The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast

Starting on paper, the basic concepts that would make Star Trek: The Next Generation different, and similar, to its predecessor had to be spelled out. Gene Roddenberry expresses some of his earliest ideas in this memo, and we are glad to welcome Mike DeMeritt back to The Trek Files to help us explore early TNG and the ideas that made it to later series as well.

See the documents: Creative Concept Notes - 1986

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

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Faster than you can say "spoiler alert," the May 1982 issue of the Star Trek II fan club newsletter delivered the news about Spock's death weeks before the movie hit cinemas. The studio was ok with the leak though, as Dan Madsen tells us in this week's episode of The Trek Files.

See the documents: Star Trek II movie fan club - May 1982

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

When Star Trek fans relied on print for the latest information, one fan found his newsletter under scrutiny from Paramount. They agreed to make Dan Madsen's publication official and gave him access to scoops and the stars. Today we welcome Dan back to the show to talk about his relationship with the studio and one of the times he chatted with James Doohan.

See the documents: James Doohan interview - 1982

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

This week on The Trek Files, we share more of Larry's interview with Star Trek TOS director Ralph Senensky. Ralph directed seven episodes of the series and discusses here his final work on Star Trek, his professional relationship with Gene Coon, and his work on The Wild, Wild West.

See the documents: Contract Request Form - Directors - 1967

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Writer Hannah Louise Shearer once again joins The Trek Files to examine the ins and outs of production on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Our featured document is the "beat sheet" that lays out the dramatic points in "A Price Far Above Rubies" (later renamed "The Price").

See the documents: "A Price Far Above Rubies" beat sheet - 1989

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Hannah Louise Shearer returns to The Trek Files to talk about the tumultuous early years of Star Trek: The Next Generation. From rewriting Tasha Yar's death to being removed from a story she pitched, Hannah shares stories of her triumphs and frustrations on TNG.

See the documents: "Pen Pals" memo - 1988

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Seemingly innocuous distribution lists can reveal a lot about the backstage dynamics on a TV show. The Trek Files welcomes back Shawn Piller to discuss Michael Piller's work on Star Trek: The Next Generation, how they bonded over their fandom, and how Michael was surprised to be handed control of the show.

See the documents: Distribution bucks - 1989

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

The Trek Files dives back into the mailbag from the early 1970s for a cross-section of fans, from the starry-eyed kids who just want a piece of Star Trek to call their own to the seniors who want to thank Gene for his work and hope for more to come.

See the documents: Fan letters - early 1970s

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Before the first episode of TNG had aired, writers pitched their stories to the show's producers. Hannah Louise Shearer, a veteran of series television, pitched to D.C. Fontana who, in turn, brought the ideas to Gene Roddenberry. Get an inside look at the earliest days of production on Star Trek: The Next Generation with our special guest, Hannah Louise Shearer!

See the documents: Proposed Stories by Hannah Shearer - 1987

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

On The Trek Files 200th episode, Rod Roddenberry joins us to look at a speech his father gave to the National Space Society while reflecting on Gene's legacy, his contributions to the genre, and the optimism in his work. Don't miss this week's very special episode!

See the documents: Speech to the National Space Society - 1989

The Trek Files Season 9 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!