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

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The Loss (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S4 E10) was recommended by Leslie, She/her, who said: Deanna Troi is my favorite TNG character, because she's a senior bridge officer, counselor to the Captain/ship, has a special ability, loves chocolate, is gorgeous, and she's in an on again/off again relationship with First Officer Will Riker. She's a likeable, strong female character in a male-dominated universe (at least at that time in Star Trek). I like this episode because it gives us insight into Troi's job as counselor to the ship's personnel. It's a "day in the life" episode. I also like that we see Troi working with Data, who could be considered opposites in that Troi has all the feelings and Data has none. However, it always felt a bit unsatisfactory because the solution that Troi and Data work out turns out to be wrong. So that seems to be telling us that Troi without her empathic power is useless in saving the Enterprise, even if her skills as a therapist do help her patient.

The Loss first aired on December 31, 1990, written by story by Hilary J. Bader, teleplay by Hilary J. Bader & Allan J. Adler & Vanessa Greene, and directed by Chip Chalmers

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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