At this point it is outright safe to say, that the AppleTV+ series, For All Mankind, was one of the most dynamic shows to premiere in 2019. Simply because it really did offer up one incredible reimagining of the space race. One where the United States of America lost to the Soviets in getting to the moon first and while that premise alone makes this show unique and intriguing, what it did with this incredible twist took this alternate history story to incredible new heights.

Because early on it appeared as though, losing to the Russians was going to bring about America’s finest hour. For the establishment of a permanent Lunar colony, thanks to the discovery of water on the moon, should have signaled a grand shift toward space exploration, which would have allowed for Americans and the world, to unite in a manner never seen before. But instead, our better angels did not prevail in season one, and they were instead replaced by a desire to escalate the Cold War, as evidenced by the shocking final moments of the season one finale.

The kind that were so powerful and so striking that it left all of us wondering where season two of this series would take us. Would it feature mankind overcoming its pettiness in order to explore deep space, in an effort to understand the nature of our existence and see if life is out there? Or would it instead feature a dangerous game of chicken with a powerful enemy, one that would extend into the void itself? Well as it turns out, we have some idea of what to expect from the new season of this titular space drama. For earlier today, AppleTV+ released all kinds of wonderful information regarding season two of this series. Such as a premiere date, plot synopsis and who will be joining the cast as series regulars and well… here are those very details, courtesy of AppleTV+.

Apple TV+ today unveiled that the second season of the critically acclaimed space drama “For All Mankind,” will premiere globally on Friday, February 19, 2021 on Apple TV+. The ten episode second season will debut with the first episode, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday, exclusively on Apple TV+.
 
Season two of the space drama picks up a decade later in 1983. It’s the height of the Cold War and tensions between the United States and the USSR are at their peak. Ronald Reagan is President and the greater ambitions of science and space exploration are at threat of being squandered as the US and Soviets go head to head to control sites rich in resources on the moon. The Department of Defense has moved into Mission Control, and the militarization of NASA becomes central to several characters' stories: some fight it, some use it as an opportunity to advance their own interests, and some find themselves at the height of a conflict that may lead to nuclear war. 
 
New stars set to join Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Wrenn Schmidt, Jodi Balfour, Krys Marshall and Sonya Walger in the second season include:
 
· Cynthy Wu (“Holidate,” “Before I Fall,” “American Vandal”) as ‘Kelly Baldwin,’ Ed (Kinnaman) and Karen’s (VanSanten) adopted daughter.
· Coral Peña (“Chemical Hearts,” “The Post”) as ‘Aleida Rosales,’ a brilliant engineer with a complicated past.
· Casey W. Johnson (“GLOW,” “Rise”) as ‘Danny Stevens,’ the son of astronauts Gordo (Dorman) and Tracy (Jones).
 
If anything, this is the kind of plot synopsis and cast announcement that definitely builds excitement in all the right ways. Because not only will we get to see what it is like for kids to grow up in a world where space travel is an everyday thing and follow up on Aleida's journey, we get to see mankind be tested like never before. Because that kind of escalation might bring the world to the brink of all out nuclear war and it should be interesting to see if humanity and our intrepid characters can rise above mankind's worst traits and use space travel as a gift instead of a weapon when For All Mankind returns to the airwaves on February 19, 2021. ​

There is nothing more noble in American society, that serving one’s nation. Because making the choice to join the armed forces and defend America and all of her interests is a brave decision. For it can and has put a great many people in harm’s way and far too many have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and everything that the United States stands for. Yet while that decision is indeed something to applaud and respect when veterans return home, the voyage home is one that leaves a lot to be desired for our veterans and their families. Because often times, once they get back from their tours of duty and ugly combat, they’re in need of a lot of care, in every way imaginable.
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In large part because these brave souls have seen some horrible things and performed some actions that most of us could never live with and they are also not used to civilian life and how it functions after spending years taking orders under fire. Plus, sometimes their bodies are battered and bruised and outright broken and the kind of healing they need both psychologically and physically is extensive to say the least and sadly… they don’t get time to do that. For our veterans are often expected to just deal with life once they’re out of the service, or they get poor care from the VA and well, the difficult process of re-integration and what veterans need are things that a great deal of us simply don’t understand. But thankfully, fiction is there to try and help us do so and it just so happens that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, had plenty to say about this problem.

For ‘The Hunted’ introduced the crew of the Enterprise to a super soldier named Roga Danar who was in quite the tough place because of his service to his home world, something that this episode didn’t quite reveal right away… which was a brilliant stroke of storytelling for certain. Because making Roga’s home world seem like a true paradise, one that had finally moved beyond its violent past, allowed for it to become the perfect allegory for modern America. For we tend to believe that we are the beacon of all things and that we can do no wrong and that our wars are just and true and for a noble cause. When in reality, a great deal of our wars from Vietnam and on, have been based off of ideology or revenge over an actual issue and the end result of these useless wars, is that shattered soldiers have been coming home for generations. 

Which is why you feel for Roga once it becomes clear that he is one of those broken soldiers. Because we learn that he is a good man with good ideals that simply cannot shake his training because of what the government has made him and that’s quite the powerful parallel to put into this story. Because it doesn’t matter what era you grew up in, when you see Roga at his most vulnerable in this tale you immediately realize that he is ripped from an everyday headline about a soldier that couldn’t put the pieces back together again after seeing horrible things abroad, and that makes this episode quite poignant and quite powerful for certain. Since it really does go above and beyond to point out how timeless this problem has become, and that genuine change needs to happen in regard to how we treat our soldiers when they come home from war.

For they are not weapons to be discarded, nor are they a commodity. They are human beings, and they deserve our respect and care. Because they chose to stand in harm’s way and defend the innocent and well, hopefully we learn this lesson sooner rather than later because it really is heartbreaking to know they’re not getting what they need. In the end however, all of these elements make this a top-notch episode for certain. One filled to the brim with biting and poignant commentary and it truly speaks to the wonder of season three and how it is boldly going where the Star Trek Universe had never gone before and it is wonderful to see TNG tackling issues that are relevant today and it really is quite bold for this show to just point out the problem, rather than try to solve it. Since that puts the issue squarely in the audience’s hands and that definitely gives one pause. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Big Sky’.
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If there is one thing that we can all agree upon, it would have to be that we live in a relatively safe world. Because despite the hiccups that happen from time to time, we go on about our day and our lives with little concern. For we know that our communities are filled with good people and if by chance something were to happen to us, technology would be there to save the day and while there is a lot of merit to this line of thinking, it isn’t always one hundred percent true. For the world can surprise us at any given moment and put us in a perilous position that we’ve never quite faced before, one where technology and the good nature of others… mean nothing. 
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But while that is an ominous statement to make, one that could in essence be called fear-mongering in its own right, that’s simply not the case. For the whole point in shedding a little light upon such a harsh reality, is to remind us to always be vigilant when the situation calls for it, and to always trust your instincts when something seems suspicious, so that we never experience a false sense of security in regard to our world. If anything, holding to that particular line of thinking and being on guard when necessary should have us ready for anything the world throws our way and all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because a false of sense of security permeates the fabric of the new ABC series, Big Sky.

For the ‘Pilot’ episode of this fascinating new show lulls the audience into that very thing by introducing us to the good people of Helena, Montana. And in this tiny little berg, a lot of mundane drama takes place. After all, Jenny and Cody Hoyt, a married pair of private investigators, are dealing with some serious marital problems when we catch up with them here; the kind that includes a little infidelity. Since Cody opts to sleep with someone from their P.I. practice and in a nearby town, we also meet Montana State Trooper Rick Legarski who is dealing with a failing marriage of his own since he cannot separate his work from his personal life and well, the wonder of this boring introduction is that it really does suck the audience in and shock them… when it is revealed that this idyllic part of the world is harboring some ugly secrets.

Because a trucker named Ronald Pergman drives around these parts and this marginalized and seemingly introverted man is harboring quite the horrifying secret. In that, he likes to pick up prostitutes and violently harm them to satisfy whatever unsettling urges are raging through his mind and soul and unfortunately, on one fateful night, an aggressive chance encounter with a young woman and her sister motivates Ronald to bring them into his twisted world as well, and now it will be up to Jenny and Cody to piece together where these women have gone and well… it’s best that we end our discussion of the plot right there. So as to not spoil that powerful ending, one that truly hammers home how our perception of what’s safe in this world isn’t always accurate and really, the twists and turns are what makes this pilot so worth our while.
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Because truly, nothing is what it seems in this story, and that makes for a delightful storytelling experience for certain. One that keeps you guessing every single step of the way and one that genuinely shocks you when the biggest reveal arrives. But most important of all, this complex and engrossing setup really does do a phenomenal job of exploring its key message about safety and vigilance. Since Danielle and Grace lulled themselves into a false sense of security when they initially dealt with dear Ronald and that cost them dearly, as did Dani’s belief that maybe, just maybe… he’d rise above their road rage incident and offer them a shred of kindness and mercy and oddly enough, their dealings with Ronald and the ending of this episode actually allowed for the story to offer up a bonus bit of commentary on the world as well.

In that, looks can in fact, be deceiving and that there is no such thing as a truly safe place. Because when the circumstances are right and evil has found a way to thrive, awful things can and will happen in Anytown, U.S.A. and in the end, it’s up to people that genuinely believe in the safety of others and what’s just and right in the world to put a stop to it and it would seem that’s exactly what Hoyt Private Investigations is going to do in this tale. For the Hoyt’s are good people, and they are on the case now and racing against time to save three innocent lives from a horrible fate and that is one of the many reasons to continue this dynamic and thrilling journey. One that undoubtedly has more surprises and commentary in store for us as this incredible and unsettling tale continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season 29 finale of ‘Top Gear’.
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When we think of ingenuity in regard to the automobile, we immediately think of the future. Because as we speak, new designs and new features are in development at the headquarters of every car manufacturer on the planet. The kind that will eventually make it to the market, and we are always eager to see how these future innovations will make our driving experience all the more comfortable and how they help improve our carbon footprint as well, since innovation does make new cars more environmentally sound. But while car manufacturers and consumers are eager to see what tomorrow will bring for the industry, there are some people out there who wonder… whether or not innovation can be applied to vehicles that haven't seen a design upgrade in ages or are currently on the road. 

Because doing so, could in fact improve our carbon footprint immediately if the car was properly retrofitted with stunning new technology, and new comforts could be placed within the older vehicle as well, making it quite the slick ride and it just so happens that this is a notion that Paddy McGuinness took the time to explore on this week’s episode of Top Gear. Because the season 29 finale saw Paddy retrofit a true classic ride: the ice cream truck. All in the hopes of building the ice cream truck of the future, and well, what he did to said truck, one he named Mr. Nippy, was pretty darn impressive to say the least. For he was able to retrofit this vehicle to handle just about any terrain, since it was raised high and designed to handle the stresses of driving off-road.

Plus, it was outfitted with a new sound system that could broadcast further than the older trucks, allowing for more people to be drawn to its delicious offerings and in the event that this ice cream dream machine was at the beach, it also came equipped with a boat named Mr. Shippy. All so the ice cream jockey could bring cool confections to the surfers in the water, that were waiting for the perfect wave. To top it all off, Paddy even made the darn thing electric. Making this particular ride about as environmentally sound as it can get and well… truth be told, this was quite the invention to say the least, one that Paddy flat out went above and beyond to create. But sadly, the producers weren’t one-hundred-percent certain that this particular ride was indeed the ice cream truck of tomorrow. Which meant that Mr. Nippy had to be put to the test in order to prove its worth.

Which is something that didn’t quite go all that well at first. Since a timed race between Mr. Nippy and a classic ice cream truck ended in a disappointing manner. But in reality, this was a test that didn’t really put this truck through a proper set of circumstances. For in the real world, Mr. Nippy would be facing off against other trucks in suburban areas and that gave rise to a unique competition. One where Chris and Paddy would quite literally take out the competition by way of a winner take all, paintball death match. Wherein Freddie, in a cleverly retrofitted food truck, would attack a newly armed Mr. Nippy and wouldn’t you know it? Harris and Paddy held their own in battle, and even defeated (or rather evaded) a Fish n’ Chips themed tank to win the day, making Mr. Nippy a truly amazing ice cream truck.

If anything, this was one heck of a way to end season 29. In large part because Mr. Nippy elevated the fun factor on this series to an outright eleven. Because everything involving this dynamic truck put a smile upon our faces or left us in stitches since it produced a ton of comedic moments. Such as when Mr. Shippy sank into the sea and took Captain Paddy into the brink with it, and you can’t go wrong with Paddy’s winter ideas for a truck like this. Since it also features a lovely mashed potato and gravy dispenser, complete with a sausage and pea garnish station. But what matters most, is that this ingenuity at its finest, because Paddy really did find a way to catapult the ice cream truck into the 21st Century and hopefully the producers continue to let Paddy invent in season 30 and beyond. Because everything he’s come up with so far, has been downright genius. Until next year.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the second episode of ‘Earth’s Great Seasons’.
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Summer truly is a magical time. Simply because, it features nothing but blue skies and great weather. The kind that motivates us to forget about the bitterness of winter and the chilly nature of spring so that we can enjoy everything that the outdoors has to offer. Which is why we are eager to take time off when summer arrives. So, we can enjoy the open road without any concerns, or the open water if beach or lake related activities make you happy. But regardless of which summer activity brings you joy, what matters most is that this particular season reminds us to take it easy and relax a little bit, so we can soak up the wonder of nature. But while we’re enjoying a freshly gilled burger and a cold brew in the middle of July at our cabin retreat, the animals surrounding us are focused on some vastly different goals.

For the BBC America documentary series, Earth’s Great Seasons took the time to dive deep into how the wildlife of the world handles ‘Summer’ and what we learned about how animals view this warm and wonderful time of year, was quite fascinating to say the least. Because for a great many animals, this is the perfect time to simply feast to their heart’s desire. For food is plentiful during this time of year and they can gorge with impunity and begin to fatten themselves up for the impending winter, and it was just amazing to see animals feast in such an exuberant and sometimes downright dangerous manner. Since we saw bears suffer through endless waves of bee stings, just to get a taste of delicious honey or watch lizards risk life and limb atop a lion, in order to get a taste of a fat and succulent fly.

But what was truly fascinating about this segment of the story, is that it also taught us that an abundance of food, also leads to a second mating season for some animals. Because they know they can easily feed their young, so now is the time to start a family. A notion that has merit and also elicits a touch of risk as well. For summer is also a time of year when the heat is tough to beat and we were also privy to a look at how animals keep cool in the middle of the scorching summer, since they don’t have access to air conditioning like we do. And as it turns out, if animals aren’t sleeping to beat the heat, they’re using their surroundings to cool off. Since Koalas hug trees to stay cool and hippos cover themselves in mud and oddly enough, some animals have naturally adapted to the heat. Such as the Silver Ant, a Saharan ant that actually has fur designed to deflect the sun’s punishing rays.

Yet while there were plenty of creative ways to beat the heat on display in this documentary, the fact of the matter is, nothing cools a living being down quite like a good old-fashioned drink of water and even that… can be a challenge to find in nature, in summer. Because sometimes the heat evaporates that precious resource, but even then, animals know where to go in order to get the water they need. Take the wildlife in Namibia for instance. Since they all know to make their way to a spot where an underwater spring bubbles up to the surface, year round. And it was quite fascinating to see both predator and prey come to this place and share this water and function in harmony, all in the name of survival; and speaking of a grand pursuit for resources, that’s something that motivates some animals to spend a better part of their year traversing the globe. Such as the Arctic Turn, a bird that spends its entire year in summer, migrating from one pole to the next to enjoy the bounty that the various seas send their way.

If anything, it is just best to declare summer as a supremely busy time in nature, since animals are working hard to eat hearty and to keep their family line going, since there are a bevy of breeding rituals happening around the world during this time of year. So many in fact, that we nearly forgot to mention the crab migration that occurs on Christmas Island and the sea turtles that return to Australia to lay their eggs and really, in the end, this particular chapter in this magnificent documentary; does a fine job of reminding us; just how good we have it on planet earth. Because while we are cracking open a cold beverage and preparing to enjoy some sun and relax, there are creatures everywhere working hard to make it to tomorrow and it is humbling to be reminded of that. And now that our journey through the toasty months has come to a close, it should be interesting to see what the animals of the world do to prepare for the long and bitter winter when fall arrives, when this journey through the seasons, resumes on Saturday. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Chapter 11 of ‘The Mandalorian’.
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One particular element that Star Wars fans love about the franchise, is how well everything in the galaxy, far, far away ties together. Because it doesn’t matter which part of this saga’s rich history you’re watching, somehow it ties into another story and that is quite the huge feat storytelling wise. Since it requires some incredible behind the scenes work to accomplish. But while we often enjoy discussing our favorite tie-in moments from satellite films and shows, something that we don’t discuss enough… is that there is one exception to this respective rule, specifically… The Mandalorian. Because when one takes a moment to truly think about it, this particular show has made great efforts to avoid completely attaching itself into the rich history of the Star Wars Universe.

Granted, it's definitely offered up some familiar faces and moments, the kind that inform us exactly where it takes place in the timeline and that we're enjoying a Star Wars show. But for the most part, season one worked hard to steer clear of attaching Din to well-known characters in an effort to let the show stand on its own. But we all knew deep down that the last holdout in regard to tie-ins would eventually have to work its way into the connective tissue of the SWU , and it just so happens that this week’s episode served as the perfect time to make that happen. But it sure didn’t seem like that was going to be the case at first. Because early on, ‘Chapter 11: The Heiress’, felt like any other episode in this magnificent series. For Din and the Child and his passenger arrived on Trask and life went on, with Din once again working to find his Mandalorian family.

Something that did happen when he got into a bit of trouble, and that’s when this show finally merged with the rest of the franchise. Because Din ran into some Mandalorians that just so happened to have some oddly familiar armor and as it turns out, they were members of Clan Kryze and led by none other than Bo-Katan from The Clone Wars and Rebels and this… well this was pretty freakin’ awesome. Because not only did Katee Sackoff reprise the role in live action form for the first time, she’s still working to get her hands on the Darksaber in order to take control of Mandalore when we catch up with her in this tale. Which adds wonderful continuity to her animated journeys and of course, this storytelling decision also plunges Din Djarin into the SWU like never before and that’s just amazing to say the least. Since it gives the show a brand-new vibe and builds excitement for an imminent meeting between Din and Ahsoka Tano. 

However, while it is quite wonderful to geek out over this incredible moment and the possibilities, we would be foolish to not discuss the quality of this particular tale. Because in order to set the stage for a meeting between Tano and Din, our favorite Mandalorian had to help Bo out with quite the important task. Specifically, capturing an Imperial Remnant ship and all of the spoils that it had to offer, and this led to one badass sequence of storytelling. One that saw Din and his new Mandalorian friends simply lay waste to ‘well-trained’ Imperial troops in a smooth manner and it was just cool to watch these dynamic characters work together in a seamless fashion and embarrass the Imperial Remnant and set the stage for future confrontations down the line. Since clearly, Bo and Moff Gideon have the quite the past, one that could be potentially settled this season if all goes well.

But what matters more, is that this series has now finally merged with the Star Wars Universe in a proper and organic manner, and who knows what other surprise encounters await us down the line. But before we get ahead of ourselves speculation wise, it’s best we celebrate one awesome episode. One that made fans happy in every way imaginable and offered up some incredible action and adventure through and through, and now that this one has indeed come to a close. It is time to focus upon this all-important meeting between Din and Ahsoka Tano, since that should hopefully lead us to The Child’s kind and more geek out moments as Din Djarin finally becomes a proper fixture in the rich and magnificent story of a galaxy, far, far away. Until next time.  

When we are young, we truly believe that we can change the world with a little elbow grease and a lot of gravitas. For we are filled with wonder and hope for tomorrow and we firmly believe that if an injustice or a roadblock gets in our way, that we will stand up to it and shake the system up while doing so and inspire others to do the same. But alas, as we grow older, we come to realize that the world simply doesn’t work in such black and white terms. And that changing the world requires smaller acts, the kind that slowly inspire others to enact change as well, because sudden blasts of it can cause more harm than good since immediate change can terrify people, and it just so happens that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation’ takes the time to explore this notion in devastating detail.
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For ‘The Defector’ sees the crew of the Enterprise arrive at the edge of the Neutral Zone, simply because a Romulan logistics officer named Setal is desperate to find asylum within the Federation’s borders. For he has powerful information to share with the Federation, in that, the Romulan Star Empire has been quietly building a massive base on a planet within the Netural Zone, named Nelvana III and from this base, the Romulans will launch a massive offensive. One that should overwhelm the forces in this sector and plunge two ancient enemies into war once again and well, this is information that Captain Picard and his bridge officers are quite skeptical of. After all, the Romulans aren’t exactly known for being truthful and some odd irregularities in the chase leading up to Setal’s arrival… truly make this whole thing appear to be a ruse. 

But while the crew is unable to prove that outright, eventually their suspicions regarding Setal’s ability to tell the truth turn out to be true. For eventually he reveals that he is actually a brutal legend in the Empire named Admiral Jarok and he has major concerns about how the Empire is conducting business from a military standpoint. In fact, he is so emboldened by notions of peace, that he actually confronted his superiors in the Romulan High Command in order to enact change. An act that led to his censure and eventual exile to some unknown sector. And it was during that exile that he came across the details of this powerful base and the Empire’s plan to invade the Federation in a pre-emptive strike and that in turn, motivated him to turn his back on his family and his career and his people, all in the hopes of keeping the peace and it is that desire and dedication to a better way, that led to the devastating moments in question.

For eventually, Jarok agreed to give Picard everything he needed intelligence wise regarding the whereabouts of the forthcoming invasion fleet, and that motivated the captain to take the ship to Nelvana III; wherein the crew learned that they had walked into a trap. One designed to capture the flagship of the fleet and embarrass Jarok in the process. For everything that he saw communique wise, was nothing more than a grand ruse. One designed to test his loyalty to the Empire and once the Enterprise avoided conflict with the Romulans by way of an assist from the Klingons, Jarok was left in a lonesome and shaken place. Because he was now a man without a family or a career, or a home for that matter as well. He was simply adrift in the galaxy and embarrassed by his people and that eventually motivated him to take his own life. 

In the end, this was simply a brilliant episode through and through. In large part because it really does do a phenomenal job of showing how grand attempts at change can cause incredible trouble for people because of the fear that it engenders, but also because… this story offered up so much more. For its musings on the nature of war and how we are far more alike when it comes to our enemies, give the audience a lot to chew upon and that’s a wonderful thing for certain. Because this is the kind of thought-provoking episode that TNG was known for and when considers the amount of depth present here, this might be the story that finally earned this series its dynamic reputation. Since it was chock full of powerful and poignant and timely topics, the kind that definitely stay with you long after this episode has come to a close. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘Long Way Up’.
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The end of a road trip is quite the bittersweet affair. For while you’re ready to sleep in your own bed and enjoy the creature comforts of your home, you’re also not quite ready to see your journey come to an end. Because regardless of the hardships you encounter out there, the road gets into your blood and you definitely find yourself hooked on the sights and the sounds and the experiences that your trip provides you with. But alas, eventually it must come to an end and this is downright relevant to our discussion today, simply because the end of the journey and all the joy and sorrow that surrounds it, served as the focus of the series finale of Long Way Up.
 
For ‘Oaxaca to L.A.’ saw Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s 13,000-mile-long voyage north, finally come to a close with a return to Los Angeles. But before we closed out this epic journey and bid farewell to our new friends, there was still one last important part of this journey to handle. In that, the lads were still in the dangerous part of Mexico and Dave was still working around the clock to get the decoy bus ready for departure. Which meant we spent a little time in Oaxaca with the team as everyone pitched in to bring this plan to life and wouldn’t you know it? The team was able to finish the bus conversion, exactly when they were supposed to, allowing for Ewan and Charley and the crew to enjoy a little safety on the road.
 
Because the bikes fit perfectly inside the bus, and everyone was able to get some quality rest and take a breather in a dangerous part of the world and once the danger had passed, the team crossed back into the United States of America and that’s where another aspect of the road trip came into play. For when we near the end of the journey, we also take the time to reflect upon every moment of it, to see if it was downright worth it and for Ewan and Charley, the answer to that question was a resounding yes. Because not only did they get to take in the majesty of a part of the world they’d never seen in such detail before, they were able to revitalize their incredible biffleship and experience all kinds of incredible moments. Some good, some trying, but they were able to take part in them none the less and complete a voyage that they’d been working on for decades. 
 
Which made their arrival back in Los Angeles, heartwarming to say the least. Because they were able to return home with full hearts and be greeted by longing ones. Since their family was beyond eager to see them and well, now that this incredible adventure has come to an end, all we can do is thank Ewan and Charley and praise them. The latter of which comes from the fact that they traversed a hunk of the planet on electric bikes, making them pioneers of sort. And the thanks come about, simply because… they didn’t have to let the audience tag along on this voyage. They could have quietly done it on their own and enjoyed that sense of satisfaction in private. But instead, they opted to have the viewers at home come along for the ride and share in some powerful moments and learn some important lessons as well.
 
For in many ways, Long Way Up serves as a metaphor for everyday life. Because sometimes, our goals don’t come to fruition right away, and we have to wait for the right moment to make them happen… much like this trip. Plus, this show also served to remind us to cherish the moments we share with the people we love dearly since the wonder of those moments will never come again and in many ways… just the road trip in general speaks to life’s wild journey. For much like our time on the highways, life features all kinds of ups and downs and surprises in between. But what matters most… is the journey itself and how we respond to it, and those are some beautiful messages to find embedded within this powerful documentary. One where two good men accomplished wonders and now that this adventure has come to a close, it is definitely safe to say, that we’re in the same mindset as Ewan and are eagerly wondering… when the next big road trip for this dynamic duo is going to take place, so we too can enjoy the majesty and wonder of the world alongside a pair of hearty travelers.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.
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When Star Trek fans think of Starfleet and everything that it stands for, good thoughts immediately come to mind. Because every Trekkie (or Trekker if you prefer) knows that this storied organization is all about community and unity and the best parts of mankind. For people that serve in this fleet, don’t leave anyone behind and go above and beyond to do the right thing. Not because it is an ideal/expectation that is instilled in every cadet at Starfleet Academy, but because these officers genuinely believe in being the best person they can be. For that is what inspires others to rise above strife and to fight for what’s right and that’s precisely the kind of Starfleet that every fan was expecting to run into in this week’s episode of Star Trek: Discovery.
 
Because ‘Die Trying’ featured a big moment that has been brewing for weeks now, wherein the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery was reunited with Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets and that made for quite the powerful opening to this tale. For regardless of the fact that these two organizations were in hiding, the wonder and majesty of both of them were on full display here. By way of beautiful 32nd Century ships that spoke to a rich history that this intrepid crew would need a little time to learn about, and it was equally as nice that this look at the future fleet, threw a few Easter Eggs into the mix as well. Since keen eyes likely spotted the U.S.S. Nog and the U.S.S. Voyager-J on the crew’s way into the 32nd Century equivalent of space dock. And once Saru and Burnham and Adira Tal were aboard and greeted by Admiral Charles Vance, it truly seemed as though we and the crew would finally feel at home.
 
But alas, that simply wasn’t going to be the case in the slightest. For Admiral Vance made it clear that he and the rest of Starfleet’s remnant didn’t trust these new arrivals in the slightest. For they had all seen too many dark moments and dealt with too much betrayal and that motivated Vance to have the entire crew interrogated by specialists so that he could corroborate their amazing story. One that was sadly purged from the records thanks to Captain Pike and the crew of the Enterprise and well, it was just shocking to see Vance and his team treat their own in this manner, and it really did speak to the fact that Starfleet was broken and in pure survival mode and well, that motivated both Burnham and Saru to try to prove their worth to their futuristic comrades by going on a big mission to save innocent lives. 

​Something that the admiral was hesitant to let them do. But with a little coaxing from Burnham, she was allowed to take the ship to the Federation Seed Vault in order to synthesize a cure for what was ailing a group of aliens and that is where the majesty of Starfleet came to the surface of this particular tale. For Vance’s attaché, a Lieutenant Willis, was able to see the crew put themselves in harm’s way and work as one and make powerful sacrifices in the name of saving a group of strangers they didn’t know in the slightest, and that was something that truly impressed Admiral Vance and finally allowed for him to trust this crew and put them back on the active-duty roster. But while this episode does end happy, there are some important moments that happened in this one that are clearly going to have some repercussions down the line. 
 
For example, the crew is now down a valuable Commander since Nahn stayed behind with the seed vault in order to see her home world and to do something a little extra in a century she doesn’t understand and of course… we have a lot questions when it comes to Georgiou’s interactions with the mysterious man (played brilliantly by horror legend David Cronenberg) she met during her interrogation. For not only was he able to get to her in a manner that no one else can, clearly something odd happened during her time with him. For she is simply not herself at the moment and it will be interesting to learn what that man did to her mind and of course… it will be quite wonderful to see what comes out of the seed that Captain Saru and Commander Burnham planted with the admiral.
 
Because they were able to inspire Admiral Vance to believe in something more once again, and that should have a huge impact on Starfleet and its future. For he was reminded of what makes this organization so great and so powerful and if Vance can inspire others to be more and be their best on a daily basis, then perhaps unity and community and everything that the Federation stands for can live again. In the end however, this really was quite the fascinating episode. Simply because it did a phenomenal job of reminding the audience why we love the Star Trek Universe and how Starfleet and its ideals are paramount to that love. But what matters most is that the Discovery is back in the game and ready to serve and that is going to lead to some wonderful moments as they boldly go where they’ve never gone before, all in the name of the greater good. Until next time.

If there is one thing that Star Trek fans can agree upon, it would have to be that Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was a revolutionary film, one that changed a great deal for the entire franchise. Because not only did it demonstrate how the rich history of the series could translate well to film, it was also a kick-ass movie. One that dropped our jaws and broke our hearts. But most important of all, it also opened up all kinds of new storytelling possibilities for the Star Trek Universe. For up until that point, vengeance and everything that it stands for, really wasn’t explored all that much within the fabric of the franchise. Because the prevailing belief was that humanity had moved beyond it in the future, so there was no need to explore something that we are better than in the 23rd Century and beyond.

But the idea of revenge being committed in an age where technology and science could in fact, aid such an act, makes for the prospect of a fascinating story. Because those elements could make revenge the perfect crime, since no one would be able to detect any evidence of malice and it just so happens… that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, took the time to explore this notion in great detail and that made ‘The Vengeance Factor’ one bleak and powerful tale when all is said and done. One that appeared to be pretty standard fare early on. For the first half of this story, revolves around a peaceful mission designed to bring reunification to a species that split ages ago and once the crew set a course for their final negotiation destination, is when this exploration into futuristic revenge got underway and what it revealed about how this would work in the future, was pretty darn creative.

For it turns out that such an act would indeed be easy to pull off with the right technology. Since the vengeful character in this tale, a woman named Yuta, used a nearly undetectable designer virus to send her victims into massive cardiac arrest, all in the hopes of settling an age-old score. One that was so bloody and so violent, that she also underwent genetic therapy to remain young, so that she had all the time she needed to properly hunt down those responsible for a heinous act from the past. Which quite frankly, makes for some compelling television, because it is just fascinating to learn how consumed she is by notions of revenge and how far she’s willing to go to bring about some sense of justice to her family’s bloodline and if it wasn’t for that pesky Doctor Crusher and Will Riker’s dynamic mind, she likely would have gotten away with it all. 

But while that alone makes for some fascinating storytelling, the storyline involving a budding relationship between Yuta and Commander Riker, is where this particular episode truly shines. Because it forces Will to choose between duty and honor and quite frankly, his morals and that leads to some powerful sequences for certain. For Will is eventually forced to end Yuta's life to keep the peace and to save other lives. And while it is a duty of a Starfleet officer to protect the greater good, the fact that Riker was never able to reach her, despite his best efforts to show her that she was worthy of a better life when she continually expressed her beliefs otherwise, is tragic to say the least and downright heartbreaking. Plus, it is equally as powerful to see Will struggle with this decision long-term since he seemingly knew that with a little more time, he could have likely persuaded her to abandon her hollow pursuits. 

If anything, this episode really did do a fine job of exploring how revenge could thrive in the 24th Century and how much work would have to go into hiding the truth in regard to deplorable acts, and it really did offer up some powerful moments for Will Riker to deal with. Because clearly, vaporizing Yuta was no easy decision and it really was quite brilliant to have Will deal with the emotional consequences of his actions, since it speaks to volumes to how the high road isn’t always easy and really in the end, this is another episode that demonstrates just how far this series has come in season three. Because this was a thoughtful and well-written episode, one that handled a tough exploration in the smoothest manner possible and injected some incredible humanity into a subject that is devoid of it, and that once again leaves one eager to continue to the journey, to see what other powerful concepts are going to be explored as season three continues along. Until next time.