Podcast: Whom Pods Destroy

Star Trek III – 40 years of the Search for Spock

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
Star Trek III - 40 years of the Search for Spock
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Derek, Terry and Graham are back back back after another hiatus. In this edition we celebrate the 40th anniversary for Star Trek III – The Search For Spock.

For those of us that have loved this movie since its release in 1984 it has been gratifying to see this movie getting the love it deserve despite its flaws.

The plot is to be frank, hokey. The film had to walk back on a creative decision that made its forerunner, The Wrath Of Khan, the movie it is. In that respect it was always going to struggle. But over the years Leonard Nimoy’s directorial debut has found a place in Trek canon, mainly for its wonderful character moments, the birth of the modern Klingons and the huge emotional payoff that was the destruction of the Enterprise.

Dr M’Benga’s Vulcan Wellness Centre – A Private Little War

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
Dr M'Benga's Vulcan Wellness Centre - A Private Little War
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Whom Pods Destroy returns with another discussion on a selected Star Trek The Original Series episode.

This time we’ve chosen A Private Little War. It’s an episode that has a lot to say but does a terrible job of saying it.

So… you’re into older guys – The Deadly Years

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
So... you're into older guys - The Deadly Years
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The Original Series second season episode, The Deadly Years is not a classic for the WPD team. It’s a collection of established TOS tropes holding together an interesting story premise of the senior crew of the of the USS Enterprise trying to cure themselves of a radiation sickness that results in rapid aging.

But the episode tells us alot about contemporaneuos attitudes to old age and lets us peer into a parallel universe where the show speculates what happens to Kirks’ hair and gets it horribly wrong.

Step into my garden – This Side Of Paradise

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
Step into my garden - This Side Of Paradise
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In this edition of Whom Pods Destroy we dive deep into the symbolism and meaning of DC Fontana’s much loved, This Side Of Paradise.

Derek, Terry and Graham examine its strong anti communist, pro-capitalist message, question the motivation of Kirk as he wrestles control of his crew away from the clutches of the Spores and there’s even room for a little sexy time.

The last days of Vaudeville – The Trouble With Tribbles

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
The last days of Vaudeville - The Trouble With Tribbles
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The Whom Pods Destroy team return with another episode of scintillating Star Trek discourse.


In this edition we discuss The Trouble With Tribbles: one of the original series most celebrated outings.


Written by David Gerrold, The Trouble With Tribbles stands apart because it is a comedy episode. However, once you look past the gags, on-liners and comedy fist-fights you’ll find a story of high politics, environmental devastation, the perils of capitalism all wrapped up in a furry little ball.

Landau, guide us! The Return of the Archons

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
Landau, guide us! The Return of the Archons
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Joy to you friends. May peace and contentment fulfill you. In this episode of Whom Pods Destroy we return to Return of the Archons. An iconic episode, stacked full of allegory and entirely unintentional hidden depths.

The story for this epsode was originally a candidate for the pilot but The Cage was selected instead. But we can can elements within the story that have been used again.

We found plenty to tuck into this episode so we suggest you give it a quick rewatch and join us as we become part of the body and take a trip to Marplan’s. It is the will of Landru.

Chariots of the Gods – Who Mourns For Adonais

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
Chariots of the Gods - Who Mourns For Adonais
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Whom Pods Destroy finally returns home after 5000 years to gather laurel leaves and pay homage to Apollo in the classic Star Trek: the Original Series episode Who Mourns for Adonais.

The is episode is a particular favourite in the pod but acknowledge that it’s not perfect. In particular, the relationship between Apollo (Michael Forrest) and the Enterprise’ Anthropologist, Carolyn Palamis (Leslie Parrish) bear close examination and is problematic.

This does not stop us from celebrating the performances of the actors and appreciating an episode where the supporting cast get a lot more than usual to do. Particularly Uhura.

Please note that this episode was recorded before the passing of Nichelle Nichols.

A time for luurve and hot baths – Metamorphosis

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
A time for luurve and hot baths - Metamorphosis
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Terry, Derek and Graham are back talking TOS Star Trek. In this episode of delve deep into the classic story of alien love and body appropriation: Metamorphosis.

This story has bags of potential exploring the nature of love, gender and sexuality. Does it fulfill that potentiality or is it just a bunch of twaddle with some very backward views?

Guess who’s coming to dinner – Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
Guess who's coming to dinner - Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
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Terry, Derek and Graham have recovered from their experience with Star Trek V and now move on Star Trek VI.

The final TOS movie outing is popular with the fans and is a marked improvement on its predecessor.

But it’s got some decidedly dodgy moments and the film tries to wrestle with some of its themes and we ask if it manages to pull it off.

Hangin’ with the Rockman, smokin’ self-lighting cigarettes – Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

Whom Pods Destroy
Whom Pods Destroy
Hangin' with the Rockman, smokin' self-lighting cigarettes - Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
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Terry, Graham and Derek return for another edition of Whom Pods Destroy: A Star Trek discussion podcast.

And what better time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country than with a discussion on Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

This is a much-maligned film and for good reason. But the is still much to enjoy about this film. In this episode, we reflect on its failures and triumphs and hopefully point the way to rehabilitate the film for Trekkies.