Grab your lampshade and join the party this week as we look at an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that’s a throwback in more ways than one: “The Schizoid Man!”
New York Times best-selling author and perennial guest David Mack is back on the show to talk about a problematic TNG entry that starts with a dirty grandpa and ends with targ underwear wrestling. From casual sexism, to marginalization, to troubling implications for the Soong family, this early bit of TNG fluff has it all . . . and that goes without mentioning forbidden May-December robot love, firing a warning shot across Diana Muldaur’s bow, loose off-switch talk, and the Wall of Departed Writers!
But it’s not all doom and gloom. We also talk about the influence of “Forbidden Planet” on modern sci-fi, extol the virtues of Cool Susie Plakson, answer whether Spock could mind meld with Data, take a glance at the TNG Writers’ Bible, and Dave explains “above-the-line” and “below-the-line” credits!
Plus, we explore Data’s “bratty teen years”, show a little Farscape love, and debut our pitch for Star Chef! He’ll stab you with the correct fork!
Hurry! Touch and go down-warp this show (out of a wall) today!
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Dive into the extended universe of Star Trek: Discovery with books by David Mack, Dayton Ward, and James Swallow!
Keep up with the Soongs with Immortal Coil by Jeffrey Lang and Mack’s The Persistence of Memory!
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Listen to “Season 3, Episode 4: “The Schizoid Man” (TNG) with David Mack” on Spreaker.