The Ultimate Model?

Did you build starship models as a kid, like some of us did? Do you build starship models now? Well, here's the ultimate build for you! Offered by eaglemoss, the new Build the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D is here and available for pre-order now. The first 500 subscribers receive free goodies, and you can get the first two kits for only $4.95. Starting in March, four kits arrive every month at $12.90 per kit, plus shipping. After 30ish months you will have an incredibly accurate model with lights and a special display base. Check it out HERE

USS Nokomis 2020 Holiday Gathering

Here's everything you need to know for Saturday's Zoom event at 6pm. First, this is the link to join the meeting. If you haven't been on a Zoom meeting recently, note that they have significantly increased security and both a Meeting ID and Passcode are required for entry:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3141085993?pwd=S21TampnV01XUjNrc2QyK2kvSzMyQT09

Meeting ID: 314 108 5993
Passcode: 12345

Dial by your location: 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 314 108 5993
Passcode: 12345

Now, on to the planned festivities:

  • We'll start with time for greetings. Feel free to share your choice of holiday attire (Star Trek or other costume, ugly sweater, black tie formalwear, or anything else you'd like), plus your chosen food/beverage (since we're not supplying a virtual buffet!)
  • There will be games! Don't worry, you don't have to sing or dance like Pavel Chekhov, but we've got a few fun ideas like Guess the Gift
  • Remember those facts I've been collecting about everyone? We'll do our first Kahoot Quiz during this hour to try it out. You will simply log on to www.kahoot.it from your phone or device to answer the questions along with the group. We'll walk you through it since it's new, and it's super simple!
  • Prizes? Yes, there will be some of those as well. Good ones, not worthless Spican Flame Gems
  • One of our most important functions as a group is to support the community, so we'll be collecting for Toys For Tots during the party and all day Saturday (see more details below)
  • After the planned part, we'll hang out and visit

The Governing Board has worked to plan a fun and laid-back event. Please join us!!

 

 

Book Review: “Star Trek The Official Guide to the Animated Series” by Aaron Harvey and Rich Schepis

“Star Trek: The Animated Series(TAS) has 22 episodes and aired originally from September 8, 1972 to October 4, 1973.  The series has long been neglected in terms of it’s production history.  Two guys born after the run, have finally taken care of that.

Aaron Harvey is a graphic artist and a podcaster, he has done work on IDW’s Star Trek titles.  Rich Schepis is an associate director for of Athletic Communications at the University of Pennsylvania.  Both are life long Star Trek fans. Harvey did a podcast for “Trek.fm” website on TAS for a time period. Schepis has written for a number of Star Trek related websites including Trekcore.com.

Both author’s have a strong interest in Star Trek in the 1970’s.  They became acquainted with Fred Bronson. Bronson was a publicist at Paramount and did the press releases and other related communications for TAS when it was being produced.  Bronson wrote “The Counter-Clock Incident”, under pen name “John Culver” for TAS. He also wrote “Menage-A-Troi” and “The Game” for TNG.  Bronson gave the two authors copies of the publicity materials for TAS and that got the two started. They interviewed a wide variety of people for the book including Dorothy Fontana, Lou Scheimer and David Gerrold. Plus they were given access to the Filmation archives for TAS.

The book has wonderful images from the series. It includes concept/pre-production art and drawings. Pictures of production cels, script story boards and script pages.  There are pictures of Howard Weinstein’s script pages for “The Pirates of Orion” that were typed on college ruled loose leaf notepaper.

Filmation had originally proposed “Star Trek Academy” as a series idea.  Roddenberry vetoed that, saying that the series should be an animated version of the original series. Dorothy Fontana was the series producer and story editor, in addition to contributing the script for “Yesteryear”.  Fontana was able to recruit a number of writers for the original series including: David Gerrold, Sam Peoples, and Margaret Armen. She also adapted a story from Larry Niven, “The Slaver Weapon” for the series. Gerrold and Armen both contributed two scripts for TAS.

They were able to get almost all of the original cast, except for Walter Koenig. However Koenig contributed a script, “The Infinite Vulcan”.  Leonard Nimoy can be thanked for making sure that George Takei and Nichelle Nichols were included. Nichols, Takei, Doohan and Barrett were also used for many of the other character voices through out the series. The cast only recorded 3 episodes together, the rest were done with the actors coming in on their own schedule to record. Guest voices included: Ted Night (“The Surviver), Ed Bishop (“The Magicks of Megas-Tu”), Mark Leonard (Sarek), Roger C. Carmel (Harry Mudd) and Stanley Adams (Cyrano Jones).

TAS was produced during the “limited animation” years in Hollywood.  As much as 30% of an episode could be stock footage from the series. The shots of the “Enterprise” were rotoscoped from the TOS.  Filmation had a number of in house artists who worked on a variety of things. One of the producers tastes ran towards purple and green. Irv Kaplan’s tastes ran towards using pink. He was responsible for the Kizinti character costumes and ship being pink.

The book devotes a number of pages to each episode including art, concept drawings, production art and a section on bloopers for each episode.

TAS was long ignored for it’s contributions to Star Trek, however a number of things have been made a part of Trek, including: Kirk’s middle name, Uhura in command, the Vulcan Forge and sehlats, and an Emmy award.

This is a loving and well done book giving TAS the tribute it needs.  This is a well produced volume, done in the style of many “Art of” books. It is worthy addition to any Star Trek library.

Captain’s Log: Thanksgiving Edition 2020

Greetings, Crew!

I hope you're all going to enjoy your Thanksgiving and do something that makes you smile. If you're really stuck for something to do, watch the Thanksgiving episode of the Original Series. You know, the one with the Thanksgiving turkeys? Click HERE if you don't know what I'm talking about.

Here's some Thanksgiving trivia for you (answers below - don't peek):

  1. What major Star Trek character added too much taragon to the stuffing?
  2. What Enterprise crew member removed all of the screws from the dining table as a child, causing the Thanksgiving turkey to crash to the floor?
  3. What holiday do the Talaxians celebrate to give thanks for family?
  4. Which Star Trek captain cooked Thanksgiving dinner for all of the senior staff?
  5. On Bajor, what holiday is analogous to Thanksgiving?

In my house, our Thanksgiving will start as they all start - with a trip down to St James (south of Mankato) to volunteer at the big Thanksgiving blood drive. I'm not sure, but I believe it's still the biggest Thanksgiving Day blood drive in the country. Talk about Minnesota Nice! Then we will drive home and have our dinner. Less people this year, but we'll still have the whole meal and will Zoom with family to say hello and share our thanks. If anyone would like to share a greeting, just let me know and we'll make it happen!

I am thankful for all of you, on Thanksgiving and every day. Although we formally pause only once a year to celebrate our many accomplishments, there are many and they are really cool! The many social activities, science fiction events and charitable endeavors we've done over the years are really out of the ordinary and special. Thanks to all of you for your special talents and uniqueness!!

See you around the Galaxy!

Mary

 

Trivia Answers

Click this article to see the answers. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down. Scroll down.

  1. Benjamn Sisko
  2. Charles "Trip" Tucker III
  3. Prixin
  4. Benjamin Sisko
  5. The Gratitude Festival

Captain’s Log, Supplemental: November 18th, 2020

Greetings, Terrans!

Thanks to those that attended last Saturday's meeting. It's so much fun to see people from far away that haven't been able to join us before Zoom meetings! It's also pretty cool that our attendance is increasing instead of the other way around.

Just a few updates for today's newsletter. First, I'd like to congratulate the person that stumped everyone with his baby picture! Lots and lots of guesses were submitted, but nobody got it right. That cute little guy was......Rich Perry!! Now that you know, you can see it in his eyes, right?

Remember to save the date on December 12th at 6pm for our holiday get-together. Details for this hour-long soiree will be posted in the next few weeks. You may want to start looking for an ugly sweater or glitzy uniform or something else to wear and share on our Zoom call.

One last reminder about paying dues is coming in the next few weeks to those who didn't pay in September. We know everybody's busy and we hope to keep everyone in the fold, especially since human (or alien) contact is so vitally important right now, so we're trying something new instead of simply removing folks from the list. We now have PayPal, Venmo and mail-in options, so hopefully we've made it as easy as possible!

For now, take care and stay safe during our uptick in COVID-19 cases! See you around the Galaxy!

Mary

 

Anson Mount joins METI

Here's a fun story about real life imitating art. METI, the scientific organization devoted to Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence, announced this week that actor Anson Mount has joined its Board of Directors.

METI was founded in 2015 to expand on SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). Instead of just listening for other life forms, METI sends signals to nearby stars in hopes of a reply.

The star of the upcoming Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds said in a statement: “It is a distinct privilege to be asked to join the outstanding scientists, artists, and innovators that make up the METI team. I look forward to helping this organization expand its footprint in our cultural landscape and educate the general public about our endeavors to connect with extraterrestrial intelligence through scientific methods as we continue to grapple with the implications of this work. As a Starfleet Captain, it brings me unbridled joy to be able to say that I am actually sending out a hail.”

 

Star Trek Stories Inspired by Horror Movie Classics

Halloween is over, but here's a list of horror-inspired episodes from StarTrek.com to get you thinking. Did you know they were based, however loosely, on these classics? Fascinating...

"Catspaw" (TOS) - The House on Haunted Hill (1959)
With a script from Psycho author Robert Bloch, it’s no surprise that the seventh episode of The Original Series’ second season has a horror feel. When Kirk, Spock, and Bones enter a creepy castle during their search for missing Sulu and Scotty, they encounter a host of spooky figures, including witches and a black cat. This imagery can be found in many old horror films, but none better capture the mélange of tropes like the William Castle spectacle indirectly responsible for his success. Hollywood legend holds that the financial success of 1959’s The House on Haunted Hill inspired Alfred Hitchcock to adapt Bloch’s novel. Starring Vincent Price as a billionaire who challenges treasure-seekers to spend 24 hours in his haunted mansion, The House on Haunted Hill is packed with the same type of campy apparitions that plague Kirk and his crew in “Catspaw.”

Star Trek: First Contact — Night of the Living Dead (1968)
From their first appearance in the season two Next Generation episode “Q Who,” the Borg established themselves as one of the most disturbing enemy races. But it wasn’t until the two-parter “The Best of Both Worlds” and the film First Contact that viewers saw everything the Borg can do. The Borg strip away their victims’ identities, reducing them to mindless drones, grotesque reminders of the people they used to be. Loss of identity has been a key part of zombie movies, ever since George Romero redefined the genre with 1968’s Night of the Living Dead. In one of the film’s most disturbing scenes, a young girl turns and kills her parents, who refuse to accept that their daughter has been replaced by a mindless monster. Similar scenes have appeared in the movies and tv shows that built on Romero’s premise. But none have captured the zombie ethos better than the Borg’s ominous warning, “Resistance is futile.”

"Sub Rosa" (TNG) — The Innocents (1961)
“Sub Rosa” regularly shows up on lists of worst TNG episodes, and even received some gentle ribbing in an episode of Lower Decks. The story of Dr. Crusher falling for a ghost on a planet modeled after 17th century Scotland sits awkwardly among science fiction tales about ongoing explorations into deep space. But “Sub Rosa” does belong to another, equally rich literary vein. “Sub Rosa” borrows heavily from the 1961 Jack Clayton film The Innocents, itself an adaptation of the Henry James novella The Turn of the Screw. In The Innocents, new governess Miss Giddens (Deborah Kerr) sees visions of previous caretakers Quint (Peter Wyngarde) and Jessel (Clytie Jessop), ghosts who may or may not threaten the children in her care. “Sub Rosa” eschews the children, but intensifies the gothic romance only implied in earlier adaptations, making it a unique entry among The Turn of the Screw adaptations.

Star Trek Nemesis — Nosferatu (1922)
The final big screen adventure of the TNG crew introduces the Remans, a Romulan race oppressed by the Empire and lead by Shinzon, a clone of Picard played by Tom Hardy. With their batlike features and telepathic abilities, the Remans quite resemble one of the world’s most iconic monsters, Count Orlok of the silent German expressionist film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. An unauthorized adaptation of Dracula, Nosferatu keeps the same basic plot line as Bram Stoker’s novel. But where Count Dracula was a sophisticated aristocrat, actor Max Schreck plays Orlok like a true creature of the night. His twisted visage and claw like hands made for a striking image, one that still influences horror movies today. The Remans retain the beastly features of their cinematic forerunner, even as Rob Perlman brings an air of dignity to his performance as Shinzon’s viceroy.

"Empok Nor" (DS9) – John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982)
For a show that dealt with the supernatural more directly than any other Trek series, Deep Space Nine rarely featured horror episodes. Season five’s “Empok Nor” offers a rare exception, in which Garak accompanies Chief O’Brien and his engineers to the titular abandoned station. When Garak contracts a virus designed to make Cardassians kill outsiders, he goes on a murderous spree against his one-time allies, playing their trust against them. With its claustrophobic atmosphere and its portrayal of paranoia, “Empok Nor” mirrors the 1982 John Carpenter classic The Thing. Starring Kurt Russell and Keith David, The Thing drips with tension, as a shape-shifting alien infiltrates a remote Antarctic outpost. The humans turn against one another as they hunt down a creature that can look like anyone, providing the perfect groundwork for an episode that explores O’Brien’s past and Garak’s mercurial allegiances.

"The Thaw" (VOY) — It (1990)
No Trek series dabbled with horror as much as Voyager, starting with season two’s “The Thaw.” After discovering five stasis chambers connected to a life support system, Harry Kim and B’Elanna Torres go into deep sleep to search for survivors. But instead of colonists, they encounter a twisted circus troupe lead by a devious clown, played by Michael McKean. When the episode aired in 1996, “scary clown” meant only one thing: Pennywise, the demonic creature featured in 1990 tv movie based on Stephen King’s It. As portrayed by Tim Curry, Pennywise seethed with menace, even at his most playful. McKean gives a goofier performance for his clown, but he follows Curry’s lead whenever it’s time to threaten the Voyager crew.

"Cold Fire" (VOY) — Suspiria (1977)
To the casual viewer, season two’s “Cold Fire” might be a strange entry on this list. After all, there’s little overt horror in the story of Kes meeting a colony of Ocampans who have rejected the limits placed on her people and heightening her telepathic abilities. But these Ocampans serve a Nacene whose name immediately catches the attention of any scary movie fan: Suspira. Directed by Italian filmmaker Dario Argento, the psychedelic Suspiria follows an American dancer who finds out too late that a coven of witches run the school she’s attending. The episode uses none of the film’s iconic imagery, such as a hairy-handed beast with yellow eyes or a room filled with razor wire, but there’s a clear echo of Argento’s witches when Suspiria arrives on Voyager in the form of a creepy little girl.

"Darkling" (VOY) — Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)
Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale of a kindly doctor whose experiments to remove his darker nature results in a brutish alter-ego called Mister Hyde has been adapted countless times. The best film version debuted in 1920 and featured John Barrymore as a magnetic and utterly unhinged Mr. Hyde. But the most unconventional adaptation might be the Voyager episode “Darkling.” Like Dr. Jekyll, Voyager’s Doctor only endeavors to improve himself, by loading into his personality matrix historical figures such as the poet Lord Byron and Mahatma Gandhi. But as he tries to isolate the best qualities of those figures, their worst impulses affect his programing as well, manifesting in a cloaked alter-ego who threatens the Voyager crew. It’s an exciting adventure in which the Doctor learns that embracing one’s humanity also involves acknowledging one’s dark side.

"Impulse" (ENT) — The Crazies (1973)
Although he’s best known for his movies about flesh-eating ghouls, George Romero gave us a different kind of monster with 1973’s The Crazies. Set in a small Pennsylvania town, The Crazies chronicles the destruction wrought by a biological weapon that turns regular people into violent sociopaths. As in Romero’s zombie movies, the scares in The Crazies come from watching people lose their identities and become something inhuman and animal-like. That premise becomes even more rich when applied to the usually emotionless Vulcans in the Enterprise season three episode “Impulse.” When the NX-01 answers a distress call, Archer and his crew discover not the serene scientists they expect but angry killer Vulcans. Things grow worse when T’Pol begins emotional outbursts, forcing Phlox to find a cure before it’s too late. It may not hit as close to home as Romero’s movie, but “Impulse” unsettles viewers by forcing us watch characters we love give themselves over to hatred.

"Context is for Kings" (DSC) - Aliens (1986)
In the third episode of Discovery’s first season, Michael Burnham arrives on the Discovery and meets the hawkish Captain Lorca, who assigns her to investigate the destroyed U.S.S. Glenn. As they search the ship’s wreckage, Burnham and her new crewmates learn what destroyed the Glenn: a powerful beast, seemingly impervious to their weapons. Throughout “Context is for Kings,” keen horror fans may notice similarities with Aliens, the 1986 sci-fi horror sequel directed by James Cameron. Where the first Alien film pitted Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley and her fellow blue-collar workers against a single xenomorph, Aliens teams Ripley with a space marine platoon fighting an entire nest of Aliens. Where the marines fall apart when their guns and their bravado fail them, Ripley overcomes her fear to rescue the sole surviving colonist. By referencing Aliens, “Context” establishes Burnham as a hero modeled after Ripley, intelligent and compassionate as she is brave.