I didn’t anticipate to be loudly chanting “Decrease Decks” with a big ballroom of Star Trek followers this previous weekend, however there I used to be, and it felt good.
Dragon Con invaded Atlanta once more this 12 months with a plethora of celebrities, comedian e book business veterans, {and professional} cosplayers, turning a number of lodges into a large nexus of geekdom as attendees swarmed downtown in costumes and intelligent t-shirts. It’s an exquisite time of the 12 months, and I’m at all times attempting to determine find out how to profit from my time there with a lot to expertise. I knew I needed to do extra panels this time, however due to some odd scheduling and my private social calendar, I principally hit up Star Trek panels – a call I might come to understand, particularly contemplating the vary of visitors from the hit franchise.
From Walter Koenig, who performed Ensign Pavel Chekov in The Authentic Sequence, to mainstays like Garrett Wang from Voyager, who attends and emcees most years, and a slew of actors from a number of exhibits which are at present operating, it felt like most eras of the exhibits have been represented and there was somebody for everybody to understand. The Star Trek followers confirmed up in droves, most donning their uniforms or other mash-up cosplays to point out assist for the fandom they love. I didn’t gown up however wore my standard-issue Starfleet uniform in spirit.
First up for me was the Decrease Decks panel that includes Tawny Newsome (Beckett Mariner), who some could have seen on House Drive, and Eugene Cordero (Samanthan Rutherford), a comic I additionally acknowledge from his position on Loki. These two voice actors have been completely hilarious collectively throughout this Q&A, exhibiting off their glorious chemistry and familiarity with not solely one another however the franchise additionally. I liked listening to Tawny’s tales about correcting a number of the showrunners on the lore, as she’s an enormous Subsequent Technology and Deep House 9 fan. There have been operating gags about many of the questions being directed towards her, to the purpose that Eugene answered one for Tawny jokingly however precisely as properly, and the way some characters obtained names and smaller plots got extra life as a consequence of their improvisations. Listening to them talk about engaged on this present was unimaginable and made me envious to be part of one thing like Decrease Decks, although this was all a bit bittersweet.
It was introduced lately that the animated program will conclude with the upcoming fifth season, although many of the actors have expressed curiosity in doing extra or at the least having the ability to proceed with these characters. It’s an grownup program stuffed with esoteric references that attempted to push the envelope inside the franchise and pulled in some new non-traditional Trek followers, so I believe most individuals would name the collection successful (it’s fantastic). The crossover episode Decrease Decks did with Unusual New Worlds was an enormous subject for questions, and it means the collection is simply that rather more cemented into the general historical past. I used to be glad to listen to that at the least two of the actors weren’t bitter about it ending and have been wanting ahead to the long run, the prospect to be part of Star Trek once more. Tawny is already contributing to a new show within the Trek household, a live-action comedy that will share some qualities with Decrease Decks, so the outlook isn’t bleak. Fingers crossed, this new factor will impress, and Eugene will get to cameo.
Simply as they have been on the brink of depart, the moderator referred to as them again and mentioned there was one different factor they wanted to do. I’m unsure why the mantra shocked me initially, however I couldn’t assist myself, I joined in towards the tip.
Following that was a panel with a number of acquainted faces I grew up with, as Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Knowledge), Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher), and John de Lancei (Q) all ready to take questions from Subsequent Gen to Picard, in response to the occasion’s title. The start, nevertheless, was extra of a comedy act between outdated mates, as Garrett Wang was operating late because of the crowds on the skybridge. It’s apparent these individuals weren’t simply colleagues, however mates, with a long time of expertise and tales to share. They picked on one another, quoted numerous references to co-stars who weren’t there, and inspired Spiner to do his varied Patrick Stewart impersonations.
Most of the questions followers requested needed to do with their relationships, instances engaged on the outdated episodes, and who the perfect and worst visitor stars have been, however later inquiries have been extra particular with asking about how sure scripts would have been performed otherwise as we speak, highlighting the progressiveness of TNG and the franchise as a complete pushing boundaries. Frakes mentioned that the studio wasn’t prepared for the whole lot they needed to do, and McFadden cynically joked about how lengthy it took earlier than she was allowed to direct an episode. It was good to listen to the solid talk about their newer adventures. John de Lancei comes off as a loveable curmudgeon, however when requested about essentially the most iconic scenes between Q and his favourite captain, he spoke extra about an interplay from the current season of Picard. It was superior to see that these actors can nonetheless play their characters at such a degree, nonetheless occupied with them, and making new recollections for the followers. In addition they spoke concerning the present applications, exhibiting appreciation for what others who had come after them have been doing. It was exhausting to not smile in any respect of this.
Final up was the Unusual New Worlds Q&A, and there was no means I might miss seeing the celebrities of my favourite new Trek present, particularly after that cliffhanger. There was a superb grouping of audio system for this panel as properly, Anson Mount (Captain Pike), Ethan Peck (Spock), Christina Chong (La’an Noonien-Singh), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Bruce Horak (Hemmer). The TNG crew had such a stable rapport with one another in any case these years collectively, however it was nice to see that the SNW solid was virtually as tight after solely filming three seasons collectively (don’t fear, they’ll be on season 4 very quickly). There weren’t fairly as many historic tales or esoteric jokes, however these colleagues have been studying about one another – like when Christina requested about Babs combating background and appeared genuinely shocked – exhibiting they knew a few of their co-stars’ likes and dislikes, in addition to cracking jokes from the set. I can’t assist however assume it’ll be superb to see their interactions years later and see how a lot nearer they’ll grow to be.
All of them answered questions on their humor and the way they method their roles, after which somebody needed to learn about Anson’s prep rituals for his scenes vocally, which ended up in him reciting an almost three-minute auditorial train that I can solely describe as a gibberish music. However he wasn’t the one one singing because the group went over their favourite musicals, and a few the panel members carried out items from them. The present had a musical episode final season, and judging from this crowd and the variety of questions requested about it, that was successful. There have been many extra jokes between the solid members, enjoying off of the viewers questions, and towards the tip, individuals started asking about issues they’d seen within the preview for this subsequent season. It was fantastic listening to the actors sound simply as enthusiastic about what was developing because the followers did, and although they couldn’t say an excessive amount of, there have been a few behind-the-scenes tidbits that had the group listening intently. That is their job, however it gave the impression of this crew knew how rather more this meant to us, and I additionally assume to them.
Afterward, I used to be in a position to hit up the Stroll of Fame, shocked I acquired by means of the huge line earlier than it closed. I made the rounds and waited my flip to talk to a couple of the individuals I had simply seen on the panels. I’m not a lot of an autograph individual, and I hate photos of myself, so I simply spoke shortly and didn’t take up any of their time if others have been ready for them. After a short good day with Christina Chong and praising her singing, I caught Tawny Newsome and Eugene Cordero back-to-back, telling them how a lot I appreciated Decrease Decks and seemed ahead to seeing extra from everybody on that present. Anson Mount and Jonathan Frakes each had strains and have been busy signing gadgets for followers, however I acquired to take heed to them snicker and inform tales for a couple of minutes. Lastly, I ended by Bruce Horak’s sales space, advised him how a lot I appreciated Hemmer as a fellow albino (he’s not, however the character was), and we had a pleasant lengthy dialogue about his time on the present, his understanding of the species and the way albinism labored for them, after which a reasonably candid half about how individuals with this particular genetic mutation are handled within the medium. That truthfully made my day for a number of causes.
I hate to boil it right down to the whole lot sounding simply so rattling optimistic, however it form of was. Every of those teams made it really feel like they liked what they did and are doing, that they embraced the concepts of Star Trek and have been glad to be part of it, and that it doesn’t matter what, nobody can take that away from them. It additionally made me respect that followers are giving the brand new exhibits an opportunity whereas nonetheless providing the classics the love they deserve, and I walked out of the conference feeling like the way forward for this franchise was in glorious arms whereas the returning characters can nonetheless provide one thing and assist elevate these new applications. So many fandoms are exhausting to get into and even more durable to willingly keep related to, however I’m so right here for some Star Trek.
