Roddenberry Podcasts

The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast 14-16 The Breen, From TNG to Discovery: Trek Writer Carlos Cisco Explains

Before Star Trek: Discovery unmasked the Breen in season 5, they were little more than an enigma in the Trek canon, name-dropped but rarely seen. This week on The Trek Files, Discovery writer and producer Carlos Cisco joins us to talk about tracing those first cryptic mentions of the Breen, buried in The Next Generation scripts for "The Loss" and "Hero Worship," and how they helped inspire the character of L'ak and a new chapter in Star Trek storytelling. Carlos reflects on working with the Discovery team to shape the Breen arc and what it means to tell stories that are simultaneously new and rooted in Trek history. Along the way, we look at how offhand script references from 1990 can fuel major plot threads decades later and how today's writers sometimes find the best inspiration in yesterday's margins. Don't miss this conversation about canon archaeology and how the smallest details can echo across centuries. Documents and additional references: "The Loss" (TNG Season 4, Episode 10) – Final Script Pages (1990) "Hero Worship" (TNG Season 5, Episode 11) – Script Pages (1991) Character Reference: L'ak - L'ak on Memory Alpha For more on the Breen - Breen on Memory Alpha The Trek Files Season 14 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. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast Mission Log Supplemental 84 – Voyager Wrap-Up Part 2: The One with Ken Biller

After seven seasons and one very contested transporter accident, we welcome Voyager executive producer and co-creator of Tuvix, Ken Biller, for a wide-ranging conversation about the legacy of Star Trek: Voyager. Guest co-host Earl Green joins John to explore the creative pressures behind the series finale, the constraints of '90s television, and how a light-hearted idea about a goofy transporter mix-up became one of Trek's most morally complex debates. Also: alternate titles, unwritten sequels, and that time Ken was a Jeopardy! answer. It's a candid, thoughtful look back from someone who was there from the first season to Endgame. Hosted by John Champion and Earl Green Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe 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 every episode of Mission Log we… Recap the story and analyze key moments. Discuss the morals, messages, and meanings of the dilemmas presented. Debate whether the episode holds up and if the themes are still relevant. Join the Conversation: For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our exclusive Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and  weekly video chats with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog SPECIAL THANKS the supporters of this week's show: Chris Garis, Julie Miller, Stuart, Michael Park, Paul Shadwell, Matt Esposito, Alan Simonis, Mike Richards, David Takechi, Mike Schiable, VADM Erickson, and Lars Seme Thanks to all of our Patreon Supporters https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/sponsors/ Want to share your thoughts on an upcoming episode? Email us at MissionLog@Roddenberry.com for a chance to be featured during the episode. Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryEntertainment THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Did you know we're on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now:  https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn more about how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial THE RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/theroddenberryfoundation   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Listeners like you - Support Mission Log on Patreon for early access to shows 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. Technical Director - Earl Green Producer - John Champion Associate Producer - Jessica Lynn Verdi Executive Producer - Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved

The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast 14-15 What really happened to Jonathan Archer after Enterprise?

This week, we open the Starfleet personnel file for Admiral Jonathan Archer, a detailed biographical memo written by Star Trek: Enterprise writer/producer Michael Sussman for the fan-favorite episode "In a Mirror, Darkly." It was only meant to be a quick background graphic, so how did it evolve into a fan-favorite bit of canon? And why did Mike sneak "President of the UFP" into the character's résumé without telling the showrunners? Larry welcomes Mike to The Trek Files to revisit the creation of this in-universe bio, share behind-the-scenes memories from the final days of Enterprise, and unpack how a throwaway idea from 2005 became the seed of a new series pitch, Star Trek: United, which imagines Archer in his presidential years. From secret nods to The West Wing, to collaborating with Andy Probert on "Space Force One," this episode is a crash course in how Trek canon can be built with equal parts creativity and chaos. Documents and additional references: Starfleet Personnel File: Archer, Jonathan The Trek Files Season 14 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. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast 14-14 Designing Voyager with Rick Sternbach

Before it was a spoon-shaped ship lost in the Delta Quadrant, the U.S.S. Voyager was a series of sketches, foam-core models, and engineering daydreams from the mind of artist and tech consultant Rick Sternbach. As we continue marking the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: Voyager, Rick returns to The Trek Files to walk us through the behind-the-scenes process of designing one of Trek's most distinctive starships. From the early design directives—"smaller, leaner, faster"—to the collaborative process with producers like Rick Berman and Jeri Taylor, we explore how Voyager took shape on paper and on screen. Along the way, Rick and Larry discuss the evolution of Voyager's signature articulated nacelles, the integration of set blueprints into exterior design, and the legacy of real-world science and scientists (including Minsky and Bussard) that informed Trek's fictional tech. And yes, Rick even drops a bit of headcanon about post-Delta Quadrant refits to the Intrepid-class. Is the EMH evidence that Voyager's computer is sentient? Did the Voyager design secretly borrow from The Runabout? Could curvier nacelles have saved the timeline? This week, we boldly go into the mind of one of Star Trek's most influential designers. Documents and additional references: Star Trek: Voyager concept art and related documents The Trek Files Season 14 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. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast Mission Log Supplemental 83: Star Trek: Voyager Wrap-Up (Part 1)

After seven seasons and one hell of a journey, it's time to start wrapping up Star Trek: Voyager. John and Norman are joined by TrekCulture's Ellie Littlechild to take a look back, starting with Ellie's viral article "10 Most Forgettable Voyager Episodes." Which ones did we forget… and which ones should we? Then we turn to a much harder task: naming our personal top three "essential" Voyager episodes (spoiler: there's no way we're sticking three). Plus, we tackle some listener comments and invite you to stick around for more Voyager wrap-up coming soon. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe 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 every episode of Mission Log we… Recap the story and analyze key moments. Discuss the morals, messages, and meanings of the dilemmas presented. Debate whether the episode holds up and if the themes are still relevant. Join the Conversation: For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our exclusive Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and  weekly video chats with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog SPECIAL THANKS the supporters of this week's show: Chris Garis, Julie Miller, Stuart, Michael Park, Paul Shadwell, Matt Esposito, Alan Simonis, Mike Richards, David Takechi, Mike Schiable, VADM Erickson, and Lars Seme Thanks to all of our Patreon Supporters https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/sponsors/ Want to share your thoughts on an upcoming episode? Email us at MissionLog@Roddenberry.com for a chance to be featured during the episode. Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryEntertainment THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Did you know we're on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now:  https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn more about how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial THE RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/theroddenberryfoundation   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Listeners like you - Support Mission Log on Patreon for early access to shows 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. Technical Director - Earl Green Producer - John Champion Associate Producer - Jessica Lynn Verdi Executive Producer - Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved