Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

In this episode, Tony Zoomed with Dayo Okeniyi, the Atlanta‑based Nigerian‑American actor who brings one of Dark Matter’s most fascinating and volatile characters to life: Leighton Vance, the CEO of Velocity Labs and a central architect of the show’s multiverse project.

Okeniyi’s performance stands for its range — portraying multiple versions of Leighton across alternate realities, each with distinct philosophies, flaws, and ambitions. It’s a role that demands precision, imagination, and a willingness to explore the darker edges of human potential.

Leighton Vance is introduced as a visionary CEO working alongside Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton) and Daniela (Jennifer Connelly). His mission begins with noble intentions: using multiversal science to solve global problems. But as the possibilities expand, so does Leighton’s ambition — and the ethical lines begin to blur.

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For the sixth chapter of Star Trek at 60, Tony revisits a remarkable 2009 conversation with Leonard Nimoy — actor, director, photographer, author, musician, and the man who originated Spock, one of the most iconic characters in science fiction history.

But Nimoy’s creative life extended far beyond the ears and the uniform. He directed films — including Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and Three Men and a Baby — released albums, wrote poetry, taught acting, served in the U.S. Army, and built a respected career in photography and stage performance.

This episode centers on Tony’s interview with Nimoy, where he reflects on his early theater company, his artistic roots, and his evolving relationship with Star Trek.

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In this chapter of Star Trek at 60, Tony revisits Star Trek: Insurrection, the ninth film in the franchise and the third cinematic adventure for the Next Generation cast. Directed by Jonathan Frakes and released on December 11, 1998, the film centers on a moral crisis: when the crew of the USS Enterprise‑E uncovers a conspiracy between Starfleet and the alien Son’a to forcibly relocate the peaceful Ba’ku in order to exploit their planet’s rejuvenating properties, Captain Picard and his crew choose to rebel — against orders, against politics, and against the erosion of Starfleet’s ideals.

Featuring performances by Patrick Stewart, F. Murray Abraham, Donna Murphy, and Anthony Zerbe, Insurrection blends ethical drama with character‑driven humor and romance. Though critics offered mixed responses — some praising Stewart’s gravitas and Frakes’s direction, others comparing the film to an extended TNG episode — the movie earned $118 million worldwide and secured nominations for both the Saturn Award and Hugo Award.

This episode draws from Tony’s 1998 roundtable interviews with Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, and Brent Spiner, capturing their reflections at the moment the film was stepping into the world.

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For the fourth chapter of Star Trek at 60, Tony sits down with Ethan Peck, the actor who has carried the mantle of Spock across four modern Star Trek series — Star Trek: Discovery, Short Treks, Strange New Worlds, and Very Short Treks. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Peck comes from a remarkable artistic lineage: he is the grandson of legendary actor Gregory Peck and Greta Kukkonen, and the son of Stephen Peck, a former actor, documentary filmmaker, Vietnam veteran, and longtime leader of U.S. Veterans Initiative. His mother, Francine Matarazzo, is an abstract artist.

Before Trek, Ethan made his mark with a main ensemble role as Patrick Verona in the television adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You. But it was the role of Spock — one of the most recognizable characters in genre history — that transformed his career and connected him to a global fandom.

This episode compiles Tony’s conversations with Ethan from New York Comic Con before Discovery Season Two and again at the start of Strange New Worlds Season Two, capturing the evolution of an actor finding his place within a legacy.

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In this episode of Star Trek at 60, Tony dives into Star Trek: Lower Decks, the ninth series in the franchise and the first animated Trek since 1974 — as well as the first full‑on comedy in Trek history. Created by Mike McMahan for CBS All Access (later Paramount+), the series debuted in 2020 as part of Alex Kurtzman’s expanded universe and quickly became a fan favorite for its mix of heartfelt storytelling, deep‑cut references, and chaotic energy.

As the foul‑mouthed, no‑nonsense Caitian chief medical officer Dr. T’Ana, Gillian Vigman brings a feral charm and comedic bite that instantly made the character iconic.

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