Listen Now

Dark Matters: Cloak and Dagger. By the time that Star Trek: Voyager was released, there were not as many numbered books coming out for the series, so compared with The Next Generation or The Original Series, the amount of literature for Voyager seems miniscule. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about the nineteenth Voyager novel, Dark Matters: Cloak and Dagger. We discuss the needle's eye, the Shepherds, a mysterious character, disappearing act, it's short, bedfellows, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we have a lot of comics to review starting with Star Trek #3, Resurgence #3 and Trill, plus a book announcement. News Book Announcement (00:03:38) Star Trek #3 (00:06:52) Star Trek: Resurgence #3 (00:13:02) Trill (00:16:06) Feature: Cloak and Dagger The Needle's Eye (00:19:31) The Shepherds (00:23:02) A Mysterious Character (00:34:26) Disappearing Act (00:36:44) It's Short (00:41:28) Bedfellows (00:44:14) Ratings (00:46:56) Final Thoughts (00:50:17) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Guest David Mack Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Preparing for Star Trek: Picard Season 3 As the story of Picard enters its final chapter, old friends return for one more epic journey together. But will it really be their last? In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing prepare for Star Trek: Picard Season 3 by looking back at the first two seasons and then ahead to the third. We discuss the lack of cohesion in storytelling from season to season—and how that was by design—and ask what could have been and what is to come as the crew of the Enterprise-D (and E!) reunite. We also reflect on Nemesis, speculate on the Jean-Luc and Beverly relationship, and shower lots of praise on Terry Matalas for honoring the saga of Star Trek. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Making Good on Nemesis? (00:03:21) Disjointed by Design (00:10:15) I'm an Android! Now What? (00:17:52) Honoring Canon (00:23:04) Bringing TNG into the Mix (00:30:07) No Apologies for the Past (00:35:48) Is that Jean-Luc Jr. I See? (00:44:21) Final Thoughts (00:50:59) Closing (00:56:15) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

Creed II. The first Creed movie was a hit which made it a foregone conclusion that there would be a second, this time Stallone stepped back in as script writer as Ryan Coogler could not return because of his work on Black Panther. In this episode of The 602 Club hosts Matthew Rushing and Christy Morris talk about Creed II. We discuss the first time, back in the USSR...kinda, the sins of the father, a new family, Rocky's lessons, so much of the past, reconnection, the music, our ratings and recommendations. Chapters The First Time (00:03:32) Back in the USSR...Kinda (00:05:30) The Sins of the Father (00:13:42) A New Family (00:18:36) Rocky's Lessons (00:22:54) So Much of the Past (00:30:13) Reconnection (00:35:07) The Music (00:41:31) Ratings (00:46:24) Recommendations (00:49:07) Host Matthew Rushing Co-Host Christy Morris Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

“Past Prologue” 30th-anniversary reflections As the Federation begins to settle into its presence aboard the former Cardassian station, now dubbed Deep Space Nine, the arrival of a former Bajoran freedom fighter named Tahna Los puts Major Kira in the uncomfortable situation of protecting an old friend and supporting the new alliance between Bajor and the Federation. When she learns that Tahna has not given up his terrorist ways, she must choose between her past and future. Either way, she says, she must betray someone. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss, “Past Prologue,” the introduction of Garak, ties to TNG, and how the story showers viewers with character development. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Meeting Garak (00:03:06) The Struggle Continues (00:13:51) We Have to Evolve (00:22:25) The Nuance of Resistance (00:26:48) Kira, Sisko, and the Federation (00:29:37) Lursa and B’Etor (00:34:09) THERE'S Your Vaughn Armstrong! (00:40:38) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:42:33) Closing (00:44:46) Host C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Future Tense” 20th-anniversary reflections A mysterious ship leads the crew of the Enterprise into the mysteries of time—and DNA—as they find themselves once again mixed up with the Suliban and the Temporal Cold War. When the Tholians show up, things get really messy and the crew must race against time to save the ship and unravel … When the Tholians show up, things get really messy and the crew must race against time to save the ship and unravel … When the Tholians show up … In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Future Tense” as we discuss how the story reminds viewers that the Temporal Cold War storyline still exists while saving itself from filler status by delivering important chartacter growth for T’Pol, plus some fun with time along the way. Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Emissary” 30th-anniversary reflections Commence station log. When Deep Space Nine premiered on January 3, 1993, it marked an unprecedented moment for Star Trek. Not only did Gene Roddenberry capture lightning in a bottle twice, the success of The Next Generation led to a second spinoff of the 1960s classic. But simply putting another crew on another starship to boldly go where no one had gone before wasn’t going to cut it this time. After all, the Enterprise was still busy doing just that. Instead, creators Rick Berman and Michael Piller took the original premise of Star Trek to heart and delivered the Wild West theme on which Roddenberry pitched the adventures of Kirk and Spock. The concept provided the foundation for an incredible exploration of the human condition and stories that have stood the test of time, continuing to teach, warn, and engage three decades later. In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing shift from our format of exploring the minutiae of DS9 to begin a 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one episode at a time. In this installment, we begin with the pilot, “Emissary,” as we discuss how it establishes the story and tone of DS9 and sets the series apart from TNG. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Commence Station Log (00:00:53) Memories of First DS9 Viewing (00:05:42) Connections Matter (00:09:14) Consequences Also Matter (00:13:00) Finding Identity (00:17:53) Standing the Test of Time (00:31:29) And Now for Something Completely Different (00:34:21) Conflict is Okay (00:39:48) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:49:15) Closing (00:51:53) Host C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

Creed. After the movie Rocky Balboa was released in 2006 it seemed like the door had closed on everyone's favorite underdog until it was announced in 2013 that director Ryan Coogler had been hired to do a spin-off film. In this episode of The 602 Club hosts Matthew Rushing and Christy Morris talk about Creed. We discuss something new from the old, putting in the work, Michael B. Jordan, the weight of mistakes, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Tony Bellew, bringing Rocky back, the key, the music, our ratings and recommendations. Chapters New From the Old (00:02:24) Putting in the Work (00:08:23) Michael B. Jordan (00:12:46) The Weight of Mistakes (00:14:56) Tessa Thompson (00:20:37) Phylicia Rashad (00:24:18) Tony Bellew (00:27:48) Bringing Rocky Back (00:30:31) The Key (00:39:38) The Music (00:45:38) Ratings (00:50:37) Recommendations (00:53:49) Host Matthew Rushing Co-Host Christy Morris Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

Slumberland. The 2022 holiday season saw a deluge of movies that dropped on streaming, trying to entice viewers to spend their evenings on the couch with their families and friends devouring content. In this episode of The 602 Club hosts Matthew Rushing and Christy Morris talk about Slumberland from Netflix. We discuss dream history, Slumberland is real, creating Slumberland, dream cast, dream a little dream of me, lost in dreams, sacrificing dreams, our ratings and recommendations. Chapters Dream History (00:02:57) Slumberland is Real (00:05:27) Creating Slumberland (00:12:26) Dream Cast (00:17:01) Dream a Little Dream of Me (00:32:33) Lost in Dreams (00:37:41) Sacrificing Dreams (00:44:19) Ratings (00:48:06) Recommendations (00:50:12) Host Matthew Rushing Co-Host Christy Morris Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

“Cease Fire” 20th-anniversary reflections When a decades-old territorial conflict between the Vulcans and Andorians resurfaces, Captain Archer is called upon to mediate. But by whom? As Archer unravels the details, he finds conflict and deception not only between the two sides but within them. Seeing the situation as an opportunity to prove that humans are ready to join a much larger community, Archer brings together Vulcans and Andorians and takes one more step towards the eventual founding of the Federation—whether the Vulcans like it or not. In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Cease Fire” as we discuss how the story brings the Federation’s founding worlds closer together through a growing relationship and trust among unlikely players. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Setting Up the Federation (00:02:28) Developing Soval (00:12:23) Mirroring Star Trek VI (00:17:14) Evolving Trip (00:23:00) The Ever Changing Suzie Plakson (00:30:06) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:34:00) Closing (00:36:36) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

Dominion Breadcrumbs, Part 2. While Deep Space Nine may be best known for the Dominion War, getting to that storyline was a gradual process for the writers. After the Gamma Quadrant’s imperial force was finally revealed at the end of Season 2, there were still a lot of mysteries to unshroud as Season 3 began with “The Search.” In this episode of The Orb, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing conclude their Hansel and Gretel-style journey following the breadcrumbs sprinkled by the writers as they set up the story that would come to define one of Star Trek’s most complex chapters. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Meeting the Jem'Hadar (00:02:33) Shaping the Vorta (00:05:26) Cold, Calculating, and Frightening (00:12:41) Don't Do Deals with the Dominion (00:19:31) Prepped by the Borg (00:23:07) The Full Reveal (00:28:38) Final Thoughts (00:38:26) Closing (00:42:22) Host C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

What If...?. Join Matthew Rushing and John Mills on their journey through the MCU as we reach the first animated series in the saga that asks the question, what if... Chapters The Animation (00:03:03) Tying Them Together (00:11:53) Length of Episodes (00:19:10) Making Things Better (00:22:16) High Points (00:24:16) Low Points (00:29:53) Inventive (00:37:04) Ratings (00:39:12) Rankings (00:43:06) Hosts Matthew Rushing and John Mills Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) John Mills (Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. The character of John Wick has been through a lot in the first two films and the third picks up right were the second left off, as John must somehow survive the entire assassin world looking to score his contract. In this episode of The 602 Club hosts Matthew Rushing and Christy Morris talk about John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. We discuss rules, consequences, adding to the world, more, a new friend?, everyone has a price, Winston, a lot of fights, setting up more, plus our ratings and recommendations. Chapters Rules (00:02:49) Consequences (00:12:19) Adding to the World (00:20:04) More (00:27:18) A New Friend? (00:30:12) Everyone Has a Price (00:34:16) Winston (00:37:49) A Lot of Fights (00:40:57) Setting Up More (00:47:20) Ratings (00:50:18) Recommendations (00:53:05) Host Matthew Rushing Co-Host Christy Morris Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

David Mack: Harm's Way. One of the beauties of tie-in fiction is the ability to fill in the gaps between episodes, giving authors the ability to show how characters deal with the aftermath of the life-changing events that don't always get seen onscreen in the next episode. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt welcome back author David Mack to talk about his latest novel for The Original Series, Harm's Way. We discuss working Vanguard back in, aftermath, is a beautiful lie beautiful, Spock, respect, the prime directive, the Klingons, just say no, the future and our final thoughts. In the news we review two new comics, issue two of Resurgence and the first issue of The Illyrian Enigma. News Resurgence #2 (00:03:56) The Illyrian Enigma (00:08:52) Feature: David Mack A Gentlemen's Agreement (00:13:50) Weaving Vanguard Back In (00:19:24) Aftermath (00:33:25) Is a Beautiful Lie Beautiful (00:42:29) Spock (00:50:01) Respect (00:56:32) The Prime Directive (01:02:06) The Klingons (01:05:27) Just Say No (01:15:32) The Future (01:22:39) Final Thoughts (01:43:43) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Guest David Mack Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Avatar: The Way of Water. Sequels and franchises have become the lifeblood of Hollywood for years not yet most sequels do not have wait the thirteen years that Avatar did for its follow up. In this episode of The 602 Club hosts Matthew Rushing and Christy Morris talk about Avatar: The Way of Water. We discuss back to Pandora, as time goes by, questions, in harmony, fatherhood and family, failure to communicate, back from the dead, Kiri, the reef people, production, the music, one last question and our ratings. Chapters Pack to Pandora (00:05:07) As Time Goes By (00:08:57) A Couple Questions (00:16:23) In Harmony (00:20:30) Fatherhood and Family (00:30:14) Failure to Communicate (00:39:04) Back From the Dead (00:44:10) Kiri (00:53:53) The Reef People (01:03:45) The Production Value (01:20:56) The Music (01:17:10) One Last Question (01:20:17) Ratings (01:24:42) Host Matthew Rushing Co-Host Christy Morris Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Davis Grayson (Associate Producer) Daniel Noa (Associate Producer) Ryan Maillet (Associate Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

Enterprise: The First Adventure. Every journey has a beginning which means the crew of the Enterprise from The Original Series had to become the family fans knew through working together, one mission at a time. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about Enterprise: The First Adventure. We discuss the first mission, Kirk, Spock, Rand, Uhura, first contact, the Klingons, the vaudeville company, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we review Lower Decks third issue and the second issue of Star Trek. News Lower Decks #3 (00:03:22) Star Trek #2 (00:10:14) Feature: Enterprise: The First Adventure The First Mission (00:16:04) Kirk (00:20:52) Spock (00:32:00) Rand (00:39:34) Uhura (00:45:40) First Contact (00:47:29) The Klingons (00:52:04) The Vaudeville Company (00:54:22) Ratings (00:59:58) Recommendations (01:01:37) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Shrek. Toy Story completely changed the landscape of animated movies which lead to even bigger changes when DreamWorks Animation decided to get into the game. In this episode of The 602 Club hosts Matthew Rushing and Christy Morris talk about Shrek. We discuss the first time, almost a different cast, the voice cast, a new kind of animated movie, success helps, layers, the soundtrack, our ratings and recommendations. Chapters The First Time (00:03:13) Almost a Different Cast (00:05:24) Mike Myers (00:12:23) Eddie Murphy (00:16:54) Cameron Diaz (00:22:12) John Lithgow (00:27:16) A New Kind of Animated Movie (00:31:22) Success Helps (00:37:50) Layers (00:40:09) The Soundtrack (00:44:53) Ratings (00:49:03) Recommendations (00:51:49) Host Matthew Rushing Co-Host Christy Morris Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Davis Grayson (Associate Producer) Daniel Noa (Associate Producer) Ryan Maillet (Associate Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

Black Widow. Join Matthew Rushing and John Mills on their journey through the MCU as they reach the first film of Phase 4 and Natasha's very first solo movie. Chapters Finally (00:03:46) Themes (00:10:43) The Opening (00:16:09) The Credits (00:21:41) Boxed In (00:25:29) Accents and Wigs (00:33:16) Introducing Yelena (00:37:50) The Parents (00:42:19) Positives (00:45:18) The Finale (00:52:30) Ratings (00:57:17) Recommendations (00:58:32) Hosts Matthew Rushing and John Mills Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) John Mills (Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

Enola Holmes 2. The intrepid sister of famous detective Sherlock Holmes made a name for herself in her first big case but that does not mean that things will be easy moving forward. In this episode of The 602 Club hosts Matthew Rushing and Christy Morris talk about Enola Holmes 2. We discuss Enola struggling, historical basis, interlocking mysteries, one other thing, David Thewlis, too much independence, the end, the music, our ratings and recommendations. Chapters Enola Struggles (00:03:57) Historical Basis (00:10:36) Interlocking Mysteries (00:16:46) One Other Thing (00:21:45) David Thewlis (00:25:31) Too Much Independence (00:28:42) The End (00:37:05) The Music (00:41:19) Ratings (00:43:24) Recommendations (00:46:49) Host Matthew Rushing Co-Host Christy Morris Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Davis Grayson (Associate Producer) Daniel Noa (Associate Producer) Ryan Maillet (Associate Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm

Ship of the Line. One of the blessings of tie-in fiction is the ability of writers to fill in the gaps between episodes or movies in a franchise and Star Trek's literature has done that better than most. In this episode of Literary Treks Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt discuss Ship of the Line. We discuss back story, another gap, Madred, the Klingon villain, Picard's journey, Bateson's journey, Riker, diversity, it just ends, jargon, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news section we review the first issue of Star Trek: Resurgence, the comic lead-in to a new Star Trek video game. News Star Trek: Resurgence #1 (00:03:52) Feature: Ship of the Line Back Story (00:14:05) Another Gap (00:19:31) Madred (00:23:14) The Klingon Villain (00:26:09) Picard's Journey (00:29:23) Bateson's Journey (00:38:29) Riker (00:41:41) Diversity (00:45:31) It Just Ends (00:47:43) Jargon (00:50:11) Ratings (00:53:23) Final Thoughts (00:56:09) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Andor: Season One. When Disney bought Lucasfilm, the plan was to not only continue make Episodes VII, VIII and IX but to tell other stories in the galaxy through the "A Star Wars Story" label, the first of these was Rogue One which earned over a billion dollars at the box office. In this episode of The 602 Club hosts Matthew Rushing and Christy Morris welcome back John Mills to talk about Andor: Season One. We discuss our excitement level, prestige, design, a question, character arcs, using genre, the prison episodes, music and our ratings. Chapters Excitement Level (00:05:02) Prestige Television (00:10:01) Design Work (00:31:00) A Question (00:35:23) Andor (00:39:44) Maarva and the Speech (00:50:24) Charisma (01:07:10) Syril (01:09:53) Luthen (01:16:37) Dedra (01:23:18) Mon Mothma (01:27:06) Using Genre (01:41:24) The Prison Episodes (01:46:55) The Music (01:53:34) Ratings (01:58:34) Host Matthew Rushing Co-Host Christy Morris Guest John Mills Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Davis Grayson (Associate Producer) Daniel Noa (Associate Producer) Ryan Maillet (Associate Producer) Social Twitter: @The602Club Instagram: @the602clubtfm