Re:Engage TNG

Q Who - s2e16

Aliza Pearl (@alizapearl on Twitter & IG) is an actor, writer, cosplayer and gamer and she joins the cultural bridge crew to talk about one of the gems of the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. John DeLancie returns as Q, but now with Guinan aboard we have a whole lot more context for his imp-ery. Whoopi Goldberg serves exposition as expertly as Guinan serves Romulan Ale, and she's the first to utter the name of the most terrifying villains in sci-fi - the Borg. The Borg visit the Enterprise and get blasted by Worf, and Riker visits the Borg cube to meet some very cute babies. In the end it's all about Picard and Q dancing on the stage, but Aliza has some great ideas on how to expand the storyline of Guinan and Q that I certainly hope gets transported to Paramount+ soon. Greg hosts this episode, Jimmie loves these bad guys, Kate digs how Q both lounges and chews on the scenery, Erik waxes poetic on stunt men, and Aliza is a joyful font of insight. We can't wait for her to return! (Kinda like the Borg...)
 
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Panel: Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG), Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter), Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG), and special guest Aliza Pearl (@alizapearl on Twitter & IG)!
Audio Editor: Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "Samaritan Snare" s2e17 hosted by Jimmie G!

Pen Pals - s2e15

Screw the Prime Directive! I've had it up to here! During a geological survey headed up by young Wesley of a system where the planets "live hard and die young" (Thanks Riker!) Data strikes up a conversation. That leads to the A plot of the crew debating whether to intervene and save young guest star Nikki Cox's people, while the B plot is Wesley managing the difficulties of managing. It all works out in the end, but not before we get some choice lines from Worf and Pulaski. Jimmie hosts this episode full of laughs, Greg keeps calling the Prime Directive the First Amendment, Kate really likes Picard's jodhpurs, and Erik discovered Monster Squad and you should too. Monster Squad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjNKsQ7HDXw.
 
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter) 
Panel: Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG), Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG), and Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG)
Audio Editor: Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "Q Who" s2e16 hosted by Greg with special guest Aliza Pearl (@alizapearl on Twitter & IG)!

The Icarus Factor - s2e14

Everybody Loves Kyle Riker! Except for his son, well, at least until they swing big sticks at each other. After learning a little bit about Riker's childhood in the previous episode, we meet his father who comes along with great news: Star Fleet is offering Riker command of the USS Aries. The problem is that's in the middle of nowhere and Riker doesn't want to talk to his dad about the assignment. Kyle does talk to Dr. Pulaski, who would have married him in a hot minute. Meanwhile, Worf is acting all weird and Wesley is on the case to figure out that he just wants to be hit with painstiks in front of his family. All's well in this episode hosted by Kate and she ships Riker/Deanna hardcore while Jimmie is obsessed with Pulaski's many marriages, Erik loves the fight in the Anbo-jiutsu court, and Greg thinks Kyle Riker is a piece of shit.
 
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG) 
Panel: Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG), Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG), and Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter)
Audio Editor: Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "Pen Pals" s2e15 hosted by Jimmie!

Time Squared - s2e13

Two Picards are better than one! It turns out that's not actually true as the Enterprise encounters one of its own shuttle pods with an unresponsive but alive second Picard inside. And the pod is from the future - six hours in the future to be exact. The crew grapples with the strange knowledge that the ship will be destroyed with Opposite Day Picard as the sole survivor. There are plot holes galore that should have been filled with Q in the original story concept for this one, but in exchange we get good performances during several silent, tense shots. Jimmie hosts this one and loves the techno-babble, Kate is souring (again) on Pulaski, Erik is here the musical score, and Greg thinks O'Brien is a changed man after witnessing his captain phaser himself. That came out wrong.
 
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter)
Panel: Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG), Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG), and Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG) 
Audio Editor: Krista Curry (@kristafromglee on Twitter, krista.curry on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "The Icarus Factor" s2e14 hosted by Kate!

The Royale - s2e12

What's not to love about a surreal romp through a 70s casino? Well apparently, it wasn't a weird ENUFF Star Trek episode for the writer Tracy Torme' since he put a pseudonym on the episode after feuding with showrunner Maurice Hurley. Still, getting to see Riker, Data and Worf fish-out-of-water this one while Picard reads the terrible novel it's all based on is enjoyable. Plus, now we know the 52 United States send a vessel outside the solar system in 2033. Better get on that! Greg hosts this episode with a fondness left over from childhood, Jimmie wants to know what the constructs do when NOT part of the plot, Erik opines on the stellar guest star ensemble, and Kate thinks we should mess with Texas as much as possible.
 
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG) 
Panel: Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG), Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter), and Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG) 
Audio Editor: Krista Curry (@kristafromglee on Twitter, krista.curry on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "Time Squared" s2e13 hosted by Jimmie G!

Contagion - s2e11

Turn it off and turn it back on again. That's how this plot resolves and it may just be the first time such a momentous adage was shown to the public as the rise of the digital age. The Enterprise is heading to the Romulan neutral zone to save its sister ship, the U.S.S. Yamato. Captain Varley is convinced he's found an ancient space-faring civilization with advanced technology, but his ship suddenly explodes after experiencing functional failures. Picard follows the breadcrumbs, evading the Romulans, and eventually the Enterprise starts to suffer the same malfunctions. Time for Data to call the IT Crowd! Kate hosts this episode and feels bad for Geordi getting thrown around in the turbolift, Erik wants more of Captain Varley, Jimmie was a tea captain, and Greg laughs a lot.
 
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG) 
Panel: Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG), Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter), and Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Audio Editor: Krista Curry (@kristafromglee on Twitter, krista.curry on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "The Royale" s2e12 hosted by Greg!

The Dauphin - s2e10

Everybody Loves Wesley! Our favorite ensign Wesley Crusher falls in love and we get the chance to see this glorious ensemble of dudes act as varying levels of of father-figure for him. Salia of Daled 4 and her protector-morph the stern ass Gozer the Gozarian, erm, Paddi Edwards need a shuttle back home, but, uh-oh, Geordi says we have to kick the tires of the Enterprise for a little bit first. That gives plenty of time for a saucy romance to develop, and Wesley finds out love is a lot more than just a holodeck date. There's monsters and magnets and smooches too! Erik hosted this episode and pieced together some fantastic moments, Kate pines over every shot of Wesley leaning against a wall while Jimmie prefers the butt shots, and Greg had to bust out of the recording before we ended. Don't worry, everything is OK!
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG)
Panel: Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG), Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter), and Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Audio Editor: Krista Curry (@kristafromglee on Twitter, krista.curry on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "Contagion" s2e11 hosted by Kate!

The Measure of a Man - s2e9

This is one of the greatest episodes of Star Trek, and maybe even sci-fi television as a whole. Strap in, folks, this one is about 30 minutes longer than our normal episodes but it's worth it! On a new Federation starbase near the Neutral Zone, Data is ordered to report to Commander Bruce Maddox for disassembly, and the reassignment is challenged by Picard. Unfortunately - kinda - the JAG officer who must decide is Picard's ex-girlfriend who led the prosecution in the Stargazer incident. Debates ensue regarding Data's sentience, but the episode is really a vehicle for Picard. The importance of this episode in the Star Trek continuum can't be overstated; Three previous episodes are referenced letting TNG feel like an ongoing story, and the events & characters are the basis for season one of Picard. Greg hosts and is excited to welcome guest cultural bridge officer Kelly Knox (journalist and dad-joke teller on Twitter) to discuss her connection to the show and her love of this episode.
Kate was unavailable for this episode due to rehearsal scheduling, but she will be back for s2e10!
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Panel: Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter), Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG) and Kelly Knox (Kelly_Knox on Twitter)
Audio Editor: Krista Curry (@kristafromglee on Twitter, krista.curry on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "The Dauphin" s2e10 hosted by Erik!

A Matter of Honor - s2e8

The Warrior-Poets return! Or are they Warrior-Comedians? The Benzite Mendon - not to be confused with Mordock - joins the Enterprise crew, while Riker joins the crew of the Klingon Bird of Prey Pagh as part of an officer exchange program. Riker is challenged as a fish out of Star Fleet pretty much immediately, and his familiarity with Klingon cuisine only makes him more attractive to the women, of course. There's a space bacteria attacking the hull of both ships, but poor Mendon didn't finish his analysis in time to impress, well, anyone. Kate hosts this episode and loves the gagh, Jimmie is in to the Klingon branding, Erik enjoyed the laser porn and Greg just wants to see Riker's tight seven minute stand up routine.
 
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter)
Panel: Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG), Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG), and Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Audio Editor: Krista Curry (@kristafromglee on Twitter, krista.curry on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "Measure of a Man" hosted by Greg and featuring special guest Kelly Knox (Kelly_Knox on Twitter)!

Unnatural Selection - s2e7

Pulaski gets old. Like real old. With very unnecessary aging makeup and everything. The Enterprise encounters a cargo ship that's still functioning with everyone aboard dead from old age. They had just left the frightfully named Darwin Station, and wouldn't you know it, the eugenicists caused all our problems. Jimmie G hosts this episode!
 
We'd love to receive more feedback or questions we can read aloud and answer on episodes in the future so feel free to email letsReengage@gmail.com or message us on Twitter @ReEngageTNG!
Host: Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter)
Panel: Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG), Erik Gratton (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG), and Greg Tito (@gregtito on Twitter, @greg_tito on IG)
Audio Editor: Krista Curry (@kristafromglee on Twitter, krista.curry on IG)
Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com
Theme music: Ryan Marth
 
Next up is "A Matter of Honor" s2e8 hosted by Kate!