Join me as I welcome Writer B.L. Alley in discussion of the animated series; The Clone Wars and Rebels, and how the EU should have played a bigger part in the Disney Sequel Trilogy, as well as how Alley would have written those films to make sense. B.L. Alley and I discuss his books; Arbor Day, Titan Mine, Plan B, The Diamond and Relative Age (which are available on Amazon for next to nothing for the rest of the year)! We look at narrow vs. wide AI, AI in movies and science fiction including 2001: A Space Odyssey, and SF movies and TV that scared us as young kids: Kolchack: The Night Stalker, The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, Star Trek. Our love of some of the great SF writers, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Robert Forward and we look into SF that was formative and got very close to predicting the future, like Forbidden Planet, Destination Moon, Doctor Who and Star Trek TOS. Of course, there are cheesy ones like Lost in Space, what shows like Enterprise got RIGHT, How Star Trek was hijacked for the BBC's “Diversity Initiative” that ruined those shows. Favorite Trek actor Jeffery Combs, ST:TMP, Marc Scott Zicree, The Twilight Zone Companion, George Takei, Starfleet Academy and what was perceived as fan service in the Mandalorian. I wondered about why, in the Mandalorian, there is still an Empire five years after ROTJ—and B.L. Alley gives me a direct, good answer! We discuss all the missed opportunities in the sequel trilogy—for instance, how Finn could have gone from being a disillusioned stormtrooper, to a redemption and even a character arc that lets him become a hero. This is a fascinating episode that looks behind the curtain at the gears and springs of how everything in storytelling media like movies and TV/Streaming STARTS with good ideas and good writing. Don't miss this, the first episode of Cardinal Sin and...! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eXEZSydLI8

Mexican Ironman and I celebrate our birthdays together in a BASH that includes pop-ins from friends & celebrities, we have a Star Trek Trivia Face-off, and everything but presents and cake! But well-wishes abound, and it was a great way to mark the passing of another transit around the sun, remotely. Thanks to everyone that helped us celebrate! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHM2bUdhAlw

Turns out, I left a lot out. I gotta come clean. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1FY7S_44nQ

Something came in the mail today! Let's see what it is! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSGCGuIQUJo