152: Ode To Spiner

Season 4 Retrospective Part 2.   Genetically enhanced humans have popped up in all forms of science fiction media for almost as long as the genre has existed, and Star Trek is no exception. Our first look at "augments," or genetically engineered humans, came in the original Star Trek series episode "Space Seed", when we meet the unforgettable Khan and learn about the Eugenics Wars of Earth past. Gene Roddenberry based this backstory on events from our own history during World War II, when Hitler began examining selective birthing to create a superior race of humans. The United States was not blameless, with physicians and lawmakers using imperfections in family history or other "unwanted" characteristics to deny rights to many citizens. And so we come to Star Trek: Enterprise's entry in the history, the three episodes known as "The Augment Trilogy", heralding Brent Spiner's return to Star Trek as Soong family predecessor, Arik. In this episode of Warp Five, hosts Brandon-Shea Mutala, Patrick Devlin, Brandi Jackola, and special guest Chris Tribuzio take a look at the season four episodes "Borderland", "Cold Station 12" and "The Augments". We discuss ties to other Star Trek, religious meanings of augment names, big wrestlers and little women, and how a middle-aged man in prison could end up with children.  Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  Welcome, Boomers! (00:01:31) Borderland (00:11:08) Cold Station 12 (00:33:37) The Augments (00:48:21) Final Thoughts (00:57:17) Closing (01:01:58)   Hosts Brandon-Shea Mutala, Patrick Devlin, and Brandi Jackola   Guest Chris Trebuzio   Production Patrick Devlin (Editor) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Producer)  C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Floyd Dorsey (Associate Producer) Mike Morrison (Associate Producer) Tim Cooper (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Mark Flessa (Associate Producer) Chris Tribuzio (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Tony Robinson (Show Art) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)