Beam aboard Sceam Me Up Botty as we dive into one of the most intense and personal episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series yet! In Season 2, Episode 13 - "Obsession," Captain Kirk comes face-to-face with a deadly, cloud-like creature that drains the red blood cells of its victims... and it's one he's met before.

Eleven years earlier, while serving aboard the USS Farragut, Kirk hesitated during an encounter with this same vampiric entity — a moment of doubt that cost lives, including that of his commanding officer.

Now, the creature has returned, and Kirk's unresolved guilt spirals into a full-blown obsession that risks the Enterprise and its mission. We watch Kirk channel his inner Captain Ahab as he pursues vengeance, while young Ensign Garrovick (son of the late captain) faces a hauntingly similar test of nerve.

In this episode of Sceam Me Up Botty, host Rodney Stewart breaks down:

• Kirk's rare display of imperfection and raw emotion

• The powerful themes of guilt, redemption, and the heavy burden of command

• Standout performances, the eerie atmosphere, and that classic Sol Kaplan score

• How this story fits into the larger Trek universe and why it remains a fan favorite decades later

Whether you're a lifelong Trekkie or just starting your voyage through the Original Series, this review is packed with spoilers, laughs, lore, and passionate debate. "Obsession" proves that sometimes the greatest monsters are the ones we carry inside.

Listen now and join the discussion!

Beam me up, Botty — we're going deep into the final frontier.

The years are catching up... fast.

On this week's episode of Sceam Me Up Botty, we're reviewing Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 12 - "The Deadly Years." When a routine mission leaves Kirk, Spock, and the senior crew rapidly aging, the Enterprise faces a crisis only the young can solve. We're breaking down the aging effects, the desperate race against time, the classic Trek science-gone-wrong vibes, and some truly wild performances as our favorite officers confront their own mortality.

Expect plenty of laughs at the old-age makeup, deep discussion on themes of youth vs. experience, and our usual chaotic reactions to one of TOS's most memorable (and strangely hilarious) episodes.

If you've ever felt time speeding up on you, this one hits different.

New episode is live now on Sceam Me Up Botty!

Beam yourself in, hit subscribe, and join the warp-speed conversation. What's your verdict on "The Deadly Years"?

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Beam aboard Sceam Me Up Botty for another warp-speed deep dive into the final frontier!

In this episode, we're reviewing "Friday's Child" - Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 11.

Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy beam down to the warlike planet Capella IV to secure a vital mining agreement for the Federation. But things get messy fast when a Klingon agent shows up, a tribal power struggle erupts, and the crew finds themselves protecting a pregnant woman who wants nothing to do with her unborn child.

Expect plenty of Klingon scheming, Capellan customs that could get you killed for smiling at the wrong time, some classic McCoy grumpiness, and a few "Friday's Child" twists that make this one a wild ride through tribal politics and interstellar rivalry.

Join us as we break down the episode's strengths, weaknesses, cultural quirks, and where it fits in the golden era of TOS. Whether you're a die-hard Trekkie or just along for the ride, this one's got fights, diplomacy, and that signature Star Trek heart.

E New episode of Sceam Me Up Botty is out now!

Subscribe, hit play, and let's scream me up, Botty!

Join us as we beam aboard one of the most beloved and emotionally rich episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series - "Journey to Babel" (Season 2, Episode 10).

The Enterprise becomes a interstellar diplomatic vessel, ferrying a contentious collection of alien ambassadors to a critical Federation conference on the planet Babel. Tensions run high, old family wounds are reopened, and a mysterious threat looms that could spark interstellar war. At the heart of it all: Spock's estranged parents, Ambassador Sarek and Amanda Grayson, force the half-Vulcan science officer to confront his divided heritage like never before.

In this episode review, we dive deep into:

• The brilliant world-building and introduction of key Vulcan lore

• Mark Lenard's iconic performance as Sarek

• The perfect blend of tense diplomacy, gripping mystery, and heartfelt family drama

• How this episode elevated the stakes for the entire franchise

• Classic TOS action, memorable guest aliens, and some of the series' best character moments

Whether you're a lifelong Trekkie or discovering the Original Series for the first time, "Journey to Babel" stands as a shining example of why Star Trek remains timeless: intelligent storytelling, rich characters, and optimistic vision wrapped in thrilling adventure.

Grab your universal translator, settle in with a cup of plomeek soup, and press play. Live long and prosper... and don't forget to subscribe for more Star Trek TOS reviews!

"Join us as we explore one of the most romantic and introspective episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 2, Episode 9: 'Metamorphosis'!

A shuttlecraft carrying Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and a gravely ill Federation Commissioner crash-lands on a seemingly uninhabited planet. There they discover Zefram Cochrane - the legendary inventor of warp drive — alive and well after 150 years, cared for by a mysterious, protective energy being known only as the Companion. As the crew races to save the commissioner's life, they uncover profound questions about love, immortality, loneliness, and what it truly means to be human.

In this review, we discuss Gene L. Coon's thoughtful script, the touching performances (especially Glenn Corbett as Cochrane and Elinor Donahue as the Commissioner), the groundbreaking (for its time) exploration of inter-species love, and how the episode quietly ranks among TOS's most emotionally resonant stories. We also examine themes of aging, connection, sacrifice, and the beautiful final metamorphosis that gives the episode its name.

Thoughtful, tender, and quietly powerful,

'Metamorphosis' proves that even in the vastness of space, the most alien thing of all might be love itself.

Perfect for listeners who appreciate the quieter, character-driven side of classic Trek. Beam down with us for a heartfelt discussion you won't want to miss!"

Beam aboard for a hilarious deep dive into Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 8 - 4, Mudd'!

The Enterprise is hijacked by a suspiciously logical crewman named Norman (who turns out to be an android), forcing Kirk and a landing party to a planet populated entirely by sophisticated robots. There they reunite with the galaxy's most lovable con man, Harcourt Fenton Mudd - now styling himself as

'Mudd the First, ruler of an android empire, complete with a nagging android wife he can finally shut off with a command!

In this review, we celebrate one of TOS's funniest episodes: Roger C. Carmel's scene-stealing return as Harry Mudd, the crew's over-the-top illogical assault on the android collective, Spock's deadpan logic loops, and Kirk's masterful use of human absurdity to overload perfect machines. We explore themes of technology, perfection versus free will, and why a little chaos is essential to humanity — all wrapped in classic Trek comedy gold.

If you love rogue characters, android uprisings, and the Original Series at its most playful, this one's a must-listen. Grab your drink, prepare to contradict yourself 1,000 times in a row, and join us as we ask

'What is this, a circus?'

Pure fun for Trek fans who enjoy the lighter, wackier side of the final frontier!"

Join us for a spooktacular deep dive into Star Trek:

The Original Series Season 2, Episode 7 -

'Catspaw'!

When a landing party goes missing on the foggy planet Pyris VIl, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy beam down into a full-blown Halloween nightmare: a creepy haunted castle, a hissing black cat, zombie crewmen, and a pair of eccentric aliens playing warlock and witch. Written by Robert Bloch (of Psycho fame) and timed perfectly for the holiday, this episode blends sci-fi with supernatural vibes as the crew faces off against seemingly magical powers that might just be advanced technology gone wild.

In this review, we unpack the episode's campy charms, memorable practical effects, the seductive Sylvia, Korob's tragic turn, and how it explores human nature through Clarke's Third Law-style 'any sufficiently advanced technology is

indistinguishable from magic. Is it pure cheesy fun or a clever allegory hiding in plain sight?

Grab your phaser, watch out for trap doors, and beam aboard for a delightfully eerie discussion.

Perfect listening for Trek fans who love the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully weird corners of the Original Series!

The Doomsday Machine" - one of the most intense, high-stakes episodes in all of Star Trek:

The Original Series - gets the full treatment in this review.

In Season 2, Episode 6, the Enterprise encounters a nightmarish, planet-destroying alien weapon of unimaginable power... and a lone, half-mad starship captain hell-bent on revenge against it. Kirk and crew are forced into a desperate battle against an unstoppable force that could wipe out the entire galaxy.

In this episode of the podcast, we break down:

• The raw tension and brilliant pacing that makes this feel like a sci-fi thriller

• Commodore Decker's tragic descent into obsession

• The unforgettable "Doomsday Machine" itself - one of the most iconic threats in Trek history

• How this episode perfectly balances character drama, moral dilemmas, and edge-of-your-seat action

• Why "The Doomsday Machine" is still considered one of the greatest episodes of the Original Series

Join us as we beam aboard for a deep-dive review of this classic tale of hubris, survival, and the terrifying cost of playing god with the universe.

Perfect for longtime Trekkies and new fans alike - grab your phaser and prepare for warp speed!

Beam up for another deep dive into classic sci-fi! In this episode, we review Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 5 - 'The Apple!

Kirk, Spock, and the crew land on the idyllic planet Gamma Trianguli VI, only to discover a paradise with a deadly secret: a mysterious god-like entity called Vaal that demands total obedience from its people.

What begins as a lush tropical getaway quickly turns into a battle for survival as the Enterprise crew must decide whether to play god themselves.

We break down the episode's themes of paradise vs. progress, the Prime Directive in action (or violation?), the unforgettable "redshirt" moments, and some of the most delightfully campy dialogue in TOS history. Is 'The Apple' an underrated gem, a product of its time, or just pure 1960s cheese?

Join us as we explore one of Season 2's most visually striking - and philosophically questionable - adventures. Live long and prosper... or don't, if Vaal has anything to say about it.

"Mirror Mirror" - one of the most iconic episodes in all of Star Trek - gets the full treatment this week!

In Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 4, Captain Kirk and his landing party are accidentally transported into a brutal parallel universe where the Enterprise is a ship of the Terran Empire: a ruthless, dog-eat-dog version of Starfleet where assassination, torture, and betrayal are everyday tools of advancement.

We dive deep into this legendary episode: the unforgettable "evil" versions of Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and Scotty, the clever moral dilemmas, the famous

"mirror universe" trope that would influence decades of sci-fi, and why this single story still feels so fresh and powerful nearly 60 years later.

From the shocking brutality of the Imperial Starfleet to the subtle (and not-so-subtle) social commentary on power, loyalty, and humanity, we break down everything that makes "Mirror Mirror" a stone-cold classic.

Whether you're a lifelong Trekkie or discovering the Original Series for the first time, this review is packed with insights, favorite moments, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and plenty of debate about one of TOS's absolute best hours of television.

Beam aboard as we step through the looking glass...

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most fascinating Star Trek episode of them all?