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Dan and Kevin FINALLY get to talk about their favorite episode of the whole Original Series, The Doomsday Machine. It's got everything--another Federation starship, a crazy captain, fight scenes, and all kinds of crazy ideas to overcome one of the most fearsome weapons of the whole Original Series. Not to mention the acting of William Windom, amazing music from Sol Kaplan, and you've got yourself the set up for one of the best episodes of Star Trek ever. Plus a little skit from Dan and Kevin. Enjoy!

What happens when you combine a bunch of ideas that were used in other episodes with an Old Testament/Hebrew Bible type of punishing god like machine with a bunch of natives that have never had to stand on their own? It's the wacky, screwy second season episode The Apple! Dan and Kevin try to make sense of an episode that's all over the place which, in the end, is more about mid 20th Century imperialism and the Cold War than any enlightening thoughts about a better future. And there's a paper mache villain! (And there's a reason why Vaal's face didn't melt.)

Dan and Kevin talk about another seminal Star Trek episode, Mirror, Mirror. They both wonder what it would be like to live in a universe where a government uses terror and fear to keep people in line, where opponents disappear with no trace, and individual freedoms are squashed for the good of the imperialist in charge. No guesses on if the Emperor has orange skin. Kevin and Dan also talk about this episodes influence on future Star Trek shows, Chekhov's creepy smile, how Uhura keeps getting the raw end of the deal, and, of course, Spock's Beard. Mr. Kyle, your agonizer, please.

Kevin and Dan talk about how this episode serves as a sneak peek at what would become The Motion Picture, which would come out about a decade after this first aired. They also talk about how maybe this isn't the most fun to re-watch, but it does give some insights into parent/child relationships, how Kirk is becoming an expert on talking computers to death, and what must it have been like for Leonard Nimoy to talk like a robot after all the acting experience he had. Nomad-sterilize, Nomad, sterilize, Nomad, sterilize. . . .

Dan and Kevin talk about who the Green Space Hand really belongs to, how both guest stars are still with us, and which one dropped out to become a anti-Vietnam War activist. In Who Mourns for Adonias? Kirk and the crew get first hand experience dealing with the Greek god Apollo and they find out why the Klingons killed their gods in ancient times. Dan and Kevin also wish William Shatner a happy 95th birthday, and how this is the first instance of Scotty not doing well when he is enamored with a female crew-person.

Kevin and Dan talk about one of the seminal episodes of the Original Series, the one the introduced us all to Live Long and Prosper, the Vulcan hand salute, and Dan's favorite weapon of all time, the Lirpa. Kevin talks about how Strange New Worlds has slightly retconned Amok Time, and how the last line that Spock speaks on Vulcan stayed with Leonard Nimoy for the rest of his life. They both talk about why it might be a good idea to figure out what you're getting into before accepting a challenge because, who wants to fight to the death and not know about it? And why, deep down, Stonn is a schmuck.

Dan and Kevin debut their first podcast of 2026 with the first season finale Operation--Annihilate! In this episode, the talk is about how Kirk can lose 2/3rds of his extended family and never hear about them, or see them again, and how one actor in this made further contributions to Star Trek behind the scenes decades later. And watch out for those flying pancakes--they can hit you on the ass or just ruin your whole day.

Dan and Kevin get to talk about one of, if not the most, famous Star Trek episode ever made. They also chat about the late Gil Gerard, Ralph Senesky, and how Harlan Ellison couldn't let go of a grudge. Not only is City on the Edge of Forever a famous episode, but the story behind it's creation is just as famous as what you see on screen. Kevin also talks about how this could be connected to Man in the High Castle!

Dan and Kevin list the many reasons why this episode is a notorious dud from the first season, including Kirk becoming the dumb captain, Lazarus' beard that keeps changing shape, and why if you're not feeling well, maybe just stay the hell away from the edge of cliffs. And how this is connected to Drew Barrymore.

Kevin and Dan talk about one of the seminal episodes of all of Star Trek--Errand of Mercy, which introduced one of the best sci-fi protagonists of all time--the Klingons. They also talk about the Cold War influenced story line and why guest star John Colicos became a legend in two different classic sci-fi franchises--Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica. And why maybe Kirk and Spock need to better pay attention to some of the small details.

Kevin and Dan talk about one of the best episodes of the Original Series, why neither one of us would stick around if a monster was burning people to death, and Kevin takes the quiz from Dan as to how many of the original 12 star ships Kevin can name in 60 seconds. Which begs the question--how many of them can you name? And, Dan sends some cool Trek merch Kevin's way.

Dan and Kevin also mention why this episode is William Shatner's favorite, and why Nimoy stopped talking to Shatner for a while after filming this, which may have laid the seeds for their estrangement at the end of Nimoy's life.

Dan and Kevin are back! In this episode, they talk about how intimidating it would be to smooch Charles Bronson's girlfriend, what happens when Spock becomes unchained, and how this episode launched the career of Dorothy Fontana, a great writer of Spock episodes. Oh--and Kirk solution to get the crew back is, well, inventive.

Dan and Kevin discuss how the vision of a computer driven war matches today's reality. And how accurate Seth MacFarlane's Kirk impression is from this episode.

Dan and Kevin talk about one of the seminal episodes of Star Trek, the one that 15 years after it's debut would save the franchise and influence much of what Trek became after. They also talk about the man crush Kevin has on Ricardo Montalban and how you can feel his charisma in this episode. And--make sure you listen to the narration of the fight at the end of the episode. One of the best Trek episodes, and one of the most influential episodes ever done during the Original Series.

Peace and tranquility be with you! Dan and Kevin discuss how this episode exhibits Gene Roddenberry's theology at the time of how all gods aren't real and what could happen if a utopian society goes sideways. We'll also have a good time when the Red Hour strikes and Festival begins!

Kevin and Dan talk about the first court room drama of the Star Trek franchise, some notable passings, and how this episode may have been influenced by a Sherlock Holmes story. And maybe even how to play the long game to get back at your perceived enemies.

Dan and Kevin talk about the episode that speaks to the heart of every Trek fan--the desire to be beamed up to the Enterprise and whisked away to a better future. And how cool it would be to have the ability to time travel, and how Gen-X was supposed to save the world.

In this episode, Dan and Kevin get to talk about the greatness of Frederic Brown, Vasquez Rocks, and the three guys who had to wear the rubber suit in the desert. All of that is due to one of the most iconic episodes of the Original Series, Arena. And also why building a home made cannon in your back yard might not be the best idea. But be ready to give a Gorn Slap, if needed.

Kevin and Dan discuss one of the first episodes of the Original Series that deal with omnipotent beings that aren't what they seem. They also contemplate if Trelane is really a Q, how absolute power corrupts absolutely, and what to be done with little boys misbehave, even if they look like adults.

Dan and Kevin review this Spock centric episode, which combines the character study of small group dynamics along with what happens when a petty bureaucrat just won't leave you the hell alone. And perhaps why 1960's audiences weren't ready to see Bigfoot attack our intrepid Galileo crew.

Extra note--no red shirts were harmed in the production of this episode.

Dan and Kevin review Shore Leave, another episode of wish fulfillment, complete with an uneven story accompanied by some great music by Gerald Fried. And rooting for Kirk to finally get one over on ol' Finnegan.

Dan and Kevin talk about what has been ranked as the 8th best episode of all Star Trek, Balance of Terror. This is the episode that introduced one of the best protagonists in all of Star Trek, the Romulans, introduced one of the best guest Trek actors in Mark Leonard, and gave us the first "submarine battle" episode in Star Trek which inspired many others since. And why political ambition on a star ship might lead to your downfall.

Kevin and Dan take you through Star Trek's first dabbling in the tragedy of Shakespeare, the urban legend of Hitler surviving WWII, and why you should believe your eyes and ears when you suspect something is wrong.

Kevin and Dan discuss the conclusion of the only 2 part episode in the Original Series, which not only saved the show, but gave us another look at Excitable Spock, as well as an example of people on Star Trek watching Star Trek.

Dan and Kevin review the first of the only 2 part episodes done during the Original Series. We also talk about how these two episodes saved the show, and the difference between "Normal" Spock and Excitable Spock. And how hard it must be to communicate with just beeps.

Kevin and Dan talk about the episode that introduces Clint Howard to Star Trek, a creepy talking puppet, and why it might be useful to have a guy like Dave Bailey on the bridge of a starship.

Kevin and Dan talk about the episode that introduced us to the Vulcan Mind Meld and why it's good to be suspicious when everyone walks around with blank stares on their faces.

In this episode, Kevin and Dan talk about the first alternate Earth episode, Miri. While we try to have a couple foolies as we review this one, I can promise that there won't be any bonk bonks on the head. No Blah Blah Blah!

Kevin and Dan talk about an underrated episode of Star Trek that includes the lore of H.P. Lovecraft, some character growth for a character that's usually in the background, and why it's not a good idea to put one's essence in a robot body.

Dan and Kevin take a look at the episode that introduced Harry Mudd to the Star Trek Universe. And how this episode says more about the mores of the 1960's than any insight into the 23rd Century.

Dan and Kevin review the Richard Matheson classic The Enemy Within where we talk about the duality of humanity, some insights into Spock's character, and just how good of an actor William Shatner is. Yes, really.

Dan and Kevin talk about the episode The Naked Time where we learn that Sulu is a swashbuckler, Kevin Riley likes his Irish singing, and Scotty says he can't change the laws of physics, but manages to anyway. We also talk about which X-Men movie this serves as backdrop for.

Dan and Kevin riff on the second pilot episode that sold Star Trek to NBC. And try to avoid going to the edge of the galaxy, if you can.

Kevin and Dan talk about how this episode demonstrates that absolute power corrupts absolutely. And how teenagers are the same, regardless of century.

Dan and Kevin take you through the first broadcast episode of Star Trek, the Man Trap. Make sure to have some salt available.

Listen to Kevin and Dan riff on the episode that started it all almost 60 years ago.