Month: June 2025

Stars End S5E21

In this episode, we continue to drift along The Currents of Space, floating into chapters 7 through 12. This almost coincides with the second installment in Astounding Science Fiction for November 1952 (Chapter 7 was published in October).

The Cover of the Signet paperback edition of "The Currents of Space" by Isaac Asimov. The cover illustration shows Rik and Velona rushing across the spaceport.

“Ninety-Five Percent of the Universe is Hydrogen, and Most of the Rest is Podcasts.”

This is the middle section of Asimov’s middle Galactic Empire Novel (in-universe chronologically, that is). The middle layer of a current is called the laminar flow. It flows somewhat faster than the currents near the water’s surface or the riverbed. We’ll leave it to you to decide if this part of the novel flows better or more quickly than the rest of the book.

A lot is going on. Rik is regaining his memories and remembering the world of Spacioanalytics, the Five Great Squires are being blackmailed, Rik and Velona escape into space only to be forced into a room to discuss things with Lady Samia of Fife in classic Asimovian style and the Townsman embarks on a spree of killing and craziness that paradoxically culminates in his being stuck on a ship that he can’t pilot.

Check out the chapters, then join us for the conversation! Let’s GO!

Picture Credits:

Next Time on Stars End

Guess what? It’s Season 5 Episode 21! VERY soon!

The cover of the November 1952 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. It depicts a rocket ship on a barren moon with a planet in the background against a dark sky.

But first, it’s been a while; we’ve missed you, and we hope you feel the same. I’ve said it before: having a day job is no fun. And that’s the crux of it; we got bogged down with work, and the post-production got away from us.

That’s especially true in my case. Turns out that the parts of my brain that I podcast and/or blog with overlap with the bits of my brain that I use in teaching.

Plus Jon and I are trying our hand at a politics podcast.

The good news is that there’s lots of stuff on its way! Immediately, we’re gearing up for season 3 of the Foundation teevee series! We took a quick look at the trailer, and that will be out pretty soon after S5E21!

There’s a lot more in the can, and we’ll try to clear some of the backlog before we dive into Season Six of Stars End!

So, refresh your memory of chapters 7 through 12 of The Currents of Space, and enjoy the art from the November 1952 issue of Astounding Science Fiction by H. R. van Dongen that you can find below! Then join us for our next episode!

The opening page of "The Currents of Space" by Isaac Asimov in the November 1952 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. Art by H. R. van Dongen. The page contains the title author and some opening text. There is a framing image showing a field of stars, an Earthlike planet and the faces of Rik and Valona.
A portrait of Lady Samia of Fife from "The Currents of Space" by Isaac Asimov in the November 1952 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. Art by H. R. van Dongen.
The Squire of Fife from "The Currents of Space" by Isaac Asimov in the November 1952 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. Art by H. R. van Dongen.
The Townman takes a respite in a family home in "The Currents of Space" by Isaac Asimov in the November 1952 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. Art by H. R. van Dongen.
The Townman destroys the evidence in "The Currents of Space" by Isaac Asimov in the November 1952 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. Art by H. R. van Dongen.

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