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"New Life and New Civilizations" Cleared to return to active duty as director of the Starfleet Judge Advocate General's Office, Captain Batel sees a bright future ahead—at least until she learns that she is actually a statue. And not just any statue, but the one that keeps the ancient evil known as the Vezda sealed away so they can't wreak havoc on the universe. That's a job she really needs to get back to because the reconstituted body of Nurse Gamble has greeted Doctor Korby on the planet Skygowan, and things are not looking good for galactic peace. But before she can step back onto the pedestal, she has to take Captain Pike on a trip down memory lane to share their life together in a future where he was never injured while training cadets. And also, Kirk and Spock become one. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "New Life and New Civilizations." We discuss the resolution to the Batel and Vezda stories, potential pathways for Pike, and look back at Season 3 as a whole. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Batel Transformed (00:02:44) A Walk Down Future Memory Lane (00:14:32) Many Pathways for Pike? (00:28:59) The Original Evil (00:34:13) The Importance of a Guiding Vision (00:39:40) Could Have Been the Series Finale? (00:43:53) Kirk and Spock Become One (00:47:48) Introducing: Plot Magic! (00:53:22) The State of Strange New Worlds (00:57:35)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:16:06) Closing (01:18:45) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Terrarium" While investigating a peculiar area of uncharted space—a region legendary for strange phenomena—the Enterprise finds it impossible to get proper reading from probes due to highly volatile gravimetric waves. Ortegas flies the shuttle Archimedes into the turmoil to gather data firsthand. But when a wormhole suddenly opens up and sends the shuttle tumbling into a moon orbiting a gas giant, Ortegas must fight to survive. She has to find shelter, food, and water, but there's one obstacle she wasn't counting on: the Gorn. With the clock ticking before the moon passes through the planet's thermosphere, the two enemies find common ground. When the Enterprise finally arrives to rescue them, it is revealed that the whole situation was just a test staged by the Metrons. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "Terrarium." We discuss the connection to the Original Series classic "Arena," character development for Ortegas, Uhura's stint as a scientist, the Metrons, and more. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Fixing Ortegas (00:02:57) Differing Responses (00:13:38) Seeking Understanding (00:17:49) Uhura the Scientist (00:24:08) Hey, Hey, We're the Metrons! (00:27:49) A Setup for the Finale? (00:37:00) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:44:50) Closing (00:55:03) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Four-and-a-Half Vulcans" What's the best way to pass as a Vulcan? Become one! That's what Pike, Uhura, La'an, and Chapel do in order to save a pre-warp civilization without violating the Prime Directive. Doesn't make sense? Don't worry, it's all just a setup for a story that aims to shed light on what goes on in the Vulcan mind. After their one-minute mission is done, the foursome is unable to transform back into humans but finds that they like being Vulcan more. This is a very troubling development for the crew as they watch Nurse Chapel shun all relationships in favor of work, Pike fall in love with 42-minute rotating shifts for more efficient operations, Uhura brainwash her boyfriend, and La'an try to take over the ship and start an interstellar war. The only hope for returning things to normal? A Vulcan called Doug. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "Four-and-a-Half Vulcans." We discuss the concept, the setup, the humor, and what each character's situation reveals about Vulcans and themselves. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) First Reactions (00:02:39) All In on Silly (00:14:11) Biology Is Not Culture (00:16:24) Superficially Vulcan (00:24:43) Everyone Has a Soul? (00:29:42) Ideas Out of Focus (00:37:43) Four Facets of Vulcans (00:42:54) Una Digs Doug (00:45:23) And Kirk Shows Up (00:48:43) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:50:57) Closing (00:57:10) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"What Is Starfleet?" The long-teased documentary by Umberto Ortegas has finally been released. "Starfleet presents themselves as our quadrant's shining example of duty, honor, peacekeeping," says the little brother of Erica Ortegas, who flies the ship. "But what separates a federation from an empire? Both colonize. Both impose their laws and doctrines on others. Are they explorers as they claim? Or soldiers as they appear? They call their vessels starships. What distinguishes them from warships?" Filming a mission during which the Enterprise is ordered to transport cargo that turns out to be a sentient being that turns out to have been transformed into a weapon certainly begs answers to those questions. As viewers, we watch the findings of this young investigative reporter unfold and lead him down a path he may not have expected. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "What Is Starfleet?" We discuss the documentary concept, Beto's agenda, and pacing in short seasons as well as the big question (and whether the story answers it). Chapters Intro (0:00:00) An Age-Old Question (00:03:26) Speed Bump for the Season? (00:17:36) Journalistic Standards (00:21:49) Are We Too Impatient As Viewers Today? (00:27:46) Core Elements (00:36:43) Seeking Out New Life (00:41:04) There Be Whales Here! (00:47:57) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:51:09) Closing (01:01:57) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail" During a survey mission to Helicon Gamma, Commander James T. Kirk of the USS Farragut thinks it would be a good idea to put boots on the ground and explore the world firsthand. Think again. Just as he pitches the idea to his Vulcan captain, the planet is vaporized by an incredibly powerful weapon fired from a ship that looks like a giant sea creature. With most of the crew, including Captain V'rel, injured, Kirk takes command of the Farragut. His first time in the chair under pressure takes a life-or-death turn when the Enterprise is captured by space pirates and swallowed by the beast. He must overcome his crisis of confidence and rise to the occasion to save both ships, a tall task aided by a group that will one day become his own trusted crew. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail." We discuss Kirk's backstory and evolution, bringing together the original series crew, pack rat Pelia and her '80s solution, and the story's closing twist. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Playing Kirk (00:02:12) Building Kirk (00:14:38) Bringing the TOS Crew Together (00:18:29) Pack Rat Pelia Saves the Day (00:27:29) The Twist Ending (00:32:10) When Star Trek Is at Its Best (00:42:48) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:49:00) Closing (00:52:34) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Through the Lens of Time" Nurse Chapel's new beau, Doctor Roger Korby, pays a visit to the Enterprise to get help with a dig on Vadia IX, a planet that's home to the descendants of an ancient, highly advanced civilization believed to have been capable of traveling across multiple galaxies and to have discovered immortality. The mission quickly takes a dangerous turn when the landing party becomes trapped inside a temple—or is it a prison? The structure and technology are clearly ancient and advanced, but uncovering their mysteries won't be easy. The team finds itself split up, trapped in different rooms—or maybe planes of existence. But they can still talk to each other and must put their noggins together and romantic tension aside to escape. Meanwhile, back on the ship, a lizard fight has broken out in sickbay. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "Through the Lens of Time." We discuss the mystery and its film inspirations, AI, flying cameras, and the Q, Vezda, and Gorn. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Connecting Mysteries (00:02:49) Q Gorn Amok? (00:11:22) Ancient Evil (00:17:18) Not Relative Terms (00:24:53) Beto in the Moment (00:33:06) A Trio of Love (00:37:11) A Whiter Shade of Red (Shirt) (00:43:47) A Leap of Faith (00:48:18) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:55:00) Closing (00:57:48) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"A Space Adventure Hour" While studying the neutron star at the center of the Kitolian Belt, Captain Pike and Number One decide that it's the perfect chance to test a new Starfleet innovation that should make extended missions easier: the Holodeck. What better time to push the ship's power resources to the limit than when circling the gravitationally collapsed core of a massive supergiant? What could possibly go wrong? Well, for one thing, a burgeoning television show could be canceled. Also, La'an could get trapped in a simulation with the safeties off. And, in the worst case, the entire crew could be lost as the crushing gravity of the collapsing star pulls the ship apart. But don't worry, Amelia Moon is on the case. But first, some diction lessons. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "A Space Adventure Hour." We discuss the use of the Holodeck, La'an and Spock's tango, and the Last Frontier cold open as we also ask whether this very meta episode is really a love letter to Star Trek. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) The Holodeck before the Holodeck (00:02:35) Amelia Moon Saves the Day (00:16:17) The Spock–La'an Tango (00:22:41) Love Letter or Insult? (00:31:18) Gimmicks or Playground? (00:52:28) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:00:12) Closing (01:04:39) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Shuttle to Kenfori" With Captain Batel facing the possibility of becoming an extra in the 1980s miniseries V, Doctor M'Benga and Spock hatch a plan (no pun intended) to save her by using a rare chimera blossom to combine the residual Gorn DNA in her body with her human DNA. The catch? That very special episode of Blossom only airs in one place, a planet once disputed by the Federation and Klingons. Captain Pike, wanting to play a role in saving his girlfriend, kicks Spock off the mission and assigns himself to accompany M'Benga. When they arrive on Kenfori, they find themselves in an episode of The Walking Dead. But escaping the zombies won't be as easy as they think, thanks to the arrival of Bytha, daughter of Klingon ambassador/mass murderer Dak'Rah, who is determined to exact vengeance on M'Benga. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "Shuttle to Kenfori." We discuss the continuation of M'Benga's story, future paths for Batel, designing TOS-inspired Klingons, insubordination, and a few creative ideas we maybe should keep to ourselves. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) An "Under the Cloak of War" Sequel (00:04:25) The Walking Dead (00:08:59) No Signs of Life (00:14:36) Crafting Klingons (00:21:09) Gorn to Be with You (00:28:10) Insubordinate Ortegas (00:36:02) Trek As a YA Novel (00:41:33) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:48:03) Closing (00:57:21) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Wedding Bell Blues" Nurse Chapel wraps up her three-month fellowship with Dr. Roger Korby by returning to the Enterprise to celebrate Federation Day with a big glass of … awkward! It's a spirit the ship's Vulcan bartender can work with, especially since he turns out to be none other than galactic trickster Trelane. But he's not just a drink slinger, he's also a wedding planner—and an Andorian. At least that's how he appears to Spock and the rest of the crew as they prepare for a celebration of his and Chapel's love for one another. Korby, channeling Guinan à la "Yesterday's Enterprise," realizes that the timeline has changed. And while he manages to snap Spock out of the delusion, they can't get anyone else on board, at least not until the last moment when Daddy Q shows up to scold junior. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with "Wedding Bell Blues." We discuss Chapel's character arc, contrast her and Spock's relationship with that of Pike and Batel, question the story's tone, and, of course, delve into the return of the lonely squire of Gothos. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Chapel Don't Care (00:02:34) Wrong Focus? (00:11:01) Teeing Up TOS? (00:14:16) Mature vs. Teenage Relationship (00:19:43) Of Course He's Trelane (00:24:46) Emotional Whiplash (00:35:33) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:39:32) Closing (00:47:52) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Hegemony, Part II" With part of his crew abducted in cold blood and orders to stand down and stay on the Federation side of the demarcation line, Captain Pike must balance duty as a Starfleet officer with duty as a leader responsible for the lives under his command. As La'an, Ortegas, M'Benga, and Sam Kirk fight their way out of the serpents' den, Spock and Chapel prepare for some unorthodox surgery to save Captain Batel's life while Uhura and Una hatch a plan to rescue their kidnapped crewmates. After preparing for ramming speed, the Enterprise punches back at the big lizards in their backyard and uncovers a surprise in another battle at the binary stars. The ultimate solution? Put the lizards to sleep and kick the can down the road. Sound familiar? In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with the Season 3 premiere, "Hegemony, Part II." We discuss the challenge of continuing a story after a two-year break, the character progressions, the potential end of the Gorn threat, and the familiar nature of the resolution. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Picking Up the Story (00:03:15) Gorn Your Own Way (00:12:56) Bye Bye Gornie (00:18:41) Spock and Chapel (00:27:08) Martin Quinn's Scotty (00:40:18) Done with the Gorn? (00:48:04) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:50:10) Closing (00:53:14) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Hegemony" A Gorn attack on the Federation colony on Parnassus Beta threatens to turn mounting tensions into a full-blown war. When Captain Pike's partner, Captain Batel, gets caught in the attack, he defies Admiral April's orders and mounts a rescue mission. With Chapel also missing, Spock is happy to help, but to do so will require suiting up and flying through space. With the help of another familiar face, Pike and Spock return to the Enterprise with their lovers, but others—not all wearing red shirts—aren't so lucky. With part of his crew abducted in cold blood, what will Pike do? A big lizard now truly is in the Federation's backyard as the second season of Strange New Worlds wraps up with a dramatic finish manufactured just for the occasion. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with the season finale, "Hegemony." We discuss the challenges of creating drama in a prequel, elements of diplomacy in Star Trek, parallels (and not) with "Arena," and try to make sense of the Gorn. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Getting to Know the Gorn (00:03:16) Jumping the Gorn (00:09:06) Internal Consistency Matters (00:16:04) Manufacturing Drama (00:21:16) Crate 32 (00:26:24) Right Place, Right Time (00:29:06) Series Identity (00:36:15) Diplomatic Connections (00:40:46) Bye Bye Batel? (00:49:10) Spock and Chapel (00:54:03) Montgomery Scott at Your Service (00:57:29)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:00:15) Closing (01:04:13) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Subspace Rhapsody" The discovery of a naturally occurring subspace field leads Spock to speculate that the speed of communications could be tripled. And he was sort of right, at least on a personal level, when his quantum probability field experiment goes wrong and the crew breaks out into song. Again and again. As the improbability field expands, people on other ships also begin singing. And if the Enterprise crew cannot pull off a grand finale, the phenomenon could spread across the entire subspace communications network. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with "Subspace Rhapsody." We discuss the concept, how they pulled it off, using the musical format to boost communications, advance storylines and clear the deck for the finale, and more. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Breaking Down Walls … and into Song (00:02:56) Say What You Need to Say (00:11:23) La'an and Kirk (00:17:02) Spock and Chapel (00:21:23) Pike and Batel (00:33:46) To Live Alone or Together (00:38:10) The Songs (00:40:28) The Source of Our Great Dishonor (00:46:07) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:47:31) Closing (00:52:24) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Under the Cloak of War" For Doctor M'Benga and nurse Christine Chapel, the horrors of war come rushing back when Dak'Rah, a former Klingon general who defected to the Federation, comes aboard the Enterprise. Now an ambassador for the Federation, trying to bridge the two sides in the aftermath of the 2256–57 war, Dak'Rah came to be known as the Butcher of  J'Gal for his brutal tactics. But for M'Benga, the actions that earned Rah that moniker hit closer to home than anyone knew. And the end game plays out in the Enterprise's sickbay. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with "Under the Cloak of War." We discuss the impact of war, atonement, responsibility for one's actions, the DS9 feel of the episode, and more. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Inappropriately Spaced Mixtape (00:02:21) A DS9 State of Mind (00:06:44) The Impact of War (00:12:08) The Conscience of the King (00:22:07) Does the Truth Matter? (00:27:43) The Needs of the Many (00:33:15) Clint Howard Treks Again (00:42:41) Boatswain! (00:45:02) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:47:08) Closing (00:52:17) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Those Old Scientists" When the USS Cerritos visits Krulmuth-B to investigate Bradward Boimler's all-time favorite portal, to make sure the portal area is free of any portal problems, the ensign gets sucked into the portal … which is a problem. On the other side he finds himself at the feet of Una Chin-Riley, La'an Noonien-Singh, and Mr. Spock. Stardate: the past. Captain Pike (AKA funny captain) must find a way to return Boimler to his animated future before he can change history—a task that becomes more complicated when Beckett Mariner comes flying through the portal just as Boimler is saying goodbye. With the last bit of known horonium gone, can the crew of the Enterprise find a way to get the two reference-dropping misfits back home? It's down to a coin toss. Do you feel lucky? In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with "Those Old Scientists." We discuss blending live action and animation, bringing animated characters to life, poignant moments in the midst of silliness, and how the casts of Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks work together. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Bringing the Crews Together (00:03:08) Setting Up Humor (00:07:04) Boimler and Mariner Fitting In (00:15:21) Bajorans and Cardassians, Oh My! (00:22:33) Poignant Moments (00:33:01) Frakes Behind Camera (00:37:28) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:51) Closing (00:45:56) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

"Lost in Translation" When the Enterprise arrives at Bannon's Nebula to help get Starfleet's newest gas station up and running. Uhura receives a mysterious signal that no one else can hear. She begins having hallucinations that include scenes of death and her old friend and mentor Hemmer. Systems failures lead to the discovery of a saboteur who is experiencing the same brain-rattling noises and unreal scenarios. As Uhura slowly loses her mind, she unravels the mystery, saving the ship and discovering an unknown life-form in the process. In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds Season 2 with "Lost in Translation." We discuss character building for Uhura, how the story could have gone from good to great, dangling threads piling up, softly pushing us towards The Original Series, and more. Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Relationships Matter (00:03:22) Dangling Threads (00:14:13) An Uhura Story (00:20:13) Finding Focus (00:27:53) Forgetting the Mission (00:39:47) Piling Up (00:50:16) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:53:03) Closing (00:56:50) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)