The Artificial Tango: A Star Trek Picard Podcast

21: Bye Bye Borgie

“The Last Generation“ Everything old is new again as the story that began 35 years ago concludes with one final adventure for some but the start of a new one for others. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing conclude our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 10, “The Last Generation.” We discuss the paths the characters followed, how the story was resolved, why the writing goes well beyond nostalgia, the potential of a spinoff series, ships named Enterprise, and why everything comes back to ALF. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) How Do You Feel? (00:02:56) Storytelling Success (00:09:04) Not Simply Nostalgia (00:15:53) Jack's Path (00:18:27) Looking for Connections (00:26:23) Q Tip (00:38:10) Spinning a Spinoff (00:42:31) Putting the Borg to Bed (00:44:54) Captain Seven (00:54:53) The Past Matters (01:01:38) Escaping the Cube (01:04:11) A New Enterprise (01:12:44) A Joyful Ending (01:16:42) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:19:09) Closing (01:21:22) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

20: The Best of All Worlds

“Võx“ At long last, we learn what Jack is (although not without further delay) and, well, resistance is futlie. But fireworks in space are cool, right? In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 9, “Võx.” We ignore the weird tilda to discuss the impending resolution of the story and look beyond the superficial fan complaints to embrace the real message of the story in true Star Trek fashion. We also recognize that the Enterprise-E's fate was not Worf's fault. Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

19: Evolution, My Dear Watson!

“Surrender“ As the Titan crew plot to retake the ship, many storylines reach their apex while a big one continues to drag us so very slowly toward a terrifying red door. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 8, “Surrender.” We discuss how the TNG crew are finally brought back together, our evolving theories about Jack, a possible beer-drenched clue, and Worf’s love sonnet. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Little Story … about Will and Deanna (00:01:34) The Worf in the Room (00:12:25) Respecting the Audience (00:15:44) A Piece of Parietal Lobe (00:19:03) Pah-wraiths, Borg, and Armus (00:25:04) Jack in the Box (00:29:30) Arcanis Lager (00:36:39) Connect the Branches (00:40:39) Things Past (00:50:28) Shaw and Seven (00:52:02) Data and Lore (01:00:30) Bye, Bye Vadic (01:08:40) Together Again (01:11:48) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:13:06) Closing (01:17:41) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

18: Many Ways to the Ocean

Dominion. A visit to the Chin’toka system, one of the most pivotal battlefields of the Dominion War, helps shed light on some of the mysteries surrounding the Changelings, but raises even more questions about Jack and brings some of our heroes to rethink which lines should not be crossed. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 7, “Dominion.” We discuss plausible misdirections, the connection to Greek mythology, internal voices, and where the story may be going as we enter the home stretch. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Surprise Vulcan (00:01:19) More Cameos? (00:06:04) A Trail of Clues (00:13:27) Playing the Long Game (00:27:48) Project Proteus (00:25:45) Why No Transporters? (00:31:21) Picard Mystery Box (00:36:12) Time Has No Meaning (00:45:07) Crossing the Line (00:48:56) The Enemy Within (00:54:06) Two Sides to Everything (01:00:43) Inside Out (01:04:38) Many Ways to the Ocean (01:08:02)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:13:19) Closing (01:18:30) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)

17: Poetic Drive-By Observations

“The Bounty“ As the plot—and goo—thickens, the Titan visits the Fleet Museum to meet an old friend while Worf, Raffi, and Riker burgle the very institution that is hunting them. The layover leaves ample time for nostalgia, Easter eggs, and a leisurely, but meaningful, walk down memory lane. In this episode of The Artificial Tango, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our week-by-week examination of Star Trek: Picard Season 3 with Part 6, “The Bounty.” We discuss the unexpected reactions and discoveries, the rich tapestry of Trek past, the prevelant themes of family and replacement, and the many attempts at misdirection. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Plot Thickens (00:01:11) Starship Cell Towers (00:06:06) Irumodic Herring (00:11:18) A Reluctant Geordi (00:27:48) What We Leave Behind (00:38:58) Chock-Full of Nostalgia (00:42:12) Data 3.0 (00:53:12) We’re the Replacements (00:59:33) Grease Monkey Hero Worship (01:04:05) Riker Captured (01:07:06) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:13:27) Closing (01:16:45) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Cornelia Reutner (Associate Producer)