The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast

A memo from Gene Roddenberry outlines some changes and areas of concern for Star Trek's regular characters as they head into the show's third season. Spock, in particular, poses a challenge, and this week The Trek Files welcomes back Jean Lorrah to discuss fandom's take on the famous Vulcan and how fan fiction filled in the gaps.

See the original document: Star Trek Continuing Characters - 1968

The Trek Files Season 6 on Memory Alpha

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In 1991 a book proposal made its way to Gene Roddenberry's desk that he should be included in "Portraits of American Genius." This week, Dr. Harrison Solow (wife of the late Herb Solow, Desilu Studios' Executive in Charge of Production) talks about the pitch and her growing friendship with Gene, Majel, Herb and others in the Star Trek production staff.

See the original document: Portraits of American Genius - 1991

The Trek Files Season 6 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!

As the 25th anniversary of Star Trek was playing out on big and small screens and in the press, Gene Roddenberry wrote to Dan Madsen, President of the Star Trek Fan Club, to reflect on Trek's fandom and influence. Dan joins The Trek Files this week to tell his story of going from fan to professional.

See the original document: Letter from Gene Roddenberry to Dan Madsen - 1991

The Trek Files Season 6 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!

Dorothy Fontana's story for "Journey to Babel" introduced the world to Spock's parents Karek and Amanda (as named in her first draft). The family drama gained the interest of fans at the time, and even launched a few writing careers in its wake. Jean Lorrah, novelist, professor and Star Trek fan-fiction author, joins The Trek Files to tell her story.

See the original document: Journey to Babel story outline - June 23, 1967

The Trek Files Season 6 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!

Dan Madsen joins The Trek Files again to discuss a letter from Gene Roddenberry about Lincoln Enterprises. It's a look into fan psychology and the "mission" of Lincoln to keep Star Trek in the public eye while a new production was still potentially years away.

See the original document: Letter from Gene Roddenberry re: Lincoln Enterprises - ca. 1975

The Trek Files Season 6 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!

A short memo from Michael Piller to Rick Berman points out the necessity of filling the Conn position on the Enterprise bridge with someone worthy after Wesley Crusher leaves. Returning guest Lolita Fatjo talks about Piller's contributions to TNG and his legacy.

See the original document: Conn Position memo - July 23, 1990

The Trek Files Season 6 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!

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An earnest fan letter to Gene Roddenberry in 1971 kicks off today's discussion with Star Trek fan-turned-actor Noah Averbach-Katz. Get the story of Noah's immersion into the Trek world and how he sees the fandom reacting to today's stories.

See the original document: Fan letter to Gene Roddenberry - 1971

The Trek Files Season 6 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 third season TOS episode "Plato's Stepchildren" may be remembered for its famous kiss between Kirk and Uhura, but there was a profound effect on a young viewer that led to a lifetime in fandom. Hear Dan Madsen's story and reflections on the impact Star Trek has on innumerable fans who are inspired by its stories.

See the original document: Plato's Stepchildren production documents - 1968

The Trek Files Season 6 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!

Three simple slips of paper reveal the quick ascendance of an important addition to the Star Trek: The Next Generation production team - Jeri Taylor. Joining The Trek Files this week to talk about her contributions to the franchise is Jeri's friend and former assistant Lolita Fatjo.

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See the original document: Star Trek: The Next Generation distribution list - 1990

The Trek Files Season 6 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!

While aspiring writers hoped to get a foot in the door with Star Trek: The Next Generation, it was just as tough finding a job in Hollywood a generation or two prior. Gene Roddenberry sent back some discouraging notes to two of his colleagues in 1959, and today we have script supervisor Lolita Fatjo helping us connect the dots with TNG's open submission program.

See the original document: Gene Roddenberry letters to writers - 1959

The Trek Files Season 6 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!