The Master makes his Doctor Who debut in this 3rd Doctor story. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this first appearance of the Master, as well as this gentle reboot of the 3rd Doctor with a new companion, a new enemy, and a new setting.

Kirk and the crew go loopy when they're exposed to a strange substance. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about Leonard Nimoy's great performance, the awful stereotype of Reilly, Sulu's sword work, and how much better it is than TNG's version.

After WWI, a mysterious new kind of radio station appeared that transmitted only numbers. Those stations have been with us ever since. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the mysterious stations, asking who started them, what they're for, and what is their mysterious message.

The 10th Doctor is stuck on a deadly planet called Midnight. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss which is the greater threat: the fatal environment, the mysterious invisible creature, or the fear of his fellow passengers on the broken-down vehicle.

Burnham is now part of Discovery's crew and tasked with turning a creature into a weapon, while Stamets must do the same with his spore drive. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the moral quandaries faced by the crew and Klingons. Plus Season 3 and Picard news.

Famed aviator Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific as she neared the end of her record-breaking, round-the-world flight in 1937. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Earhart's background and celebrity and then consider the theories for what caused Amelia and her navigator to vanish without a trace.

The 2nd Doctor and Companions romp on the Moon while repelling another Cybermen invasion plot that uses a gravity beam to control Earth's weather. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this fast-paced adventure, including how parts were reconstructed in animation after being lost.

The Enterprise makes contact with an Earth colony that disappeared mysteriously decades ago. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this story that is one part Lost Colony of Roanoke and one part Lord of the Flies and may be one of the weakest episodes of the series.

In the second of a two-part discussion of the Third Secret of Fatima, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the theories about the secret, whether it was really released in full in 2000; what it really means; and whether it was fulfilled already.

In 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal, giving them a three-part secret. The third remained secret and speculation ran wild, until it was made public in 2000. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about the history, the speculation, and the disputes.

The First Doctor has returned to Earth, but now he and his companions are really small. Jimmy and Dom enjoy this classic "little people in a big world" story that is also a murder-mystery and a cautionary tale of ecological disaster.

Voyager encounters another cloud space anomaly while Neelix pitches a fit and Janeway just wants a cup of coffee. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory also discuss the show's handling of native American spirituality and then pay tribute to the late Aron Eisenberg, Nog of DS9.

As a thanks to our Patrons, Jimmy and Dom every so often ask for their mysterious question and Jimmy provides his answers on a variety of topics. This special episode was exclusive for patrons for a limited time and is now available to our general audience.

Finishing their discussion of the first modern, well-known UFO abduction case, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli evaluate the evidence surrounding the Betty and Barney Hill incident and Jimmy reveals what he thinks really happened.

In the second of this two-part story, the Doctor and Donna come to a costly compromise with the Vashta Nerada. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about the sacrifices made, the ongoing ripples through the future of the series, and a writer's inability to commit to finality.

When Odo is the prime suspect in a murder, who investigates the investigator. Jimmy and Dom talk about the smaller than normal main plot which makes room for more introductions of the DS9 cast in this first season story.

Fifty-eight years ago, a New England couple was driving home when they sighted something strange in the sky, an event which eventually made Betty and Barney Hill the first widely reported UFO abduction. In the first of two episodes, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli review the evidence regarding their experience.

The first part of this two-part story introduces us to Dr. River Song and sets up yet another creepy scenario by script writer Stephen Moffat. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha explain why this two-part story is among their favorite New Who episodes.

With Hugh the re-humanized Borg rumored to be coming back in Star Trek Picard, Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory take a look at this TNG episode that introduced the character and perhaps get a glimpse at what he will be doing in the new show.

In 1846, two French children reported an apparition of the Virgin Mary, who gave them warnings for the world and secrets for the children. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the approval of the apparition by the local bishop and the controversy that has continued to this day.

The 4th Doctor takes an incredible journey into his brain to fight the Swarm. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about how the episode plays off other "shrink and travel into the body" stories as well as the introduction of a beloved canine companion.

Star Trek III is funny, poignant, and action-packed, which Dom, Jimmy, and Fr. Cory conclude makes for a great Trek movie with Leonard Nimoy as the director, the original Enterprise in her swan song, and Christopher Lloyd as a great Klingon.

Mind-control parasites have been a staple of science fiction for decades. But Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli reveal that not only do they exist in real life, they sometimes affect humans!

The Doctor and Donna encounter Agatha Christie and, of course, a murder-mystery ensues. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha enjoy the fun detective tropes, but also make some comparisons with a later episode that features a real-life artist, "Vincent," and see how differently they come out.

The first Trek transporter accident splits Kirk into good and bad versions of himself. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this Jekyll and Hyde story and its examination of whether our positive and negative traits are simple divisions of good and evil.

In the midst of WWII, the people of Mattoon, Illinois, were terrorized by a madman using gas to disable his victims. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine this 75-year-old unsolved mystery and the theories about it, and then offer up a dramatic twist to the story you may not expect.

The 7th Doctor drops a Companion and picks up a new one in his adventures on Iceworld that involve a freezing criminal, a pirate named Glitz, and a "dragon" that looks like it should be fighting Sigourney Weaver. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about the departure of Mel and arrival of Ace in the midst of this adventure.

Continuing their review of Season 1 of Star Trek Discovery, Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the introduction of the Discovery, her crew, and her enigmatic mission and Burnham's first steps to becoming part of them.

In months with five Fridays, we bring you a “Weird Questions” edition of Catholic Answers Live where Jimmy Akin gives shorter answers to all kinds of questions, including this time whether a virus has a soul; praying to John Wayne; video game morality; cloning unicorns; and the Mandela effect.

Has the Doctor met his match when he suddenly gets a fully grown daughter? Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about this Doctor-Donna-Martha adventure that brings in David Tennant's future wife/Peter Davison's daughter as a guest star to play his daughter.

When Trip has to help a new alien species with their engines, he gets an unexpected surprise. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory examine how the show deals with unexpected pregnancy and the choices the characters have to make and come away pretty happy with it.

As an order of warrior-monks, the Knights Templar defended Christians in the Holy Land. But for 700 years, all kinds of rumors and theories of shocking crimes and secrets have surrounded them. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss those theories and claims that the Knights are still among us.

The 6th Doctor shows up at the start of the Industrial Revolution in 19th century England where the Master and a new foe, the Rani, have joined forces. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss all the scene chewing between the evil villains and the encounters with great historical figures.

When a character is left debilitated and permanently disabled on Star Trek: Voyager, the other characters convince them they have plenty to live for. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how differently this would be handled today.

Jimmy has an urgent message for listeners to Mysterious World. We need your help right now. Please listen to this brief recording and then visit sqpn.com/give today. Thank you.

If intelligent life exists somewhere else in the universe and we encounter it, what would be the implications for the Christian faith? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore what religious views aliens might hold, whether we should evangelize them or if they'd need it, and whether they could even become Christians.

In the 2nd of a two-part story, The Doctor and two Companions deal with a sneaky clone, bad emissions, and a bratty dot-com genius. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the smog moralizing, the world-ending stakes, and someone else who dies in the Doctor's place.

Not a bash of Babylon 5 or defense of DS9 by Trekkies, but an homage by two fans of both series, Jimmy Akin and Fr. Cory Sticha, who look at what made these two series great, how they were similar, and what set them apart.

50 years ago, Charles Manson's "family" committed the murders that made him infamous. Why did he do it? Greed? An insane plot to end the world? Or was there another more pedestrian reason? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the evil events and the theories surrounding them (without getting into the gruesome details.)

The first of a two-part story featuring the 10th Doctor and two Companions against an old foe. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the return of Martha Jones, the reintroduction of Sontarans for New Who, and world-threatening plots.

The Enterprise is caught in a time loop and only Dr. Crusher notices the clues. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how this episode handles the time issues better than similar Trek stories, and of course, the guest appearance of Kelsey Grammer.

In 1974, the Betz family found a strange metal sphere in the woods near their home which exhibited numerous unusual behaviors. Jimmy and Dom look at the media reports, investigations, and sinister doings that followed before it disappeared from public view for nearly 50 years.

The 5th Doctor ends up in the 18th century facing down aliens who want to make Earth their new home by killing off humanity in a deadly plague. Fr. Cory and Jimmy discuss the story whose premise is like so many other like it.

In an update to an Old West tale, lovable rogue Harry Mudd is bringing wives to lonely miners through quasi-legal means. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the very Sixties view of relations between men and women and the perhaps surprising way the episode resolves.

People have been fascinated by hypnosis for centuries and it's claimed it can stop smoking, help you lose weight, and even surface memories of childhood trauma, past lives, and alien abductions. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the claims to determine what's true and what's not.

The Ood have returned as the Doctor and Donna free them from their servitude. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss this 10th Doctor story that brings back the Ood and lays the groundwork for significant events at the end of the season.

This animated Spock story told us more about his backstory *and* about Vulcan than any Original Series episode. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about how the revelations here continue to echo in Discovery and the way this story confront younger viewers with the death of a pet.

Every year in mid-July, a group of politicians, businessmen, and artists gather at a private campground in California. Critics claim they are a sinister conspiracy. Jimmy and Dom examine their origins, their practices, and their membership and discuss whether it's sinister or just a party in the woods.

The 4th Doctor, Tom Baker, ends his first season with the return of the Cybermen, a solid gold planet, and humanity caught between warring aliens. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the complex story that has multiple antagonists and interesting moral quandaries.

Archer and crew camp out on their first Earth-like planet, but something's in the air that's make the crew behave strangely. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss Archer's recklessness and T'Pol's sensible cautiousness, plus the distrust between species that bubbles to the surface.

Joseph Smith reported receiving divine revelations in the early 1800s, and eventually became the founder of the Mormon religion and his prophecies now influence the lives of millions. Jimmy and Dom consider the evidence concerning Smith's claims to be a prophet.

The Doctor and Donna show up in Pompeii on Volcano Day, meet the Doctor's future face, and get caught in a fixed point in time. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about the moral conundrum the Doctor faces, the trickiness of seeing the future, and our glimpse at a future Doctor and Companion playing different roles.

What would you do if you knew the world was ending in 24 hours and you couldn't warn anyone? Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory tackle this Star Trek Voyager episode that is an early attempt to establish Janeway's character and ethos and how she approaches moral problems.

On July 8, 1947, the Air Force announced a flying saucer crashed in Roswell, New Mexico, and then retracted the story. Was it an alien? Was it a weather balloon? Or was it something else? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the claims and evidence for what happened in Roswell.

The Third Doctor has to stop a scientist from drilling through the Earth's crust, but has to take a detour to a parallel Earth for the solution. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the evil alternates of the Doctor's friends he encounters and this premise that was based on a real world project.

In the 2nd episode of Deep Space 9, we're introduced to Cardassian spy Garak and all the espionage intrigue he brings. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss Bashir's innocence, Garak's trickiness, and Kira's divided loyalties in a story that sets the stage for so much to come. 

As a thanks to our Patrons, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli asked for their mysterious questions and Jimmy provided his answers on a variety of topics. This special episode was exclusive for patrons for a limited time and is now available to our general audience.

A group of international movers & shakers called the Bilderberg Group have been meeting every year since 1954. Many attendees won't acknowledge they went or even know of it. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the claims that accuse them of being a global conspiracy for a one-world government.

At the start of season 4, the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) teams up with the popular Companion Donna Noble. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha enjoy that Donna is a breath of fresh air as Companion and discuss Granddad Wilf as one of their favorite New Who characters.

The Naked Now is one of the least liked of all Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes and so Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha delve into all the uncomfortable campiness in a hilariously cringe-worthy discussion.

On June 24, 1947, pilot Kenneth Arnold saw something odd in the skies of Washington state. When he landed, he touched off the modern era of UFO sightings. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the theories of what he saw and eliminate them all, until only one remains.

The 2nd Doctor visits the Lost Civilization of Atlantis where a 20th-century madman plans to destroy the world. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the quality of the story itself and how the special effects of the time may have held it back, the ease with which new Companion 18th century Scotsman Jamie joins in, and whether it's cautionary tale about religion vs. science or just against superstition.

The first Star Trek after the pilot episodes gives us an early look at the Kirk, Spock, McCoy dynamic. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha lift a glass of tranya as they discuss Kirk's leadership, McCoy's insubordination, and Spock's razor-sharp mind and wit as well as Clint Howard's guest spot.

In 1912, a rare book written in an unknown alphabet containing bizarre illustrations was revealed by Wilfrid Voynich and despite decades of effort, it has never been deciphered. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the theories for what it is, including very recent claims made about the book.

It's Christmas 2007 and the Doctor is on the Titanic. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Voyage of the Damned, where a newly Companion-less Doctor ends up on the ominously named spaceliner Titanic along with singer Kylie Minogue when things go wrong, as they do.

Wrath of Khan is perhaps the most popular Star Trek movie of all time. In the second of a two-part discussion, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the vice of hubris, the coming of humility, and the themes of sacrifice and resurrection evident throughout the film.

A very religious man in Tennessee named John Hendrix made some remarkable prophecies in 1915 after experiencing tragedy and turning to God. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Hendrix, his startling prophecies that concerned his hometown, the US, and the whole world, and how they apparently came true in some cases decades later.

The First Doctor travels back to France’s Reign of Terror where he encounters the infamous Robespierre. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss once again their love of the pure historical stories, the inventiveness of the episode, and the difference between classic and modern Doctors.

Wrath of Khan is perhaps the most popular Star Trek movie of all time. In the first of a two-part discussion, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha explore what makes this film stand out above all others, including a great villain, a tight story, and of course, the ultimate self-sacrifice.

In months with five Fridays, we bring you a "Weird Questions" edition of Catholic Answers Live where Jimmy Akin gives shorter answers to all kinds of questions, including this time whether the pope can bless an ocean, self-driving cars and the trolley problem, and Medieval UFO art.

The 4th Doctor and companion end up at a Victorian-era lighthouse with an odd bunch of characters being menaced by an alien. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha enjoy the gothic horror style and Tom Baker's near-maniacal glee at unraveling the deadly mystery.

The second episode of Enterprise focused heavily on the difference between humans and Vulcans as well as the newness of deep space exploration. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Hoshi's fish-out-of-water fears, Archer's anger, and T'Pol's disdain as we get to know this crew.

King Tut is one of the most famous pharaohs of Egypt, but a mystery surrounds his death, including being wiped from history for 3,300 years. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Tutankhamun's life and death and power politics to compare with the Game of Thrones.

As the third season and Martha's stint as a companion come to a close, the Doctor grapples with the Master and takes on Messianic overtones. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor's Year of Hell that ends with him alone.

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.

https://sqpn.com/2019/04/through-the-valley-of-shadows/

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.