Sci-fi Talk

Welcome to Explore Weekly, your cosmic compass for the latest in sci-fi, horror, comics, and fantasy. This week’s roundup is bursting with streaming hits, a spooky list, Broadway-bound musicals, and interplanetary intrigue:

In this revealing conversation, we sit down with Michael Emerson during the height of Lost’s cultural dominance to unpack the layered, elusive, and often unsettling character of Ben Linus—or was it Henry Gale? From his chilling debut as a mysterious captive to his evolution into one of television’s most complex antagonists, Emerson shares insights into the psychological depth, moral ambiguity, and quiet menace that made Ben unforgettable. We explore:

Boldly going where speculation meets celebration, Trek Tuesday has Jeremy Vilmur of Strange New Pod—to explore the final frontier of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Recorded during the lead-up to Season 2, each episode was a spirited mix of deep Trek lore, character analysis, and hopeful predictions for what lay ahead.

In this episode, I chat with the multitalented Chris Giarmo—vocalist, performer, and now solo artist behind the  new tracks of Boys Don't Fight, featuring the sci-fi-inspired Megaman. You may know Chris from his standout role in the Broadway production of American Utopia, where his voice helped bring David Byrne’s vision to life. But today, we dive into Chris’s own creative universe.

In this episode of Byte, A look at the pulse of Tron Ares with two of its stars—Evan Peters and Gillian Anderson—as they share insights into their roles and the film’s bold direction.

In this electrifying episode of Byte, we dive deep into the digital frontier of Tron Ares with star and producer Jared Leto and visionary director Joachim Rønning.

Episode Title: Behind the Masks: Conflict & Connection in The Boys Season Two Description: In this electrifying first installment of our two-part roundtable series, Rewind On The Boys dives deep into the emotional and explosive dynamics of Season Two. Host [Your Name] welcomes an all-star Zoom panel featuring: Antony Starr (Homelander) Aya Cash (Stormfront) Giancarlo Esposito (Stan Edgar) Eric Kripke (Showrunner) Karen Fukuhara (Kimiko) Tomer Capon (Frenchie) Together, they unpack the season’s most intense character conflicts, shifting alliances, and the fragile relationships that define the show’s gritty heart. From Homelander’s unraveling psyche to Kimiko and Frenchie’s evolving bond, no emotional beat is left unexplored. Highlights include: How real-world tensions shaped the season’s themes The cast’s take on power, trauma, and redemption Behind-the-scenes stories from pivotal scenes Eric Kripke on balancing satire with soul Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the chaos, thi

In this episode, we dive deep into the shadows of Gotham with Joe Sutliffe Sanders, author of Batman: The Animated Series, a scholarly yet accessible exploration of one of the most beloved animated shows of all time. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering the series, this conversation peels back the layers of what makes Batman: The Animated Series so enduring, influential, and artistically groundbreaking.

In this episode ,I chat with Jason Sperling, director of the sci-fi short film Crash Site, which has garnered over 600,000 views on YouTube and sparked conversations about first contact, and curiosity Jason shares the film’s origin story, including his early connection with The Walking Dead’s Steven Yeun, and how that relationship helped shape the creative journey behind Crash Site. With a sharp script and visual effects that enhance rather than overwhelm, Crash Site explores the moment we might meet something — or someone — beyond ourselves. But the real story is about us: our need to know, to reach out, and maybe, as Jason candidly reflects, our assumption that we’ll be answered. Is it hubris to believe we’re the center of the universe? Or is it simply human? We also dive into themes of curiosity and exploration — core elements of this podcast’s mission to explore humanity. Why do some of us feel compelled to ask questions, to push boundaries, to make contact? And what does that say about who we are?

 It's Trek Tuesday again,  with  a special guest joining us, the incredibly talented Roberto Campanella! Roberto is an award-winning choreographer who recently worked on the mesmerizing Star Trek episode "Subspace Rhapsody." We'll be diving into the behind-the-scenes details of this musical extravaganza and exploring how Roberto's choreography brought the episode to life. From the challenges of coordinating dance numbers to the seamless integration of storytelling, singing, and dancing, Roberto reveals the secrets behind creating a truly captivating performance. Start Your Free One Year Trial For Sci-Fi Talk Plus, Today.  

In this expansive episode of Rewind, host Tony brings together a constellation of voices from the groundbreaking Nat Geo series Mars. Compiled from one-on-one and roundtable interviews at NYCC, SDCC, and a special New York Mars event, this episode explores the intersection of science fiction and science fact through the lens of one of television’s most ambitious hybrid series.

Tony Tellado caught with this visionary artist and storyteller James Gurney, creator of the beloved Dinotopia series, at a convention. Gurney shares the origins of his fantastical world where humans and dinosaurs coexist in harmony, and reflects on the immersive storytelling, intricate world-building, and painterly techniques that brought it to life. From floating cities to dinosaur philosophers, Gurney’s work invites readers into a utopia built on cooperation, curiosity, and wonder. This conversation explores the creative process behind Dinotopia, the balance between realism and imagination, and the enduring appeal of illustrated storytelling.

A journey back to Gotham’s golden age of animation with exclusive roundtable interviews from New York Comic Con 2018. Join host Tony as he sat down with the creative titans and voice legends behind Batman: The Animated Series, including:

Host Tony Tellado chatted with the legendary science fiction author Ben Bova to discuss his novel Mars Life, part of his sweeping Grand Tour series. The conversation explores the ethical and scientific dilemmas of Martian exploration, the tension between religious fundamentalism and scientific inquiry, and Bova’s vision for humanity’s future among the stars. Bova shares his thoughts on terraforming, the search for extraterrestrial life, and why Mars should remain pristine while we study its secrets. His insights are sharp, provocative, and deeply rooted in decades of science-informed storytelling.

I go behind the icy curtain of The Wandering Earth, China’s landmark sci-fi blockbuster, with special visual effects supervisor Samir Ansari of Pixomondo. From making digitalsnow look real  to planetary propulsion systems, Samir walks us through the creative and technical feats that brought this frozen apocalypse to life. We explore the cross-cultural collaboration between Pixomondo and the Chinese production team, diving into the challenges and rewards of working across languages, workflows, and cinematic traditions. Samir shares how trust and visual storytelling became the universal language on set.

My dive into the sonic world of Spark Hunter, the high-concept audio drama starring Rebecca Ferguson and Mark Rylance. Set against a backdrop of surveillance, suspicion, and existential stakes, the story follows Spark Hunter—an AI so advanced she’s deemed rogue by the U.S. government. Over one final dinner with her creator, the question looms: is she a threat to humanity, or its last hope? A conversation with writer KB Miller and Teresa Tunney  Start You Free One Year Trial On Sci-Fi Talk Plus Today  

In this episode of Byte, we sit down with Jeremiah Fraites—co-founder of The Lumineers—as he reflects on his cinematic debut composing the score for The Long Walk, the chilling adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. Thanks to Lionsgate for the audio provided.

In this episode of Byte, director Francis Lawrence takes us behind the sonic curtain of The Long Walk, the haunting adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian classic. Known for his cinematic collaborations with artists like the Lumineers, Lawrence shares how his long-standing creative rapport with Jeremiah Fraites—co-founder of the band—led to Fraites’ selection as composer for the film. Special thanks to Lionsgate for the audio.

In one of the most emotionally resonant roundtable sessions I’ve ever attended, the cast of Fringe gathered at San Diego Comic-Con to reflect on their groundbreaking series and share insights into the journey ahead for their final season. This intimate conversation is a heartfelt tribute to the show's legacy and a gift to fans who’ve followed its twists, timelines, and transformations.