Series 7, Episode 8 - "That's so on the nose somebody's picking snots out of it!"

Hit or Miss: Star Trek boldly continues our season-long mission into the tangled politics of Cardassians and Bajorans — and this week, we enter the second instalment of our “Ro Laren Trilogy.” The plan was to reunite the full crew from our Ensign Ro review, but fate (or a pesky temporal eddy) left Jordan stranded in another quadrant. That means it’s just Captain Mike at the helm with lone returning guest Rune in the First Officer’s chair, navigating our way through TNG’s Preemptive Strike. Before docking at the main review, we improvise our way through a lively Hit or Miss segment featuring a couple of big DS9 episodes and two iconic hero ships. Then it’s time to tackle our very mixed feelings on Preemptive Strike — from cliché plotting and lazy dialogue to sleepy performances and uncharacteristic behaviour. We dig into the behind-the-scenes drama, note the moments that actually worked, and give due credit to a few standout beats. We analyse Ro’s exit, the ongoing Maquis storyline, a surprisingly powerful emotional moment, and some good old-fashioned geekery over everything from space battles to matte paintings. We wrap things up with an audience response section (short but sweet), our favourite moments, final conclusions, and episode scoring. It’s an away mission full of highs, lows, and the occasional zinger that hits like a warp core breach — so tune in, and we promise not to leave you stranded in the Demilitarized Zone.

Links

• Follow Rune everywhere - @runeactor

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"Her name's "Defiant", she's fighting the patriarchy."

Series 7, Episode 7 - "Well, Dukat wanted him to stroke something. I'm not sure it was his ego."

Our ongoing journey through the turbulent legacy of the Cardassians and Bajorans continues, and this week we’re diving headfirst into the psychological maelstrom that is Deep Space Nine’s “Waltz.” Joining Captain Mike this week is our steadfast Acting First Officer and Queen of all things Cardassian, Lady Vean, alongside the triumphant return of our Sci-Fi Queen, Nita. Before we tackle the intense Sisko/Dukat drama, we warm up with our Hit or Miss segment — debating the merits (or otherwise) of a key Bajoran, a classic Cardassian, a Discovery-era starship, Voyager’s youngest crew member, and one of that series’ early outings. But the heart of the episode is our passionate review of Waltz, one of DS9’s most psychologically rich and dramatically daring instalments. We dig deep into Marc Alaimo’s towering performance, the gravitas of Avery Brooks, the precision of René Auberjonois’ direction, and a script that could give Shakespeare a run for his latinum. It's bold, brutal, brilliant — and our final score might just reach as high as Dukat’s delusions. So settle down with some perfectly seasoned soup, break bread with a sworn enemy or just enjoy this intense, opinionated and insightful podcast episode.

Apologies for the slight audio popping in the first half of this episode. The source is unclear as it wasn't present during recording. Every effort has been made to minimise it as much as humanly possible.

Links

• Follow Nita everywhere - @scifiqueens

• Follow Vean on BlueSky - @LadyVean

• Sci-Fi Queens discuss Sci-Fi Personal Impact (featuring Mike Wilson) - https://www.youtube.com/live/rG9vE1AHxsI?si=B4D19WKkgOQj9zpI

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"Tits out, that's a look. Love it."

Series 7, Episode 6 - "Yes, of course you know I'm going to have an opinion."

As our Cardassian/Bajoran series continues, we return to the Delta Quadrant for a powerful and deeply reflective discussion of Voyager’s “Nothing Human.” Captain Michael is joined once again by Lady Vean and John Adams — our Voyager away team from “Maneuvers” — for a conversation that begins lightly but quickly turns to weightier ground. After briefly touching on the first look at Starfleet Academy and our usual “Hit or Miss” segment (featuring obscure ships, characters, and a DS9 favourite), we dive into what may be one of our most serious and passionate discussions to date. This episode raises difficult questions — about medical ethics, informed consent, immoral experimentation, and disturbing historical parallels to the Holocaust and figures like Josef Mengele. These are not easy topics, and our debate reflects the complexity and discomfort they bring. While never heated, our conversation is honest, intense, and may be upsetting for some listeners. We want to be clear: the themes discussed are challenging, but we believe it is worthwhile to confront them and explore the episode’s intentions and implications with care. We also consider whether certain characters behave out of step, the strength of David Clennon’s performance, the directing, writing choices, and where it may fall short in terms of balance and execution. As always, we close with your comments, our personal highlights, and final ratings — but this time, perhaps with a little more to reflect on.

This episode contains several incidents of very strong language, and detailed discussion about topics that some may find distressing. Viewer discretion is advised.

Links:

- Follow Vean on BlueSky - @LadyVean

- Follow John Adams/Phoenix Photography on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1Eh7Gz2us8/

- Follow John on Instagram - @writer41

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"It looks like an empanada with two popsicles stuck to it."

Series 7, Episode 5 - "It is not linear."

While Mike is away with Silver Screen, here's a classic deep dive worth revisiting… This week, we’re cracking open the vault for a very relevant rerun—one that ties neatly into our current explorations of Bajorans, Cardassians, and everything in between. Originally aired some time ago, this episode sees our fearless host joined by Rick Everson of the Ten Backward podcast for a wild ride through the Trek universe. Expect tangents aplenty, including musings on much-maligned Trek films, discount Data knock-offs, cosplay chaos, animated lower deckers, and questionable holodeck packing lists. And at the heart of it all: a detailed review of Deep Space Nine's game-changing pilot, "Emissary". We reflect on its cinematic scale, its powerful opening chapter for so many now-beloved characters, and its bold use of the wormhole aliens to confront grief, loss, and fate itself. A pivotal episode that sets the stage for everything that followed. Hopefully, you’ll give this episode a warmer welcome than Sisko gave Picard—after all, watching Emissary is a journey you were always destined to take.

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913​

Host/Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"It turns out a lot of them are just really horny."

Cinema Classics Number 18 - "I don't like the way Teddy Roosevelt is looking at me."

“Now listen here, Fella...” We’re back – and just in time to dodge crop dusters and scale national monuments! With the regular and planned line-ups scattered to the winds like Cary Grant’s suit in a cornfield, host Michael is joined by returning guest and emergency co-pilot Sandy Eavenson for a stylish sprint through Hitchcock’s high-wire classic, North by Northwest. Neither of us had ever seen this titanic thriller before – so come along as we unpack our first impressions of one of the most referenced films in Hollywood history. We dive into where this film fits in Hitch’s legendary career, how Cary Grant redefined cool (again), and the surprisingly bold performance by Eva Marie Saint that defies some expectations of the era. We explore the film’s iconic sequences, visual storytelling, the strengths and stumbles of the script, and why this might be the ultimate wrong-man thriller. This one’s all espionage, elegance, and existential train rides. So grab your matchbook, hop on the next train to Chicago, and remember: even if you’re not George Kaplan… you’ll still want to listen.

Help support the podcast and show your appreciation by "tipping" or "buying us a coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/mikespodcasts

Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Created & Hosted by Michael Wilson

Written by Michael Wilson

Edited by Michael Wilson.

Produced by Mike Wilson.

Special thanks to Sandra Eavenson

“That’s funny. I’ve got the same problem.”

D.K's Cult Classics Episode 38 - "Gentlemen... we're history."

The only true wisdom consists of knowing you know nothing at all. Which is pretty apt for this crew. Yes, for this episode of Cult Classics we're taking a trip through the circuits of time. DK is joined by co-host Mike and returning guests Angela and Ian to discuss one of the most iconic 80s movies: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. It's a full phone box for this one. So grab a drink from the Circle K, settle back and be excellent to each other!

Links:

• Check out our full Interview with Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure actress Diane Franklin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPNqCCv4ikc&list=PL0UDiFUZ0wAckNRgJLYq7M76DGHIAWYVw&index=22&ab_channel=SilverScreenPodcast

Angela:

• Bluesky: rammsteinfurimmer.bsky.social

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rammst3infurimmer

• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@rammstein4immer

• Instagram: @rammstein4immer

• Tumblr: ClockworkAnge

• TikTok: @clockworkangela

Ian:

• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/jLq7CEUD8WfkUQfs7

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtKbRGVfa8r3klvHNMTq4zg

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IanS.3D

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sknne?utm_sourc...

Find the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow DK on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/4upxV

Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH61

Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share

E-mail us at mwilsonba1982@gmail.com

Cult Classic Opening Music/Closing Credits music by Timeless Journey, for more information, go to: https://soundcloud.com/timelessjourney

Created & Hosted by DK.

Written by DK

Edited by Nick.

Produced by Mike Wilson.

"And party on, dudes!"

Series 7, Episode 4 - "I mean, aren't most angry women completely justified!?"

Bajorans, Cardassians & one very complicated Ensign… Set phasers to opinionated as the latest Hit or Miss: Star Trek episode beams into your ears! Taking the conn once again is your ever-faithful host Captain Mike, joined this week by returning bridge crew members Jordan and Rune. We kick things off by running Rune through a late-but-thorough Starfleet interrogation — favourite characters, first contact with Trek, and everything in between. Then it’s warp speed into this week’s Hit or Miss segment, where we take aim at a mix of Deep Space Nine and Discovery episodes… plus a couple of starships that may or may not deserve to be scrapped for parts. Finally, we chart a course for the episode’s true destination: a deep dive into Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Ensign Ro.” From Michelle Forbes’ scene-stealing debut to the raw introduction of the “Bajora” and their uncomfortably familiar plight, we explore the power of Trek to tackle real-world complexity through the prism of sci-fi. Expect talk of grey morality, Guinan wisdom, and some less-than-stellar behaviour from the Enterprise-D crew. Big themes, bold takes, and a fan-favourite episode that still hits hard — so clip in your Bajoran earring, pull up a Ten-Forward bar stool and join us.

Links

• Follow Jordan on BlueSky or An Archive Of Our Own (AO3) - @jordanlafordan

• Follow Jordan on Mastodon - @Jordanlafordan or @jordanrhirsch

• Follow Rune on BlueSky, Instagram or Tiktok - @runeactor

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"It looks like a sperm!"

Series 7, Episode 3 - "I'm dropping names like crazy today. Somebody get a broom."

This week, we’re heading to the Delta Quadrant and things are about to get Seska’d. In the latest Hit or Miss: Star Trek, we’re diving deep into the murky waters of Cardassian deception and Kazon coiffures as we review Voyager’s “Maneuvers”. Host Michael is joined once more by resident Cardassian correspondent Lady Vean and first-time Trek guest (but Silver Screen regular) John D. Adams—a true Renaissance man with a love of warp cores and war stories. We kick things off with John’s Trek origin tale, favourite episodes, and a few casual encounters with Trek legends. Then it’s into our Hit or Miss picks: a soft-hearted Cardassian (no, really), a stone-cold TOS banger, and twin starships with very familiar faces. Our main review covers it all—from a captain undermined to Seska weaponizing every eyebrow raise. Expect space battles, Starfleet ethics, Godfather vibes, Chakotay rage, and exactly how many seductive ways there are to whisper “yes, Maje.” It’s manipulative, messy, morally grey—just how we like our Cardassian stories.

Apologies for the quality of Vean's audio volume in this episode. Every effort has been made to repair and boost the audio. It does improve slightly as the episode develops.

TW: 1:17:10 to 1:18:56 - rape, assault, violation without consent.

Links:

• Follow Vean on BlueSky - @LadyVean

• Follow John Adams/Phoenix Photography on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1Eh7Gz2us8/

Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods

Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913

Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson

Created by Michael K. Wilson

Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar

"The writing was very soap opera in spots."