Shuttle Pod 80 – Hope For The Future: The Aspirational Nature of Star Trek

This week the entire complement of the Shuttle Pod crew look back on how Star Trek looks forward. Many fans are drawn to Trek due to its positive outlook on the future of humanity and the way in which the show handles the exploration of the human condition. In these tumultuous times, we could all use a bit of positive escapism, and so Brian, Matt, Kayla, and Jared offer up some of their favorite examples of aspiration in Trek (plus some just plain feel-good eps that you’re sure to enjoy). Come on a new kind of journey with us this week, as we dive into the philosophical and the inspirational, after some stirring words from John Kennedy, some of our on-screen heroes, and the Great Bird of the Galaxy himself. Looking for some Star Trek to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside? Try these episodes and movies: The Original Series TOS S1 E02 “The Corbomite Maneuver” TOS S1 E19 “Arena” TOS S1 E23 “A Taste of Armageddon” TOS S1 E26 “Devil in the Dark” TOS S1 E27 “Errand of Mercy” TOS S2 E21 “By Any Other Name” TOS S1 E28 “City on the Edge of Forever” The Next Generation TNG S2 E12 “The Royale” TNG S4 E13 “Devil’s Due” TNG S5 E02 “Darmok” TNG S5 E26 & E27 “Time’s Arrow” Parts 1 and 2 TNG S7 E25 & E26 “All Good Things…” Parts 1 & 2 Deep Space Nine DS9 S1 E01 “Emissary” DS9 S4 E08 “Little Green Men” Voyager VOY S6 E12 “Blink of an Eye” Enterprise ENT S2 E02 “Carbon Creek” ENT S4 E21 “Terra Prime” Movies “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” “Star Trek: First Contact” …and so many more! Tell us your favorites in the comments!