Ceti Alpha 3: A Star Trek Podcast

Is It Really That Bad? Edition - "The Savage Curtain"The trio continues their mission of debunking ... or confirming ... fan-held opinions of "bad" Star Trek episodes. But what happens when their experiment goes awry and one co-host watches the wrong episode? The other two co-hosts must then explain the episode -- will it make it better or worse? Come find out when we tackle the near-final episode of The Original Series. With a floating Space Lincoln, rock monsters, and (another?) fight of good vs. evil - is this episode really that bad?

Star Trek VI. One way to memorialize the passing of Christopher Plummer is watching his performance of General Chang in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.” Not only does this memorable Shakespeare-quoting villain almost pop off the screen, we’re also reminded that this is a pretty good film! The trio share their favorite moments from this movie, their nerdy nitpicks, and how this last TOS-era film relates to the rest of the franchise.

2021 Trek AnniversariesThis year promises a lot of Trek shows and content, but there's even more to celebrate in 2021! This year marks anniversary for the film "Star Trek: First Contact " and the series "Star Trek: Enterprise." What did each of bring to Trek?More than that, this year also marks what would have been Gene Roddenberry's 100th birthday. How can be observe all the good works done by the Great Bird of the Galaxy? And to cap it all off - this year also marks the 55th anniversary of the entire Star Trek franchise.What are the best ways to celebrate each of these occasions? The trio talks new merch, commemorative plates, and more - let us know how you'll be recognizing these Trek milestones this year.

Story Arcs. In their first non-“Star Trek: Discovery” discussion of the year, the trio talk about the best use of story arcs in television Trek. From the series arc in “Voyager” to the mini-arcs of “Deep Space Nine” to the various season-long arcs in “Enterprise,” there’s been a variety of approaches in storytelling. What type of stories will be in the next series, “Strange, New Worlds”? Let us know know your favorite story arcs!

Third Season Finale - Star Trek: DiscoveryThat's all she wrote! Season three of "Discovery" comes to a close with the final revelation about The Burn, the final battle to retake the ship, and how this crew will be lead as they finally settle into their roles in this "future" Federation. There's lots of action and a wrap of storylines - so where does it all leave us?

Su’Kal/There Is A Tide: The trio is back for a new year of Trek! This month means the closing of season three of “Star Trek: Discovery.” The finale is billed as a three-part adventure, so we look at two of those parts about the cause of The Burn, the Emerald Chain’s diplomatic skills, and what this future Federation is all about. Let us know what you are looking forward to in Trek in 2021!

It's the 200th episode of Ceti Alpha 3!Darren, Daniel, and Phillip take a moment to celebrate in the spirit of the season - by creating three different Star Trek holiday specials, spread across the age of the franchise!A Klingon Kristmas - Darren takes us to 1986 and The Original Series crew, as Captain Kruge encounters some issues in his plan to attack the Enterprise-A. Will Scotty be able to decorate the tree in time? Will a certain musical group with the same name as a certain super secret planet-making project appear? Will any of the sets look convincing?A Christmas Q-rol - Daniel beams us to 2005, right before the last episode of "Star Trek: Enterprise." Season Greetings have arrived to the 22nd Century, and they have Ambassador Soval questioning whether human holiday traditions are compatible with a federation of planets. Before Captain Archer can soothe his fears, Q shows up! From there, Soval and Archer travel (not leap!) thru time, looking at all the human/Vulcan relationships, from Janeway/Tuvok, Ki

DSC S03 EP09 | Into the mirror we fall again ... well, a door actually. Next to Carl. Look, it’s complicated ... The trio looks at the newest episode that begins with a quest to find a cure for Georgiou and takes a hard right in returning to the Mirror Universe. What’s going on in this journey through time and space? Are we saying goodbye to Georgiou before she leaves for spin-off land?

DSC S03 EP08 | It's finally time to see the home planet of Cleveland "Book" Booker. While Michael and company only get a brief tour of his home, it turns out to be a memorable trip with angry empathic "brother," alien tree-eating sea monkeys, and an angry Orion pirate. We also delve more into Lt. Detmer's recovery, Georgiou's mysterious illness, and Adira coming to terms with their identity. The trio looks to where the trail of The Burn investigation is heading and what awaits this crew for the rest of the season.

DSC S03 EP07 | There's nothing that Star Trek loves more than a trial! In this case, it's a "logic trial" called by Michael Burnham that pits Vulcans, Romulans, and the Federation against each other, along with science, politics, and ... (record scratch) ... her mom? "Discovery" is a series known for its emotional tugs, so Lindsay joins the trio to look at how Michael's romance and frustration with her place in the universe affects this season. We also talk about a surprise/non-surprise promotion to fill the open XO spot on the starship Discovery-A. Let us know your guesses about how the great Burn mystery will be solved!

S03 EP06 | Orions in the MistIt's Discovery like you've never seen it before! Gimme an A! Break off the nacelles! New comm badges! What does that spell? An episode that combines inter-command conflict with a prison breakout. We continue to learn more about our new and old crew members, see what this new future is all about, and wonder about how Orions and Andorians managed to start working together. What are your guesses about what caused the Great Burn? The trio looks at where we are going and where we have been in this new Discovery review.

S03 EP05 | It’s a Barzan-centered episode for this trio as they see the USS Discovery officially meet the future Federation and go on their first future mission. Is the new Starfleet head a badmiral or a skeptical...miral? Have we stumbled upon a Section 31 representative already? And what else is there to learn about Commander Nhan? Join us for another “Star Trek: Discovery” review episode and let us know where you think this season is going.

Trill, Trill, Trill/Boosting Crew Morale | DSC S03 EP04What happens when a human host, carrying a Trill symbiont, travels to Trill to learn more about their ... Trill-ness? The trio looks at the latest entry from "Star Trek: Discovery" that explores this new character Adira and what makes her tick. There is heart, romance, and mystery -- and then they look at Captain Saru and Dr. Culber trying to boost crew morale and invent the role of ship's counselor. What do you think is going on with this crew (and the ship's computer), and what can be done to help?

Captains of Diplomacy | DSC S03 EP03The U.S.S. Discovery arrives home ... kind of. Future Earth gives the crew a rude welcome, a decision must be made about the captain's chair, and the show gets a new crewman. This episode also serves as an opportunity to examine other Starfleet captain's diplomatic skills. From Archer to Kirk, Picard to Janeway, Sisko to Saru -- what opportunities have these leaders have to show what abilities they have? Let us know which captain has the highest "diplomatic ranking."

Episode Review | DSC S03 Ep 02Discovery is back! The ship and non-Michael crew, that is. It's time to see how they've survived the 950 year trip into the future. The trio looks at Saru's leadership skills, how much of this episode is a "space western," and try to predict what is to come for rebuilding the Federation.

What is the Federation? | DSC S03 Ep 01. Michael Burnham falls back into our lives as “Star Trek: Discovery” begins its third season ... and it’s into an unknown future. The trio review “That Hope Is You, Part 1” and then look into the question that the episode poses - what is the Federation? What could topple it? What could save it? Let us know what you think about the feasibility of the United Federation of Planets surviving for centuries.

"No Small Parts" - Star Trek: Lower DecksThe first season of Trek's second animated series comes to an end - and there is a lot jammed into it! The episode begins with an unexpectedly serious turn of events and soon the ensigns of the U.S.S. Cerritos are facing some life-changing events. What did you think of this season finale, and now that one season is in the bag, what do we think about "Lower Decks" overall?

Crisis Point - It's movie time! Grab the popcorn and soda (in the safety of your living room) and join the trio as they talk about the newest entry into the Star Trek feature film pantheon, thanks to Beckett Mariner. There are lots of gags and references to Trek films, both recent and older, that help bring this episode to life. Most of the characters have a moment to reveal a little more of themselves - and the surprise ending sets up the next episode, the season one finale. Let us know your favorite moments!

"Star Trek: Lower Decks" - VeritasThe trio is joined by Aaron Harvey of the podcast "Infinite Trek" to talk about an episode that balances individual storylines for our four animated characters. In this homage to "Star Trek VI," what does the perspectives tell us about the four ensigns and how does a hidden balloon explain everything? Let us know your favorite moment.

“Much Ado About Boimler.” The first season of “Lower Decks” is almost over ... and is their potentially some character development afoot? The trio is joined by Sue from the Roddenberry podcast “Women at Warp” to look at Mariner battling alongside an Academy friend - what has Beckett lost by clinging to her single pip with a death grip and not pursuing that captain rank? We also take a trip to The Farm with Boimler and Dog. What references did we miss? And how could more Rutherford be added to this episode?