TrekRanks Podcast

It's a return to our fun "abstract series" in which we truly get deep into dissecting what we love about Star Trek and this week it's all about "Abstract Phaser Blasts!" (We have no idea what it means either! Which makes this episode even more fun than you can imagine!) Our expert panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guests Josh Zeller, Paige Thatcher and Hauke Fischer cover the spectrum of hand phasers, ship phasers, random phaser-like energy blasts – in making their picks from all across the 60-year history of Star Trek. This one is truly (wait for it) … a blast! Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: Where we try to define exactly what an "Abstract Phaser Blasts" could be (and relay our history of the "abstract series" on TrekRanks). Prime Directive: Each guest on this week's panel reveals exactly how they narrowed down their list and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks' original "Five words and a hashtag" summary, along with one episode that helps frame their choice. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay an amazing statistic from one of our recent episodes (highlight by one very cool submission). If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Abstract Phaser Blsats! list. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.com on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Causality Loop on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever!

We love just picking episodes on TrekRanks and that's what we do this week when we set our sights on the "Top 5 One-Word Episode Titles." It's that simple. It's pure TrekRanks! What are your favorite "one-word episode titles" in Star Trek history? We all know episode titles hit different in the world of Star Trek – they just do – and we get into exactly why that is as our panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guests Josh Zeller and Geoff Owen relay their personal Prime Directives and make their picks covering everything from deep cuts to popular favorites. Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: We get into a statistical breakdown of "one-word episode titles" throughout Star Trek history (spoiler alert: there are technically 254 one-word Star Trek episode titles). Prime Directive: Each guest on this week's panel reveals exactly how they narrowed down their list and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks' original "Five words and a hashtag" summary. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay a listener voicemail. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 One-Word Episode Titles. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.com on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Causality Loop on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

"You can't be afraid of the wind" and you can't be afraid of the new TrekRanks as this week we salute the heroic captain of the NX-01 Enterprise with our "Top 5 Archer Episodes." It's a deep dive episode of TrekRanks that traverses the temporal cold war to bring you all of Archer's greatest moments from "Broken Bow" to "Terra Prime." Our expert panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guests Michael Angie and Melanie get deep into the defining actions and motivations of Starfleet's original captain – the one who set the standard for all who followed. This is a very special episode of TrekRanks. Don't miss it. Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: We go through our role call of past "character deep dive episodes" (this is the 21st!) and break down that it is the fifth and final episode showcasing the legacy Trek captains, coming on the heels of Kirk, Picard, Sisko and Janeway. Prime Directive: Each guest on this week's panel reveals exactly how they narrowed down their list and made their final choices, and everyone reveals their one-word to help define Captain Archer. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks' original "Five words and a hashtag" summary. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We reveal a secret temporal inversion hidden inside this week's episode. It's pretty cool, and pretty special. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Archer Episodes. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.com on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Causality Loop on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

"Do not pass Go! Do not collect $200!" But do make sure you listen to this episode of TrekRanks covering the "Top 5 Games and Gaming References" throughout the history of Star Trek! From Kal-toh to Kadis-kot to Kotra (try to keep those three straight!), our Trek panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guests Jenn Tifft, Caleb Dorsch and Patrick Carlin have a great time spinning the wheel and rolling dice and shuffling the cards on all the fun gaming options featured in Trek. This one is a stone cold TrekRanks classic. One of our favorites! Game on! Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: A quick review of exactly why we went with the cumbersome "games and gaming references" title, and how this episode is actually a sequel to Episode 104 of Trek Ranks: the Top 5 Sports References. Prime Directive: We get into each player's strategy for game play and how they narrowed down their picks! The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks' original "Five word summary and a hashtag," along with one episode that helps frame their choice. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Games and Gaming References. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.com on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Causality Loop on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

We unlock another classic episode of TrekRanks with the "Top 5 Locked-Door Moments." Whether it's a door you are trying to get through or a door you have locked behind you, this is the kind of fun, unpredictable topic you will continue to find only find on TrekRanks. Our expert panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guests Lee Hutchison and Kelli cover a ton of locked-door territory, from the literal to the metaphysical in this great topic. Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: Where we briefly get into the details of defining the show's specific topic. Prime Directive: Each guest on this week's panel reveals exactly how they narrowed down their list and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks' original "Five words and a hashtag" summary, along with one episode that helps frame their choice. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Locked-Door Moments. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.com on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Causality Loop on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

It's a TrekRanks classic. This week we shine the spotlight on the "Top 5 Episodes Nobody Likes But Me." It's those episodes that you've realized over the years, "Oh, I really like that episode, but I don't think anyone else does! What's up with that?!?" It's those episodes that for some reason they've connected with you, but not the masses. Our panel of host Jim Moorhouse and Trek experts Bill Mann, Arielle K. and Beverly Falls go deep into the Trek oeuvre to pick and defend some unbelievable choices. This one you can't miss. Episode Rundown: Prime Directive: We jump straight into our Prime Directives to see how each guest narrowed down their list and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks' original "Five words and a hashtag" summary. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Episodes Nobody Likes But Me. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.com on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Causality Loop on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

On the surface, this topic might look like a kids' game, but in practice, the "Top 5 Hiding Places" in Star Trek is one of the broadest topics you can tackle. From objects and individuals to ships and whole planets, there is no limit to the amount of things being hidden in Trek, both tangibly and metaphysically and via cloak – the hiding just never ends. Our panel of host Jim Moorhouse and experts Katharine Robinson, Todd Kehoe and Dan Briggs, definitely go deep in defining their picks and ultimately you are going to be glad you found this TrekRanks to listen to! Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: We get into the many specific details of how this broad topic can be defined, from cloaks to metaphysical hiding and everything in between. Prime Directive: Each guest on this week's panel reveals exactly how they narrowed down their list and made their final choices. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks' original "Five words and a hashtag" summary, along with one episode that helps frame their choice. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their final choices and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Hiding Places. (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.com on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Causality Loop on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.

In the history of Star Trek there have been 185 episodes that begin with the word "The," and on this week's TrekRanks, for absolutely no reason at all, we are breaking down our "Top 5 Episodes that Begin with The." Our expert panel of host Jim Moorhouse and guests Deb Moltisanti, Adam Sanders and Anthony Moltisanti each come up with their own reasons for how they made their picks, but one thing was consistent throughout – there is no doubt that many of the greatest episodes in Star Trek history being with the word "the." This one is a surprising TrekRanks classic. Episode Rundown: Diagnostic Cycle: We break down some fun and specific "the" facts for each series of Star Trek and how often their titles begin with "the." Prime Directive: Each guest on this week's panel reveals exactly how they narrowed down their list and made their final choices. Critical this week for such a specific topic. The Order of Things: All the picks are revealed with the TrekRanks' original "Five words and a hashtag" summary. Secondary Systems: For a few extra picks that just missed our final list. Regeneration Cycle: The panel recaps their picks and we dissect some of the interesting statistical anomalies that arose from the discussion. Temporal Inversion: We flashback to a previous episode of TrekRanks and relay some of the feedback received from listeners. If you have your own picks you would like to relay to us, please hail us at 757-828-RANK (7265) and record your own personal TrekRanks log to let us know your Top 5 Episodes that Begin with "The." (Or you can record it yourself and just DM us @TrekRanks.com on Bluesky.) Your comments could be used as part of a Temporal Causality Loop on an upcoming episode (and might get you a chance to be a guest on a future episode, too). And don't forget to check out TrekRanks.com for our entire back catalog of episodes and a detailed rundown on every episode of Star Trek ever.