Extreme Risk (Star Trek: Voyager, S5 E03) was recommended by James (he/him), who said: I also ‘like’ Extreme Risk. I think Roxann Dawson’s acting is super subtle and she does grief really well. Really resonated with me with my own personal grief. As you probably know it’s after the news all the Marquis are dead and she is grieving. She isn’t her typical angry self (which for her is odd) she’s just numb. She does things like taking silly risks to ‘feel’ something. And she gets riskier and riskier. I was the rock for my family after my dad suddenly passed away in a car accident, 2 weeks before my 27th bday. Even though I was the youngest I was also the ‘smart and calm one’. My mum and sister were so emotional and I had to close down to hold them up (if that makes sense). I was back at work after a few days. Organised the funeral and sorted stuff with the police. I was numb though. I’ve worked all this stuff out but did engage in some silly behaviours a few years later that were not okay. Made worse by being in a bad relationship. Numbness was safe. I’ve saw that episode again about 18 months ago (5 years after my dad and 6 months after a breakup) and I just got her vibe. Her numbness and behaviours. As I already said, her performance is really fucking on point. The half Klingon that was all fire. Now so subtle and carrying on. I love Trek, all iterations but subtle acting ain’t a usual part of its wheelhouse. So this was so refreshing.

Extreme Risk first aired on October 28, 1998, written by Kenneth Biller, and directed by Cliff Bole

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 Elysian Kingdom (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, S1 E08) was recommended by Chief Engineer Greg

The Elysian Kingdom first aired on June 23, 2022, written by Akela Cooper & Onitra Johnson, and directed by Amanda Row

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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Kobayashi (Star Trek: Prodigy, S1 E6) was recommended by Lauren Rivers she/her, who said: When Prodigy first began I did not like Dal. I thought he was arrogant and full of himself, appointing himself captain without having earned the privilege. But this was the first episode that opinion started to shift, with him attempting the famous Kobiyashi Maru. For the first time I found Dal likeable and even a bit hilarious as he gives one of the best renditions of the test in Star Trek history. As a fellow chaos appreciator, this was when I really started to enjoy the show.

Kobayashi first aired on January 6, 2022, written by Aaron J. Waltke, and directed by Alan Wan

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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