A podcast about people who really, really love stuff — and the people who make that stuff. We dive into the world of geek fan culture, interviewing both devoted fans and creators about their favorite comics, movies, TV shows, and how they celebrate them. From famous filmmakers to fan fiction writers, and celebrities to cosplayers, we are like a weekly Comic-Con party for your ears. Follow us on Twitter: @FandomFilesSYFY.
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Fandom Files Podcasts
/report came out of the primordial ooze of cheap technology and even cheaper tastes in media consumption. If you've ever been listening to a podcast about culture and wished it was a little more downmarket or the dudes would make out, or if you've found yourself watching obscure movies just to see your favorite Canadian sci-fi actor romp around like a third-year theater student, you've found a kindred spirit in us. Mklutz and Pru host our weekly (usually) Sunday updates, and have cultivated ...
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convention & cosplay lore (est 2000)
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The Niche Files is a pop culture and media podcast where three nerdy friends dive into cult classics, forgotten gems, and fan favorites. We overanalyze movies, shows, books, and games with humor, deep dives, and plenty of unhinged tangents. Sometimes it’s overlooked, sometimes it’s weird, and sometimes it’s just something we love too much not to share. Expect chaotic debates, fandom hot takes, and maybe too much thought about which fictional characters are... dateable. Come for the nostalgia ...
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Your weekly deep-dive into the archives of Roddenberry Entertainment, from the personal files of Gene Roddenberry. Each week, "Dr. Trek" himself, Larry Nemecek, and his guest host will take a behind-the-scenes look at documents that haven't been viewed in decades—many being revealed publicly for the very first time!
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PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web. Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, an and based in the United States, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons. PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethic ...
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The Renner Files is a new kind of true crime podcast… one that’s not about true crime at all. Instead it’s about Jeremy Renner’s ill-fated app. Why did Oscar-nominated actor Jeremy Renner ever have an app? What did it do? Who made it? Who used it? And why did it shake the internet to its core? Hosts Caroline Goldfarb and Sarah Ramos set out to investigate the mystery of the app, but got so much more in return. The Renner Files tells a larger story: one about the dangerous side of celebrity f ...
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14-6 Star Trekkies Maintain the Faith – 50 Years of Fandom
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24:21Long before the internet brought fans together, the Star Trek community thrived through newsletters, potlucks, and passionate word of mouth. This week, The Trek Files celebrates the 50th anniversary of the United Federation of Phoenix (UFP), the longest-running independent Star Trek fan club, with guest Dr. David Williams, UFP member and Arizona St…
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14-9 From Saving Trek to Shaping It – Doug Drexler's Journey
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25:46Before he was an Oscar-winning makeup artist and Star Trek's go-to designer, Doug Drexler was just a teenage fan fighting to save the show he loved. This week, Doug joins The Trek Files to reflect on a remarkable journey—from the 1968 Newsday article that quoted him as a 14-year-old letter-writing activist, to working for the legendary Federation T…
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Alien abductions. Hundreds of people say it’s happened to them. They’re not looking for fame or attention. Some keep it a secret...haunted by memories they can’t explain. In Day 3 of PRETEND’s Halloween Marathon, we meet Dr. John Mack, a Pulitzer Prize–winning Harvard psychiatrist who risked his reputation to study these so-called abductees. Using …
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This week on The Niche Files, we’re wrapping up spooky month with a special Halloween day release -- Kass’s pick: Interview with the Vampire. From Brad Pitt’s eternal angst to Tom Cruise’s chaotic energy, Kass unpacks Anne Rice’s gothic masterpiece, shares wild behind-the-scenes facts (including the makeup nightmares and River Phoenix’s almost-role…
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It’s Day 2 of my Halloween Marathon, and today we’re diving into The Haunted Tourist. I’m joined by Brandon Schexnayder, host of Southern Gothic and Fear Daily—two shows that live and breathe ghost stories. Together, we pull back the curtain on haunted tourism: the ghost tours, the myths, and the money that fuels them. From fake cemeteries built fo…
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Hey, it’s Javier. Quick update: Meghan Walsh, the subject of my Cracks in the Fandom series, has filed copyright complaints on every major platform. As a result, Spotify and Patreon have temporarily taken down the series. My attorneys are already on it, and we expect everything to be restored soon. In the meantime, it’s Halloween weekend — so let’s…
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14-8 Majel, Lincoln Enterprises, and Life Behind the Table
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21:59Before "merch" was a mainstream business, Star Trek fandom had Lincoln Enterprises—and behind the scenes was a small, tight-knit team led by Majel Barrett Roddenberry. This week, The Trek Files welcomes Reinelda Estupinian, who started as Rod Roddenberry's nanny in 1974 and later worked directly with Majel beginning in 1980. Reina shares stories fr…
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Important Update on “Cracks in the Fandom” Meghan Walsh, the subject of my latest series, filed a copyright infringement claim with all major podcast platforms. As a result, Patreon and Spotify have temporarily removed the episodes pending review. The good news? You can still listen to the entire series on Apple Podcasts. https://itunes.apple.com/u…
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Kass takes the mic for a very spirited discussion about a certain A-list actor and a very questionable casting choice. We’re not saying Tom Cruise was the wrong pick… but we get the initial concern. All complaints can be sent directly to Kass at [email protected] The Niche Crew
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Cracks in the Fandom — Part 3 (Edited Copyright Cut) PRETEND: Stories about real people pretending to be someone they’re not Michelle Ivey has been painted as the villain. Meghan Walsh calls her a stalker, a criminal, a threat to her life. She’s warned not to contact her. But in this episode, I do just that. I talk to Michelle. And what I find is s…
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14-7 The True One – Cash Edwards and the Early Days of TNG
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21:36The first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation was famously turbulent, but behind the scenes, it was also a hive of creative experimentation and open doors for new voices. This week, we welcome veteran writer/producer Cash Edwards, whose original story pitch "The True One" caught the attention of Gene Roddenberry, D.C. Fontana, and his longtime…
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The Goosebumps celebration continues -- but this time, things get weirder. Cody takes Ryan and Kass through the show’s strangest, silliest, and most wonderfully unhinged episodes... from evil lawn gnomes and comic-book villains to giant ants and one very cursed baby. We’re not here to scare you (okay, maybe a little); we’re here to celebrate the ca…
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Meghan Walsh says she is being stalked by three people. One of them is Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay. Sounds impossible, right? But she’s not the only one saying it. In this episode, we meet Lauren. She claims to be the biological mother of Mariska’s adopted daughter. Her story begins with a supposed secret adoption, and spirals into accus…
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Things are getting weird at The Niche Files! In the upcoming Part 2 of our Goosebumps 30th anniversary special, we're diving into some of the strangest, silliest, and most gloriously bizarre episodes the '90s had to offer. The awesome dark synthwave cover of the Goosebumps Theme you hear in this trailer is used with permission from our new friend D…
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14-5 Animated, Allegorical, and Ahead of Its Time
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22:36In 1973, Star Trek: The Animated Series debuted as a Saturday morning cartoon, but early reviewers quickly realized it was something far more ambitious. A contemporary article from the Pantagraph (Bloomington-Normal, IL) praised the show's complex themes and emotional storytelling, declaring it a breakthrough in children's animation that adults cou…
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By True Story Media
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This week on The Niche Files, we’re going back to 1995 to revisit the Goosebumps TV series that defined a spooky childhood. Cody counts down her top five favorite episodes, shares why The Haunted Mask is the best episode, and tries to convince Ryan and Kass that some stories are actually timeless. Along the way, we laugh at the cheesy effects, talk…
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A 32-year-old woman enrolled herself in three Boston high schools and passed as a teenager. She sat in classrooms, made friends with freshmen, and even joined the girls basketball team. She wore number 32 on her jersey, which also happened to be her real age. This is the story of Shelby Hewitt, a state social worker who lived a double life. For two…
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The introduction of Hugh in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "I, Borg" added emotional depth to the franchise's most terrifying villains and reshaped Trek's approach to individuality and redemption. This week on The Trek Files, returning guest Adam Kotsko joins us to examine the legacy of Hugh's first appearance, using a March 6, 1992 call sheet as…
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Remember reading Goosebumps under the covers with a flashlight? We’re bringing that feeling back. Kick off spooky season with us as we celebrate 30 years of Goosebumps!By The Niche Crew
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14-3 Artifacts and Aspirations – Trek's Smithsonian Legacy
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26:08How did Star Trek go from television soundstage to national treasure? This week, we continue our conversation with Glen Swanson, former NASA historian and author of Inspired Enterprise, to explore a deeper chapter in Trek's relationship with the Smithsonian. Through an exchange of letters between Gene Roddenberry and F.C. Durant, Assistant Director…
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2209: The Stalker: Rick Fernandez’s Guilty Plea
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12:25Breaking news in the stalker case: Rick Fernandez has pleaded guilty to harassment. Instead of facing trial, he admitted responsibility for a new wave of harassment tied to the book he published while awaiting trial on felony charges. His sentence? 180 days in jail (suspended) along with three years of probation. If Rick contacts the victims direct…
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In this week’s episode of The Niche Files, we dive into FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992) -- the animated classic that made a generation of kids hug trees. Ryan gets banished to the Shadow Realm, Kass takes the host seat for the first time, and Cody debuts her very first Hear Me Out segment: yes, it’s about Hexxus. (You’ve been warned.) Along t…
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Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all audiences. In 1964, Winston Moseley stalked and murdered Kitty Genovese. The case became infamous not only for its brutality but also for the silence of neighbors who heard her cries and did nothing. During his trial, Moseley confessed …
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14-2 Beaming into the Smithsonian – Star Trek's First Museum Mission
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17:48Long before Star Trek props toured conventions and museums, one historic copy of the pilot episode found its way into the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum with help from Leonard Nimoy and Gene Roddenberry. This week, The Trek Files welcomes Glen Swanson, former NASA historian and author of Inspired Enterprise, to share the remarkable sto…
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Ryan tried to start the intro. Kass had other plans. Cody just had a great time either way. There's chaos, banishment, and the ever-looming threat that absolutely nobody is safe from Kass's wrath.By The Niche Crew
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14-1 George Takei: Where No Man Had Gone Before
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37:44We're kicking off Season 14 with a legend. George Takei joins The Trek Files to reflect on landing the role of Sulu in Star Trek's second pilot, "Where No Man Has Gone Before"—filmed 60 years ago in July 1965. With humor and honesty, George recalls the early days on set at Desilu's Culver Studios, working alongside James Doohan, and navigating the …
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Tyler Fehrman went undercover for the FBI after his mentor, Ohio GOP chair Matt Borges, offered him a $15,000 check. His recordings helped uncover a $63 million bribery scheme that brought down House Speaker Larry Householder. This is Part Two of State of Corruption from Pretend. Credits: Portions of this episode reference material from the HBO doc…
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The John Wick Super Happy Fun Time Game Show Power Half an Hour
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35:58A “normal” podcast was never an option. Instead, Ryan turned this week into part trivia, part chaos experiment, and just enough nonsense to make us wonder why we gave him this much control in the first place. There are premature bonks, quack attacks, and the shocking realization that Kass and Cody knew more about John Wick than they even thought. F…
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Tyler Fehrman went undercover to bring down the Speaker of the Ohio House. He wore a wire. He met with mentors who turned into suspects. He risked everything. This is the story of how one political insider helped expose a billion-dollar corruption scheme at the heart of Ohio politics. Part two will be available on Patreon and PRETEND+ this weekend.…
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Our newest teaser trailer asks more questions than it answers -- the rules are unclear, the soundboard is suspicious, and the chaos is just beginning.By The Niche Crew
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The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review
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1:11:40If you’re a longtime listener, you probably remember my interview with Joe Pistone, the real Donnie Brasco. But I forgot to ask one important question: Where did the name Donnie Brasco even come from? Turns out, it wasn’t made up. Donnie Brasco is a real person. He’s Joe Pistone’s nephew. And not just any nephew — an undercover FBI agent who follow…
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The Niche Files sinks its teeth into Twilight -- from vampire age gaps and Robert Pattinson’s Edward-related regret to fanfiction origins and the movie’s harmful treatment of the Quileute tribe. It’s peak awkward romance with just enough chaos to make everyone question the choices that led here, including a butterfly effect that (allegedly) links 9…
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2205: Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Part 18: The 911 Caller
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55:28A 911 call in Madison County, Arkansas reported what sounded like a violent attack. It should have remained confidential. But when LaDonna Humphrey got involved, that caller’s life was turned upside down. Now she is caught in a web of harassment, conspiracy theories, and public exposure that puts her safety at risk. Learn more about your ad choices…
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A bite-sized preview of our Twilight deep-dive. Get ready for glittery brooding, too many red flags to count, and the most intense game of vampire baseball ever recorded. Are Kass and Cody on Team Edward or Team Jacob? Will Ryan survive? Spoiler alert: Nope. Ryan died, but we brought him back as a vampire.…
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2204: Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey part 17
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30:08LaDonna Humphrey has spent years trying to overturn a $3.57 million judgment. But in a rare legal move, her right to appeal was sold in bankruptcy court — to the very person she was fighting, Anthony Christopher. In this episode, you'll hear directly from Anthony Christopher as he reacts to the latest court decision. I also spoke with law professor…
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This week we discuss the classic tale of one man's quest for vengeance, one man's lack of exercise, and finding out who can truly win a land war with Asia.By The Niche Crew
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Welcome to The Niche Files! In this teaser, meet the hosts and get a taste of the chaos to come. It’s heartfelt, a little unhinged, and mostly Ryan’s fault. We’re shining a light on the overlooked, the forgotten, and the deeply beloved media that shaped us. Content Note: Expect swearing, mild innuendo/suggestive jokes, and the chaotic conviction of…
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"Nobody Should Believe Me" — When the Advocate Is the Abuser
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52:45This week on PRETEND, we’re bringing you something special: a feed drop from Nobody Should Believe Me, an award-winning investigative true crime podcast created by author Andrea Dunlop. With over 15 million downloads and a spot on The New York Times' radar as “a rich and harrowing chronicle of the condition,” this show dives deep into one of the mo…
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Melanie dies. Jayson takes control of her estate. Then he moves in with her mother. Her children are stunned. They suspect something isn’t right, especially as questions about Melanie’s will and health begin to surface. Jayson was the last person caring for her before she passed. Just when we think the story is over, another woman comes forward. We…
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In Part 2 of The Playwright, we shift focus to the show at the center of it all: The History of Now. Written and directed by Jason Bartlett, the play was billed as a bold, political drama. It was a plan meant to honor a woman he claimed to love. But former cast members and collaborators started noticing red flags. Was this play ever really meant to…
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In this episode, we investigate the mysterious Jayson Bartlett and the many women whose lives he upended. Emma was a single mother in England who fell for Bartlett’s charm and artistic persona. At first, everything seemed perfect. But soon, she realized she was being gaslit, lied to, and emotionally manipulated. Then there’s Melanie. She lived in N…
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BONUS: The Digital Trail to Epstein’s Island
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13:12What if your phone could place you at the scene of a crime—years later? In this bonus episode of PRETEND, we uncover how nearly 200 mobile devices that visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island left behind invisible data trails. Using just a free trial from a location data broker, an outsider was able to map those devices back to homes, offices, and…
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13-24 "Fire." – Jonathan Frakes on Best of Both Worlds
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32:45We're ending the season with a bang. Literally. In our finale, The Trek Files revisits a seemingly ordinary Next Generation call sheet from 1990… the day a single scene changed Star Trek history. That's when Commander Riker gave the iconic order to fire on a Borg cube with Captain Picard aboard. Joining us is the man who gave that order himself, Jo…
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David Crow says he was his father's criminal accomplice. In today's episode, we delve into the extraordinary story of David Crow, author of the book titled "The Pale-Faced Lie." It's the story of a father and son entangled in a life of crime. David recounts his experiences as his father's criminal accomplice, always by his side. And what it was lik…
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The Launch of Discovery – and the Franchise Era of Star Trek
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23:13For the first time, The Trek Files sets course for Trek's modern streaming era, and it all begins with a ship. We're looking back at the 2016 press release that introduced the U.S.S. Discovery to the world at San Diego Comic-Con, marking the first step into a new era of Star Trek on television. Our guest is Adam Kotsko, scholar and author of Late S…
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13-22 Lost Pages from Star Trek II: the Peeples Draft, part 2
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23:37The journey through Samuel A. Peeples' early story treatment for Star Trek II continues, and this week, we're venturing into some of the most imaginative territory yet. Long before the final script for The Wrath of Khan took shape, Peeples envisioned a film that introduced entirely new characters to the Trek universe. There's a brilliant young doct…
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Rick Fernandez—yes, the same Rick who thought he’d escaped six felonies—just got slapped with brand-new criminal charges in Phoenix Municipal Court. I flew in a court-runner to watch the hearing, dug through fresh police files, and pieced together how a self-published book and two midnight phone calls may blow up Rick & Tanya’s “clean-slate” divers…
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13-21 Lost Pages from Star Trek II: SsAVIK and the Peeples Draft
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24:01Before The Wrath of Khan became the fan-favorite sequel we know today, Star Trek II went through multiple story pitches, including one from original series contributor Samuel A. Peeples. In the summer of 1981, Peeples outlined a new character: Commander SsAVIK, a half-Vulcan, half-Romulan officer with a sharp intellect and complex heritage. This we…
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13-20 Inside Star Trek, Part 2 with Ronald D. Moore
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28:45We're back with Ronald D. Moore for part two of our dive into the wonderfully strange 1976 spoken-word album Inside Star Trek. This time, things get weird... in the best way. From Sarek (Mark Lenard) debating Vulcan mating rituals with Gene Roddenberry, to William Shatner performing a time-bending double act as both himself and Captain Kirk, the al…
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