First Time Watching ALL of Star Trek - Episode 81: Yesteryear (TAS S1E2)

[@targetaudience]

Watch our next reaction to Star Trek TAS right now with EARLY ACCESS on Patreon - www.patreon.com/TargetAudience

[@Daniel-Strain]

This is the "City on the Edge of Forever" of the Animated Series. During TNG, Michael Okuda (tech advisor on the show) published the Star Trek Chronology, which became their reference guide for the writers. At the time, they did not consider the animated show canon - but they made an exception for Yesteryear.

[@sparky6086]

Kind of an "Old Yeller" type thing!

[@sparky6086]

James Doohan, "Scotty" , & Majel Barret, "Nurse Chapel", took care of a lot of the other voices on TAS. Doohan was a very experienced voice over artist long before "Star Trek".

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

BUT, I will say it again, the biggest problem with time travel and the "Grandfather paradox" is this; The boy Spock who was saved by adult Spock in this episode would then grow up and go back in time to save his younger self. Then that younger self would grow up and go back in time to save _his_ younger self. Then _that_ younger Spock would grow up and go back in time to save his younger self! And on and on. Therefore, *Therefore,* the moment in time Spock jumped out of the Guardian's portal into past Vulcan, He would be accompanied by an _infinite_ number of other Spock's! Thus, filling the universe with an infinite number of himselves! 😨😲😵 Am I wrong? Prove me wrong. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@johnmackendrick5173]

This is probably the best of the animated shows. But that doesn't mean the rest are crappy. There are many good ones on the horizon. Enjoy!

[@torresilk4277]

DC Fontana was excellent at world building. This story gave some of the best insights into Spock’s past treatment by his peers. Great episode.

[@THICKETDWELLERR]

❤

[@spoke2639]

Yeah, this episode was so good that they basically recreated the scene with the kids bullying Spock for the 2009 movie.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

@@busimagen Aren't you more amused that the quintessential epitome of everything it means to be Vulcan has a human name? 😲 The last name "Spock" is a Dutch name that means a spokesman or speaker.

[@luminiferous1960]

@@TheNoiseySpectator And at the time there was a very famous human with that surname, Dr. Spock, whose book Baby and Child Care (1946) is one of the best-selling books of the twentieth century. Amusingly, many people with only a passing knowledge of Star Trek would often mistakenly call the character of Spock or Mr. Spock by the name Dr. Spock.

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

@@busimagen I'm surprised no writer has used it for a Vulcan character. I'm sure the actual pronunciation uses a schwa for the last syllable, but whatever. :)

[@thinkbolt]

You said that even if you hadn't seen the original series, you would have eaten this up as a kid. That's precisely what happened to me. I was 7, I think, when this came out. I was aware of the OG series, but THIS was my real introduction to Star Trek. This episode especially has lived in my head non-stop ever since. "D. C. Fontana at another level?" Hell yeah! The dialog is brilliant. Spock's conversations with Sarek still impress me with every re-watch. And it's a damn good time travel plot, too.

[@MatthewLetendre]

Spock's pet is the Teddy Bear Spock's Mother talked about in "Journey to Babel"

[@vincentsweargen8436]

The animated series was my introduction to the world of Star Trek. It was 50 yrs ago and I was 8 yrs old. I watched it every Saturday morning. Four years later, the Original Series was aired locally. I was all in and have been ever since. I envy you guys watching for the first time.

[@alanr4447a]

Mark Lenard did indeed return to voice Sarek. As you noted, Majel Barrett voiced Amanda. Coming up, Roger C. Carmel will voice Harry Mudd, and Stanley Adams will voice Cyrano Jones. Kor will also appear, voiced by George Takei. Another episode's guest character "Carter Winston" will be voiced by Ted Knight. His girlfriend will be voiced by Nichelle Nichols, who will later voice an 'energy cloud' when we learn Kirk's middle name.

[@Blazingstoke]

I've always loved that even though the animated _Star Trek_ was geared more toward young viewers, it never talked down to its audience, the way most cartoons of the '70s and '80s did.

[@DeltaAssaultGaming]

ExoSquad is another great cartoon like that.

[@ChrisS-no3ft]

Excellent point. It was intelligent and had real stories and the characters were true to themselves, unlike modern Trek shows.

[@dirus3142]

@@DeltaAssaultGaming Loved that cartoon, also Robotech. It didn't treat me like I was stupid. The violence had consequence.

[@dirus3142]

Exactly. This is why Batman the Animated Series is truly great.

[@DocMicrowave]

Some 2020's cartoons do as well..

[@mitcharcher7528]

I saw this as a kid in the eighties, and yes my reaction was exactly what you described. Of all the episodes of TAS, this is the one that stuck with me throughout the years. I’m glad TAS is finally becoming appreciated. It was a labor of love and a true gift to fans.

[@sftommy01]

I wrote a TAS script many years ago. Technology, most recently voice technology, has reached the point that more of these animated episodes could be created.

[@vincentsaia6545]

This is considered the best episode of the animated series

[@richardb6260]

"The Slaver Weapon" is my favorite. But I'm a big Larry Niven. If only they'd kept the Puppeteer.

[@RLucas3000]

I agree but there are other bangers. I’m especially thinking of a certain sequel episode lol.

[@dupersuper1938]

@@richardb6260 You're a big Larry Niven? Are you a clone of him made by a Eugenics War veteran and a town of Phylosians?

[@richardb6260]

@@dupersuper1938 given the love you just got for that comment, I assume Josh and Alex have watched that episode already. I'll let my typo stand so as not to make your comment irrelevant.

[@devmag52]

Of ALL of Trek

[@powerbadpowerbad]

Filmation studios did the limited animation to save money,they also did their animation in-house instead of having it done over-seas.Lou Scheimer was the head of Filmation studios and he wanted all animation done in america instead of over-seas.

[@GrandManor]

When DC Comics was ready to launch The New Adventures of Superman (1966), Filmation wanted the gig, but they only had a few people in their studio. To convince the DC people they could handle it, they stocked their offices with a bunch of temps to look “professIonal”. After getting the contract, they had to keep the animation to a minimum, instead favoring good writing and music to tell the story. That style became their trademark and continued into the Trek series.

[@zoppie]

@@GrandManor They were capable of impressive full animation. I remember being blown away visually by their Flash Gordon movie.

[@JAYWALKER1000]

Though the voice was uncredited it was Mark Lenard as Ssarek and you are correct it was Majet Barrett doing the voice of Amanda. Prior to the J.J. Abrams Treks it has always been Mark Lenard as Sarek except for one occasion when a younger man took on the role foe a brief flashback. Possibly my favorite animated episode . There is at least one other contender. Haven't watched these in years.

[@glennjohnson-barnes9452]

I know I’m adding my voice to the choir, but Dorothy Fontana’s contributions to Trek cannot be overstated. She certainly knew her craft.

[@jeffd.6498]

Many of the extra voices in the series are done by James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols and Majel Barrett.

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

As a kid, I didn't notice...LOL.

[@AT4W]

This is the one I said last time which was considered canon even if the rest wasn't back in the day - it was thought to be THAT good. Really my big problem with it is the same as the rest of TAS: the flat performances. When Kirk and Spock return everyone sounds completely lifeless and stiff, even a bit too quiet at times. The story is there, and as I said you have more diversity of alien races like with the bird dude nobody acknowledges, but it just doesn't feel like it has the same energy and life as the live action show. Still, easily the best episode of TAS.

[@huskerchuck9212]

Since this was primarily written for kids, think about the kahoneys it took to actually kill Spock's pet. That can be a traumatizing thing for kids, yet they had the courage to do it.

[@salvationsplace]

um no. this was shown to gen X. totally normal for us. nothing at all.

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

@@salvationsplace I'm gen X...I don't remember this as being something new. After all, we grew up on _Old Yeller._

[@greenmonsterprod]

I understand there was some flak from NBC over killing I-Chya, but they finally decided to keep it in. I may be mistaken, though.

[@messengerfromtheuniverse]

You're judging it by today's standards, where every child is a p*ssy who has to be coddled with a helicopter mom buzzing around and every tiny little boo-boo is a huge catastrophe.

[@stevesalyer6261]

This has probably already been covered, but to answer your question, Mark Lenard who played Sarek on the Original Series did return to voice him again in the animated series.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Do you know who voiced boy Spock? He sounds so much like the actor who played young Anakin Skywalker (but of course they are not the same).

[@josecarrales2842]

I read somewhere that the track we hear of young Spock, was more or less and audition. Lou Shimer and the Filmation crew was known for doing things on "The cheap," they simply didn't do another take.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

@@josecarrales2842 So, who was the voice of the boy Spock?

[@mikecurtis2716]

@@TheNoiseySpectator Nine year old Billy Simpson, and yes they did use his audition tape for the show.

[@tnolddawg]

I was born in 67, so I grew up on the original series in reruns & these animated episodes on Saturday mornings 😊

[@davidradich9342]

This episode was my very first introduction to Star Trek, back when it aired on Saturday morning. I was in love with the show ever since!

[@Maltiris]

D.C. wrote several Star Trek novels also. They were really good.

[@zipadeedooda7938]

Back in the day, animation cels from the series were sold at conventions. For those of us that grew up then, there will always a soft spot in our hearts for this show. You may wish to watch the original Outer Limits, which was before the original Star Trek. Only on for a season and a half and in black and white. A lot of Star Treak connections, including 2 episodes written by Harlan Ellison. The original Land of the Lost live action Saturday morning show is fun too, with David Gerrold (writer of 'The Trouble With Tribbles') as story editor and partial creator. I don't think I've seen anyone ever react to it.

[@racookster]

I saw this episode when it first aired in 1973. I was fourteen years old - old enough to realize that the animated series had NOT been dumbed down for kids. I was delighted. Unfortunately, that didn't hold true for every episode of TAS, but the whole series was still head-and-shoulders above everything else on Saturday Morning TV (except maybe Bugs Bunny).

[@salvationsplace]

ya. bugs is a league of his own

[@racookster]

@@salvationsplace- It wasn't a fair comparison, though. Aside from the two shows being apples and oranges, the best of those Warner Bros. shorts were made in the 'forties and 'fifties, and they were made for theatrical release, not for TV, and they were not made for kids. ST:TAS was made in the 'seventies - a time when animation had almost become prohibitively expensive - and it WAS made on a TV budget, and it was ostensibly for kids.

[@vernonbolinger9488]

Bugs bunny and all of the merry melodies characters were and still are the best. Been enjoying them since the 60s.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

I was 8. I remember tearing up when Spock's pet bear died.

[@Robert-un7br]

I was 10 years old that year. I don’t remember much about this other than the animation. I don’t think I’ve watched them again since they first aired. It’s fun to remember with Josh and Alex!

[@belkyhernandez8281]

I don't remember ever seeing this as a child. First episode I watched was on the internet. I was surprised by the maturity of the cartoon.

[@raymondregis6219]

Having soaked up all the original episodes as reruns I was very excited to have this series. I was 12 at the time. Enjoy.

[@Shasta--1]

This is the one that has been referred to in live-action ST so it is considered canon.

[@m.e.3862]

Yes. In Star Trek Enterprise. You could tell Manny Coto was a big fan of og Trek

[@jsharp3165]

I was 8 when this came out and had recently lost a pet. This episode made me bawl all over again. Still the only TAS I ever really liked.

[@JnEricsonx]

Lost two. Full adult cried for each.

[@DeltaAssaultGaming]

Batman TAS is great

[@dirus3142]

DC Fontana also wrote Star Trek novels. Vulcan's Glory is about an Ensign Spock serving under Christopher Pike. They must recover a Vulcan artifact. This book is still waiting to be read by me. Considering Fontana's work in the series, I look forward to reading it. When I find it again, among my other books I have yet to read.

[@gallendugall8913]

I forgot! Larry Niven did an episode of this. Or to be more accurate they borrowed one of his short stories for this.

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

The voicework of Sarek in this episode is an interesting story - originally they weren't sure if they could get Mark Leonard back, so James Doohan recorded Sarek's lines. Then Mark DID become available and so the episode used his recording instead. James Doohan seems to have been unaware of this change however, since at conventions for years afterwards he insisted that the voice in the final broadcast episode was his! If so it would have been his best impersonation ever - Doohan is normally pretty easy to recognise 😁

[@vincegamer]

He may have just forgotten that he voiced the other old Vulcan, the healer

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

@@vincegamer Quite possible - Doohan worked hard to retain a wealth of knowledge about the show in order to better converse with the fans but he was only human and did make the odd mistake. The trouble is he would always sound so certain about them! For instance, he claimed that the model Enterprise was "thirteen point five feet long" whereas in fact it was just under eleven feet - 135 inches to be exact, so it's easy to see where he got mixed up.

[@danielchapman6032]

D. C. Fontana said in an interview that the goal of the TOS was to have episodes for different characters and to make it a more of a group effort rather than just Kirk, but they never had time to develop that plan.

[@sparky6086]

James Doohan, "Scotty" , & Majel Barret, "Nurse Chapel", took care of a lot of the other voices on TAS. Doohan was a very experienced voice over artist long before "Star Trek".

[@THICKETDWELLERR]

This is probably my favorite episode of the animated series. Back in the 1970’s there was a viewing device called a view master which let you view stills in 3-D. I had this episode for my view master. Each story you got for the VM came on 3 disc you inserted into the device 0:01

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

"The Omega Glory" was also available for View-Master. A few years ago, there was a movie in development inspired by the View-Master toy. As bizarre and pointless as that sounds, it would have been interesting to see how they approached it. Would it have been about a kid finding a magical device that could see into another dimension?

[@wkgmathguy218]

Didn't Henry Fonda do the tv ads for the viewmaster? I remember having one with some disck from supercar and spaceghost.

[@dunringill1747]

I enjoy your appreciation for this animated classic. Live Long and Prosper.

[@thegodlessvulcan]

I like DC Fontana preparing us kids for the difficult choice we would have to make later in our lives about our pets. I just recently lost a pet and this episode ran through my mind as I had to weigh my options.

[@LeChaunce]

As a kid watching this show as it aired after having discovered the original series in syndication the year before, I truly appreciated the fact that the cartoon was able to -- and willing to -- show us non-humanoid aliens in the Federation, like Lt. Arex, or the bird guy here. Yes, Roddenberry "decanonized" most of the series later (with the sole exception of this episode), but since his passing they've been slowly reintroducing elements of the show back into canon, with the animated show Lower Decks carrying most of that burden by using alien species that had previously only ever appeared in TAS. I'm hoping one day we get a live-action Edoan like Lt. Arex.

[@Manitsas]

You can satisfy your live-action Lt. Arex fix with this short from Star Trek Phase 2, at Navigation for the launch of the refit Enterprise made to match the design for the aborted 1970's STPhase2 TV series. Okay to skip the memorial service shown in the first half. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rprQkIOresyFiMU

[@michaelpapp5518]

8:37 I had to put my cat down due to a tumor just last week or so. This hits so much harder now.

[@targetaudience]

Our condolences

[@markfilla9305]

Of the animated episodes, this is the one that really stuck in my head. Since I was a kid when I watched this, it really had an effect on me. That's what was so different with TAS. It was a Saturday morning cartoon, but it was like no other Saturday cartoon shown. It dealt with adult themes and ideas, because it was the TOS simply in animated form. Pretty groundbreaking if you think about it.

[@salvationsplace]

we got the best sci-fi. Land of the lost too was top notch - that guy in the swamp was scary as F

[@markfilla9305]

@@salvationsplace never a big fan of Land of the Lost.. I watched it most of the time, but I always found it very cheesy.

[@salvationsplace]

@@markfilla9305 the effects were definitely cheesy, but the writers were some of the best in sci-fi ( D. C. Fontana was one ) and the goal was to make top notch sci-fi for kids same for TAS. we got good stuff. its a shame animated equals for kids in the US

[@luminiferous1960]

Great reaction! As to the humans in the crew not reacting to or commenting on the alien creature, that is the point, i.e., that alien is a member of the crew with whom they interact regularly; it's normal - not a big deal in the world of Star Trek. It would be odd in the world of the story if they did have some big reaction to that crew member or made some specific comment about it, and it would disrupt the verisimilitude of the story.

[@bjgandalf69]

I love the fact that the incidental music is the same music used on Superfriends...🙂

[@Asher8328]

This is considered by far the best TAS episode. It was also the only one I know of that Roddenberry considered to be canon.

[@RLucas3000]

I feel it would be ridiculous for another episode not to be as it’s a sequel.

[@sedawk]

So the Birdman in canon? (Raises Eyebrow) - Fascinating

[@arrow1414]

​@@sedawk Yes it is

[@Nergalsama01]

It's also the most influential one. Spock's childhood on Vulcan in the first Abramstrek certainly adapted some of the details of "Yesteryear."

[@LaBlueStateGirl]

This is another one that I watched at my uncles house as a 10-year old, but even though our family watched reruns of TOS at home every weekday evening, I saw this episode before seeing "City on the Edge of Forever." My little sister and I were even under the impression that the live action show 'stole' The Guardian from this episode. Kids! We had both decided that we liked TAS a lot, but we also really liked Superfriends and it was a hour show. Star Trek started on the half hour so it also suffered from bad scheduling!

[@_WillCAD_]

TAS had some outstanding episodes... and a few Spock's Brains... but this has generally been regarded as the very best episode of the show's run. Dorothy Fontana was a brilliant writer who deserves credit for creating a lot of Vulcan culture, and Spock's personal backstory as well.

[@Manitsas]

The shot of the city below the wedding area in "Amok Time" in Season 2 was added with the digital remaster and update to match with the shot in "Yesteryear" of the same city.

[@blanewilliams5960]

I have never seen these before and I really enjoyed the first episode. I am loving this and although heartbroken about his pet dying I feel it's a good lesson for the kids watching, these things happen. Thanks for doing this Alex and Josh.

[@michaelappleton705]

This episode was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in Children’s Programming.

[@flotilha935]

This is definitely the best episode of the animated series.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Yes, between this one and "Beyond the Farthest Star" last week, the guys have eaten dessert before dinner. 😞

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

A great reaction, Alex and Josh. This is considered one of the best episodes of, Star Trek: The Animated Series, but the series as a whole is really good with many great episodes, some of them are based on unused scripts from the original series.

[@sparky6086]

Kind of an "Old Yeller" type thing!

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

No doubt.

[@MoonjumperReviews]

Great review, guys! Fun fact: The network wanted to exclude the scene of I-Chiya’s death because of it being a children’s show. But D.C. Fontana fought for it and won, convincing the network that the loss of a pet and death in general is an important life lesson for children-which was indeed the point of the episode.

[@Thunderwing88]

I first saw Animated Trek on Nickelodeon in the late 80’s.

[@justinplayfair4638]

Your nemesis, D.C. Fontana, was nominated for an Emmy for this episode!

[@RLucas3000]

How is she their nemesis, they loved Journey to Babel. (It’s my number 3 after Amok Time and Mirror, Mirror)

[@justinplayfair4638]

@@RLucas3000 they thought she was a man at first, until the viewership read them the riot act. It's meant playfully!

[@WEB_78O]

In my humble opinion, Yesteryear stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of TOS

[@t.gadway6729]

Strange to say, I had read the Alan Dean Foster novelizations of TAS before even knowing the cartoon existed. The episodes in my head were so much better than the cartoons I later saw that it was a bit sad to me. Thanks for reminding us that these were pretty good, actually.

[@tarascholfield5887]

The animated series classic 70s music always gets to me and from being a kid watching it on reruns on nickelodeon.

[@vincentsaia6545]

James Doohan voiced the Andorion and the healer

[@charlesballiett6800]

Episode 1 TNG " ENCOUNTER AT FARPOINT " was written by DC Fontanna & Gene RODDENBERRY´ the studio wanted a 2 hr episode season opener, Gene didn't want to do that. In the end Gene gave in by combining 2 episodes { 1 written by him, the other DC Wrote }

[@caseyanne967]

This is my first time seeing TAS. Great character ep for Spock with a very interesting storyline.

[@dmnemaine]

The only small nitpick with this episode is that nothing at all was done with Kirk's bad experience (Edith Keeler) with the Guardian Of Forever. I realize it's a kids' show, and that's probably why it was overlooked, but even just a small reference to memories or something would have been nice.

[@matthewdoyle6823]

In 1973 I was six years old. This show was everything. Thousands of kids were in tears that Saturday morning when I-Chia was put to sleep. For most kids, the loss of a pet was our first encounter with death.

[@artboymoy]

I think this episode made it really feel like this show would be canon. It's a pretty indepth episode dealing with one character's history, so how could you not consider it canon? Great reaction!

[@photonicus]

I had always thought they were able to save I-Chaya.. probably just the way I wanted to remember it. It HAS been a long time since seeing this.

[@TJStock85]

This episode has everything! A great watch as well as my first exposure to Star Trek, The Animated Series on Saturday mornings with a bowl of cheerios.

[@allanrose3661]

Only saw it as a kid. Glad you guys are watching it with me again.

[@teeveeviewerski3381]

Thanks guy, in particular for recognizing DC's outstanding contributions.

[@brianbooker8724]

There are at least a couple of more TAS episodes that are either sequels to or make direct references to TOS episodes.

[@brianeslinger3639]

Got to say I am hooked on the animated series an I was never into animated shows sorry I didn’t watch it back then so thanks for opening my eyes to this 👍🖖 Brian from Northeast Ohio 👍👍👍👍

[@benanderson6390]

I watched this episode when i was maybe 6 years old back in the 70s. It was my first introduction to Star Trek, and holds a special place in my heart, since I'd lost a pet not long beforehand. I was an instant fan.

[@DrWilliamWeirIASA]

Its hands down the best animated star trek.

[@THICKETDWELLERR]

Yes Mark Lenard reprised his role as Sarek, He was also the Romulus captain in the episode Balance of terror, and he is the Klingon captain in the opening scenes of Star TRek TMP 0:01

[@richardb6260]

The only actor to play a Vulcan, a Romulan, and a Klingon.

[@THICKETDWELLERR]

Susie Plaxon played a Vulcan Dr Salar, and a Romulan captain Torres, Klingon Ambassador K’lar, in the next Gen, and she played Lady Q in the Q and the Gray episode of VOY I think she was really trying to 1 up mark lenard But none of them has had as many roles as Vaughn Armstrong 0:01

[@richardb6260]

@@THICKETDWELLERR half-Klingon

[@DavidB-2268]

​@richardb6260 at the time. Now he was just the first to do so.

[@zoppie]

Although they used a younger actor to play Sarek in ST5, Mark Lenard's voice was dubbed in to say "So human."

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

This was my favorite ST:TAS episode BY FAR!

[@adambrown3918]

I'm really happy you both love the show! I loved it as child. So happy it's being appreciated by a new generation. 😊❤

[@frankney8284]

The novels have another instance where Spock and the Guardian get together. Remember the episode where an entire planet's population went back in time to escape a nova and Spock banged one of the women? Turns out he had a son.

[@UncleUncleRj]

I never watched the animated series before, but diving into it with you guys so far has been very enjoyable.

[@pauld6967]

What a nice lunch time treat. That it is one of the best episodes is icing on the cake.

[@JnEricsonx]

Lost my first two dogs, second had to put to sleep. This ep always hurts.

[@joejira2809]

Kid Spock always sounded like Linus from Peanuts to me in this episode.

[@montylc2001]

Great reaction guys to one of my favorite episodes of TAS. There is an episode coming up, don't remember what order it is, that has a distinction of being the only one of its kind in the Star Trek series of the TOS crew. I'll just leave it at that and see if you figure it out after watching it. Ka'Plah!!!

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

That sounded like Mark Lenard playig Spock's dad again.

[@monsterhobbies]

I hope you guys keep up this pace on these Animated Star Treks. Watching you guys watch Trek is so much fun!

[@tomtortolani8082]

IMHO, this is by far better then other TAS episodes, but there is at least one more surprise in store for you...

[@powerbadpowerbad]

I REALLY liked this episode,gave a back story for Spock,plus I like time travel. I like how in Star Trek: ( 2009 ) the rebooted film they had a scene where Spock as a kid was harassed by other vulcan kids.And Spock mopped the floor with one kid !!!! LOL.

[@SomeRandomOldFatGuy]

I absolutely loved this one

[@TurtleTrackin]

I watched in in reruns on Nickelodeon in the 80s, and I loved it.

[@josecarrales2842]

This episode was, for a long time, one of the only episode which was considered canon. Gene Roddenberry had "decanonized" the Animated Series. This one, written by Dorothy Fontana, is an example why it has been reconsidered. I mean, it's the original actors and writer. What do you guys think of canonical issues?

[@targetaudience]

We’ll see if anything in the series makes us change our mind but as of right now we consider it canon

[@josecarrales2842]

@@targetaudience I agree. These episodes, if they were hour long ones and live action, would have worked. There are a few things coming you might say... "nah" too, and that's ok.

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

Thank You for reacting to this episode, it's one of my favorites of all the different series.

[@RetroRobotRadio]

I think originally this was meant to be another five-year mission after the first was over.

[@shallowgal462]

My favorite! This episode was considered canon before any other. I don't know if you already knew this, but what you call a "cold open," script writers call the "teaser." Except Quinn Martin. You cut out the end credits on the KZbin version, so I didn't see. Did you verify that Mark Lenard reprised the role of Sarek? (His voice is unmistakable, even on Planet of the Apes.) The series is set, as the episode mentions, near the end of the first five-year mission. Note that Nurse Chapel has been promoted to full Lieutenant and Dr. McCoy to full Commander. If the show had been renewed, it was planned there be a series finale about the end of the 5-year mission.

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

Mark Lenard isn't actually listed in the end credits, nor were any of TAS' other guest actors (such as Billy Simpson as young Spock). I think the end credits were actually identical on every episode, although I could be mistaken.

[@shallowgal462]

@@anthonybernacchi2732 How horrible! 😡

[@RetrofanFilms]

If you listen to the voices for the characters, you can tell who was voicing which character. Commander Thelin was voiced by James Doohan; who also voiced the healer. Amanda, Spock’s mother, was voiced by Nichelle Nichols. Mark Lenard did appear to voice Sarek, and Majel Barrett voiced one of the historians.

[@markmarshall2187]

Love This Episode

[@gobabygirlzen]

This made me cry as a kid.

[@80smoviesfan]

This was a good episode. And i agree with Josh. Episodes about time travel, just go with it. Thinking about it makes your head hurt. 2 of the 22 Episodes done 20 more to go with some good surprises.

[@richierich398]

Yeah, this is just a great Star Trek episode period.

[@Jessica_Roth]

This is absolutely great, even though the time paradox makes no sense (if Spock ALWAYS needed "Selek" to save his life, how did he grow-up to be "Selek, originally?) and I kind of am sad that Majel Barrett is voicing Amanda here. I actually read the adaptation before i saw the series, and the font used made me think that I-Chaya's name was actually l-Chaya, with a lowercase "L". So I'm still mentally "correcting" the name in my head, lol.

[@BiggestDawgEver]

In many ways it is based on the strength of this particular episode that this series has been officially accepted into canon. In fact a lot of ideas presented here inspired moments in future Trek episodes and movies. I loved watching this show in syndication as a kid in the 80's.

[@sail2byzantium]

Yep, that is Mark Leonard voicing Sarek. Too bad they couldn't get Jane Wyatt to voice Amada (unsure why--her lack of interest or it wasn't in the budget, or both)--so Majel Barrett did that.

[@chake46]

Ms. Wyatt was not available due to a prior commitment. It would have been nice.

[@sail2byzantium]

@@chake46 Okay. I wasn't aware there was even an interest--I wasn't sure. Thanks!

[@chake46]

@@sail2byzantium Glad to give the update. I read this years ago during ST run on the SYFY channel.

[@empirejeff]

This covers the final year of their five year mission.

[@richardb6260]

There is one upcoming episode I can't wait for you to see.

[@jeffreymoore6742]

Nimoy wasn’t going to do the series unless they brought everyone else back. Which they weren’t going to do. All came back except Konieg. But he does write an episode I do believe

[@lindaanderegg7920]

Yes, the one with Giant Spock

[@williamblakehall5566]

Your reaction reminds me of my own high hopes that I had on the first viewing. Coming up: what I found to be an odd twist on the whole "Maybe we can reason with the monster" premise. Thank you, TA. Steady as she goes, warp factor two.

[@keithbk]

I love the SF animation for the series and I love the original voices. I'm not a big fan of the weird alien crew members, but bringing back the Andorians is welcome.