The Omega Particle: A Star Trek Podcast

Starfleet: Are We the Baddies?

What if the Federation isn't the utopia we've been told it is? This week on Omega Particle, we're asking the forbidden question: Is Starfleet…the baddies? From the Prime Directive letting entire civilizations die in the name of "non-interference," to the shadowy assassins of Section 31 operating with almost zero accountability, to the uncomfortable reality that "peaceful exploration" often looks a lot like colonial expansion with better uniforms, we're diving deep into Star Trek's moral gray areas. Was first contact really about diplomacy…or was it about bringing worlds into the Federation's sphere of influence? Is Starfleet's mission of exploration enlightened idealism, or humanity convincing itself it has the right to shape the galaxy? This episode is equal parts philosophy debate, conspiracy rant, and love letter to the franchise that dared to ask whether good people can still build flawed systems. Because maybe the real final frontier…is realizing the Federation might not always be the hero.

DS9 Rewatch S1-E16: O'Brien vs. The Goblin

This week we ask the important question: what happens when Deep Space Nine turns into a fever dream? On this episode we review "If wishses were horses", where imaginary friends become real, Miles O'Brien gets tormented by a goblin, and a dead baseball player appears because… sure, why not. We unpack one of DS9's strangest early episodes, defend its weirdness, roast its logic, and maybe discover this odd little episode has more charm than people give it credit for.

News & Brews: Shat in Chatt!

KHAAAANNN! This week we recap an unforgettable evening with William Shatner! Watching Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on the big screen and then spending a few gloriously unfiltered hours inside Shatner's orbit. We're talking movie reactions, behind-the-scenes stories, unexpected comedy, philosophical tangents, and peak Shatner energy. Plus, we discuss the 60th anniversary of Star Trek and reflect on how there's no shows in production, hows that for an anniversary present! There is some hope as we go over the future of the movie franchise with what was unveiled at CinemaCon 2026. Nostalgia, laughs, and maybe a few dramatic Kirk impressions included in this episode!

Is Star Trek Dead?

There was a time when Star Trek wasn't something you searched for...it was just always on. From constant syndication to an unprecedented 18-year run of back-to-back series, Trek lived in the background of everyday life and quietly shaped an entire generation. In this episode, we look back at the so-called "Golden Age" of Star Trek and ask why the franchise feels smaller today, even though there's technically more of it than ever. We explore the power of 26-episode seasons, the loss of syndication, the rise of streaming, and how those shifts changed Trek's place in popular culture. This isn't a rant, but a love letter, it's a funny, thoughtful reflection on what we lost, what we gained, and why Star Trek still feels like home.

DS9 Rewatch S1-E15: Evicting Grandpa

This week on The Omega Particle, we're heading back to Bajor for an emotional gut-punch disguised as a zoning dispute. In Deep Space Nine's "Progress," Major Kira just wants to do her job (relocate a few people, save the planet, maybe not cry before lunch) but instead she ends up in a one-woman standoff with Mullibok, the galaxy's most stubborn grandpa. We break down the episode where progress means literally burning down the past, discuss why Kira's emotional range deserves its own warp core, and explore how DS9 manages to make soup, guilt, and fire into peak science fiction storytelling. Meanwhile, Jake and Nog accidentally invent capitalism, Luna the intern tries to understand Bajoran property law, and Jonathan asks the big question: Is progress really worth it if it means hurting someone who reminds you of your grandma? (Spoiler: Yes, if she refuses to move off government land.) So grab your ladle, light your metaphorical match, and join us for a hilarious and heartfelt review of DS9's most morally complicated stew.