Trekosophy s04e08: Alignments, part I: The Good, the Bad, and the Neutral (TOS)

We're Ash-less today, so instead of tackling a philosophy-heavy topic, we decided to have a little fun. Most geeks enjoy a variety of geeky goodness, so it's a good bet that if you're into sci-fi stuff like Star Trek, you're also likely a fan of fantasy-based themes, such as those in Dungeons & Dragons. If so, then you're familiar with their morality system, known as alignments. If not, then you're about to get educated!

Since it's one of every geek's favorite pasttimes to play the "what alignment would they be" game (and since we're no different than your average geek) we decide to start pegging our favorite (and not-so-favorite) Star Trek characters with what alignment they are considered to be. First up: The Original Series.

In preparation for this episode, we glanced at this fan-made image of alignments for the Original Series characters and used the Wikipedia article on D&D Alignments, which mostly culls from the 3rd Edition rules, to base our opinions on. Enjoy!

Trekosophy s04e07: What Does God Need With a Podcast?

Many call it the worst Star Trek film. Many more call it the worst film ever. A couple of nerds in Canada call it a misunderstood masterpiece. Whatever your personal feelings toward it, you might be surprised to learn that we actually have some philosophical discussions regarding Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

Trekosophy s04e06: Star Trek Next

The news is out! A new Star Trek series is finally on the horizon, and we're here to discuss what we know about it right now!

Trekosophy s04e05: The Virtuosity Man

Virtual Reality (VR) is coming, and the Trekosophers have some thoughts & opinions about it. Of course, we've seen this happen in the 1990s as well, so will it really take off this time? And how will it compare to the holodeck?

Trekosophy s04e04: Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy, 1931-2015

Trekosophy s04e03: Sisko in the Box

An excellent second-season episode of Deep Space 9 is the target of our discussion on Trekosophy this time: Paradise. Was Alixus justified in creating a society devoid of modern technology without the knowledge or consent of the colonists just to prove her theories?

Trekosophy s04e03: Tuvix or Not Tuvix

…That is the question. Yes, it's time to tackle that moral delimma that Janeway was facing in the VOY episode Tuvix. Did she willfully commit murder? Or was she merely "fixing" an accident? Find out what we think as we analyze this controversial episode.

Trekosophy s04e01: When Kirk is Putty in Your Hands

It's our first episode of 2015! (Well, it was recorded in 2014, but we'll just ignore that for now.)

We're back and tackling another original series episode, Plato's Stepchildren. It's hard to believe we've done three years of this podcast and we've only just now decided to discuss a Star Trek episode with a philosopher's name in the title! Oh, well. We're kicking off 2015 with a philosophy-heavy episode, so strap in and enjoy the ride!

Trekosophy s03eCS: The Trouble with Trekosophy

Merry Christmas! For our final episode of the year/season, we discuss the only episode of Star Trek (to our knowledge) that was specifically billed as a Christmas episode—The Trouble with Tribbles. And yes, we actually do find some philosophical topics to discuss in this episode!

Trekosophy s03e14: Best of Star Trek

Continuing our discussion from the previous episode, Ben, Ash, and I count down our top 5 favorite episodes of Star Trek ever. Some of the choices are obvious while others are completely unexpected. Curious? Then check it out!

Oh, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Trekosophy s03e13: Worst of Star Trek

Taking a short break from all of the heavy philosophy, we decide to finish out the season by listing (and briefly discussing) our most favorite and least favorite episodes in all of Star Trek. However, it lasted too long, so we decided to split it into two episodes. This one covers our least favorite episodes. So relax and enjoy us ranting as we scrape the bottom of the blue plastic barrel.

Trekosophy s03e12: The Strange Case of the Giant Ravioli Space Baby

Actually, we're not going to talk about the Giant Ravioli Space Baby™). Instead, the topic is about the other star of the show, Dr. Leah Brahms. Specifically, we discuss the morality of using someone's image for uses of which the person might not approve. Seems like a simple enough topic, but we (actually, mostly just Ben) sure have a lot to say about it!

Trekosophy s03e11: Hierarchy for a Dream

The Hierarchy. Potato-heads. Sontaran rejects. Whatever you want to call them, they are entertaining to watch. Perhaps their environment reflects a bit of our day-to-day work life? In any case, the Trekosophers discuss their first appearance in Voyager this time, Tinker, Tenor, Doctor, Spy. In addition to the Hierarchy, we also discuss the private nature of dreams and fantasies and other interesting topics. Give a listen, won't you?

Trekosophy s03e10 - Musings on The Muse

We're back from our super-long Summer hiatus, and we're ready to to start philosophizing again! For reasons that remain completely unknown to me at this moment, we chose to celebrate our return with… Uh, The Muse. The fourth-season Deep Space Nine episode that remains neglected by both critics and show fans alike. Hey, we could do worse… Like, Move Along Home worse… Anyway, we do have some thoughts to throw around in this episode, including (but not limited to) the effect drugs have on creativity, the temptation to become immortalized because they might increase the quality of your work, and even Odo's sincerity regarding his feelings toward Lwaxana Troi. Buckle up, it's gonna be an interesting ride!

Trekosophy s03e09: To Kill a Keeler

NOTE: Due to unforeseen gaming this weekend, I wasn't able to get this episode edited and posted in time for the usual 11pm Sunday deadline. I cleared it with Ben, with whom I was gaming at the time, and he gave me the okay to edit and post it a few days later, right before we shot some infected in Left 4 Dead 2. So, here's our most recent recording, well and truly edited for you listening pleasure. This time on Trekosophy, you won't be able to get that mantra out of your head, "Edith Keeler Must Die!" Yes, we make a return visit to the philosophy of time travel—or is this our first visit? I just can't keep the local continuum straight—to discuss the TOS episode, The City on the Edge of Forever. Was Kirk right to hold back Bones from rescuing Edith Keeler? Which ethical systems agree and which disagree? Find out what we think in this episode!

Trekosophy s03e08: I, Spy

Continuing our discussion from earlier, we now turn our attention to the more international aspects of spying and the ethical decisions made in the Deep Space 9 episode Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges. Sadly, said discussion becomes derailed again, but we do have quite a spirited argument on whether or not the existence of Section 31 is justifiable.

Trekosophy s03e07: Dukat's Inferno

Did Dukat cross the moral event horizon line in Waltz? Find out in this interesting episode of Trekosophy!

Trekosophy s03e06: Circular Reasoning

Ben McLean's favorite Star Trek episode ever, "The Circle", gets the Trekosophy treatment today. We are Kirby-less and Bill-less this time, but we do have our guest host back, Ash Hulme, to help fill in the gap.

Trekosophy s03e05: The Spying Game

What originally began as a fascinating topic about Luther Sloan and Section 31 changed into a discussion about privacy, the NSA, and why most of the citizens of the United States are currently up in arms about being spied upon. It still turns out to be a very fascinating discussion, but we definitely digressed from Star Trek and Section 31. Our intentions are to return to this topic soon so we can better discuss things in a Star Trek context, but until then, enjoy the arguments for and against privacy. :~)

Trekosophy s03e04: Triangle Trade

For this episode of Trekosophy, we discuss the very controversial TNG episode "Triangle Trade". Was Picard right in going as far as he did to bring down the Orion slave trade? Was Riker's performance as convincing as his beard's? And how about that surprise cameo at the climax! We discuss it all in this episode!