Star Trek: Coda – interview round-up!

It’s been pretty quiet around here, lately. My only excuse is that I’ve been busy on the writing and consulting fronts, as well as the usual sorts of family and home things along with my volunteer stints at the museum. Between all of that and just trying to find small chunks of time to decompress if not outright relax, I haven’t devoted much in the way of effort to this space (so the thought of running something like a Patreon or Substack page where I’d ask people to throw money my way for new “content” and other online interaction seems pretty ludicrous, yeah?). I’d like to say things will be better in the new year, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, all right?

For those of you tuning in to our program already in progress, you may or not be aware that over the past few months, the three books comprising the Star Trek: Coda trilogy were released. You may have heard about it, as word started spreading way back in February. Up to that point, I along with my literary co-conspirators, James Swallow and David Mack, had toiled in secrecy dating back to the summer of 2019. Over the next two years in on-again/off-again fashion, we developed a storyline to drive the books we each contributed to the effort.

I kicked things off with Book I: Moments Asunder, which hit shelves back on September 28th. Jim picked up the action a month later on October 26th with his Book II: The Ashes of Tomorrow, and on November 30th Dave brought it all home with the concluding Book III: Oblivion’s Gate.

It’s fair to say the books have generated a broad spectrum of reactions. There are reviews aplenty littering the lawless hellscape that is the internet, from personal posts on individual social media platforms to message boards and Facebook groups all the way to full-blown critiques from all manner of websites. Beyond simply thanking them for the time and effort they expended, I tend to refrain from engaging those who post such reviews be they postive, negative, apathetic, whatever. I never want folks thinking I’m lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce should they somehow cross whatever imaginary line they feel I’ve drawn for such things. For one thing, it’s a dick move for an author to make, and there are plenty of examples of authors being justifiably roasted for going after readers who’ve posted something less than a glowing review of their latest pet project.

So yeah, we’re not doing that here.

In conjunction with each book’s publication, the three of us have all participated in various interviews. Most of these consist of one of us flying solo, as the thrust of said interview was our individual entry in the trilogy. However, the three of us have also had the opportunity to get together and discuss the entire project, its evolution, and so on. I’ve done my best to keep track of them as well as hunt for those one or two I missed, and collected links to them here. For those of you who’ve been holding off on listening to such interviews until you’ve had a chance to read the books or for some other reason you’re only now getting around to searching out such things, I’ve attempted to compile a one-stop shopping list.

First up? Me, talking about the trilogy in general and Moments Asunder in particular:
Trekcore.com (print interview)
Daily Star Trek News (print interview)
Beyond Trek Podcast
Go Trek Yourself Podcast
Literary Treks Podcast
Positively Trek Podcast
Trek Geeks Podcast
Mission Log Podcast

Next, we’ve got Jim with his take on our collaboration, highlighted by his own contribution, The Ashes of Tomorrow:
Trekcore.com (print interview)
Beyond Trek Podcast
Literary Treks Podcast
Positively Trek Podcast

Last but certainly not least, we’ve got Dave with his own thoughts on the joint effort, anchored by his senses-shattering* conclusion, Oblivion’s Gate:
Trekcore.com (print interview)
Beyond Trek Podcast
Literary Treks Podcast
Positively Trek Podcast
PaulSemel.com (print interview)
Traversing the Stars Podcast

And as if that’s not enough, we also have interviews with all three of us! Together! Noses pressed against our webcams as we stare out from our respective pillow forts into the webosphere:
Infinite Diversity Podcast

Is that all of them? I feel like there should be more. Either way, methinks that’s a lot of yakking.

Anyway, reading and listening to all of that should keep you busy. I want to say we have at least one or two more joint interviews coming up after the holidays, so stay tuned for updates. And as always, thanks so much for reading and supporting our wordy efforts.

* = Yeah, I read a lot of Marvel Comics when I was a kid. Deal with it.

Catching up – Star Trek: Coda interviews!

Previously, on The Fog of Ward:

So, yeah. It’s been a minute since my last update. A confluence of events – work, volunteer stuff, kid stuff, other stuff – saw to it that the tree fort here was left neglected for a bit. That leaves me with a few housekeeping tasks to take care of. Namely, a whole bunch of interviews!

With the release of any new book, I’m asked for a varying number of interviews. These usually take the form of answering questions via email, or a phone interview transcribed for publication, and/or something done live via Zoom or recorded for later dispersal online. The release of Moments Asunder, the first book of the Star Trek: Coda trilogy on which I shared writing duties with friends and fellow word slingers James Swallow and David Mack, has attracted a greater degree of attention than I’m used to experiencing. It makes sense, of course, given the nature of this “Star Trek literary event.” As I, along with Jim and Dave, are grateful for this increased interest, we’re more than happy to “have a sit-down” with anyone who invites us into their space to talk Star Trek and our work.

So far, I’m pretty sure I’ve managed to avoid spoiling anything in any of the books, as a few of these were conducted before my book even came out. I’m obviously not looking to undercut anyone’s ability to enjoy the books due to my having given away anything, in particular for Books 2 and 3 as there’s still just so much coming after Book 1. Jim and Dave more than deserve their chance in the spotlight and to talk about the project without my having mucked things up beforehand. As I write this, the following interviews with me have been posted:

First, I talked via Zoom with Alex Perry from TrekCore.com and he somehow managed to translate my ramblings into something resembling coherence. That interview appears here, published the day before the book officially went on sale.

Timed to post the same day the book went live is an interview with David Powell and the Daily Star Trek News website. I carried out this one via email, which allowed me to consider more detailed answers than when I’m asked during a live Q&A. Read all about it here.

My first “live” interview was with the Beyond Trek podcast. Lots of fun questions and discussion, all while I tried (and sometimes failed) to ignore the football game unfolding on the TV in my office. You can watch/listen to that on YouTube, and be sure to check out their other episodes.

Friends Darrell Taylor and J.K. Woodward had me back for yet another episode of their Go Trek Yourself podcast. We talked about a lot of things, and somehow even managed to talk about Coda and Moments Asunder. Stick that in your ears here.

It’s been a while since I’ve talked with Matt Rushing, host of Trek.fm‘s Literary Treks podcast, and Coda gives us a reason to rectify that oversight. Check out our discussion here.

For a change of pace? I was interviewed back in August during Planet Comicon here in Kansas City. Multiverse Tonight podcast host Thomas Townley caught me at by exhibitor table and hit me with a special edition of his “5 Questions” challenge. Check it out here.

And hey! Some of the most interesting discussions about the book and the trilogy don’t involve me at all! For example, there’s this extended discussion about Moments Asunder with Chrissie De Clerck, Brandon Mutala, and Justin Oser on their Infinite Diversity podcast. Check it all out here.

As I write this, I have (at least) two more interviews about Coda coming over the next week or so, and I’ve had discussions about a couple of others. So, you know…keeping busy, but hopefully not so busy that I won’t forget to let folks know about them.

I probably just jinxed all of that, didn’t I?

Talking Trek writing and other things with the Divine Treasury podcast!

So, hey! It’s been a minute since the last time I babbled incoherently on somebody’s podcast, and we all know I can’t go too long without falling into that particular sort of trap.

A couple of months ago, I sat down with Mike Bovia and Jamie Rogers, hosts of The Divine Treasury podcast, to talk about my lifelong affection for Star Trek and the collectibles I’ve acquired over the years. As I explained during that interview, my interests have always leaned toward the books (both fiction and non-fiction/references tomes), comics, and other forms of storytelling we’ve been given over the years. That might include computer games, roleplaying games, and so on.

As you might imagine, all of that certainly played a part in helping me along to where I am now, a writer of Star Trek stories of my own as well as someone who helps other Star Trek stories get from writers to readers.

Yeah, it’s quite a fun job, and all of that is what Mike and I talk about about on this follow-up installment of the podcast. We actually recorded this segment the same evening as the other interview, but it’s only now making its way to your ears through the wonder that is recorded media. Have a listen:

The Divine Treasury Podcast, Episode 18: “Paperback Writer, Part Deux”

Thanks again to Mike and Jamie for having me on the show!

Talking Trek collectibles on The Divine Treasury podcast!

Yes, you know what this means: I babbled. Out loud, and someone recorded it so that others might listen to it.

And so it was that Mike Bovia and Jamie Rogers, hosts of The Divine Treasury podcast, became the latest victims of my unchained blatherings about various things Star Trek. This time, rather than discussing my latest book or whatever else I might be working on, we turned the clock back to childhood and how watching the original series and collecting various things based on the show – toys, models, books, etc. – pretty much laid the groundwork for how I ended up as a writer of Star Trek stories and my current involvement with so many cool Star Trek things.

Mego action figures? Check. AMT Enterprise model? Yup. Those early Star Trek novels and comics? Of course. Do I still collect anything? Yes, but I’m pretty targeted with what opt to buy, these days. Am I still chasing some long-sought collectible from my youth? Maaaaaaaaybe.

All of that and more awaits you if you click on the pic or the link below:

The Divine Treasury Podcast, Episode 13: “The Dayton Ward Collection”

Many thanks to Mike and Jamie for having me on their show. I have a sneaky suspicion I might be back there sooner than later…….

I went and Trekked myself YET AGAIN.

Because it’s been a minute since the last time I babbled incoherently into a microphone and someone recorded it, I sat down a couple of weeks ago with Darrell Taylor and J.K. Woodward, hosts of the Go Trek Yourself podcast. I’ve been a guest on their show a couple of times already, and it’s always fun to catch up with Darrell and J.K. as our conversations bounce from topic to topic.

Such was this case this time. Things started off well enough, with the guys asking me about my “secret origin story” and how being a childhood Star Trek fan eventually put me on the path to being someone who gets to write Star Trek novels and other fun stuff for something resembling a living. We also spent some time talking about my most recent Star Trek novel, Agents of Influence (available at fine brick-n-mortar and online booksellers everywhere, you know), as well as a little bit of teasing about Star Trek: Coda, the trilogy on which I’m working with friends and fellow word pushers James Swallow and David Mack. Our discussion focused on how the project came about as an outgrowth of the “Star Trek novel continuity” that’s been a real thing for the last 15-20 years. Don’t worry, though! No spoilers lay within. Additionally, I’m a big fan of J.K.’s comic work including his numerous contributions to Star Trek via IDW Publishing, so of course we have to chat a little about that. It’s easy to get lost in these sorts of discussions when there’s a great shared affection for this thing from which we’ve derived such immense enjoyment and which has been responsible for so much of our individual successes.

And if that’s not enough? We even manage to talk about sports a little. Because of course we did.

So, if that sounds like something you’d want to stick in your ears for an hour or so, just go right ahead and click on the handy link I’ve provided:

Go Trek Yourself Episode 91: Dayton Ward and the Agents of Influence

Many thanks to Darrell and J.K. for having me on yet again to shoot the breeze and have some fun talking about our shared nerd love. I’m sure we’ll find a reason (excuse?) to do it again sometime down the road!

Talking Kirk Fu and whatnot with the Funny Science Fiction podcast!

Because I know what you’re thinking: “Wait. How can anybody talk funny about Starfleet’s most feared martial art? Isn’t that blasphemous or illegal or something?”

Turns out, it’s neither.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I sat down with Drayton, Deb, Josh, and Tim, AKA the hosts of the Funny Science Fiction Podcast. That’s right. There were four of them, trying to gang up on me. Good thing I was able to whip out some signature Kirk Fu moves like Rolling Thunder and the Jimmy Wall Banger in order to make my escape.

Okay, not really. Instead, we just ended up chatting for a bit because that’s what geeks do.

The thrust of the interview/fireside chat/plotting global takeovers was Star Trek: Kirk Fu, the odd little tome I wrote and which was illustrated by artist Christian Cornia and published by Insight Editions back in March. Indeed, the book started hitting bookstore shelves riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight about the time everybody was holing up to comply with stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 protocols that came down what seems like 300 years ago, now. We talked about how the book came to be and how I pitched it to my editor while I was in the midst of working on a different project and figuring this new idea had no real legs. Once my editor called my bluff, I described the process of figuring out exactly how to explain Captain Kirk’s admittedly quirky fighting style, and how to diagram that in a manner one might see in hand-to-hand combat manuals like you’d find in the military. As I’ve discussed before, I’d always intended for the text to play the joke completely straight while allowing the illustrations to sell the fun and even absurdity of the premise. I think it came out great, and pretty much everyone I’ve come across who’s read it or written about it seems to feel the same way, so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Along with talking about the book, the topics opened up to include how I approach writing Star Trek stories, what would I do if gifted with one of Star Trek‘s holodecks, being a Rush fan, what “ups and downs” I’ve faced during my writing career, and they even subject me to a little trivia gauntlet. How did I do? You’ll have to listen to the interview to find out.

“But wait, Dayton,” I can hear someone saying. “How does one do such a thing?”

ANSWER: You can hear the entire interview by clicking on this linky-type thing highlighted right here:

Funny Science Fiction Podcast Episode 7: Trekking the Stars with Dayton Ward

Something else we did: I donated a signed copy of Kirk Fu along with a signed promo poster for the book to be put up for auction on eBay, with 100% of the proceeds going to Wish Upon A Teen. The auction is set to end the afternoon of Friday, November 26th, so if this sounds like something you want to get in on, follow this link!

Click me to see the auction!

Many thanks to Drayton, Deb, Josh, and Tim for having me on their show. Maybe we can do it again sometime down the road!

Talking Agents of Influence with the Captain’s Table podcast!

:: checks watch ::

So, hey! It’s been a minute since my last interview. Indeed, it’s been a bit since I last talked to someone about my most recent Star Trek novel, Agents of Influence, and I’ve rather enjoyed chatting up this one, so why not do it again?

Enter the Captain’s Table podcast.

It’s been an even longer, more stretched-out and interminable minute since I last spoke with show hosts and friends Michael Clark and Roslyn Scholarios, so this was definitely part interview and part catching up.

Sure, we spend a fair amount of time talking about the new book, but we also cover a lot of ground relating to adjacent subjects like the state of Star Trek with all these new shows coming at us. Part of the conversation focuses on what it’s like to write characters introduced more than 50 years ago with a modern sensibility while staying true to their original portrayals. We also talk a bit about my consulting duties for CBS, which tend to evolve pretty much with the changes in wind direction. No two days are the same, that’s for sure…but I ain’t complainin’.

It’s Star Trek, yo. Life is good.

Spoilers about Agents of Influence abound during the interview, so if you’ve not yet read the book but are planning to do so, proceed with caution. Otherwise? Head on over to the Captain’s Table and give the new interview a listen:

The Captain’s Table: Dayton Ward and Agents of Influence

Many thanks to Michael and Roslyn for having me on the show! We’ve already talked about return visits somewhere down the road. I guess we’ll see what we see. 🙂

Talking Star Trek novels with David Mack and the Inglorious Treksperts!

I admit it: While I’m always happy to talk Star Trek, I really do enjoy talking about Star Trek novels, particularly when they’re not the one I wrote and I’m trying to promote.

Many if not most fans know – even if they’ve never read a single one – Star Trek novels enjoy a rich history, stretching all the way back to the days when the original television series was still in production. Star Trek, the first collection of original series episode adaptations written by noted science fiction author James Blish, was published by Bantam Books in January 1967. It would later be renamed Star Trek 1 once it was obvious that the program of translating the original series scripts to prose form would continue, and indeed it did for eleven more volumes. Blish would also pen one of the very first original Star Trek novels, 1970’s Spock Must Die! 

Since then, there has been at least one Star Trek novel or novelization (and in most cases, way, way more than one) published every year. In addition to novels and short stories based each of the spin-off television series and films, Captain Kirk and the crew of the original Starship Enterprise continue to have adventures on the printed page (book and comics!) decades after their televised exploits ended in 1969 (or 1974, if you’re counting the animated series, and we do that here). Indeed and as I write this, the most recent novel to feature yet another tale set during the historic “five-year mission” Captain Kirk talks about in the show’s famous opening narration is my own Agents of Influence, published in June. Meanwhile, friend and fellow wordsmith David Mack is making sure the “rebooted” crew introduced in the 2009 Star Trek feature film is treated well in written form with his own new novel, More Beautiful Than Death, which was just published on August 11th.

(Okay, I suppose a little shameless promotion is inevitable. My kids like to eat. Sue me.)

So, it seems fitting that Mr. Mack and myself recently were guests for a fun discussion about the topic of Star Trek novels with the Inglorious Treksperts podcast. Hosts Mark Altman and Daren Dochterman, both Hollywood veterans and acknowledged Star Trek gurus, gathered Dave and myself along with writer/producers Ashley E. Miller and Robert Meyer Burnett, the latter of whom may very well be an even bigger nerd for Star Trek novels than I am. It’s a distinction I’m not inclined to dispute, because for one thing this was a conversation he’d been wanting to have for a while and we ended up recording it pretty much as a birthday present for him. So, there’s no way I’m harshing that mellow.

The resulting discussion covers a lot of ground in just a little over an hour’s time, tracing our earliest encounters with Star Trek novels from those early gems of the late 1960s/early 1970s right up to the most recent publications. Our respective experiences with these books during our formative years are largely in step with one another, as we all came to Trek more or less within the same era: watching reruns of the original show in the 1970s and latching on to whatever Star Trek merchandise there might be here and there. Those early James Blish novelizations and the handful of original novels along with other publications like the Star Trek Poster Books was what kept us interested during those years before the first feature film came along and elevated the franchise to new heights of public awareness it enjoys to this day.

Of course we had to discuss some of our early favorites, which for me include Vonda McIntyre’s The Entropy Effect, Ann Crispin’s Yesterday’s Son, Margaret Wander Bonanno’s Strangers from the Sky, and Diane Duane’s The Wounded Sky.

(I’m gonna stop there because seriously…I could do this all day.)

There is also plenty of discussion about how one actually goes about writing such books, both for shows like the original series and Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as novels based on the shows currently in production, Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard.

Dave and I also get to take a bit of a trip down Memory Lane as we revisit our own past endeavours. This included the absolute blast that was, along with Kevin Dilmore and Marco Palmieri, writing the Star Trek Vanguard novels, which still rank as one of the most fun and creatively fulfulling Star Trek projects with which I’ve ever been involved. 

Star Trek novels have been around for over 50 years, and there’s no sign they’ll ever be stopping soon. I don’t know how many more I have in me or how much longer I’ll even be able to do so, but it’s been a privilege contributing to this wondrous little sandbox and to be a part of such an amazing publishing legacy. So, for those of you who await the next Star Trek novel to show up on bookstore shelves or your eReader device, spend an hour with us as we wax nostalgic about some of those that came before.

Inglorious Treksperts: “Book ’em Danno with Dayton Ward & David Mack”

Many thanks, to Mark, Daren, Rob, and Ashley for having us on the show. It was tremendous fun!

Talking Star Trek V with the Trek Geeks!

Because sure, two interviews posted in as many days isn’t annoying. At all.

To be fair, this really isn’t an interview so much as it is three fans sitting around, yakking about Star Trek. In this instance, it’s me joining Trek Geeks hosts Bill Smith and Dan Davidson to talk about – and even to defend to a certain degree – Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

“Wait….what?” I can hear some overeager Star Trek fan starting to utter. I can hear the frothing and even the drawing of lines in the sand as they stand ready to die on the hill that is proclaiming this film as the worst Star Trek movie EVER. To those folks, I say, “Yo, simmer down a minute.”

To be fair, Star Trek V holds a not undeserved reputation as being very flawed, and there are those who most definitely consider it the worst of the Star Trek feature films. I tend to dismiss such easy, kneejerk criticisms the same way I give sideeye whenever somebody bellows, “‘Spock’s Brain‘ is the worst episode of Star Trek!” It’s low-hanging fruit. It’s the one non-fans and casual passersby can point to because it has that rep and let’s them get in on the action. Meanwhile, those of us over here in the fan circle know things like “And the Children Shall Lead” and “Code of Honor” exist and they suck the sort of donkey balls “Spock’s Brain” couldn’t find with two hands, a flashlight, and Siri guiding them in from the interstate.

With all of that said, I’m actually not here to tell the Star Trek V haters they’re wrong. First, I really don’t care that much, and second……there is no second. I simply don’t care. Like what you like, don’t like what you don’t like, we all shake hands (or bump elbows in the world of COVID-19…or offer matching Vulcan salutes) and move on with our lives. In the case of Star Trek V, I acknowledge its flaws but at the same time I’m not one to dwell on discussions about things I hate. With that in mind, what I came to do with Bill and Dan is talk about what there is to like about this flick.

Why? Because you’re not hard core unless you live hard core, which is why I still have that Star Trek V tumbler pictured above. Go big or go home, amirite?

Turns out, there’s plenty to like about this movie while still agreeing it’s got its share of problems. Yes, the special effects are a marked step down from previous installments. Bill, Dan, and I came down on similar spots with respect to how the story treats the characters of Scotty, Sulu, Uhura, and Chekov. While they were “merely” supporting characters portrayed by contract day players during the time of the original Star Trek series, with the feature films they were elevated in stature at least to a degree and deserved more time in front of the camera.

To be fair, each of the films struggles with this problem but it’s very obvious here, coming as it does after the events in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home where everyone gets their moment to shine a bit. Here, the focus is more on “the Big 3” of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy and while there are certain scenes that might make a fan wince, I will say without hesitation this film contains some of my very favorite moments between these three characters.

On the visual side of things, Industrial Light & Magic’s absence is keenly felt throughout the film. However, director William Shatner Shatner does some pretty slick things with the camera in this film, particularly during tha action sequences on Nimbus III that bring a sense of freshness to what we saw in the previous films. The ending is hampered by budget issues and perhaps Shatner’s being a bit too ambitious and failing to account for all the difficulties that hampered him realizing his big climax the way it was originally envisioned. That said, I’m never gonna fault a guy for swinging for the fences.

Another aspect of the film I will absolutely defend is Jerry Goldsmith’s score. The music he wrote for Star Trek V revisits some motifs which had become familar by the time this movie was released. The main theme from Star Trek: The Motion Picture – later modified for use as the title theme for Star Trek: The Next Generation – gets a few new bells and whistles, and cements what will become a staple of Goldsmith’s future Star Trek film scores: wrapping this signature theme around music unique to each movie for its respective end titles sequence. He would do this three more times – Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek: Nemesis – but the end title theme for Star Trek V is my favorite variation on this particular theme. Another fan-favorite cue is the “Klingon theme,” which Goldsmith also created for The Motion Picture and gets its own new take here, as well. The new material he wrote for this outing is some of my favorite Star Trek music, across the board.

We get into all of this and so much more during a chat that runs something like 98 minutes in length, but it goes pretty fast as the three of us found ourselves getting caught up in the spirit of things. No, our “fresh assessment” isn’t going to make Star Trek V: The Final Frontier a better film and maybe it won’t change anyone’s rankings when they list their favorite (and not so favorite) Star Trek films, but if we can convince even one person to appraise the movie and find something to like they may have dismissed the first (or tenth) time around, then it was worth the effort. Even if we don’t get that kind of response, I still had fun. Check out the results of our nerdfest right here:

Trek Geeks Episode #225 – The Final Frontier

Many thanks to Bill and Dan for having me back on the show. As always, I had a blast hanging with them and I’m sure I’ll find a reason to wander back over to their sandbox somewhere down the road.

Kevin and me…talking Trek with the Positively Trek podcast!

Another interview? Really?

Yes, really, but take heart, reluctant listeners! This time it’s not just me and my signature style of babbling and yammering. Nope! For this latest outing I’m accompanied by my best bud, hetero lifemate, and occasional co-writer Kevin Dilmore as we sit down for a virtual confab with Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther of the Positively Trek podcast!

If the names Bruce and Dan sound familiar, it’s because I’ve been a frequent guest of theirs on another podcast, Literary Treks, where they usually have me on to discuss my latest Star Trek book. Positively Trek casts a wider net, where the world of books and comics is just one aspect of various Star Trek-related conversations. For this discussion we move away from such things and instead talk about topics of interest to a larger segment of Star Trek fandom. The format is also easier so far as finding excuses to partner up with Kevin so we can have some fun. Either one of us are fully capable of filling whatever pocket of time a podcaster wants to allocate, but both of us together? Buckle up, y’all.

The conversation starts with reactions to the recently released trailer for the upcoming Star Trek: Lower Decks animated series before we move to a larger discussion about “Star Trek canon.” Does this new show fit with and honor the existing canon? Is it just a jokefest, or is there a Star Trek heart beating beneath this thing’s skin?

Anybody who follows me on social media or who’s engaged me on this topic at cons or elsewhere knows I loathe “canon arguments.” I’m not interested in debates about whether this or that is or isn’t “canon,” particularly when the word is so often incorrectly used when the person really means “continuity.” This stuff is supposed to be fun, and those who insist on sucking the fun out of everything in service of lording over other people their perceived superior knowledge of a fictional universe tend to annoy the shit out of me. I’m as hardcore a Star Trek fan as any you’re going to find, but I don’t hesitate to tell or share Star Trek jokes – especially on social media where my shenanigans occasionally draw fire from “purists.” I can absolutely laugh along when Star Trek embraces a bit of whimsy or even absurdity. Meanwhile, I actually got hate mail for this, which only makes me laugh harder. I mean, come on, people. Lighten up a little, eh?

After a fun, multi-threaded conversation about the whole “Star Trek canon” thing, Kevin takes the wheel and discusses the latest round of awesome new “Star Trek Storytellers” ornaments from Hallmark. Seven figure ornaments – one each for Captain Kirk and his command crew – along with a gorgeous U.S.S. Enterprise tree-topper to tie it all together – bring you a condensed version of the classic Star Trek episode “Mirror Mirror” using dialogue, sound effects, and music direct from the show. Kevin brought be the Enterprise and the first two character ornaments – Kirk and Sulu – and we goofed with it long enough to put each individual ornament through its paces along with tying them together. The Uhura ornament is coming in October and the remaining characters will come out in 2021 and 2022. This set is AMAZEBALLS, y’all.

Wait…do people still use “amazeballs” to describe things? Screw it! I’m bringing it back.

Anyway, the edited and family-suitable version of our converation is ready and waiting to fill your ears. You can find it here:

Positively Trek #22: Is It Canon?

Thanks very very much to Bruce and Dan for hosting such a lively discussion, and to my bud Kevin for coming out to crank up the fun to 11. Maybe we can do it again sometime soon!