Episode 32: A Deep Dive Into Star Trek: Nemesis

You all knew it was coming. This week, the Shuttle Pod crew dive head first into what many call the worst Star Trek film ever made.

If you were stuck on a desert island with only DVDs of Star Trek: Nemesis and Star Trek: Generations, which one would you use as a signal mirror, and which would you cast into the ocean in a fit of anger? This and other hot topics are debated on this episode of the Shuttle Pod, in which Kayla, Brian, and Jared begrudgingly rewatched Nemesis so you don’t have to! (Editor’s note: neither Brian nor Jared could sit through a full rewatch).

This podcast, we discuss Nemesis from the inside out. What was the state of the fandom at the time, and how had the fandom changed from 1998 to 2002? What was the theme of Nemesis, and was it well portrayed? How did the TNG crew age (and why no explanation for either Wesley or Worf)? Why was Beverly Crusher the most devastatingly underused character?

The only thing they could come up with to put on Beverly’s NEM playing card is one of her only (the only?) quotes from the film, “I can’t overestimate the danger of Thalaron radioation”.

We also talk about what went on behind the scenes and why the utter lack of direction in the film may have had something to do with the fact that the film’s director, Stuart Baird, got the gig in exchange for editing Tomb Raider. True story.

Nemesis director Stuart Baird talking to Patrick Stewart on the bridge.

But, Nemesis wasn’t just hated by the majority of the Trek fandom, it was actually the worst performing Star Trek movie ever. With a budget of $60 million, it only brought in $43 million domestic and $24 million internationally. It squeaks past The Final Frontier in terms of audience ratings though. NEM boasts a Rotten Tomatoes score of 37%, the second lowest after TFF’s 23%. Ouch.

So, listeners, what do you think? Do we give Nemesis a pass because it gave the world Tom Hardy? Or do we give it the “Threshold” treatment and speak of it as little as possible?