FINALLY, CAPTAIN SISKO. It took the powers that be long enough to grant Avery Brooks the public role of Star Trek captain and it happens here in the finale of Deep Space Nine's underrated third season that really cemented what the show would become in the seasons to follow -- even before Worf got dropped into it. Bryan and Kristen wrap up the third season of DS9 and the third season of Trek Marry Kill. Hope you've enjoyed it!

DS9: "The Adversary" (s3e26)

HUMAN INTEREST STORIES. Did Mariner badmouth the crew? Has Admiral Buenamigo teamed up with an evil AI to takedown Starfleet or is all AI inherently evil? Bryan is joined by Katie Hampton from Geekscape's Napping Through Happy Hour Podcast to work out if the last two episodes of Lower Decks' third season are TREKs, MARRYs, or KILLs and discuss along the way fame, schmuck bait, and their memories of various California cities.

Jump to "The Stars at Night" at (34:06). 



LD: "Trusted Sources" & "The Stars at Night" (s3e9-10) with Katie Hampton 

SAIL BONDING TIME. Ben takes Jake on a trip aboard an ancient Bajoran spacecraft that utilizes a solar sail. Does this father-son adventure takeoff? Meanwhile, Bashir finds an ally in Chief O'Brien after being seemingly spurned by an impressive woman. DS9's Season Three Leap Forward theme month continues with this crucial episode.

The grades begin at (20:34). 

DS9: "Explorers" (s3e22) 

LOVE LIES SCREAMING. Garak tortures Odo to get back into Enabran Tain's good graces. Meanwhile, Sisko defies orders to mount a rescue only for he and the Defiant to come across one of Trek's biggest space battles -- to that point! DS9's Season Three Leap Forward theme month continues with the conclusion to an accidental two-parter. 

The grades begin at (28:41).

DS9: "The Die is Cast" (s3e21)

TAILOR MADE CONSPIRACY. Garak's shop explodes and Odo's investigation soon gets the two of them into a situation of galactic importance. Our DS9's Season Three Leap Forward theme month continues with a pivotal episode about Garak, the Dominion, and the clandestine services in the Alpha Quadrant. 

The grades begin at (29:06).

DS9: "Improbable Cause" (s3e20)

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

There are 967 episodes of Star Trek. Some are good, some are great, and the rest we'll still watch from time to time because, why not? Star Trek is like pizza or sex: even when it's bad, it's still kinda good. 

This podcast seeks to establish the pecking order of this extensive canon. Which episodes are classic examples of Star Trek or simply good (TREK), which are all-timers (MARRY), and which are episodes that are okay to watch just once and then forget about (KILL)? 

Hosts Bryan and Kristen and the occasional special guest ask a series of questions to arrive at a final judgment, questions like, "What part of this story would be taught at Starfleet Academy?" "What's the Best Trek Trope?" "Could the episode have been hornier and would that have made it better?" and many more. It's sort of like playing F***, Marry, Kill, but a lot more fun because it's about Star Trek!

Bryan Murphy

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