of Voyager's Pilot and how it started. It had a good start as well. How about the fantastic uh new song for I mean not new song, but the going to San Francisco. Yeah, I love that. I thought that was a knife touch. I really it was an interesting rendition of it. So I was I know that was by uh uh I don't remember who the singer was, but it was the It was arranged by Jeff Russo and and he did a good job at that. I I it's rather unusual.

17:45 Wasn't that a weird? It was weird because we never really had anything like that on Star Trek, not no something, not a more. I don't want to exactly call it modern. Well it's modern for us. Yeah, that but it worked. That worked really well, and I'm glad they did it that way. It's too and you know, and I don't want to jump the gun a little bit to talk about episode two. But Jeff Rutho, his music is fantastic. Yeah, but on the second episode was really different for Star Trek. Yeah, I wanted to point it out. You know, He's always been a good composer. He did a good job with Discovery, But here he seems, especially in these first two episodes, is really aspired. There's a lot more, seems to be a lot more room here in this series to allow his his themes and his music to kind of kind of stand out from from the score or from the the sounds of the dialogue. And really he's really able to showcase how good a composer he is.

18:35 I hope that that momentum that he's developed in these first two episodes continues on as he's good composer. I love the music, especially, you're right, especially his music for the second episode. Yeah, and I mean and he uses the themes of Star Trek from time to time when it was needed. It wasn't overused or anything like that. It was perfectly fitting for what he did. And yeah, when we get to the second episode, I've got something I want to bring up to you that I found rather odd about his music. But but right, you know, he's I like the use of his themes. It's kind of kind of different, kind of odd hearing the original Star Trek theme in this series, but it it works. It was nice, It felt nice. Yeah, I definitely think we both can agree that the pilot was a great pilot. It really introduced so many new characters, and I am anxiously and excited to get to know them over this season. I'm glad Paramount already recognized it because they renewed it for season two. Yes quickly.

19:27 Yeah, Well that's you know, that's what a good pilot does. It makes you want to watch the rest of the series, and they succeeded brilliantly. Absolutely. All right, well we've given our opinion, and you know, it was pretty good. It was, so let's we got a lot more to talk about, So let's continue on. Let's take a look at the characters themselves. David, which character you think shines most of this episode? You know? For me, it has to be Naala because her concern for Caleb and what she did to him and his mother that forced her to leave, but given the chance to fix that brings her back to a reality, a reality she didn't think was possible. And at first of the episode, we didn't know anything about her son right until till to the end of the episode. But when Vance comes to get her and tries to talk her into it, I mean, she is rooted into her decision.

20:18 You just give up, don't even forget about it. You know, you know, I left Starfleet, you know, and she even makes sure she points that out, you know, you know, hello, captain who left us Starfleet? Who resigned? Hello? You know? Oh that was me, you know. But she quickly turns when he says we found Caleb. Immediately she knew what she had to do right then and there and again that's that motherly instinct for one, but two, she realizes fifteen years ago she made that vital mistake of tearing a mom and his son apart, and knew this was her opportunity to try to fix that. And that's why I think she shined the most in this subject. It haunted her, that decision that she made fifteen years ago, really haunted her, and it made her, you know, resign it, and that brought her back. And you've practically read my notes because I agree. I mean, she's not the central character in this episode, but she's definitely shine for me.

21:13 Holly Hunter's performance is so fresh, so original for star Trek that the character's so well written. You know, I'm trying to I can't think of anything else. You just think, you know, different than what you said, because that's exactly how I felt about it. Definitely a high point for me in this episode. Yep, well as we usually do. If you have any choice for to be any character that appeared in this episode, which one would it be and why? So? I'm going to go with Sam. She was very childlike wonder and innocence for good reason. As we find out who she is, seeing her be with people for the first time, and seeing you know, when she's looking at the surroundings around, how she's trying to say hi to everybody as are coming down the hallway. How she just her joy, glee of wanting a friend, and that excitement that just bubbles out of her. It was just pure joy, Wayne, and I loved her in this episode and just to feel all those feelings she's getting. And then her interaction with the doctor how he almost he knew who she was and what she is, but when she was seeing him as a mentor, he immediately oh, and he tried to escape her. You know, I love that.

22:29 I love her and I cannot wait to get to know her more. And that one scene when Genesis you know, recognizes her and you know, says hello, and you know they have that moment together. It's just that that playful list that Genesis had with Sam and they had that back and forth, and just that that awkward handshake she had. She should offer her hand to Genesis. I love her, Man, I would love to have been her in this episode. Yeah, now I agree with you, and she's not the one I chose, but everything agree. I'm glad we talked about her because I love that scene, her introduction scene and how awkward she is and trying to trying to make friends and stuff, and then her conversation with the doctor.

23:12 You know, he's they're both holograms, so they have a lot in common, but they don't because there's such you know, she's just brand new, you know, hologram practically, you know what I was. I can't remember how old. She has, three days or something. Yeah, it's like it was like a really small number. But then him, he's lived for oh gosh, eight hundred plus years now, and it's it's another relationship that I'm looking forward to seeing developed between the two of them, because I think there will. I think there is going to be a relationship. They're going to going to come together and kind of, you know, bond because you know, they're both holograms. You know, the doctor really has never had that before, at least we've ever seen. I mean, maybe he's run into it in eight hundred years. I don't know, maybe he ran into ram or I don't know.

23:53 But but yeah, I'm kind of looking forward to where they go with the characters saying because very interesting, but I actually I chose Captainnate I Nala because because of the scene that I just mentioned of her when she first walked onto the bridge and that feeling, that look of this is all mine, you know, I'm now in charge. I just love that. I would love to experience that, you know. Could you imagine, you know, being a captain and walking onto your ship for the very first time and seeing the bridge and oh wow. And plus just the way she you know, treats Caleb and the way, you know, the way she's such a like a motherly figure and she's proud of him when he you know, figures out the solution and and does everything at the end.

24:42 So yeah, I chose her. I mean it's a good choice. I mean, but think of the pressure she had. I know, if she had captain there's a chancellor. Yeah, there there is a lot of pressure. And I mean, you know, Starfleet Academy has just started up after one hundred and fifty years. You know, they this isn't the first class, but it's close to it. So there's a lot a lot on her shoulders. You know, they have to be successful, and it looks like they're they're hide heading in the right direction. They are absolutely all right, and now we see the return of my favorite part of watching these episodes, where we dive deep into the episode and see where we can pull out any Easter eggs. And this series looks like it's gearing up to be packed full of them. Judging the lost first two episodes a lot. I know I had to actually leave some off the list, But David, did you spot any lets you let's see hear what you had?

25:29 So not to mention all the names that you see pop up in the background during the montage. Uh, there is a hidden one. I don't know if you saw it, but Ambassador Garrick is there? No, I missed that one, and I was also Garrett. I think that isn't fantastic that he became as ambassador. Wow, yep, I. Think that's fantastic. Yeah, there's there's there's so much that was on us in this episode that uh, it's it's hard to go over so much of it though. I like the fact that Commander thought she is Jim Harda right. He gives that I am dead, I go into battle to reclaim my life. He's basically quoting the mantra that we've heard in Deep Base nine. You know, so I don't know. I mean, I know there's something that you probably have, so I know how much you love the section, so be my guest, Wayne.

26:16 Oh well, well, you know, we got gosh so much to the period. We We've got Beaijor. We got mentioned of the US's Discovery going undergoing a refit, which we saw why in the last episode of Discovery. We got when Sam is first talking to the Doctor, she mentions both the Voyager and the Protostar. And I love the fact that we're getting a little bit of love of the animated series and these these shows. But you talking about let's talk about alien raceist Okay, you know there were so many to go over here. We got Captain Egg He's she's a Lanthonite, which is the same race as Pellia from a Strange New Worlds. Of course, he got Sam's holographic race like the Doctor, though half Clan not half jim Hidar Broncos, half Klingon and part tell Awrite, which we don't see too much of that race in Star Treking. Note they're so important to the Federation, but we saw we saw Jorans Klingons for ringy Orion's quite a few races that were first introduced in Star Trek Discovery, and one of the cadets appears to be a share on which is that alien race that first appeared in the original series. Lets that be your last battlefield. The ones that are half black white w white, right the surprise, and we saw one of those in section thirty one, But that's it. So it's nice that we're seeing a few of these old races that we hadn't seen such a long time. And then of course there's that Wall of hero that's just one big easter eight itself. So many names that you could just pause your player and

27:48 have fun, you know, picking them out. But you know, but not all of them were main characters. That's what I like. There's a lot of a lot of smaller names. You know. We saw the ones that I were able to pick out. I'm glad you picked out one that I didn't even catch. Peter Preston, Becka Marner Toimurssulu, Samantha Wildman, Wildman, Lieutenant Nogg's on there. And probably the biggest surprise of the mall is Admiral Harry Kim yep, So I'm so glad he got promoted. Finally, me too, and then finally I want to point out that the captain in her office has these little model starships on her shelves, and I was able to spot out a Galatexy Class, an Excelsior Class, and an Intrepid Class starship setting on there.

28:37 I do want to throw out Stephen Colbert is the digital Dean of students. Yes, yeah, we hear his voice voice. You absolutely do. And one other one I want to throw out there is Jennasith when she's finding the medical equipment to save thought. The corridor has a couple of quotes. One of them is from Jean Luc Picard. It says it is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, that is life. I'm glad you pointed that out too. Yep. And then Jane ways that three starship captain rules are OFFO could be a scene yep. And then in the second episode there are a couple other ones too that we're able to point out. They must be all over the place where I look forward to watching all these episodes and pointing out these East trades because I know there's so much that we didn't see.

29:22 Yeah, there's so much that they can do with this show, Wayne, I am so excited for it. I really am. All right, let's take a little break and then when we come back, we will go over this second episode that aired this week. We're back, and now we move on to the second episode in Starfleet Academy, titled Beta Test, which is written by Naga Landau and Jane Maggs and again directed by Alex Kurtzman. David, go ahead and give us these synopsis. As the academic year begins at Starfleet Academy, Caleb feels out of place in questions whether he belongs. This changes when a delegation from data Zeed arrived to negotiate joining the Federation. Among them is Terrama, the daughter of betas AD's leader of Presidents at All, who profoundly has a huge impact on Caleb. With the Federation seeking to rebuild and expand, they and their new allies must work together to bring about significant change, culminating in a surprising decision that shapes the future. So, Wayne, this episode is Harry Potter Hogwarts all over it. You're getting to see the classrooms, you're getting to see the teachers, you're getting to see all around the academy. Itself, but you're also getting that again, that Lower Decks humor throughout this episode that I absolutely love that they're keeping because that's one of the things that really made Lower Decks work so well, is that comedy, that humor that you really didn't see a lot in Star Trek at that you know, to that depth. But they're doing it again, and I'm glad that they capture

30:54 that and are using it here. But tig Nataro as jet Rena coming back the Catcher, I thought with absolutely hysterical on how she gave Caleb a what for, you know, pulling him up in front of everybody and you know, confronting him about it. I thought that was well, she. Makes a really good teacher. I'm glad I brought her back on this series because she fits perfectly perfectly with with the vibe and the feel of the show. Yeah, this is a really interesting episode. I agree with you. It did give a lot of Harry Potter vibes. Gave me a lot of Star Trek Next Generation season two vibes as well. There were some plot points in this episode that that kind of repeated some episode some plot points from season two of that series. But it's no way in hinders it at all. I mean, I'm not putting it down there because they're they're good plot points and I'm kind of good at things. The big thing is the Beta's ads are the betazoidscuse me, I always called them beta sad betazoids, you know, They're They're they're conversing with sign language, which I thought was rather interesting because you've never seen though, but I'm glad that they did that. I really remember remember back in the second season there was that of the Next Generation. There was that character that that could only sign can only yes.

32:10 I got that feeling. I think there it's very very similar feels to that, and it's great that they're they're using sign language and doing something like this, you know, and that's something we also saw a We also saw a character too that was in a wheelchair as well, which was something we don't see very often in Star Trek and I'm I'm really glad that to see them them doing that as well. And then of course the whole the whole kind of love story that that can't be fulfilled then gave me a lot of Remember an episode in the second season called The Dolphin with where Wesley falls in love, but because she was of another race and had important things to do, it could not couldn't happened. I got a lot of feels from that, but it didn't. It didn't hurt this episode at all.

32:53 I I I thought this was a great second episode, you know, to following the pilot. It was. It was really well done. I mean, clearly she's coming back, because she's in a lot of the promotional stuff. Yeah, I believe she's She's actually one of the main characters. And I didn't realize that until I was doing the research, you know. I thought she was just one off. And how cool was that they left her for the second episode to be introduced. I thought, that's cool. Instead of throwing everything in the pilot, you save one of the main characters. I prefer them to do that. I prefer really do. I don't like them shoving everything into one episode. It's nice to to develop and introduce some of these characters are a little bit of time yep. The one scene that I thought was totally Harry potterish is when Thought was teaching the class and she was confronting everybody, and it really gets into the face of that one cadet and she takes off running. I love that because she's like I can always pick out the runner.

33:40 Yeah, yeah, that. It was absolutely But one of the things that really made me laugh too was, uh, when Caleb found out who his dreammate was. The door opens and it was like, oh, hell no. Yeah, but you know, I liked how I liked it was resolved. This is one of the things that that's because the end of this episode was really well done. Yeah, they always they introduced them as kind of being rivals, and I wasn't sure if I was okay with that, you know, maybe a little bit, but I'm glad that you saw a little bit of a spark of brotherhood at the end. And I kind of liked that the way they were making when he was making the bed and then he comes and helps, and I I like that.

34:28 I like to see where their relationship's going to. You can you can still tell there's gonna be that that that jock vibe between the two of them, where they're going to get on each other, you know, kind of. Like yeah, I mean, you got you know, two characters. One one character you'd say he's just you know, from the wrong side of the street, and yep, and the other ones, the the spoiled rich boy. Yeah, exactly, definitely gonna be some conflict there. But yeah, I think another scene that was really well done, and again this speaks to Nala's character, is when she's walking around barefoot. Wayne. I love that so much because there was like everybody's look at like the one officer that was from with what the War part, Sharlee, He's like looking at her like she he's disgusted with her.

35:08 He's kind of in his own way telling her off, and she's like, Hey, I'm the captain. I can do whatever I want. The way it's going to be the. Facial expression he gives her when she gives that speech towards the end, he's he's like kind of like what you know, Like are you kidding me right now? But I love it, and I love how Vance was taking a back seat and just laughing about it. He was enjoying it so much. Hey, you know, if if Jean Luke Maccaarry can walk around the enterprises his pajamas and robes, and she can walk around barefoot on her barefoot on her ship, she has every right to. Absolutely she does, damn it. But just and there's just so much stuff going in this episode that I love, man, I'm telling it had it just got so much great humor.

35:52 And again they're starting to develop the characters a little bit, but not too much yet, you know, with the exception a few I mean, we still get a lot of lot of Caleb, which we need to because he's the main character. We know that. And we get the relationship more between Caleb and Naa. We're getting more of that. But how about them bringing about the humpback whales. How about that? Wayne? Oh yes, yes, that very interesting. You know, there's very been very little reference in any of Star Trek to good old Star Trek, for the Voyage Home is most one of the most popular. I know, it's hardly gets gets mentioned. But I'm so glad because you know, apparently George and Gracie did quite well after they did the bounty brought him back. I mean, because you know, a hundred our thousand years later and there humpback waves whales are thriving. So it's nice to hear that.

36:41 And even the line when you go, she's pregnant. Oh yeah, we definitely, yeah, yeah, we. Know what we're going for here. That's for dang sure. But no, I thought that was pretty cool. Another thing that was hysterical too, when Caleb had that mucus all over him and he's coming back to the conference and he's trying to his coat up and like the doctors trying to stop him, and all was like leaning forward looking like lips lipping no to him. It was so. Oh, I loved it when he first got it on him, and that that the one guy just suddenly appeared and started spraying off with the foam and stuff. That that made me like, the poor guy, it looks like he he reminded me of someone that just got smashed in the face with a pie. That's what he looked like.

37:26 You know. And then I think, if I remember correctly, she makes a reference to Caleb Tamara as they're walking around about because they're kind of you can tell there's kind of a relationship starting to build here between the two of them, and she's talking about betas in and how the the weddings are you gotta be naked? Oh, here here we go. We're getting some references that we know from the next generation. Yeah, it was it's really nice to see betas that, you know what, we we've got this new era of Star Trek. This this this thirty second century, and and well, I know we have three seasons of it. Discovery really didn't go in depth into the Federation itself, and went into depth and to Starfleet, but not the Federation. It looks like this show's geared to do that. Yeah, I'm kind of glad because we're seeing a different hole side of Star Trek of the thirty second century.

38:16 It was. I've I've been very interested in that era. I thought it was a great idea, absolutely wonderful idea when Discovery jumped to the thirty second because all new everything, you know, new Animal, I mean, we you know, we get to see what happened to all our favorite races and characters in the Federation, you know, all this after all that time. And I'm glad to see Beta's Ed coming back into the Federation. We see that that development because I've always I always loved I thought that was an interesting plant. We never saw that to see very much of it on the next generation other than Deanna troy Ye walks Animal and what I don't remember exactly what he said his his titles at Beta's Ed, but definitely got a lot of the walks and advised from from his titles and stuff that. Oh yeah, yeah, you know, it's interesting things like that.

39:06 It's interesting because as you talk about that, I see why they're doing this. They've wiped the slate clean basically, but still keeping the the history of Star Trek here. Yes, and it's it's definitely here. Yeah, and I like that that way. It needs to be done so that we can get into new stories, new alien races, new exploration, new everything. It needed to be done. You know, you and I have talked and Scott has talked that, you know, we would love to go back and revisit you know, the next duration era and stuff like that. Sure you wouldn't, but we've got to. We got to come to realization that we need something new. And they've done it. Oh yeah, this is definitely new, definitely different, but very grounded in the Star Trek universe. And they've got it.

39:53 It's a perfect mix. So let me ask you, what how do you feel about the bold move of moving the Federation to Betas. I think that's brilliant. I think you know, it's always been in Paris. You know, we've seen that many many times. They need they needed Betazet they needed. They're trying to rebuild the federation. They debate betas always have always been a member for so long and moving the head. And you know, the planet Beta zet was is a beautiful planet from what we saw. It's got a lot of history, but a lot of importance to the Federation. And it was a good move to bring to bring the head through the government to Beta zet An off of Earth.

40:38 Very bold move, I will say that, because the Earth has always been the head of the government of the Federation. Now it's now it's being moved. Good idea I think they're doing. And again it's doing that whole let's let's change things up. Yes, you know, and that's that's what that's doing. And I appreciate the writer doing that and taking that move. It works perfectly for the theories. I hope. I hope, because we we've now seen two planets that were so familiar with you know, we we sell Bajor and we sell sell Beta set. I hope we do continue to see some of the other planets, you know, if we're trying to rebuild the Federation, you know, and bring back some of the original members and see some new planets new members too, because we definitely, we definitely wouldn't want to see some new ones we ye know, I hope we get that, and I think we will.

41:20 Yeah, have you noticed, I know, they they they we got a couple of Vulcan characters, but they've kind of stayed away from them a little bit, if you've noticed heavy. Yeah, and they they they kind of addressed that in Discovery. It was a third season or I think it was third season, where you know, Vulcan's a mess from here. They just don't even called Vulcan anymore. I can't think of what's called. They changed the name of the planet. It's Neval, I think, yeah, and so it's it's kind of a mess. You know, it was one of the most important planets of the Federation. I don't remember if there's I don't think there's. I don't think there's still a member anymore. I think they they also separated as well. I don't remember. I'll have to go back. It's been a while since I watched Discovery, but I don't think they became a member. So we may see them again.

42:01 I know we will. I know we eventually will see them. Do you know what we saw some feringis walking around. They looked a little different too, They did way different. Yep, we saw there were a lot of a lot of races, a lot of familiar races, a lot of new ones. It's kind of it's kind of great to have to pick these old ones out. There was a couple of surprises too. Yeah, there absolutely is. Man, I'm so excited for Thursday to watch episode three. So excited. Now I want I want to talk to you about because we didn't get this in the first episode. We got it now. The title sequence. What did you think of the title sequence? It's different and I like it because here's the thing. This is show. This series is wiping things clean, and you're building up a new series. You're building up an academy, and the cadets are the lifeblood of Starfleet in the Federation, and I feel like the main title sequence says that, and I like it, I really do.

42:55 Yeah, I do like the new title sequence I liked in the first EPISO. So we didn't get a title sequence. Now we got an end credit sequence. Really nice in credit me. I like that, though I wish I could use both. But I like the background. I like the way they did it for that first episode. But yeah, the title sequence and then we've got of course we get to hear the main theme this is It's a great theme, okay, but there's something very odd about it. And I listened to it like six times because I wanted to make sure that I was not mishearing it. But the opening bars, I'd say about the opening four or five bars of that theme is nope, per note exactly the opening five bars of Jerry Goldsmith's idea theme from Star Trek in the motion picture exactly.

43:40 Oh wow, I didn't recognize that. Good cat. And after watching it quite a few times and listening to it, I'm like, I know that that's exactly it. I went and did a little research. I'm not the only one that's saying that. So many else is saying that it is exactly. I don't. Is it done on purpose or is it just pure coincidence. I'd like to know, But yeah, it's an odd that's an odd choice. But I like it. Yeah, I love Jerry Goldsmith anyways, but I like it. It kind of reminds me of what Russell did with the card and how he kind of they say that a little bit of the next generation and a little bit of inner light them in there. Ye. So, speaking of the score, I know we kind of mentioned it in episode one with Russo's score, how unusual it was for this episode. Yeah, throughout the entire thing.

44:22 It was like really almost jazzy at times and just really crazy for us Star Trek episode. Different, definitely a different, but it works. Yes, Yes, Yes, I'm glad he's experimenting. I'm glad he's trying new things because that's what the series needs to The whole series is trying new things. Music should be two. Yeah, absolutely, And you're right when you said earlier that it feels like he's got so much room now to explore themes that I'm hoping that's what he does throughout the rest of this season. I really did. Yeah, all right, Well, we're going to turn the spotlight to the main characters again. So which character do you say shines the most? So I'm gonna have to go with Caleb on this one.

45:03 Wayne when he first reacts to Harmon when she is trying to learn who he is, and he backs away in fear, but then later realizes his mistakes and races to speak with her before she leaves and he pours his heart out to her. I respect that because Caleb is this very well rounded character because he, as you said, he's from the wrong side of the street, and he could be that character that is only one dimensional with that type, but he's not. They have written him where yeah, he still is. He could be the bad boy the whole time, but he's not. He's actually trying to do the right thing and he's just trying to reconnect with his mom but also trying to put the pieces together.

45:50 Where he's at right now at this academy and he doesn't feel like he fits in at all. He doesn't fit in with her, He doesn't fit in with his friends, but he doesn't really see them as friends yet, right, he doesn't. He just sees them as these people he's you know, he's around, and I think at the end, when he's getting help with his bed being made, I feel like that is that connection that he's starting to settle in a little bit because he realizes Nala is trying to help him, and now he's starting to realize, you know what, maybe if I stay here, I might be able to find my mom. So that is why I think he just blew it out of the water.

46:31 This one that character. Oh yeah again, agree, this is his episode. Yep, you know by far. It's he's the main character of the series. You know, he really is, and and they needed an episode specifically with him. It's it's a great showcase for the actor and for the character. And you're you're right. I love how it's he's so conflicted throughout the entire episode, doesn't know if he wants he doesn't want to be there right well, he's got his own and he feels like they're just being there and everybody around him and all this this crap that you know, with the school and is just hindering him from trying to find his mother. But he slowly starts to develop, you know, realize that that you know, they can help him on his goal, you know. And then at the end the symbolism of him having to make the bed that he's kind of finding a little bit of of his place there.

47:26 Yep. I like that and it Yeah, it's definitely his episode. And I hope from from this episode. You know, they had to do an episode with him right away because he's the main character. But I have a feeling like kind of like what they did with strange new worlds that they're going to start doing these characters centric episodes where each helpil will get their own storyline. I do too, I hope. So yep, absolutely all right. If you had the choice of any character that you want to be, who would it be? And why I'm gonna go with Caleb again only for one major reason because he gets to hang out with Karama because he is beautiful. Oh I know, I know, Oh yeah, it's I had to say him too, because although that's a that's a really really good reason. I just I just liked the way his character was developed throughout the episode. And you know, I got to realize that by watching this series, I would love.

48:19 To go to Starfleet Academy me too. I mean, when you know, I mean, it looks like such a great place, whether it be the twenty fourth century version or the thirty second century version, it looks like a great place. And and I'm envious of him, So that's why would be. How about the whole scene in office where he dismisses himself. I laughed at that line, and. Then he goes to the wrong way and then he has to go the other thing. Oh yeah, all right, I think it's time to take another break and after our messages, we'll be back with more on Star Trek Starfleet Academy. And we're back, and of course we'll see if there's any Easter eggs found in this episode, and of course there is. Did you find any, David? So?

49:06 I found a few, but I want to go back to one thing because I forgot one major Easter egg from the first one. I want to make sure it gets said Wayne. Okay, when Braca puts his hand up against the glass and is the Vulcan symbol. It's the sarcastic wall. I know that, but I just I love that. I love it. It's almost like a nod to the Wrath of Khan with you know, between the glass. I never thought of that. Yeah, that's the way I saw it, you know. I saw it more of remember where Marner is given the sarcastic Yeah, I was thinking more like that. But yeah, you're I could see that. Yeah, I thought that was pretty cool. Again we mentioned the fringy again. He shown up here with a different makeup obisy, because I believe there is in Discovery's fourth season, right if I remember.

49:51 Yeah, and they were they did little slight redesigned. They've done a little bit more in here. You know. It reminds me of the way I'm trying to remember the name of the character. The person who designed you, which original FARANKI back in eighty seven. He did it was more. It was not quite as refined as we saw in the series, and that reminded me a lot of the original look his original sketches. Yep, both the Memorial Park, I thought that was a nice tich. That was nice. Yeah, yep, the Ahorror Pavilion, which I thought was pretty cool. And then the last one that I caught was the on campus clubs and events included Association of Kardashian Cadets, the Neuroscience Club, something called Escape Starships, the Earth Science Club, the Philosophy Society, and the Model Federation Diplomacy Club.

50:39 I love yeah, yeah, I love this too. And I don't even have this in my notes, but you reminded me. The War Academy's mascot is a mugatu. Oh yeah, yeah, I saw that. And I can't remember what they're called, but the Academy itselfs there. Oh I wish I could. I wish I wrote these down. Their mascot is that little weird creature thing that we saw in the most Toys. When Data was looking at it, it was speaking noise. Yeah. By the way, before you talk about your ether eggs, how about starkly having a war academy that's new for Star Trek. That's interesting. You notice some of the cadets are wearing black uniforms. Yeah, wondering. I hope they don't just gloss over that because I'm very, very curious about that. I mean, are we talking about something similar to like the Federation Marines?

51:31 Are we talking Section thirty one type of people? I want to know more about this me too. I'm very curious, and I'm hoping you're right. They're not gonna sleep. There's no way they're gonna freep that down. No, No, it was too prominent in this episode for them just you know, forget about it. Absolutely. Well, let's hear your wing, all right. Well, you know, as I mentioned, more races appear. You mentioned a couple of them. Of course, we got the Betasoids, but I also spotted a Romulan, which is nice to know that they're still around after the events of the card and everything. But there is a and This is the first time I've ever seen in one of these races since the original series A volume. You might remember there was an episode of the original series called the Apple.

52:11 She had the you know, the big computer in the in the mouth type of thing, and we've never seen them before. And I'm pretty sure with her orange skin and that white hair, that's what they were trying to go for. But I was really excited to see a brick card. Oh yeah, live action for the first time, you know, from Star Trek Prodigy Cock. Yes, exactly, one yea. Once again, I'm so glad that we are seeing some love to the to the animated series and bringing them properly into the continuity. They were always part of the continuity, but a lot of people would dismiss them because their animation. You know, we mentioned that many times before. You can't dismiss them. Now there they are, right right, Okay, don't forget about the exocomph. Yeah, we saw one of them and the exo comp's name which was in the incre as.

53:00 You might have missed us. This almond basket which yeah, maybe possibly a descended a peanut hamper and the voice is done by the same actors. I hope it is. You mentioned the two quotes, one from Picard and one from Jane Jane Way. There was also a quote in this episode from Cisco and from Captain Pike as well. It's so nice to see three nine getting some love. I agree, yes, And I hear we're going to be getting a little bit more too. And I think it's the episode of the fourth episode. I believe it's good, so good. I'm really curious to hear what they got. We got another shot of the Wall of Heroes with more names appearing on there. I caught the character of Tendy Law Noone and singh Will Decker, Admiral Shelby, Admiral John L. Piccard, and Gillian Taylor as well another Star Trek four reference, which I'm glad. You know, you know, take a look at the wall, pause it. You'll have fun reading all of it.

53:58 Yep, you will. How about Nala giving the When she's giving her her speech, she says, boldly, go where no one has gone before. Oh yeah, nice, nice hearing that. Yeah, well, it sounds like we had two great episodes to open up. I'm really glad. It's a very very strong opening, probably one of the strongest openings I can see from most of the TV series that I can think of. Ye, so we're offer to a really good start. I mean, do you agree with me? I absolutely agree. Cannot wait to see the rest of this season. Cannot wait. I can't how many there's ten episodes?

54:38 Is in there? Yes? Okay, yeah, ten episodes? I wish they do more, but hey, it's going to be a great. Ride, I believe, Yeah, I do. I agree. And that's it for this week's episode, a Phaser sets to Stuns look at the new series Star Trek Starfleet Academy. We'd like to open a channel to our listeners and hear just what you thought about the most recent episodes and the season in general. Who knows those who might even be mentioned on a future show, And of course, you can email us at a Film by Podcast at gmail dot com, find us online at a film by podcast dot com, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and x and if you're looking form exclusive content or swag, you can join our Patreon and find out what gyms are hidden within. Thank you David for joining me and the listeners for another fascinating discussion of Star Trek.

55:24 Absolutely, as a last cannot wait to keep more. The next episode is titled and I had to dig for this because they really are not very very forthgoing with their titles and goods. It's Vitus Reflux. Gives me no clue on what it's about, but it's the third episode of the season. They're keeping everything very tight lipped, so who knows. But as always, we look forward to returning to the thirty second century and the classrooms of Starfleet Academy. You can find us here each week reviewing every new episode as they premiere. So until next week, I think I followed my com badge