“The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail”

During a survey mission to Helicon Gamma, Commander James T. Kirk of the USS Farragut thinks it would be a good idea to put boots on the ground and explore the world firsthand. Think again. Just as he pitches the idea to his Vulcan captain, the planet is vaporized by an incredibly powerful weapon fired from a ship that looks like a giant sea creature. With most of the crew, including Captain V’rel, injured, Kirk takes command of the Farragut. His first time in the chair under pressure takes a life-or-death turn when the Enterprise is captured by space pirates and swallowed by the beast. He must overcome his crisis of confidence and rise to the occasion to save both ships, a tall task aided by a group that will one day become his own trusted crew.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail.” We discuss Kirk's backstory and evolution, bringing together the original series crew, pack rat Pelia and her '80s solution, and the story's closing twist.

Chapters Intro (0:00:00) Playing Kirk (00:02:12) Building Kirk (00:14:38) Bringing the TOS Crew Together (00:18:29) Pack Rat Pelia Saves the Day (00:27:29) The Twist Ending (00:32:10) When Star Trek Is at Its Best (00:42:48) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:49:00) Closing (00:52:34)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)