The Savage Curtain (Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS), S3 E22) was recommended by Kaleb, he/him, who said: So, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the deathmatch?

This is always a good episode to sit down with a friend and just take the absolute piss out of; it's an episode that has a strangely high amount of warp cores given how much I like it.

The awful Lincoln makeup, mischaracterizing my favorite historical war criminal, and the comment to Uhura (which I know was trying to Make A Point, but kinda just makes me go “oh god Uhura, darling, if you wanna start punching I'm behind you all the way”).

Relatedly, though, I actually really like how Lincoln is characterized- it might just be because I'm from the same area, but I've always had a soft spot for the guy. In this episode, he has both admirable qualities and also prompts my above warp core, as would most guys from the 1800s.

I think the aliens are really cool looking, kinda like the Horta where their biology is so different from humans, especially given that they're filling the “advanced culture fucking with us for philosophical reasons” role usually given to disembodied beings or some beautiful twink.

It's ridiculous and stupid and I love it so much.

The Savage Curtain first aired on March 7, 1969, written by story by Gene Roddenberry, teleplay by Gene Roddenberry and Arthur Heinemann, and directed by Herschel Daugherty

Aliens force Kirk and Spock to battle illusionary villains in a test of good versus evil.[2]

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"The Good, The Bad, And The Lovely" by tinynerdlet, can be found at https://archiveofourown.org/works/8034478

"Deanna Troi, Worf, and Alexander ended up trapped on the holodeck in a program based around the Ancient West. All of the villains take on Data's appearance, though none of them seem to act like Data. During the final shoot out, another familiar face appears. This one says more about Data than any of the others do, and it raises questions that Deanna really wants answered."

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 House of Quark (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), S3 E3) was recommended by Marky See He/Him, who said: I love that DS9 wasn't afraid to move beyond the stereotypes set out in earlier series, Ferengi are more than gold hungry goblins, Klingons aren't just space vikings.

When this first aired in the UK, I missed all but the conclusion of this episode so on my rewatch of DS9 I was excited to see how Quark ended up married to Klingon!

This episode delivers a glimpse into the not so simple world of Klingon probate whilst Quark does his best to keep his business afloat and his head on his shoulders amid shotgun weddings and quickie divorces.

The House of Quark first aired on October 10, 1994, written by story by Tom Benko, teleplay by Ronald D. Moore, and directed by Les Landau

Quark brags falsely about killing a Klingon, Kozak, and is then forced to marry the widow, Grilka, founding his own 'House of Quark'.

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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