The Joy of Trek Kay, Khaki and Greg

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_p8
Night first aired on October 14, 1998, written by Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky, and directed by David Livingston
The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)
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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 Faddil
The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)
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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 Bowman
The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)
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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 Lloyd
The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)
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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 Sutherland
The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)
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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 Landau
The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)
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