The Joy of Trek

Kay, Khaki and Greg
  • 5.0 (8)
  • TV Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Two lifelong besties (and their trusty engineer) adventure through the vast constellations of Star Trek's decades on TV, especially the lesser-loved stories. But instead of bitching about why they’re bad, we’re going to find the joy in each of them, because everybody loves the great episodes, but it takes dedication, insight, and hard-working fools to love the clunkers too. And by Jove, we are those fools! Positive, inclusive and optimistic (though not uncritical!) we try to find the brilliance even in the least-loved episodes of our favorite TV shows!

  1. 1d ago

    Cogenitor (ENT S2 E22)

    Cogenitor (Star Trek: Enterprise, S2 E22) was recommended by Adrian AY-dree-uhn (He/Him), who said: When I watched Enterprise during Covid, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was not as bad as I'd been led to believe. It can, however, be cringe worthy at times. (*ahem worst theme song ever ahem*) For me, 'Cogenitor' fell into the cringe category until a recent re-watch. I thought it was meant to be a poorly executed commentary on gender identity, which was something that Next Gen had already done more gracefully in the episode 'the Outcast'. While it does echo of that episode, 'Cogenitor' is really about the prime directive. The concept of a noninterference policy has always resonated deeply with me because it's such an elemental part of human existence. When is it right or wrong to interfere? To judge? To take action that may drastically influence the future? Most importantly, can I live with the consequences? Do I even understand what the consequences could be? In this episode, as usual, Trip acts from the heart, and it spells disaster. He doesn't ask himself those questions, and that way lies heartbreak. Were his actions right or wrong? Well, that's what makes this episode so good, it's a hard question to answer and I'd love to hear your take. Connor Trinneer, Scott Bakula and the guest stars all knock it out of the park in this episode. It has it's fun moments with two entertaining b-plots, and then finishes with a scene between Archer and Trip that is one of the most crushing I've seen in any Trek. Thanks for taking the time to make a great show, and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do! Cogenitor first aired on April 30, 2003, written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga, and directed by LeVar Burton Enterprise encounters the Vissians and Commander Tucker finds himself troubled by the fact the Vissians are a three-sexed species. 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

    1h 39m

  2. Jun 2

    "In Any Reality" (by romanathethird)

    "In Any Reality" by romanathethird, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/61280014 "Across the multiverse, Garak and Bashir fall for each other, again, and again, and again." 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

    14 min

  3. May 26

    Fissure Quest (LDS S5 E09)

    Fissure Quest (Star Trek: Lower Decks, S7 E9) was recommended by nazzy (she/her), who said: This episode is, of course, hugely (and rightfully) beloved by Garashir fans for finally making the long standing subtextual relationship between Julian Bashir and Elim Garak text. But in case you hadn't noticed from the vast majority of my recommendations to you boys, I am a massive fan of Enterprise, with a special place in my heart for the character of T'Pol, and her relationship with Trip Tucker. So for me, this episode is incredibly special, both for bringing back Jolene Blalock as T'Pol, and allowing her to have had a successful, decades-long marriage to Trip. I KNEW those crazy kids could make it work if they had a chance, and Lower Decks finally gave it to them! It's also just a really good episode, bringing Lower Decks into its satisfying but unfortunately premature end. One of the things I love best about Lower Decks is how unashamed it is to be and love all things Trek, which makes it a perfect fit for your pod! Fissure Quest first aired on December 12, 2024, written by Lauren McGuire, and directed by Brandon Williams 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

    1h 20m

  4. May 19

    "Spock 🖖" (by vaksur, WerewolvesAreReal)

    "Spock 🖖" by vaksur, WerewolvesAreReal, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/47125057 "Spock decides to start utilizing emojis during intraship messaging in an attempt to better communicate with human colleagues. Reactions are mixed, but Kirk wholly approves of the results." 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

    37 min

  5. May 12

    Shore Leave (TOS S1 E15)

    Shore Leave (Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS), S1 E15) was recommended by He/Him, who said: "Velcome to FANTASY PLANET!" Okay, I'll be honest. 90% of the reason I'm recommending this episode is to see Khaki's reaction to the beginning of Star Trek's long, and weirdly specific, obsession with stereotyping the Irish. Aside from that, I like it because this one of the most lighthearted of the early Trek episodes, coming right after the incredibly tense "Balance of Terror." Ultimately, there's no antagonist, no one is hurt (well, permanently anyway), and everyone has a good time. It's just a chance for the actors to have a few nice character bits as the episode explores the mystery of the planet itself, which every show needs. Oh, and Kirk wanting a massage from Spock is a COMPLETELY PLATONIC desire, I swear! Shore Leave first aired on November 17, 1966, written by Theodore Sturgeon, and directed by Robert Sparr Part I: Spock hijacks the Enterprise to take his crippled former captain, Christopher Pike, to the forbidden world of Talos IV. He then demands a court martial, where he uses the events of The Cage to tell the tale of Pike's captivity on the planet years earlier 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

    1h 28m

  6. May 5

    "[r/relationships] How to tell if someone is a Cardassian spy or just hitting on you" (by Melime)

    "[r/relationships] How to tell if someone is a Cardassian spy or just hitting on you" by Melime, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/43574713 "A post on r/relationships asking for advice on how to deal with the resident Cardassian on a certain station." 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

    24 min

  7. Apr 28

    In the Cards (DS9 S5 E25)

    In the Cards (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), S5 E25) was recommended by Shay, She/Her, saying: "I love this episode for what it represents. It is the breath of fresh air right before the shit hits the fan regarding the Dominion War. The plot is light-hearted and doesn't take itself too seriously. Even Weyoun gets a cute moment at the end. And after this episode, everything basically changes forever. You don't really go back to these low stakes romps around the station with Nog and Jake once Season 5 ends" Was also recommended by Lauren Rivers who said: When it aired, I didn't think much of this episode. It wasn't bad, by any means, but it has come to mean a lot more to me over the years as it is one of the episodes to feature the friendship between Jake and Nog front and center. In an effort to surprise his father, he and his best friend go through a series of events to acquire a Willie Mays rookie card. Unable to tell anyone why, they must do favors for the senior staff to get what they need. Along the way, they are even captured by the Dominion. What makes this episode so wonderful is not only does it focus on the great chemistry between Cirroc Lofton and Aron Eisenberg, but it also reminds us of how much little things people do can have a butterfly effect. Do they save the universe? No. But everyone in the episode comes out of it a little bit happier, and sometimes that makes all the difference for what comes next. On a personal note, Aron Eisenberg was one of the few celebrities who I felt I knew on a somewhat personal level, and he is one of the few celebrity deaths to hit me as hard as a member of my own family. Any chance to highlight the remarkable talent and spirit that Aron had is a huge positive for me. In the Cards first aired on June 9, 1997, written by story by Truly Barr Clark & Scott J. Neal, teleplay by Ronald D. Moore, and directed by Michael Dorn Jake wants to give his father a present to cheer him up, a 1951 Willie Mays baseball card. He enlists Nog to help him obtain it, but they run into complications with a mysterious geneticist, Dr. Giger. Kai Winn, worried over the prospect of a Federation/Dominion war and its effects on Bajor, meets with Dominion representative Weyoun. 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

    1h 20m

  8. Apr 21

    "Logical Intuition" (by lauraschiller)

    "Logical Intuition" by lauraschiller, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/50419471 "At the inauguration of the Voyager Museum, Tuvok meets a young Vulcan Starfleet officer who asks him for advice." 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

    17 min
See All (140)

Trailer

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Two lifelong besties (and their trusty engineer) adventure through the vast constellations of Star Trek's decades on TV, especially the lesser-loved stories. But instead of bitching about why they’re bad, we’re going to find the joy in each of them, because everybody loves the great episodes, but it takes dedication, insight, and hard-working fools to love the clunkers too. And by Jove, we are those fools! Positive, inclusive and optimistic (though not uncritical!) we try to find the brilliance even in the least-loved episodes of our favorite TV shows!

Information

  • Creator
    Kay, Khaki and Greg
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Kay, Khaki and Greg
  • Show Website
    The Joy of Trek

You Might Also Like