Star Trek - Conventions
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This page is dedicated to my own memories of Star Trek conventions I've been to (as well as some groovy pics).
----It helps for presentation of this page to have the Star Trek fonts loaded on your PC...----
Contents:
A Bit of Background to begin.. all trekkies everywhere will already know all this!!
Star Trek began as the brain-child of Gene Roddenberry (The Great Bird of the Galaxy) some 32 years ago. Since his first pilot, "The Cage", starring Jeffrey Hunter, the short-lived series that made history in popular Science Fiction television has spawned no less than three spin-offs; The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and the increasingly popular Voyager. Each of these series have become legends in their own right, and while everyone has their favourite, I'm one of those people that loves all four both for different and the same reasons.
At the risk of waffling on about how wonderful Star Trek is, I'll just give an outline as to it's general history. This is not a recap of the fictional history (owned by Paramount), but factual history of the show's development. For a fictional history, consult The Star Trek Encyclpedia or The Star Trek Chronology (published by Simon & Schuster - licensed by Paramount).
Beginnings.. The Orginal Series
Begun in 1966, Star Trek was (and is) simply, a vision of the future. At least, Gene Roddenberry's perceived future of what humankind could accomplish if everyone stopped fighting and hating long enough to try. He dubbed it "Wagon Train to the Stars" in order to sell it for production. Gathering a cast of many little-known actors together, he hashed out "The Cage", the first pilot episode. It didn't take. The big bosses who run the network decided that it was unbelievable nonsense, and that the "fellow with the ears" had to go. They weren't to fazed about the main character, either, although Hunter's performance as Captain Pike was outstanding. Casting and writing began anew, and Roddenberry's determination paid off when the second pilot "Where No Man has Gone Before" was cast, written, shot, and ultimately given a time slot on television (allbeit not a very good one). The new captain, James T. Kirk, with his first officer/science officer, Spock and the ol' country doctor, Leonard "Bones" McCoy, gave the show a new beginning. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley became the inseperable trio of Sci Fi TV, and the show was launched anew.
After a couple of hitches in ratings throughout the first and second seasons, the show progressed to notch up the big three seasons, before time demands, money and ratings finally fell through and the show was cancelled. But it was too late. A cult following had already begun. Gene Roddenberry persevered with the personification of his dream, and it was clear that the fans wanted more. Syndication based on furious demand meant that the show survived into reruns on local networks around the United States, and eventually, the world. A new idea surfaced in the early seventies as the animated series began in 1971. It chalked up 22 episodes before it, too was cancelled. Increasing demand from fans prompted Roddenberry to begin work on a new series in 1977, Star Trek II, but that one fell through even before it got off the ground. In 1978, Roddenberry delved into the art of motion pictures, and in 1979, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" was born. Star Trek's continuation was assured. The old cast was reunited, and the stories got more involved and spectacular. Competition with "Star Wars", released in the same year, was fierce, but the loyal fans who had grown up with the series ensured it's success.
Three more films were released ("Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" taking the highest at the box office of all the films until the release of First Contact in 1996), until Gene Roddenberry, encouraged by the renewed vigour of the show at the cinemas, decided it was time to create a new series. This one would be more up to date, more spectacular, more in-depth, more in tune with the changes in society and have as great a cast of actors as the original ever did, enabling it to become, arguably, the most popular of all the Star Trek series. This new series was called Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Rebirth... The Next Generation
In 1987, the pilot episode for a new series was developed. This hour and a half television movie, "Encounter at Farpoint", featured veteran actor and performer Patrick Stewart as the brilliant Captain Jean-Luc Picard. A host of other magnificent actors and performers joined him: Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker; Broadway performer and long-time actor Brent Spiner as the Android, Lieutenant Commander Data; Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf; Denise Crosby as Security Chief Lieutenant Tasha Yar; Marina Sirtis as Ship's Counsellor Deanna Troi; veteran actor Gates McFadden as CMO Dr Beverly Crusher; Youngster (and already a host of films under his belt) Wil Wheaton as the Doctor's prodigal son Wesley Crusher; and LeVar Burton as (now Chief Engineer) Lieutenant Geordi LaForge. This new cast proved their mettle, and when the pilot was released in 1987, it's popularity was instantaneous.
With a promising start, writing continued until the show had beaten the Original Series' three year standing. A fifth film featuring TOS cast was lapped up by fans (if shunned by critics), and TNG continued it's unbeaten run. In October, 1991, the Star Trek world was dealt a tragic blow when Gene Roddenberry, struck with ill health, passed away. He had passed the torch to Rick Berman, and with his mentor now gone, it was his job and his alone to make sure that Roddenberry's aspirations, hopes, dreams, and ideals remained alive in Star Trek. He succeeded hundred-fold. The release of the sixth Original Series film, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country saw the sign off of the original cast from flim making as a team, and it was believed to be the last any of them would ever be seen in a Star Trek role again. The film was dedicated to the late Gene Roddenberry.
Berman continued TNG through until season seven, and having racked up 176 episodes, the show ended (some believe in its best season ever) in 1994. Unlike TOS, which simply stopped, TNG had a special episode written for its finale. A television movie (of the same length as the pilot) where it ended as it began, and as it would never be (anyone who's seen it should get what I mean by that). The episode, "All Good Things..", proved to be the most popular of all (according to television ratings). It was an explosive finale to a magnificent series.
With a tradition now of post-series film-making, the Star Trek writers got together to create the seventh in the film series, Star Trek: Generations. This one would feature the Next Gen cast, reprising their roles, and with an added bonus.. William Shatner, Walter Koenig and James Doohan reprised their roles to "pass the torch" as it were, to the new 'generation' of Star Trek filmsters. But despite great performances from Malcolm McDowall, Whoopi Goldberg (a TNG semi-regular), Barbara March and Gwyneth Walsh and the entire Next Gen cast, the film only did averagely at the box office. Their next effort was the astounding feature film released in November 1996 around the world, Star Trek: First Contact. The film was fast-paced and action-packed, yet true to the Star Trek tradition. It did the best of all the Trek films, and stood out as the TNG cast's first whole film, standing alone.
The new film, Star Trek: Insurrection, is due for release in the US ealry December 1998. It is due for release in Australia December 31. It's the second of the TNG films, the ninth in the Trek film series, and promises to be extremely entertaining. With baited breath....
Meanwhile, the third Star Trek series continued past TNG's decline, and the release of First Contact. When TNG was pulling into it's hugely successful sixth season, Rick Berman pulled together with Michael Piller and created a new series. This one would break from the mould cast almost 30 years earlier and be based somewhere viewers had only glimpsed in a handful of episodes. A Space Station.
Cruising Along... Deep Space Nine
Deep Space Nine began slowly, many people believe. I've found it's best to go back and watch the earlier episodes after seeing some of the later ones. By the later episodes, you're used to the characters and how they interract with one another. In the early episodes, is where this interraction began. A new cast, a new medium, a new story. A fresh start. And it developed into something unique.
DS9 boasts the largest group of main and semi-regulars ever seen on a Star Trek series. The pilot episode, "The Emissary", featured Avery Brooks as the new lead, Commander Benjamin Sisko, and a stunning cast of actors. It starred Nana Visitor as First Officer Major Kira Nerys; stunning Terry Farrell as the joined Trill Lieutentant Jadzia Dax (we will miss her); TNG regular Colm Meany as Chief Miles O'Brien; Siddig El Fadil (later changing his name to Alexander Siddig) as the persistent CMO Dr Julian Bashir; veteran actor Rene Auberjonois as the 'grumpy' Security Chief Odo; Armin Shimerman as your favourite Ferengi and mine, Quark; and Cirroc Lofton as the 'never Starfleet for me' son of Ben, Jake Sisko. Also in the first few episodes, and appearing regularly to add spice to the atmosphere was Max Grodenchik as the always underestimated brother of Quark, Rom, Aron Eisenberg as his son, Nog, Mark Shepherd as Morn, Marc Alaimo as the nemesis Cardassian Gul Dukat and television and film veteran Louise Fletcher as our favourite 'love to hate her' villian, Kai Winn. With so many characters in such a diverse range of roles, DS9 promised to deliver fantastic stories and in-depth plot developments often with humorous overtones. And deliver it did.
When TNG wrapped up at the end of season seven, DS9 was only part way through season three. With the hugely popular TNG now concluded, DS9, for so long winding up in the shadow of its predecessor, came into its own right with a vengeance. New additions to the writing team led to vastly successful character interractions and story enrichment. The end of season three, beginning of season four episodes have often been described as a benchmark period for DS9. Added to the cast in season four was one of TNG's favourite sons, Michael Dorn. Loyal fans of TNG had a familiar face in the crowd, and DS9 cruised to its finest production ever.
Season Six of DS9 (currently just ended it's release in Australia), has been one of the most successful seasons yet, and the end of the season promises new characters, tragedy, and more great times. Most of you already know what happens, but I won't say for those who don't.
DS9 is (fairly certainly) rumoured to finish forever at the end of season seven. But I'm certain it won't go quietly. I guess then we'll have to wait for the movie to come out.
The Star Trek Legacy won't be lost with it in a hurry, however. In DS9's third season, the creators of DS9 got together with acclaimed writer Jeri Taylor and created the FOURTH series in the Star Trek chronology. This time, a new crew, a new ship, in the best traditions of TOS, TNG and DS9, embarked on the longest mission ever.
The Final Frontier... Voyager
In 1995, Star Trek producers created Voyager. The pilot episode, "Caretaker", was, again, a two-part televsion movie and has been acclaimed as probably the best pilot they ever did. A new cast with a variety of established actors in their own right ensured Voyager's popularity from the opening credits. Talented actor Kate Mulgrew starred as Captain Kathryn Janeway, opposite a stupendous cast. Robert Beltran as the spiritual Commander Chakotay (does he have a first name - or a second one??); TNG guest star Tim Russ as the rigid Vulcan Security Chief, Tuvok; Robert Duncan McNeill as convicted criminal turned hero Lieutenant Thomas Eugene Paris; Roxann Biggs-Dawson as the firey half-human, half-Klingon, Lieutenant B'elanna Torres; Garret Wang as the fresh, young Ensign Harry Kim; brilliant Robert Picardo as the feisty EMH Doctor; television and film veteran Ethan Phillips as characteristic Neelix; and Jennifer Lien as the young Ocampan Kes.
Voyager quickly became a show which focused heavily on character development and interraction. It gave the writers an opportunity to utilise the talents of their actors and writers to the full in creating a 'family' and 'home away from home' for the crew. In conjunction with this, the circumstances also allowed the writers to 'indulge' themselves in creating new races, new places and new faces to add to the Star Trek library.
The beginning of season four was, as it was for DS9, a benchmark for the show. The introduction of a new character added a spice to the show which was unique. After Jennifer Lien left the series in 1997, a new character was introduced, the lovely Jeri Ryan as the ex-Borg drone, Seven of Nine. The character's popularity (or maybe everyone just liked Jeri), shot Voyager to new heights of popularity. Pivotal events in the overall story have occurred in season four.
Currently Voyager has just begun season five in Australia (on video). Hopefully, Voyager's run will be at least as long-lived as its two predecessors. If it's popularity is any indication, it will be, and maybe longer.
These pages have been created as a non-profit venture and (hopefully) as merely a discussion forum. It is not the intention of the author to infringe on any copyright. There is no recreation of Star Trek fictional history owned by Paramount, and no exchange of any property owned by Paramount. This is for exchange of ideas and experiences. If, however, it is believed that copyright has been violated, please inform me and I will remedy the situation.