Standard Orbit: A Star Trek Original Series Podcast

“The Enemy Within” 60th-anniversary reflections.As we’ve already learned, you have to be careful what you touch and bring back to the ship when on the landing party. This time, geological technician Fisher smears magnetic ore on his uniform and breaks the transporter on beam-back. The result? Two Kirks! When the captain returns from the planet, he is split into separate individuals. One embodies all his primal instinct, drive, and passion. The other all his compassion, empathy, and morality. With the crew initially unaware that there are two Jims roaming the Enterprise, the captain is accused of unbecoming behavior. Meanwhile, crew remain stranded on the planet with time running out..In this episode of Standard Orbit, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 60th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of the original Star Trek, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 1 with the third aired episode, “The Enemy Within,” as we discuss the first transporter accident, it’s Maybelline, strengths and weaknesses, Vulcan insight, the b-story, our final thoughts and ratings.ChaptersTransporter Accident! (00:02:31)It’s Maybelline! (00:08:05)Strengths and Weaknesses (00:14:15)Vulcan Insight (00:21:26)The B-Story (00:26:25)Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:36:04)HostsC Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProductionC Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer and Editor)SocialTwitter: @TrekfmInstagram: @Trekfm

“The Naked Time” 60th-anniversary reflections.Arriving at Psi 2000 to pick up a team of scientists from the dying planet, the Enterprise finds everyone already dead, frozen at their posts. in a station where someone switched off life support—one of them fully clothed in the shower. A careless nose scratch by crewman Joe Tormolen brings whatever infected the scientists back to the ship. Everyone starts acting drunk and overly emotional. Sulu gets into shirtless fencing, Nurse Chapel confesses her love for Spock, and Riley locks himself in engineering to sing Irish ballads. With the engines shut off, the ship begins spiraling toward the planet and a fiery end.In this episode of Standard Orbit, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 60th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of the original Star Trek, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 1 with the fourth aired episode, “The Naked Time,” as we discuss setting the tone, comparison, Spock’s struggle, Chapel, the ending, if it holds up, with our final thoughts and ratings.ChaptersSetting the Tone (00:02:34)Comparison (00:08:14)Spock’s Struggle (00:15:19)Chapel (00:20:08)The Ending (00:29:10)Holding Up (00:34:30)Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:36:51)HostsC Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProductionC Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer and Editor)SocialTwitter: @TrekfmInstagram: @Trekfm

“Where No Man Has Gone Before” 60th-anniversary reflectionsOn a mission to the edge of the galaxy, the Enterprise recovers the disaster recorder of the SS Valiant, an Earth ship lost two centuries earlier. Its final entries point to a frantic search for information on ESP—extrasensory perception—and a captain ordering the destruction of his own ship. Captain Kirk takes the Enterprise into the galactic barrier and the ship encounters strange activity that may have been what did in the Valiant. As electric charges strike the bridge, Gary Mitchell and Elizabeth Dehner are struck. Mitchell's eyes glow silver, and he begins to exhibit unusual powers that grow by the hour. His contempt for the mere mortals around him grows as well, and Kirk must decide whether to maroon his old friend on a barren rock—or kill him while he still can.In this episode of Standard Orbit, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 60th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of the original Star Trek, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 1 with the third aired episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” as we discuss a second pilot, the handoff from “The Cage,” the need for compassion, human nature, fists over philosophy, and whether the story holds up six decades later.ChaptersA Second Pilot (00:03:16)The Handoff (00:07:38)Compassion is Needed (00:12:34)Human Nature (00:25:14)Fists Over Philosophy (00:36:46)Does it Hold Up? (00:43:24)Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:45:55)HostsC Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProductionC Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer and Editor)SocialTwitter: @TrekfmInstagram: @Trekfm

“Charlie X” 60th-anniversary reflectionsWhile investigating the planet Thasus, the crew of the Antares takes in a young crash survivor who had been stranded alone for 14 years. The boy, Charlie Evans, is then transferred to the Enterprise where his teenage angst becomes amplified as he tries to fit in with other humans. Attempts by Kirk, Rand, and others to help him acclimate are made far more difficult thanks to Charlie’s psychokinetic powers. Acting out whenever something doesn’t go his way, Charlie eventually takes over the Enterprise and the non-corporeal Thasians, who protected him during years of isolation and are responsible for his powers, are forced to step in and bring Charlie back “home.”In this episode of Standard Orbit, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 60th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of the original Star Trek, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 1 with the second aired episode, “Charlie X,” as we discuss its relevance in today’s world, the challenges of growing up, the importance of guidance, why you can’t always get what you want, and more.ChaptersIntro (00:00:00)Nature vs. Nurture (00:02:04)The Drive of Adolescence (00:09:17)Base Instincts (00:12:29)Kirk as Father Figure (00:18:08)Please Like Me! (00:21:17)You Can’t Always Get What You Want (00:29:51)Thasians Take Me Away (00:35:55)United Earth Space Probe Agency (00:38:12)Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:34)Closing (00:45:35)HostsC Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProductionC Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

Star Trek and “The Man Trap” 60th-anniversary reflectionsSix decades ago, Gene Roddenberry invited the world on a wagon trail to the stars with a salty start that would lead to one of the greatest storytelling adventures of all time.As the Star Trek franchise marks its 60th anniversary, Standard Orbit returns with hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing as we reflect on the series that started it all. In this installment, we discuss the first aired episode, “The Man Trap,” and how it works as a pilot and immediately pulls viewers into the story and the world of Star Trek.ChaptersIntro (00:00:00)60 Years of Influence (00:02:25)What Keeps You Watching? (00:10:39)Can Star Trek Remain Relevant? (00:19:48)It Just Throws You In (00:26:08)The Mystery of Nancy Crater (00:36:02)Does “The Man Trap” Still Hold Up? (00:40:22)Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:46:36)Closing (00:49:24)HostsC Bryan Jones and Matthew RushingProductionC Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)