Standard Orbit: A Star Trek Original Series Podcast

Romulans in TOS.

What happens when you put Romans in space? They become Romulans! In this episode of Standard Orbit, Mike and Drew uncloak what the Romulans were up to in and before The Original Series, and how racism is apparently still a problem in the 23rd century. Plus, don't miss the listener mail during the closing, in which Kirk faces The Borg and jokes are attempted by the crew!

Direct download: so-012.mp3
Category:Aliens -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

Star Trek Generations with Earl Grey.

The producers of the first Next Generation movie were told they needed some Original Series to help out, so the crews of Earl Grey and Standard Orbit decided they needed to do the same. In Part I, the combined crews take a look at Star Trek Generations from a TOS point of view, discussing champagne bottles, Kirk's real dreams, and why TNG didn't really need Kirk to pass the torch. Part II will be installed on Tuesday on Earl Grey!

Direct download: so-011.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

The Unmade Starfleet Academy Movie.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is a great movie, however it wasn't the only option for the 25th anniversary film. One of the options considered would have been a prequel to The Original Series that took place while the characters were together in the Academy. In this episode of Standard Orbit, Mike and Drew discuss the outline of the Starfleet Academy movie, compare it to Star Trek (2009), and wonder if it might have been better than the existing Star Trek VI.

Direct download: so-010.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

Rewriting Season One with Marc Cushman.

The first season of The Original Series is a great piece of television history. In this episode of Standard Orbit, Mike and Drew talk with Marc Cushman, author of the new book These Are The Voyages, about which episode of Season One the producers were most proud of and a couple of episodes that fell apart in rewrites. Find out what you missed from the first drafts of some of your less favorite episodes.

Direct download: so-009.mp3
Category:Season One -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

The Trouble with Tribbles Commentary.

Everyone loves tribbles. We love tribbles. You love tribbles. Uhura and Chekov love tribbles. Bones loves tribbles. Spock loves tribbles (even if he won't admit it). Kirk loves tribbles (but not too much). Sulu would've loved tribbles (if he had been in this week's episode). And Scotty loves tribbles (even if he is responsible for all of their deaths).

In this episode of Standard Orbit, Drew and Mike provide and audio commentary for “The Trouble with Tribbles.” So grab your copy of the episode, sit back, relax, and strap it down!

Direct download: so-008.mp3
Category:Commentaries -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

Talking Spock with Dave Rossi.

Mr. Spock may be one of the most intriguing characters in Star Trek. Two natures always battling. Logic vs emotion. What is that makes this character so special that pretty much all of the franchise is based on him? Mike and Drew are joined again by Dave Rossi (Visual Effects Producer for Star Trek Remastered) to talk Spock. Would the franchise have survived without Spock? Would Kirk? Was Spock's presence necessary in the latest movies? Plus, find out what Mike has engraved on his wedding band!

Direct download: so-007.mp3
Category:Character Analysis -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

Dave Rossi on Star Trek Remastered.

How do you spice up a 40-year-old TV show for the 21st century while still being respectful of the originals? In this double-length episode of Standard Orbit, Mike & Drew talk to Dave Rossi, visual effects producer for Star Trek Remastered, about how he got involved in the project, the challenges, the fears, and the rules they tried to follow.

Direct download: so-006.mp3
Category:Star Trek Remastered -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

Gene Roddenberry.

There would be no Star Trek without its creator, Gene Roddenberry. In this episode of Standard Orbit, Drew and Mike take a look at the Great Bird of the Galaxy. We look at his work on The Original Series, how his vision of the future changed with The Next Generation, and what he would have thought of the Trek created after his death. 

Direct download: so-005.mp3
Category:Gene Roddenberry -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

Kirk vs. Computers.

One of Captain Kirk's many talents is his ability to talk computers into self-destructing. In this episode of Standard Orbit Mike and Drew take a look at three such instances. We discuss how he got a little help from Spock in “The Return of the Archons,” how he mastered the skill in “The Changeling,” and how he just got lucky in “The Ultimate Computer.” We also ponder whether or not Clint Eastwood is a Trekkie. 

Direct download: so-004.mp3
Category:Kirk -- posted at: 8:00pm MDT

James. Tiberius. Kirk.

There is no captain greater. And in this episode of Standard Orbit, Mike and Drew take a close look at Star Trek's original explorer-captain, Jim Kirk. Find out why they think he's the best, how being in movies changed Kirk, and how much Mike loves William Shatner (SPOILER: a lot). Plus, tune in to find how why Kirk doesn't like to lose!

Direct download: so-003.mp3
Category:Kirk -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

Meet the Pilots.

The Original Series was a first for television in that the studio loved the pilot so much they ordered a second one. In honor of Standard Orbit's second episode, Mike and Drew compare and contrast the pilots and ponder what the future would have been like if the studio hadn't ordered a second pilot. Which pilot is better? Which one is deeper? Would the franchise have existed without Shatner? 

Direct download: so-002.mp3
Category:Pilot Episodes -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

1: Sometimes You Need The Cheese

Meet the Crew.

Welcome to Standard Orbit, Trek.fm's newest show on Star Trek's oldest show: The Original Series! What started as an "anthology show with standing sets" in the late 1960s has become a cultural icon over the past 47 years. In the premiere episode of Standard Orbit, Drew and Mike tell the stories of how they were introduced to Star Trek, discuss why The Original Series has endured for so long, and share some of their favorite episodes. 

Direct download: so-001.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00pm MDT

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