Starship Alexandria

For our January 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria, Emma puts forward the movie Godzilla Minus One directed by Takashi Yamazaki for Adrian to consider. 

Other talking points: 

A monstrous regiment of Godzillas 

Survivor's Guilt 

Redemption arcs 

Found boat family 

Merry Christmas! This is the twenty-fifth, and final, episode of the 2025 advent calendar. We share some news, a gift and something that will hopefully make you laugh!

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.ad...

For the Christmas Eve episode of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian shares why Andor is so special for him.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance 

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For the twenty-third day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma shares her deep love for the show Detectorists.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For the twenty-second day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian makes a bold declaration about the show Farscape.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For the twenty-first day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma talks about another cosy murder mystery show, this one set in 1920's Melbourne: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social an...

For the twentieth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian shares his love of the ultimate low budget british science-fiction show Blake's 7.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For the nineteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma talks about why Avatar: The Last Airbender (the original animated series!) is such a joy to watch.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and...

For the eighteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian talks about a show he loves which is impossible to enthuse about without spoilers: The Good Place.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and w...

For the seventeenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma recommends a TV show that is not for those who want a happy, easy story; The Leftovers.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and w...

For the sixteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian recommends another animated show, Arcane.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For the fifteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma explains why she loves The Thick of It.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For the fourteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian's love for Black Sails leads into a conversation involving eels, face blindness and the movie Heat.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www...

For the thirteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, it's Emma's turn to talk about an animated series that she loves: Invincible.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For the twelfth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian talks about why he loves the show Green Wing so much (and what the medical professionals in our lives have thought of it).

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.u...

For the eleventh day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma sings the praises of The Royle Family and explains why it's so special to her. 

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www...

For the tenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian talks about What We Do in the Shadows (the TV show that is) and sneaks in a bonus extra TV show recommendation.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

For the ninth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma talks about a show that is both cosy and horrific.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For the eighth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian enthuses about an animated series that people recommended to him because of his novel Alien Clay.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and...

For the seventh day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma's choice is another show from the 1970's, but a lot less fantastical that the one from yesterday!

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and...

For the sixth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian evokes the drama of a classic SF show from the 1970's.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

...

For the fifth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma tries to put into words how much she loves season five of an unusual television show.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www...

For the fourth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, it's Adrian's turn to talk about a favourite space based SF show from the nineties!

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adr...

For the third day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma recommends an Australian TV show called Mr Inbetween.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com  

For the second day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian champions the television series Spaced.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk 

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com

For our first day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma sings the praises of Star Trek: The Next Generation and explains why it's so special to her.

If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home

Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance  

Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025

Follow us at: 

Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk  

Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and...

For our eighth episode of Starship Alexandria, Adrian puts forward the novel Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock, for Emma to consider. 

Our caveat from the episode: "If you have not read this book yet, go and read the book and then listen to this episode, because it really does benefit from not knowing what's going to happen." 

Other talking points: 

Pronunciation blues 

God bless Wikipedia 

Adrian shoehorns insects into absolutely everything 

Readability as an overlooked virtue 

Explori

For our seventh episode of Starship Alexandria, Emma puts forward the novel The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson, for Adrian to consider. 

Other talking points: 

Wet Bulb Events 

Nonconformist plot structures 

The Doyenne of Climate Fiction 

The balance of hope and despair 

For our sixth episode of Starship Alexandria, Adrian puts forward our first film, Battle Beyond the Stars directed by Roger Corman, for Emma to watch and consider. 

Other talking points: 

Idiolectic time units 

Suggestive spaceship design 

Doing the robot 

Caiman, of the Lambda Zone 

Doing a lot of spaceship on a small budget 

James Horner soundtracks 

The longevity of practical model work

For our fifth episode of Starship Alexandra, Emma puts forward the short story collection The Golden Apples of the Sun by Ray Bradbury to read and consider.

Other talking points:

Stories specifically talked about: A Sound of Thunder, The Foghorn, The Golden Apples of the Sun (short story), The Garbage Collector, The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl, I See You Never, Sun and Shadow, The Wilderness, The Black and White Game,

The butterfly effect (not the film)

Poetic and commercial prose

Lawsuits!

History...

For our fourth episode of Starship Alexandra, Adrian puts forward the graphic novels Top Ten volumes 1 and 2 by Moore, Ha and Cannon, for Emma to read and consider. 

Other talking points: 

For our third episode of Starship Alexandra, Emma puts forward Ursula K le Guin's fascinating SF novel The Lathe of Heaven for Adrian to read and consider.

Other talking points:

Reality-bending in SF

Unusual power relationships

Tech billionaire problem solving

The perils of having superpowers

Inadvertent puns

For our second episode of Starship Alexandria, Adrian puts forward KJ Bishop's weird fantasy novel The Etched City (2004) for Emma to read and consider.

Other talking points:

A short discussion about spoilers and different thresholds depending on the work being considered

The challenges involved with reading and writing secondary world fantasy due to vocabulary

Adherence to historical accuracy when writing historical fantasy

Adrian's manifesto for the unacknowledged sub-genre "fantastical realism"

Media Mentions:

Dungeons and Dragons, tabletop role-playing game, Gygax et al

...

For this very first episode of Starship Alexandria, Emma puts forward John Wyndham's classic SF novel The Kraken Wakes (1953) for Adrian to read and consider (published in the US as Out of the Deeps.) 

Other media mentions: 

The War of the Worlds, HG Wells  

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), Aliens franchise, dir. Ridley Scott, James Cameron et al