Origin of Life and More: Biology in Star Trek Discovery Season 5 Episodes 1-2

In today's episode, we eagerly discuss the launch of Star Trek: Discovery season 5! In today’s episode, we discuss the origin of life and studies around it (e.g., the Muller Urey experiments) the concept of panspermia, bioluminescence in bacteria, and more. We also talk about the outstanding performances (including several outstanding new characters played by talented actors); themes of connectedness, purpose, and living life in the present; the fun with “Action Saru”; amazing choreography; and more. We highlight many fun small scenes, too. Covered in this video are the episodes “Red Directive” and “Under the Twin Moons”.
In this video series more generally, Star Trek science consultant Dr. Mohamed Noor (worked on Discovery seasons 3-4) teams up with Star Trek actress Jayne Brook (Admiral Katrina Cornwell in Discovery seasons 1-2) to teach science using Star Trek: Discovery. Videos use on-screen depictions as springboards to teach interesting real-world biology. And videos close with Brook's insights about acting and production, so Brook and Noor alternate taking on the role of student and teacher of their respective craft.

[@louisea966]

wonderful and fascinating discussion

[@BioTrekkie]

Thanks Louise A !🖖

[@mayborello1461]

Really enjoyed this Biology Chat with BioTrekkie and the Admiral! It was so informative and fun! Thank you Mohamed and Jayne!!

[@BioTrekkie]

Thanks for joining us @May Borello ! 🖖

[@PsychoStreak]

Great discussion and recap! 🖖🏾

[@BioTrekkie]

Thanks so much! 🖖

[@annmarie6985]

I’m already back for a rewatch!!!

[@BioTrekkie]

You're the best, Dr. Ann Marie! 🖖

[@annmarie6985]

I know you are but what am i:)

[@tsonialitz5911]

Awesome show enjoyed it immensely. Thank you!

[@BioTrekkie]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind words! 🖖

[@montanawardog]

Fantastic chat from BioTrekkie and The Admiral!! Always appreciate the insights from both our hosts from their different perspectives on the episode contents. Great to see #ChatPack in the Live Chat as always!

[@BioTrekkie]

Always appreciate you @Wardogheim !🖖

[@The7thRule]

Always great! Thanks for doing it.

[@BioTrekkie]

Yay, thanks for making time to join @The 7th Rule ! 🖖

[@sailormarj]

Can’t wait!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💕🖖🏽

[@BioTrekkie]

Thanks much @sailormarj ! 🖖

[@ocularpatdown]

Good work, Mohamed!

[@BioTrekkie]

Thanks much! 🖖

[@achasonc]

Excellent review & educational on so many levels!

[@BioTrekkie]

Thanks for joining us!🖖

[@annmarie6985]

Yes!!!!

[@mmmghool]

Great video. The anthropomorphic focus of the "all life is connected" theme is really interesting. Perhaps pigs and targs are related after all.
To the dinosaur point: There was a species of humanoid dinos on Earth before humans. "Voyager, Distant Origin". Were dinos, humans, and other bipedal animals the only life on Earth that most evolved closest to match the biology of the Progenitors?
The giant 4-eyed statue seemed like a physical prob, with the eyes being CGI. Burnham climbing onto the head and throwing her phaser into the eye hole gives it away. It was such a beautiful prop
I loved Fred too. I think Stamets will repair him and he'll be back in a later episode.
Season 5 is off to a great start!

[@BioTrekkie]

We're loving the season too! 🖖

[@lindaanderegg7920]

I adore how excited you get when Jayne asks a brilliant question. You are a perfect pairing for these discussions. Thanks for another excellent episode💜🖖

[@BioTrekkie]

You're super kind-- thanks for all you do, Linda! Glad you enjoyed this! 🖖

[@lesliedavid1244]

David Brin brings up the concept of the Progenitors in his novels, Startide Rising and The Uplift War.

[@stuartfraser4698]

So great that you two are doing these again. Super enjoyable and thought provoking as always. Looking forward to the rest of them.

[@BioTrekkie]

Thanks for the kind feedback, and glad you enjoyed it! 🖖

[@WarBearLive]

Heck YEAH!

[@faithhowell5375]

If conditions that promoted life came from space, does that not imply that those conditions could potentially happen here again, and we might have new species develop randomly?

[@BioTrekkie]

Quite possibly indeed! I've often wondered if some "other" life may arise here on Earth today that's independent-- if it did, would it look totally distinct/ alien? Would we accidentally kill it? So many questions! 🖖

[@ireneartho3721]

Great episode 😃 🖖
I don't think they use green screen with Discovery anymore (the flying eyes bits). I think they use the new VR wall or whatever it's called where they can actually see stuff and react to it.
It's called a virtual production studio which is very impressive if you look it up.

[@BioTrekkie]

Thanks for the context and kind feedback! 🖖

[@fabouchard]

Mohamed, do you feel that the story of the Progenitors is pushing a bit of an intelligent design narrative? I get that they aren't supposed to be gods and it's implied that they themselves evolved by natural processes long ago without the influence of a designer. But when it comes to life here in Earth, they had a role in how it developed. This bothers me because, having studied evolutionary biology in the past, I've been asked many times "do you really think something as complex as a human being could have come about just by random chance?" Or something like that. Even though evidence suggests that it did, with the help of natural selection. The Progenitors, I feel, provide support for those who think it could not have happened though natural processes alone and further pushes the idea that humans have some purpose or reason for existing.

[@BioTrekkie]

It's a fair question. I didn't take it that way. I think there are some basic misunderstandings reflected about how evolution unwaveringly moves toward a pinnacle of the human form, but I took that as a misconception more than an attempt to suggest that unguided processes could "not" achieve that. But I hear what you're saying nonetheless.

[@klblissdish]