Standard Orbit: A Star Trek Original Series Podcast

4.7 (75)
After Shows

Standard Orbit is a Trek.fm podcast dedicated entirely to Star Trek: The Original Series. As the franchise marks its 60th anniversary, C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing reflect on the series that started it all.

5d ago

Setting a Course

“The Naked Time” 60th-anniversary reflections. Arriving at Psi 2000 to pick up a team of scientists from the dying planet, the Enterprise finds everyone already dead, frozen at their posts in a station where someone switched off life support—one of them fully clothed in the shower. A careless nose scratch by crewman Joe Tormolen brings whatever infected the scientists back to the ship. Everyone starts acting drunk and overly emotional. Sulu gets into shirtless fencing, Nurse Chapel confesses her love for Spock, and Riley locks himself in engineering to sing Irish ballads. With the engines shut off, the ship begins spiraling toward the planet and a fiery end. In this episode of Standard Orbit, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 60th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of the original Star Trek, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 1 with the fourth aired episode, “The Naked Time,” as we discuss setting the tone, comparison, Spock’s struggle, Chapel, the ending, if it holds up, with our final thoughts and ratings. Chapters Setting the Tone (00:02:34) Comparison (00:08:14) Spock’s Struggle (00:15:19) Chapel (00:20:08) The Ending (00:29:10) Holding Up (00:34:30) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:36:51) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer and Editor) Social Twitter: @Trekfm Instagram: @Trekfm
Oct 17

Wrestling With Thoughts on God

“Where No Man Has Gone Before” 60th-anniversary reflections On a mission to the edge of the galaxy, the Enterprise recovers the disaster recorder of the SS Valiant, an Earth ship lost two centuries earlier. Its final entries point to a frantic search for information on ESP—extrasensory perception—and a captain ordering the destruction of his own ship. Captain Kirk takes the Enterprise into the galactic barrier and the ship encounters strange activity that may have been what did in the Valiant. As electric charges strike the bridge, Gary Mitchell and Elizabeth Dehner are struck. Mitchell's eyes glow silver, and he begins to exhibit unusual powers that grow by the hour. His contempt for the mere mortals around him grows as well, and Kirk must decide whether to maroon his old friend on a barren rock—or kill him while he still can. In this episode of Standard Orbit, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 60th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of the original Star Trek, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 1 with the third aired episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” as we discuss a second pilot, the handoff from “The Cage,” the need for compassion, human nature, fists over philosophy, and whether the story holds up six decades later. Chapters A Second Pilot (00:03:16) The Handoff (00:07:38) Compassion is Needed (00:12:34) Human Nature (00:25:14) Fists Over Philosophy (00:36:46) Does it Hold Up? (00:43:24) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:45:55) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer and Editor) Social Twitter: @Trekfm Instagram: @Trekfm
Oct 6

Check Yes If You Like Me

“Charlie X” 60th-anniversary reflections While investigating the planet Thasus, the crew of the Antares takes in a young crash survivor who had been stranded alone for 14 years. The boy, Charlie Evans, is then transferred to the Enterprise where his teenage angst becomes amplified as he tries to fit in with other humans. Attempts by Kirk, Rand, and others to help him acclimate are made far more difficult thanks to Charlie’s psychokinetic powers. Acting out whenever something doesn’t go his way, Charlie eventually takes over the Enterprise and the non-corporeal Thasians, who protected him during years of isolation and are responsible for his powers, are forced to step in and bring Charlie back “home.” In this episode of Standard Orbit, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 60th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of the original Star Trek, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 1 with the second aired episode, “Charlie X,” as we discuss its relevance in today’s world, the challenges of growing up, the importance of guidance, why you can’t always get what you want, and more. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Nature vs. Nurture (00:02:04) The Drive of Adolescence (00:09:17) Base Instincts (00:12:29) Kirk as Father Figure (00:18:08) Please Like Me! (00:21:17) You Can’t Always Get What You Want (00:29:51) Thasians Take Me Away (00:35:55) United Earth Space Probe Agency (00:38:12) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:34) Closing (00:45:35) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)
Sep 23

It Just Throws You In

Star Trek and “The Man Trap” 60th-anniversary reflections Six decades ago, Gene Roddenberry invited the world on a wagon trail to the stars with a salty start that would lead to one of the greatest storytelling adventures of all time. As the Star Trek franchise marks its 60th anniversary, Standard Orbit returns with hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing as we reflect on the series that started it all. In this installment, we discuss the first aired episode, “The Man Trap,” and how it works as a pilot and immediately pulls viewers into the story and the world of Star Trek. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) 60 Years of Influence (00:02:25) What Keeps You Watching? (00:10:39) Can Star Trek Remain Relevant? (00:19:48) It Just Throws You In (00:26:08) The Mystery of Nancy Crater (00:36:02) Does “The Man Trap” Still Hold Up? (00:40:22) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:46:36) Closing (00:49:24) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)
11/16/2020

Consequences of Leadership

Kirk as captain. Among Starfleet captains, Kirk certainly had his own style. Were the long-term effects considered during the decision-making process, or were they off-the-cuff style decisions? How was the crew affected by the choices of one person in relation to the Prime Directive and other measures set in place by Starfleet? Would we make the same decisions as Kirk when faced with the same choices? In this episode of Standard Orbit, host Hayley Stoddart is joined by Mike Richards to discuss the leadership of Captain Kirk and how his decisions led to the results—whether positive or negative—that affected the crew of the Enterprise and others. Host Hayley Stoddart Guest Mike Richards Production Hayley Stoddart (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Nicolas Anastassiou (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Associate Producer) Corey Elrod (Associate Producer) Dan Rhodes (Associate Producer)
03/03/2020

Standard Orbit 300: The Final Frontier

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier - The Audio Drama. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is a rather infamous film both in and out of Star Trek circles, but we here at Standard Orbit happen to love it. In celebration of our 300th episode, hosts Ken Tripp, Zach Moore and Hayley Stoddart decided to do something special: an audio drama of The Final Frontier based on an earlier draft of the film's script (featuring the rock monster) and with the dream casting of the film, Sean Connery as Sybok. We can't thank our fellow hosts and listeners who participated in this massive undertaking enough: Tony Robinson, John Mills, Lee Sargent, Justin Oser, Richard Marquez, Amy Nelson, Duncan Barrett, Brandon-Shea Mutala, Zachary Fruhling, Norman C. Lao and A.J. Black. As the great man once said, "It was...fun" Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Star Trek V: The Final Frontier - The Audio Drama (00:01:28) Hosts Ken Tripp Zach Moore Hayley Stoddart Guests Tony Robinson John Mills Lee Sargent Justin Oser Richard Marquez Amy Nelson Duncan Barrett Brandon-Shea Mutala Zachary Fruhling Norman C. Lao A.J. Black Production Zach Moore (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Producer) Hayley Stoddart (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Nicolas Anastassiou (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Associate Producer) Corey Elrod (Associate Producer) Dan Rhodes (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
02/18/2020

This Is Goodbye

Standard Orbit 299: This Is Goodbye Ken And Zach Disembark Standard Orbit. This week on Standard Orbit hosts Ken Tripp and Zach Moore disembark the podcast after a nearly four year journey together behind the microphone. They reminisce with Hayley Stoddart about their fondest hosting memories, favorite episodes of the podcast, friendships forged over the years and say their final goodbyes. Ken and Zach would like to thank TrekFM for giving them the opportunity to discuss The Original Series and everything surrounding it in such an incredible forum, and listeners and fellow hosts alike who've come with them on the journey - many of whom they now consider dear friends. Boldly listen, one last time! Chapters Welcome to Standard Orbit! (00:01:28) This Is Goodbye (00:02:35) Standard Orbit Memories (00:11:09) My Friends, My Family (00:21:39) Behind The Scenes (00:42:38) Patrons and Associate Producers (00:57:22) We Stand Relieved (01:07:56) POTFM (01:15:48) Closing (01:17:47) Hosts Ken Tripp Zach Moore Hayley Stoddart Production Zach Moore (Editor & Producer) Ken Tripp (Producer) Hayley Stoddart (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Nicolas Anastassiou (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Associate Producer) Corey Elrod (Associate Producer) Dan Rhodes (Associate Producer) Mike Richards (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)
01/13/2020

The Rise Of Fan Service

Standard Orbit 298: The Rise Of Fan Service JJ Abrams, Star Trek, Star Wars And Fan Service. With the recent release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, JJ Abrams has now directed two Star Trek and two Star Wars films. Each respective first film was embraced by the overwhelming majority of casual and die hard fans alike, while each respective second has been divisive to say the least. Is fan service (or attempted fan service) to blame? This week on Standard Orbit hosts Ken Tripp, Zach Moore and Hayley Stoddart discuss the concept of fan service and how perhaps too much creeped in to JJ's second films in each franchise. What is fan service, is it what the writers and directors of our favorite franchises think it is, does is do more harm than good, and do we as fans really even want it? All this and more on this week's Standard Orbit, boldly listen! Chapters Welcome to Standard Orbit! (00:01:28) Star Trek, Star Wars And Fan Service (00:03:41) Misguided Fan Service? (00:15:11) JJ Abrams (00:27:13) Misguided Fan Service?, Contd. (00:33:18) Final Thoughts (00:44:51) POTFM (00:46:55) Closing (00:48:46) Hosts Ken Tripp Zach Moore Hayley Stoddart Production Zach Moore (Editor & Producer) Ken Tripp (Producer) Hayley Stoddart (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Nicolas Anastassiou (Associate Producer) Tim Robertson (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Associate Producer) Corey Elrod (Associate Producer) Dan Rhodes (Associate Producer) Mike Richards (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

See All (311)

4.7

out of 5

75 Ratings

The original

02/04/2020

Trekkie Jim

Standard orbit still one of my favorite podcasts
Good Show

01/22/2019

sjsharksfan39

On a previous review, I said the hosts needed to get back to talking about the 1960s series. Since then they have done so, so I'm giving another star. It's decent conversation and I am really glad they are going deeper into original episodes that don't get talked about much, like the last episode on Peice of the Action, my favorite comedy episode of the original.
Great podcast that brings me back to my younger days

01/16/2019

71st in Command

Love this podcast! The insightful discussion by each of the hosts has really made me see the series and each of the episodes in entirely new ways. It’s almost like watching them for the first time! Thanks to Ken, Hayley and Zach for the tremendous time and efforts they put into this show. I can’t wait for the next episode to drop!
What the Horta?

10/31/2018

Celticspats12

The most wonderful part of the Star Trek experience is belonging to a community of intellectuals. Which leaves one to (logically) question, what is Hayley doing here? It’s not only that she lacks insight or cogent thoughts, it is also that she seems to not do her homework. She talks about the topic without the extra knowledge (forgets the scene, hasn’t read the novel, etc...). Her thoughts meander and are punctuated only by inane cackling. Uhh like yeah ya know, hard to listen to.

Standard Orbit is a Trek.fm podcast dedicated entirely to Star Trek: The Original Series. As the franchise marks its 60th anniversary, C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing reflect on the series that started it all.