As a longtime Trekkie who’s spent years navigating the galaxy of Star Trek fandom, I must say that this year’s convention was nothing short of extraordinary! The Strange New Worlds panel was the cherry on top of an already stellar event. The camaraderie between the cast was palpable, reminding me of my own close-knit group of friends from the Starfleet Academy days.
Over the weekend, I found myself leading a boisterous cheer for “Lower Decks” alongside a sea of Star Trek enthusiasts in a grand ballroom – something I hadn’t anticipated. But there I was, and it was an exhilarating experience!
Every year, Atlanta was once again taken over by Dragon Con, brimming with celebrities, comics veterans, and skilled cosplayers. Numerous hotels became a bustling hub of geek culture as fans flocked downtown in costumes and creative t-shirts. It’s an exhilarating time of the year, and I’m constantly brainstorming ways to make the most of my visit given all the excitement on offer. This time around, I aimed to attend more panels, but due to some peculiar scheduling and my personal social engagements, I primarily attended Star Trek panels – a choice that would prove beneficial, particularly considering the diverse roster of guests from the popular series.
From Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in The Original Series, to mainstays like Garrett Wang from Voyager, who attends and emcees most years, and a slew of actors from several shows that are currently running, it felt like most eras of the shows were represented and there was someone for everyone to appreciate. The Star Trek fans showed up in droves, most donning their uniforms or other mash-up cosplays to show support for the fandom they love. I didn’t dress up but wore my standard-issue Starfleet uniform in spirit.
Initially, I attended the panel for Lower Decks, where Tawny Newsome (Beckett Mariner) and Eugene Cordero (Samanthan Rutherford), both familiar faces from Space Force and Loki respectively, showcased their hilarious camaraderie. Their banter during the Q&A was a testament to their deep-rooted connection with the franchise and each other. Tawny shared amusing anecdotes about correcting the showrunners on the show’s lore, being a dedicated fan of The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. There were numerous jokes aimed at Tawny, with Eugene even humorously answering one question for her. It was fascinating to learn about their work on Lower Decks, although it was a mix of excitement and a touch of envy since I wasn’t part of the project myself.
It was announced recently that the animated program will conclude with the upcoming fifth season, even though most of the actors have expressed interest in doing more or at least being able to continue with these characters. It’s an adult program full of esoteric references that tried to push the envelope within the franchise and pulled in some new non-traditional Trek fans, so I think most people would call the series a success (it’s wonderful). The crossover episode Lower Decks did with Strange New Worlds was a big topic for questions, and it means the series is just that much more cemented into the overall history. I was glad to hear that at least two of the actors weren’t bitter about it ending and were looking forward to the future, the chance to be a part of Star Trek again. Tawny is already contributing to a new show in the Trek family, a live-action comedy that may share some qualities with Lower Decks, so the outlook isn’t bleak. Fingers crossed, this new thing will impress, and Eugene gets to cameo.
As they prepared to depart, the host suddenly recalled them and mentioned there was an additional task at hand. Initially, I wasn’t certain what made the chant unexpected, yet I found myself involuntarily participating near its conclusion.
At the event, a panel featuring some well-known faces from my childhood included Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data), Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher), and John de Lancei (Q). As per the title of the event, they were ready to answer questions about Next Gen to Picard. However, it started off more like a comedy skit among old pals, since Garrett Wang was held up by the crowd on the skybridge, arriving late. It was clear that these weren’t just colleagues but friends with years of shared experience and countless stories. They teased each other, referenced numerous co-stars who weren’t present, and prompted Spiner to do his different impersonations of Patrick Stewart.
The questions from fans mainly focused on their personal experiences and favorite guest stars in older episodes, as well as reminiscing about their relationships. However, later queries delved into specifics, such as how certain scripts might be handled differently now, showcasing the forward-thinking nature and boundary-pushing aspects of TNG and the franchise. Frakes hinted that the studio wasn’t always receptive to their innovative ideas, while McFadden humorously commented on the delay before she was given the chance to direct an episode. It was delightful to hear the cast discuss their recent experiences. John de Lancie appeared as a lovable grump, but when asked about memorable Q and Picard scenes, he referenced a recent Picard moment instead. Seeing them play their characters with such skill, still thinking of them, and creating new moments for fans was fantastic. They also acknowledged current productions, expressing admiration for the work of those who followed in their footsteps. The entire discussion brought a smile to many.
The final session was the Q&A for Strange New Worlds, and I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to miss meeting the stars of my beloved new Star Trek series following that suspenseful cliffhanger. The panel boasted a fantastic lineup of speakers: Anson Mount (Captain Pike), Ethan Peck (Spock), Christina Chong (La’an Noonien-Singh), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Bruce Horak (Hemmer). The long-standing camaraderie of the TNG crew was impressive, but it was heartening to witness the SNW cast’s strong bond after just three seasons together (rest assured, they’ll be back for season 4 soon). Unlike their predecessors, there were fewer ancient anecdotes or obscure humor, yet these colleagues were clearly learning about each other – as demonstrated by Christina’s curiosity about Babs’ martial arts background and her evident surprise. It was a delightful reminder that they were getting to know one another, as well as their on-set jests. I can only imagine how fascinating it will be to revisit their interactions years from now and witness the depth of their friendship grow even more.
In the discussion, everyone responded to questions about their humor and acting methods, with one person inquiring about Anson’s vocal preparation for his scenes. This led to him performing an approximately three-minute vocal exercise that resembled a nonsensical song. However, Anson wasn’t alone as the group also sang songs from their favorite musicals. The panel later shared pieces from these musicals as well. Given the musical episode from last season and the numerous questions about it, it seems this was quite popular. The cast exchanged numerous jokes based on audience questions, and toward the end, people began asking about what they’d seen in the preview for the next season. It was heartwarming to hear the actors express the same level of excitement about upcoming events as the fans did. Though they couldn’t reveal too much, some backstage details had everyone listening closely. Despite it being their job, this group seemed to understand the importance of this to us and perhaps to them as well.
Later on, I managed to visit the Walk of Fame, which was unexpected as I had navigated through the large crowd before it shut down. I mingled and patiently waited to interact with some individuals who I had recently watched on discussion panels. I’m not particularly fond of autographs or selfies, so I kept my conversations brief to avoid inconveniencing them if others were waiting.
In simpler terms, I’d rather not dwell on the overly optimistic perspective, but it was indeed a positive experience. Each group seemed genuinely passionate about their work, reflecting a deep love for Star Trek and its ideals. It was heartening to see them embracing the new shows while still respecting the classics. After the convention, I felt confident that the future of this franchise is secure, with both returning characters enriching the new programs. Unlike many fandoms that can be difficult to engage with, Star Trek welcomes me wholeheartedly, and I’m excited for what’s to come.
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2024-09-10 00:40