The Naked Now (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S1 E03) was recommended by Traci Meek-Reid (she/her) (your accents are delightful- go for your life!), who said: When I was 7, one night the TV just "stopped". We all went "huh" and went off to do other things. And then 5 years later the VCR landed in our home, TV was restored, and I discovered this bright, technicolor world that came on after the Saturday morning cartoons. Star Trek! I was hooked. 2 years later, Star Trek: The Next Generation launched. I watched the premiere and after the trailer for the next episode played, I ran through the house excitedly shouting "They're doing the Naked Time! They're doing the Naked Time! With no further ado, I nominate TNG's "The Naked Now": it acknowledges its roots, it ruthlessly exposes Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher (and Riker, Troi, Data, and Yar) as the star crossed lovers/relentless horndogs that they are, and shows that space is for EVERYONE, even 14-year old kids like Wesley Crusher. And me. Because as much as I loved the dystopian depression pill delivered by "Blade Runner", 14 year old me needed hope for a future. "The Naked Now" proved that Star Trek and its themes are eternal and are not bound by one cast, one era, or one man's vision. I joyfully welcome each new iteration of Star Trek and still run through the house screaming with glee when they drop a reference to an old show. This universe is big enough for everybody.

The Naked Now first aired on October 5, 1987, written by story by John D. F. Black & D. C. Fontana, teleplay by D. C. Fontana, and directed by Paul Lynch

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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Take Me Out to the Holosuite (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, S7 E04) was recommended by Denise, who said: I love all of DS9 but this one is my favorite. I think because it's such an "Earth" game and they are in space and because baseball can be fun to watch and play. It's such a a fun episode and that why it's my favorite.

Take Me Out to the Holosuite first aired on October 21, 1998, written by Ronald D. Moore, and directed by Chip Chalmers

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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Observer Effect (Star Trek: Enterprise, S4 E11) was recommended by Nazzy (she/her), who said: I've recommended some sillier episodes of Enterprise to you boys, now I want to share one that's just genuinely *good*. Season 4 is when ENT finally, truly started playing to its strengths, even if it was ultimately too late to save it from cancellation. The problem with recommending Season 4 episodes for the purposes of the podcast is that much of the season is broken up into mini-arcs of 2 or 3 episodes, and as much as I would love to have you cover the whole "Babel" three parter, I can't ask that of you (yet). So instead I'm going to suggest an episode that's one of the few one offs of the season, and one of my favorites - Observer Effect, in which Trip and Hoshi contract an alien virus on an away mission. The Enterprise crew must scramble to save their lives, not knowing their efforts are being watched by outside observers.

It's a classic Star Trek medical mystery episode, with the added twist of exactly who the observers are and how the observation is being done. It also has some lovely character moments, and since I love these characters, it's like catnip for me.

Observer Effect first aired on January 21, 2005, written by Garfield Reeves-Stevens & Judith Reeves-Stevens, and directed by Mike Vejar

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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