The Great Derelict

Andy Poulastides
  • 4.6 (14)
  • SCIENCE FICTION

Step aboard the Great Derelict - a massive long abandoned space dock and join Andy as he explores all the various aspects of Spaceships, Science fiction, and general geekery, In-depth reviews and discussions, bite size shows and little odds and sods

  1. Five years on the Edge of Midnight

    12/17/2025

    Five years on the Edge of Midnight

    Welcome back to the Great Derelict and yes, this one's a little self-indulgent. But it's my podcast, so I'm allowed. Andy is joined by longtime collaborator and friend John Concagh to mark five years of Edge of Midnight, the sprawling, in-universe history of the Federation–Klingon Cold War that began life as a lockdown experiment and quietly grew into something much bigger. The conversation looks back on how Edge of Midnight evolved from a small writing project into a landmark work of fictional non-fiction: part Star Trek history, part political analysis, part character study. They dig into why the project leans so heavily into the aesthetics and anxieties of the 1960s, how Discovery reshaped the work (sometimes awkwardly), and why treating Star Trek as a changing historical world—rather than a fixed setting—matters. Along the way they discuss: Why Edge of Midnight starts with Discovery but speaks in the language of TOS Writing Star Trek as history, not lore Klingons as an evolving political system, not a static warrior stereotype The importance of characters, bias, and unreliable narrators Trusting the audience to join the dots And what it means to write Star Trek that embraces risk, ambiguity, and change It's a candid, funny, and deeply thoughtful conversation about worldbuilding, historiography, fandom, and why freedom is always in peril. You can find more from John on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/badsocialism.bsky.social and Edge of Midnight here: https://edgeofmidnight.weebly.com/ And you can find more of Andy here: https://linktr.ee/andy3e

    1h 18m
  2. Best of Both Worlds at 35

    09/23/2025

    Best of Both Worlds at 35

    The Great Derelict – 35 Years of The Best of Both Worlds Thirty-five years ago, Star Trek: The Next Generation changed television forever with The Best of Both Worlds. The Borg returned, Captain Picard was taken, and viewers were left with one of the greatest cliffhangers in TV history: "Mr. Worf… fire." To mark the anniversary, Andy is joined by Seán Ferrick to look back at the two-parter that cemented TNG as a cultural powerhouse. Together they explore the shock of that first airing, the summer-long speculation, and the way the cliffhanger rippled through television beyond Star Trek. They discuss the lasting trauma of Wolf 359, Riker's long-delayed moment in command, Picard's quiet recovery in Family, and how the episode cast a shadow over every Borg story that followed. From VHS memories to nostalgia bait, from Gene Roddenberry's waning influence to the enduring power of leaving some horrors unseen, this conversation dives deep into why The Best of Both Worlds still resonates three and a half decades on. Resistance, as it turns out, was never futile. FInd Trekculture Retro Ups and Downs for BOBW here: https://youtu.be/K4Z1K8LYnGw You can find JTVFX's work here: https://www.youtube.com/@JTVFX1 And read 'We Have Engaged the Borg' here: https://wolf359project.com/  And you can find more of Andy here: https://linktr.ee/andy3e

    1h 7m
  3. Starfleet Academy and Navycon 2025

    09/14/2025

    Starfleet Academy and Navycon 2025

    This week Andy is joined once again by naval historian, author, and long-time friend of the show Claude Berube. With a new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series on the horizon, they dive into what such an institution might really look like—drawing on Claude's two decades of experience teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy. They explore questions like: How do you balance training officers with providing a wider education? Would Starfleet need multiple campuses, or does one Academy in San Francisco make sense? What role would enlisted personnel play in a fleet where we mostly see officers on screen? And is it finally time to retire the Kobayashi Maru? The conversation then shifts to NavyCon 2025, the upcoming conference where naval professionals and sci-fi fans come together to explore the ties between fleets on the sea and fleets among the stars. Claude shares the history of NavyCon, what to expect from the next event, and how you can get involved. Along the way, expect discussions of cadet love chits, training ships that aren't the Constitution, and the lessons Starfleet could learn from history. Claude's essay appears in Second Star to the Right: Essays on Leadership in Star Trek Learn more and submit for NavyCon 2025 via CIMSEC And you can find more of Andy here: https://linktr.ee/andy3e

    47 min
  4. Star Wars, But With Paperwork: The Bureaucracy of Evil in Andor

    04/21/2025

    Star Wars, But With Paperwork: The Bureaucracy of Evil in Andor

    Welcome Back to the Great Derelict! With Andor Season 2 just around the corner, Andy is joined by historian and worldbuilder John Concagh to look back at Season 1—the show that took Star Wars, gave it a gravel pit, a manifesto, and a really long coat, and turned it into the best political thriller this side of Coruscant. We chat about fascism with paperwork, the moral compromises of rebellion, and whether Luthen Rael is just a space Le Carré character with better lighting. Along the way: TIE fighters become scary again, the ISB give off terrifying BBC energy, and Kino Loy breaks all our hearts. All that, plus speculative yelling about Season 2. No Jedi required. You can find more of John here: https://bsky.app/profile/badsocialism.bsky.social And you can find more of Andy here: https://linktr.ee/andy3e

    1h 1m
  5. Into the Expanse: Dragon Tooth

    04/02/2025

    Into the Expanse: Dragon Tooth

    Oye Beltalowda and Inyalowda!  Its a surprise Podcast as Andy and Elton jump back into thier grav-couches and dive back into the Expanse to take a look at the Comic book series 'Dragon Tooth' Written by Andy Diggle with art by Rubine Set in the period between the end of Season 6 of the TV show, but before the events of Book 7, so if you want to find out what happened to Holdens Coffee Machine, or find out what everyones favourite Murder Baby has been upto go and check it out! and whats more at time of recording there is a Kickstarter for another comic this time Andy Diggle is joined by Amos himself Wes Chatam in writing the comic, ive already pre-ordered and am very excited! check that out here If you would like to listen to more from Andy and Elton talking about the Expanse, check out Into the Expanse: http://roguetwomedia.com/show/into-the-expanse/

    45 min
  6. Great Derelict/Black Dog v2 Special - Alien Romulus

    08/19/2024

    Great Derelict/Black Dog v2 Special - Alien Romulus

    +++SPOILER WARNING REPEAT SPOILER WARNING+++ In a special bonus episode (read between the lines - Lee wanted to rant to someone other than his long suffering family) - Andy is joined by Darren and Lee to discuss the latest entry into the Alien franchise Alien: Romulus.  Will it wash out the foul taste of Alien Covenant from their mouths or will it drive the franchise further into the depths of convoluted lore and nonsense that has plagued the series past few entries? Who can say. you'll just have to take a listen I guess... For those of you who do not want spoilers but would like a brief review, there is a spoiler free section for the first 17 mins of the cast and the spoiler section is clearly marked by the appearance of MU-TH-UR 9000 giving you ample time to get to minimum safe distance.  Personally I'd advise you see the film first before listening.

    2h 20m
  7. Space Dock Jury Episode 300!

    06/20/2024

    Space Dock Jury Episode 300!

    Welcome back to Space Dock Jury   After a brief hiatus of around 7 years, Andy Lee and Peter return to cast Judgment over 3 Spaceship which have ventured out into the void while they were away The USS Cerritos, The Fondor Accord from Andor and the USCSWTF Covenant from the film we swore we would never watch again Normal Service on the Derelict will return next episode (whatever that is) You can find more from Lee at the Blackdog Podcast You can find more of Peter onthe BorgCast and Andy will still be here next week

    2h 12m

  8. 06/07/2024

    Ship Building. in. SPACE

    Welcome back to the Great Derelict This week Andy is joined once again by Claude Berube, and for the first time Mark Vandroff to take a look at what it takes to build ships in space, is it better to build them in orbit, or in corn fields in Iowa? and why don't they build Submarines undersea? You can find more from Claude here: https://twitter.com/cgberube and more from Mark here: https://twitter.com/goatmaster89 And you can find more of Andy here: https://linktr.ee/andy3e and his other casts over at Rogue Two Media - http://www.roguetwomedia.com/ - https://twitter.com/GreatDerelict - https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreatDerelict/

    1h 7m
See All (306)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Step aboard the Great Derelict - a massive long abandoned space dock and join Andy as he explores all the various aspects of Spaceships, Science fiction, and general geekery, In-depth reviews and discussions, bite size shows and little odds and sods

Information

  • Creator
    Andy Poulastides
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    306
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Andy Poulastides
  • Show Website
    The Great Derelict