Spocklight: A Star Trek Podcast
by Spocklight
Space: The Final Frontier, These are the voyages of the Podcast, ’Spocklight’. Our continuing mission: to explore the ’Star Trek’ franchise from a non-Trekkie perspective, to boldly go where many podcasts have more than likely gone before.Join your crew, Liam Dempsey, Paul Willson, Matt Brothers and Ship Mascot, Aristotle, the Axolotl, as they attempt to answer the question: Can a trio of life long non-Trekkies become a trio of Trekkers?
Episodes
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Episode 73: Star Trek The Original Series Season 1 Retrospective (w/ David Trumble)
In the wake of our own 10th anniversary and Star Trek's 60th, we're joined by our unofficial 4th chair, our most regular Guest, Story Artist for Animation, David Trumble, to discuss the first ever Season of Star Trek, Season 1 or The Original Series, as we pick out some hidden gems from the run…
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Star Trek 60th Anniversary Special
To celebrate Star Trek's 60th Anniversary (and our own 10th Anniversary), the Spocklight crew went on an away mission to journey along the Star Trek trail at the Science Museum and review the experience, then we give our thoughts on the Trek panels at Comic-Con this year which thankfully don't…
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Episode 72: Star Trek Starfleet Academy Season One Spoiler Special
The Spocklight crew enlist in Starfleet Academy but will we make it to graduation or be hoping to get expelled as soon as possible, listen now and find out. As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: X - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod BLUESKY - @spocklightpod.bsky.social FACEBOOK –...
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On Screen 8: The Boys (w/ Eleanor Parker from the Bygones: The Ally McBeal Podcast)
In the wake of the final season of Prime Video Comic Book adaptation, The Boys, starring Star Trek alumni, Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, and Simon Pegg, Liam and Matt are joined by Eleanor Parker from the Bygones Podcast to break down the controversial ending, and give an overview of the series itself,...
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Episode 71: Khan
The Spocklight crew reunite on Ceti Alpha V to discuss the first ever Star Trek Podcast Audio Drama, KHANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: X - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod BLUESKY - @spocklightpod.bsky.social FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/...
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Spocklight At the Movies 43: Dredd (w/ Eamonn Clarke from the Mega City Book Club podcast)
The Spocklight crew are joined by 2000AD expert and host of the Mega City Book Club podcast, Eamonn Clarke, to dissect the second big screen stab at adapting the galaxy's greatest lawman to the big screen, comparing Alex Garland's vision to the comic source material and the 1995 Sylvester…
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Episode 70: Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 3 Spoiler Special (w/ Sophie Petzal)
The Spocklight crew are joined once again by Screenwriter, Sophie Petzal, to discuss the highs and lows of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, picking apart the genre hopping format, the show's politics, the season's big death and the controversy surrounding Four-and-a-half-Vulcans. As usual...
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Spocklight At the Movies Special III: Film Discoveries of 2025
The Spocklight Crew continue their new annual tradition of going round the table and talking about their favourite older film first-time-watches of the last year. As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: X - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod BLUESKY - @spocklightpod.bsky.social FACEBOOK –...
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Spocklight At the Movies 42: The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (w/ Dan Thomas and Dean Burnett)
We're joined by our Welsh contingent, Bafta winning Comedian Dan Thomas, and prominent Neuroscientist Dean Burnett, as we journey up a Hill/Mountain to discuss 1995 period Rom-Com, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain, starring Hugh Grant, Ian McNeice (NOT Richard…
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Spocklight At the Movies 41: Scrooged (w/ Eleanor Parker from Bygones: The Ally McBeal Podcast)
Eleanor from the Bygones Podcast joins us once again for another festive edition, this time covering Scrooged, previous guest, Richard Donner's take on A Christmas Carol, starring Bill Murray and Star Trek connection, Carol Kane. Find a little love in your heart and join us now for the annual...
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Spocklight At the Movies 40: Judgment at Nuremberg
Paul once told us that when they think of William Shatner, the first of his acting roles that comes to mind was that of Captain Harrison Byers from Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg from 1961, long before Shatner stepped onboard the Starship that would change his life. In this episode, after...
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Spocklight At the Movies 39: Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut)
After multiple listener requests the Spocklight crew sit down to discuss Ridley Scott's Director's Cut of Kingdom of Heaven. As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - [email protected]...
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Spocklight At the Movies 38: Images (w/ Sean Wilson from the Frame to Frame podcast)
The Spocklight crew are joined by Sean Wilson from the Frame to Frame podcast, to discuss Robert Altman's Images, starring Rene Auberjonois. As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: X - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod BLUESKY - @spocklightpod.bsky.social FACEBOOK –...
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Episode 69: The Visitor (w/ Suky Khakh from the Around The Console podcast)
Liam and Matt are joined by Suky Khakh from the Around the Console and Trek this Out podcasts, as we get emotional exploring classic Star trek: Deep Space Nine episode, The Visitor. As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK –...
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Episode 68: Star Trek Lower Decks Season 5 Spoiler Special (w/ Sam Clements from the 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest Podcast)
The Spocklight Crew are joined by Sam Clements from the 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest Podcast as we take the turbo lift down to the Lower Decks one last time. Engage the core and listen now! As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK –...
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Spocklight At the Movies 37: Crossroads (w/ Dave & Cathy from The Cinemile)
The Spocklight crew are joined by Dave & Cathy from The Cinemile podcast to take a walk down to the Crossroads, as we re-evaluate the 2002 Britney Spears starring road movie that's overflowing with Star trek connections, chief amongst them, Zoe Saldana and Anson Mount. As usual you can find...
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Episode 67: Section 31
The Spocklight crew join the ranks of Section 31 to answer the questions - does this even count as a Star Trek movie and if it does, is it the worst Star Trek movie of all time? As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK –...
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Spocklight At the Movies 36: Poolman
Liam and Matt dissect Chris Pine's directorial debut, Poolman. We discuss where the film fits into the legacy of Noir movies, question why it was this film that Pine wanted to make for his debut, and seek to answer the age-old debate of who is the best Hollywood Chris. As usual you can find...
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Episode 66: Family (w/ Chris Carr from Homicide: Life on the Set and Secrets and Spies)
The Spocklight crew are reunited with Chris Carr from ‘Homicide: Life on the Set’ and ‘Secrets and Spies’ to cover Family from Star Trek: The Next Generation. We discuss how this episode resulted in a surprising ratings low for the series and why that might have been, examine the structure of the...
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Spocklight At the Movies Special II: Film Discoveries of 2024
In this episode, Liam, Matt and Paul begin a potentially annual tradition of going round the table and talking about their favourite older film first-time-watches of 2024. As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK –...
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Spocklight At the Movies 35: A Christmas Horror Story
This festive season we unwrap 2015 Anthology movie, A Christmas Horror Story, starring William Shatner as DJ Dangerous Dan. Matt saw this film during the Frightfest Festival many moons ago and awarded it 4.5 stars on Letterboxd…Paul does not agree… leaving Liam to referee a Crimbo battle more...
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Episode 65: The Doomsday Machine (w/ Dave Corkery from The Cinemile)
We're joined by Dave Corkery from the Award winning Cinemile podcast as we take on The Doomsday Machine from The Original Series. Dave grapples with the idea of being known as a Trekkie and tells us why this episode stuck out for him on his lockdown inspired epic mission to watch all of Star Trek...
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Spocklight At the Movies 34: The Boogens (w/ James L. Conway and Daryl Bar)
In a very special Halloween episode, Daryl Bar from Is Paul Dano Ok? joins us to discuss 1981 cult classic Horror, The Boogens, which counts amongst it’s fans Stephen King and Quentin Tarantino. Then we’re joined by the film’s Director, James L. Conway, who tells us about the film’s origins and…
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On Screen 7: The Real Ghostbusters
The Spocklight crew take the Ecto-1 for a joy ride to nostalgia city as we reminisce over childhood's playing with Ghostbusters toys and discuss 'Russian About, Season 6, episode 8 of The Real Ghostbusters, guest starring Walter Koenig as Vladamir Maximov. We discuss why The Real Ghostbusters...
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Episode 64: Star Trek Prodigy Season 2 Spoiler Special (w/ Aaron Waltke)
WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR STAR TREK: PRODIGY SEASON 2! We’re joined by Star Trek: Prodigy’s Head Writer, Aaron Waltke, to breakdown Season 2 in detail, as we discuss the challenges of balancing writings a Kid’s show combined with a Voyager sequel, Dal coming to realise why he...
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Spocklight At the Movies 33: Logan (w/ Kobi Omenaka from the Flixwatcher Podcast)
Five years after covering the first X-Men film on the podcast and with 'Deadpool & Wolverine' currently in Cinemas and lighting up the box office, we return to the franchise to discuss 2017 entry, Logan, with special Guest, Kobi Omenaka. We talk about Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart's…
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Episode 63: The Search for Spock 40th Anniversary Special (w/ Agent Scott from Spy Hards & Chris Carr from Homicide: Life on the Set)
The Spocklight Crew beam down to The BFI IMAX in London to watch the 4K 40th Anniversary re-release of Leonard Nimoy's directorial debut, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, on Britain's biggest screen. Joined by Agent Scott from the Spy Hards podcast and Chris Carr from Homicide: Life on the…
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Episode 62: Star Trek Discovery Season 5 Spoiler Special
Following Liam's interview with Sonequa Martin-Green on the Pilot TV Podcast, The Spocklight crew reconvene to fully dissect the fifth and final season of Star Trek: Discovery. We discuss Discovery's search for an identity over it's 5 Season run and whether we were happy with what it eventually...
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Episode 61: Captive Pursuit (w/ Craig Stimson from the Around the Console Podcast)
We’re joined by Craig Stimson, from the amazing Doctor Who podcast, Around the Console, to discuss an early episode of Star trek: Deep Space Nine, Captive Pursuit. Craig tells us why this episode was the start of his true love affair with Star Trek and highlights the evident political allegories…
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Spocklight At the Movies 32: Cube (w/ Helen Sadler from the Flixwatcher Podcast)
We’re joined by Helen Sadler from the Flixwatcher podcast, to discuss the Indie Sci-Fi Horror sensation of 1997, Cube, starring Nicole de Boer, who essayed the role of Ezri Dax on Star trek: Deep Space Nine. We discuss the budget limitations of the film and if it would have been better suited to…
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Supplemental 21: The Commercials of Trek
The Spocklight crew beam down during the commercial break to cover a fascinating array of television adverts featuring the original series crew & much more. William Shatner cashes in on Commodore computers, Leonard Nimoy attempts to induct viewers into his Magnavox cult, James Doohan flogs some...
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Episode 60: Star Trek Lower Decks Season 4 Spoiler Special
The Spocklight crew take the turbo lift down to the Lower Decks once again as we analyse the 4th Season of Star Trek’s adult animated comedy series. Liam surprises by finally being won over by the show despite the return of the dreaded Badgey, Matt makes a fateful comparison to The Hitchikers…
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Episode 59: Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 2 Spoiler Special (w/ Sam Clements from the 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest Podcast)
The Spocklight crew are joined by Sam Clements, host of the excellent, 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest Podcast, to celebrate the stellar sophomore season of 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds'. Join us as we discuss the political allegories of 'Ad Astra per Aspera' and 'Under the Cloak of War', dissect...
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Episode 58: Tuvix (w/ Josh Weller)
We're joined by Comedian, Josh Weller, to debate one of the most controversial episodes in Star Trek history, Tuvix. As usual you can find SPOCKLIGHT on: TWITTER - @spocklightpod INSTAGRAM – @spocklightpod FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/spocklightpod/ EMAIL - [email protected] Please...
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On Screen 6: T.J. Hooker
They're together again, but on different sides of the law! William Shatner Vs Leonard Nimoy - it's T.J. Hooker in Vengeance is Mine! The Spocklight crew dive into Hookland to wonder if William Shatner's other iconic TV show was actually a Police Academy prequel, praise the episode's sensitive...
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On Screen 5: Boston Legal (w/ Eleanor Parker from Bygones: The Ally McBeal Podcast)
On a special Christmas edition of the Star trek Podcast from a non-Trekkie perspective, the Spocklight crew discuss two festive episodes of Boston Legal (Hired Guns from Season 1 and Green Christmas from Season 4) starring William Shatner in his Emmy Award winning turn as Denny Crane. We're…
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Spocklight At the Movies 31: L.A. Story
The Spocklight Crew cover Steve Martin’s definitive City of Angels satire, L.A. Story, featuring a legendary cameo from Sir Patrick Stewart. We discuss the aftermath of Martin being the butt of a cutting joke from Dennis Pennis, if Martin’s Harris K. Telemacher’s was a TikTok pioneer, the pre-Sex…
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Episode 57: Star Trek Prodigy Season 1, Part 2 Spoiler Special (w/ David Trumble)
Our resident Animation expert, David Trumble, returns to the podcast with news of the latest project he's been working on for Netflix, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Twits, and primarily to help us breakdown the second half of Star Trek: Prodigy's triumphant first season. We discuss the...
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Episode 56: Arena (w/ Dan Thomas)
Comedian, Dan Thomas (Smersh Pod) returns to the podcast to discuss Star Trek Original Series classic, Arena, as the Spocklight Crew go full Gorn! We breakdown the iconic fight between Kirk and the Gorn, discover what else was on TV the night that Arena was first broadcast in UK, debate whether a...
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Spocklight At the Movies Special: The Last Action Heroes (w/ Nick De Semlyen from Empire Magazine)
In a very special episode, we’re joined by returning Guest, Nick De Semlyen, Editor of Empire Magazine and Author of new book, The Last Action Heroes, the behind-the-scenes story of the movie Action Heroes who ruled 1980s and ‘90s Hollywood, to talk his reasons for writing the book, what made him...
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Episode 55: Star Trek Picard Season 3 Review
The Spocklight Crew boldly go on one last adventure with the original TNG crew as we finally engage with the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard We discuss the huge difference that excellent writing & direction can make to an Actor's performance, praise Todd Stashwick's brilliant…
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Episode 54: Star Trek Lower Decks Season 3 Spoiler Special
The Spocklight crew take the turbolift back to the lower decks on a search for justice as Paul defends Bird/Robot sex to the hilt, a search for adventure as Matt seeks to discover if he still “low-key loves” the show and a search for wonder as Liam asks why his most hated character had to make a...
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Spocklight At the Movies 30: Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves (w/ Linda McGarrigle)
We’re joined by Cosplayer and D&D Player, Linda McGarrigle, to discuss new Blockbuster release, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, Starring Captain Kirk of the Kelvinverse himself, Chris Pine. Matt praises the stand alone nature of the film and Pine’s ability to laugh at himself, Liam has…
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Episode 53: Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 1 Spoiler Special
The Spocklight crew celebrate Star Trek’s return to episodic television as we examine the first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Paul praises the ensemble cast of the show but questions the casting of Paul Wesley as Captain James T. Kirk, Matt is impressed by the reintroduction of a…
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Episode 52: Star trek Discovery Season 4 Spoiler Special
Our long delayed Discovery Season 4 episode is finally here! We discuss all aspects of the Anomaly/Ten-C storyline and if this season long arc worked to the show’s benefit, debate whether Michael Burnham is a good Captain or not and where we stand with the Discovery crew four seasons in. Then, we...
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Spocklight At the Movies 29: Yes, Madam / Royal Warriors
In the light of her recent Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination, we go back to where it all started for Hong Kong Action Queen, Michelle Yeoh, with her first leading movie role, Yes, Madam then go straight into the sequel, Royal Warriors, for a In The Line of Duty double bill. That's right, for...
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Spocklight At the Movies 28: Truck Turner (w/ Daryl Bar from Sudden Double Deep and Is Paul Dano Ok?)
We pay tribute to the late, great Nichelle Nichols as we’re joined by Daryl Bar from Sudden Double Deep and Is Paul Dano Ok? to cover one of her few starring movie roles outside of the Star Trek franchise, playing vicious Madam, Dorinda in 1974s Truck Turner. We discuss our own personal histories...
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A Spocklight Ghost Story for Christmas: The Canterville Ghost
In a very special Christmas edition of the podcast, the Spocklight crew discuss the 1996 TV movie adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost starring Sir Patrick Stewart as suggested by one of our listeners (and if any of you Spocklighters out there have suggestions for future episodes…
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Episode 51: Star Trek Prodigy Season 1, Part 1 Spoiler Special (w/ David Trumble)
Regular guest, David Trumble, returns to the podcast fresh from completing his work as a Story Artist on new Henry Selick stop motion animation, Wendell & Wild (now available on Netflix), to discuss Star Trek’s first foray into Children’s Animation in many a year (almost 50 in fact!), Star Trek:...
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Episode 50: Star Trek The Motion Picture Director’s Edition in 4K Reaction
For the 50th episode of our main mission we return to where it all began for our little podcast - Star Trek: The Motion Picture! This time the Spocklight Crew beam down to The Prince Charles Cinema in London to watch the 4K restoration of Robert Wise’s Directors Edition of the film, giving their...
About this show
Space: The Final Frontier, These are the voyages of the Podcast, ’Spocklight’. Our continuing mission: to explore the ’Star Trek’ franchise from a non-Trekkie perspective, to boldly go where many podcasts have more than likely gone before.Join your crew, Liam Dempsey, Paul Willson, Matt Brothers and Ship Mascot, Aristotle, the Axolotl, as they attempt to answer the question: Can a trio of life long non-Trekkies become a trio of Trekkers?
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Spocklight