J.R. watches Star Trek for the first time: Podcast 45: We Grok Spock

Strange, very strange how meandering we got this time around. It's mostly weird because this selection of episodes included a guest spot from probably the most iconic character in the entire Trek universe -- Wesley Crusher! Oh, and also Spock.

Podcast breakdown:

0:00 -- nuqneH and technical difficulties
6:07 -- "Disaster"
26:09 -- "The Game"
38:47 -- "Unification (I & II)"
1.15:22 -- Awards and rankings
1.35:11 -- Qapla'
1.37:31 -- Trek Files promo
1.38:03 -- BYU-Utah football game recap
1.45:33 -- Outtakes

Btw, Elliot emailed in his comments on the "Unification" episodes, but somehow we missed them during the recording. Here's a bit of what he had to say:

Unification I: A looooot of buildup to get to the moment we were all waiting for -- Spock emerging from the shadows. Anyway, before all that, there's a whole episode to discuss. Perhaps my favorite part of the episode is the scene between Picard and a dying Sarek -- great to see Mark Lenard, one last time. Excellent performance.

In an episode about diplomats, nice to see Picard work his magic while requesting a Bird of Prey -- courteous but firm, with a slightly threatening posture. But really, why is it such a big deal to borrow one friggin' Bird of Prey? They seem to have thousands of them. Gowron's newfound grandiose sense of self is a nice touch -- it will grow and fester, well into DS9.

Stephen Root as a Klingon captain! Very cool. Of course, Root played Milton in 'Office Space', Bill Dauterive in 'King of the Hill', and Jimmy James in 'Newsradio', among many other fantastic performances. The man has range. "Hahahahaha. Don't you two look sweet!"

Unification II: And once again the second part is slightly underwhelming. Good teaser -- references to Star Trek VI, Spock and Picard debating the merits and methods of unification. Also, in one conversation Spock compares Picard to both his father and Kirk.

While it is a real geeky joy to watch Spock and Picard converse and debate, the episode starts falling apart once Sela is revealed. An intriguing story about age old conflict and reconciliation is dragged down by a stupid invasion conspiracy. I guess I just don't like Sela, because the rest of the episode isn't that bad. Her presence somehow makes the scope of the episode seem small -- the same person is constantly behind every single Romulan conspiracy? And why in the world would she lock an android, a Vulcan, and a Starfleet captain in an office, by themselves, without supervision? Did she really think that such a collection of minds wouldn't be able to figure out how to extricate themselves from the situation?

And how are you going to invade Vulcan with only 2000 troops? Do the Romulans really think the Federation wouldn't retaliate? The whole thing just seems stupid.

Interesting that Troi uses her feminine wiles in Part I to get some information, then Riker turns on the beard charm in Part II to get what he wants. The bar scenes were actually pretty good, giving off that old noirish, gumshoe vibe. Oh, and the first appearance of Klingon opera.

Hey, a real important thing we forgot to mention that's probably pretty obvious: Spock was still on Romulus completing his mission there to set up the new J.J. Abrams movie. We really should have made that connection. Maybe viewer mail should have said so too! Ever think of that?

Jon's Rankings

4. "Unification I"
3. "Disaster"
2. "The Game"
1. "Unification II"

J.R.'s Rankings

4. "The Game"
3. "Unification I"
2. "Disaster"
1. "Unification II"

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Comment on anything we've said or anything we will say. jrwatchesstartrek@gmail.com.

This episode is dedicated in loving memory to Gene Roddenberry (1921-1991) and Mark Lenard (1924-1996).