Tue, 17 October 2017
Michael Piller, Part 1. One of the most important contributors to the Star Trek franchise, Michael Piller was the showrunner for The Next Generation from seasons three to five and many credit him with helping to improve the overall quality of the show after a rocky first two seasons. During that period, Piller is probably most famous for writing "The Best of Both Worlds" two-parter, a hugely influential set of episodes that took the show's popularity to new heights. Michael Piller was also a co-creator of Deep Space Nine and Voyager and the showrunner for each of those shows during their first two seasons. Piller capped off his career with Star Trek by co-writing "Insurrection" and sadly passed away from cancer in November 2005. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser start a two-part series on Next Generation episodes and movies written by Michael Piller. The episodes discussed are "Evolution," "Booby Trap," "The Enemy," "The Best of Both Worlds," "First Contact," and "Ensign Ro." Chapters Intro (00:01:24) Comments from Babel Conference (00:02:29) Tributes to Michael Miller (00:05:43) List of episodes for discussion (00:10:39) Evolution (00:11:04) Booby Trap (00:15:49) The Enemy (00:20:35) Best of Both Worlds Part One (00:27:52) Best of Both Worlds Part Two (00:33:53) First Contact (00:49:45) Ensign Ro (01:00:18) Final Thoughts (01:04:04) Closing (01:09:17) Hosts Richard Marquez, Justin Oser, and Amy Nelson Production Richard Marquez (Editor and Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Tony Robinson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) |
Tue, 3 October 2017
Unsung Episodes Season 6. Every season of The Next Generation has episodes that get overlooked or ignored. Well, not here and not today. Most fans will quickly identify "Chain of Command Part I and II," "Face of the Enemy," and "Tapestry" as being their favorite episodes from season six. So, if we set those episodes aside, which other episodes should we celebrate and recognize from this season? In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser list their three unsung episodes from season six. Each host puts up a good defense on why their chosen episodes should be among the fan favorites or at least viewed with a fresh perspective devoid of preconceived perceptions. Unsung Episodes is a series that will continue through 2017 highlighting each season in honor of the thirty-year anniversary of TNG. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) "Shades of Gray" Rewrite Titles (00:02:18) Unsung Ground Rules (00:03:53) Starship Mine (00:05:02) Lessons (00:07:49) Timescape (00:14:09) Frame of Mind (00:19:51) Realm of Fear (00:23:38) Aquiel (00:29:50) A Fistful of Datas (00:33:35) The Quality of Life (00:40:08) Man of the People (00:43:09) Schisms (00:51:54) Final Thoughts (00:52:40) Closing (00:57:39) Runtime: 1 hour and 2 minutes Hosts Richard Marquez, Justin Oser, Amy Nelson Production Justin Oser (Editor and Producer) Richard Marquez (Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) |
Tue, 26 September 2017
The Next Generation's 30th Anniversary. On September 28, 1987, a new Star Trek show premiered in the United States. The Next Generation featured a new crew and a new ship boldly going on adventures in a new century. Although met with some initial resistance, The Next Generation would become a huge hit, helping to keep Star Trek on TV for 18 straight seasons and spawning multiple spin-off series and four feature films. The show also introduced a whole new generation of fans to Star Trek and The Next Generation's strong popularity and cultural influence continue to this day. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Next Generation by sharing their thoughts on what the show has meant to them. Also included are interviews with Next Generation actors Denise Crosby, Natalija Nogulich, Daniel Davis, Spencer Garrett, and Margot Rose as well as interviews with fans on how The Next Generation has positively influenced their lives. Chapters Intro (00:01:18) Amy’s love letter to TNG (00:02:41) Denise Crosby (00:06:14) Natlija Nogulich (00:13:31) Richard’s love letter to TNG (00:21:40) Daniel Davis (00:24:51) Spencer Garrett (00:31:49) Justin’s love letter to TNG (00:43:11) Margot Rose (00:47:21) Fan interviews (01:03:30) More love (01:13:41) One liners (01:19:18) Contest (01:21:05) Closing (01:22:15) Runtime: 1 hour 28 minutes 36 seconds Hosts Amy Nelson Richard Marquez Justin Oser Production Richard Marquez (Editor and Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Lee Hutchison (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) |
Tue, 19 September 2017
"Shades of Gray" Rewrite. The second season finale of The Next Generation, "Shades of Gray," is often considered to be one of the worst episodes of the show, if not one of the worst episodes in all of Star Trek. A writers' strike, a strained budget at the end of the season, and a showrunner on his way out combined for an episode notorious for being Star Trek's only clip show. In this episode of Earl Grey, host Justin Oser is joined by special guests Brandon-Shea Mutala (of Melodic Treks, Warp Five, and The Edge) and Star Trek author Una McCormack to do an episode rewrite of "Shades of Gray." They discuss what danger the crew should find, what the message of the episode should be, whether Dr. Pulaski and Dr. Crusher should team up together, and much more in their quest to improve upon the original episode. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Una McCormack Interview (00:02:52) Brandon-Shea's Thoughts on Dr. Pulaski (00:13:21) "Shades of Gray" Rewrite (00:19:38) Final Thoughts (00:53:48) Closing (01:00:28) Host Justin Oser Guests Brandon-Shea Mutala and Una McCormack Production Justin Oser (Editor and Producer) Richard Marquez (Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) Lee Hutchison (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) |
Tue, 12 September 2017
Funniest Moments. Star Trek is well-known for its great storylines and character development, but the interplay between the characters can be just as important. At times, they are witty and downright hilarious. Although Star Trek is classified as sci-fi and not comedy, there are countless scenes that are very humorous. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser pick some of their favorite funniest moments of The Next Generation. We recount the simple one-liners to entire scenes or even entire episodes that tickle our funny bone. From the series to the movies, comedic timing is in full force throughout The Next Generation. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Continue the Petty Bickering (00:02:11) Justice (00:05:19) Burning the Midnight Oil (00:09:00) Data, He Was Joking (00:12:28) Picard and Q in Bed (00:15:06) Happier in Another Job (00:17:27) One-liners (00:19:29) Captain Picard Day (00:20:57) Q's Mariachi Band (00:27:47) Drunk Troi (00:32:31) Troi's Chocolate Love Affair (00:39:54) Begone!...Sir (00:42:39) That Was Seven Years Ago (00:45:09) Final Thoughts (00:48:47) Closing (00:54:12) Runtime: 58 minutes and 48 seconds Hosts Amy Nelson Richard Marquez Justin Oser Production Justin Oser (Editor and Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) Richard Marquez (Producer) Lee Hutchison (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) |
Tue, 5 September 2017
Professor Moriarty. The character of Professor Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' arch-enemy, appears in two episodes of The Next Generation - "Elementary, Dear Data" and "Ship in a Bottle." The character is only a holographic representation of Moriarty and yet is among the most memorable and well-liked recurring characters in Star Trek. In this episode of Earl Grey, host Justin Oser is joined by special guest Lee Hutchison to discuss their impressions and thoughts on Professor Moriarty in The Next Generation. They also talk about sentience, consciousness, and the use of characters from Sherlock Holmes in Star Trek. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Lee's Connection (00:02:35) Elementary, Dear Data (00:8:28) Holodeck Safeguards (00:13:49) Mastermind Character (00:15:17) Sherlock Holmes in Star Trek (00:15:17) Ship in a Bottle (00:19:00) Differing Opinions (00:26:42) Moriarty in the Novels (00:28:02) Final Thoughts (00:31:02) Give-a-way (00:33:11) Closing (00:38:42) Runtime: 41 minutes and 51 seconds Host Justin Oser Guest Lee Hutchison Production Justin Oser (Editor and Producer) Richard Marquez (Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) Lee Hutchison (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) |
Tue, 29 August 2017
Realistic and Unrealistic. |
Tue, 22 August 2017
Unsung Episodes Season 5. Every season of The Next Generation has episodes that get overlooked or ignored. Well, not here and not today! Most fans will quickly identify "Darmok", "Cause and Effect", and "The Inner Light" as being their favorite episodes from season five. So, if we set those episodes aside, which other episodes should we celebrate and recognize from this season? In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, and Justin Oser list their three unsung episodes from season five. Each host puts up a good defense on why their chosen episodes should be among the fan favorites or at least viewed with a fresh perspective devoid of preconceived perceptions. Unsung Episodes is a series that will continue through 2017 highlighting each season in honor of the thirty-year anniversary of TNG. Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Banned Episodes (00:02:05) Perfect Mate (00:03:00) Disaster (00:06:15) Masterpiece Society (00:09:25) The Game (00:19:10) Power Play (00:21:30) Silicon Avatar (00:26:35) Math Lesson (00:30:10) Conundrum (00:34:10) The Cost of Living (00:37:00) A Matter of Time (00:41:00) Robin Williams (00:43:15) Ethics (00:46:25) Outcast (00:50:00) Closing (00:52:25) Runtime: 59 minutes 2 seconds Hosts Amy Nelson, Richard Marquez, Justin Oser Production Richard Marquez (Editor and Producer) Lee Hutchison (Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) |
Tue, 15 August 2017
Star Trek Las Vegas. |
Tue, 8 August 2017
Joe Menosky Episodes. One of the most influential figures in 24th century Star Trek, Joe Menosky wrote or co-wrote 67 episodes of The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, including a number of fan favorites. Menosky was also a producer on Season 5 of The Next Generation and Seasons 3-6 of Voyager. He is currently a writer on the newest Star Trek series, Discovery. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Justin Oser, Richard Marquez, and Amy Nelson each pick their three favorite Joe Mensoky episodes. The hosts also discuss what our review of Menosky's episodes may reveal about his approach to writing Discovery. Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Justin's Trek Story (00:02:21) Joe Menosky (00:05:37) Masks (00:07:13) First Contact (00:12:10) Darmok (00:16:31) In Theory (00:21:14) The Chase (00:26:34) Nth Degree (00:31:30) Hero Worship (00:34:43) Suspicions (00:38:37) Time's Arrow (00:43:23) Emergence (00:47:17) Clues (00:50:39) Final Thoughts (00:52:39) Closing (01:00:51) Give-a-way (01:06:39) Hosts Richard Marquez, Justin Oser, Amy Nelson Production Amy Nelson (Editor and Producer) Richard Marquez (Producer) Lee Hutchison (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
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