Exploring the SS Bonaventure.

Seen in “The Time Trap,” the twelfth episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series, the SS Bonaventure was lost during her third voyage in an area that came to be known as the Delta Triangle.

In this special episode of Saturday Morning Trek—nearly a year in the making—host Aaron Harvey is joined by Lonnie McAfee to investigate this animated starship that features design elements that are a precursor to the famous Constitution class. We explore not only the ship itself, but the time period from which it may have come and the real-life history of vessels named Bonaventure.

And, because Star Trek fans like to go one step beyond, we’ve also built the starship! Well, not a physical ship, but a 3D model created with input from design greats such as Doug Drexler and Rick Sternbach, as well the original designer, Bob Kline.

So, buckle up and get ready to head back into the Delta Triangle!

Chapters Introduction (00:01:21) What We Know from TAS (00:08:14) Sarah April (00:11:35) Why We Chose This Time Period (00:16:54) Bonaventure Design (00:20:36) Ship Size (00:25:57) Real-life Bonaventure History (00:28:13) 1650s: HMS President/Bonaventure (00:28:45) 1939–40: HMSCS Bonaventure CVL 22 (00:31:02) Bonaventure in the Star Trek Universe (00:33:15) 2061 The First Warp Ship (00:33:51) 2063 The Phoenix (00:36:18) 2067 UNSS Bonaventure (00:36:23) 2149 The Franklin (00:40:15) 2151 The NX-01 (00:40:20) 2156 NCC-1000 Bonaventure Class (00:40:39) The Warp 7 Project (00:42:17) Disappearance of the Bonaventure (00:43:41) How the 3D Model Was Built (00:57:41) Eaglemoss Fan Concept (01:16:27) Closing (01:20:57)

Host Aaron Harvey

Guest Lonnie McAfee

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Jihad. Kirk and Spock join the alien version of the Impossible Mission Force as they search for the soul of an ancient messiah figure on a planet that is constantly changing.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, hosts Aaron Harvey and Adam Drosin take you across the “mad planet” in a vehicle that should have been an accessory for Star Trek Mego action figures! We discuss the difference between the Aurelians and the Skorr, the similarities between Lara and Doctor Who companion Leela, and how this may be the only time William Shatner pronounces sabotage correctly! So, settle in for an epic adventure that takes … er … all of two minutes! What?

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Writer and Voices (00:03:47) Synopsis (00:4:37) Star Trek Playset Commercial (00:18:17) Reaction and Discussion (00:18:47) Big Wheel TV Commercial (00:39:14) Final Thoughts (00:39:43) Closing (00:42:09)

Hosts Aaron Harvey and Adam Drosin Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Eye of the Beholder review and watch-along. While investigating the disappearance of the USS Ariel crew, Kirk and company uncover a world where everything is perfect—a little too perfect. In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, hosts Aaron Harvey and Joe Slepski take you on a side journey through the works of the episode’s writer, David P. Harmon, to find out where Happy Days originated, the influence of the Magnificent Seven on Star Trek, and, of course, we answer the pressing question, "What is Brett Summers famous for?" Oh yes, and we also find out what happened to the crew of the Ariel. So get your DVDs, Blu-rays, or Netflix ready, grab a bowl of Quisp cereal, and join us in the wood-paneled den for this hybrid review and watch-along! Chapters Intro (00:01:22) The Match Game, Brett Summers and the Magnificent Seven (00:03:47) Love American Style (00:12:46) Watch-along "They Eye of the Beholder" (00:15:49) Episode Reaction (00:39:53) Closing (00:45:24) Hosts Aaron Harvey and Joe Slepski Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Yesteryear watch-along.

We all wish we could go back in time and help out our younger self—give advice, maybe tell our parents to be a bit more understanding. The more ambitious among us might pretend to be our own distant cousin, save our own life, and teach past us the Vulcan nerve pinch. That’s exactly what Spock does in the famous Star Trek: The Animated Series episode “Yesteryear.”

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, hosts Aaron Harvey and Joe Slepski engage in the show’s very first watch-along—which leaves us with more questions than it answers—including whether He-Man is actually Spock. So get your DVDs, Blu-rays, or Netflix ready, grab a bowl of your favorite cereal, and set out to Vulcan with us!

Chapters Intro and backstory (00:1:30) Watch-along (00:19:00) Closing (00:46:55)

Hosts Aaron Harvey and Joe Slepski

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Spock, Sub-Mariner

Aaron & Adam and special guest Joe Slepski host of the "Joe on Joe, a G.I. Joe Podcast" grab a bowl of Boo-Berry cereal and review "The Ambergris Element".

What happens when Kirk and Spock are made into waterbreathers by an undersea race, and the venom of a deadly sea snake is the only antidote to return them to their normal selves? Underwater adventure of course!

We talk about the newest shuttle to grace the overfilled shuttle bay, the Aquashuttle and it's companion the scouter-gig, the Enterprise's equivalent to a bass fishing boat, we wrestle with ethical dilemmas like cultural preservation and transporter ethics and along the way discuss The Man from Atlantis, the Heavy Metal the Movie, and Irwin Allen's "Earthquake."

So grab a snorkel and some fins and swim on in for "The Ambergris Element."

Chapters Intro (00:01:40) Synopsis (00:05:37) Air date, writer and voices (00:07:11) Heavy Metal Movie commercial (00:19:53) Story (00:20:19) How many eyelids? (00:25:15) G.I. Joe 70s Toy Commercial (00:40:46) Trek Tech (00:41:18) Meta Treks (00:47:23) Closing (01:06:32)

Hosts Aaron Harvey Adam Drosin

Guest Joe Slepski of Joe on Joe, a G.I. Joe podcast @joeonjoepod

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager).

This episode of “Saturday Morning Trek” is ostensibly a review of the recently released stand alone "Star Trek The Animated Series" blu-ray, but when friend of the network, Dayton Ward and host Aaron Harvey get talking it's a winding conversation through the history of TAS!  

Join Aaron and Dayton as they look at the blu-ray's video & audio quality, bonus content, and packaging and take detours into the history of Filmation, older media TAS was once released on, their respective stories working with IDW on Star Trek comics and ultimately answer the question: Is the blu-ray worth the price?  

Chapters   Intro (00:01:05)    Animated Options (00:03:20 )    Blu-Ray Video Quality and Animation (00:07:05)   Audio quality and Audio cues and Filmation culture (00:12:45)   Bonus Content (00:12:36)   Packaging (00:30:17)   Magnavision Laserdisc Commercial (00:39:05)   Sound revisited (00:40:52)   Ratings (00:46:41)   Story craft (00:47:40)   Daytons Current Work (00:49:35)   Aaron's IDW news (00:59:01)   Closing (01:04:00)  

Host   Aaron Harvey  

Guest   Dayton Ward  

Production   Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager).

Former "To The Journey" co-host Tristan Ridell joins Aaron Harvey to compare and contrast Star Trek The Animated Series episode "The Time Trap" to Star Trek Voyager's "The Void".

Both stories have their respective ships getting caught in a starless void with no seeming way out, but even the animated series wasn't the first the crew of the Enterprise faced a similar predicament nor was it for the Voyager crew.

Join Aaron and Tristan as they talk comics, video games, TAS, Voyager and Lt. President Obama!

Chapters   Intro (00:01:05)   "Time Trap" and "The Void" synopsis (00:02:20 )   Air Date, Writer & Voices (00:03:47)   Psionic (00:08:17)   Dayton Ward tie-in book (00:10:29)   GoldKey "Museum at the end of Time" (00:11:07)   Star Trek Voyager Elite Force (00:14:19)   The Bonaventure (00:19:12)   "Time Trap" and "The Void" comparison (00:22:07)   Simon (00:32:11)   Lt. Obama (00:32:48)   Trek Canon (00:34:23)   Bloopers (00:44:12)   Closing (00:48:20)  

Hosts   Aaron Harvey

Guest   Tristan Ridell

Production   Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Neil S. Bulk and Mike Matessino La-La Land Records have done what many thought was impossible, they have brought us the soundtrack to Star Trek The Animated series.  The music, created by jazz composer and conductor who worked with the likes of Billie Holiday, Barbara Streisand and Buddy Holly, can have an ear worm effect when watching consecutive episodes because only 30 minutes of music was created for 9 hours worth of episodes. But why was this a seemingly impossible task? All the master music tracks are missing and presumed destroyed. Tune in and learn about how this impossible feat of rebuilding the soundtrack was accomplished. Chapters Intro  (00:01:03)   Bio of Ray Ellisl (00:02:00)   About LaLaLand Records & Star Trek (00:02:51) Stems and Cels (00:06:45) Live Action re-use (00:13:45) Paris recording (00:19:50) Josie and the Pussycats In Outer Space - theme - (00:24:12) Recreating the Soundtrack (00:28:36) The Animated Series Theme  (00:37:55) Closing (00:45:46) Hosts Aaron Harvey Guests Neil S. Bulk  Mike Matessino Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

"The Alternative Factor" was a badly paced, somewhat confusing episode about 2 men from alternate universes, one good, one insane, one from a positive matter universe, the other from an anti-matter universe. "The Counter-Clock Incident" was a better paced, but possibly more confusing, but defiantly more scientifically dubious animated series episode about another negative universe.  Can the crews of three different Trek.fm shows pull together and create an animated series sequel to the "Alternative Factor" AND "The Counter-Clock Incident" that 's more compelling than the originals and uses all the rules of all the different universes but still manages make sense?  Join us for the first episode of our fictional third season of Star Trek The Animated Series! Chapters Intro and Contest Details (00:01:03)   The Alternative Factor and The Counter-Colock Incident Synopsis (00:02:40)   The Wood Paneled Writer's Room (00:05:15) Star Trek Super Phaser 2 Target Game Commercial  (00:37:16) Episode Recap (00:37:45) Closing (00:45:46) Hosts Aaron harvey Ken Tripp Brandon-Shea Mutala Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

If you thought Deep Space Nine was the first time a Starfleet crew shrunk down to the size of action figures, think again!  Was the trope of thematic cure-all of the transporter a TNG invention? Not exactly! And if you thought Enterprise was the first time we saw colonist from the Terra project, we'd shout "Shale!"  Join Aaron Harvey and special returning co-host Darren Moser as they grab their xenylon based uniforms and review "The Terratin Incident" Written by the same writer as "Balance of Terror" and "The Squire of Gothos", "The Terratin Incident" send the Enterprise crew on lilliputian adventure. Aaron and Darren connect the dots between other Trek series and try and make sense of the "science" behind the shrinking crew! Chapters Intro (00:01:09)   Synopsis (00:02:31)   Air Date, Writer and Voices (00:04:27) Starlog Magazine Commerical (00:06:34) Aaron and Darren's review  (00:12:02) Land of the Giants promo (00:26:36) Trek Tech and Chronology (00:27:35) Bloopers (00:40:18) STLV Flashback (00:41:39) Mego - Star Trek Mission to Gamma VI (00:46:46) Closing (00:48:37) Hosts Darren Moser Aaron Harvey Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Mudd's Passion. Roger C. Carmel is back as Harry Mudd, this time swindling miners with a love potion. Yay?! Yeah, not so much. The Harry Mudd character had been pretty well mined, pun fully intended, and in the 21st century is somewhat problematic. So, what do we do when an episode may not be our favorite? Why, we dive deeper!  We look at an unused shuttle seen in the background of the shuttle bay, postulate on the connection between the Ursanoids and D.C. Fontana’s original concept for a founding member species of the Federation, we even talk about spectacular failures of rail-based romantic-comedy TV shows!  So join us in our review of “Mudd’s Passion” where the sum of the parts are greater than the whole. Chapters Intro (00:01:02)   News (00:02:19)   Synopsis (00:02:59)   Air Date, Writer (00:04:38) Supertrain (00:05:12)   Voices (00:08:53) Review (00:09:45) Ursanoids and Tellarites a shared history? (00:14:45) Quisp Cereal Commercial (00:20:54) Trek Tech (00:28:27) Bloopers (00:32:33) Closing (00:34:17) Hosts Adam Drosin Aaron Harvey Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Kerry O’Quinn Interview.

To say that Kerry O’Quinn had an impact on sci-fi fans of the ‘70s and ’80s is like saying Gene Roddenberry may have had some influence on television. Starting in another genre—soap operas—Kerry and his partner built a publishing powerhouse and expanded to magazines like Cinematic, Future Life, Starlog, and Fangoria, which is still being published today.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, host Aaron Harvey is joined by O’Quinn to share how he was writing a blog before there was such a thing, how he brought Star Trek and Star Wars together, and why so many people told him he was going to hell. Maybe he will run into Lucien there! Friend, Kerry!

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) News (00:02:04) A Blog before Blogs (00:02:48) Future Life Magazine (00:04:39) Outsider Culture (00:06:12) Soap Opera Magazines (00:10:44) Not for Women Only Segment (00:11:57) Gene and George Star Trek Wars (00:15:52) Star Wars 10th Anniversary (00:17:34) Starlog Commercial (00:22:53) Creating Fangoria (00:25:05) Changing Fandom (00:32:32) Designing Starlog (00:37:21) Drag Worms (00:39:22) Closing (00:54:49)

Host Aaron Harvey

Guest Kerry O'Quinn

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Once Upon a Planet.

The Enterprise crew revisits the fondly remembered "amusement park" planet, hoping for some rest and relaxation—which of course turns into kidnapping and the near destruction of the ship.

Filmation has always had a bad reputation for sloppy animation and stilted storytelling. Unfortunately, we my have found one of the episodes where this is somewhat deserved.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, hosts Aaron Harvey and Adam Drosin talk the pros and cons of this animated sequel to "Shore Leave," and take you on a Journey from Star Trek to Isis (no, not that one) to Baywatch Nights. Yes, Baywatch Nights! Kirk gets to talk down a computer, Uhura sings, and Sulu is in two places at once. Grab your two-headed dragon and join the fun!

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Welcome (00:01:03) Synopsis (00:03:13) Monster Cereal Commercial (00:05:37) Airdate, Writers and Voices (00:06:06) Baywatch Nights...no really! (00:11:43) Isis and Shazam! Intros (00:15:50) Reaction to "Once Upon a Planet" (00:17:56) Shore Leave Comic Book Series (00:25:10) Burger King Commercial (00:31:11) Production Values and Bloopers (00:32:11) Trek Tech (00:35:42) Closing (00:38:57)

Hosts Aaron Harvey and Adam Drosin

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Star Trek: The Classic UK Comics, Vol. 1.

When you think of Star Trek comics of the 1970s, the Gold Key comics, the comics that promoted Star Trek: The Motion Picture on the side of McDonald's Happy Meals, or the weekly newspaper strips may come to mind. But if you're from the UK, adventures from the pages of TV 21 and Joe 90 probably trump them all. Six months before the original Star Trek TV series premiered in England, British readers were introduced to the characters through an original comic book series. These stories were serialized, generally 2–3 pages in length, and appeared in 257 weekly magazines spanning five years and 37 storylines.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, we're joined by Rich Handley to discuss the these psychedelic 1970s voyages. Rich is the man who undertook the Herculean task of compiling the 244-page tome. We explore the experience of delving into obscure cartoons and the nitty gritty of scanning 45-year-old newspapers to create a coffee table-quality book.

Take a peek at the book: http://trekfm.link/2btIa7b

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Welcome (00:01:08) History of the UK Comics (00:2:03) Writing Oddities (00:11:04) The Look and Layout (00:14:30) The Stories (00:21:34) Star Trek: The Motion Picture Klingon Happy Meal (00:27:51) The Production Process (00:33:45) Joe 90 and TV 21 (00:42:52) The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang Intro (00:48:21) Saturday Morning Cartoons (00:49:06) Rich Handley's Other Projects (00:53:36)

Host Aaron Harvey

Guest Rich Handley

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Conventions in the 1970s.

Convention season is officially upon us. Among the gatherings that await fans are Comic-Con International in San Diego, Star Trek Las Vegas, the gaming convention Gen Con in Indianapolis, Atlanta's Dragon Con, New York Comic Con, Mission New York by ReedPOP and CBS … and the list goes on and on.

Today, pop-culture conventions of all kinds are commonplace; but in the 1970s they were new and different. These conventions weren't sponsored by financial entertainment juggernauts. Instead, they were organized by superfans—and in the case of Star Trek they had a secondary agenda: to keep the series alive!

The phrase "Star Trek Lives!" was used on flyers advertising the first big Trek convention, held in New York City in 1972. It was also part of the Star Trek revival campaign undertaken by fans in the early 1970s.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, host Aaron Harvey explores the early Star Trek conventions and see how they became the template for today's cons.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Early Fandom (00:05:24) 1973 Convention Clip (00:07:31) The First Star Trek Convention (00:14:46) The Actual First Convention (00:19:33) Saturday Night Live Skit (00:23:47) Next Generation Fandom (00:35:57) Palmolive Commercial (00:51:48) Fandom Outside the US (00:52:26) Larry Nemecek's Con Story (01:01:51) Star Trek: The Motion Picture Teaser (01:06:49) Closing (01:11:31)

Host Aaron Harvey

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Star Trek: Planet of the Titans.

When Bryan Fuller revealed the ship for the new television series, Star Trek: Discovery, it looked familiar; but not in the way you'd think. Only seven months after The Animated Series was canceled, Gene Roddenberry was back at Paramount working on something new: a Star Trek movie. The project died in development, but a year later he was piecing together another concept.

For a big-screen adventure, you need a big-screen Enterprise. So he recruited Ken Adam, who designed the classic villains' lair in Goldfinger and Thunderball—as well as the war room in Dr. Strangelove, and illustrator Ralph McQuarrie, who was fresh off the soon-to-be-released Star Wars. What they created was a unique design that never got to be the hero it was meant to be. But now this design gets a second chance at life in Star Trek: Discovery.

In this special bite-sized Saturday Morning Trek, join host Aaron Harvey on a quick journey down the road not taken … to a movie never made … Star Trek: Planet of the Titans.

Chapters Intro (00:00:50) Take 1: The God Thing (00:02:15) Take 2: Planet of the Titans (00:03:36) Redesigning the Enterprise (00:04:29) The Titan Enterprise in Later Trek (00:5:42) Take 3: Star Trek II? Phase II? (00:06:09) Closing (00:06:34)

Host Aaron Harvey

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Joo Kim (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

The Magicks of Megas-Tu.

The Enterprise takes a jaunt to the center of the galaxy to see what might still be happening at the point of the Big Bang. Soon after, the crew apparently parts ways with science. They find an energy–matter whirlwind and a fireworks display that rivals those of the US Bicentennial celebrations. Spock draws a pentagram on the floor, Sulu conjures up a woman, Kirk shoots magic lightning beams out of his hands, and a guy that's not Q puts humanity on trial. Oh, and did we mention Lucifer is there?

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek—the first to feature new co-host Adam Drosin—we dive into "The Magicks of Megas-Tu," one of the strangest, most transgressive bits of Star Trek ever committed to film. We discuss everything from Jacques Tati's gloriously choreographed, nearly wordless movie about confusion in the age of technology to English occultist author and ceremonial magician Aleister Crowley, as well as TV broadcast standards and the obsession with red, white and blue in the 1970s. So grab a stein of ale and settle into the wood-paneled den. It’s going to be a trip!

Chapters Intro and Welcome to Adam Drosin (00:01:24) How Adam Came to The Animated Series (00:05:00) Synopsis (00:09:42) Airdate, Writers, and Voices (00:12:27) Transgressive TAS (00:16:05) Bicentennial Fever! (00:27:58) "Yes We Can!" Commercial (00:30:40) Broadcasting to Kids (00:31:39) Mind Bleep (00:35:09) "The Night Gallery" Intro (00:40:17) Perfect Moments (00:40:56) "Mission Magic" Intro (00:49:03) Alister Crawley (00:52:45) Closing (00:56:33)

Hosts Aaron Harvey and Adam Drosin

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Interview with Dorothy Fontana.

A television writer since the early 1960s, Dorothy "D.C." Fontana was the personal assistant to Gene Roddenberry. It was through this role that she became a prominent creative force behind Star Trek. Dorothy had a large part in developing the character of Spock and his family in her story "Journey to Babel," and is also responsible for many other classic episode of The Original Series. She continued her ties to Star Trek when she signed on to Star Trek: The Animated Series in 1973, for which she became story editor and associate producer. And along the way, she deepened Spock's backstory in her script for the most famous TAS episode of all: "Yesteryear."

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, none other than Dorothy herself drops by the Trek.fm wood-paneled den. We discuss the fan reaction to the announcement of an animated series, how a writers strike actually improved the quality of the scripts, and how she brought a strong female voice to other '70s shows like The Six Million Dollar Man and Land of Lost.

Chapters Intro (00:01:30) Getting involved with The Animated Series (00:02:11) Fan Reception and Fan Base (00:4:05) ABC Cartoon Promo (00:11:02) "Yesteryear" (00:11:44) Creating the Sehlat (00:14:30) “The Magicks of Megas-Tu” (00:18:26) Working with Filmation (00:21:30) The Writer's Strike (00: 27:55) The Stories, Writers, and Actors (00:30:05) The Third Season and New Show Possibilities (00:33:29) Other 1970s Shows (00:40:44) The Six Million Dollar Man Clip (00:46:40) Current Projects (00:54:07) Closing (00:57:02)

Host Aaron Harvey

Guest Dorothy "D.C." Fontana

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

The Infinite Vulcan.

On the planet Phylos, the Enterprise crew encounters a geneticist from the Eugenics Wars in the form of a clone. A giant clone. And he wants to duplicate Spock in his own image as part of a plan to create a galactic peacekeeping force. What could possibly go wrong? On this planet of sentient foliage, Kirk and crew must dodge purple plants that look like tribbles on stilts, flying dragon plants with springs instead of legs, and shields that nearly drain the dilithium crystals—all in an effort to save Spock!

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, we're joined by Andi VanderKolk as we try and weed through this giggle-worthy episode to find the katra at the center: What happens to a warrior who becomes obsolete in an age of peace? We also ponder how can we bring The Animated Series back into the fold in this new age of Star Trek.

Saturday Morning Trek would also like to welcome aboard Mike Bovia, our second associate producer! Want to become a patron of the network yourself? Just go to www.patreon.com/trekfm and become part of the team!

Chapters Intro (00:01:30) Walter Koenig Reprise (00:02:59) Synopsis (00:04:53) Airdate, Writer, and Voices (00:05:38) Initial Thoughts (00:07:54) Bringing Back the Eugenics Wars (00:15:59) Mind-Touch Your Cousin (00:28:06) Mego Superman and Wonder Woman Commercial (00:30:28) Bloopers and Chronology (00:30:57) Bringing TAS Back into the Fold (00:33:08) Closing (00:47:30) Giant Spock Police Force—Dance Remix (00:49:35)

Host Aaron Harvey

Guest Andi VanderKolk

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Mike Bovia (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

The Survivor.

When the Enterprise rescues a one-man ship on the edge of the Romulan Neutral Zone, the crew is shocked to discover that the ship is registered to Carter Winston, a famous philanthropist who has been missing for five years. Even more shocked is his fianceé, Anne, a security officer aboard the Enterprise.

How would you react if your long lost fiancé returned to you … and then said he can’t marry you? Ever. Oh yeah, and he’s an alien. And the human he is impersonating is rich—rich in a culture with no money. Those are just some of the issues tackled in “The Survivor.”

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, the wood-paneled den gets a visit from Andi VanderKolk of Women at Warp as we tackle this installment of The Animated Series.

Chapters Intro and Beyond! (00:01:53) Synopsis (00:08:00) Air Date and Writer (00:9:53) Voices (00:10:12) Blame It on Lt. Kyle (00:14:31) Vendorians, Romulans, and Bad Command Decisions (00:16:00) Rewriting Legends (00:34:51) The Flash Cartoon with Ted Knight (00:36:15) Continuity and Technology (00:36:47) Who Is Carter Winston Now? (00:39:52) Leisure Suit Carter (00:43:32) Final Thoughts (00:49:12)

Host Aaron Harvey

Guest Andi VanderKolk

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Eric Extreme (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

More Tribbles, More Troubles. What happens when you feed a Tribble? If you said you get lots of little Tribbles, this time you'd be wrong! Revisit the world of prodigiously multiplying furry creatures in animated sequel to “The Trouble with Tribbles.”

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, Aaron Harvey and Darren Moser remember a time when you couldn't find the episode you wanted with just a click of a button, making “More Tribbles, More Troubles” less of a beat-for-beat rehash and more of a fun revisit of newly classic Trek. Cyrano Jones returns, Koloth faces Kirk in battle—despite Jadzia’s claims otherwise—and we see the evolution of Klingon weapons. We also discuss the merits of … green shirts? That's right, Anovos has announced TAS-inspired retro Starfleet uniform shirts—that even come in green!

Chapters Intro (00:02:46) I Knew You Were Tribble When You Walked In (00:5:19) Synopsis (00:07:25) Airdate and Writer (00:10:18) Kids are Tribble (00:10:31) Tribble Seeing Color (00:13:31) Voices (00:14:08) Mego’s “Star Trek Super Phaser 2 Target Game” Commercial (00:17:33) Trek Tech (00:24:53) Continuity (00:29:56) Bloopers and Final Thoughts (00:34:37)

Hosts Aaron Harvey and Darren Moser

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

The Lorelei Signal.

What happens when the Enterprise visits a planet populated entirely by women? All of the men lose the ability to think straight … because it's the '70s, you know. Thankfully Uhura and Nurse Chapel are ready to take command.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, Aaron Harvey is joined Women at Warp co-host Sue Kisenwether to discuss this story that sees Lieutenant Uhura taking the captain's chair, Christine Chapel being promoted to chief medical officer, and features 30 seconds of Scotty singing an unintelligible Welsh ballad. Plus, there are young, long-haired blondes in low-cut pantsuits who suck the life-force out of the men by juggling gems! Could this be the "Spock's Brain" of The Animated Series? Join Aaron and Sue as they stun first and ask questions later!

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Synopsis (00:02:18) Commercial: Mego Action Figures (00:05:50) Airdate and Writer (00:06:41) Legend of The Lorelei/Siren Song (00:08:42) Voices (00:10:43) Aaron's and Sue's Reactions (00:12:23) Commercial: Parker Brothers' Careers (00:20:26) More Reactions (00:20:58) Bloopers (00:29:01) Trek Tech and Continuity (00:31:17)

Host Aaron Harvey

Guest Sue Kisenwether

Production Aaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Andy Mangels Interview, Part 2.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, Aaron Harvey is joined once again by Andy Mangels, co-author of Lou Scheimer: Creating The Filmation Generation, for a continuing journey behind the scenes of Star Trek: The Animated Series. We learn more about Lou Scheimer, the man behind Filmation Associates, find out that fans are pretty much the same today as they were in the 1970s, and what not to do if you're nominated for an Emmy.

ChaptersIntro (00:00:00) TAS Fan Reaction (00:02:23) Gene Roddenberry and Filmation (00:05:20) TAS Debut (00:07:51) Season 1 (00:10:03) Licensing (00:11:24) Mego Toy Commercial (00:18:00) Audience and Ratings (00:19:11) The Music of TAS (00:20:51) Season 2 (00:24:36) Gene Roddenberry and The Animated Series (00:32:43) Star Trek's Emmy Win (00:35:15) Other Filmation Work (00:41:25) TAS's Legacy (00:44:50)

HostAaron Harvey

GuestAndy Mangels

ProductionAaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Andy Mangels Interview, Part 1.

Tun-Tun, Stormy, Ploof, and Steve the Vulcan. These are names every child of the late '60s and early '70s would have known if the first attempt to create an animated Star Trek show had succeeded. But as history would have it, the pencil-and-ink voyages of the USS Enterprise would take another course.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, Aaron Harvey is joined by Andy Mangels, co-author of Lou Scheimer: Creating The Filmation Generation, for a journey into what might have been. Andy shares with us the real-life story behind the animated series we did get, and also helps us get to know Lou Scheimer, the man behind Filmation Productions. It's thanks to Scheimer that Filmation became the powerhouse animation company that produced everything from the first Superman cartoon to appear on TV to the '80s icon He-Man!

ChaptersIntro (00:00:00) Toy Commercial (00:01:41) Discovering TAS (00:02:39) Writing the Book on Filmation (00:05:14) Getting to know Lou (07:02.52) How Filmation Changed Saturday Morning TV (00:09:40) Filmation Design (00:14:12) Kids and Educational TV (00:16:37) The Aborted Animated Series (00:18:34) NBC Saturday Morning Revue (00:25:55) TAS Joins NBC on Saturday Morning (00:26:45) The TAS Budget (00:38:52)

HostAaron Harvey

GuestAndy Mangels

ProductionAaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

One of Our Planets Is Missing.

What happens when the Enterprise encounters a living cloud that feeds on the planets that lie in its path? Spock uses a Vulcan mind touch to communicate with the entity, of course! And thanks to his Vulcan persuasion, he convinces it that killing sentient life is not good and nudges it back to its place of origin. Day saved!

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, hosts Aaron Harvey and Darren Moser review this animated adventure that follows all the tenants of a good TOS episode. The crew puts their best foot forward offering solutions to the problem at hand, revisits a friend from Kirk's past, and shows off a part of the ship we've never seen before!

In other news, there actually is news about The Animated Series just in time for the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek, and we will you in on why it might make you feel Blu. Plus, we hear a very special story from one of our listeners about how "Yesteryear" affected her childhood.

ChaptersTAS News (00:03:24) Mego Commercial (00:10:07) Episode Synopsis (00:10:48) Airdates and Writing Credits (00:12:48) Episode Reaction (00:15:10) Cloud Creature Design (00:20:12) Star Trek Continuity (00:33:49 ) TAS Tech (00:35:06) Bloopers (00:38:17) Listener Feedback (00:44:03)

HostsAaron Harvey and Darren Moser

ProductionAaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Yesteryear.

Sarek, Amanda, Vulcan, sehlats, The Guardian of Forever, taunting Vulcan children. This famous episode of TAS has it all, and stretches back to TOS with ramifications that affect the future and even alternate timelines.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, hosts Aaron Harvey and Darren Moser are joined by Melodic Trek's Brandon-Shea Mutala to discuss the quintessential TAS episode "Yesteryear," in which Spock must travel back in time to his childhood to keep his younger self from dying. In the process, he sets into motion a chain of events that lead to his being replaced on the Enterprise by an Andorian—and giving future writers numerous gems to work with in the process.

We also discuss the recording sessions, the fan-inspired sehlat design, the consequences of time travel, and the the many, many ways this episode cements The Animated Series as Star Trek canon. So after you've watched "The Door to Winter" from Season Six of Enterprise, join us as we explore Spock's childhood and the dawn of the Orion civilization.

ChaptersMego Commercial (00:04:34) Episode Synopsis (00:05:05) Airdates & Production Order (00:07:49) Dorothy Fontana (00:09:27) Guest Voices and Recording Sessions (00:10:21) Episode Reaction (00:14:35) Sehlat Design (00:30:11) Star Trek Canon (00:31:36) TAS Tech (00:35:40) Listener Challenge (00:37:53) Bloopers (00:40:47) Mego Commercial (00:44:02) Lessons Learned (00:44:34)

HostsAaron Harvey and Darren Moser

GuestBrandon-Shea Mutala

ProductionAaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Recasting The Animated Series.

You need to be careful when choosing a crew for a starship, especially when that crew comprises cartoon characters! In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, hosts Aaron Harvey and Darren Moser travel down Animated Memory Lane to compare notes on their ideal starship crews—if they were comprised of 1970s and 1990s cartoon characters! Find out who they choose to fill the roles of captain, first officer, navigator and helmsman, science officer, head of security, communications officer, chief engineer, and doctor. Oh … and a few redshirts and a ship mascot or two.

ChaptersThe SuperCrew Challenge (00:01:21)Captain (00:02:49)First Officer (00:05:51)Navigator and Helmsman (00:11:36)Science Officer (00:19:13)Head of Security (00:23:19)Communications Officer (00:27:45)Chief Engineer (00:31:18)Doctor (00:35:17)Redshirt (00:40:00)Ship Mascot (00:42:53)Final Thoughts (00:46:57)

HostsAaron Harvey and Darren Moser

ProductionAaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Beyond The Farthest Star.

In every explorer’s life, there comes a time when they become animated. Literally. And that time has come for Kirk and his crew. It's time to board the cartoon Enterprise and investigate the severe hypergravitational effects coming from Questar M-17!

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, hosts Aaron Harvey and Darren Moser return from jumping the timeline and review the very first episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series, “Beyond the Farthest Star.” What was the reaction to the show back in the 1970s? Does it still hold up today? What is the connection between this episode and Tarzan? Strap on your lifebelts, take the second turbolift, and join them at the transporter pad to find out!

ChaptersSynopsis (00:03:12)Skylab Launch News (00:05:39)Airdates and Story Inspiration (00:06:58)Voices and Guest Characters (00:09:48) Music (00:11:46)Darren's and Aaron’s Reaction (00:12:21)Admiration for the Alien Pod Ship (00:17:18)Keenser, Is That You? (00:20:28)Reaction in the 1970s (00:21:45)Trek Tech (00:24:51)Animation Bloopers (00:28:25)

HostsAaron Harvey and Darren Moser

ProductionAaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Walter Koenig Interview.

You might think that Pavel Chekov never appeared on Star Trek: The Animated Series—and you would be right. But Walter wrote the seventh episode of TAS's first season, "The Infinite Vulcan." Want to know more about that? Well, we're honored to welcome Walter Koenig (pronounced "KAY-nig"), Star Trek's original Chekov, to tell you about it first-hand as our very first guest.

In this episode of Saturday Morning Trek, Aaron and Darren sit down in the Trek.fm wood-paneled den (literally!) and talk with Walter about writing for TAS, how he found out he wouldn't be on the show, and where he got the inspiration for the episode he wrote. We also delve deeper into his writing for television, a proposed story for Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the world of comic books.

Plus, Walter talks a bit about his time on Babylon 5, what kind of input he had on his character as a writer, and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Star Trek by sharing some of his many endeavors.

ChaptersSummary of "The Infinite Vulcan" (00:02:25)Walter Koenig Getting Started in Writing (00:03:25)Writing for TV (00:06:46)Walter's Post-TOS Life (00:09:18)Writing for The Animated Series (00:14:22)Finds Out He Wasn't on TAS (00:19:30)Walter's Aborted TNG Story (00:25:50)Happy Times on Babylon 5 (00:29:58)Writing for Comic Books (00:34:52)Current Endeavors (00:43:50)The Reason Khan Remembered Chekov (00:49:45)Commercial Break (00:54:44)

HostsAaron Harvey and Darren Moser

ProductionAaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)

Premier Episode.

Welcome to the premier episode of Trek.fm's new podcast, Saturday Morning Trek—a show about Star Trek: The Animated Series and all things Trek in the 1970s. In this episode, hosts Aaron Harvey and Darren Moser discuss their plans for the podcast and some of the upcoming topics, such as the rise of convention culture, Phase II, Planet of the Titans, Mego toys, and more.

Find out who spearheaded The Animated Series on both the Filmation and Roddenberry side as Aaron shares an overview of the history of Filmation. Darren and Aaron also share how they first encountered TAS and the challenges of proving the show existed in the era before the internet. Plus, does D.C. Fontana views TAS as canon?

ChaptersShow Format (00:01:49)Trek in the 1970s (00:02:38)Trek Continuity and TAS (00:07:11)Filmation History and Star Trek (00:08:09)TAS Cast, Characters, and Stories (00:11:51)Kids and Culture (00:15:56)Commercial Break: The Star Trekulator (00:17:03)Aaron's and Darren's First TAS Experiences (00:17:39)

HostsAaron Harvey and Darren Moser

ProductionAaron Harvey (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)