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Anika and Liz put their hair up and settle in to discuss the most pressing topic of our time — hairstyles in Star Trek. 

We talked for so long that we wound up splitting this into a two-parter, which is PEAK Antimatter Pod, but in this first half, we discuss…

Janice Rand, Marie Antoinette and Sabrina Carpenter

Pavel Chekov, The Monkees and appealing to girls

WASP beauty standards, “professionalism” and Deanna Troi

Tasha Yar and the changing meanings of short hair on women since 1987

“I’m sorry, I’m thinking of Reagan again, and it makes me angry.”

Beverly’s hair is always changing, but without much intentionality behind it

Sisko’s hair tells a story (sometimes that story is about racism)

Kira’s “busy suburban mother of a toddler” hair

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Anika and Liz put on their least comfortable lounging clothes and settle in to discuss Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 6, episode 22, “Suspicions”.

Why is Beverly Crusher hosting an astrophysics conference? And other questions that will forever go unanswered

However, this episode, which makes no sense in the context of TNG, makes a LOT of sense in the context of Star Trek: Picard, and its theme of marginalised people doing SCIENCE is resonant in 2025

You’re not gonna believe this, but you can’t actually just substitute Beverly for Geordi and Worf and not make any other changes to a story

Breaking down the Star Trek monocultures

This unremarkable episode has one of Picard’s best speeches in the entire franchise

Beverly Crusher puts on heels and pantyhose to lounge around at home, because athleisurewear had not yet been invited in 1993

PITCH: the next streaming movie should be about Philippa Georgiou and Guinan DOING A HEIST

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http://antimatterpod.com/200-performative-femininity/

It’s our 200th episode! A victory for quantity over quality and our small, chill audience of friends!

To celebrate, Anika and Liz are talking about Star Trek: Open A Channel – A Woman’s Trek, Nana Visitor’s book about women in Star Trek. 

Open A Channel is much more substantial than just girl power feminism.

How Lucille Ball was erased from Star Trek‘s narrative

The throughline of mentorship

We gently interrogate Nana Visitor’s second wave biases

We also have two separate (but related) rants about Janice Rand and the “glorified secretary” concept

Hair Trek

Marina Sirtis versus … a lot of people

Bodyshaming from fandom. “The idea that fat people should not exist in your utopia is really horrible and RFK Jr coded.”

The editorial decision to exclude Michelle Hurd

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Anika and Liz don their sparkliest shirts and biggest earrings, and sit down to watch Star Trek: Of Gods And Men, a fan film starring Nichelle Nichols, Alan Ruck, Walter Koenig and more.

You can watch it here, or — in a much smaller window — watch an unauthorised HD remaster. 

We’re in our Alan Ruck era, but we were not prepared for the unbelievable hotness of Garrett Wang, or the SURPRISE LIBERTARIANISM.

We take … issue. With the timeline-changing catalyst. 

This comment from a Redditor who claims to have worked on the production sets it in context. 

Of Gods and Men is in conversation with the other science fiction of its era (2006-2008) in an interesting way.

Nichelle Nichols carried this movie, and it is tragic she never got a showcase like this in official Trek

Alternate Universe Chekov is a LIBERTARIAN FREEDOM FIGHTER with an unspeakable wig

Alan Ruck and Chase Masterton have great chemistry

The costumes are … hmm. Well.

You should know that the entire time Anika is talking about Alien Nation, Liz was thinking of Coneheads

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Liz takes a deep dive into Usenet archives and tells Anika about fandom’s earliest discussions of Star Trek: Deep Space 9! (Please note, we are still having audio problems — despite literally nothing changing in our set ups, Liz’s feed is echoing on Anika’s channel. This means Anika had to be muted for a lot of the time. At this point we may have to get two tin cans and a really big ball of string to record…) 

What was Usenet? (Please do not fact check Liz on the technical details.)

And who was using it?

The initial response to DS9 before “Emissary” aired…

…and after. Here’s Roger Tang’s 5 January 1993 post with his impressions: “EMISSARY betrayed far too many of the storytelling flaws that have plague[d] TNG over the last two-three years.”

The very gendered language of the era: Picard and Bashir are “weenies”, Dax and Kira are “chicks”, but Dax is also a “bimbo” or “airhead” and Kira “has balls”. And that’s before we get to the slurs…

Anika defends Terry Farrell from the Trekkies of 32 years ago.

We may not be a Pittcast, but we ARE ride or die for Trinity Santos, thank you for asking.

Michael Lee Jacobs’ commentary on “Emissary”: “It was almost painful to watch TNG right after the two wonderful hours of DS9 this evening.” How much are these Usenet posters representative of the wider fandom? Where were other conversations taking place? 

Babylon 5 was The Orville of the 1990s, in terms of its fans coming into Star Trek spaces to say, “Stop watching that new Trek with the Black lead, this show with the white dude is way better!”

A really fascinating (and incomplete) debate about whether the Garak/Bashir interactions in “Past Prologue” were intended as a homophobic depiction of queerness. A bunch of straight men say no! 

The one thing from this era (and the years following it) that we would like to bring back is people sharing their long-form thoughts on new episodes of TV. Like this post on “Duet” which Liz didn’t get around to talking about!

Finally, shout out to this prediction, a week after “Emissary” aired, which was completely wrong but also … kind of right?

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Anika and Liz apply a normal amount of hair gel and step into a grim alternate universe to discuss Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “Yesterday’s Enterprise”, including…

Is this TNG’s best episode? It could be!

This story turns on Picard absolutely trusting the word of a Black woman

Rachel Garrett was Liz’s very first female starship captain

The original premise for this episode is FULLY BONKERS

“Yesterday’s Enterprise” takes a completely novel approach to writing Tasha: what if she’s just good at her job? 

We engage in a bit of Sela Discourse, because why not?

“Yesterday’s Enterprise” sets the template for Discovery

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Anika and Liz are joined by guest Jonathan to discuss a movie Jonathan calls “the greatest Star Trek movie ever made”: Star Trek: Generations. Our feels run the spectrum: Jonathan loves it, Liz loves everything except the plot and script, and Anika is … not a fan. 

Everything that happens on the Enterprise B is the fault of Starfleet PR

This is a movie that mistrusts nostalgia, but also believes really strongly in heterosexual domesticity, which makes for an interesting internal conflict

Generations gives us the very first glimpse of the fourth estate in the world of Star Trek

Anika argues that Picard’s arc in this film is necessary for season 3 of Star Trek: Picard to work

Liz and Anika have a LOT of feelings about Rene Picard

Jonathan suggests that modern nostalgia-driven franchise media is the Nexus. “The ’90s are something that everybody wants to go back to, and I promise you, you do not want to go back.”

It’s funny how Kirk’s fantasy life is basically cosplaying as Chris Pike (SNW edition)

Is the Nexus the real villain of this movie?

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Anika and Liz are here to discuss the NEW and WIDELY REVILED streaming movie Star Trek: Section 31. And here’s Antimatter Pod’s hottest take yet: we … liked it? Not because it’s good! (It’s not!) But … well, have a listen while we discuss…

We feel cheated that we didn’t get series that Erika Lippoldt and Bo-yeon Kim wrote

But is it Star Trek? Yes. Next question!

We are intrigued by Georgiou’s decision to go into the hospitality industry

Rachel Garrett is not quite a fully-fledged character, but she has enough potential that we’re sad we’ll probably never Kasey Ruhl in the role again

Farscape, Alias and Enterprise vibes

Is Zeph a transphobic joke in human form? 

The costumes by far were the best part of the movie and we have a lot to say about Rachel Garrett’s collection of blue pageboy wigs

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Anika and Liz don their gaudiest statement necklaces and medallions and get the band back together for an adventure in Millennial Greige, 46 years before TikTok invented that concept.

Yes! It’s time to discuss Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and yes, this episode is 90 minutes long, but please note that’s still shorter than the movie itself. And we have a lot to talk about! Such as…

Content note: In 2014, actor Stephen Collins admitted to “inappropriate sexual conduct with three female minors”. We have chosen to talk about his character, but not his performance – as far as the two can be separated. 

Hot take: we like The Motion Picture

Anika argues that Spock is the protagonist of The Motion Picture. Kirk is also in this movie.

It’s too often forgotten that Persis Khambatta is the first woman of colour to play the female lead in a Star Trek film (which is separate from the problem where, up until 2009, the films kept introducing new female leads rather than ever developing Uhura…)

“My oath of celibacy is on record.” Gene. What the fuck.

Season 4 of Discovery has a lot of The Motion Picture in its DNA … and so does SNW! (Anika has a strong argument that Christine’s characterisation in SNW owes more to this film than TOS)

Possibly our most controversial opinion: we mostly like the uniforms

Antimatter Pod: “We don’t ship Kirk/Spock.” Also Antimatter Pod: “ Anyone who thinks that this movie is not about Kirk and Spock being in love is not watching this movie.”

Anika tells Liz about The Lost Years by JM Dillard, queen of the fiery red-haired psychic OFC

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CRASHING THROUGH YOUR WALL WEARING A SPA ROBE AND SPARKLY SLINGBACKS TO SAY

We recorded almost two hours of discussion about Star Trek: The Motion Picture and so far Liz has edited it down to 1 hr, 45 minutes, WE HOPE YOU'RE PREPARED

(you are not prepared)

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Anika and Liz jump headfirst into the S-field to discuss the series finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks, “The New Next Generation”, including…

We love the coda so much that it makes us like the final season more

This episode had the wrong type of ship nerdery for us

The trouble with Tendi

Rutherford has been even more underused than usual this season, which makes his subplot here feel like it came out of the blue

Carol Freeman gets the ending she deserves: her husband by her side and a new adventure

A few weeks ago, we agreed that Ransom was not captain material, and we were so wrong

Mariner/Ransom is CLEARLY still a thing and we’re not mad about it at all

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Anika and Liz are pretty sure our alternate universe selves are well-rested, organised and completely on top of their lives. But we are here to be tired, messy and talk about the penultimate episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks, “Fissure Quest”!

While Anika was out touching grass, Liz was getting spoiled for every single surprise in this episode (and also getting blocked on Bsky by Mike McMahan)

Jolene Blalock, our queen

Curzon: why?

“I don’t mean to make this a carrot podcast, I just think they’re a very overrated root vegetable.” 

Jokes about Harry never being promoted are tired, especially when we know the reason was Rick Berman’s racism — which makes this episode’s twist a bit … yikes

Who gets to be openly ambitious? And who has to keep their head down and wait patiently for recognition to be bestowed upon them? 

Liz spoils the end The Day of the Jackal (2024) at 23:46, so deploy your skip=30 button if you need it

FINALLY a Starfleet with a place for Anika

Did the Harrys Kim hook up? Yes, obviously

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Anika and Liz are briefly trapped on a world where months pass in the space of seconds, which gives us a lot of time to talk about how great Carol Freeman is.

Yes, we’re talking about Star Trek: Lower Decks‘ “Fully Dilated” and “Upper Decks”. We liked one of these episodes! Mostly!

“Fully Dilated” was a personal attack aimed at us

Why is Tendi so out of character this season? 

The Boimler and Rutherford subplot felt like a throwback to TNG_S8, but what works as a 140-character tweet is less successful spread over 22 minutes of animated comedy

If you’re going to put T’Lyn in the T’Pol role and then make boob jokes, they should be … funny

“Do you know how mid an episode has to be for Data to be our favourite part?”

We liked “Upper Decks” a lot! 

But doctors withholding pain medication is not funny

Freeman continues to be the best captain

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190. Bluey for Trekkies (LD 5.06)

Anika and Liz mediate a war between sentient shapes, and try not to ask awkward questions like, “Why do you even HAVE genders?”

Okay, no, we’re discussing Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5, episode 6, “Of Gods and Angles”!

Another round of the “accept what makes you different” moral, which is not bad, but more suited to Bluey than an allegedly sophisticated comedy for adults

(Bluey is successful for the same reason that Star Trek is successful! Competence porn and aspirational levels of decency!)

“They could do anything, but they have no imagination!” is a BOLD choice of dialogue in a season this weak

Teen pregnancy? The Humourless Feminist Killjoy Hour is here to ask: is Star Trek entering its natalist era?

Liz talks really authoritatively about Romeo and Juliet for someone who hasn’t read or watched it since 1997

Listen here or in any good podcatcher.

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189. A Real Rick Berman Kind of Horror (LD 5.04 and 5.05)

Anika and Liz visit the Klingon homeworld and Starbase 80, and Anika does not partake in blood wine or corn dogs because these episodes are not inclusive for vegetarians.

Yes, we’re talking about Star Trek: Lower Decks episodes “A Farewell to Farms” and “Starbase 80?!”, and we have a few things to say…

“A Farewell to Farms” was fine

Mary Chieffo deserves better

It’s time for Liz to admit the truth: she has a soft spot for Dr Migleemo

Is Migleemo Freeman’s Tuvok?

It’s very possible that there are external reasons that season 5 of Lower Decks hasn’t been working for us

The SNWification of Star Trek since 2022

Starbase 80 is symptomatic of an empire in decay

What is Mariner’s arc in season 5?

We are here to ship Mariner/Kassia

Listen here or in your favourite podcatcher, unless it's Google because that shut down, or Spotify, because our RSS feed keeps disconnecting. Your favourite GOOD podcatcher.

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188. The Humourless Feminist Killjoy Happy Hour (LD 5.03)

Listen here or in your podcatcher of choice!

Anika and Liz visit a fabulous resort, where we get to sit by the pool and relax while nothing bad happens and no one is weirdly stalked by their ex-girlfriend.

We’re discussing Star Trek: Lower Decks episode “The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel”, and spoilers, we aren’t fans!

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel did not deserve this

“My shoulders went up around my ears and stayed there for the entire episode.”

Jennifer is abusive, and it’s weird how the show (and the fandom!) seems to consider this zany and delightful

This is not a great season for Tendi’s characterisation so far

It feels like Mariner and Tendi’s arcs ended in season 4 and the show doesn’t quite know what to do with them now

But also, less than week to the US election and Lower Decks is like, “How about an episode where a Black woman on the cusp of becoming a leader is mistreated and everyone cheers?” Guys.

An Apocalypse Now parody? Groundbreaking.

Anika: “I apologise to people who liked this episode.” Liz: “I don’t.”

How much has season 5 been affected by the industrial unrest across the entertainment industry? There are so many barriers to making good television at the best of times! Also, Liz talks about season 5 of Babylon 5 (sorry, Anika)

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Anika and Liz meet their alternate timeline duplicates, who are exactly the same except Fake Anika is super right-wing and Fake Liz has a luscious beard.

It’s time! For the Star Trek: Lower Decks fifth season premiere!

Liz: I don’t ship Rutherford/Tendi/T’Lyn 61 seconds later… Liz: I ship Rutherford/Tendi/T’Lyn

Remembering Jeri Taylor

New York Comic Con: Anika has been in the presence of greatness (Carol Kane)

Is Lower Decks getting tired, or is it Liz who is too tired to feel joy? 

Beard Boimler and Otherford

We are learning SO MUCH about Orion culture! 

INCOMING HUMOURLESS FEMINIST KILLJOY MOMENT: Maybe October 2024 is not the right time for a subplot about controlling what a pregnant woman does?

Anika has a Bointer for you: always try to avoid anything that makes you sound like J. D. Vance