In the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Riddles,” we’re faced with a challenging question: when is a Vulcan not a Vulcan? Seven has one kind answer, Neelix another. But it’s an altered version of Tuvok whose answer matters the most. Does he like who he has become, or does he want to be who he was? Mission Log ponders “Riddles.” Hosted by John Champion and Nic Fendley Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we we explore the Star Trekuniverse one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a single episode of Star Trek, diving into its ethical subtext, metaphors, and cultural significance. From the show’s most iconic moments to its hidden gems, we analyze what makes Star Trek one of the greatest science fiction sagas of all time. In this Episode of Mission Log we’ll… Recap the story and analyze key moments. Discuss the moral dilemmas presented. Debate whether the episode holds up and if the messages are still relevant. Join the Conversation: What are your thoughts on this episode? Share your take on the ethical questions and themes explored, and let us know how it fits into the broader Star Trek narrative. We’d love to hear from you! For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our Mission Log Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and a weekly video chat with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! Want to share your thoughts on an upcoming episode? Email us at for a chance to be featured during the episode. Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM THREADS FACEBOOK Did you know Roddenberry Podcasts is on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, Mission Log: The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now! Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://x.com/roddenberry RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://x.com/RoddenberryFdn THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: Listeners like you! for exclusive early access and the Mission Log Discord Subscribe and Stay Updated: Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your preferred podcast player, leave a review, and join Mission Log on the journey of weekly deep dives into the Star Trek universe. Produced by Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved
Sick of the multiverse? Don’t freak out about it – the hosts and callers of Mission Log Live didn’t! Hear their thoughts on the star-studded latest Star Trek: Lower Decks episode, “Fissure Quest” – and a surprise visit from Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan!
🌟 About Mission Log: Live:
Mission Log Live is a call-in show that encourages fan participation. We discuss episodes, themes, and the future of Star Trek while welcoming your thoughts and insights during the broadcast.
🔍 In This Episode:
Discussion of this week’s episode of Lower Decks
Open lines for viewers to share their hopes and predictions for the series.
Live reactions to viewer questions and comments, making it an interactive experience!
🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned:
Make sure to subscribe for more engaging discussions about Star Trek. We go live every Monday night!
Follow us on Social Media:
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod
THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod
Mission Log Live is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.
💖 Support the Show:
Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to boldly explore the universe of Star Trek.
https://www.patreon.com/MissionLogPod
Char and Marina welcome Star Trek: Prodigy creators Dan and Kevin Hageman back to Mission Log: Prodigy. In this special Supplemental, Dan and Kevin talk about the process of crafting the show’s intricate second season, bringing Wil Wheaton aboard, fan reception of season two, and so much more!
🌟 About Prodigy: Star Trek: Prodigy follows a group of young aliens who stumble upon an abandoned Starfleet ship, igniting an adventure to seek a better future. Packed with thrilling adventures, moral lessons, and the iconic Star Trek values, this series captivates audiences with its compelling storytelling and dynamic characters.
🔍 In This Episode:
Our hosts break down the Messages, Morals, and Meanings woven into this episode.
Explore how the events of this episode fit into the bigger picture of the season’s storyline.
We’ll discuss pivotal moments, major character developments, and what this episode reveals about the characters’ journeys.
Uncover connections to previous Star Trek lore and explore how this episode ties into the larger Star Trek universe.
💬 Join the Conversation: We want to hear your thoughts! What messages stood out to you? How do you think this episode shapes the season’s narrative? Share your theories and reactions with us by leaving a comment!
🔔 Subscribe and Stay Connected: Never miss an episode! Subscribe using your favorite Podcast player and leave a 5-Star Review while you’re at it! Thank you in advance!
👉 Follow the Hosts:
Charlynn Schmiedt: Twitter
Marina Kravchuk: Twitter | Instagram Marina’s Trek Events Database: Trek Calendar
Mission Log: Prodigy is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive Producer: Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry. For more great content, visit Roddenberry Podcasts.
Produced and edited by Earl Green.
💖 Support the Show: Join our Patreon community for just $1/month and get access to our exclusive Discord, where you can chat about Prodigy and more with fellow fans! Your support helps us continue to bring in-depth analysis to the Star Trek universe. Visit https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog
Thank you for listening, and let’s keep exploring the stars together!
David A. Goodman (The Orville, Honor Society, and Futurama), returns to chat with Mike & Jess about his expanding universe of comics at Dark Horse! 🚀 We dive into The Orville comics, the hilarious adventures of Space Job, and his latest creation, The Masked Macher—a Hollywood underdog’s transformation into a masked wrestling star (“Macher” is Yiddish for BIG SHOT!).
We also discuss his new episodes of Futurama and his exciting upcoming project, Hysteria!, premiering October 18th on Peacock!
Enjoy this special Supplemental episode, and stay tuned for more fascinating conversations with creators like David!
Follow David On Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/davidagoodman1/ X https://x.com/DavidAGoodman
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Hosted by Mike Richards and Jessica Lynn Verdi, Mission Log: The Orville follows the adventures of the crew of the USS Orville, one episode at a time. Join us as we discuss the messages, morals, and meanings of Seth McFarlane’s The Orville.
Visit our website for more information: https://podcasts.roddenberry.com/show/mission-log-the-orville/
Follow us on Social Media: X https://www.x.com/ML_Orville INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryPodcasts THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/roddenberry
FOLLOW YOUR HOSTS: Jessica Lynn Verdihttps://www.x.com/JessicaVerdihttps://www.instagram.com/JessicaLynnVerdi
Mike Richards https://x.com/mrichards1701https://www.instagram.com/mike.ml_theorville
Support the Show: Join our Patreon community for just $1/month and get access to our exclusive Discord, where you can chat about The Orville and more with fellow fans! Your support helps us continue to bring in-depth analysis to the Star Trek universe and BEYOND! Visit https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog
Our show is part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, follow us here:
RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryPodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENThttps://x.com/roddenberry RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://x.com/RoddenberryFdn
Mission Log: The Orville is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive produced by Eugene Roddenberry. Edited by the ineffable Earl Green.
We’ll see you in the stars!
Welcome to Gene-ology, where we explore the earliest TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek!
Gene Roddenberry created a series that made it to air in 1960 – for mere weeks – and it has faded almost entirely from history, despite the fact that the tapes still exist. And John Champion and Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry have seen them. They stop by Gene-ology to take us on the deep dive into Wrangler… and why it’s disappeared from history.
Join us as we dig into the Roddenberry archives and discuss how Gene’s early writing shaped the groundbreaking worlds he would later bring to our screens. Hosted by Earl Green and Ashley Thomas
🌟 About Gene-ology: Gene-ology is a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast dedicated to exploring the formative years of Gene Roddenberry’s career before Star Trek. We explore his early TV scripts—including unproduced works—and examine the evolution of his storytelling. Buckle in and get ready for Gene-ology!
🔍 In This Episode:
Insight into Gene Roddenberry’s early career and how this episode fits into his body of work.
How the themes in this episode connect to the larger Roddenberry universe.
💬 Join the Conversation: What do you think of Wrangler? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!
🔔 Subscribe and Stay Tuned: Make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s earliest TV writing. We release new episodes every other week!
Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MissionLogPod X: https://x.com/MissionLogPod THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod
Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.Com for more great content.
💖 Support the Show:
Join our Patreon for exclusive content, and connect with fellow fans in our Discord community. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to explore the early works of Gene Roddenberry. https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLogPod
Just over 30 years ago, filming began on a Star Trek series that would launch a new TV network. The exit of a star player brought production to a halt while executives figured out how to recast the series lead. The Trek Files welcomes back Dave Rossi, who was there on day one, with stories of Voyager finding its way and introducing the newest Captain to her ship. Don’t miss our season finale!
Document and additional references: Star Trek: Voyager call sheets – September, 1994
The Trek Files Season 12 on Memory Alpha
All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha
Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.
From unlikely beginnings – a character created to introduce music videos to UK audiences – sprang a trailblazing, underappreciated #cyberpunk chapter in American genre TV. Sci-Fi 5 reloads Max Headroom into your memory.
Follow Sci-Fi 5 for your daily dose of science-fiction history.
Written by Shane Vaughn
Hosted by Ryan Myers
Music by Devin Curry
“Mithril! All folk desired it. It could be beaten like copper, and polished like glass; and the dwarves could make of it a metal, light and yet harder than tempered steel. Its beauty was like that of common silver, but the beauty of mithril did not tarnish or grow dim.”
Perhaps the most famous fictional metal of all time (at least until adamantium and vibranium came along), mithril is the rare metal found in Middle-earth from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings saga and Peter Jackson’s movies. It is as strong and beautiful as it is durable. Lightweight and virtually impenetrable, it’s a boon for adventurers and warriors. And while this stems from a world full of magical spells and creatures, one that was incredibly consistent throughout its original novels (and the screen adaptations that followed), you might be surprised at just how scientifically sound the concept of mithril is!
Does mithril hold up to our scientific and story scrutiny the way it does swords, arrows, and everything else the forces of Mordor can throw at it?
SUGGESTED VIEWING
Peter Jackson’s core Lord of the Rings trilogy, Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, aren’t just the finest fantasy films ever made, but some of the best movies of the 21st century, full stop! Watch them! Jackson also made a trilogy of prequel films based on The Hobbit, but they aren’t as beloved and we can’t call them essential viewing.
We’d also like to point out that the prequel TV series The Rings of Power on Prime Video deals in part with the very origin of mithril itself, so if you need some deeper Middle-earth lore, you should give that a look.
And for the newest installment in the screen version of the saga, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a lush, ambitious anime, which is currently in theaters.
FURTHER READING
Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do!
The Lord of the Rings Saga
If you haven’t read the trilogy of novels that make up the core Lord of the Rings saga, you’re missing out on the foundation of virtually all pop culture fantasy. Read ‘em in order! The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Optional reads include the prequel (and perhaps most famous and beloved) The Hobbit and the almost textbook-y deep lore exploration, The Silmarillion.
The Basics
“The properties of any material depend most strongly on two things: the types of bonds that it forms, so you might remember in high school talking about ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and metallic bonds. The other characteristic of how a material behaves involves the metallic or molecular structure.”
For the purposes of this episode, though, pay particular attention to the concept of how metallic bonds behave.
Crystal Lattice Structures
Isn’t Mithril beautiful and shiny? Sure! Crystals are often shinier than metal, but they’re more brittle. The reason is because of how regularly the atoms are arranged (don’t worry, we’re bringing this back to Mithril in a moment).
Graphene
Oh, you want your metal armor to be both strong and lightweight? That’s where a carbon fiber known as graphene comes in.
Radiometric Dating
For when carbon dating just isn’t enough to get a sense of the age of something!
Tut’s Dagger
Because history is often just as cool as fantasy, King Tutankhamen had a dagger made from the ore in a meteorite!
Psyche (Asteroid)
An asteroid worth over a quintillion dollars that could solve some of our natural resource problems? NASA is on the case. By the way, check out one of Tamara’s favorite shows, For All Mankind, which deals with an “external resource” that changes the course of human history.
WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?
This isn’t the first time we’ve discussed fantasy metal alloys on Does it Fly? so check out our episode on Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
Want more pure magic and sword and sorcery action from us? We’ve taken a close look at The Witcher, too!
FOLLOW US!
Stay in the loop! Follow DoesItFly? on YouTube and TikTok and let us know what you think!
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Check out the official Does it Fly? playlist, too!
She’s the voice of the computer on Star Trek Prodigy but when Bonnie Gordon isn’t acting or singing she’s hanging with some ghosts. That’s right chanteuse Bonnie Gordon loves ghosts! She tells host Clare Kramer and guest co-host Jake Marin all about how she first got into spirits, her most memorable paranormal encounters, and even how her an her mom have been written about in ghost hunting books. Only on Fanaddicts!
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Talking with Rod Roddenberry about Rachel and Trent’s experience hosting Quoting Gene Roddenberry. They share how their initial expectations were exceeded by the rich conversations around 100 of Gene Roddenberry’s quotes.
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