Spock Amok (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, S1 E5) was recommended by Lauren Rivers she/her, who said: Two words. Enterprise Bingo. I seriously hope that the writer of this episode got a bonus for that. Casually mentioned in an earlier episode, now we finally find out about this little game played by the junior officers, fully demonstrated by Una and La'an, the ships resident 'fun killers'.

I love when Star Trek has fun with itself, and this episode does such a great job with it in every aspect. From giving Dr. M'Benga a hard time for his awesome hat to the awesome subplot with the Rongovians, this not only makes me laugh but gives every single member of the cast the chance to shine.

I also love this episode for giving us 'The Scorch', a hull panel on the outside of the ship signed by the crew. It's a great episode all around and seeing Pike finally figure out what the Rongovians are after is supremely satisfying.

While I love every episode of Strange New Worlds, this one just fills me with unbridled joy every time.

Spock Amok first aired on June 2, 2022, written by Henry Alonso Myers & Robin Wasserman, and directed by Rachel Leiterman

A personal visit causes a comedy of errors during Spock & Pike's crucial negotiations with an unusual alien species.

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 Magnificent Ferengi (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), S6 E10) was recommended by Tana he/they, who said: Sometimes Trek takes the serious gloves off and just has a fun romp and this may be one of the best examples.

The Magnificent Ferengi first aired on May 14, 1993, written by Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler, and directed by Chip Chalmers

Quark mounts a rescue mission when his mother, Ishka, is captured by the Dominion and Grand Nagus Zek offers a reward for her return.

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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Final Mission (Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), S4 E9) was recommended by Tsuyoto Wolfe (They/Them), who said: I have so many favorites I thought of recommending. But I was also inspired to find the joy in one I hadn’t liked before. When Netflix started streaming Star Trek series back in 2011, I would wtch through TNG, DS9, VOY, and ENT, then start over again with TNG. I would skip most of season 1 and 2, as well as a few later episodes. For my recommendation, I went back to the ones I skipped and I rewatched TNG: Final Mission. I had chocked it off as a filler episode with Wesley being annoying. But I found more in it, it a transition from Wesley fanboying over Picard, to seeing him vulnerable, to taking the responsibility for both their lives. The alien shuttle captain still feels like a thin character meant only to be fodder for Wesley’s growth, but I appreciate the episode more now.

Final Mission first aired on November 19, 1990, written by story by Kacey Arnold-Ince, teleplay by Kacey Arnold-Ince & Jeri Taylor, and directed by Corey Allen

Wesley sets off on his final mission with the Enterprise accompanied by Picard. They become stranded on a desert planet.

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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