episode #02 - Yesteryear

Air Date: 9/15/73    written by D.C. Fontana
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This episode functioned as kind of a sequel to The City on the Edge of Forever from TOS and also was the first detailed look at the planet Vulcan & Spock's early life following the earlier glimpse in Amok Time. In the plot, a team of Federation historians are checking out The Guardian of Forever, the time portal discovered by Kirk and crew in The City on the Edge of Forever. Kirk and Spock had entered the time portal again to witness something in the dim past (no details are revealed); but, when they return, no one recognizes Spock... and Kirk has another 1st Officer, an Andorian, serving under him. They soon find out that in this new timeline, Spock had been killed as a child. Spock has to go back in time to Vulcan to save himself.
Generally, this is regarded as one of the best episodes of TAS or a favorite. It does have an intriguing time travel paradox, a sometimes 'fascinating' backstory on a favorite character and some action adventure. The various elements comprise a very pure science fiction story. But, most of all, this is a commentary on the human condition, told from a Vulcan perspective. It focuses on a young boy and his coming to grips with one of the more traumatic, sad yet natural facts of life and the turning points we all face. It's incredibly effective for an animated episode, more so than many live action shows. I just didn't like the voice (provided by James Doohan, who also spoke for several other characters in this one) of the Guardian here; it sounds like he's ill or just moaning; the original was much better. BoG's Score: 8 out of 10


Trek Trivia: Mark Lenard provided the voice for Sarek, Spock's father, here as a guest voice artist, though he was uncredited; Majel Barrett spoke for Amanda, Spock's mother (played by Jane Wyatt in the original Journey to Babel).