From its earliest concept stages, Star Trek: The Next Generation set out to break new ground, including the intentional addition of a disabled crewmember to the Enterprise-D. Inspired by and named for a real fan, George LaForge, this character was part of a push for greater representation and inclusivity on screen.

This week, The Trek Files welcomes actor and artist Bruce Horak, known to fans as Hemmer from Strange New Worlds. Bruce shares his personal journey as a blind actor stepping into Star Trek’s universe, the impact of authentic representation, and his new documentary Boldly Going, where he paints portraits of people who have overcome significant challenges in their own lives.

Content note: 

The historical document featured in this episode contains outdated language and descriptions of disabled individuals. While we do not endorse these terms, we present the full text in the interest of transparency and historical context.

Document and additional references: Memo exchange discussing the inclusion of a disabled crewmember in TNG – October 1986

Support Bruce’s documentary: Boldly Going on Indiegogo

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

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It wasn’t just the series finale of Star Trek: Enterprise. “These Are the Voyages” marked the end of an 18-year era of continuous Star Trek on television, dating back to The Next Generation in 1987. Emotions ran high on set, and not all of them were celebratory. Returning guest Mike DeMeritt, First Assistant Director on Enterprise, brings us a candid look behind the scenes of Trek’s broadcast-era farewell. From dismantled sets to discarded call sheets (but not underwear), we explore the atmosphere and aftermath of one of Trek’s most controversial finales.

Document and additional references: "These are the Voyages" shooting schedule and strip board - February 25, 2005

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

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May 2001 marked a major transition as Star Trek: Voyager had just wrapped, and Enterprise was ramping up production. With little time to exhale, the crew jumped into a new era: new cast, new look, even new tech (farewell, hand-written call sheets!). But as always, the most revealing stories live between the lines. First Assistant Director Mike DeMeritt returns to The Trek Files to help decode a pair of call sheets and share what they say about how Trek kept boldly going behind the scenes.

Document and additional references: Voyager and Enterprise call sheets - May 2001

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

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One of TV’s most iconic set designs didn’t just look futuristic—it functioned like the real thing. Matt Jefferies’ vision for the U.S.S. Enterprise bridge was both cinematic and sensible, blending style with storytelling utility. This week, Ben Robinson returns to The Trek Files to explore two of Jefferies’ original design documents and reveal the real-world engineering and aviation influences that helped shape Star Trek’s most legendary interiors.

Document and additional references: Matt Jeffries bridge designs - 1964

Sponsored by  - Bold Bubbles

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

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

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The Trek Files returns to one of the most foundational documents in Star Trek history: the third revision of The Star Trek Guide from 1967. Author and “Trek Whisperer” Glen Henderson joins Larry Nemecek to explore the show’s core creative philosophy—especially the idea that believability in characters and behavior matters more than technobabble.

Together, they unpack a fascinating “test” Gene Roddenberry included in the guide, challenging writers to spot a major format error in a hypothetical teaser scene. Was it bad science? Clunky terminology? Or something more human at the heart of it?

Discover what Gene thought really made Trek work—and what still resonates with fans and creatives today.

Document and additional references: The Star Trek Guide, Third Revision - April 17, 1967

Visit Glen Henderson, The Trek Whisperer

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

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

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It's time for our seasonal dive into Gene Roddenberry's mail bag for a look at fan letters that were considered for publication in the book "Letters to Star Trek." Topics range from DeForest Kelley's southern accent to acquiring props and other leftovers from production to parents just not understanding Star Trek's appeal. John Champion joins Larry Nemecek for a peek into what has changed and what has certainly stayed the same in the world of fandom.

Document and additional references: Star Trek fan letters - 1975

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

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The crew of the Enteprise-D were taking shape in the earliest creative days of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Julian Picard, Commander Ryker, and Leslie Crusher all went through revisions to becomes the characters we know today. Deanna Troi evolved from a towering, large-brained, four-breasted telepath into, fortunatley, a character who was far more suitable for TNG's stories. The Trek Files is thrilled to welcome Nana Visitor to discuss the ever-changing roles of women in the Trek universe and the back-and-forth relationship between Gene Roddenberry and Dorothy Fontana in our amusing, revealing documents.

Document and additional references: Star Trek: The Next Generation bible version 1 (excerpt) - November 5, 1986

Open a Channel: A Woman's Trek by Nana Visitor

The Trek Files Season 13 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.

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Star Trek fans already know about Voyager's "Year of Hell," but they may not know about the "day of hell" that plagued production in October 1995 while filming the second season episode "Death Wish." It would take more than the power of Q to rescue cast and crew from the multiple accidents and failures the threatened to derail the epsiode. That's where the power of an experienced Assistant Director is tested, and today we welcome back to the show Mike DeMeritt who was on set that day and guides us through how to "ride the chaos."

Document and additional references: Star Trek: Voyager "Death Wish" call sheet and production report - October 17, 1995

The Trek Files Season 13 on Memory Alpha

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One of the common threads the connects all Star Trek series is the role of the Doctor. Whether human, alien, or hologram, the Doctor often represents the compassionate, human heart at the center of Trek's stories. In an excerpt from the first season Star Trek writer's guide, Gene Roddenberry spelled out the special relationship Dr. McCoy has with his crewmates. Special guest John Billingsley drops by The Trek Files to give his own spin on how Dr. Phlox fits into the legacy and shares imporant updates about Trektivim in the real world by helping foster positive social change.

Document and additional references: Star Trek Writer-Director Information (Excerpt) - August 30, 1966

Support TrekTalks and the Hollywood Food Coalition

The Trek Files Season 13 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!

Star Trek's very first fans were made on the night of Septmeber 8, 1966 when NBC premired its newest primetime science-fiction show. The reviews may have been mixed, but a lifetime of influence and inspiration followed. We look back at a couple of Trek's earliest reviews and get to know one of the viewers from that night. Glen Henderson, author of "All I Need to Know about Success I Learned from Star Trek," joins The Trek Files to discuss the series' impact on his life and profession.

Document and additional references: Reviews of New Television Shows - September 9, 1966

Visit Glen Henderson, The Trek Whisperer

The Trek Files Season 13 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!