Podcast 98: Understanding is not important, Only Obedience

 Where was JD this weekend?! Due to his lack of presence, Joey's political campaign failed - after getting 72 votes (8.28% of those voting). He placed 59th on a slate of 71 people. This weeks episodes were a bit of a mix for me though. Oh and if there are any Narn listening, this recording takes more than 2 "earth hours". We cover episodes 5-8 of Babylon 5, Season 1.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Joey's Culture Corner: For the Win by Cory Doctorow
    Faccebook Find of the Week: Peter for SciFi Hair and JMS tirade about Londo's hair
    New listeners: Money Bags and Fish Head
    Introduction of the new Apologist's Bell and the Foreshadowing Air Horn
    Joey wins the B5 book lottery: Babylon 5 Scripts of J. Michael Straczynski
    Psi-Cops can project their thoughts on others, oh and they are evil
    cameo appearance of Wesley Crusher's sweater
    black light camouflage
    What does love have to do with marriage?
    What is the relevance of tradition?
    Music Intro: Hear Me by Imagine Dragons

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Here are the ratings that we gave for each show:
The Parliament of Dreams: 1hr 12min 45sec
Peter: SciFi - 2 Television - 3
Joey: SciFi - 4 Television - 4

Mind War: 30min 46sec
Peter: SciFi - 7 Television - 4
Joey: SciFi - 8 Television - 6

War Prayer: 32min 38sec
Peter: SciFi - 4 Television - 3
Joey: SciFi - 4 Television - 6

The Sky Full of Stars: 13min 44sec
Peter: SciFi - 6 Television - 4
Joey: SciFi - 7 Television - 4


If you have something to say then we welcome your comments below, or feel free to email us at trekwest5@thehomestarmy.com, twitter us at hashtag TrekWest5, or leave us a voicemail at 801-788-4913.

Podcast 97: Ringing the Bell

 I don't know why all the audio glitches really started up again after I took over the podcast, but there was a bit of a hangup in this week's recording - hopefully, we caught them all in post-processing and this audio sounds pretty clean. We were all really excited to start Babylon 5 proper, although I did find a couple of instances where I had to "ring the bell", our signal to remind/reassure the listeners that "it does get better than this." Aaron, the TrekWest5 intern, brings his usual apathetic reticence to this week's podcast (sometimes, I wonder if it's even worth the gasoline of hauling him to the Podcast Bunker.) We cover episodes 1-4 of Babylon 5, Season 1.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Joey's continuing campaign for office inside the Utah Republican Party
    The TrekWest5 Culture Corner: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
    JMS answers the question What is/are spoo?
    Paul Dunbar's We Wear the Mask

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Here are the ratings that we gave for each show:
Midnight on the Firing Line: 1hr 1min 25sec
Peter: SciFi - 5 Television - 3
Joey: SciFi - 6 Television - 3
Aaron: SciFi - 6 Television - 4

Soul Hunter: 22min 18sec
Joey: SciFi - 7 Television - 3
Aaron: SciFi - 7 Television - 4
Peter: SciFi - 6 Television - 2

Born to the Purple: 24min 58sec
Aaron: SciFi - 7 Television - 5
Peter: SciFi - 3 Television - 3
Joey: SciFi - 2 Television - 6

Infection: 24min 59sec
Peter: SciFi - 5 Television - 2
Joey: SciFi - 5 Television - 3
Aaron: SciFi - 5 Television - 2


If you have something to say then we welcome your comments below, or feel free to email us at trekwest5@thehomestarmy.com, twitter us at hashtag TrekWest5, or leave us a voicemail at 801-788-4913.

Podcast 96: Joey's Podcast

  And thus we begin our foray in Babylon 5 with Joey firmly at the controls. Who would have seen his coup d'état coming? Certainly not me. But frankly who better to guide us through this strange and alien scifi world. I for one am excited to begin what should be a very good discussion of many moral dilemmas and a powerful story arc. Just look past the horrible graphics and the awkward acting that always comes with a new series. In this podcast we discuss the Babylon 5 pilot: The Gathering.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Joey's Culture Corner: Asked & Answered by J. Michael Straczynski
    B5 aliens and character introduction
    Medical Alchemy
    Wooden acting, bad graphics, but good story
    No music intro/outro this week


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Here are the ratings that we gave for each show:
The Gathering: 1hr 48min 45sec
Peter: Television - 2 SciFi - 4
Joey: Television - 3 SciFi - 8

If you have something to say then we welcome your comments below, or feel free to email us at trekwest5@thehomestarmy.com, twitter us at hashtag TrekWest5, or leave us a voicemail at 801-788-4913.

Podcast Movie Special: TRON

 Joey and I had the great opportunity this week to re-watch a Scifi classic: TRON. What a wonderful walk back down memory lane for the both of us, as this movie came out when we were kids. It has managed to stand the test of time because of good acting (David Warner, Bruce Boxleitner, Jeff Bridges) and a great story (Steven Lisberger). Sure the graphics leave a bit to be desired, but for the early 80's this was good stuff. While the inarticulate techno-babel still happened, most die hard programmers won't even notice since it wasn't used as a major plot piece. We both loved getting a chance to discuss the intricate relationship between technology and religion. This is a great movie that the entire family can enjoy together. END OF LINE.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Joey's Culture Corner: Split Infinity by Piers Anthony
    Going to arcades
    Farmville is brain filth
    Music Intro: I Fight Dragons

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If you have something to say then we welcome your comments below, or feel free to email us at trekwest5@thehomestarmy.com, twitter us at hashtag TrekWest5, or leave us a voicemail at 801-788-4913.

Podcast 95: The West Wing Series Wrap Up

  Woot Woot! What a grand television series The West Wing turned out to be. I think despite the way things ended we will always look back at this series as one of the best on television. The length of this podcast shows how reluctant we were to see The West Wing discussions come to an end - or it might just have been the fault of our special guests! We were incredibly pleased to have Listener Jim and the father of our podcast, Pete's friend Jon Madsen, join us for the series wrap-up. This podcast covers our awards, lists, and final thoughts about The West Wing.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Joey's Culture Corner: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
    Video of autistic girl communicating
    Principles of an American Life: Social Security Act of 1935
    A spider crawls up Jon's beard
    listener comments from The Gink, Listner Bob, and JD.
    Music Intro: Hear Me by Imagine Dragons

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Here are the Series lists/recaps:
The West Wing Series wrap up: 3hr 05min 12sec

Series recaps and lists
Favorite Extra/Bit Part
Peter:

1. Joe Quincy
2. President Nimballa
3. Bernard Thatch

Joey:

1. Evelyn Baker Lang
2. Joe Quincy
3. Joe Willis

Most Hated Character
Peter:

1. Amy Gardner
2. Mandy
3. Will Bailey

Joey:

1. Mrs. Doctor Abbey Bartlett
2. Mandy
3. Will & Kate

Hot Chick
Peter:

1. Joey Lucas
2. Mrs Santos
3. Ainsley Hayes

Joey:

1. Helen Santos
2. Amy Gardner
3. Cathy

Favorite Villain
Peter:

1. The gunmen
2. Abdul Shareef
3. Mary Marsh

Joey:

1. Abdul Shareef
2. Speaker Haffley
3. Vice Pres John Hoynes

Favorite Overall Issue
Peter: A regular citizen can become president
Joey: We are really not so far apart as a nation. We all want what is best for America.

Most Ruined Character
Peter: Leo
Joey: Sam

Top 10 Hated Episodes
Peter

1. Ninety Miles Away
2. Crackpots & These Women
3. The Debate
4. Long Goodbye
5. Abu El Banat
6. 365 Days
7. Undecideds
8. A Good Day
9. Drought Conditions
10. Eppur Si Muove

Joey

1. 90 Miles Away
2. Stormy Present
3. A Change Is Gonna Come
4. Swiss Diplomacy
5. Lord John Marbury
6. Dead Irish Writers
7. NSF Thurmont
8. Duck and Cover
9. Internal Displacement
10. The Women of Qumar

Top 10 Favorite Episodes
Peter:

1. Noel
2. 2 Cathedrals
3. 18th & Potomac
4. Shadow of a Gunman pt 1 & 2
5. 17 People
6. Posse Comitatus
7. We Killed Yamamoto
8. Bad Moon Rising
9. Shutdown
10. In This Whitehouse

Joey:

1. Noel
2. In The Shadow of 2 Gunmen
3. 2 Cathedrals
4. Election Day, Part 2
5. Transition
6. 18th & Potomac
7. Posse Comitatus
8. What Kind Of Day Has It Been
9. The US Poet Laureate
10. Let Bartlet be Bartlet

Best Alien Costume
Peter: Jhin Wei played by Henry O
Joey: Lord John Marbury

Best Season
Peter & Joey: Season 2

Best Intro episodes for the non WW watcher
Peter: Shibboleth
Joey: Pilot

Favorite Overall Character
Peter & Joey: Josh

Favorite Overall Moment
Peter: 2 Cathedrals: President Bartlet's rant against God


Joey: Noel: Leo to Josh “As long as I have a job, you have a job”


If you have something to say then we welcome your comments below, or feel free to email us at trekwest5@thehomestarmy.com, twitter us at hashtag TrekWest5, or leave us a voicemail at 801-788-4913.

Podcast 94: Season 7 wrap up

  Season 7 of the West Wing is finally in the history books for Joey and I. In this podcast we have our final season wrap up of the series. Thankfully it didn't continue the downward spiral that season 5 and 6 had. Still it wasn't our favorite. We cover episodes 21-22 of The West Wing, Season 7.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Listener Jim talks about the difference between unalienable and inalienable
    1828 dictionary entry for alienable
    Joey's Culture Corner: The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
    Principles of an American Life: Farm Credit Act of 1933
    Music Intro: I Fight Dragons

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Here are the ratings that we gave for each show as well as Season 7 lists/recaps:
Institutional Memory: 42min 10sec
Peter: Television - 6
Joey: Television - 6

Tomorrow: 18min 56sec
Peter: Television - 5
Joey: Television - 5

Season 7 wrap up: 34min 09sec

Season 7 recaps and lists
Favorite Extra/Bit Part
Peter: Foo Fighters
Joey: Ronna as played by Karis Campbell

Most Hated Character
Peter: Will Bailey and Kate Harper's relationship
Joey: Republican Vice Presidential nominee Ray Sullivan

Favorite Villain
Peter: Shaky camera work
Joey: Arnold Vinick

Hot Chick
Peter: Donna Moss as played by Janel Moloney
Joey: Helen Santos as played by Teri Polo

Favorite Issue
Peter: Politicians speaking honestly from the heart
Joey: We are really not so far apart as a nation. We all want what is best for America.

Top 5 Hated Episodes
Peter:

1. The Debate
2. Undecideds
3. The Wedding
4. The Mommy Problem
5. Tomorrow

Joey:

1. Duck & Cover
2. Undecideds
3. Internal Displacement
4. Here Today
5. The Wedding

Top 5 Favorite Episodes
Peter:

1. Duck & Cover
2. Two Weeks Out
3. Internal Displacement
4. Running Mates
5. Here Today

Joey:

1. Transition
2. Election Day pt2
3. Election Day pt1
4. The Last Hurrah
5. Institutional Memory

Favorite Overall Moment
Peter: Sam giving Josh a wake up call

Joey: Donna taking control of the relationship


If you have something to say then we welcome your comments below, or feel free to email us at trekwest5@thehomestarmy.com, twitter us at hashtag TrekWest5, or leave us a voicemail at 801-788-4913.

Podcast 93: Johnny, It Seems We Hardly Knew You

  Boy, this podcasting thing is tough. We really need to take a break. Just kidding. We are back from our unscheduled 2 week break. My voice has returned, and Joey is back from his family excursion. But being the podcast professionals that we are, we were able to get back in to the swing of things just in time to bid John Spencer farewell. This podcast covers episodes 17-20 of The West Wing, Season 7.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Listener Jim email about several items
    Joey's Culture Corner: The Once and Future King by TH White
    Principles of an American Life: The Patriot Act
    Awesome Facebook Find of the Week Award: Peter for Patrick Stewart on Sesame Street: Soliloquy On B
    Nancy McNally is back
    The return of Sam!
    Joey appoints his cabinet staff
    What is it like to move to a new place?
    Josh Woodward's track Morning Blue

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Here are the ratings that we gave for each show:
Election Day part 2: 1hr 04min 27sec
Peter: Television - 5
Joey: Television - 8

Requiem: 14min 05sec
Peter: Television - 6
Joey: Television - 6

Transition: 20min 28sec
Peter: Television - 6
Joey: Television - 8

The Last Hurrah: 29min 03sec
Peter: Television - 7
Joey: Television - 7

If you have something to say then we welcome your comments below, or feel free to email us at trekwest5@thehomestarmy.com, twitter us at hashtag TrekWest5, or leave us a voicemail at 801-788-4913.