Series 8, Episode 1 - "It does sound a bit "soap opera" when you put it like that"

The holodeck is officially open as Hit or Miss: Star Trek launches a brand-new season exploring one of the franchise's most beloved—and notoriously unreliable—pieces of technology. Joining the Captain Wilson Command Hologram as the show's newest recurring First Officer is actor, writer and performer Justin Avery Smith, fresh from his acclaimed one-man show Revenge of the Soy Boy, and switching focus back from Wars to Trek. Before stepping into this week's main review, the duo opens hailing frequencies to discuss some of their favourite holodeck stories from across the franchise, while the Hit or Miss segment tackles a selection of memorable holographic outings including a socially prophetic TNG episode, a Voyager holoprogram, a new and unique ship, a beloved main cast member of three Trek series, and a very emotional Star Trek: Voyager story. For the main review, attention turns to Strange New Worlds and the third-season episode A Space Adventure Hour, a loving homage to decades of Star Trek holodeck adventures. The discussion covers the episode's recreation of classic Original Series aesthetics, its surprisingly deep collection of references to Star Trek history and production lore, Jonathan Frakes' direction, the introduction of the holodeck years earlier than previously established canon, and Martin Quinn's continuing performance as Scotty. Along the way the crew examines the episode's central mystery, its use of familiar holodeck malfunction tropes, the effectiveness of its B-plot aboard the Enterprise, the various real-world Star Trek figures hidden within the holographic story, and whether the episode succeeds as a celebration of the franchise or simply recycles ideas Trek has explored before. The conversation also dives into the episode's strongest and most controversial moments, from its heartfelt defence of science fiction and Star Trek's cultural importance to its ongoing handling of Spock's romantic storylines, leading to one of the podcast's most passionate debates of the season so far. Was A Space Adventure Hour an affectionate love letter to Star Trek's past, or a hollow recreation of better stories? Join us as we fire up the recreation room and begin a brand-new season of holographic adventures. Computer, begin program.

Links

Follow Justin at:

justinaverysmith.com

Facebook and Instagram - Justinaverysmith

BlueSky - justinaverysmith@bluesky.social

TikTok - @justaverysmith

YouTube - @JustAVerySmith

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Co-host - Justin Avery Smith

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"They wrote themselves into this corner."