We’re ending the season with a bang. Literally.

In our finale, The Trek Files revisits a seemingly ordinary Next Generation call sheet from 1990… the day a single scene changed Star Trek history. That’s when Commander Riker gave the iconic order to fire on a Borg cube with Captain Picard aboard.

Joining us is the man who gave that order himself, Jonathan Frakes, for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation. From TNG finally hitting its stride to squashing long-standing rumors, and yes, a truly bizarre story involving a stolen truckload of Star Trek costumes and a trade deal for none other than K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider, Frakes brings humor, honesty, and unforgettable behind-the-scenes insight to one of Trek’s most pivotal moments.

Document and additional references: The Best of Both Worlds, Part I – Script excerpt and call sheet (1990)

Adam's book: Late Star Trek: The Final Frontier in the Franchise Era

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

For the first time, The Trek Files sets course for Trek’s modern streaming era, and it all begins with a ship.

We’re looking back at the 2016 press release that introduced the U.S.S. Discovery to the world at San Diego Comic-Con, marking the first step into a new era of Star Trek on television. Our guest is Adam Kotsko, scholar and author of Late Star Trek, who joins Larry to examine how Discovery and the shows that followed have reshaped the franchise for the 21st century.

From universe-building to “fan service,” and from mythology to modern IP, this episode dives into the creative, commercial, and cultural tensions that define the current Trek landscape. Whether you’re a fan of Strange New Worlds or still grappling with Picard, there’s something here for every Trek-O-File.

Document and additional references: U.S.S. Discovery unveiled at Comic-Con International - July 23, 2016

Adam's book: Late Star Trek: The Final Frontier in the Franchise Era

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

The journey through Samuel A. Peeples’ early story treatment for Star Trek II continues, and this week, we’re venturing into some of the most imaginative territory yet.

Long before the final script for The Wrath of Khan took shape, Peeples envisioned a film that introduced entirely new characters to the Trek universe. There’s a brilliant young doctor with unorthodox methods and a bold romantic interest in Dr. McCoy. Then there’s Sub-Commander Thal Arctos: a towering, genetically engineered officer who's all Starfleet and part polar bear.

These ideas never made it to screen, but they offer a fascinating look into the creative what-ifs of Star Trek’s cinematic future. Returning guest Ben Robinson helps us unpack these bold swings, what they tell us about the era, and why some of Trek’s most intriguing concepts are the ones fans have never seen... until now.

Document and additional references: Samuel A. Peeples’ Star Trek (The New Movie) – July 30, 1981 (excerpt, part 2)

ENTER TO WIN - the Borg Queen Skull from Star Trek: First contact, exclusively in partnership with Factory Entertainment

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!