Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

Trek Tuesday – Interview with Catherine Shirriff

Star Trek III’s Valkris, actor of stage and screen, and star of the new film The Filmmaker

This week on Trek Tuesday, we’re joined by the magnetic Catherine Shirriff, best known to Star Trek fans as Valkris, the Klingon operative who risked everything to obtain the Genesis data in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Catherine brings warmth, humor, and a treasure trove of behind‑the‑scenes stories from across her remarkable career.

In This Episode

⭐ Her New Film: The Filmmaker

Catherine dives into her latest project, The Filmmaker, a bold and intimate story told entirely from the main character’s point of view. She shares what drew her to the film’s unusual narrative style, how the production challenged her creatively, and why this project feels unlike anything she’s done before.

⭐ Becoming Valkris

Catherine reflects on her time in the Star Trek universe, including:

• The makeup and prosthetic process that transformed her into the mysterious Klingon spy

• What it was like working under the direction of Leonard Nimoy, both as a filmmaker and as a Star Trek icon

• A few delightful words spoken in Klingon, proving she still remembers the language of the Empire

SAVE 17% ON PLUS

Eric Dane – Reflections and Legacy

Roundtable Excerpt with Eric Dane  

In this excerpt from a roundtable I covered, we hear from actor Eric Dane, whose career spanned television and film with memorable roles in Charmed, Grey’s Anatomy, X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day, Burlesque, and Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Born in San Francisco, Dane’s early life as a high school water polo athlete took a dramatic turn after performing in All My Sons, sparking his passion for acting.

He moved to Los Angeles in 1993, where small roles sustained him until his first film appearance in The Basket. In 2012, he took command of the USS Nathan James as Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship, a role that brought us together for this roundtable conversation. Dane was candid, thoughtful, and engaging—a presence that left a lasting impression.

Beyond the screen, Dane’s life was marked by personal challenges. He married actor Rebecca Gayheart and together they raised two daughters. He faced depression and a dependency on prescription drugs, and was later diagnosed with ALS, the same disease that afflicted baseball legend Lou Gehrig. As the illness progressed, Dane lost the use of his right arm and by October 2025, was in a wheelchair. He passed away on February 19, 2025, at the age of 53.

This excerpt captures a moment of connection with a man whose talent and humanity touched many. I encourage listeners to support the ALS Foundation in his memory. Though I met him only once, Eric Dane’s warmth and candor made a lasting impact. I send heartfelt wishes to his family and loved ones.

Listen in and remember the legacy of Eric Dane.

Bravado, Brotherhood, and Breaking Points: George Hawkins on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

In this episode of Byte, Anthony Zooms with George Hawkins, one of the breakout stars of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Known for his charismatic portrayal of a bold, swagger‑heavy cadet, Hawkins opens up about the layers beneath the bravado, the emotional core of his character’s friendship with Jay-Den, and the pivotal storyline involving his leadership failure against the War College.

🧭 Key Topics Covered 

The Cadet Brotherhood: George & Jay-Den

🎭 Bravado or Burden?

⚔️ The War College Debacle

SAVE 17% ON SCI-FI TALK PLUS

 

Mewish Hayat on Aisha, Legacy, and the Heart of Ms. Marvel

In this episode, we journey into the emotional and cultural core of the Ms. Marvel universe with acclaimed Pakistani actor Mehwish Hayat, who brings to life the pivotal character Aisha, Kamala Khan’s great‑grandmother and the keeper of a legacy that shapes a superhero.

Aisha is more than a figure from the past—she is the spark that ignites Kamala’s understanding of identity, ancestry, and power. Through Hayat’s performance, the series bridges generations, continents, and histories, grounding a Marvel story in the lived experiences of migration, Partition, and family mythology.

Why Aisha Matters

Aisha’s story is a reminder that the extraordinary often begins with the ordinary—mothers, daughters, and the threads of memory that bind them. Her presence in Ms. Marvel reframes heroism as something inherited, lived, and passed down, not just discovered.

About Mehwish Hayat

A celebrated star of Pakistani cinema and television, Hayat brings depth, nuance, and emotional clarity to every role. Her portrayal of Aisha adds a rare tenderness to the Marvel canon—one rooted in history, identity, and the quiet bravery of women whose stories often go untold.

SAVE 17% ON PLUS

 

A Legend : Adam West

For this episode, we open the time capsule to a spirited and unforgettable roundtable recorded at New York Comic Con, where the one and only Adam West sat down to reflect on stepping back into the cape for The Return of the Caped Crusaders.

Decades after defining Batman for an entire generation, West embraced the chance to revisit the character who made him a global icon. The animated film reunited him with Burt Ward and Julie Newmar, rekindling the bright, mischievous, and delightfully earnest energy of the 1966 series — a tone that still stands apart in the superhero landscape.

Beloved for his iconic portrayal of Batman, Adam West brought a singular blend of comedic timing, earnestness, and charisma to the role. The Return of the Caped Crusaders stands as a celebration of his legacy and a final salute to the version of Batman that taught the world how fun a hero could be.

SAVE 17% On PLUS

 

Rewind – Kevin Smith on Comic Book Men

On Rewind, a sit down with filmmaker, writer, podcaster, and pop‑culture ambassador Kevin Smith to revisit the creation and legacy of his AMC reality series Comic Book Men. Running from 2012 to 2018, the show became a celebration of fandom, friendship, and the magic of the local comic shop — all rooted in Kevin’s real‑life store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Recorded at New York Comic-Con, this conversation captures Kevin at his most candid and enthusiastic as he reflects on how a simple idea — turning the everyday life of his comic shop into a TV series — became a six‑season phenomenon.

The Origin Story

Before it became Comic Book Men, the series was originally titled Secret Stash, named after Kevin’s beloved shop. It was a natural fit: Kevin owned the store, the staff were characters in their own right, and the world of comics was exploding into mainstream culture.

The timing was perfect. AMC wanted a companion series to follow The Walking Dead, and Kevin’s blend of geek culture, humor, and heart made the Stash the ideal setting.

The Series at a Glance

• Premiered: 2012

• Original Title: Secret Stash

• Final Title: Comic Book Men

• Format Evolution:

  • Season 1: Six one‑hour episodes

  • Season 2: Expanded to sixteen half‑hour episodes

• Total Run: Six seasons

• Season 7: Confirmed in 2018 but ultimately cancelled before production

Across its run, the show blended Pawn Stars‑style collectibles, comic book history, fan culture, and the unmistakable chemistry of Kevin’s longtime friends and Stash staff — Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic, and Ming Chen.

 

SAVE 17%  ON PLUS

Exploring the Craft Behind The Handmaid’s Tale

In this episode, a sit down with acclaimed costume designer Natalie Bronfman, whose work spans some of the most visually striking and emotionally charged productions of the last decade. From the dystopian iconography of The Handmaid’s Tale, to the tactile, world‑building detail of See Season Two, to the stylized tension of the recent Psycho Killer, Bronfman’s designs reveal a deep understanding of character, culture, and the power of clothing to shape story.

Our conversation was recorded a few years ago at San Diego Comic-Con, where Natalie reflected on the winding, hands-on journey that led her to become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary costume design.

About Natalie Bronfman

Natalie’s path into costume design wasn’t linear — and that’s part of what makes her work so layered. She learned the craft from the ground up, absorbing everything from textile knowledge to tailoring, from historical research to the psychology of color and silhouette. That breadth of experience informs her ability to design costumes that feel lived-in, symbolic, and emotionally resonant.

Her credits include:

• The Handmaid’s Tale — redefining modern dystopian costuming with garments that became global cultural symbols

• See (Season Two) — crafting a tactile, post-apocalyptic world built around blindness, texture, and survival

• Psycho Killer — bringing a sharp, stylized edge to a contemporary thriller

SAVE 17% ON SCI-FI TALK PLUS

 

Lou Diamond Phillips on Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira

Tony Tellado chatted with actor, director, and now novelist Lou Diamond Phillips to explore the sweeping sci‑fi epic at the heart of his book Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira. 

At the center of this universe is Everson, a young man who never wanted to be a soldier but was forced into service by his parents. His very first battle goes catastrophically wrong, leaving him stranded on an enemy world where every step could be his last. What follows is a journey of survival, identity, and destiny.

SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

BYTE — Beyond Fest Red Carpet For Pyscho Killer

Inside the Chaos, Craft, and Creative Fire of Genre Filmmaking

Audio courtesy of 20th Century Fox

For this special Byte episode, from the red carpet at Beyond Fest, one of the world’s most beloved celebrations of genre cinema. From breakout performers to the creative minds shaping the look, feel, and sound of the films, this episode captures the pulse of a festival where horror, sci‑fi, and bold storytelling reign.

🎙️ Featured Red Carpet Conversations

Georgina Campbell

Grace Dove

James Preston Rogers

Stephen Adekolu

🎨 Behind the Scenes: Crafting the World

Natalie Bronfman — Costume Designer

Roger Fires — Production Designer

Sven Faulconer — Composer

SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

BYTE — Outlander: The Final Season

Audio courtesy of Starz

In this special episode of Byte, Tony brings together the cast of Outlander for a heartfelt, spirited, and often hilarious conversation as they answer fan questions and reflect on the journey to their final season. This isn’t just a press stop — it’s a gathering of a family looking back on a decade of storytelling, connection, and time‑bending adventure.

🎙️ Featured Comments From

• Sam Heughan — Jamie Fraser

• Caitríona Balfe — Claire Fraser

• Sophie Skelton — Brianna Fraser

• Richard Rankin — Roger MacKenzie

• John Bell — Young Ian

• David Berry — Lord John Grey

• Charles VanderVaart — William Ransom

• Izzy Meikle‑Small — Rachel Hunter

SAVE 17% ON PLUS