DOUBTING THOMAS RIKER. Kira and the crew of DS9 fall under the charms of a Riker, just not the one they think! Transporter Twin Thomas Riker has his eyes set on the USS Defiant and uses sexcraft to get what he wants. In order to stop him, Sisko must reenact Fail Safe -- or is it the TNG episode "The Wounded"? -- with Gul Dukat on Cardassia. 

Our theme this month is DS9's Season Three Leap Forward, looking at key episodes that showed Star Trek's middle child taking off and finding its own voice. Joining Bryan to kick things off is actor-producer-comedian Curtis Fortier, star and producer of web series 12 Sided Die, featuring Trek alumni such as Tim Russ and Andrew Robinson.

The grades begin at (21:30). 

DS9: "Defiant" (s3e9) with actor-producer Curtis Fortier ("12 Sided Die")

NARCISSISTS AND CATHARSIS. Bryan and Katie Hampton from Geekscape's Napping Through Happy Hour Podcast shine a spotlight on a pair of sequel episodes. Do the hosts overcome their disdain towards the character of Peanut Hamper? Does another adventure in Boimler's holodeck movie universe generate the same surprise and excitement as the last time out? You'll just have to listen!

The grades begin at (21:09). Jump to "Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus" at (52:35). 

Here's the supercut of The Most Famous Prop in Science Fiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phPp5oYnps0

LD: "A Mathematically Perfect Redemption" & "Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus" (s3e7-8) with Katie Hampton

PICARD'S BASIC INSTINCT. We conclude Spring Flings Month with a look at the time Jean-Luc Picard bonded with one of the most beautiful women to ever appear on Star Trek: Kamala, as played by Famke Janssen. But is her performance as skin deep as the script? Bryan is joined by an old friend of his, Cory Marciel, a writer and editor in Hollywood. It's two dudes bro'ing out over Star Trek. Will they find this one a TREK, MARRY, or KILL?

The grades begin at (42:00). 

TNG: "The Perfect Mate" (s5e21) with Cory Marciel 

INTRODUCING TRILL RIKER? Spring Flings Month continues as Jessi from Crusher Convo Podcast joins Bryan to discuss the episode where Dr. Crusher falls for the first Trill to appear in Star Trek -- Odan. Only, he didn't tell her about that slug inside him so, after a shuttle accident that injures his host body, she must place said slug inside Will Riker -- who's like a brother to her. Does love take many forms or does Beverly have a remarkably consistent type?

The grades begin at (26:00). 

Get more of Jessi on Crusher Convo here: Crushing the Conversation, One episode at a Time! [https://crusherconvo.com/]

TNG: "The Host" (s4e23) with Jessi from Crusher Convo Podcast

HOLLYWOOD CRINGE FESTIVAL. Bryan continues Spring Flings Month with returning guest Diana Keng, a TV critic whose work you can read at Geek Girl Authority and Women at Warp. Did the nail the casting of a man who is supposed to sweep Deanna Troi off her feet? 

The grades begin at (22:51).

TNG: "The Price" (s3e8) with TV critic Diana Keng

NINE OWN SELF. This month's animated spotlight features a pair of episodes that go to great lengths to give our cartoon characters some badly needed introspection. Rutherford learns about his bad boy former self and Tendi is pressed to assert the woman she wants to be over her culture's demands. Oh, and there's plenty of nostalgia for Bryan with a trip to Deep Space Nine. But will he and Katie Hampton from the Napping Through Happy Hour Podcast give these episodes TREKs, MARRYs, or KILLs? 

The grades begin at (26:44).

LD: "Reflections" & "Hear All, Trust Nothing" (s3e5-6) with Katie Hampton 

TEARS FOR LEERS. Captain Kirk falls under the spell of... a former co-star of William Shatner's? It's Spring Flings Month here on Trek Marry Kill. Bryan is joined by film critic Jordan Hoffman, who also authored the Star Trek Book of Friendship, and whose writing can be found in Vanity Fair, Foreign Policy Magazine, and his Substack -- Hoffstack.Substack.com [http://hoffstack.substack.com/]. Will they TREK, MARRY, or KILL this season three episode? 

The grades begin at (24:46).

TOS: "Elaan of Troyius" (s3e13) with Jordan Hoffman 

SIMPLY THE BEST? Don't sleep on Star Trek: Prodigy, which manages to capture the spirit and storytelling of the most popular Trek and aim it at kids while also being highly entertaining for adults -- especially a crusty old Star Trek fan like Bryan. He's not the only fan enchanted by the series, though. Charlynn & Marina from Mission Log: Prodigy and YouTubers Steve Shives and Jessie Gender come aboard to decide which of the show's 40 episodes (and counting?) are among its very best. 

Jump to Charlynn & Marina at (12:22). Listen to their show here: https://tinyurl.com/2w6ny2hp

Jump to Steve Shives at (45:07). Check out his channel here: Steve Shives - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@SteveShives]

Jump to Jessie Gender at (1:10:16). Check out her channel here: Jessie Gender After Dark Channel Trailer [https://www.youtube.com/@jessiegenderafterdark5287] and the trailer for her movie here: https://youtu.be/oYPpbfHfhG0?si=3KCXoscb8rs_wYcK

Star Trek: Prodigy - Just the Marrys! with Charlynn Schmiedt, Marina Kravchuk, Steve Shives, and Jessie Gender

UNIVERSAL FAN FEST has kicked off at Universal Studios Hollywood and fans can stand on the bridge of the Enterprise-D as used in Star Trek: Picard - Season Three for a tour-turned-adventure. But does it and the themed food make the event a TREK, MARRY, or KILL? Bryan and Kristen take you through their experiences to decide. 

Star Trek - Red Alert! Special Episode

DADDY DEAD CARE. A shuttle accident puts Captain Janeway on death's doorstep and death is only too happy to answer, taking the face of her dead father. But that's not the only weird thing going on in this fast-paced, wacky episode that concludes The Captain is DEAD! Month on Trek Marry Kill. 

The grades begin at (33:42). 

VOY: "Coda" (s3e15)

There are 950 episodes of Star Trek. Some are good, some are great, and the rest are ones we'll watch because why not? Star Trek is like pizza or sex: even when it's bad it's still good. 

Join Bryan and Kristen (and the occasional special guest) as they grade episodes from every series by asking specific questions like "What part of the story will they teach at Starfleet Academy?" "What are the Best Trek Tropes in the episode?" "What's the most cosplayable character or moment?" and many more in order to arrive at a final judgment of TREK, MARRY, or KILL. It's more fun than playing F***, Marry, Kill because it's about Star Trek!

Keep track of our grades at www.trekmarrykillpod.com

This show is not affiliated with Paramount, Viacom, CBS Television Studios, Roddenberry Entertainment, or Secret Hideout Productions. 

Our theme music is "70's Synth Funk Jam" by Phill_Dillow on Pixabay.

Bryan Murphy

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