All the World's a Stage (Star Trek: Prodigy, S1 E13) was recommended by Hoofburd (he/him), who said: Under lesser writers, an homage episode like this could have come across as corny or cheap. Instead, it deftly introduces its younger audience to the concept of the original series, while also being a very TOS episode itself. We've seen the planet of the 20th century gangsters already; now we can cycle back around and go to the planet where everything is original Star Trek! While being deeply silly, this episode provides the Protostar's crew good character advancement, while simultaneously nodding at a bit of TOS continuity and even Lower Decks. I also think there's an interesting parallel how the crew first learns about the original series through a jumbled cultural perception, much as people tend to do in real life. All in all, it's a love letter that never feels like nostalgia bait, and I deeply respect that about it.

All the World's a Stage first aired on November 10, 2022, written by Aaron J. Waltke, and directed by Andrew L. Schmidt

The Protostar crew responds to a distress call from an M-class planet, except for Murf who is unwell. They discover an alien race called the "Enderprizians" who revere and imitate Starfleet. A mysterious disease is afflicting the villagers, and also infects Dal. They track the disease to a cave holding a Federation shuttlecraft that crashed on the planet with Ensign Garrovick of the USS Enterprise long ago. The shuttlecraft is leaking plasma and poisoning the environment. The crew and villagers work together to dispose of the shuttlecraft and seal the cave while Zero devises a cure. When the crew return to the Protostar, they find Murf encased in a cocoon.

The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)

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