What’s one of the best ways to learn interesting and surprising information about your favorite Star Trek episodes and movies? Through audio commentary tracks. Audio commentary tracks gather cast, crew and other relevant individuals to watch along with you. Along the way, they share their insights, giving you a unique perspective on the production of your favorite Star Trek tales.
For this week’s Trek Tuesday, we’re sharing eight of the best Star Trek commentary tracks. Which one is your favorite?
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: Director’s Cut
Not just anyone can execute a commentary single-handedly. But then, not everyone is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan writer and director Nicholas Meyer.
On the Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: Director’s Cut disc, Meyer shares myriad insights into the creation of what is widely considered to be the best Star Trek movie yet. This fascinating audio commentary will keep you engaged throughout, as well as give you a new appreciation for the movie (even if it’s already one of your favorites).
RELATED: 8 Fun Facts from Nicholas Meyer’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Commentary
But that’s not the only commentary on this physical release. Meyer’s solo commentary appears on the director’s cut. But there’s also a commentary with Meyer and Star Trek: Enterprise executive producer and showrunner Manny Coto.
Also appearing on the director’s cut is a text commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda. If you’re ever stranded on a desolate planet for 17 years, this would be a great “desert planet disc” to have.
Star Trek: Insurrection
Another great Franchise movie audio commentary track appears on the disc for Star Trek: Insurrection. This commentary brings together director Jonathan Frakes (William T. Riker) and Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi) for an out-of-this-world collaboration.
For longtime fans of Imzadis Riker and Troi, this commentary is a treat for obvious reasons. But it should come as no surprise that Frakes offers plenty of fascinating insights into the process of directing a movie that he’s also co-starring in. Furthermore, it’s worth the price of admission just to hear Sirtis dish on how much she prefers the set run by Frakes for Insurrection to the set for the movie’s follow-up, Star Trek: Nemesis.
Star Trek: Short Treks
The physical media release for the nine Star Trek: Short Treks episodes boasts not one but two commentaries. The first is on the first Short Treks episode, “Runaway.” This episode is significant because it introduces a character who later plays a key role in Star Trek: Discovery Season 2. The audio commentary track features Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet. And it not only offers insight into “Runaway,” it also contextualizes the Short Treks project as a whole. Qapla’!
RELATED: Star Trek: Discovery Finale: The Short Treks “Calypso” Connection Explained
The other commentary is on “Ask Not” and features Anson Mount. At this point, Mount might be considered a Franchise audio commentary expert. Not only does he appear on Short Treks‘ “Ask Not,” you can also hear him on the audio commentary tracks for Discovery Season 2’s “New Eden” (with Frakes) and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ “Strange New Worlds” (see below).
“Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2”
The next featured commentary track is from Discovery Season 2’s finale, “Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2.” As you may remember, this is a key episode for the series. It represents the point at which Discovery‘s narrative crosses over from being a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series and Strange New Worlds and into the far Franchise future of the 32nd Century.
This commentary features episode director Olatunde Osunsanmi, showrunner Michelle Paradise, Lumet and Kurtzman. Some of the most mind-blowing revelations offered in this commentary are related to special effects.
You won’t believe the lengths to which the Discovery cast and crew go to add verisimilitude to Discovery‘s cinematic vibe. But after listening to this commentary, you may have to watch certain scenes over and over again just to let the incredible nature of the special effects sink in.
“Life, Itself”
Another incredible audio commentary track for Discovery comes from the series finale, “Life, Itself.” Included in the physical release of Discovery Season 5, it features executive producer Sonequa Martin-Green (Michael Burnham), David Ajala (Cleveland “Book” Booker), executive producer and showrunner Paradise and executive producer and director Osunsanmi.
RELATED: 8 Star Trek: Discovery Episodes That Prove Disco Will Never Die
When I spoke with Elias Toufexis about Discovery Season 5, he told me that if he should ever appear at the top of a series call sheet, he would seek to foster an environment like the one created by Martin-Green. After listening to this commentary, you will understand why.
Reflecting on the series-long journey of Discovery, Martin-Green is filled with gratitude and goes out of her way to give due credit to everyone involved in the production of the show. Plus, you get to learn about the incredible lengths she went to depict Burnham as the timeless hero she is. The more leaders like Martin-Green we have in our world, the better.
“wej Duj”
The secret origin of T’Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz) is revealed in the audio commentary track for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2’s “wej Duj.” The commentary for this episode features series creator and showrunner Mike McMahan, writer Kathryn Lyn and Ruiz.
As anyone who has seen the episode can imagine, it is fascinating to learn how this episode came together from a writer’s perspective. But T’Lyn fans like yours truly will be especially excited to learn more about our favorite Cali class Vulcan’s origins. Furthermore, it’s fascinating to hear how Ruiz secured the role.
“The Stars at Night”
There are lots of great audio commentaries on the physical releases of Lower Decks Season 2 through Season 4 (and hopefully, on the eventual Season 5 release, as well). But one other one that deserves a special shout-out is the commentary for the Season 3 finale, “The Stars at Night.”
RELATED: What We Learned from the Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 3 Commentaries
This commentary features cast members Jack Quaid (Bradward Boimler), Dawnn Lewis (Carol Freeman) and Fred Tatasciore (Lt. Shax). While Quaid is a Lower Decks commentary veteran, having appeared on several of the show’s audio commentary tracks, Lewis and Tatasciore have so far appeared only on this one.
Quaid is excellent whenever he appears. But given that both Lewis and Tatasciore are incredibly accomplished voice actors who have appeared in many high-profile animated projects, you can imagine how interesting their insights can be.
“Strange New Worlds”
For our final featured Franchise audio commentary track, we turn to the ongoing Strange New Worlds. The very first episode of this series, “Strange New Worlds,” features a commentary with Mount and co-showrunner Akiva Goldsman. This will give you insight into why Mount was cast as Pike. Furthermore, you’ll learn how Strange New Worlds became a show as a result of Discovery Season 2.
And as a bonus, here’s a related but non-Star Trek commentary track. On the 2008 physical release of The Day the Earth Stood Still, director Robert Wise is joined by Meyer. As you may recall, Wise is also the director of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. So, it’s especially interesting to hear the two Franchise alumni discuss Wise’s seminal movie, which directly inspired “Strange New Worlds.”
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