305: Bird in the Wig

"Half A Life.”   "Half A Life" is a season four episode of The Next Generation which beautifully and painfully portrays the love story between Lwaxana Troi and Dr. Timicin of the planet Kaelon II, shortly before his society requires him to die at the age of 60. There's lots to talk about in this episode including the themes of commitment, aging, the right to die, and much more. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan and Amy Nelson are joined by guest Christian Alonzo to discuss "Half A Life,” an episode in season four of The Next Generationin which Lwaxana Troi falls in love with someone whose society mandates that he commit suicide. The discussion includes the episode’s unusual format, the love story between Lwaxana and Timicin, aging and the right to die, and the Prime Directive. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Welcome, Christian! (00:03:15) Christian's Star Trek Story (00:04:25) Why Lwaxana and "Half a Life?” (00:08:29)  Initial Thoughts (00:12:45)    Unusual Format (00:18:32) Lwaxana and Timicin (00:19:43) Aging and The Right To Die (00:25:28) Prime Directive (00:43:52) Did We Just Destroy a Star? (00:49:22) Final Thoughts (00:53:27)   Closing (01:05:07)   Running time: 1 hour, 13 minutes, 51 seconds Hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson   Guests Christian Alonzo   Production Joe Keegan (Editor and Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) Justin Oser (Producer)  Tony Robinson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Thomas Appel (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Chris Tribuzio (Associate Producer) Joe Keegan (Associate Producer) Jim McMahon (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Tony Robinson (Show Art)