Episode Reviews Episodes

Star Trek Lower Decks sophomore season wrapped up an incredible run this past Thursday and the ASNP crew are at their stations as they review the finale, "First First Contact."

Joining the show once again is David Majors from Promenade Merchants Podcast!
What did the team think about the cliffhanger ending? What are their theories looking ahead to season three?

The team also takes a look back at the ten-episode second season. What worked, what didn't, who grew, and who took a step back? We try...

It's the 50th episode of A Strange New Pod! Join the crew for this very special edition of the podcast.

First, it's trivia night as Girafe, Brittany, Hawk, and Erik get asked 13 Trek questions each by Julian as they play for members of the ASNP Patron Collective. Who won for their member? Did anyone go 13 for 13?

Then, it's onto this week's review of Star Trek Lower Decks, as episode nine marks the penultimate episode of season two.

Was Boimler able to find a bridge buddy? Who is behind the P...

Join Julian, Brittany, and Hawk this week as another episode of Lower Decks warps into the system.

On this week's episode, it's training day! Ensigns are Captains and Captains are Ensigns. We have easter eggs galore, and some amazing moments in this episode.

Plus, the Strange New Loop, mailbag, and much more on episode 49 of ASNP.

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Season two of Lower Decks warps right along as the ASNP crew reviews episode seven, "Where Pleasant Fountains Lie."

This week, we found out that Billups is royalty, probably ace, and his mom is a Queen who lives on a ren fair in space. If that doesn't excite you, Jeffrey Combs also made his triumphant return to the Trek Universe.

What did the team think about how the episode handled Billups's sexuality? Was Jeffrey Combs' return to Star Trek worth the wait? And finally, did Boimler hit a new b...

Star Trek Lower Decks season two has officially reached its back half! On this week's episode of ASNP, we're joined by special guest David Majors from the Promenade Merchants Podcast!
David joins Julian, Brittany, and Hawk as Mariner, Tendi, and Rutherford go through one of the lesser tasks aboard a starship: anomaly consolidation day. This week's episode also sees Brad Boimler join the Mean Girls of Star Trek, also known as the Red Shirts.

Did Tendi bite off more than she can chew? Is Bradword...

We've hit the midway point of Lower Decks season 2, and the ASNP crew are here with their review of "An Embarrassment of Dooplers."

This week is all about growth. Boimler and Mariner finally have it out over his sudden promotion to the Titan, and Rutherford finally comes to terms with the fact that he's lost a year of his life with Tendi by his side.

Why did the team hype up this episode so much, and why do they think it's a top episode of Star Trek? Plus, the Strange New Loop, a big announcem...

This week on ASNP, CBS and Paramount dropped some big Star Trek Prodigy and Picard news! The crew reacts to the beautiful new opening credits for Prodigy, composed by Michael Giacchino.

Plus, Annie Wersching has been cast as the Borg Queen in Picard season two. Julian, Erik, Brittany, Hawk, and Giraffe give their thoughts on what this means for the series and the possible interactions between the Queen and Q.

And finally, the team review this week's episode of Lower Decks, S2EP4, "Mugato, Guma...

This week on ASNP, the crew review the aptly titled third episode of Lower Decks season 2, "We'll Always Have Tom Paris."

How much Tom Paris did we get, and was it enough? How did Mariner and Tendi's girl trip turn out? And finally, which major character made their return to the show?

Find out on episode 44 of A Strange New Pod. Plus, the Strange New Loop, mailbag, and much more.

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Lower Decks season two rolls along with its second episode of the season, with stories this week onboard both the Cerritos and Titan.

What happens when Mariner, Rutherford, and Tendi beam down to a station full of Trek easter eggs with Ensign Jet and new security officer, Lt. Kayshon?

And what kind of trouble does Boimler get into when he goes undercover with members of Captain Riker's senior staff?

Spotted Giraffe fills in for Ensign Brittany this week, as the crew gives their takes on this ...

Star Trek Lower Decks is back for its second season and the ASNP bridge crew is here to review the season premiere!

Three months after the events of "No Small Parts," The Cerritos is on a second contact mission where, as Mariner puts it, "sci-fi stuff" is going on. This results in Commander Ransom absorbing "strange energy," as chaos and Ransomites ensue on Apergos.

Julian, Brittany, Erik, and Hawk give their thoughts on the premiere, and also take a spoiler-free look at what's to come over th...

Join the Strange New Pod crew for their second-ever table read. This is one the team has been wanting to do for a while, and that's Star Trek Voyager's "Bride of Chaotica!"

Patron Collective member and one of our awesome discord mods, Spotted Giraffe guests as Captain Janeway/Queen Arachnia as well as Lonzak.

Cast:
Narrator/The Doctor - Hawk
Janeway/Arachnia/Lonzak - Spotted Giraffe
Chaotica/Tuvok - Brittany
Harry Kim/Seven/Alien - Julian
Tom Paris/B'lanna - Erin
Chakotay/Neelix/Robot - Erik

...

"Disconnection. That's how this future began. One moment in time. It radiated outward until no one even remembered that connection was possible anymore. But it is. "
Michael Burnham

This week the crew of "A Strange New Pod," with special guests Michael from Geeks with Kids and Marion AKA Spotted Giraffe, gathers to react and review the Star Trek Discovery season 3 finale - "That Hope Is You, Pt. 2."

As the Emerald Chain tightens its grip and the mystery of the Burn is finally solved, Burnham a...

"I'm not afraid of you anymore. I've seen real bravery, real strength, and loyalty. And love. You're nothing compared to that. All you have is fear... and no one is feared forever."
Ryn

This week the crew of "A Strange New Pod" gathers to react and review the penultimate episode of Star Trek Discovery season 3 - "There is a Tide..."

After capturing the Discovery, Osyraa seeks a meeting with Admiral Vance, while Burnham and the crew attempt to regain command of the ship. What did we think about...

As the final two episodes of Star Trek Discovery quickly approach, the ASNP Crew review season three's eleventh episode, "Su'Kal." What secrets lie in the Vreubian Nebula, and what do Michael, Saru, and Hugh find when they beam aboard the mysterious Kelpian ship?

How does Tilly manage her first stint in the captain's chair? Do we finally find the source of the burn? Find out as we break it all down.

Plus, some news, the Strange New Loop, and much more on A Strange New Pod.

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This week on Star Trek Discovery, "Terra Firma, Pt. 2" wraps up the Mirror Universe arc in a dramatic fashion. Is Georgiou able to bring Michael back into the fold, or is history doomed to repeat itself?

Also, we finally learn the true identity of Carl and his place in the universe. Plus, Book comes to the rescue with Emerald Chain tech that helps the DISCO crew in a big way.

As usual, we have the Strange New Loop, Twitch comments, and much more on this bonus edition of A Strange New Pod.

Sen...

This week, Tolor actor Ian Lake joins the ASNP crew to talk about his role as the villainous Orion in episodes six and eight of this season of Discovery. Ian talks to us about the makeup process, auditioning, and much more.

Later, it's our review of "Terra Firma, Pt. 1," as Georgiou fights against time, emerging back in the Mirror Universe as the fearsome overlord of the Empire.

Plus, another puzzle piece in the quest to discover who caused the Burn, the Strange New Loop, and much more on this...

With only five episodes to go this season, the ASNP crew review and react to this week's episode, "The Sanctuary."

Join Hawk and the rest of the crew as they discuss Book and his planet's issues with sea locusts, Tilly adjusting to her new role as the first officer, and Detmer pushing through her PTSD and going full ace pilot.

Plus, the Strange New Loop, our Subspace poll and so much more on this bonus edition of ASNP.

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Star Trek Discovery brings us one of the show's most important episodes to date this week, tying together the events from TNG's "Unification" parts one and two.

Join Julian, Erik, Hawk, and Erin on this special Thanksgiving edition of ASNP as they talk about Michael's journey and the reveal of her brother Spock's life work, new details about the Burn, and of course, the reunification of the Vulcan and Romulan peoples.

Plus, the mailbag, Strange New Loop, and much more.

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Season three of Star Trek: Discovery is already at the halfway point, and ASNP is here to review another episode.

Brittany, Erik, Hawk, and Erin are joined this week by special guest Christopher Littlefield from Open Channel - A Star Trek Community Podcast, as they review "Scavengers." How did the team feel about Michael going off books again? What about that Discovery refit?

Find out on another bonus edition of A Strange New Pod.

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On this very special bonus edition of ASNP, the crew breaks down Discovery's fifth episode of Season 3, "Die Trying."

When Discovery finally reaches what's left of the Federation and Starfleet, what do they find? What does the crew need to do to prove their worth?

Later, ASNP welcomes Ian Alexander to the pod, whose character Gray debuted in last week's episode, "Forget Me Not."

In this very special interview, we talk about their role in the series, being the first Trans actor playing a Trans...

This week, the Discovery and Adira head to a familiar Trek location in Trill, while the crew suffers from a severe case of PTSD.

Join Brittany, Julian, Erik, Hawk, and Brittany as they deep dive this very important episode of Star Trek that focuses on PTSD and acceptance, builds on Trill culture while exploring Adira's past, and introduces us to the franchise's first Trans character, Gray (played by Ian Alexander).

Plus, two big announcements and the Strange New Loop on this bonus episode of A...

Star Trek Discovery has hit its third episode of season three, and "People of Earth" is an emotional rollercoaster, to say the least.

Join Erik as he takes the con this week along with the rest of the ASNP crew as they wrap up Michael's return to Discovery, the journey to an Earth that is less than welcoming, and the introduction of one of our new main characters, Adira (Blu del Barrio).

Plus, our ASNP Twitter Subspace Poll, mailbag, and the announcement of our Path to NCC-1031 winner! "People...

It's part two of Discovery's premiere, as "Far From Home" focuses on Discovery's side of coming through the wormhole.

It's up to Saru and Tilly to make first contact with the locals of the strange planetoid they have crash-landed on, while the rest of the DISCO crew race against time to get the ship's vital systems repaired.

Join the ASNP gang this week as Brittany hosts. Don't you worry, no pun is left behind.

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Season three of Star Trek Discovery is finally here, and A Strange New Pod will be here all season long, reacting and reviewing each episode!

If this is your first time listening to the show, join Julian, Brittany, Hawk, Erik, and our newest crew member Erin as they react to Michael's new surroundings in 3188, her new ally, Book along with his cat Grudge, and the first details on what The Burn is, and how it affected the Federation.

Plus, reactions from Twitch and Twitter on this bonus edition...