Episode 44: Fight the Future — Star Trek: Discovery Season Two

Glenn & Scott are back to discuss Star Trek: Discovery’s second season, including the show’s new old characters, its whirlwind tour of Original Series episodes & concepts, and the priorities of the show’s writers. How did the show shift its focus from the first season, and how do its plot developments impact the bumper crop of spinoff shows on the horizon? Scott has things to say about the finale; Glenn has things to say about character deaths.

Should you want bare-bones thoughts on the show without plot details, the traditional non-spoiler segment of the show ends at the 9:00 mark.

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections:

• Star Trek: Discovery Main Title by Jeff Russo
• “Pike’s Punishment” from Star Trek, “The Cage” by Alexander Courage
• “Powersurge” from NFL Primetime by Ken Nelson and Jim Long of FirstCom Music
• Star Trek: Discovery End Title by Jeff Russo

But the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 original score by Jeff Russo
• Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 original score by Jeff Russo
• Star Trek "The Cage" score by Alexander Courage
• FirstCom production music library

Episode 39: Are We Klingon, Or Are We Dancer? - Star Trek: Discovery Season One

Glenn and Scott are back with a somewhat belated discussion of the first season of Star Trek: Discovery. They discuss what worked for them and what didn’t, why the show went too fast and felt too slow, and whether anyone was buried. They each have opinions, and Scott thinks you should ignore one of them.

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections:

• “I Can’t Dance” from Star Trek: Discovery, “Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad” by Jeff Russo
• “Torchbearer” from Star Trek: Discovery, “The Vulcan Hello” by Jeff Russo
• “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard
• “War Is Over” from Star Trek: Discovery, “Will You Take My Hand?” by Jeff Russo

Buy the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 original score by Jeff Russo
• Star Trek: Discovery Season 1, Chapter 2 original score by Jeff Russo
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire original score by James Newton Howard

Episode 32: Blood and Screams and Funerals – Star Trek: Discovery

As Star Trek: Discovery brings Trek back to your TV screen, so too does it herald the return of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular to the podcatcher of your choice. Glenn & Scott are back to discuss Discovery‘s two-part pilot, “The Vulcan Hello” and “Battle at the Binary Stars,” and a bevy of related issues. In the spoiler-free opening section, Scott tells a tale of his misbegotten youth…also they talk about the show. After that, SPOILERS abound as they break down Discovery‘s characters, plot, score, design aesthetic, and the surprising status of its eponymous starship.

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical selections:

• Star Trek: Discovery main title by Jeff Russo
• Star Trek: Discovery end credits by Jeff Russo
• “Title Theme” from Star Trek: The Animated Series by Ray Ellis
• “The Jedi Steps” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams

Buy the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 original score by Jeff Russo
• Star Trek 50th Anniversary Soundtrack Collection (contains Star Trek: The Animated Series score on Disc 2)
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens score by John Williams

Episode 26: Life Is But a Dream - The Star Trek Mailbag

You sent in your Star Trek questions, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is ON THEM. Glenn & Scott reflect on their Star Trek film vault series with a short list of topics they missed, such as horsies and dreams, followed by questions sent in by listeners, friends of the show, and past guests. The mailbag leads the ol’ Spectacular on a journey through Shakespearean Klingons, the meaning of family, the future of the franchise, and much more. In the jingle-jangle morning, listen to the latest episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular!

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections:

• “End Credits” from Star Trek Into Darkness by Michael Giacchino
• “Sub Prime Directive” from Star Trek Into Darkness by Michael Giacchino
• “Sub Prime Directive” from Star Trek Into Darkness by Michael Giacchino
• “Mr. Tambourine Man” by William Shatner & Bob Dylan

Purchase the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek Into Darkness original score by Michael Giacchino
• The Transformed Man by William Shatner

Episode 25: Happy Birthday – Star Trek: Beyond

Star Trek: Beyond has arrived, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is ON IT. In this reaction show, Glenn & Scott follow their Star Trek vault series with their take on the fiftieth-anniversary film offering, including a spoiler-free section to start. After that they discuss the villain’s motivations, Starfleet’s mission, Kirk’s journey, the nature of family, and much more. The occasion of Rihanna’s contribution brings up the history of Star Trek movies’ engagement with the pop music. Also, of course, the film must deal with the losses of Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin.

The spoiler-free section at the beginning of the show contains no spoilers for anything. The rest of the show contains SPOILERS for Star Trek Beyond, the Destiny trilogy, two Harry Potter books, and amazingly enough, the yet-to-be-written Star Trek 4.

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical selections from Star Trek: Beyond by Michael Giacchino:

• “Hitting the Saucer a Little Hard”
• “Night on the Yorktown”
• “Crash Decisions”
• “A Lesson in Vulcan Mineralogy”
• “Star Trek Main Theme”

Purchase the Star Trek: Beyond original score by Michael Giacchino.

Episode 24: It’s Nice to Have a Family – Star Trek: Into Darkness

Star Trek: Into Darkness crashes into the Star Trek film vault as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s archival journey reaches the most recent installment. Glenn & Scott are joined by Alanna Kelly to discuss warmongering, the rule of law, Admiral RoboCop’s A Few Good Men moment, the meaning of role-reversal in terms of the new Trek movies’ engagement with AU fanfic, Sassy Spock, more love triangles, Leonard Nimoy’s final appearance, Scotty’s tenure as the movie’s conscience, Kirk’s merry-go-round of ranks & jobs, Klingons who’re into body modification, and the movie’s issues with race & gender — particularly regarding The Actor of Many Names. Scott and Alanna indulge their love of the movie, while Glenn spends some time writhing around trying to adequately express his discomfort.

(Note: This show was recorded before the death of Anton Yelchin, and as such does not address the sad news.)

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections from Star Trek: Into Darkness by Michael Giacchino:

• “Ode to Vengeance”
• “Warp Core Values”
• “Klingon Chase”
• “Warp Core Values”

Purchase the Star Trek: Into Darkness original score by Michael Giacchino.

Episode 23: It’s Exciting! – Star Trek (2009) Score

Michael Giacchino arrives in the pantheon of Star Trek composers as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular follows up on its discussion of the 2009 movie with a separate discussion just about its score. Glenn & Scott briefly summarize Giacchino’s career heading into Star Trek before breaking down the new themes he brought to bear, the plethora of alternate cues considered for the main title card, how a rare fully-original end credits sequence aids the musical storytelling of a film, what story is told by the return of Alexander Courage’s TOS theme in its entirety, and how Giacchino’s talent for crafting beautifully emotional music as well as thrilling bombast helped him make the most of the movie’s more intimate moments among its many action sequences. Scott can’t resist drawing comparisons to Jerry Goldsmith’s last several Trek scores, while Glenn prefers to concentrate on the positive. So tune in to this supplemental edition of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular!

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino:

• “Nero Death Experience”
• “Nero Fiddles, Narada Burns”
• “Labor of Love”
• “Matter? I Barely Know Her!”
• “Chutes and Matter”

Purchase the Star Trek original score by Michael Giacchino.

Episode 22: Captain of the Enterprise – Star Trek (2009)

JJ Abrams arrives in the Star Trek film vault as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular hits the 2009 movie. Glenn & Scott welcome special guest Greg Phillips for an extensive discussion of how Trek was rejuvenated for its eleventh film outing, what was involved in bringing the original series to the big screen in a way it had never been before, the different takes the new cast has on their roles, new designs for familiar objects & environments, how the movie has its cake and eats it too by moving the action to an alternate universe, Fratboy Dudebro Jim Kirk, and the many ways that Star Trek was brought back from the wilderness. Scott’s analysis of the title card in particular is not to be missed. So tune in to the new edition of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular — you can do zat!

(Note: This show was recorded before the death of Anton Yelchin, and as such does not address the sad and untimely news. Also, as this show was running long and the customary score discussion promised to be a lengthy one on its own, that topic was spun out into its own supplemental episode. Look for that episode directly following this one in your blog and podcast feeds.)

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections:

• “Booyaka 619” by P.O.D.
• “End Credits” (main theme/Kirk’s Theme excerpt) from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino
• “End Credits” (Spock’s Theme excerpt) from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino
• “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys
• “End Credits” (TOS Theme excerpt) from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino; TOS Theme originally by Alexander Courage

Purchase the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek, original score by Michael Giacchino
• Ill Communication by the Beastie Boys
• "Booyaka 619" by P.O.D., from the album Wreckless Intent.

Episode 20: This Is All a Damned Inconvenience – Star Trek: Nemesis

A generation comes to its end as Star Trek: Nemesis takes its place in the latest Star Trek film vault edition of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular. Glenn & Scott are joined by Steven Graham to try to figure out just what Shinzon’s plan is and how it’s supposed to work, what it means to seize the means of production on Romulus, how well the movie explores its ideas about mirroring and nature vs. nurture, action scenes that feel like they’re there to be used in a video game, and how the final voyage of The Next Generation treats The Next Generation. So set a collision course for the latest edition of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular! (Warning: discussion of sexual assault.)

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections:

• “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard
• “My Right Arm” from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Mine” from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Scorpion” from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Repairs” from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
• “A New Ending” (Shinzon’s theme, plaintive setting) from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Mirror” from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Remus” from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
• “A New Ending” (Shinzon’s theme in its final form) from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
• “A New Ending” (main theme, slow setting) from Star Trek: Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith

Purchase the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek: Nemesis, original score by Jerry Goldsmith
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, original score by James Newton Howard

Episode 19: It Becomes Wrong – Star Trek: Insurrection

Star Trek: Insurrection threatens to cause an insurrection of its own in the newest dive into the Star Trek film vault on The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular. Glenn & Scott are joined by Scott Criscuolo to break down the fountain of youth, how a family feud becomes a parable about imperialism, F. Murray Abraham, what could have been done with Data in this movie that would actually have been interesting, the late stage of Jerry Goldsmith’s career, what insights can be gleaned from Michael Piller’s book about the writing of the film, and how The Next Generation deals with being jammed into a standard action movie formula. This podcast is replete with Scotts but doesn’t get confusing…not that we care about such things in this day and age. So pop a gorch and join the latest Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular!

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical selections from Star Trek: Insurrection by Jerry Goldsmith:

• “End Credits”
• “Ba’Ku Village”
• “The Drones Attack”
• “The Healing Process”

Buy the Star Trek: Insurrection score album by Jerry Goldsmith.

Episode 18: Where Was Your Evolved Sensibility – Star Trek: First Contact

Star Trek: First Contact tries to add The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s distinctiveness to its own, as the Star Trek vintage vault series continues. Glenn & Scott discuss genre drift as First Contact lurches from horror film to action thriller to something more akin to a Star Trek story, and as the Borg lurch from zombies to vampires to insects. They also discuss the meaning of the Borg (and how that changes now that they have a queen), why Captain Picard invites the whole collective to the gun show, the bizarre eroticism of the Borg Queen, the beginning of the Star Trek future, and the beginning of the end of a Star Trek series. Now with the intense discussions of starship design you’ve all been asking for!

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections:

• “End Credits” from Star Trek: First Contact by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Main Title” from Star Trek: First Contact by Jerry Goldsmith
• “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard
• “First Contact” (spaghetti western version) from Escapade Velocity by Steve Greaves

Purchase the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek: First Contact original score by Jerry Goldsmith
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire original score by James Newton Howard
• Escapade Velocity by Steve Greaves

Episode 16: To Live Forever – Star Trek: Generations

The generations meet as Star Trek: Generations arrives in The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s Star Trek film vault series. Glenn & Scott break down The Next Generation‘s arrival on the big screen, including all the ways and all the times the torch was passed, how Captain Picard is like Tom Bombadil, what it means to have a TV production staff making a movie, aging, regret, the pull of duty, the dual symbolism of the Nexus, James T. Kirk: Existentialist, Data & Picard’s feels, symbolic sacrifices, normality, and what we leave behind. You don’t have to wait until Tuesday for this episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular!

Find Glenn’s article on the wider Star Trek franchise in 1994 here.

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections from Star Trek: Generations by Dennis McCarthy:

• “Overture”
• “Out of Control”
• “A Christmas Hug”
• “Final Fight”

Purchase the Star Trek: Generations original score by Dennis McCarthy.

Episode 14: Don’t Let it End This Way – Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

It’s the end of an era, as Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country comes under the watchful eye of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular. Glenn & Scott examine the final voyage of the collected Original Series cast, including its story’s parallels to the end of the Cold War, the celebration of Star Trek‘s 25th anniversary from the perspective of its 50th, the crew’s abruptly increased space-racism, the return of Nicholas Meyer, things and supplies, logic as the beginning of wisdom, and more adventures in budgetary restrictions. There’s also no small amount of debate as to what exactly one should call Spock’s violation of Valeris. (Warning: discussion of rape and torture from 38:31 to 53:40.)

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections:

• “Star Trek VI End Credits Suite” by Cliff Eidelman
• “Sign Off” from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country by Cliff Eidelman
• “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard
• “Star Trek VI End Credits Suite” by Cliff Eidelman

Purchase the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, original score by Cliff Eidelman
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, original score by James Newton Howard

Episode 13: What Does God Need with a Starship? – Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is the latest entry into the Star Trek film vault series, as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular investigates one of the most derided entries in the franchise. Glenn & Scott welcome special guest Erik Amundsen for an in-depth discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of Star Trek V, the character dynamics, William Shatner’s turn in the director’s chair, how the film also reflects Shatner’s interests as an artist, the film’s place in the development of the Star Trek franchise, the meaning of Uhura’s nude fan dance, Doctor McCoy’s stance on euthanasia, and whether The Final Frontier deserves the reputation it’s accrued. The three also consider two very important questions: what does God need with a starship, and why is Captain Kirk climbing a mountain?

We need our pain, but sometimes the words aren’t important, what’s important is that you have a good time singing.

Find Erik’s published fiction at Jabberwocky, Apex Magazine, Lackington’s, and twice at Clarkesworld.

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical Selections from Star Trek V: The Final Frontier by Jerry Goldsmith:

• “The Mountain (Main Title)”
• “Life Is a Dream” (Klingon Theme excerpt)
• “Cosmic Thoughts” (AKA Kirk and Spock’s Love Theme)
• “Let’s Get Out of Here (Part 2)”

Purchase the Star Trek V: The Final Frontier original score by Jerry Goldsmith.

Episode 12: There Be Whales Here! – Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

The Star Trek film vault continues with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home in the latest Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular, when Glenn & Scott welcome Andy Halleen back to the show for a laid-back discussion of one of the most aesthetically and financially successful entries in the series. The three discuss The Voyage Home‘s shift into comedy, the ongoing transformation of William Shatner, colorful metaphors, orbital mechanics, the whale prime directive, and how each of the movie’s characters are used & developed. Also, Scott does his impression of whale song, because of course he does.

We won’t eschew you on the latest episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular!

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical selections from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home:

• “Home Again/End Credits” by Leonard Rosenman
• “Chekov’s Run” by Leonard Rosenman
• “I Hate You” by Edge of Etiquette
• “Home Again/End Credits” by Leonard Rosenman

Purchase the Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home original score by Leonard Rosenman.

Episode 11: A Fighting Chance to Live – Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

The Star Trek film vault continues with Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular takes a turn towards the meditative. Glenn & Scott welcome Tim Capel from PTBN Comics to an in-depth discussion of the third Star Trek movie’s place in an ongoing story, its theatricality, Klingon linguistics, Christopher Lloyd & Mark Lenard’s differing approaches to gravitas, how death can be turned into a fighting chance to live, the inability of Commander Kruge to see past his own worldview, the film’s distinct lack of Kirstie Alley & Bibi Besch, and finger-sex versus finger-foreplay. Glenn sings the praises of James Horner’s lyrical score, Tim gives a brief rundown of the state of Trek comics in the early 80’s, and Scott explains why the film’s finale might be the best single scene in Star Trek history.

Get yourself an Altair water, hit the antimatter inducer, and enjoy the latest episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular!

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Music selections:

• “Main Title” from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock by James Horner
• “Bird of Prey Decloaks” from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock by James Horner
• “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard
• “Returning to Vulcan” from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock by James Horner

Purchase the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock score by James Horner
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire score by James Newton Howard

Episode 9: Madness and Death – Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the subject of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s latest dive into the Star Trek vault, as Glenn & Scott welcome Todd Weber from PTBN’s comics contingent to break down the Trek movie with what is probably the best reputation. They discuss how & why Star Trek II differed from Star Trek I, check in on the movie’s characters, examine the pull it exerted on all future Trek movies, sing the praises of actors from Ricardo Montalbán to William Shatner to Bibi Besch, lament the absence of Madeline Kahn, and much more!

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical selections from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan by James Horner:

• “Main Title”
• “Amazing Grace”
• “Surprise Attack”
• “Epilogue”

Purchase the 2-disc expanded score to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Episode 7: Where No One’s Ever Flown – Star Trek: The Motion Picture

To mark Star Trek’s 50th-anniversary year, The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular launches a special rewind series examining the twelve Trek films, leading up to the release of the thirteenth this July! In this installment, the journey begins with a dive into Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Glenn & Scott Butler look at the first Star Trek movie’s development, its pacing issues, its iconic score, its relationship with fandom as it existed in the 70’s, which pieces of the original series are retained and which are discarded, new characters that are introduced and done away with in short order, beloved characters whose actual characterization might be considered thin, the effect the film had on the franchise’s development heading into the eighties, and whether it deserves its poor reputation. Tune in to find out how many times Scott can say the phrase “dreadfully dull” in eighty-four minutes!

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical selections:

• “Main Title” from Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Overture” (Ilia’s Theme) from Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Jerry Goldsmith
• “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard
• “The Enterprise” from Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Jerry Goldsmith

Purchase the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek: The Motion Picture, original score by Jerry Goldsmith
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, original score by James Newton Howard

Episode 3: Star Trek: Beyond Trailer & Star Wars: The Force Awakens Score

The month’s humongous sci-fi premiere has arrived with the big-screen debut of the Star Trek: Beyond trailer, and Glenn & Scott are ON IT. What is there to look forward to, or not, in Star Trek (X)III? Other topics covered include the balance of action and ideas in Star Trek movies, Kirk’s characterization, the new uniforms, and the Hater Brigade.

Following that, the hosts give their thoughts on John Williams’ new score to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Where does it lie on the spectrum between the trilogy and prequel scores? Does every Williams action score from the last fifteen years sound the same? How do the new themes measure up? The actual movie might come up as well.

A blanket SPOILER WARNING applies to all topics of discussion.

You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.

Musical selections:

• “Trekking Down the Narada” from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino
• “End Credits” from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino
• “The Jedi Steps” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams
• “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams

Purchase the music excerpted in this episode:

• Star Trek, original score by Michael Giacchino
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens, original score by John Williams