Trek Geeks: A Star Trek Podcast

This week on Trek Geeks, Bill and Dan are pointing the sensors straight at the elephant in the room: artificial intelligence. From Data's quest to be more human to the Doctor demanding his own holonovel rights, Star Trek has been wrestling with what it means for a machine to think, feel, and occasionally take over the ship for the better part of sixty years. We dig into the franchise's best and weirdest takes on AI and ask what the writers got right, what they got hilariously wrong, and what suddenly feels a little too close to home. Of course, you can't talk about AI in Trek without talking about AI in your actual living room. We look at where real-world artificial intelligence stands right now, how fast it's moving, and how it stacks up against the rosy — and not so rosy — futures Trek has been showing us all along. Nobody on this show has a degree in machine learning, but we've all yelled at a chatbot at least once, so consider us experts. That brings us to the big question we genuinely cannot agree on: when the dust settles, is our AI future going to look more like Zora, the warm and weirdly wise heart of the USS Discovery, or more like a certain time-traveling cyborg who is absolutely not here to make friends? We've also got some very exciting news to share. The Trek Geeks network is growing, and we're introducing brand new shows joining the family. You'll want to hear who's coming aboard and what they've got in store. So grab a drink, charge your favorite device responsibly — we don't want any uprisings — and let's figure out together whether the future is going to save us or come back in time to ruin our whole day.

Things get gloriously weird as we dive into "Wedding Bell Blues," the second episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3. After a three-month time jump, the Enterprise is docked at Starbase One for the Federation's 100th anniversary, but Spock has something more personal on his mind: the return of Nurse Chapel. Unfortunately for him, she's not alone. Enter Chapel's date, Dr. Roger Korby, her old mentor, and the unfortunate spark for Spock's emotional tailspin. What begins as an awkward love triangle quickly warps into a full-blown rom-com fever dream. Spock wakes up engaged to Chapel, the crew is prepping for a wedding instead of a centennial celebration, and reality itself seems to be playing fast and loose with the facts. While some members of the crew are blissfully swept up in the festivities, others start to sense something is very, very off--especially a confused and suspicious Dr. Korby. We'll dig into the emotional core of the episode, including Ethan Peck's fantastic performance as a Vulcan barely holding himself together, and how Strange New Worlds continues to blend genres without losing its heart. Director Jordon Canning, who brought us last season's rom-com "Charades," once again balances comedy, sci-fi, and surprising depth in a story that explores how emotions shape our reality.

AUDIO FROM THURSDAY NIGHT GEEKS Bill and Dan are boldly going where few fans dare to tread: straight into the heart of Star Trek controversy. Everyone has a hot take, but not all opinions are created equal—and tonight, they're putting theirs on display. From the final frontiers of franchise canon to the captains, crews, and creative choices that divide the fandom, no corner of the Trek universe is safe. Expect a lively and honest conversation that challenges long-held beliefs and re-examines the things we all thought were settled. The guys are pulling no punches as they each share five of their most unpopular Star Trek opinions—and believe us, some of them might raise a Vulcan eyebrow or two. Whether it's about storylines, characters, or what should (or shouldn't) count as "real Trek," these takes are bound to get people talking. Of course, it's all in good fun. Thursday Night Geeks is a celebration of everything Star Trek—disagreements and all. So pour a raktajino, strap in, and get ready to yell at your screen (or maybe nod in silent agreement). You might not agree with everything said... but you'll definitely have an opinion about it. Be sure to hang around after the end theme for a brand-new outake from Bill and Dan recorded after this episode livestreamed! ======================================= Music for Trek Geeks is provided by the world's greatest Star Trek band, FIVE YEAR MISSION! They're recording one song for each episode of the original Star Trek. Get all their albums at fiveyearmission.net!

Audio from Thursday Night Geeks We're thrilled to welcome actor, artist, and all-around creative force Bruce Horak to the livestream! Best known to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds fans as Hemmer, the gruff but endearing Aenar engineer of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Bruce brings a unique perspective as the first legally blind actor to play a recurring character in the *Star Trek* franchise. Join us as we talk about his time on the show, his experience stepping into the Trek universe, and how he helped redefine what representation in science fiction can look like. But Bruce's journey doesn't stop with Strange New Worlds. He's embarking on a deeply personal new mission: a documentary titled "Boldly Going", which chronicles his life as a visually impaired artist, performer, and now cultural trailblazer. We'll explore the inspiration behind this project, how fans can support it through his current Indiegogo campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/boldly-going-documentary#/), and why this story of resilience, creativity, and vision is so important in today's media landscape. Expect laughs, insights, and maybe even a few tears as Bruce shares how his love of storytelling—and Star Trek itself—has shaped his path. We'll also dig into his stage work, his incredible portrait paintings, and what it means to truly "go boldly" as an artist who defies expectations at every turn. And of course, it wouldn't be Thursday Night Geeks without some behind-the-scenes tidbits. Set phasers to "inspired" and don't miss this heartwarming, eye-opening episode with one of the most fascinating voices in modern Trek. Thanks for listening to this special episode of Trek Geeks, featuring the audio from our Thursday Night Geeks livestream! If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your fellow Trek fans. It really helps us grow the community. Want to be part of the fun as it happens? Join us live for Thursday Night Geeks every week on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/trekgeeks. Hit subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a stream. We'd love to have you in the chat, sharing your thoughts and Trek takes in real time. Until next time... Live Long and COCONUT!

Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer In this very special episode of Trek Geeks, we're proud to present the audio from a powerful livestream event originally aired on Thursday Night Geeks. Featuring an incredible lineup of guests: Jonathan Frakes, John Billingsley, Kitty Swink, Armin Shimerman, and Juan Carlos Coto--this heartfelt conversation centers around their support for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and the upcoming PurpleStride event on April 26, 2025. You'll hear deeply personal stories from our guests, including Kitty Swink's remarkable journey as a pancreatic cancer survivor and Armin Shimerman's reflections on being by her side through the fight. John Billingsley and Jonathan Frakes speak passionately about their ongoing advocacy and the urgent need to fund research, while Juan Carlos Coto shares a moving tribute to his brother, the late Manny Coto, and his family's connection to this cause. Whether you missed the livestream or want to hear these inspiring voices again, this audio edition brings their messages directly to your ears. It's a powerful blend of Trek family, personal resilience, and a unified call to action. There's still time to make a difference. PurpleStride happens on April 26, and your support can help fund critical research, raise awareness, and offer hope to those impacted by this devastating disease. Visit TrekAgainstPancreaticCancer.com to donate, join a team, or learn more about how you can stride with a purpose.

This week on Trek Geeks, Bill & Dan are donning their tuxedos (metaphorically, of course) and ordering their martinis "shaken, not stirred" as they dive into the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine classic, Our Man Bashir! Join us for a lively discussion of this holosuite caper that combines Star Trek's charm with a healthy dose of spy genre flair. But wait—there's more! The guys simply can't help themselves, so prepare for an avalanche of references to James Bond, Austin Powers, Our Man Flint, and even Matt Helm. From Sean Connery's suave moves to Mike Myers' groovy antics, nothing is off-limits as they connect the dots between 1960s spy kitsch and the future of Starfleet. You'll laugh, you'll groan (at Dan, mostly), and you might even be inspired to watch a Bond flick or two after this episode. Is this their most over-the-top discussion yet? Possibly. Is it a blast? Absolutely. Don't miss it! Grab your gadgets, geeks—this mission is about to self-destruct in 3… 2… 1…

VIVA LAS VEGAS! (Corrected Version) Dan and Bill returned from their annual trip to the Star Trek Family Reunion and had a blast--even though it took Bill forever to edit this episode. Seriously, blame him for why the Trek Geeks haven't been in your ear holes. There was probably a better way to say that. Sorry. You'll get the full breakdown on their experience at STLV 2024: the good, the bad, and the potential for change. Plus, hear why Bill FINALLY enjoyed staying at the Rio for the first time in TEN YEARS! But wait, there's more! Audio from inside the vendor hall with Dan and Bill with special guest appearances from Lew from FanSets and also our first ever guest on Trek Geeks nearly ten years ago: Michele Specht! It's a super-sized episode and we hope you enjoy it! (Again, still Bill's fault.)

No Panels, No Parties? NO PROBLEM! In Episode 315 of Trek Geeks, hosts Bill and Dan dive into their recent adventure at the Trek Long Island convention. They share their excitement about meeting fellow Trekkies, attending fascinating panels, and exploring the vibrant vendor hall. The hosts recount memorable moments and what made the convention an unforgettable experience. Looking ahead, Bill and Dan eagerly discuss their upcoming trip to Star Trek Las Vegas. They outline their plans for the event which include--for the first time ever--ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Fret not, though! Despite the fact they have no panels and no parties, they plan to have MORE than their fair share of fun!. Their enthusiasm is palpable as they anticipate the camaraderie and celebration of all things Star Trek. As a special treat for listeners, Bill drops a surprise announcement about an upcoming convention he'll be at on the East Coast. Plus an exclusive reveal for FanSets and all the conventional things on this most unconventional show!