The Joy of Trek

Plato's Stepchildren (Star Trek: The Original Series, S3 E10) was recommended by Kaleb, he/him (pronounced 'Kay-lub'), who said: When thinking of which episode to recommend, this one didn't even cross my mind; I was sure it must be universally beloved! However, I found that it seems to be rather divisive, so I'm taking that as an excuse to recommend one of my all-time favorite episodes.It has some really great Spock character moments- especially in the scene after he and Kirk are humiliated by Parmen and Philana- which I'm always excited about. Really the entire scene lives rent free in my mind, especially Alexander’s speech and his anger towards the other Platonians. As an autistic person, I really relate to how he- a disabled man living among a population created through eugenics- is finally able to verbalize that his treatment wasn't deserved because of his difference, and that he doesn't want to be just like them.I also really love Uhura and Kirk's exchange right before their kiss, showing the trust shared between the members of the bridge crew this far into the series. The whole scene surrounding it has THE most sinister undertones, it's a little uncomfortable to watch, but it's supposed to keep you on tenterhooks waiting to see how far it’ll go before they find a way out.Yes, it's another (allegedly) advanced alien species that's modeled itself on Ancient Greece- however it's camp as hell, so I love it, especially Spock, Chapel, and Parmen’s outfits. I have a blast every time I rewatch it, even though Parmen needs to learn that just because you're in space doesn't mean you don't have to ask for consent before making people do weird fucked up acts for your amusement.TLDR: Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates? Morons.Plato's Stepchildren first aired on November 22, 1968, written by Joyce Muskat, and directed by John ErmanThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Night (Star Trek: Voyager, S5 E01) was recommended by Greg (He/him), who said: Night is the first appearance of Captain Proton which gets a lot of points for me right there. But more importantly, seeing the Captain's depression and her struggling with that has been very powerful to me when I've struggled with depression. I thought about this episode a lot during Covid where we were all trapped and feeling alone and isolated, but I knew there was a lively cluster of stars and planets at the end. Special Effect video mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m3Rea0H_p8Night first aired on October 14, 1998, written by Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky, and directed by David LivingstonThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Profit and Lace (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, S6 E23) was recommended by Lauren Alexis Rivers She/Her, who said: While I saw this episode long before I knew I was trans, I always love this episode because the Ferengi centric episodes are never afraid to have fun. Exploring the Ferengi culture and the slow march towards equality, we see Quark forced to step in as a Ferengi female after his arguments with his mother reach a boiling point. But not only is it a brilliant performance by Armin Shimerman but it's a really fun look at the Ferengi family and an unquestionable sign that Quark really does love his mother, flaws and all.Profit and Lace first aired on May 13, 1998, written by Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler, and directed by Siddig El FaddilThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

A Matter Of Honor (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S2 E08) was recommended by Rugger (They/Them), who said: I watched A Matter of Honor when I was 13, and had black and white views of good and bad. The Klingons are first presented as repulsive and bad, with excessive violence and moving gagh. But the Klingon aggressive nature saves the day; Riker sees the virtue of its flexible culture. If Picard ever made a mistake like the Captain Kargan, the Enterprise crew would follow him to their death (as they almost do in First Contact, until Lily talks him down).Diversity is good because nothing is good in every circumstance—we need different skillsets at different times.Crimson (he/him), I hope you guys have some fun with this episode. I certainly had fun rewatching it., recommended TNG 208 A Matter Of Honor, saying:"S2 TNG: Collarless-uniforms but Riker's Beard! Here we start to get a proper look at Klingons with some real complexity and individuality. Also we get a proper look at a whole lot of Klingon food. It's a great episode to show off Riker's character, as clever, brave, funny, with good humor, and a real willingness to jump in and just do things, the moreso as a personal challenge. We also get a B plot w/ Awkward Benzite Ensign, who is absolutely a type of person I have met many times. It's a great fun episode of cultural exchange in a few directions, all in all a favorite. Especially Riker's response to a nominal proposition (and his harried look afterwards). Also apparently the first appearance of blood wine!"A Matter Of Honor first aired on February 6, 1989, written by story by Wanda M. Haight & Gregory Amos & Burton Armus, teleplay by Burton Armus, and directed by Rob BowmanThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee (Star Trek: Lower Decks, S4 E2) was recommended by Mark Nixon he/him , who said: Not only do we see Marriner eventually loosing the battle against acceptance and recognition by her Commander but we are met with the cutest goddamn thing in the entire Star Trek Universe: The Moopsie. The sounds that came out of me and my partner when we saw this cuddly little murderer awkwardly waddle around the Manage have failed to be any quieter on subsequent viewings. This is my most watched Lower Decks episode by far.I accuse 'I Have No Bones, Yet I Must Flee' of Moopsie Freeing.I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee first aired on September 7, 2023, written by Aaron Burdette, and directed by Megan LloydThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Yesteryear (Star Trek: The Animated Series, S1 E02) was recommended by Royce Day (pronouced like Rolls Royce) he/him, who said: Yesteryear is probably the most well known episodes of ST:TAS, not only because it gives us a direct look at Spock's awful childhood (and Sarek's awful parenting), but because in 25 minutes it gives us a surprisingly dramatic and emotionally deep story, which was unusual for a Saturday morning cartoon from that era. As a geeky, socially awkward kid myself, it hit me hard when I saw it as a child, and it still speaks to me today.Yesteryear first aired on September 15, 1973, written by D. C. Fontana, and directed by Hal SutherlandThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Virtuoso (Star Trek: Voyager, S6 E13) was recommended by Hoofburd (hoof bird, he-him), who said: I was a kid when Voyager aired for the first time on UPN; My parents didn't tell me no when I came out to watch it on Wednesday nights. I think this is an important episode to think about as people become infatuated with programs like Midjourney and ChatGPT. Do we as a society value expression, or are we the Qomar? Also, any episode with Seven/the Doctor heartwarming material is top-tier.Virtuoso first aired on January 26, 2000, written by story by Raf Green, teleplay by Raf Green & Kenneth Biller, and directed by Les LandauThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Bar Association (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, S4 E16) was recommended by Crimson, He/Him, who said: It's the Union Episode, what's _not_ to love about it? Is it Grand Epic Dominion War stuff? No! Is it Far Beyond the Stars? No! But is it still infuriatingly relevant, just like listening to an old Jim Crose or Woody Guthrie song? Absolutely! Does it also feature O'Brien hamming it up about all his unionmen ancestors who died horrible deaths at the hands of cruel bosses, a fact about which he's quite proud, as any good Irishman would be? Absolutely! (Now, is this the correct way to go about forming a union? Absolutely not! They jumped way in the deep end w/out setting up support correctly, but...oh well. Oh well! Such is Rom.) This is a great episode with basically no room at all for a B-Plot, which I think is just fine. Welcome to the Industrial Workers of the Worlds, Fellow Workers!Bar Association first aired on February 19, 1996, written by story by Barbara J. Lee & Jenifer A. Lee, teleplay by Robert Hewitt Wolfe & Ira Steven Behr, and directed by LeVar BurtonThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

The Loss (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S4 E10) was recommended by Leslie, She/her, who said: Deanna Troi is my favorite TNG character, because she's a senior bridge officer, counselor to the Captain/ship, has a special ability, loves chocolate, is gorgeous, and she's in an on again/off again relationship with First Officer Will Riker. She's a likeable, strong female character in a male-dominated universe (at least at that time in Star Trek). I like this episode because it gives us insight into Troi's job as counselor to the ship's personnel. It's a "day in the life" episode. I also like that we see Troi working with Data, who could be considered opposites in that Troi has all the feelings and Data has none. However, it always felt a bit unsatisfactory because the solution that Troi and Data work out turns out to be wrong. So that seems to be telling us that Troi without her empathic power is useless in saving the Enterprise, even if her skills as a therapist do help her patient.The Loss first aired on December 31, 1990, written by story by Hilary J. Bader, teleplay by Hilary J. Bader & Allan J. Adler & Vanessa Greene, and directed by Chip ChalmersThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Acquisition (Star Trek: Enterprise, S1 E19) was recommended by nazzy she/her, who said: The Enterprise crew have to take back their ship from a bunch of Ferengi pirates, and it's just plain funny. There are some great comedy beats, everybody gets to be clever, and Trip spends half the episode in his underwear. (if, you know, you're into that sort of thing)Acquisition first aired on March 27, 2002, written by S : Rick Berman & Brannon Braga, T : Maria Jacquemetton & Andre Jacquemetton, and directed by James Whitmore, Jr.The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Fair Haven (Star Trek: Voyager, S6 E11) was recommended by James (he/him), who said: I keep it a secret but I really like Fair Haven from ST:Voyager. I’m a huge Janeway FAN and she is really human in it (even a little vindictive when she says “computer: delete the wife”).Fair Haven first aired on January 12, 2000, written by Robin Bernheim, and directed by Allan KroekerThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Stardust City Rag (Star Trek: Picard, S1 E05) was recommended by Khaki (he/him), who said: After an off-putting opening scene, the episode unfolds into something we get far too little of in Star Trek: a costumed caper! The stakes are high, the emotions are profound and the hats, oh god, the hats!Lauren Rivers she/her, An obsessive Star Trek nerd from Texas., recommended PIC 105 Stardust City Rag, saying:"This episode was just so much fun. Not only did we get to see Picard really ham it up in his undercover disguise, but we got to see Seven of Nine proper for the first time since Voyager ended. It was so exciting to see these characters on screen together, and that alone was just so exciting. "Stardust City Rag first aired on February 20, 2020, written by Kirsten Beyer, and directed by Jonathan FrakesThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

I, Mudd (Star Trek: The Original Series, S2 E12) was recommended by Pico, he/him, who said: TOS's intentionally zany moments are often a blast, and this one's chock full of them. Watching the crew dance/act absurd to confuse the androids is one of my favorite moments in the entire series.I, Mudd first aired on November 3, 1967, written by Stephen Kandel, and directed by Marc DanielsThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

One Little Ship (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, S6 E14) was recommended by Lt. Commander Sheev Palpitine (Papa palps is fine He/Him), who said: As a child of the 80s it’s no surprise the Disney movie honey I shrunk the kids made a big impact on me. So if you combine a concept from my youth with technobabble about what one would need if you wanted to breathe the air as someone small and you’ve got yourself a great episode. Star Trek going full on camp is the best, it’s like a break from we gotta save the universe and a breath of fresh heir.One Little Ship first aired on February 14, 1998, written by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson, and directed by Allan KroekerThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Night Terrors (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S4 E17) was recommended by Rob MacWolf (he/him), who said: It comes so so so close to being that point where space opera crosses over into cosmic horror, but then in a rare example of the REVERSE twilight zone twist veers away at the last second.It ALMOST even invents a cosmic horror trope, now commonplace, DECADES in advance of Night in the Woods which much more widely disseminated it, the "the thing you thought was a feature of the landscape all along turns out to have been some being so unfathomably vast that you didn't see it all the while you were looking at it." But even after LOOKING like it's foreshadowing exactly that trope, the entire episode, it never does it.The scares, the slow burn of tension, and the acting all prove they COULD do cosmic horror. There's maybe reasons that have to do with the ethos and goals of star trek that explain why they don't, but as someone who loves both cosmic horror and twilight zone twists it's fascinatingly frustrating.Night Terrors first aired on March 18, 1991, written by story by Shari Goodhartz, teleplay by Pamela Douglas & Jeri Taylor, and directed by Les LandauThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Subspace Rhapsody first aired on August 3, 2023, directed by Dermott Downs Dana Horgan & Bill WolkoffThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com | Bluesky | Instagram

Skin Of Evil (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S1 E23) was recommended by Mark Nixon, who said: This was one of my earliest experiences of horror and ultimately proved formative in the developments of my tastes and values as a storyteller. At that age I saw Riker as the coolest, bravest guy I had ever seen, and to see him being helplessly dragged by some invisible force while screaming for help? Chilling stuff indeed.Plus Picard gets to *really* Picard, in a season that gave their captain less opportunities to be the hero in a way that Kirk did.Skin Of Evil first aired on April 25, 1988, written by story by Joseph Stefano, teleplay by Joseph Stefano & Hannah Louise Shearer, and directed by Joseph L. ScanlanThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com | Bluesky | Instagram

The Thaw (Star Trek: Voyager, S2 E23) was recommended by Tonks Moriarty (they/them) , who said: Quite frankly, I love malevolent clowns, the idea something that is outwardly supposed to be joyous or happy is actually twisted and evil. This episode is so surreal, and strange, and weird and it isn't /afraid/ to be that. The Fear Clown establishes himself as a threat, and his interactions with Robert Picardo are fantastic. This also reinforces a very important character trait about Janeway, you don't f*** with her crew.NoWay recommended The Thaw, saying:"I honestly dont know how this episode was received and if it receive a lot of hate but for me its one of my favourites in voyager.The idea of having a computer make a interpretation of the subconscious fears and manifest them into a character sounds believable to me and that this character realizes he has to keep his hosts alive/scared to keep himself from fading away is also something that seems to fit.There are some scenes that are a bit weird though like "harry growing old and young"I love the clowns interaction with the doctor as well , first time the doc interupts him "excuse me, your are not holding that properly" and the second time where the clown remarks the doc is good and bringing a party to a hold"I also dont fully understand why janeway would program her hologram with a "haha got you" response after the people are free but it sort firs with janeway since he does like 'winning' "The Thaw first aired on April 29, 1996, written by story by Richard Gadas, teleplay by Joe Menosky, and directed by Marvin V. RushThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Singularity (Star Trek: Enterprise, S2 E09) was recommended by nazzy, she/her, who said: We've encountered A Spatial Anomaly and everyone except T'Pol is going a little nuts. Trip's obsessed with a chair, Hoshi's going crazy in the kitchen, Phlox is definitely about to commit medical malpractice, and Malcolm accidentally invents the next two hundred years of Starfleet security.Singularity first aired on November 20, 2002, written by Chris Black, and directed by Patrick NorrisThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

Invasive Procedures (DS9 S2 E04) was recommended by Rhaen, who said: "I saw it as a rerun, I had to have been 7-8 years old. As a kid I identified with the Trill since I felt like my consciousness and body are separate things, like my consciousness was some other being living inside me. Anyway the episode has some rando show up and hijack the Dax symbiont for a little while, and there are these kinda weirdly intimate scenes both where the symbiont is taken out of Jadzia and put in the guy who is them briefly imbued with all sorts of memories and knowledge. The theme of the episode is that it’s wrong to take something by force rather than earning it (the trill pipeline) I think, but my very young takeaway was different, reflecting more on the intimacy of the symbiotic relationship and vulnerability I guess!"Invasive Procedures first aired on October 17, 1993, written by story by John Whelpley, teleplay by John Whelpley and Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and directed by Les LandauThe Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com | Bluesky | Instagram