Treknobabble Psychobabble: A Star Trek Podcast

Green Animal Women

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott unravel the lore around Star Trek’s go-to pirate folk, the alluring and mysterious Orions.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:28] TOS "Whom Gods Destroy"

[17:26] ENT "Bound"

[36:33] LD "Something Borrowed, Something Green"

[49:04] On the couch

[01:04:06] Conclusions

Trek Devils

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, …Happy Hallowe’en! Elizabeth and I are taking Beelzebub to task. The Devil is in the details.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:25] TAS "The Magicks of Megas-Tu"

[13:39] TNG "Devil's Due"

[36:43] VOY "Barge of the Dead"

[01:00:29] On the couch

[01:19:27] Conclusions

Star Trek Psychos

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth corrects Elliott's diagnoses of three infamous psychopaths from the canon.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:32] TOS "Space Seed"

[27:31] VOY "Meld"

[54:03] DS9 "Field of Fire"

[01:07:30] On the couch

[01:25:27] Conclusions

Neurodivergent Niners

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott are taking a look at the human mutants from a trilogy of DS9 episodes. The Eugenics Wars may be over, but the Federation definitely isn’t over it.

Featured Trek Content:

Star Trek Deep Space Nine

[01:32] "Doctor Bashir, I Presume"

[27:23] "Statistical Probabilities"

[56:17] "Chrysalis"

[01:11:02] On the couch

[01:32:56] Conclusions

Resurrection Woes

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott discuss characters coming back to life. For a Space United Nations full of atheists, this sure does happen a lot around here.

Featured Trek Content:

[02:41] DS9 "Resurrection"

[24:15] PIC "Et in Arcadia Ego"

[50:30] LD "We'll Always Have Tom Paris"

[59:17] On the couch

[01:22:41] Conclusions

Tribbles & Tuvoks

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott take a very serious look at the most fearsome foe in the galaxy, the mighty and terrible tribble. They’re celebrating 30 episodes of Treknobabble Psychobabble by looking at Trek’s mid-90s 30th Anniversary broadcast celebration.

Featured Trek Content:

[03:06] VOY "Flashback"

[23:15] TOS "The Trouble with Tribbles"

[41:56] DS9 "Trials and Tribble-ations"

[58:01] On the couch

[01:14:46] Conclusions

Movie Night 3: VI The Undiscovered Country

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott are celebrating having broadcast 30 episodes by spending a couple weeks looking at how Star Trek celebrated its own 30th anniversary. To set that up, they’re delighted to be doing movie night again to have a chat about Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

[01:45] Summary

[06:51] A flawed protagonist

[24:22] The Cold War

[39:58] Shakespeare!

[53:54] Conclusions

Space Scapegoats

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 06:30:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott have a look at scapegoats. The word has its roots in the ancient practice during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, wherein the community would figuratively lay their sins on the back of a goat and then literally send the goat off into the wilderness, carrying their sins with it.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:40] TNG: “Sins of the Father”

[17:18] ENT: “Shadows of P’Jem”

[30:01] SNW: “Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach”

[41:34] On the couch

[53:25] Conclusions

Les Maquis du Star Trek V: FALLOUT

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and I wrap up their 5-part series on the Maquis by taking some time to look at the aftermath of the insurrection.

Content Warning for discussions of self-harm

Spoiler Warning for Star Trek: Picard season 3

Featured Trek Content:

[01:45] VOY: “Hunters”

[14:04] VOY: “Extreme Risk”

[40:28] PIC: “Imposters”

[58:03] On the couch

[01:12:00] Conclusions

Les Maquis du Star Trek IV: Michael Eddington

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott continue their deep dive into the Maquis with a character spotlight on Michael Eddington, the self-styled Val Jean to Ben Sisko’s Javert.

Featured Trek Content:

Star Trek Deep Space Nine

[01:52] “For the Cause”

[24:20] “For the Uniform”

[40:59] “Blaze of Glory”

[58:09] On the couch

[01:07:57] Conclusions

Les Maquis du Star Trek III: METHODS

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott continue their series on the Maquis and delve into the series for which they were created, Voyager. They are exploring what makes a Maquis a Maquis.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:37] "Parallax"

[23:07] "Learning Curve"

[42:04] "Repression"

[57:16] On the couch

[01:11:10] Conclusions

Les Maquis du Star Trek II: ORIGINS

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Fri, 12 May 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott continue their five part series on the Maquis and discuss the origins of their political movement.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:59] TNG: “The Wounded”

[23:32] DS9: “The Maquis”

[48:46] TNG: “Preëmptive Strike”

[01:06:23] On the couch

[01:20:34] Conclusions

Les Maquis du Star Trek I: TERRORISM

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott begin a five part series delving into the Maquis. Before they look at those stories directly, they want to set the stage with some ancillary stories about terrorism in Star Trek

Featured Trek Content:

[01:35] TNG: “The High Ground”

[16:30] DS9: “Shakaar”

[36:16] ENT: “Desert Crossing”

[52:09] On the couch

[01:09:38] Conclusions

Vengeance is a Dish

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott look into the psychology and ethics of revenge, and while they will of course do “Wrath of Khan” at some point, today they are taking a look at three humbler examples from the Berman era.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:39] TNG: “The Vengeance Factor”

[17:42] DS9: “The Darkness and the Light”

[35:06] VOY: “Repentance”

[54:57] On the couch

[01:13:36] Conclusions

Meaning on the Holodeck

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott are spending some time on the holodeck in search of deeper meaning.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:31] DS9: “Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang”

[21:52] VOY: “Pathfinder”

[45:48] LD: “Crisis Point” & “Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus”

[01:07:58] On the couch

[01:22:34] Conclusions

Oops! Abortion Allegories

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 15:15:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott are again looking at Trek allegories over hot-button social issues. This time, they’re dealing with mostly accidental abortion allegories, because irony is the only true constant in the universe.

Content warning for discussions around reproductive healthcare.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:23] TNG: “Up The Long Ladder”

[19:23] VOY: “Tuvix”

[40:53] ENT: “Similitude”

[01:03:20] On the couch

[01:15:29] Conclusions

Non-Monogamy

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott tackle the topic of non-monogamy in Star Trek, specifically within established relationships.

Featured Trek Content:

[02:01] TNG: “Second Chances”

[18:20] VOY: “Warlord”

[38:27] ENT: “Stigma”

[59:45] On the couch

[01:11:50] Conclusions

Geordi's a Creep

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott spend some time with the Enterprise D’s chief engineer, Geordi LaForge, and discuss the unfortunate depiction of his love life, or lack thereof.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:43] TNG: “Booby Trap”

[18:17] TNG: “Galaxy’ Child”

[37:48] TNG: “Aquiel”

[53:59] On the couch

[01:11:52] Conclusions

Under the Influence

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott continue their discussion on drugs by shifting focus to a more recreational view: what are our Star Trek heroes like when they’re drunk?

Content Warning for drug use and addiction.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:10] TOS: “The Naked Time”

[21:55] TNG: “The Naked Now”

[42:42] DS9: “Fascination”

[01:00:34] On the couch

[01:13:50] Conclusions

Drugs & Addiction

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott take a look at drug abuse and addiction in Star Trek.

Content Warning for drug use and addiction.

Featured Trek Content:

[02:02] TNG: “Symbiosis”

[23:21] DS9: “The Wire”

[40:07] ENT: “Damage”

[57:18] On the couch

[01:09:10] Conclusions

Accidentally In Charge

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:45:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott are very pleased to be doing their first patron-chosen topic. They want to thank Wellington for their suggestion for today which is accidental leadership. If you’d like to become a Patron, we’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

Featured Trek Content:

[01:37] TNG: “Disaster”

[24:07] DS9: “Valiant”

[45:46] DIS: “All Is Possible”

[01:08:10] On the couch

[01:21:14] Conclusions

Sarek the Green

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott take a deep dive into Spock’s semi-estranged father, with some defining takes on the character of Ambassador Sarek.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:35] TAS "Yesteryear"

[22:35] DIS "Lethe"

[40:35] TNG "Sarek"

[56:34] On the couch

[01:08:37] Conclusions

Movie Night 2: IV "The Voyage Home"

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott enjoy another in-person movie night, keeping an eye on the Sarek-Spock dynamic with “The Voyage Home.”

Featured Trek Content:

Star Trek IV: “The Voyage Home” (1986)

[01:52] Thoughts on Plot

[20:00] 1980s Ecology

[26:41] Spock Resurrected

[35:24] What is Home?

[46:11] The Fractured Self

[01:00:12] Conclusions

Daddy Issues

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott discuss such and such topic.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:32] TOS "Journey to Babel"

[20:14] TNG "The Icarus Factor"

[37:58] DS9 "The Visitor"

[56:51] On the couch

[01:06:50] Conclusions

Parenting 101

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott discuss good parenting and adolescent psychology.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:23] TNG "Evolution"

[28:02] DS9 "Explorers"

[47:56] PIC "Nepenthe"

[01:10:34] On the couch

[01:22:45] Conclusions

Pike's Place

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott take a look at the psychology of Captain Christopher Pike, who occupies the earliest and latest incarnations of the franchise.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:36] TOS "The Menagerie"

[21:54] DIS "If Memory Serves"

[42:18] SNW "A Quality of Mercy"

[01:01:37] On the couch

[01:16:21] Conclusions

BONUS: Comparison Video "Balance of Terror" vs. "A Quality of Mercy"

N@zis!

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott talk about literal Nazis–that is to say, actual portrayals of historical Nazis in Star Trek, not any reptilian humanoid analogues you may be familiar with...

Content Warning for Nazi and fascist imagery.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:50] TOS "Patterns of Force"

[20:06] VOY "The Killing Game"

[39:34] ENT "Storm Front"

[01:00:46] On the couch

[01:13:50] Conclusions

Movie Night 1: VII "Generations"

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott take advantage of being in the same location to record their first movie night, beginning with that most middle of Trek films, "Generations" (1994).

Featured Trek Content:

FILM: Star Trek VII "Generations"

[02:30] Plot Summary

[08:06] The Plot & The Nexus

[20:43] Kirk's Arc

[27:32] Picard's Arc

[32:36] Soren's Motivations

[50:13] Data's Emotions

[01:06:45] Conclusions

Sexy Times on Risa

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott take a holiday to Risa, where they discuss leisure, pleasure, and casual sex.

Content Warning for transphobia, homophobia, and sexual content.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:29] TNG "Captain's Holiday"

[22:53] DS9 "Let He Who is Without Sin"

[47:13] ENT "Two Days and Two Nights"

[01:01:01] On the Couch

[01:31:08] Conclusions

Nothing to Fear

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott talk about fear.

Content Warning for PTSD.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:25] TNG "Night Terrors"

[15:30] VOY "The Thaw"

[36:22] DS9 "Nor the Battle to the Strong"

[01:01:00] LD "Mining the Mind's Mines" & On the couch

[01:17:36] Conclusions

The Memory of Others

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott explore the uniquely sci-fi idea of implanted memories and their effects.

Content warning for suicide and PTSD.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:20] TNG "The Inner Light"

[17:38] DS9 "Hard Time"

[39:07] VOY "Memorial"

[57:22] On the couch

[01:14:50] Conclusions

Imagined Realities

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott discuss imagined realities and their revealing natures.

Featured Trek Content:

[01:21] TOS "The Cage"

[21:15] TNG "Remember Me"

[38:30] SNW "The Elysian Kingdom"

[58:22] On the couch

[01:13:40] Conclusions

A Gender Problem Part III

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott wrap up their discussion of trans allegories in Star Trek (for the time being) with a little diversion away from Star Trek to "The Orville." The "Topa arc" spanning the three seasons of the sci-fi comedy, modelled lovingly after Star Trek, maps Trek's own evolution on the topic from cringe-y to beautiful.

Content Warning for transphobia and suicide.

A Gender Problem Part II

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott continue their discussion of trans allegories in Star Trek. Part II focuses on examples of Trek handling the topic well, or at least better than we saw in Part I.

Content Warning for transphobia.

Featured Trek Content:

[02:16] TNG "The Outcast"

[21:12] DS9 "Blood Oath"

[39:09] DIS "Forget Me Not"

[55:15] On the couch & conclusions

A Gender Problem Part I

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Elizabeth and Elliott begin a discussion on trans allegories in Star Trek. Part I focuses on examples of Trek handling the topic poorly.

Content Warning for transphobia.

Featured Trek Content:

[02:15] DS9 "Profit and Lace"

[20:34] VOY "Body and Soul"

[37:47] ENT "Unexpected"

[55:08] On the couch

[01:09:58] Conclusions

Such Stuff as Dreams

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth and Elliott discuss dreams, fantasy and imagination.

Featured materials:

[01:24] TNG "Phantasms"

[18:05] VOY "Doctor, Tinker, Tenor, Spy"

[30:40] DS9 "Things Past"

[47:48] On the couch

[01:05:19] Conclusions

The Silicon Soul

Elliott Encarnacion, Elizabeth Kimble — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0700

In this podcast premiere, Elizabeth and Elliott discuss the psychology of A.I.

Featured materials:

[01:18] TOS "The Ultimate Computer"

[07:31] TNG "The Measure of a Man"

[17:38] VOY "Latent Image"

[24:07] DIS "But to Connect..."

[33:43] On the Couch

[50:33] Conclusions