Section 31 was originally meant to be a new Star Trek TV series on Paramount Plus. The Covid-19 pandemic put those plans on hold. By the time that the pandemic was over, Michelle Yeoh’s career had been catapulted into the stratosphere by Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Wanting to continue working with Yeoh Paramount re-tooled the series as a stand-alone movie and had the script rewritten 11 times. In this episode we take a look at the Section 31 movie. We discuss its placement within the Star Trek canon. We talk about whether it’s a good vehicle for the Georgiou character. We also debate how this would have held up a series. We also examine the plot and characters and get into how each element worked within the film.
Since we have four guests this week, we do not have a five-minute controversy.
This week Stephanie is cohost and Keith, Assad, and Nate join the cast.
Like what you heard? Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/42cast. You can also find us on X as @42cast, Instagram/Threads as 42cast, or Blue Sky as 42cast.bsky.social. We can also be found on Youtube or rss.com where you can find links to all of the various podcast providers where we can be found. Please, leave us a review. Have a question for the Ultimate Answer? E-mail us at [email protected]. Want to be part of the discussion, join our Discord Server where you can talk about any form of geekiness, opine on the episodes, or participate in our general silliness.
Star Trek: Discovery season 3 brought the titular ship to the far future opening up a wide storytelling vista for the series. In this episode we discuss the changes to the setting. We examine the new characters, new situation, and the new tech and effects. We also debate the merits of the plotlines with the Emerald Chain and the cause of The Burn. Along the way we also talk about the awesomeness of Grudge and whether or not the queen herself has any secrets to share. We’ll also bring up the old continuity bugbear and discuss how this season relates to what we know about certain races, beings, and times from elsewhere in the Star Trek franchise. 
Despite the criticism of the hardcore fanbase, Star Trek: Discovery’s first season was a success. Building on that and attempting to woo more classic fans, Discovery added Pike, Spock, and Number One from the original Star Trek pilot to Discovery season 2. In this episode was talk about the dynamics of Discovery with new captain, Pike in the seat. We also discuss how faithful the portrayals of Pike, Number One, and Spock are to those from the sixty. In addition we discuss the many changes both cosmetic and in the details to the Klingons, Enterprise, Spock’s life story. We also mention the exclusion of the supporting cast, the use of Section 31, and Skynet in the 23rd century, and whether or not the season has a satisfying conclusion. We also discuss our aspirations for season 3. 
Star Trek: Discovery relaunched the Star Trek franchise on TV after a hiatus of over a decade. Set before the original Star Trek series, Discovery’s slick look and darker tones evoked polarization in fandom as some gravitated towards the update and others rejected what they saw as an affront to Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future. In this episode we talk about those issues as well as the decision to market this on streaming service, CBS All Access instead of on network or cable television. We’ll also discuss the casting, storylines, and themes. We’ll also ask that ephemeral question, “Is this Star Trek”?, before we finally finish up with speculation on the future.