Ep 2. Yesteryear

In Star Trek: The Animated Series season 1 episode 2, titled Yesteryear, the crew of the USS Enterprise discovers that Captain Kirk no longer exists in the timeline. Meanwhile, Spock is sent back in time to his childhood on the planet Vulcan, where he discovers that his own past may be responsible for Kirk's disappearance.

As Spock navigates his past, he is forced to confront difficult memories and revelations, particularly concerning his relationship with his father and how it influenced his decision to join Starfleet. The episode also explores the culture and customs of the planet Vulcan, further developing the rich lore of the Star Trek universe.

While many episodes of the series rely on action and space battles, Yesteryear takes a different approach, exploring psychological and emotional themes. The episode allows viewers to delve deeper into the characters of the series, particularly Spock, and learn more about their motivations and personal histories.

The animation style of the episode is notably different from the previous episode, "Beyond the Farthest Star," as the animation team was replaced due to budgetary concerns. However, this change did not detract from the quality of the episode, as the animation allowed for more vivid depictions of the planet Vulcan and the alien creatures that reside there.

Overall, Star Trek: The Animated Series season 1 episode 2, Yesteryear, is a poignant and introspective episode that adds depth and complexity to the Star Trek universe. The episode explores themes of family, identity, and how our past actions can have far-reaching consequences. Fans of the series will appreciate the opportunity to delve deeper into their favorite characters, while newcomers to the franchise will find much to enjoy and discover about the Star Trek universe.