It's the second episode of Star Trek: Voyager and it's off to a rocky start. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss the good--how the crew addresses their predicament of being a lost ship--and the bad--the terribly inaccurate and hole-filled main plot line. It's "some kind of" mediocre script.

The US government began studying UFOs starting in 1947, but we thought those investigations ended in the 70s. Until we learned a new program began in 2007. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss AATIP and the remarkable admissions about just what they're studying.

The Harold Saxon Master's first appearance is huge with the 10th Doctor and his Companions stymied at every turn. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 2nd part of the 3-part season finale.

In the second part of their discussion of this three-part story, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the multi-faceted politics, the twists and surprises, and the character development that takes DS9 to the next nevel of storytelling.

In May 1917, three children in Fatima, Portugal, reported being visited by the Virgin Mary and those visions occurred until October. They also said she gave them three secrets and would perform a great miracle. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this mystery of Fatima.

The Master returns in New Who for the first time! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this first part of a 3-part season finale, including the having great actor Derek Jacobi, playing the Master, and finding Captain Jack at the end of the universe.

The beginning of Deep Space 9's 2nd season took a gamble by unrolling a three-episode story of political intrigue and a coup d'etat. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this in two-parts, including how it was a rehearsal for the series' long story arc that became its signature.

Since Denver International Airport opened in 1994, numerous sinister conspiracy theories have popped up about mysterious goings-on. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the conspiracies and the evidence cited to see if there's more than just airplanes coming and going at DIA.

The 7th Doctor visits 1959 where he enlists British holiday campers, rock-and-rollers, and some American spies to thwart fascist aliens and save the sole survivors of another alien race. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the nostalgia feast, the famous actors who show up, and a mysterious character who might be a future version of the Doctor.

With the 2nd season of Discovery concluded, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the characters, the story arc, and their predictions for season 3. they cover the good and bad, the breakout characters, and what Secrets of Star Trek iwill be covering next.

A year ago, police announced they'd caught the notorious Golden State Killer using an entirely new method. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the decades-long hunt for the killer and why the mmethod used may make it harder for other criminals to get away with their crimes.

Many fans rank Blink as the greatest Doctor Who story. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha don't necessarily disagree and they have great fun discussing the Weeping Angels, the Doctor-less story, and writer Steven Moffat's two-fold inspiration for it.

In the 2nd season finale of Star TRrek: Discovery, an epic battle sets up a surprising 3rd season possibility and brings resolution to some characters. But there were also plotholes the size of wormholes. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha review the good and not-so-good of this episode.

Easter is a holy day for billions of people where we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. But is belief in the resurrection just a matter of faith or is there evidence for it? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the theories for what happened that first Easter.

The 6th Doctor visits a totalitarian world where the residents vote through their TVs on whether the leaders should be totured and prisoners should be executed. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the similarities to other dystopian stories and the morality of such a system.

It's the penultimate episode of Discovery's 2nd season and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the long (long!) goodbyes, the hints at future plotlines, and the problem of an all-powerful AI that is going to get more powerful.

A mysterious ranch in southeast Utah, where numerous unexplained weird phenomena have occurred that has scientist study them. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Skinwalker Ranch, the incredible stories of bizarre events and what their source could be.

In this 2nd of 2 parts, the Doctor in 1913 still thinks he's human and is dealing with alien predators hunting him. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor's temptation and his punishment of the Family of Blood.

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Of all the Dead Sea Scrolls, one stands out because it's made of copper and contains directions for finding a huge secret cache of treasure. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about the origins of the scroll, what it says, and Jimmy's own unique theory for why it exists.

In the first part of this two-part story, the Doctor's memory has been wiped to hide him from a family of hunters in an English military school in 1913. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor as an ordinary man and the inhumanity we sometimes show each other.

The Discovery crew confronts the Red Angel and what her identity means for them  even as the evil AI ramps up its efforts to evolve. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the changes to Star Trek time travel and whether the holes in the plot are really misdirections.

In 1977, a British science program provided claims of shocking government conspiracies, a secret space program, a hidden colony on Mars. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this decades-old mystery and its astonishing revelations.

We do four episodes of Mysterious World per month, but when there's a fifth Friday, with the permission of Catholic Answers, we'll bring you "Weird Questions" editions of Catholic Answers Live where Jimmy Akin gives shorter answers to all kinds of questions. This is Volume 1.

This 5th Doctor story is filled with Buddhist concepts, references to Eden, and analogies to British colonianism that Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss along with Adric's wavering loyalty and the other companions' sleepiness.

Our theory about the identity of the Red Angel is busted... or is it? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Star Trek: Discovery and all the revelations it contained, plus the new mysteries it opened.

The Russian woodpecker was a mysterious radio signal that began in 1976, originating in the Soviet Union and heard around the world. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss its purpose, its connection to Chernobyl, and why it suddenly stopped. 

The 10th Doctor story 42 is your basic run-around-like-mad adventure which is good fun, but is also current showrunner Chris Chibnall's first Doctor episode. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story's lighter elements and deeper layers.

Mines, cyborgs, and a pesky AI advance the season story arc. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this latest episode and the theme of burdens carried and sacrifices made.

Adolf Hitler may have been the most sinister figure of the 20th century. His ideology of war and racism led to millions of deaths. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine what Hitler's views on religion were, including many claims about them, and whether his views played a role in his actions.

The 4th Doctor (Tom Baker) returns to a future devoid of human life... or is it? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that includes the classic villain, the Sontarans.

The latest Star Trek Discovery episode brings us back to Talos IV of the Original Series first pilot "The Cage". Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli agree that this is the best episode so far of Discovery's second season and love the explicit connection to the Prime timeline canon.

On a March night in 1997, thousands of people saw a strange formation of lights over Arizona. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the theories, claims, and counter-claims to sort out what happened and perhaps to find a plausible explanation.

After jumping to the past and the future, the 10th Doctor and Martha Jones deal with a mad scientist in our time. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about another unlikeable mom, the hints of Harold Saxon, and which is more human: facing death or clinging to life.

In the latest Star Trek Discovery, we learn that Spock has a learning disability, that Pike carries baggage from missing the war, and that Section 31 can't be trusted (no surprise there). Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Light and Shadows.

Time travel is a staple of science fiction, but it is really possible? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the mystery of time travel, the theories, the objections, and what the Catholic faith has to say about it (and it does!).

The Second Doctor deals with an alien invasion, but finds the real enemies aren't in outerspace. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 2nd Doctor (John Pertwee) story, as well as news of Season 12 filming, David Tennant's podcast, and a cool, new Big Finish audio production.

An oppressed species will rise up against its oppressor and ... make peace? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss "The Sounds of Thunder," the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery and ask whether the crew has just ignited peace or a global war on Saru's world. Plus, does Star Trek have 3 timelines now?

Thirty-three centuries ago, Egypt was ruled by a strange, heretic pharaoh who upended Egyptian society. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the mysteries surrounding the pharoah some call the first monotheist in history, Akhenaten.

The Doctor and Martha Jones travel to Depression-era New York and run into the Daleks. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha review this two-part story featuring the Cult of Skaro, some wild New York accents, and some crazy makeup effects.

Sometimes the monsters we perceive aren't really monsters after all. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery where that message finds expression in several different ways.

Some people claim to have died and come back to life and report strange experiences of life after death. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the claims, the scientific evidence, and the implications for faith of these near-death experiences.

The 2nd Doctor travels to Scotland in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. Will he and his companions be hung as Scottish spies? Jimmy  Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this last of the Doctor Who pure historicals that survives now only in audio form.

How does a Greek myth about the afterlife relate to this episode of Star Trek Discovery? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss what an obol is, who Charon is, and the three-fold connection to this story.

After more than than 40 years, the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa stills has a hold on the popular imagination. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the mystery of the disappearance of this former Teamster boss and the purported confession of the man  who claimed responsibility.

The First Doctor encounters a race of telepathic beings in conflict with humans, but it's the internal conflicts of the Sensorites that will put the Doctor and his Companions in danger. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this classic episode from the first season.

What are the points of light? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery, including how the title, "Point of Light," relates to each of the three sub-plots in the story.

Do parallel universes exists and if they do what implications do they have for us, for God, and for the problem of evil? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli tackle this mystery and discuss some unusual theories about the multiverse.

In the future, traffic jams will take forever... literally. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the 10th Doctor story, Gridlock, in which David Tennant's Doctor and Martha Jones must find out why people spend their entire lives in an unending commute in far future New York.

The latest Star Trek Discovery brings us into an encounter with religion and that's right in our wheelhouse. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the ideas about religion presented here, the deeper layers behind those ideas, and then how and whether they make a good story for us to enjoy.

One of the most frequently requested topics has been the mystery of Dyatlov Pass. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss what happened on the cold Siberian night in 1959 when 10 highly experienced Russian hikers died under mysterious circumstances.

Take me down to the Paradise Towers with the 7th Doctor and Mel. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the penthouse highs and sub-basement lows of this classic Doctor story about cannibal grannies, homicidal Roombas, and big-hair girl gangs.

As season 2 of Star Trek Discovery premieres, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the first episode, Brother; how it sets a new lighter tone for the series; some of the clues and callbacks to earlier Trek; and where this season might be headed.

Humans have always looked up and wondered what effect the stars have on our lives. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at astrology and the claims that influences our lives and provides glimpses of the future and what Christians have believed about it historically.

In the 2nd part of their look at the recently completed season of Doctor Who, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha rank this season's episodes from worst to best, look at what the US and British ratings say about the future of the show, discuss the fan response the changes this season, and then look forward to next season. 

While we waited for Season 2 of Star Trek Discovery to arrive, we were given the appetizers of Short Treks. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss these short films, including some hidden layers and surprising secrets. Plus news of Star Trek 4's cancellation.

In 1989, Bob Lazar claimed he was employed at Area 51 to reverse-engineer UFO engines. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Lazar's claims, including a new documentary in which Lazar says the government is still trying to silence him.

Now that Season 11 is complete, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look back on this Doctor Who season and their own hopes for it and come to conclusions about how good it was. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

The Next Generation episode "Clues" is an old-fashioned mystery involving lost time and Data acting strangely (again). Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha dig into the clues and mysteries of this TNG story.

What's so mysterious about weight loss? Given the American obession with dieting even as we're more obese than ever, evidently plenty. Jimmy Akin shares his own story and the science behind the way our bodies are designed to lose weight, rather than the way we've been doing it.

It's a New Year and the Resolution of the the 13th Doctor's first season. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss the Doctor Who New Year's special titled Resolution, what they think of the return of an old foe, and how it works as the season finale.