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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Vanishing Point (Star Trek: Enterprise, S2 E10) was recommended by Lauren Alexis Rivers She/Her, who said: I always thought that Hoshi was such an underused character. In an era before the Universal Translator had worked out all the kinks, communication is one of the most important elements, and this was one of the Hoshi centric episodes, where while she didn't get to show off her communications skills, it was about facing her fears of the transporter and doing what she had to do no matter what the circumstances. As someone of Asian descent, it was always important to me to see people like myself on screen.

Vanishing Point first aired on September 22, 1993, written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga, and directed by David Straiton

After her first trip through the transporter, Ensign Sato finds herself becoming incorporeal, with the crew believing she has perished.

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 Omega Directive (Star Trek: Voyager, S4 E21) was recommended by The Derp Prime, who said: This episode always delighted me as we saw an interesting development of both Seven and the Borg.

Plus we get more over all lore on the Federations policies, some fun galactic lore and a threat of clumsy science.

Plus, an interesting take on a religious experience though scientific endeavors.

As an Apathiest (Gods, do their thing, I do mine, if we don't bother each other everyone is happy), I like little twists to both science and religion. Twists mind, I am tired of sledge hammer statements (I have been hit in the face enough times by those thank to very much!)

The Omega Directive first aired on April 15, 1998, written by teleplay by Lisa Klink, story by Jimmy Diggs & Steve J. Kay, and directed by Victor Lobl

Janeway undertakes the Omega Directive, an order to destroy Omega molecules, even if it means violating the Prime Directive.

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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