The episode opens with advertising, then transitions to a dramatic preview of Season 2's subject: the Apollo 13 mission of April 1970. Host Kevin Fong states that he still has nightmares about the events to be covered. Archival audio of mission control is played, including the famous transmission 'Houston, we've had a problem.' The loss of oxygen tank 2 pressure is described as the central crisis. The show is described as coming from the BBC World Service. Fong explains the season will cover four days in space with the astronauts' lives under constant threat. Interviewees, including at least one astronaut, state they did not believe the crew would survive. One voice describes thinking about continuing to try even as oxygen ran out. The physical conditions aboard the spacecraft are described in detail, including carbon dioxide buildup from the crew's own exhalation. Temperatures inside the spacecraft dropped to 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit, described as being like the inside of a refrigerator. An astronaut describes warming a crewmate with body heat. Mission controllers are described as working hour after hour, day after day, to save the crew. An unnamed participant dismisses the label of heroism, describing the rescuers as ordinary people using math and science. A key directive from the crisis is quoted: 'Quit dwelling on this being impossible. Ask yourself what would make it possible.' The season is framed as covering both the astronauts who flew the mission and the people on the ground who saved it. Kevin Fong is identified as the host. The theme music is credited to Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg. Listeners are invited to subscribe to the podcast.
