The Infinite Vulcan (TAS S1 E07) first aired on October 20, 1973, written by Walter Koenig, 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 | Bluesky | Instagram

Nepenthe (PIC S1 E07) was recommended by Lauren Alexis Rivers, who says:"There are so many answers I could give, but I think I would have to say probably Nepenthe. Seeing Riker and Troi together on Picard even though I knew it was coming, it did my heart so much good because I grew up with that cast. I always enjoy seeing them on screen or in person and it's a slow episode in terms of action but the way they interact when Jean Luc first arrives... I really needed that then."Nepenthe first aired on March 5, 2020, written by Samantha Humphrey and Michael Chabon, and directed by Doug AarniokoskiThe 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

A Night in Sickbay (ENT S2 E05) first aired on October 16, 2002, written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga, and directed by David StraitonThe 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

Recommended by Rugger::"I think a problem with a lot of sci-fi is their propensity to one-note species. And Trek is often no exception: The Klingon and honourable and violent, the Vulcans are logical, the Ferengi are profit-obsessed and misogynistic—and then we meet Ishka.This episode is funny, but also manages to really develop and complicate the characters of Quark and Rom while keeping the flavour of Ferengi culture. Ishka criticises Ferengi society, but she is still fully Ferengi, not a stand-in for "humans are the best."Family Business first aired on May 15, 1995, written by Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and directed by René AuberjonoisThe 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

First aired on September 20, 1968, written by Gene L. Coon, and directed by Vincent McEveetyThe 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

Picked by Khaki:"This episode encapsulates everything I love about modern Star Trek:High concepts, high stakes and high energy; smart people working hard to solve problems and do the right thing. Three "A" plots jostle against one another and yet none of them feel rushed, diminised or tacked on.And this episode contains my absolute favorite scene in all of Star Trek, ever!"An Obol for Charon first aired on February 7, 2019, story by Jordon Nardino & Gretchen J. Berg & Aaron Harberts, teleplay by Alan McElroy & Andrew Colville, and directed by Lee RoseThe 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

Recommended by Greg:"Threshold is a controversial episode, and in rewatch, I can see all the reasons NOT to like it. But also, it's such a corny episode, and the premise drives it forward a lot until we get to what I love most:Threshold is a monster movie. It's like the original Universal monster movies Frankenstein, The Fly, Wolfman, Dracula and movies I watched with my brother as a kid. The section with Tom transforming is my favorite parts. The resolution and end? Yeah, it's silly.But the middle half where it's straight up monster movie stuff just brings a smile to my face. "Threshold first aired on January 29, 1996, story by Michael De Luca, teleplay by Brannon Braga, and directed by Alexander SingerThe 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

Recommended by Leah, who says:"There is some suspension of disbelief like with most episodes of this show, but I dont understand why this got so much hate! I always wanted better episodes for Beverly and Troi than their usual ‘hot alien boyfriend of the week’, and this one feels different.It’s not great, but it is far weirder and more fun than it has any right being!Mixing a pervy sex ghost with a story about grief clouding your judgement and making you vulnerable to those who want to take advantage of you worked quite well for me, even if it became very silly towards the end.It deserves its place as a meme, but it is too interesting to be rated as low as it is! "Sub Rosa first aired on January 31, 1994, story by Jeri Taylor, teleplay by Brannon Braga, 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 | Bluesky | Instagram

Ahoy, fellow space cadets, and climb aboard the Joy of Trek! A brand new podcast exploring the living tar pits and salamander nurseries of Star Trek. All of it.Two big-hearted besties and their trusty Chief Engineer voyage through the badlands of Star Trek to find the good in every episode — even the clunkers.You know what? Especially the clunkers! Because every episode must be someone’s favourite and it might as well be us. So buckle your seatbelts and join us as we warp into:The Joy of Trek!