PODCAST · fiction
2 Trek Nerds
by Kevin DeBeck and Dan Watson
Let Dan and Kevin be your guides in watching the episodes of Star Trek--The Original Series. This watch along podcast includes bits of trivia about each episode, along with insights by 2 guys who've been watching Star Trek since the 1970's. Listen and enjoy!
Episodes
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The Doomsday Machine
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…
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The Apple
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…
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Mirror, Mirror
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…
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The Changeling
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,...
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Who Mourns for Adonias?
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...
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Amok Time
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…
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Operation--Annihilate!
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...
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City on the Edge of Forever
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...
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The Alternative Factor
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…
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Errand of Mercy
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…
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Devil in the Dark
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…
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This Side of Paradise
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...
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A Taste of Armageddon
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.
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Space Seed
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....
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Return of the Archons
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!
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Court Martial
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.
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Tomorrow Is Yesterday
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.
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Arena
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...
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The Squire of Gothos
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.
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The Galileo Seven
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...
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Shore Leave
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.
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Balance of Terror
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...
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The Conscience of the King
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.
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The Menagerie, Part 2
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.
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The Menagerie, Part 1
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.
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The Corbomite Maneuver
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.
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Dagger of the Mind
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.
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Miri
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!
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What Are Little Girls Made Of?
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.
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Mudd's Women
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.
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The Enemy Within
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.
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The Naked Time
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.
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Where No Man Has Gone Before
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.
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Charlie X
Kevin and Dan talk about how this episode demonstrates that absolute power corrupts absolutely. And how teenagers are the same, regardless of century.
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The Man Trap
Dan and Kevin take you through the first broadcast episode of Star Trek, the Man Trap. Make sure to have some salt available.
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The Cage
Listen to Kevin and Dan riff on the episode that started it all almost 60 years ago.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Let Dan and Kevin be your guides in watching the episodes of Star Trek--The Original Series. This watch along podcast includes bits of trivia about each episode, along with insights by 2 guys who've been watching Star Trek since the 1970's. Listen and enjoy!
HOSTED BY
Kevin DeBeck and Dan Watson
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does 2 Trek Nerds have?
2 Trek Nerds currently has 36 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is 2 Trek Nerds about?
Let Dan and Kevin be your guides in watching the episodes of Star Trek--The Original Series. This watch along podcast includes bits of trivia about each episode, along with insights by 2 guys who've been watching Star Trek since the 1970's. Listen and enjoy!
How often does 2 Trek Nerds release new episodes?
2 Trek Nerds has 36 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to 2 Trek Nerds?
You can listen to 2 Trek Nerds on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts 2 Trek Nerds?
2 Trek Nerds is created and hosted by Kevin DeBeck and Dan Watson.
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