Yesteryear (Star Trek: The Animated Series, S1 E02) was recommended by Royce Day (pronouced like Rolls Royce) he/him, who said: Yesteryear is probably the most well known episodes of ST:TAS, not only because it gives us a direct look at Spock's awful childhood (and Sarek's awful parenting), but because in 25 minutes it gives us a surprisingly dramatic and emotionally deep story, which was unusual for a Saturday morning cartoon from that era. As a geeky, socially awkward kid myself, it hit me hard when I saw it as a child, and it still speaks to me today.

Yesteryear first aired on September 15, 1973, written by D. C. Fontana, and directed by Hal Sutherland

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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Virtuoso (Star Trek: Voyager, S6 E13) was recommended by Hoofburd (hoof bird, he-him), who said: I was a kid when Voyager aired for the first time on UPN; My parents didn't tell me no when I came out to watch it on Wednesday nights. I think this is an important episode to think about as people become infatuated with programs like Midjourney and ChatGPT. Do we as a society value expression, or are we the Qomar? Also, any episode with Seven/the Doctor heartwarming material is top-tier.

Virtuoso first aired on January 26, 2000, written by story by Raf Green, teleplay by Raf Green & Kenneth Biller, and directed by Les Landau

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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Bar Association (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, S4 E16) was recommended by Crimson, He/Him, who said: It's the Union Episode, what's _not_ to love about it? Is it Grand Epic Dominion War stuff? No! Is it Far Beyond the Stars? No! But is it still infuriatingly relevant, just like listening to an old Jim Crose or Woody Guthrie song? Absolutely! Does it also feature O'Brien hamming it up about all his unionmen ancestors who died horrible deaths at the hands of cruel bosses, a fact about which he's quite proud, as any good Irishman would be? Absolutely! (Now, is this the correct way to go about forming a union? Absolutely not! They jumped way in the deep end w/out setting up support correctly, but...oh well. Oh well! Such is Rom.) This is a great episode with basically no room at all for a B-Plot, which I think is just fine. Welcome to the Industrial Workers of the Worlds, Fellow Workers!

Bar Association first aired on February 19, 1996, written by story by Barbara J. Lee & Jenifer A. Lee, teleplay by Robert Hewitt Wolfe & Ira Steven Behr, and directed by LeVar Burton

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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