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Welcome to Gene-ology, a podcast by Roddenberry Entertainment that dives deep into the early TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry. In many ways presaging the likes of Matlock, Gene Roddenberry's unsold pilot script "Defiance County" not only pits a small-town prosecutor against his entire home town, but it also set up a showdown between Gene and one of his writing mentors. Hosted by Earl Green & Ashley Thomas About Gene-ology Gene-ology explores Gene Roddenberry's early television scripts, including his lesser-known works before Star Trek using the Mission Log format popularized by Roddenberry Podcasts. We analyze the themes, writing style, and cultural impact of his scripts, and we even unearth stories from the Roddenberry archives that were never produced. Join us as we trace the roots of Gene's creative genius. In This Episode A breakdown of key moments and themes in Defiance County. Exploring Gene Roddenberry's evolving style and storytelling. How this episode ties into the broader TV landscape of the time and reflects the early seeds of Roddenberry's visionary work. Guest stars and unique production elements that bring this episode to life. Special Segment: Dramatic Recreation Since this script is not available to the public, we've brought it to life with a dramatic recreation! Special guests Alexander Mitchell, Duncan K. Fraser and Holly Amos perform a key section of the script. Listen in as they bring the story to life in this exclusive performance. Join the Conversation What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments in the comments or reach out to us on social media or email us at missionlog@roddenberry.com Did you know Roddenberry Podcasts is on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, Mission Log: The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now! https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts BLUESKY https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.social THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryPodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryOfficial RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/TheRoddenberryFoundation Support the Show For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our Mission Log Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and a weekly video chat with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog Subscribe and Stay Tuned Be sure to subscribe to Gene-ology for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry's early works. New episodes are released regularly as we uncover more of Gene's television legacy. – Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.com for more great content. Edited by Earl Green.
Streaming service CBS All Access debuts the third episode of Star Trek: Picard, starring Patrick Stewart, Michelle Hurd, Santiago Cabrera, and Alison Pill. Jonathan del Arco (Star Trek: The Next Generation) and Tamlyn Tomita (Babylon 5) guest star.
The CW airs the 81st episode of The Flash, a modern-day reboot of DC Comics’ superhero starring Grant Gustin. Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis), and Dominic Burgess (Doctor Who, Star Trek: Picard) guest star.
Disney announces that it has an entire empire of Star Wars movies in mind, including two movies built around the early days of specific fan-favorite characters, with Han Solo and Boba Fett being the first two characters to have movies centered around them. The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders Of The Lost Ark screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan – obviously no stranger to the exploits of Han Solo – is among those developing the storylines for these spinoff movies.
Legendary makeup artist and creature designer Stuart Freeborn, whose most enduring cinematic creations include Yoda and Jabba the Hutt from the original Star Wars trilogy, dies at the age of 98. His numerous big-screen credits include Dr. Strangelove, 2001: a space odyssey, The Omen, the entire original Star Wars trilogy and all four of the Christopher Reeve Superman films.
The 13th episode of Arrow, a modern-day reboot of DC Comics’ Green Arrow superhero starring Stephen Amell, airs on the CW. John Barrowman (Torchwood, Doctor Who) guest stars.
UPN broadcasts the 17th episode of the supernatural crime comedy series Special Unit 2, starring Michael Landes (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman) and Alexondra Lee (Party Of Five). Jonathan Togo (CSI: Miami) guest stars.
The 11th episode of James Cameron & Charles H. Eglee’s cyberpunk series Dark Angel, starring Jessica Alba and Michael Weatherly, airs on Fox. John Savage and Master P guest star.
The 91st episode of Joss Whedon’s supernatural series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, airs on the WB network. James Marsters, Anthony Stewart Head, and Alyson Hannigan also star. Clare Kramer guest stars.
Sci-Fi Channel premieres the 25th episode of Lexx. This is the first episode of the third season, and guest stars Nigel Bennett (Forever Knight) as Prince. Much of this season features extensive location filming in Namibia.
The 149th episode of Chris Carter’s modern-day science fiction series The X-Files airs on Fox, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny. Mark Rolston and Kim Darby (True Grit, Star Trek) guest star.
The week-long American syndication window opens for the 12th episode of Gerry Anderson’s sci-fi police series Space Precinct. Stephen Greif (Blake’s 7) guest stars.
The 15th episode of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman airs on ABC, starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. Tracy Scoggins, Melanie Mayron (thirtysomething), and Tony Jay guest star.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 12th episode of the fantasy series Highlander, starring Adrian Paul (War Of The Worlds), Alexandra Vandernoort, and Stan Kirsch, and based on the mythology created in the 1986 movie of the same name.
The fifth episode of Chocky airs on Thames Television, adapting the novels of John Wyndham into a television serial starring Andrew Ellams and James Hazeldine.
BBC1 premieres the 18th episode of Terry Nation’s science fiction series Blake’s 7. Jane Sherwin guest stars. This episode is the beginning of a story arc running through the remainder of the second season, concerning Blake’s search for the Federation’s central control facility; to up the stakes, the character of Gan (played by David Jackson) is killed off, though the first choice of series creator Terry Nation would have been the popular character of Vila.
The 96th episode of The Six Million Dollar Man is broadcast on ABC, starring Lee Majors and Richard Anderson. Bibi Besch (Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, The Day After) guest stars.
The week-long syndication window opens for the sixth episode of The Next Step Beyond, a revival of the 1950s/60s supernatural anthology series One Step Beyond, hosted and directed by John Newland. This is a remake of the One Step Beyond episode Tonight At 12:17.
The 38th episode of Larry Cohen’s science fiction series The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes and produced by Quinn Martin’s QM Productions, is broadcast on ABC. Phyllis Thaxter guest stars.
The 52nd episode of Irwin Allen’s adventure series Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea airs on ABC, starring Richard Basehart and David Hedison. Kevin Hagen guest stars.
The 57th episode of Doctor Who airs on the BBC. This is part four of the story now collectively known as The Romans, though its individual episode title makes it easy to confuse with Inferno, a seven-part 1970 Doctor Who story in Jon Pertwee’s first season.
The 47th episode of The Adventures Of Superman airs in syndication, starring George Reeves, Noel Neill, and Jack Larson. Vic Perrin (The Outer Limits) guest stars.
Streaming service CBS All Access debuts the third episode of Star Trek: Picard, starring Patrick Stewart, Michelle Hurd, Santiago Cabrera, and Alison Pill. Jonathan del Arco (Star Trek: The Next Generation) and Tamlyn Tomita (Babylon 5) guest star. 
The CW airs the 81st episode of The Flash, a modern-day reboot of DC Comics’ superhero starring Grant Gustin. Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis), and Dominic Burgess (Doctor Who, Star Trek: Picard) guest star.
Disney announces that it has an entire empire of Star Wars movies in mind, including two movies built around the early days of specific fan-favorite characters, with Han Solo and Boba Fett being the first two characters to have movies centered around them. The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders Of The Lost Ark screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan – obviously no stranger to the exploits of Han Solo – is among those developing the storylines for these spinoff movies.
Legendary makeup artist and creature designer Stuart Freeborn, whose most enduring cinematic creations include Yoda and Jabba the Hutt from the original Star Wars trilogy, dies at the age of 98. His numerous big-screen credits include Dr. Strangelove, 2001: a space odyssey, The Omen, the entire original Star Wars trilogy and all four of the Christopher Reeve Superman films.
BBC subsidiary AudioGo releases the second Doctor Who: Destiny Of The Doctor audio drama, starring Frazer Hines. 
The 13th episode of Arrow, a modern-day reboot of DC Comics’ Green Arrow superhero starring Stephen Amell, airs on the CW. John Barrowman (Torchwood, Doctor Who) guest stars.
Sci-Fi Channel airs the 67th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Richard Hatch and Mark Sheppard guest star. 
Cartoon Network airs the 16th episode of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. 
BBC2 airs the 17th episode of Russell T. Davies’ science fiction series Torchwood, a more adult-themed spinoff of Doctor Who. 
The 147th episode of Stargate SG-1 airs on the Sci-Fi Channel, starring Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, and Christopher Judge.
The 14th episode of the Star Trek prequel spinoff Enterprise premieres on UPN. Jeffrey Combs and Gary Graham (Alien Nation) guest star. 
UPN broadcasts the 17th episode of the supernatural crime comedy series Special Unit 2, starring Michael Landes (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman) and Alexondra Lee (Party Of Five). Jonathan Togo (CSI: Miami) guest stars.
UPN airs the 159th episode of Star Trek: Voyager. 
The 11th episode of James Cameron & Charles H. Eglee’s cyberpunk series Dark Angel, starring Jessica Alba and Michael Weatherly, airs on Fox. John Savage and Master P guest star.
The 91st episode of Joss Whedon’s supernatural series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, airs on the WB network. James Marsters, Anthony Stewart Head, and Alyson Hannigan also star. Clare Kramer guest stars.
Sci-Fi Channel premieres the 25th episode of Lexx. This is the first episode of the third season, and guest stars Nigel Bennett (Forever Knight) as Prince. Much of this season features extensive location filming in Namibia. 
The 149th episode of Chris Carter’s modern-day science fiction series The X-Files airs on Fox, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny. Mark Rolston and Kim Darby (True Grit, Star Trek) guest star.
Pay cable channel Showtime premieres the 17th episode of Stargate SG-1. 
Showtime airs the 64th episode of The Outer Limits, a revival of the 1960s science fiction anthology series.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 59th episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. 
UPN airs the fourth episode of Star Trek: Voyager. This episode introduces the Voyager crew’s organ-harvesting recurring enemies, the Vidiians. 
The week-long American syndication window opens for the 12th episode of Gerry Anderson’s sci-fi police series Space Precinct. Stephen Greif (Blake’s 7) guest stars.
The 15th episode of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman airs on ABC, starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. Tracy Scoggins, Melanie Mayron (thirtysomething), and Tony Jay guest star.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 12th episode of the fantasy series Highlander, starring Adrian Paul (War Of The Worlds), Alexandra Vandernoort, and Stan Kirsch, and based on the mythology created in the 1986 movie of the same name.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 33rd episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. 
The tenth episode of Black Adder airs on the BBC, starring Rowan Atkinson. 
The fifth episode of Chocky airs on Thames Television, adapting the novels of John Wyndham into a television serial starring Andrew Ellams and James Hazeldine. 
BBC1 premieres the 18th episode of Terry Nation’s science fiction series Blake’s 7. Jane Sherwin guest stars. This episode is the beginning of a story arc running through the remainder of the second season, concerning Blake’s search for the Federation’s central control facility; to up the stakes, the character of Gan (played by David Jackson) is killed off, though the first choice of series creator Terry Nation would have been the popular character of Vila. 
BBC1 premieres the sixth episode of Terry Nation’s science fiction series Blake’s 7. Stephen Grief (Travis) and Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan) make their first appearances as Blake’s arch-enemies in this episode. 
The 96th episode of The Six Million Dollar Man is broadcast on ABC, starring Lee Majors and Richard Anderson. Bibi Besch (Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, The Day After) guest stars.
The week-long syndication window opens for the sixth episode of The Next Step Beyond, a revival of the 1950s/60s supernatural anthology series One Step Beyond, hosted and directed by John Newland. This is a remake of the One Step Beyond episode Tonight At 12:17.
The 284th episode of Doctor Who airs on BBC1. Roger Delgado appears again as the Master. Michael Sheard guest stars.
The 38th episode of Larry Cohen’s science fiction series The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes and produced by Quinn Martin’s QM Productions, is broadcast on ABC. Phyllis Thaxter guest stars.
The 52nd episode of Irwin Allen’s adventure series Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea airs on ABC, starring Richard Basehart and David Hedison. Kevin Hagen guest stars.
The 57th episode of Doctor Who airs on the BBC. This is part four of the story now collectively known as The Romans, though its individual episode title makes it easy to confuse with Inferno, a seven-part 1970 Doctor Who story in Jon Pertwee’s first season.
The 47th episode of The Adventures Of Superman airs in syndication, starring George Reeves, Noel Neill, and Jack Larson. Vic Perrin (The Outer Limits) guest stars.
The 68th episode of the science fiction anthology series Tales Of Tomorrow airs on ABC. Much of the second season is missing, including this episode.