The Joy of Trek

The Sound of Thunder (Star Trek: Discovery, S2 E6) was recommended by Khaki!

The Sound of Thunder first aired on February 21, 2019, written by Bo Yeon Kim & Erika Lippoldt, and directed by Douglas Aarniokoski

When a new signal appears over Saru's home planet, Burnham, Saru and the crew embark on a perilous mission that puts Saru in danger and raises questions about the Red Angel's intentions. Hugh struggles to come to terms with his new reality.

The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music...

"Twilight" by AldaratheAlbatross, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/45084574

"After Marritza's death, Kira can't get a full night's sleep, but that's not unusual. She's dealing with it.

Jadzia and Julian are worried about the Major, and if she won't see a therapist, they'll just have to find other ways to help."

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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Khaki and Greg share an important announcement regarding the release schedule for the Joy of Trek for the rest of the year.

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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Duet (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), S1 E19) was recommended by Oasus Plainview (He/Him), who said: You know the story of Major Kira, about how she grew up in the Bajoran Resistance. That episode identifies that it was her Resistance Cells that freed the prisoners of the Gallitep Mining Facility. So when she thought this guy was "The Butcher of Gallitep" who was responsible for so many Bajoran deaths, it was easy for her to hate him.

But when she, with the help of Commander Sisko and Doctor Bashir, realizes who he actually is, her...

"Meet Qute" by SelkiePrime, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/25011217

"Q meets Spot circa "Deja Q". Talk of cats and captains ensues."

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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Deja Q (Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), S3 E13) was recommended by Kyle Anderson (he/him), who said: I feel like this episode is TNG doing comedy right. It's one of my go-to episodes, and Data's laugh seals the deal. I love that Q gave Data that emotion to feel. It shows hidden depths to that character. And it's just a riot.

Deja Q first aired on February 5, 1990, written by Richard Danus, and directed by Les Landau

The Q Continuum strips Q (John De Lancie) of his powers, and dumps him aboard the Enterprise.<...

"And Free My Soul" by Penny_P, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/19717084

"In the season 6 episode “Survival Instinct,” the ship encounters three former members of Seven’s unimatrix with the Borg. While they were unconscious, she made the decision to have their remaining Borg implants removed, meaning they would return to individuality but have only a month to live. One of the three, a Bajoran woman named Marika Wilkara, made the decision to spend that month on Voyager. This is her story, as told by Harry Kim."

The Joy of Trek is hosted...

Survival Instinct (Star Trek: Voyager, S6 E2) was recommended by Tonks (they/them) , who said: I had hoped to break the streak of serious Voyager episodes by revisiting some of my old favourites, but this episode called to me.

I resonate strongly with Seven in this episode. She as an individual chose actions motivated by fear that impacted the lives of other people and hurt them deeply.

What little she can do to correct it now, and get some closure on her repressed memories is often something I wish I could have, but this episode...

"The Ultimate Computer: My Heroes Have Always Been..." by Cheree_Cargill, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/14558007

"Spock had grown up admiring Dr. Richard Daystrom, but the outcome of the M-5 wargames has been devastating."

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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The Ultimate Computer (Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS), S2 E24) was recommended by Tana he/they, who said: Tana here again. In my quest to submit one recommendation from each of my formative Trek series (TNG, Voy, DS9, and TOS) the original series one has eluded me the most.

For me TOS was a show I mostly watched after knowing the other ones. It wasn't being re run on TV much if at all where I was, while I eagerly recorded TNG, Voyager, and DS9 on the vcr and could watch and rewatch them endlessly.

""I'll still be here when you're ready."" by lauraschiller, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/38775672

"Counselor Troi senses a dark place in the Captain's mind."

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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Where No One Has Gone Before (Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), S1 E6) was recommended by Pangolin - as in, that awesome mammal with scales who looks like a tank. He/him, who said: This is a very early episode in TNG and things are all over the place with the technobabble and characters, but the ideas are huge and the plot is bonkers in all the best ways. Star Trek at this stage was still very fantastical, like in The Original Series, baffling weird stuff Just Happens and the crew have to deal with it each week...

"Calling on a Friend" by Trilled, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/45488308

"Faced with their imaginations coming to life, Kira discovers that her imagination isn't as broken as she thought"

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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If Wishes Were Horses (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), S1 E16) was recommended by Rugger (They/Them), who said: This is the episode where the crew of DS9 figured out their chemistry. The plot doesn't matter and just strings together the hijinks. But this is the episode where the crew really enjoys each other—where they become a team.

If Wishes Were Horses first aired on May 16, 1993, written by story by Nell McCue Crawford & William L. Crawford, teleplay by Nell McCue Crawford, William L. Crawford and Michael Piller, and directed by Robert Legato

Deep Sp...

"Cultural Context" by coolbreezemage, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/36881002

"Tuvok and Neelix go on an away mission to gather supplies to boost Voyager's dwindling resources, a mission where they will need to make use of both their talents."

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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Riddles (Star Trek: Voyager, S6 E6) was recommended by Annalise (she/her) pronounced: ahna-lease, who said: Every re-watch of Voyager, my partner and I have lightly different feelings about Neelix. During a rewatch in 2020, as we were isolated from our loved ones, his desire to make their journey more comfortable, to find connections to their homes, really makes him endearing. A little of that has stuck with me during the rewatches since then.

His relationship with Tuvok is one I find amusing and where you see how hard Neelix tries to make people feel seen and connected...

"To Break in a Glove

" by TARDISTraveller42, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/22854793

"Picard spends some fatherly bonding time with the three members of his crew that need a father-figure the most: Will, Wesley, and Data. Can a game of catch on the Holodeck bring out the father in Jean-Luc Picard?"

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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Allegiance (Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), S3 E18) was recommended by NightCat He/Him, who said: Picard gets captured and sent to a room with a few other aliens.Then PseudoPicard is running the ship, singing drinking songs and apparently fascinated with dangerous pulsars!

There was a guy in that episode, one of the aliens in the room. He had a kind of robe on. His species was reputed for having been conquered over and over again. I found it interesting that they used that same concept in a Doctor Who episode during the Matt Smith...

"Commitment" by OnlySlightlyObsessed1, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/21921958

""The first time T'Pol refers to him as her partner, Trip's brain shuts down.""

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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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'.

"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)

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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...

"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)

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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...

"[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)

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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...

"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)

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I, Excretus (Star Trek: Lower Decks, S2 E8) was recommended by Chief Engineer Greg, who said: Going mildly mad with power, I wanted to suggest an episode myself.

The first time I saw a Lower Decks cosplay, it was a Boimler and a Shaxs together. I had just started watching the show and conventions were beginning to come back in the post-Covid environment. And seeing a Boimler covered in Borg babies was such a delight to see. Lower Decks is the show made of deep cuts to obscure bits of Star Trek lore (Borg Maturation chambers) and...

"Intuition" by BoldBeverly, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/36517078

"A post-episode drabble for Cause and Effect. Jean-Luc visits Beverly in sickbay and drags her out after a long day.

(I realized after a rewatch that the ship didn’t really sustain damage but for purposes of this story assume there was turbulence that caused damage and minor injuries.)"

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 Pa...

Cause And Effect (Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), S5 E18) was recommended by he/him, who said: All right, I realize we're supposed to recommend the... less than stellar episodes of Trek, but Cause and Effect is a classic TNG episode for good reason. While time travel episodes have been done to death in the franchise, the Groundhog Day loop in this one presents the crew with a genuine mystery that they have to puzzle out, which comes across with slowly dawning horror as they piece the puzzle together and realize that they may have no way out...

"flowers are insufficient" by isloremipsumafterall (orphan_account), can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/4763531

"“Perhaps you have overlooked something Captain.” Seven finally said and Janeway tilted her head, leading Seven to go on, “It may be that you have a secret admirer. I have heard that flowers are a good indication as such and often appreciated by the person receiving them. Is this true?”"

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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Inside Man (Star Trek: Voyager, S7 E6) was recommended by Rugger (They/them), who said: When people talk of this episode, they usually say it's a repeat of season 6's Pathfinder, where Barclay is clever but is ignored by Commander Harkins, so Barclay has to prove himself right. And it's two episodes after the Starfleet data stream was hacked by another party, to the detriment of Voyager.

Plot-wise, they're right. But the plot isn't why I love this episode.

Barclay instantly became one of my favourite Star Trek characters from his introduction as Lieutenant Broccoli...

"I [43M] wish to tell my friend [40M] that it’d be logical for us to get married." by Smile_Edgeworth, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/43177045

"Spock shares a list of reasons why his friend Kirk should accept to marry him.

r/Relationships post."

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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The Way to Eden (Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS), S3 E20) was recommended by Ria, who said: Listen to the Joy of Trek Brother

Listen to the Joy of Trek Brother

Star Trek Episodes Not everybody likes

Kay & Khaki talk about the joys that they find

Chief Engineer Greg keeps them both in line.

Yea, gay brothers, yea

Hello, Keiko and Kai Winn and with just enough Scottish blood to warrant the title, Chief Engineer Greg. This is Ria from beautiful Phoenix, AZ USA where citrus...

"Scar Tissue" by AuroraNova, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/20067424

"Dr. Bashir has always been kind to Rom. Now Rom has a chance to return the favor."

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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The Vulcan Hello (Star Trek: Discovery, S1 E1) was recommended by Advik Goel (he/him) - Add-vic Go-El, who said: This episode was actually my entry point into the Star Trek franchise, outside of the first of the Kelvin-verse movies, so it holds a place in my heart even if DIS as a whole doesn't relative to other series anymore.

Beyond that, I think the debate over the Vulcan Hello and its merits has always fascinated me. The show lays it out as a debate between the Federation's principles of not being the people to fire the...

"Peace and Long Life" by Ruchira, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/26995765

"Twenty-four years after the founding of the Federation, a meeting between old friends."

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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Whispers (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), S2 E14) was recommended by He/Him, who said: Hello! Tis I, Nerdimus Prime! (Or is it The Derp Prime, we don't know yet, but we will figure it out one day... HUSH YOU, I AM TALKING RIGHT NOW!)

In Whispers we se Chief Brien'O once again. And a hint as to why I(we) called him the most Competent in Star Trek.

Here we see his investigative abilities. His skill. But remember, he keeps a station with Three Species variations of technology working properly. No Star Fleet...

"Crow" by Arctapus [archived by Warp5Complex_Archivist], can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/8063995

"Archer and Reed muse about the Vulcans."

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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Breaking the Ice (Star Trek: Enterprise, S1 E8) was recommended by nazzy, she/her, who said: This one is having fun with the show's premise - that these are the first humans to do genuine deep space exploration - as well as a great T'Pol subplot that hints at the fantastic odd-ball chemistry that would develop between her and Trip.

Breaking the Ice first aired on November 7, 2001, written by Andre Jacquemetton & Maria Jacquemetton, and directed by Terry Windell

Lieutenant Reed and Ensign Mayweather extract a rare chemical on a comet while Sub-Commander T'Pol considers marriage...