In part 1 of this 2-parter, Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the return of the Silurians in new Who as written by current showrunner Chris Chibnall and they appreciate the depiction of a loving dad helping a dyslexic son to read with patience.

Is there a spy on board Voyager? Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the turning of Seska, the return of the Kazon and their crazy hair, and Chakotay's vulnerability and self-doubt due to being fooled by a spy in his crew, not once, but twice. And a poison apple.

In 1794, a Virginia family began experiencing supernatural manifestations that did not cease until they summoned Catholic priests to help. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask whether it really happened, what could explain the manifestations, whether it was ghosts or demons or both or neither.

We've added the 8th Doctor's Big Finish audio plays to our rotation of Doctor reviews, starting with Storm Warning. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss how different the 8th Doctor is from the TV movie, the use of Britain's dirigible disaster in the story; and the introduction of companion Charley.

The full-of-himself Julian Bashir gets his comeuppance when a criminal hijacks his brain. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the similarities to Jekyll and Hyde and to Les Miserables, plus the very different person that 1st-season Bashir was compared to later seasons.

On August 21, 1992, federal agents engaged in firefight on Ruby Ridge, Idaho, that started an 11-day siege of the Weaver family which left a mother and her son dead. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask how the situation started, who was at fault, and how did it all go so disastrously bad.

It's 2020, Amy is pregnant, Rory is a country doctor, and the Doctor is visiting. But is it real? Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the Dream Lord (is he real?) and the moment in this season when Amy has to definitively decide whether her feelings lie with Rory or the Doctor.

The first appearance of the enigmatic Traveler starts the prodigy Wesley story arc. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the insufferable Kosinski, prickly Picard, and how everyone ignores poor Wes. Plus the story behind Diane Duane's script.

In August 1945, Americans welcomed the news that Japan had surrendered and World War II would soon be over. Yet Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli reveal that a desperate last-minuted coup plot by the military in the face of humiliating surrender almost derailed peace and prolonged the war.

The 7th Doctor and Ace find the happiest totalitarian state ever. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about this Orwellian Candy Land where sadness is outlawed and the punishment is death by candy in what was supposed to be a parody of Thatcherism and Margaret Thatcher.

Please enjoy this special sponsored episode of Secrets of Doctor Who that introduces you to season 2 "David Tennant Does a Podcast With...", including an excerpt of David's conversation with Jim Parsons of the Big Bang Theory.

Semi-affectionately also called "The Search for God", STV gives Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory the chance to discuss religion in Star Trek, but also marvel at the cringeworthy plot and secondary characters and even find some parts to praise.

Throughout human history, people in all cultures have sensed the divine and developed a bewildering arrays of beliefs and ideas. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the conflict between belief in one God vs. many, the journey that God had led his people on through time, and how we should understand these concepts today.

The Doctor battles vampire-like creatures in Renaissance Venice. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story's deeper connections to the season's story arc and how Rory's character arc begins to grow.

The Enterprise encounters a megalomaniac scientist ... again. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about how this episode deals with the question of prison reform and justice; the origin of the mind meld; and what it all has to do with MacBeth and tantalizing.

We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli their mysterious questions and make them available exclusively to Patrons first and then later to the whole audience in a special bonus release.

It’s a fifth Friday of the month, so Jimmy Akin is answering more weird questions, including did Jesus die to save extraterrestrials, too; can we get Jesus' DNA from Eucharistic Miracles; Is man God's favorite creature; how many angels can dance on the head of a pin; and more.

Jimmy talks about the progress we've made toward Starquest financial stability and how close we are to reaching break even. (We apologize for the second download, but there's an important correction we had to make.)

Jimmy talks about the progress we've made toward StarQuest financial stability and how close we are to reaching break even.

The 6th Doctor and Peri bounce between the 19th century and the far future while battling the Borad. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the identity of the young man named Herbert they encounter in 1885 Scotland and this story's connection to the 3rd Doctor.

The episode's title means, "If you want peace, prepare for war." Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how that applies to this episode in which the Discovery crew tries to recruit a new species into its war with the Klingons and the consequences of such.

In 1917, two English girls claimed to have photographic proof that fairies, tiny, human-like creatures, lived in the woods near their home. Even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, agreed that it was proof. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine whether the photos prove fairies exist and look at the implications if they do.

The 5th Doctor goes from dinosaur bones to Cybermen in space and back. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story clearly inspired by the movie "Aliens" and its at-the-time unprecedented ending. But were they celebrating or sad?

How did a group of 9 citizens expose the FBI's biggest dirty secrets in a daring 1971 break-in? In the second of two parts, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore their secret plan, how the FBI tried to catch them, and what secrets the FBI was trying to keep from the public's knowledge.

For the second part of this two-parter, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how the story advances the season-long arc about the crack in time, the revelations about Amy's role, and the beginning of River Song's increasing prominence in the Doctor's story.

The Voyager crew has the tables turned when an alien species' Prime Directive stops them from getting home faster. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the morality of the Prime Directive, the limits of logic, and the danger of smooth-talking, French-accented aliens.

In 1971, a shadowy group decided they needed to begin an investigation of the FBI, which they did with a burglary. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask who were these burglars, what FBI secrets did they discover, how did the FBI retaliate, and how did it shake up the FBI so that it's never been the same.

In the first of a two-part story featuring the Weeping Angels and River Song, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the 51st century Church that apparently has an attached military; talk about how River Song's story elevates in the Moffat era; and compare the Angels to the Alien movies.

Jimmy shares an important message about the future of Mysterious World.

When Dax is put on trial for a 30-year-old murder, questions of personhood and identity are raised. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha acknowledge that even apart from the scifi premise, there can be an interesting discussion of what it means to be an individual and a person.

St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the greatest intellects in Christian history. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli continue their discussion of the saint and what he had to say about hidden or "occult" mysteries such as astrology, crystal healing, amulets, demons, ghosts, and psychic powers. 

The Doctor ends up in a Jekyll and Hyde story on the edge of the universe. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story, but the high point is when Jimmy sings the entire theme song to the 70s kids show Lidsville.

TNG's The Offspring is a significant foundation for the Picard series. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha examine the connections and delve into questions of artificial personhood, parents' rights, and what Riker's intentions really were toward Data's daughter.

St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the great intellects in Christian history who wrote on many subjects, including topics we would consider occult. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss what Aquinas had to say about astrology, crystal healing, amulets, demons, ghosts, psychic powers and more.

When the Doctor and Amy are called London under the Blitz by Churchill, they encounter an unexpected ally. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how this episode sets up the Doctor's interactions with the Daleks throughout the Moffatt period of the show.

When the Enterprise men hear the siren call of the Lorelei, Uhura and Christine Chapel have to take command to save them. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this animated story that finally gave Uhura the command opportunity she long deserved.

For centuries, acupuncture has been used to treat a variety of conditions. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore its origins, how it's supposed to work, what it can really treat, and if it's real or all just a pseudoscience.

The 3rd Doctor gets to play at James Bond. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about this Cold War spy-thriller-style story that also includes the Master, a dangerous alien entity, a prison riot, and a weapon of mass destruction.

When the Original Series dealt with the idea of transferring your consciousness to an android body, it came to different conclusions than modern Trek. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss how times and attitudes have changed since then.

In the 1970s, scientists began investigating a psychic phenomenon known as remote viewing for the US government. Last week, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli looked at the history and now they look at the evidence for remote viewing and how it would be viewed from a faith perspective.

For Amy's first real adventure, the 11th Doctor takes her to Britain in space. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the nature of a society that agrees collectively to ignore a horrific truth in order to feel better about a decision, letting the end justify the means.

When Harry Mudd uses a time loop to steal Discovery, only Stamets is able to figure out what's going on. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the return of Harry Mudd, the similarities to TNG's "Clues", and how this story provides a break from the season's grim feel.

CIA scientists began investigating psychic powers in the 1970s, including a power known as remote viewing. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the surprising successes they reported with remote viewing, the secret Stargate program established to exploit it, and whether any of it is plausible.

The 2nd Doctor has to free a human colony from mind-controlling intelligent crabs? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story now found only in an animated reconstruction, including how the animation makes it an even better story than the original.

As the Enterprise encounters a primitive world, they learn a lesson about the Prime Directive. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha the themes of respect for cultures and exploitation, environmental pollution, and the other side of alien abduction in this story.

It’s a fifth Friday of the month, so Jimmy Akin is answering more weird questions, including whether Catholics can be Jedi, saying Mass in Klingon, whether zombies can be saved, whether Elves need sacraments, and more.

Russell T. Davies resurrected Doctor Who in 2005 and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look back at his era and his impact on the show for the future. They also discuss the 10th Doctor's character and stories and the best and worst episodes from the RTD era.

What if the afterlife was just another dimension? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how this Voyager story tackles questions about life, death, assisted suicide, and euthanasia with surprising sensitivity and openness.

We're celebrating our first 100 episodes with updates on the some of the mysterious topics we've discussed, as well as hearing your feedback on the podcast and what it means to you. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli want to thank the listeners for their support in our first 2 years and look forward to many more shows.

The Daleks take London! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 1st Doctor story of a post-apocalyptic world ruled by Daleks and includes the first departure of a companion, his granddaughter Susan, from the Tardis.

Q was an entertaining thorn in the side for Picard on TNG, but what happens when he shows up on DS9? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about Sisko's different approach to Q and why this Q story, while it has its moments, may not work as well as the TNG ones.

From 1973 to 1982, a Japanese religious sister reported receiving messages from an angel and the Virgin Mary as well as a serious miraculous events. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the mystery of Our Lady of Akita, what happened, whether it was supernatural, and its connection to Fatima.

An animated 10th Doctor adventure in Area 51! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this little-known special featuring David Tennant's Doctor in 1950s America dealing with an alien invasion, a Doctor Strangelove-style military officer, native Americans, and a diner waitress who happens to be his real life wife.

To celebrate 100 episodes, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha take up a detour from Star Trek shows to a book, "Picard: Last Best Hope," which is a prequel for the events of the Picard series. They discuss how it adds to the show and creates depth for some of the new and old characters.

Every day, creatures all over the world just shut down, lose consciousness, and then start back up again hours later and science still isn't sure why it happens. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the mystery of sleep, why it's necessary, and how we can get more of this precious commodity.

The 4th Doctor encounters an impossible million-year-old human skull with psychic powers, a witch cult, and an obsessed tech tycoon. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this creepy tale that features Benedict Cumberbatch's mom as the guest star.

When The Next Generation appeared, they were supposed to have an ominous new villain: The Ferengi. But as Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss, their first appearance in The Last Outpost was anything but intimidating. Is there anything about the Ferengi to salvage in this story?

Federal agents stormed a religious commune in Waco, Texas, on April 19, 1993 after a months-long siege, leaving dozens dead. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli are back to consider the allegations of government misconduct, coverup, and conspiracy; examine the evidence; and seek the truth of what happened.

Time Lord Victorious! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about this penultimate story of the 10th Doctor's arc before he regenerates and the end of the first era of modern Doctor Who. The story shows us the danger of a Doctor unchecked and unregulated by either Time Lords or Companions.

STIV was a classic "fish out of water" story (see what we did there?) and is much loved. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the quotable lines, the philosophical questions, and the whale conservation story that may have actually saved some whales.

The Branch Davidian siege in Waco, Texas, came to a tragic end 26 years ago this month, leaving more than 70 men, women, and children dead. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore who the Branch Davidians were, what David Koresh believed, whether those deaths could have been avoided, and what's the truth about the Waco siege.

The 7th Doctor goes back to where it all began in 1963. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that sees the Doctor turn from madcap and jolly to Machiavellian in the Daleks' last appearance in Classic Who, and we get a glimpse at the so-called Cartmel master plan.

Balance of Terror is famously a WWII sub hunting story translated to outer space, but as Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss, it's also more than that, including a poignant faith subplot, a bit of Cold War maneuvering, and some great acting by guest star Mark Lenard.

We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli to answer their questions and make them available exclusively to them first and then later to the whole audience in a special bonus release.

The Doctor meets ... Lara Croft? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha explore this Easter encounter between the Doctor and a woman who seems a lot like the famous tomb raider as they get flung to a distant planet on London double-decker. 

When Sarek is injured on a diplomatic mission, his mental link to estranged adopted daughter Michael is his lifeline. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the selective memory and the unseen sacrifices that parents sometimes make for their children.

Continuing their discussion of reincarnation, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the Bridey Murphy case to see if her memories match the historical record and can't be explained in a natural way, then examine what the faith perspective has to say about past lives.

Reincarnation has been a part of many cultures for millennia and became popular in America in the 1950s due to one dramatic story. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the claims about reincarnation, the evidence proffered for it, and the 1950s Bridey Murphy craze.

The 6th Doctor and the 2nd Doctor cross paths in Spain to save the Earth from a Sontaran plot. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story's setting in Spain, seeing the 2nd Doctor and Jamie together again for the first time in decades, and more.

The Enterprise crew is excited to find a comet, but the Vulcans are looking over their shoulders. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how the crew literally break the ice of the comet and break the icy relationship with their Vulcan crewmate.

Outside Detroit in August 1994, teenage Boy Scout David Hahn was discovered to have gathered a dangerous cache of radioactive materials. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore why David was stockpiling these materials, how he got his hands on them, and how the adults in his family and in authority reacted when they found out.

A companionless 10th Doctor meets a Victorian Doctor. Could he be his next regeneration? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 2008 Christmas special that was a throwback to Dickens and featured a fakeout for fans expecting to see David Tennant's replacement.

A dangerous chemical known since ancient times has developed a bizarre health craze around it and many health gurus say everyone needs to consume this acid. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore its history, its dangers, and a government conspiracy to put it in our water supply.

The season finale raises all kinds of questions about life, death, and the afterlife, so naturally Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha dive right in. Plus they give their overall assessment of this first season of Picard and where they think the show goes from here.

People have believed in werewolves since time immemorial with tales of human beings transforming either physically or behaviorally. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore what we know of these accounts, where they come from, and whether there's any truth to legends of lycanthropy.

The 5th Doctor story Black Orchid was the last of the true historicals, travels in time that feature no aliens or the like. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha delve into this story of the Edwardian era that features cricket, a costume party, and mysteries of the Amazon.

It's the penultimate episode and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about how evil and death enter into paradise and the way that the ongoing story arc of Picard bears much resemblance to Battlestar Galactica and other scifi series.

In this special episode, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli give a brief update on how they'll be handling the topic of the coronavirus pandemic on the show and give brief faith and reason perspectives.

More than 3,000 years ago, a conspiracy was launched against the most powerful man on Earth, the Egyptian pharaoh. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore who the conspirators were, what they were trying to accomplish, and what dark arts they used in their plot.

Now that the latest season has ended, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at what worked, what didn't, how the season improved over the last, give their thoughts on each character, and then look ahead to what they expect to come in the future.

The broken pieces are coming together as Picard races to its season conclusion. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the "dinner table of madness"; the revelations of plot threads; and the ultimate question of what it means to be a person. 

Does our solar system contain a dramatic secret object, a hidden second star that has caused the destruction of countless life forms on Earth? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the Nemesis death star theory and whether it's responsible for a regular cycle of mass extinction on Earth.

It's a TNG reunion! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Picard, which includes the return of Riker and Troi, now retired and living on an idyllic world. The episode explores identity, especially as a child becomes an adult, as the bonds of trust and seeking healing in tragedy.

Genesis 6 mentions a group called the Nephilim and their identity has puzzled scholars for thousands of years. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the theories that they are angels or aliens or even something else, then ask what Genesis 6 is trying to say.

For the season finale, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the big reveals, twists, and revelations from the Doctor's confrontation with the Master and the new cybermen, plus the roots of the new mythos in classic Who and the implications for the future.

Is the Impossible Box of the title, the Romulan puzzle box? Is it Soji? Is it the Borg cube Artifact? Maybe all three? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode including the great acting by Patrick Stewart to show Picard's tortured psyche when encountering the Borg again. 

In 1977, two Air Force medics had a frightening encounter while camping in an Arkansas state park named Devil's Den. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli consider their dramatic account and physical symptoms and discuss whether this was an authentic UFO encounter and what the government might know.

The 13th Doctor's 2nd season nears its end with the first half to the two-part finale. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha dig into their theories about what's really going on, who is the mysterious Brendan, who the Timeless Children are, and how it will fit into the Doctor Who canon.

It's a heist job! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the latest episode of Picard, the revelations about 7 of 9's post-Voyager history, the unmasking of betrayal, and the morality of lies and revenge. Plus the Easter eggs connecting back to other Trek series and a prequel novel.

Five men from Yuba City, California, disappeared in 1978 after a trip to a nearby town. Four of them died, perhaps months later, and 1 was never found. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the bizarre circumstances, how any of them survived for so long before dying, and what actually happened to them.

The Doctor visits Mary Shelley on the night she had the inspiration for Frankenstein. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the modern Prometheus, the connection to a Who villain, the big setup for the season finale, and of course English country dancing.

In Absolute Candor, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about Picard's revisiting his past failings and having to reckon with them, reconnecting with a boy that he'd become a father figure for and abandoned, and seeking help from an order of Romulan warrior-nuns who only speak the truth without any filter.

God has made Himself known throughout history, but after the Bible something changed in the way He does that. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the different kinds of revelations, how we can tell which are credible and which aren't, and what it means when the Church approves an apparition.

The Doctor and friends face their nightmares and some old foes from the Classic series. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Eternals and Guardians as well as the new character developments in the Doctor's Companions. 

Picard returns to space, fights Romulan ninjas, and deals with the aftermath of his own decisions that led to the collapse of a friends' life. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha also discuss whether the creation of a religion ex nihilo for ex-Borg is really a good idea.

Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein revolutionized physics and our understanding of the universe with the fundamental laws of gravity. But in 1933 scientists noticed the galaxies were not behaving the way they should. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the theories to explain why, including the mysterious dark matter and dark energy.

Was Praxeus a terrible mess or a perfectly good episode of Doctor Who? This time Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha have a diversity of opinion on this episode. One thing they agree on is they were expecting more about that other Doctor.

Should we treat robots humanely? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss a central question of the Picard series that asks how much an android is akin to humans, how we should treat them, and what our behavior toward them says about us. Plus the interesting new exploration of Romulans and Borg.

It's a fifth Friday of the month, so Jimmy Akin is answering more weird questions, including teleporting the Eucharist, parallel universes, ghost haunting, resurrecting space colonists, angels appearing as dogs and cats, and more.