Ethan Siegel: Treknology.

Ever since Star Trek first hit television screens in 1966, audiences have been fascinated by the amazing technologies that are a part of every day life in the 23rd century. Over the past 51 years, Trek fans have imagined what it would be like to transport instantaneously from one place to another, have any kind of food or material replicated with a simple voice command, or travel to the stars aboard a warp-capable starship.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are joined by author and scientist Dr. Ethan Siegel to discuss his new book, Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive. We talk about a number of technologies covered in the book, the process of writing it, the influence Star Trek has had on our collective imaginations and the technology of modern society, where our technologies may go in the future, and wrap up with where you can find Dr. Siegel online.

In our news segment, we reveal the back-cover blurb for Dayton Ward's upcoming Discovery: Drastic Measures, and review two comics: Boldly Go #12 and New Visions #18.

News
Blurb fir Drastic Measures (00:02:35)
Boldly Go #12 (00:06:06)
New Visions # 18 (00:12:41)

Feature: Ethan Siegel
The Science of Star Trek (00:21:48)
The Process (00:23:37)
Warp Drive (00:30:38)
The Spore Drive (00:39:59)
Transporters (00:46:00)
Trans-Warp Beaming (00:50:32)
Writing (00:51:26)
The Holodeck (00:57:27)
The Format (01:03:21)
The Spirit of Star Trek (01:06:55)
Final Thoughts (01:10:18)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest
Ethan Siegel

Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer)

David R. George III: Original Sin.

Benjamin Sisko has inhabited many roles in his life: husband, Emissary, and Starfleet Captain. But when a terrifying alien force attacks the USS Robinson and abducts 87 children, including Sisko's daughter Rebecca, his role as her father threatens to overwhelm all of the others, especially since this incident mirrors the kidnapping of Rebecca as a toddler six years earlier. Can he remain objective through this crisis and see it to a peaceful end, or will the possibility of the loss of his daughter spell doom for the mission?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by author David R. George III to talk about his latest book, Deep Space Nine: Gamma: Original Sin. We discuss the two stories told in tandem, the character of Jasmine Tey, crime drama as Star Trek story, the nature of Rebecca Sisko, a completely alien encounter, the possibility of a Gamma series going forward, and where to follow David R. George III online.

In the news segment, we invite Amy Nelson of Earl Grey and The Edge back on the show to discuss issue number four of the Mirror Broken comic series from IDW.

News
Mirror Broken #4 (00:02:42)

Feature: David R. George III
Two Stories (00:19:28)
Jasmine Tey (00:31:12)
Crime Drama (00:35:43)
Spoilers (00:40:28)
What's Going on With Rebecca (00:53:42)
2386 (01:01:44)
Next for Sisko (01:13:44)
Coming Up for David (01:16:57)
Final Thoughts (01:18:39)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guests
David R. George III
Amy Nelson

Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer)

David Mack: Desperate Hours.

A new Star Trek series is a huge deal to Trek fandom. It's a pretty rare occurrence, and what's even rarer is a first novel that looks and feels anything like the actual show! But thanks to Discovery writer and tie-in guru Kirsten Beyer, the novels and the show are linked together like never before, and we as fans get to read about the adventures of Discovery at almost the same instant the show hits screens!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther welcome author David Mack to talk about his new Discovery novel, Desperate Hours. We discuss the process of collaboration with Discovery's writers, Captain Pike's devotion to duty, Enterprise vs. Shenzhou, the Shenzhou's bridge crew, comparisons to the Vanguard series, Spock and Burnham, the look and feel of the universe, the book's non-canon status, and finish up with what David Mack has on the horizon.

In the news segment, we judge the covers of the upcoming Titan: Fortune of War, and Deep Space Nine: I, the Constable.

News
Fortune of War Cover (00:04:03)
I, Constable Cover (00:06:55)

Feature: David Mack
Discovery's First Book (00:10:01)
Getting Involved (00:12:37)
The Two Captains (00:18:20)
Saru and Una (00:23:49)
Competition (00:30:36)
Writing from Scripts (00:33:22)
Creative Freedom (00:38:53)
Spock and Burnham (00:52:21)
Media Tie-ins (01:03:29)
Different Styles (01:06:53)
The Story (01:18:37)
Does Discovery Live Up (01:24:37)
Canon (01:29:28)
The Midnight Front and What's Next (01:36:13)
Final Thoughts (01:42:10)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest
David Mack

Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer)

Sarek.

Vulcan Ambassador. Wife to Amanda. Father of Spock and Sybok. Guardian of Michael Burnham. Sarek has been many things during his long life, and few secondary characters have had the impact on the Star Trek universe that he has. But what are the innermost thoughts of this quiet, reserved character? And how will he respond to a crisis that may tear apart one of the founding worlds of the Federation and threaten the cohesion of that great institution?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by Justin Oser of Earl Grey to talk about Sarek by A.C. Crispin. We discuss the setting, the bond between Sarek and Amanda, Klingon ambassador Kamarag, a timely topic of xenophobia, Kirk's nephew Peter, how Discovery's depiction of Sarek might compare, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news section, we talk about IDW's upcoming comics in December and review issue #11 of Boldly Go.

News
December Comics (00:02:44)
Boldly Go #11 (00:06:07)

Feature: Sarek
A Classic Trek (00:12:43)
Experiences (00:14:35)
The Time Period (00:15:57)
A Bond (00:20:59)
Kamarag (00:31:33)
A Fringe Group (00:35:39)
Peter Kirk (00:48:56)
To Death Do Us Part (00:58:11)
Mistaken Identities (01:14:09)
Sarek and Discovery (01:20:45)
Ratings (01:25:22)
Final Thoughts (01:32:21)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest
Justin Oser

Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer)