298: Utopia is a Series of Choices

Una McCormack: The Last Best Hope. Since the debut of Star Trek: Picard earlier this year, fans have been enjoying the continued adventures of Jean-Luc Picard as he delves into the mystery of Dahj and Soji, the android daughters of his former shipmate, Lt. Commander Data. However, many things have changed since Star Trek Nemesis and the year in which Picard is set. How did we get from there to here? In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson welcome Una McCormack, author of Picard: The Last Best Hope to the show. We discuss the process of writing the novel, the social issues it deals with, the threat of the breakup of the Federation, the research led by Dr. Amal Safadi, the crew of Picard's new ship, the Verity, the revenge of the synths, a melancholy ending, and wrap up with what Una is currently working on and where she can be found online. In the news segment, we judge the upcoming Star Trek: Discovery: Die Standing by its cover and back-cover blurb, and report on the pending sale of Simon & Schuster. We also respond to feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 297: A Palm Punch with No Follow Through. News DIS: Die Standing Cover (00:02:57) ViacomCBS Selling Simon & Schuster (00:06:39) Listener Feedback (00:10:09) Feature: Una McCormack The Process (00:12:21) Social Issues (00:21:30) Federation Secession (00:26:21) Critical Findings Remain Secret (00:32:10) Admiral Picard (00:41:37) A Melancholy Ending (00:46:27) U.S.S. Verity Crew (00:52:40) Revenge of the Synths (00:57:03) Close to Canon (01:02:51) Hollow Men and More (01:04:57) Final Thoughts (01:08:17) Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson Guest Una McCormack Production Bruce Gibson (Editor and Producer) Dan Gunther (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)