Star Trek: The Next Generation, ”Elementary, Dear Data” and ”Ship in a Bottle”

New episode out now! We watched TWO episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, S2E3 “Elementary, Dear Data” and S6E12 “Ship in a Bottle,” and boy did we have a lot of questions about the Star Trek universe that we did not research. We discuss how the show explored aspects of simulated worlds and sentient AI, the great costumes and fun set design, and ponder if it is weird as an adult to dress up in costumes and go play make-believe with your friends. Katy gives a few minor Holmes lectures, Carrie sympathises with the villain, Maddy saw the twist coming four years ahead, and Mack has problems with DIY building kits in space. We reminisce about our childhood Star Trek memories (including twirling to the theme music), talk about the value of having a physical hobby on a five year space mission, wonder if Data could do cocaine, discuss the hotness of Patrick Stewart, and two of us sing different ‘90’s theme songs. We have a LOT of questions about the Holodeck and how it works, the replicator technology, and living in a post-scarcity world without a market system but we did not look up any answers so fans should expect to shout into the void a lot. At least three of us say “well, actually,” so look out for those! Engage!

TW: Brief mentions of sex workers, adult films

CORRECTIONS:

-Admiral Lord Nelson’s body was stored in a cask of brandy, not a pickle barrel, to preserve it following his death aboard the HMS Victory. (Wiki)