If you knew Larry, you knew he was a giant fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He loved Star Trek in general, including the movies and The Original Series, but TNG was his jam. You’ll see on our Netflix that he’d pretty much watched every episode multiple times, and those that don’t have a complete red progress bar are those that he deemed “meh”. TNG was his drug, and man did he love watching it – and I think he loved the cast/characters that were on the show. Picard, of course, but also Riker, Data, Dr Crusher, Deanna Troy, Worf, Jordie….the whole crew. I could get into some episodes, but for me, I always would have the “Larry Commentary” to help me understand what was going on or what those passing references actually meant.
So fortunately for Larry, a few years back, one of the guys behind the James Bonding podcast, Matt Mira, joined up with his co-writer friend, Andy Secunda, to go through every episode of TNG, in order. And then talk about it. Andy was a newbie to the franchise, so he’d come in with the new view point, while Matt was like Larry, someone who’d seen these episodes plenty. It’s a very funny podcast series, but warning, these episodes can go on for a loooong time, and sometimes the episode itself isn’t talked about for like an hour. It is perfect for if you’re working and just listening to something, as it feels like you’re just hanging out with two good friends.
You can subscribe to their podcast, Star Trek: The Next Conversation, via any of the podcast services. They’re currently up to midway through Season 5.
I am bringing this up today because earlier this week, I sent an email to their podcast letting them know that one of their biggest fans had passed, and how he listened to their podcast through chemotherapy and recovery over the last 18 months. Happily, they responded yesterday – and right on cue, I started sobbing as it was just such a happy thing to receive but also just another reminder of what I’ve lost. They posted about Larry on Twitter here:
RIP Larry Levene, loyal TNC listener, who informed us that the strange appearance of children in the #TNG conference room was the result of a contest. Below he visits the set of PICARD before his passing. Our deepest condolences to his husband Hobie and his family. pic.twitter.com/QMaoBAfzPE
— Star Trek: The Next Conversation (@StarTrekTNC) January 30, 2020
And they indicated that they’d read my email on the next official TNC podcast episode, which we’ll see if that actually happens as I don’t know how much they want to bum their listeners out, but still, I think Larry would be very thrilled to know two of his favorites have him in mind and are thinking of him. I know it makes me happy.