How has A. I. been portrayed through history in science fiction, and what's it going to look like as it keeps getting better? Stone Lynch and J. C. Campbell join to discuss.

Anthony Burgess wrote his dystopian novel “A Clockwork Orange” in 1962, but two different versions appeared on either side of the Atlantic. The American version stops at chapter twenty, whereas the British version has an extra twenty-first chapter, which totally changes the book. Brian Brushwood joins to discuss. 

The universe is really, really big. Like huge. Really really really huge. Prompting science fiction to come up with workarounds so everyone isn't stuck on the same boring 'ol planet. Dickie Lynch rejoins to discuss.

Drew Magary’s book “The Postmortal” explores a scenario in which a vaccine is made for aging. Whatever age you take it at, you are paused there indefinitely. How does that effect marriage, retirement, and society as a whole? Josh Jennings and Ashland Viscosi return to discuss.

Madeline Miller's "Circe" novelizes the mysterious character from the Odyssey who turns men into swine, but also helps Odysseus get home. The book shows the feckless, narcissistic nature of the Greek pantheon, what is the true nature of self, and the divine patriarchy. Alexandra August and Isabella Reinhardt join to discuss.

Sandra Newman, author of the official sequel to '1984' focusing on Winston's paramour, Julia, discusses the unique feminist perspective in her book. The hosts debate the continuation's worth for Orwell fans, exploring characters' approaches to the dystopian world and societal horrors. They compare Julia and O'Brien's portrayals, analyze characters' complexities, and delve into feminist perspectives in literature and science fiction.

In this season finale, the podcast explores the psychological aspects of sci-fi robots, living in the moment, and perceiving situations positively. The speaker also requests audience feedback and discusses their aspirations for a date with Trisha Helfer and the Tuvix debate in Star Trek Voyager.

Star Trek Deep Space Nine's Elim Garak is a simple, unassuming character. But also a spymaster. Why is he so beguiling, and what's his character arc? Andrew Young joins to discuss.

Discussion on the prophetic nature of George Orwell's 1984, trivia about the book, turning it into a musical, themes of surveillance and control, desensitization to death in totalitarianism, language manipulation and historical erasure, analysis of the character O'Brien, cautionary tale, and the mission of the podcast.

Star Trek: Picard recently wrapped up its third and final season--and the first season Heaton or his guests have enjoyed of it. Scottish sci-fi twins Dickie and Stone rejoin to discuss Star Trek: Picard, and what made its ultimate season likeable.