Beyond the Final Frontier - A Star Trek Podcast

Rich Matthews, Ian Spelling, Toby Weidmann

'Beyond the Final Frontier' brings together three storied Star Trek veterans for an ongoing mission to celebrate the vast Trek universe. Host Rich Matthews, former senior editor and 20+year contributor to the official Star Trek Magazine and current Trekademic, is joined by his bridge crew: the renowned Ian Spelling, entertainment journalist who has covered Star Trek extensively since the late 1980s for the New York Times, Starlog Magazine, and the official Star Trek Communicator, before editing StarTrek.com for a decade, and Toby Weidmann, former editor of the official Star Trek Magazine, BAFTA comms wizard and launch editor of the official Walking Dead Magazine. Each episode, our trio shocase and discuss favorite episodes, themes, characters – everything Trek! – in depth, sharing insights from their decades of experience covering the franchise. From beloved moments to Trek history and developments in the modern era, plus occasional special guests joining the voyage... Grab your tricorder and prepare to beam aboard as we boldly go Beyond the Final Frontier!

  1. Ep25: GATES McFADDEN!

    4 DAYS AGO

    Ep25: GATES McFADDEN!

    In this very special episode of Beyond the Final Frontier, we're thrilled to welcome the wonderful Gates McFadden – Star Trek: The Next Generation's Dr Beverly Crusher – for a celebration of her career and a countdown of our favourite Crusher episodes. Let us know your favourite Dr Crusher moments in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Gates shares her journey from academic, choreographer and theatre maker to the Enterprise-D sickbay, the dynamics of working alongside the TNG cast, and what it meant to bring a groundbreaking female chief medical officer to life across seven seasons and four feature films. Together, we explore the episodes that define Beverly Crusher, from the haunting 'Remember Me' and the controversial 'Sub Rosa' to the compelling 'The High Ground' and the captaincy of 'Descent, Part II.' Gates also reflects on directing, her InvestiGates podcast, and what Dr Crusher continues to mean to fans around the world.  As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 14m
  2. Ep24: Fave Aliens with JEFFREY COMBS!

    3 MAR

    Ep24: Fave Aliens with JEFFREY COMBS!

    In this special episode of Beyond the Final Frontier, we're joined by the legendary Jeffrey Combs – Star Trek's ultimate chameleon – for a wide-ranging conversation about his iconic roles across the franchise and a deep dive into our favourite Star Trek alien species. Let us know your favourite Star Trek aliens in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Jeff shares memories of watching the original series premiere in 1966, the challenges and joys of working under heavy prosthetic makeup, and the mask work training that helped him bring characters like Weyoun, Brunt and Shran so vividly to life. Together, we count down our top alien species picks, from the Vidians and the Borg to the Ferengi, Cardassians, Klingons and Vulcans, exploring what makes each species resonate as reflections of the human condition. Jeff also reveals behind-the-scenes stories from Deep Space Nine and Enterprise, including lunches with René Auberjonois, stealing Marc Alaimo's shopping cart, and the unfinished business of Commander Shran.  As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 19m

  3. 24 FEB

    Ep23: Top 7 Prime Directive Eps of Trek! (RE-UPLOAD)

    In this episode of Beyond the Final Frontier, we delve into the complexities of the Prime Directive in Star Trek, exploring its implications on ethics, morality, and the consequences of interference. Let us know your favourite Prime Directive moments in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community.  We discuss various episodes across the franchise, highlighting how different series interpret and challenge the Prime Directive, from TNG's 'Who Watches the Watchers?' to DS9's 'In the Pale Moonlight.' The conversation also touches on the philosophical underpinnings of Starfleet's mission and the moral dilemmas faced by its captains. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    52 min

  4. 17 FEB

    Ep22: STARFLEET ACADEMY Eps 2-6

    This episode we give our reactions to the first half of season one of Starfleet Academy - "Beta Test", "Vitus Reflux", "Vox in Excelso", "Series Acclimation Mil" and "Come, Let's Away". What do you make of the latest Nu-Trek show? Let us know in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 16m

  5. 10 FEB

    Ep21: Top 7 Love & Romance on Trek!

    In this special Valentine's episode of "Beyond the Final Frontier," hosts Rich Matthews, Ian Spelling, and Toby Weidman delve into the romantic themes of Star Trek, discussing their favorite love stories across various series and films. The conversation kicks off with a light-hearted banter about the nature of romance in Star Trek, leading to a countdown of their top romantic episodes. Each host shares their insights on iconic couples, the chemistry between characters, and the emotional weight of certain storylines, highlighting episodes like "City on the Edge of Forever" and "Attached." The discussion is filled with humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the storytelling that has made Star Trek a beloved franchise. Let us know in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    55 min

  6. 3 FEB

    Ep20: Top 5 Trek Social Commentary Episodes with Dr Chris Nunn

    Assistant Film Professor at the University of Birmingham, Dr Chris Nunn, joins us to discuss Trek at its most analytical, when it takes on contemporary social issues garbed in 23rd, 24th and 32nd Century uniforms.  What are you fave social commentaries on Star Trek? Which social issue did it do best? Racism, fascism, sexism or a different ism entirely?Let us know at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 30m

  7. 27 JAN

    Ep19: Top 7 Time Travel Episodes!

    It gets all timey-wimey on BFF this week, as we look at our favourite episodes that showcase that old Trek staple, time travel.  Which temporal Trek tribulations are your fave? Let us know in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 3m

  8. 20 JAN

    Ep18: STARFLEET ACADEMY pilot review!

    We offer our hot take on the brand new Star Trek series, STARFLEET ACADEMY! Has Nu-Trek dished up Dawson's Fleet or is this the bold new frontier for Trek? Have a listen to find out. And what do you think? Let us know in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    52 min
See All (25)

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

'Beyond the Final Frontier' brings together three storied Star Trek veterans for an ongoing mission to celebrate the vast Trek universe. Host Rich Matthews, former senior editor and 20+year contributor to the official Star Trek Magazine and current Trekademic, is joined by his bridge crew: the renowned Ian Spelling, entertainment journalist who has covered Star Trek extensively since the late 1980s for the New York Times, Starlog Magazine, and the official Star Trek Communicator, before editing StarTrek.com for a decade, and Toby Weidmann, former editor of the official Star Trek Magazine, BAFTA comms wizard and launch editor of the official Walking Dead Magazine. Each episode, our trio shocase and discuss favorite episodes, themes, characters – everything Trek! – in depth, sharing insights from their decades of experience covering the franchise. From beloved moments to Trek history and developments in the modern era, plus occasional special guests joining the voyage... Grab your tricorder and prepare to beam aboard as we boldly go Beyond the Final Frontier!

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